<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Thailand Land of SmilesThai life | Thailand Land of Smiles</title>
	<atom:link href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/category/thai-life/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 05:01:42 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Pattaya International Bed Race 2012</title>
		<link>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2012/01/23/pattaya-international-bed-race-2/</link>
		<comments>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2012/01/23/pattaya-international-bed-race-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:09:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Talen</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Thai life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bed race]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pattaya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pattaya city hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pattaya events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pattaya International Bed Race 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pattaya rotary club]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thai girlks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thailand]]></category>

	<!-- AutoMeta Start -->
	<category>race</category>
	<category>2012</category>
	<category>rotary</category>
	<category>international</category>
	<category>charities</category>
	<category>club</category>
	<category>parade</category>
	<category>teams</category>
	<category>race</category>
	<category>2012</category>
	<category>rotary</category>
	<category>international</category>
	<category>charities</category>
	<category>club</category>
	<category>parade</category>
	<category>teams</category>
	<!-- AutoMeta End -->
	
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?p=8148</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pattaya International Bed Race 2012 The 4th annual Pattaya International Bed Race will take place on January 29, 2012 right on beach road. Organized by the Rotary Club of Pattaya and Pattaya City Hall, the event has been a huge success the past 2 years and looks to be a permanent event on the Pattaya...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pattaya-bed-race-095_800x535.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-8149" title="Pattaya International Bed Race 2012" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pattaya-bed-race-095_800x535.jpg" alt="Pattaya International Bed Race 2012" width="480" height="321" /></a></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Pattaya International Bed Race 2012</h2>
<p>The 4th annual<strong> Pattaya International Bed Race</strong> will take place on January 29, 2012 right on beach road. Organized by the Rotary Club of Pattaya and Pattaya City Hall, the event has been a huge success the past 2 years and looks to be a permanent event on the Pattaya calender.</p>
<p>The Pattaya International Bed Race has been great fun for both tourists and participants alike over the past 2 years and all the proceeds go to fund the many charities that the Rotary Club of Pattaya sponsor. In just 3 years the event has raised over 300 million baht for charity.</p>
<p>The festivities will begin at 5pm in front of Central Festival Mall on Beach Road where there will be a stage set up with live music and dancing. You can sit and enjoy the music while watching the beds start to line up for the official Pattaya International Bed Race parade that will commence at 6pm. Now, depending on how late the stragglers are and or just how drunk they may be the parade will start at Central festival and make the loop to second road and back to Central Festival where the actual race will begin at 7pm.</p>
<p>At 8:30pm or sometime afterwards depending on how long the race takes an awards ceremony will take place on Walking Street.</p>
<p>If you are in town please don&#8217;t miss this event as it is truly a blast to watch and all monies collected by the individual teams and the Rotary Club, which will have a nice raffle, goes to help Pattaya charities.</p>
<p>Last year 30 teams took part in the Pattaya International Bed Race and you can bet there will be just as many this year. I&#8217;ll be there taking pictures for those of you not lucky enough to be in town.</p>
<p>For more information on upcoming Pattaya and Thailand Events and Festivals please visit the<a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/events-calender/"> Thailand Events Calender</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pattaya-bed-race-285_800x535.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-8150" title="Pattaya International Bed Race 2011 winners Murphy's Law" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/pattaya-bed-race-285_800x535.jpg" alt="Pattaya International Bed Race 2011 winners Murphy's Law" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<div></div>
<hr /><h2>Related Articles of Interest:</h2><ul><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2012/01/30/pattaya-international-bed-race-pictures/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Pattaya International Bed Race 2012 in Pictures">Pattaya International Bed Race 2012 in Pictures</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/12/15/pattaya-international-bed-race/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Pattaya International Bed Race 2011">Pattaya International Bed Race 2011</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/01/30/pattaya-international-bed-race-2010/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Pattaya International Bed Race 2010">Pattaya International Bed Race 2010</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/01/31/pattaya-bed-race-pictures/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Pattaya Bed Race 2011 in Pictures">Pattaya Bed Race 2011 in Pictures</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/02/27/pattaya-international-music-festival/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Pattaya International Music Festival 2011">Pattaya International Music Festival 2011</a></li></ul><hr /><small>Copyright &copy; 2007-2010 Thailand, Land of Smiles.This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. <br /> The use of this feed on other websites without express permission by Thailand, Land of Smiles breaches copyright. This content is for use in your news reader and certain pages where Thailand, Land of Smiles has given express permission for it's use, any other uses is an infringement of the copyright. (Digital Fingerprint:<br /> 80c05c1e967be8c748e0d66ae7c5b673 (38.107.179.240) </small><img src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=8148&type=feed" alt="" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2012/01/23/pattaya-international-bed-race-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Thailand Public &amp; National Holidays 2012</title>
		<link>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2012/01/05/thailand-public-national-holidays/</link>
		<comments>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2012/01/05/thailand-public-national-holidays/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:36:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Talen</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Thai life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Moving to Thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand calender]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thailand festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand public holidays 2012]]></category>

	<!-- AutoMeta Start -->
	<category>2012</category>
	<category>celebrates</category>
	<category>substitution</category>
	<category>holiday</category>
	<category>businesses</category>
	<category>holidays</category>
	<category>monday</category>
	<category>bucha</category>
	<category>2012</category>
	<category>celebrates</category>
	<category>substitution</category>
	<category>holiday</category>
	<category>businesses</category>
	<category>holidays</category>
	<category>monday</category>
	<category>bucha</category>
	<!-- AutoMeta End -->
	
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?p=8120</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Thailand Public Holidays 2012 Below is a list of Thailand’s public &#38; National holidays for 2012. Businesses and government offices will be closed on National holidays while tourist attractions, clubs, and shops generally remain open. Many holidays such as Loy Krathong and Visaka Bucha day are based on the lunar calender so will change dates...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Beautiful-Lotus-blossum.jpg"><img class="aligncenter  wp-image-8121" title="Thailand Public &amp; National Holidays 2012" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Beautiful-Lotus-blossum.jpg" alt="Thailand Public &amp; National Holidays 2012" width="420" height="281" /></a></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Thailand Public Holidays 2012</h2>
<p>Below is a list of Thailand’s public &amp; National holidays for 2012. Businesses and government offices will be closed on National holidays while tourist attractions, clubs, and shops generally remain open. Many holidays such as<strong> Loy Krathong </strong>and <strong>Visaka Bucha </strong>day are based on the lunar calender so will change dates from year to year.</p>
<p>In the event that a National holiday falls on a weekend the substitution day is the first business day after the holiday and generally all banks, businesses and government offices are closed.</p>
<p>The holiday calender is located in the right sidebar year round for your convenience.</p>
<p>Please visit the <a href="../events-calender/">Thailand Calender of Events</a> for all the other great Thailand Festivals and Events throughout the coming year.</p>
<div></div>
<table width="95%" border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="5" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>1 January 2012</strong><br />
(Sunday)</td>
<td><strong>New Year&#8217;s Day</strong><br />
The beginning of the western new year is a national holiday in Thaland, one of three &#8220;new year&#8221; holidays celebrated every year.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>2 January 2012</strong><br />
(Monday)</td>
<td><strong>New Year&#8217;s Day</strong> (Substitution)<br />
Some businesses may be closed.</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>23 January 2012</strong><br />
(Monday)</td>
<td><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/02/03/chinese-year-year-of-rabbit/">Chinese New Year</a><br />
The beginning of the Chinese lunar year is celebrated in the Chinatowns of every city throughout Thailand. Some businesses close for the day, but it is not a national holiday.</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>7 February 2012</strong><br />
(Tuesday)</td>
<td><strong>Makha Bucha</strong><br />
Makha Bucha celebrates the Buddha&#8217;s first sermon in to his disciples.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>6 April 2012</strong><br />
(Friday)</td>
<td><strong>Chakri Day</strong><br />
Chakri Day commeorates the founding of the current dynasty, Rama I.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>13 April 2012</strong><br />
(Friday)</td>
<td><strong><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2008/04/13/songkran-thai-new-year/">Songkran</a></strong><br />
Songkran is the traditional Thai new year, generally celebrated as a water festival.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>14 April 2012</strong><br />
(Saturday)</td>
<td><strong><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/04/13/songkran-day/">Songkran</a></strong><br />
Second day of this three-day holiday.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>15 April 2012</strong><br />
(Sunday)</td>
<td><strong><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/04/15/songkran-day-ladies/">Songkran</a></strong><br />
Third of the three days of Songkran.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>16 April 2012</strong><br />
(Monday)</td>
<td><strong>Songkran</strong> (Substitution)<br />
Some businesses may be closed.</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>1 May 2012</strong><br />
(Tuesday)</td>
<td><strong>Labor Day</strong><br />
International labor day is celebrated as a national holiday, even though there isn&#8217;t much ado about it<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>5 May 2012</strong><br />
(Saturday)</td>
<td><strong>Coronation Day</strong><br />
Celebrates the day in 1949 when the current king was crowned.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>7 May 2012</strong><br />
(Monday)</td>
<td><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2008/05/18/visakha-bucha-day-in-thailand/"><strong>Visakha Bucha</strong></a><br />
The holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates the birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana of the Buddha.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>19 May 2012</strong><br />
(Saturday)</td>
<td><strong>Royal Plouging Ceremony</strong><br />
A government holiday only, this ceremony revives an ancient blessing of the plants and ceremonial start to the new growing season. The action takes place on Bangkok&#8217;s Sanam Luang in front of the Grand Palace.</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>3 July 2012</strong><br />
(Tuesday)</td>
<td><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2008/07/18/buddhist-lent-begins-in-thailand/"><strong>Buddhist Lent</strong></a><br />
This day marks the beginning of the Buddhist &#8216;lent&#8217; period, a time when monks are supposed to retreat to their temples while new life springs forth.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>12 August 2012</strong><br />
(Sunday)</td>
<td><strong>Queen&#8217;s Birthday</strong><br />
Her Majesty the Queen&#8217;s birthday is a national holiday, also serving as the country&#8217;s Mothers Day as well.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>13 August 2012</strong><br />
(Monday)</td>
<td><strong>Queen&#8217;s Birthday</strong> (Substitution)<br />
Some businesses may be closed.</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>23 October 2012</strong><br />
(Tuesday)</td>
<td><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2008/10/23/chulalongkorn-day-in-thailand/"><strong>Chulalongkorn Day</strong></a><br />
Celebrates the life of one of Thailand&#8217;s most revered kings on the anniversary of his death.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>28 November 2012</strong><br />
(Wednesday)</td>
<td><strong><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/11/22/loy-krathong-awesome/">Loy Krathong</a></strong><br />
Not a national holiday, but an evening when Thais pay respect to the goddess of the waters by floating candlelit offerings on any and all waterways around the kingdom.</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>5 December 2012</strong><br />
(Wednesday)</td>
<td><strong>King&#8217;s Birthday</strong><br />
His Majesty the King&#8217;s birthday is celebrated throughout the country and also serves as the nation&#8217;s Fathers Day.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>10 December 2012</strong><br />
(Monday)</td>
<td><strong>Constitution Day</strong><br />
December 10<sup>th</sup> celebrates the date in 1932 when the country was granted its first constitution.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td nowrap="nowrap"><strong>31 December 2012</strong><br />
(Monday)</td>
<td><strong>New Years Eve</strong><br />
The day before the western new year day is always a national holiday.<br />
<strong></strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<hr /><h2>Related Articles of Interest:</h2><ul><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/01/05/thailand-holidays-2009/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Thailand Holidays 2009">Thailand Holidays 2009</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/12/12/thailand-holidays-2010/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Thailand Holidays 2010">Thailand Holidays 2010</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/12/21/thailand-holidays/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Thailand Public &#038; National Holidays 2011">Thailand Public &#038; National Holidays 2011</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/12/24/wishing-happy-holidays/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Wishing You all a Very Happy Holidays">Wishing You all a Very Happy Holidays</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/12/24/merry-christmas-from-thailand/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Merry Christmas from Thailand">Merry Christmas from Thailand</a></li></ul><hr /><small>Copyright &copy; 2007-2010 Thailand, Land of Smiles.This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. <br /> The use of this feed on other websites without express permission by Thailand, Land of Smiles breaches copyright. This content is for use in your news reader and certain pages where Thailand, Land of Smiles has given express permission for it's use, any other uses is an infringement of the copyright. (Digital Fingerprint:<br /> 80c05c1e967be8c748e0d66ae7c5b673 (38.107.179.240) </small><img src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=8120&type=feed" alt="" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2012/01/05/thailand-public-national-holidays/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Merry Christmas from Thailand</title>
		<link>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/12/24/merry-christmas-from-thailand/</link>
		<comments>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/12/24/merry-christmas-from-thailand/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:39:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Talen</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Thai life]]></category>

	<!-- AutoMeta Start -->
	<category>merry</category>
	<category>christmas</category>
	<category>season</category>
	<category>grasp</category>
	<category>spectacular</category>
	<category>vast</category>
	<category>gathering</category>
	<category>lights</category>
	<!-- AutoMeta End -->
	
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?p=8089</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As the sky lights up across Pattaya with fireworks and people are gathering all over to share Christmas Eve and Christmas together I want to take this moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. While the vast majority of Thai&#8217;s are Buddhist they seem to have a much better grasp on enjoying the...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Thailand-Christmas-24.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8090" title="Thailand Christmas Tree" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Thailand-Christmas-24.jpg" alt="Thailand Christmas Tree" width="450" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>As the sky lights up across Pattaya with fireworks and people are gathering all over to share Christmas Eve and Christmas together I want to take this moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. While the vast majority of Thai&#8217;s are Buddhist they seem to have a much better grasp on enjoying the holiday season than most Western countries.</p>
<p>I hope everyone reading this has a spectacular Christmas surrounded by loved ones and the joy of the season.</p>
<p>Merry Christmas to one and all, Have a safe and happy holidays.</p>
<hr /><h2>Related Articles of Interest:</h2><ul><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/11/13/thailand-christmas-coming/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Thailand Christmas is Coming&#8230;">Thailand Christmas is Coming&#8230;</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/12/20/its-beginning-look-lot-like-christmas/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: It&#8217;s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas">It&#8217;s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2008/01/26/greetings-from-thailand/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Greetings From Thailand">Greetings From Thailand</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/12/24/wishing-happy-holidays/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Wishing You all a Very Happy Holidays">Wishing You all a Very Happy Holidays</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/12/26/christmas-day-thailand/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Christmas Day in Thailand">Christmas Day in Thailand</a></li></ul><hr /><small>Copyright &copy; 2007-2010 Thailand, Land of Smiles.This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. <br /> The use of this feed on other websites without express permission by Thailand, Land of Smiles breaches copyright. This content is for use in your news reader and certain pages where Thailand, Land of Smiles has given express permission for it's use, any other uses is an infringement of the copyright. (Digital Fingerprint:<br /> 80c05c1e967be8c748e0d66ae7c5b673 (38.107.179.240) </small><img src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=8089&type=feed" alt="" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/12/24/merry-christmas-from-thailand/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Picking Flowers in Petchaboon</title>
		<link>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/12/01/picking-flowers-petchaboon/</link>
		<comments>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/12/01/picking-flowers-petchaboon/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:39:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Talen</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Thai Food]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thai life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand Pictures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Working in Thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[petchaboon. thai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Picking Flowers in Petchaboon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rice farming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rice farming in thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thai farms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thailand]]></category>

	<!-- AutoMeta Start -->
	<category>fields</category>
	<category>petchaboon</category>
	<category>harvesting</category>
	<category>picking</category>
	<category>mountains</category>
	<category>crops</category>
	<category>miles</category>
	<category>rice</category>
	<category>fields</category>
	<category>petchaboon</category>
	<category>harvesting</category>
	<category>picking</category>
	<category>mountains</category>
	<category>crops</category>
	<category>miles</category>
	<category>rice</category>
	<!-- AutoMeta End -->
	
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?p=7971</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Farmer Talen circa 2009 in the rice fields of Mukdahan quite a bit heavier then and very sweaty. The first thing I noticed as the bus pulled into Petchaboon province were the small mountain ranges on the horizon and after that was the miles and miles of farmland. Petchaboon is definitely farm country as is...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Mukdahan-april-18-2009-123.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7973" title="Mukdahan april 18 2009 " src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Mukdahan-april-18-2009-123.jpg" alt="Mukdahan april 18 2009 " width="480" height="360" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Farmer Talen circa 2009 in the rice fields of Mukdahan quite a bit heavier then and very sweaty.</em></p>
<p>The first thing I noticed as the bus pulled into Petchaboon province were the small mountain ranges on the horizon and after that was the miles and miles of farmland. Petchaboon is definitely farm country as is most of rural Thailand, and while you&#8217;ll see many rice fields as expected they are far from the the money crops. The rice fields for the most part are for personal use while the main crops are sugar cane, tamarind, soy beans, corn and potatoes&#8230;miles and miles of potatoes. From atop the mountains you get a beautiful view of these patchwork crops laid out as far as the eye can see.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-491.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7976" title="Mountains of Petchaboon" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-491.jpg" alt="Mountains of Petchaboon" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-236.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7977" title="Looking down on the fields from the mountains" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-236.jpg" alt="Looking down on the fields from the mountains" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p>One evening after dinner I was sitting with Mo and her parents talking about, of all things, Ford tractors, and that&#8217;s when Pappa asked me if I would like to go with them in the morning to pick flowers&#8230;I said sure, I would love to. Now, I have learned quite a bit of Thai over the past year but staying with the family in Petchaboon quickly made me realize that my Thai was sorely lacking. I was able to pick out enough words to understand what was going on but I missed a lot of the subtle things such as Pappa&#8217;s picking flowers question.</p>
<p>While the farmers do rotate crops and in October many farmers rotate in sunflowers it was still too early for picking because the sunflowers were only 2 feet tall with small heads and for the life of me I saw no other flowers anywhere. Needless to say I was a little confused as to what flowers I would be picking.</p>
<p>The next day came early and after a good breakfast we headed out in the pickup truck, a few miles down the road we pulled into some fields and I started looking intently for flowers&#8230;nope, we had stopped at a house to pick up a few older ladies. A few more miles down the road we stop again to pick up and old couple&#8230;and when I say old I mean old, they were in their 90&#8242;s. Another twenty minutes and we pull off the road into a muddy track between sugar cane fields, about a mile in we stop as the road is flooded so we had to walk the rest of the way.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-403.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7978" title="Rice fields" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-403.jpg" alt="Rice fields" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p>Interspersed between the sugarcane fields were the flower fields or should I say <strong>RICE</strong> fields. We wouldn&#8217;t be picking flowers at all but cutting rice. I asked Mo if I misheard her father about picking flowers and she told me I didn&#8217;t but when harvesting rice many of the old timers refer to it as picking flowers. Of course everyone was dressed for farm work but me because I thought we would be casually picking flowers <img src='http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif' alt=':P' class='wp-smiley' />  Either way I grabbed a sickle and followed the 90 year old man into a field.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-397.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7979" title="Rice laid out to dry" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-397.jpg" alt="Rice laid out to dry" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p>They had already started harvesting a few days before as there were already bundles of rice laying out to dry. It turns out the 90 year old couple owned the 15 or so rice fields which they shared with 4 families in exchange for planting and harvesting. A good deal all the way around which keeps every family in rice for the year.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-398.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7980" title="Working the fields" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-398.jpg" alt="Working the fields" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p>The old man showed me what I needed to do which was as you could guess&#8230;grabbing a handful of rice by the stalk and cutting it about 3-4 inches from the ground then laying it behind me to dry. After about 15 minutes of this in the blazing sun I was ready finish, the old man told me to slow down I could die in this heat <img src='http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif' alt=':P' class='wp-smiley' />  which made me laugh my ass off as he had cut one bundle then sat down and lit up a cigarette and that was his work day. I talked to him the best I could and caught bits and pieces of what he was saying but could read so much more in the lines of his face and the big smile he wore that said so much more than any words could. At 90 he was still going strong and taking care of his family and friends and he was more than happy to do so.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-401.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7981" title="Old man taking a break" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-401.jpg" alt="Old man taking a break" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p>By 11 am it was time to quit, the fields would wait for another day as Pappa and the others had their fields to tend to. Mo and I hung out with the kids at a small shack in the middle of the fields and had lunch before we went home, I was beat,  the sun had taken it out of me and it showed. This was hard back breaking work that these people do day in and day out year after year because they have to, because this is how they feed their families.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-409.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7982" title="Lunch time" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pretchabun-409.jpg" alt="Lunch time" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p>2 years ago I worked in the rice fields of Mukdahan getting them ready for planting by shoveling dung into the fields and now I have come full circle by helping to harvest some rice. What I&#8217;ve done working in the rice fields was very little compared to the lifetimes the Thai&#8217;s have spent in these fields, but the little bit I have done has helped me to understand and appreciate what it takes to put a bowl of rice on the table and the people who do it.</p>
<p>Sadly just a few hours ago Mo told me she is going back home for a week, the old man who I shared a few laughs with passed away last night.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr /><h2>Related Articles of Interest:</h2><ul><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/10/27/greetings-from-beautiful-petchaboon/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Greetings from Beautiful Petchaboon">Greetings from Beautiful Petchaboon</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/11/14/tilting-thailand-refrigerators/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Tilting Thailand Refrigerators">Tilting Thailand Refrigerators</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/01/07/thailand-flowers-on-a-cold-winters-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Thailand Flowers on a Cold Winters Day">Thailand Flowers on a Cold Winters Day</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/01/30/chiang-mai-flower-festival-2009/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2009">Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2009</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2008/05/04/thailands-beautiful-flowers/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Thailand&#8217;s Beautiful Flowers">Thailand&#8217;s Beautiful Flowers</a></li></ul><hr /><small>Copyright &copy; 2007-2010 Thailand, Land of Smiles.This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. <br /> The use of this feed on other websites without express permission by Thailand, Land of Smiles breaches copyright. This content is for use in your news reader and certain pages where Thailand, Land of Smiles has given express permission for it's use, any other uses is an infringement of the copyright. (Digital Fingerprint:<br /> 80c05c1e967be8c748e0d66ae7c5b673 (38.107.179.240) </small><img src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=7971&type=feed" alt="" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/12/01/picking-flowers-petchaboon/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Greetings from Beautiful Petchaboon</title>
		<link>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/10/27/greetings-from-beautiful-petchaboon/</link>
		<comments>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/10/27/greetings-from-beautiful-petchaboon/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:50:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Talen</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Thai life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand Pictures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Thai Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blogging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buddhist]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buffalo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crazy animals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mountains]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rural thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spicy sauce]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[squat toilet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thai girls]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand blogging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand provinces]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wats]]></category>

	<!-- AutoMeta Start -->
	<category>petchaboon</category>
	<category>sugarcane</category>
	<category>ritual</category>
	<category>hacked</category>
	<category>quirks</category>
	<category>mountains</category>
	<category>break</category>
	<category>province</category>
	<category>petchaboon</category>
	<category>sugarcane</category>
	<category>ritual</category>
	<category>hacked</category>
	<category>quirks</category>
	<category>mountains</category>
	<category>break</category>
	<category>province</category>
	<!-- AutoMeta End -->
	
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?p=7789</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Petchaboon When I last left you I was returning from a short blogging break that ultimately became much longer than I expected. I was all set to get back to my normal posting routine when all hell broke loose. One by one all of my websites and server were hacked, and I mean hacked good....]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-333.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7791" title="Petchaboon from the mountain" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-333.jpg" alt="Petchaboon from the mountain" width="480" height="321" /></a></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Petchaboon</h2>
<p>When I last left you I was returning from a short blogging break that ultimately became much longer than I expected. I was all set to get back to my normal posting routine when all hell broke loose. One by one all of my websites and server were hacked, and I mean hacked good. After 2 weeks of working on the various problems with my host we finally got all the problems taken care of but I was pulling out hair for a while.</p>
<p>My girlfriend Mo, Yes, I said girlfriend , wasn&#8217;t sure what to make of me during my mini meltdown but she definitely decided I was not the same happy go lucky guy she knew, so, she decided I needed a break. More like she kidnapped me as she surprised me with bus tickets to <strong>Petchaboon</strong> the night before the bus was to pull out. I realized she was right, I really did need a break and off to the province of mountains and sugarcane we went.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m actually about 50 miles outside the main city of Petchaboon staying on the family farm surrounded by sugarcane and mountains. It&#8217;s been nice to get back to rural Thailand with all it&#8217;s customs and quirks&#8230;and let me tell you I have seen some quirks such as dead children being channeled through a Buddhist medium but more on that later.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s been nice to eat real rural Thai food again , I mean who doesn&#8217;t love buffalo brains in spicy sauce? It even felt good to revisit the rural hongnam complete with it&#8217;s squat toilet and the ritual dumping of cold ass water on yourself and calling it a shower. Most of all I&#8217;ve really enjoyed spending time with Mo and her family and all their crazy animals, who you&#8217;ll meet soon enough.</p>
<p>This trip has really re-focused me to the possibilities Thailand has to offer. Over the last few months I have really gotten bogged down with day to day stuff and forgot about the wonders of exploring this beautiful country.</p>
<p>I have a lot of great stories to tell about the people and places I&#8217;ve seen and I will definitely be posting them every couple of days or so over the next few weeks to come but for now just a glimpse of the beauty that is Petchaboon and a quick line to let you know I&#8217;m back to blogging about the country I love, Thailand.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-003.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-7792 alignnone" title="Flooding on the way to ePetchaboon" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-003-150x150.jpg" alt="Flooding on the way to ePetchaboon" width="150" height="150" /> </a><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-012.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7793" title="James Bond Farm" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-012-150x150.jpg" alt="James Bond Farm" width="150" height="150" /> </a><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-401.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7794" title="Rice farming" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-401-150x150.jpg" alt="Rice farming" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-037.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7795" title="The mysterious ritual house" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-037-150x150.jpg" alt="The mysterious ritual house" width="150" height="150" /> </a><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-287.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7796" title="Mountain top temple set in caves" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-287-150x150.jpg" alt="Mountain top temple set in caves" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-441.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7797" title="At the local markets" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-441-150x150.jpg" alt="At the local markets" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-391.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7798" title="Home sweet home" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-391-150x150.jpg" alt="Home sweet home" width="150" height="150" /> </a><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-484.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7799" title="The meanest dog in the province" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-484-150x150.jpg" alt="The meanest dog in the province" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-453.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7800" title="The Ladyboy of the house" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-453-150x150.jpg" alt="The Ladyboy of the house" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-455.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7801" title="Petchaboon" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/pretchabun-455.jpg" alt="Petchaboon" width="401" height="600" /></a></p>
<hr /><h2>Related Articles of Interest:</h2><ul><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/11/14/tilting-thailand-refrigerators/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Tilting Thailand Refrigerators">Tilting Thailand Refrigerators</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/10/28/famous-thai-change-purse/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: The Famous Thai Change purse">The Famous Thai Change purse</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/12/01/picking-flowers-petchaboon/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Picking Flowers in Petchaboon">Picking Flowers in Petchaboon</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/09/23/beautiful-thai-women/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Beautiful Thai Women">Beautiful Thai Women</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2007/11/12/beautiful-thai-ladies/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Beautiful Thai Ladies">Beautiful Thai Ladies</a></li></ul><hr /><small>Copyright &copy; 2007-2010 Thailand, Land of Smiles.This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. <br /> The use of this feed on other websites without express permission by Thailand, Land of Smiles breaches copyright. This content is for use in your news reader and certain pages where Thailand, Land of Smiles has given express permission for it's use, any other uses is an infringement of the copyright. (Digital Fingerprint:<br /> 80c05c1e967be8c748e0d66ae7c5b673 (38.107.179.240) </small><img src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=7789&type=feed" alt="" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/10/27/greetings-from-beautiful-petchaboon/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>10</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Vegetables &amp; Monkey Love in the Land of Smiles</title>
		<link>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/09/30/vegetables-monkey-love-land-of-smiles/</link>
		<comments>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/09/30/vegetables-monkey-love-land-of-smiles/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Sep 2011 08:45:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Talen</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Thai life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Buddhist festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[living in thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pattaya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pattaya city]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thai festivals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thai women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vegetable festival]]></category>

	<!-- AutoMeta Start -->
	<category>vegetable</category>
	<category>monkey</category>
	<category>monkey</category>
	<category>sawangboriboon</category>
	<category>festival </category>
	<category>festival</category>
	<category>25th</category>
	<category>finish</category>
	<category>vegetable</category>
	<category>monkey</category>
	<category>monkey</category>
	<category>sawangboriboon</category>
	<category>festival </category>
	<category>festival</category>
	<category>25th</category>
	<category>finish</category>
	<!-- AutoMeta End -->
	
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?p=7729</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have been noticeably absent from the blog as of late, nothing wrong, I haven&#8217;t been in jail or selling my body for baht coins on beach road&#8230;just a brief hiatus to enjoy myself and life for a while without the constraints of constantly writing or researching things to write. It may not seem like...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Monkey-002_800x535.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7730" title="Monkey Love" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Monkey-002_800x535.jpg" alt="Monkey Love" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p>I have been noticeably absent from the blog as of late, nothing wrong, I haven&#8217;t been in jail or selling my body for baht coins on beach road&#8230;just a brief hiatus to enjoy myself and life for a while without the constraints of constantly writing or researching things to write. It may not seem like it but it takes a great deal of time putting together articles for TLoS and a break was definitely needed to recharge the ol batteries as it were.</p>
<p>Even though I have been on a small break I have still managed to gather a backlog of posts to write and all that stuff will be pouring out on the Land of Smiles very shortly.</p>
<p>The big thing for me was to just relax for a bit and not think about blogging at all, maybe get a fresh perspective.</p>
<p>In the last month I&#8217;ve spent a lot more time with a certain Thai woman I&#8217;ve been seeing for the past 2 months, her name is Mo and she is quite the sweetheart with a very serious streak of smartass in her. Just recently she gifted me with the Monkey&#8217;s pictured above. I&#8217;m not exactly sure but I believe that is her way of telling me the relationship has moved to the next level. She seems to get me and she never fails to put a smile on my face, so, I am cautiously optimistic about this one&#8230;besides, just look at that monkey, if that doesn&#8217;t scream love I don&#8217;t know what does, I&#8217;m the monkey on the left in case you were wondering.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-276_800x535.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7731" title="Wat Sawangboriboon" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-276_800x535.jpg" alt="Wat Sawangboriboon" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p>Mo goes to the temple on a regular basis so I have been as well for the past month or so and for those of you that don&#8217;t already know the Vegetable Festivals are in full swing throughout Thailand now. The local Wat started the celebrations off on the 25th and they will end in the first week of October. This festival has a very long history and it&#8217;s meant as a time of cleansing ones spirit and mind by not eating meat. I&#8217;ve actually been meat free since the 25th and haven&#8217;t missed it one bit.</p>
<p>There have been so many new vegetable dishes I have tried that I never knew existed as well as old standbys like Gaeng Kiow Wan ( green Curry ) but made with vegetables ( pak ). The vegetable festival will hit it&#8217;s stride this weekend with parades and the ultra religious piercing all manner of body parts with all manner of objects&#8230;you should come out, fun for the whole family <img src='http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif' alt=':P' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>I have a post coming up this weekend on the Vegetable Festival&#8230;I&#8217;ve taken lots of pics I just need the parade pics this weekend to finish it all up.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ll finish the post off today with some colorful pictures from my local Wat, Sawangboriboon, which is in full on vegetable Festival  mode.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-259_800x535.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7735" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-259_800x535.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-226_800x535.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7732" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-226_800x535-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="150" height="150" /> </a><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-243_401x600.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7733" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-243_401x600-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-249_800x535.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7734" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-249_800x535-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-269_800x535.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7736" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-269_800x535-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="150" height="150" /> </a><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-286_800x535.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7737" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-286_800x535-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-292_800x535.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7738" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-292_800x535-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-294_800x535.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7739" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-294_800x535-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="150" height="150" /> </a><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-298_800x535.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7740" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-298_800x535-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-322_800x535.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7741" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-322_800x535-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-330_401x600.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7742" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-330_401x600-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="150" height="150" /> </a><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-353_800x535.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7743" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-353_800x535-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-363_401x600.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7744" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-363_401x600-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-430_800x535.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7745" title="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Pattaya-september-veggie-festival-430_800x535.jpg" alt="Pattaya Vegetable Festival" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<hr /><h2>Related Articles of Interest:</h2><ul><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/about/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: About">About</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/09/12/change-inevitable/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Change is inevitable: Thailand, Land of Smiles 3 Years on">Change is inevitable: Thailand, Land of Smiles 3 Years on</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/06/03/accolades-interviews/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Accolades &#038; Interviews">Accolades &#038; Interviews</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/12/24/wishing-happy-holidays/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Wishing You all a Very Happy Holidays">Wishing You all a Very Happy Holidays</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/05/13/phrases-should-know-for-your-thailand-holiday/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: 10 phrases you should know for your Thailand holiday">10 phrases you should know for your Thailand holiday</a></li></ul><hr /><small>Copyright &copy; 2007-2010 Thailand, Land of Smiles.This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. <br /> The use of this feed on other websites without express permission by Thailand, Land of Smiles breaches copyright. This content is for use in your news reader and certain pages where Thailand, Land of Smiles has given express permission for it's use, any other uses is an infringement of the copyright. (Digital Fingerprint:<br /> 80c05c1e967be8c748e0d66ae7c5b673 (38.107.179.240) </small><img src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=7729&type=feed" alt="" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/09/30/vegetables-monkey-love-land-of-smiles/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>18</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bangkok World Gourmet Festival 2011</title>
		<link>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/08/05/bangkok-world-gourmet-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/08/05/bangkok-world-gourmet-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:42:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Talen</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Thai life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ascona switzerland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bangkok World Gourmet Festival 2011]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[buenos aires argentina]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cooking demonstration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dolli irigoyen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[four seasons hotel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gourmet lunch]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[guangzhou china]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[guest chefs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hari nayak]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kazumi sawada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pio cesare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[restaurant chef]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tea blenders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand calender of events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand events calender]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[world gourmet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[World Gourmet Festival]]></category>

	<!-- AutoMeta Start -->
	<category>gourmet</category>
	<category>fourseasons</category>
	<category>chef</category>
	<category>guest</category>
	<category>london</category>
	<category>chefs</category>
	<category>seasons</category>
	<category>dolli</category>
	<category>gourmet</category>
	<category>fourseasons</category>
	<category>chef</category>
	<category>guest</category>
	<category>london</category>
	<category>chefs</category>
	<category>seasons</category>
	<category>dolli</category>
	<!-- AutoMeta End -->
	
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?p=7680</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[World Gourmet Festival September 5 &#8211; 11 &#160; The 12th annual World Gourmet Festival once again takes center stage at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok from September 5th &#8211; 11th. This will be the Bangkok Food event of the year and surely an event not to miss. Guest chefs from around the world will...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 style="text-align: center;"></h2>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7681" title="World Gourmet Festival 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/World_Gourmet_Festival_main.jpg" alt="World Gourmet Festival 2011" width="499" height="248" /></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">World Gourmet Festival September 5 &#8211; 11</h2>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The 12th annual<strong> World Gourmet Festival</strong> once again takes center stage at the <a href="http://www.fourseasons.com/bangkok/">Four Seasons Hotel </a>in Bangkok from September 5th &#8211; 11th. This will be the Bangkok Food event of the year and surely an event not to miss.</p>
<p>Guest chefs from around the world will be tantalizing your taste buds all week long with dishes from Switzerland, Canada, Italy, London, India and Argentina to name a few. Some of the guest chefs who will be attending the World Gourmet Festival 2011 include:</p>
<p>• <a href="http://www.seven-ascona.ch/en/team-seven/ivo-adam.html" target="_blank">Ivo Adam</a>, Seven, Ascona, Switzerland<br />
• <a href="http://press.fourseasons.com/london/hotel-team/adriano-cavagnini.html" target="_blank">Adriano Cavagnini</a>, Amaranto, London, UK<br />
• <a href="http://www.wildhoneyrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank">Anthony Demetre</a>, Wild Honey, London, UK<br />
• <a href="http://www.iporticihotel.com/chef" target="_blank">Guido Haverkock</a>, I Portici, Bologna, Italy<br />
• <a href="http://www.dolliirigoyen.com/" target="_blank">Dolli Irigoyen</a>, Espacio Dolli, Buenos Aires, Argentina<br />
• <a href="http://notabenerestaurant.com/" target="_blank">David Lee</a>, Nota Bene, Toronto, Canada<br />
• <a href="http://www.harinayak.com/" target="_blank">Hari Nayak,</a> Orissa, Mumbai, India<br />
• Kazumi Sawada, Hoku, Guangzhou, China</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Bangkok World Gourmet Festival Events</h3>
<p>Overseen by the Four Seasons very own Executive Chef Nicolas Schneller and his staff, each guest chef will host two nights in one of the Four Seasons 5 world class restaurants where they will wow you with their culinary expertise. The Bangkok World Gourmet Festival has become well known through the years as being a culinary delight while bringing Bangkok some of the most talented chefs from around the world.</p>
<p>This year the World Gourmet Festival will be raising the already high bar by adding 2 world class wine tasting events with renowned wine makers Pio Boffa of Pio Cesare, and Jonathan Maltus of World’s End, as well as a tea pairing event by master tea-blenders Dilmah.</p>
<p>The World Gourmet Festival will host a daily lunch from Monday September 5 to Thursday September 8 with cooking demonstrations each day by a different guest chef, live cooking stations and ample opportunity for you to sample the works of each guest chef. The World Gourmet Brunch will take place on Sunday, September 11.</p>
<p>The Four Seasons has put together a World Gourmet Festival package that includes overnight accommodation, complimentary breakfast and a featured dinner for two persons per night booked.</p>
<p>Part of the festival&#8217;s proceeds of will go to HRH Princess Soamsawali’s Save A Child’s Life from AIDS Project. Guests can make reservations for the 12th Annual World Gourmet Festival dinners starting on Friday, August 5.</p>
<p>For more information or to make a booking, contact the hotel at +66 (0)2 126 8866 or e-mail reservations.thailand@fourseasons.com. Book individual dinner tickets through wgf.bangkok@fourseasons.com.</p>
<p>For more information on upcoming Thailand Events and Festivals like the World Gourmet Festival please visit the <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/events-calender/">Thailand Events Calender</a>.</p>
<hr /><h2>Related Articles of Interest:</h2><ul><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/10/29/world-film-festival-bangkok/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: World Film Festival Bangkok">World Film Festival Bangkok</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2008/05/12/pattaya-beach-2cnd-annual-world-tattoo-arts-festival/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Pattaya Beach 2cnd Annual World Tattoo Arts Festival">Pattaya Beach 2cnd Annual World Tattoo Arts Festival</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/01/22/chang-world-reggae-2010/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Chang World Reggae Festival 2010">Chang World Reggae Festival 2010</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/07/08/hua-hin-jazz-festival-2/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Hua Hin Jazz Festival 2011">Hua Hin Jazz Festival 2011</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/01/25/bangkok-motorbike-festival/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Bangkok Motorbike Festival 2011">Bangkok Motorbike Festival 2011</a></li></ul><hr /><small>Copyright &copy; 2007-2010 Thailand, Land of Smiles.This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. <br /> The use of this feed on other websites without express permission by Thailand, Land of Smiles breaches copyright. This content is for use in your news reader and certain pages where Thailand, Land of Smiles has given express permission for it's use, any other uses is an infringement of the copyright. (Digital Fingerprint:<br /> 80c05c1e967be8c748e0d66ae7c5b673 (38.107.179.240) </small><img src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=7680&type=feed" alt="" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/08/05/bangkok-world-gourmet-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Pattaya Motor Show 2011 in Pictures</title>
		<link>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/08/01/pattaya-motor-show-pictures/</link>
		<comments>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/08/01/pattaya-motor-show-pictures/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:59:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Talen</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Thai life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bangkok motor show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BMW]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[exotic cars]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FHM girl next door Thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lamborghini]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lotus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[miss pattaya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motor show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pattaya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pattaya events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Pattaya Motor Show 2011 in Pictures]]></category>

	<!-- AutoMeta Start -->
	<category>motor</category>
	<category>show</category>
	<category>2011</category>
	<category>cars</category>
	<category>disappointment</category>
	<category>fest</category>
	<category>fast</category>
	<category>pattaya</category>
	<category>motor</category>
	<category>show</category>
	<category>2011</category>
	<category>cars</category>
	<category>disappointment</category>
	<category>fest</category>
	<category>fast</category>
	<category>pattaya</category>
	<!-- AutoMeta End -->
	
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?p=7643</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pattaya Motor Show 2011 The Pattaya Motor Show 2011 will be going on all this week at Central Festival, unfortunately I missed the Miss Pattaya Motor Show on the first day but as luck would have it there will be a FHM girl next door contest this weekend that I will be sure not to...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-047.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7644" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-047.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Pattaya Motor Show 2011</h2>
<p><strong>The Pattaya Motor Show 2011</strong> will be going on all this week at Central Festival, unfortunately I missed the Miss Pattaya Motor Show on the first day but as luck would have it there will be a FHM girl next door contest this weekend that I will be sure not to miss.</p>
<p>As far as Car shows go the Pattaya Motor Show 2011 is a bit of a disappointment; not a lot to see and only a handful of really cool cars to look at. The Pattaya motor Show is spread out on the first 2 floors of Central Festival Mall and while it&#8217;s not the Bangkok Motor Show it proved worthy of a rainy afternoon visit. Some of the more exotic cars can be seen below.</p>
<p>To read up more on the event please visit<a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/07/29/pattaya-motor-show-fast-fest/"> Pattaya Motor Show Fast to Fest 2011</a>.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">The Pattaya Motor Show 2011 Pictures</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-022.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7645" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-022.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-026.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7646" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-026.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="401" height="600" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-038.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7647" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-038.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-034.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7648" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-034.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="401" height="600" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-052.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7649" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-052-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-060.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7650" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-060-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="150" height="150" /> </a><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-070.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7651" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-070-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-061.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7652" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-061.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-141.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7653" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-141.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-136.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7654" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-136-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-142.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7655" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-142-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="150" height="150" /> </a><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-146.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7656" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-146-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-158.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7657" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-158.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-154.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7658" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-154-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-159.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7659" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-159-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="150" height="150" /></a> <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-162.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-7660" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-162-150x150.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-207.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7661" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-207.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-209.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7662" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-209.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="401" height="600" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-221.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7664" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-221.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-222.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7665" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-222.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-226.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7666" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-226.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-234.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7667" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-234.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-235.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7668" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-235.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="401" height="600" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-229.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7669" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-229.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-231.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7670" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-231.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-2241.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7671" title="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Pattaya-Motor-Show-2011-2241.jpg" alt="Pattaya Moror Show 2011" width="480" height="321" /></a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr /><h2>Related Articles of Interest:</h2><ul><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/07/29/pattaya-motor-show-fast-fest/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Pattaya Motor Show Fast to Fest 2011">Pattaya Motor Show Fast to Fest 2011</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/12/29/pattaya-countdown-shedule/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Pattaya Countdown Shedule">Pattaya Countdown Shedule</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/11/26/pattaya-countdown/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Pattaya Countdown 2011">Pattaya Countdown 2011</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/02/22/bangkok-international-motor-show/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: The Bangkok International Motor Show 2011">The Bangkok International Motor Show 2011</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/03/11/pattaya-dog-show-festival/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Pattaya Dog Show Festival 2011">Pattaya Dog Show Festival 2011</a></li></ul><hr /><small>Copyright &copy; 2007-2010 Thailand, Land of Smiles.This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. <br /> The use of this feed on other websites without express permission by Thailand, Land of Smiles breaches copyright. This content is for use in your news reader and certain pages where Thailand, Land of Smiles has given express permission for it's use, any other uses is an infringement of the copyright. (Digital Fingerprint:<br /> 80c05c1e967be8c748e0d66ae7c5b673 (38.107.179.240) </small><img src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=7643&type=feed" alt="" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/08/01/pattaya-motor-show-pictures/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>12</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>My 7 Links, Land of Smiles Style</title>
		<link>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/07/30/my-links-its-all-about-thailand/</link>
		<comments>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/07/30/my-links-its-all-about-thailand/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 30 Jul 2011 12:22:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Talen</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Thai life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew drummond]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beautiful ladies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[big trouble]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[creative editing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[history of thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[initial post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[land of smiles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[my 7 links]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pattaya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[share lessons]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thai heart]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thai police]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thailand blogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trip base]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[type posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[war of words]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[youtube]]></category>

	<!-- AutoMeta Start -->
	<category></category>
	<category></category>
	<!-- AutoMeta End -->
	
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?p=7616</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Tripbase is running a campaign to &#8220;To unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavor to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again.&#8221; I normally don&#8217;t do these type of things but it&#8217;s a pretty unique idea as...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Tripbase is running a campaign to &#8220;To unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavor to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again.&#8221; I normally don&#8217;t do these type of things but it&#8217;s a pretty unique idea as far as Meme type posts go and how can I refuse when 2 beautiful ladies and also Thailand bloggers, Snap from <a href="http://strayandsnap.blogspot.com/">Cooee</a> and Lani from the <a href="http://tellthaiheart.blogspot.com/">Tell Thai Heart</a>,  both nominated me.</p>
<p>And as the rules go as soon as I share my 7 links I get to nominate 5 other blogs to do the same as long as they aren&#8217;t already on the ever growing list over at <a href="http://www.tripbase.com/blog/my-7-links-the-rules/">Tripbase</a></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">My 7 Links Land of Smile Style</h3>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>1. Most Controversial Post on Thailand Land of Smiles? </strong></span></h4>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7617" title="Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/jjskiscam_2.jpg" alt="Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand" width="450" height="338" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">By far the most controversial post in the history of Thailand Land of Smiles was actually a series of posts I did on the British Documentary Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand. After the initial post I watched the Documentary on Youtube and wrote about what I felt was creative editing and outright made up scenarios to garner attention and viewers. This caught the attention of the Producer Gavin Hill and Journalist Andrew Drummond and the war of words began.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I still stand behind every word I wrote and if you want read it check out the following links.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/09/08/big-trouble-in-thailand/">Big Trouble in Thailand?</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/09/12/fallout-from-big-trouble-in-thailand-documentary/">Fallout From Big Trouble in Thailand Documentary</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/09/21/more-trouble-for-big-trouble-in-thailand-documentary/">More Trouble for Big Trouble in Thailand Documentary</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/10/07/gavin-hill-tim-wright-respond-big-trouble/">Gavin Hill &amp; Tim Wright Respond to Big Trouble in Thailand</a></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #800000;">2. Most Popular Post on Thailand Land of Smiles?</span></strong></h4>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-7620" title="Thai Police Watching Nude Chinese Teen" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/020110419021709-200x300.jpg" alt="Thai Police Watching Nude Chinese Teen" width="200" height="300" /></p>
<p>This was an easy one, by far the most popular post ever on TLoS is <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2008/06/29/thai-police-waching-nude-chinese-teen/">Thai Police Watching Nude Chinese Teen</a>. This was just a quick story I wrote back in 2008 that to this day still gets over 300 hits a day. Back in 2008 an earthquake rocked China and a Chinese college student went all out to raise money for victims in her community by posting racy pictures of herself wearing only underwear and promising to take more clothes off and post much racier pictures for donations. The Thai police were reportedly scared that Thai teenagers would pick up on the idea.</p>
<p>The post was so popular that it caught Google&#8217;s attention and they threatened to yank my adsense account if I didn&#8217;t remove the adsense ads from the post because I included a few very innocent clothed pictures of her. Since then the pictures have all been removed and Google still hates the post but it still draws a ton of hits every month. The woman pictured above is not the woman I originally wrote about but she is beautiful, yes?</p>
<p>Honorable  mention goes to  <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2007/10/12/the-power-of-the-brown-nipple/">The Power of the Brown Nipple</a> as it has also racked up huge numbers over the years&#8230;whoda thunk that brown nipples were so big?</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #800000;">3. Most Beautiful Post on Thailand Land of Smiles?</span></strong></h4>
<p><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/picture-395_450x600.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7621" title="Thailand Orchids" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/picture-395_450x600.jpg" alt="Thailand Orchids" width="450" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>Obviously this is a very subjective pick but also a very hard post for me to pick out. I have made so many posts with photos capturing the beauty of Thailand. I personally think my most beautiful post would be <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/01/07/thailand-flowers-on-a-cold-winters-day/">Thailand Flowers on a Cold Winters Day</a> or <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2008/08/03/thailands-orchids/">Thailand&#8217;s Amazing Orchids</a>&#8230;I don&#8217;t think anything captures the beauty of Thailand as well as it&#8217;s flowers. I would also consider these galleries as the most beautiful.</p>
<p><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/gallery/?album=4&amp;gallery=17">Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens 2007</a></p>
<p><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/gallery/?album=5&amp;gallery=1">Nong Nooch Tropical gardens 2008</a></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #800000;">4. Most Helpful Post on Thailand land of Smiles?</span></strong></h4>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-7622" title="Visa Run: Thailand to Vientiane, Laos" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/0023-243x300.jpg" alt="Visa Run: Thailand to Vientiane, Laos" width="243" height="300" /></p>
<p>This, again, is a tough call for me as I&#8217;d like to think there have been many helpful posts on TLoS and I have had many emails regarding different posts. One of the more  helpful posts that many people e-mailed me about and commented on was <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/12/03/visa-run-thailand-vientiane-laos/">Visa Run: Thailand to Vientiane, Laos.</a> I think it served to help out a lot of people who were getting ready to or contemplating making the visa run to Laos.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #800000;">5. Successful Thailand Land of Smiles Post that Surprised me?</span></strong></h4>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7623" title="Hitler’s Not So Triumphant Return" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/202-Thailand_Nazi_Flap.sff_.embedded.prod_affiliate.56.jpg" alt="Hitler’s Not So Triumphant Return" width="316" height="401" /></p>
<p>Again another easy pick for me. Back in 2009 Louis Tussuad’s Waxworks was getting set to open in Pattaya and they decided on a rather distasteful billboard to be displayed along the highway to Pattaya that pissed off quite a few people and that led to me writing <a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/10/18/hitler-returns-thailand/">Hitler’s Not So Triumphant Return</a>.</p>
<p>I literally wrote this short post in 5 minutes and thought no more about it until I checked my stats the next day and saw that the post had received over 14,000 page views in 24 hours. By the time the week was over the post had gotten over 70,000 page views thanks to some popular German blogs picking up the story.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #800000;">6. Land of Smiles Post That Didn&#8217;t Get the Attention it Deserved?</span></strong></h4>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-7624" title="Living with the Tiger" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Bangkok-screenings-leaflet-Eng-725x1024-212x300.jpg" alt="Living with the Tiger" width="212" height="300" /></p>
<p><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/02/24/living-tiger/">Living with the Tiger </a>was a post that meant a lot to me because it was for such a good cause. The documentary is about Thai children living with HIV/AIDS and being abandoned by their familes. The Producer/Director, Mike Thomas, put his heart and soul into this project in order to bring these Thai children&#8217;s plight to the world and bring more exposure to a wonderful place called <a href="http://www.baangerda.org/index.html">Baan Gerda</a> that takes in and takes care of these children in a surrogate family type situation.</p>
<p>While this post did very well thanks to the many Thailand bloggers and friends who participated in getting the word out I had hoped that it would do much better and reach much further. If you have the time write, tweet or share on Facebook something about Living with the Tiger or Baan Gerda and help spread the word.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #800000;">7. The Land of Smiles Post I am Most Proud of?</span></strong></h4>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7625" title="Each Journey Begins with One Single Step" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/LIVE.jpg" alt="Each Journey Begins with One Single Step" width="500" height="334" /></p>
<p>I&#8217;m not exactly sure why but<a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/08/20/journey-begins-single-step/"> Each Journey Begins with One Single Step</a> is one that really makes me proud. I think it might be because I took that scary step and moved away from the known to the unknown. It was hard leaving America especially after losing both of my parents and wrapping up their estate.</p>
<p>I love Thailand and always wanted to be here but making that first step to live my life here was very scary and I think I handled it well. I think all that came through in this post very easily for me and to this day when I see it or remember it I get that proud papa smile on my face.</p>
<p>Well, That&#8217;s it for my links and now it&#8217;s time for me to nominate 5 more blogs to have a go at it.</p>
<p>1.<a href="http://samui-weather.blogspot.com/"> Camille&#8217;s Samui Weather Blog</a> &#8211; Camille writes about much more than the weather and he shares some great photos and experiences&#8230; Tag</p>
<p>2.  <a href="http://ricks-eastasiablog.typepad.com/ricks_east_asia_blog/">Behind the Noodle Curtain</a>- Rick is a great friend and I love to listen to and read his point of view. His posts are always a good read and very insightful. Tag</p>
<p>3. <a href="http://oneditorial.wordpress.com/">One Editorial </a>- Written by a Thai who has commented on TLoS posts often with his unique points of view&#8230;Likewise he shares his distinct point of view on his blog and it&#8217;s always a good read. Tag</p>
<p>4. <a href="http://thailandmusings.thaivisa.com/">Thailand Musings </a>- Steve and I started blogging about Thailand right around the same time and as he just moved to Bangkok I&#8217;m sure his 7 links will be a good read.</p>
<p>5. <a href="http://bangkokbuddy.net/">Life of a Lounge Lizard </a>- Our Lounge Lizard writes about his daily activities in Bangkok and other areas of Thailand and it always sucks me in&#8230;He has nicknames for all his friends and acquaintances that just bring you in further trying to figure it all out. Tag</p>
<p>Again, a big thanks for the nominations from Snap and Lani who both have very unique voices in the Thailand blogosphere&#8230;.go read their blogs now!</p>
<hr /><h2>Related Articles of Interest:</h2><ul><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/popular-posts/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Most Popular">Most Popular</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/links/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Links">Links</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2009/03/27/heading-to-thailand-blogging-thailand-blogs/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Heading to Thailand, Blogging &#038; Thailand Blogs">Heading to Thailand, Blogging &#038; Thailand Blogs</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2007/09/25/gallery-updated/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Gallery updated: Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens">Gallery updated: Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2007/10/07/hostgator/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Hostgator">Hostgator</a></li></ul><hr /><small>Copyright &copy; 2007-2010 Thailand, Land of Smiles.This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. <br /> The use of this feed on other websites without express permission by Thailand, Land of Smiles breaches copyright. This content is for use in your news reader and certain pages where Thailand, Land of Smiles has given express permission for it's use, any other uses is an infringement of the copyright. (Digital Fingerprint:<br /> 80c05c1e967be8c748e0d66ae7c5b673 (38.107.179.240) </small><img src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=7616&type=feed" alt="" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/07/30/my-links-its-all-about-thailand/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>11</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Living Like a Thai: The Wrap Up</title>
		<link>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/06/28/living-like-thai-wrap-up/</link>
		<comments>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/06/28/living-like-thai-wrap-up/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:34:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Talen</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Living in Thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thai life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[living cheaply in Thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Living Like a Thai Wrap up]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Living Thai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mango juice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pattaya]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pattaya thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thai markets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thailand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tourist town]]></category>

	<!-- AutoMeta Start -->
	<category>experiment</category>
	<category>experiment</category>
	<!-- AutoMeta End -->
	
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?p=7341</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#160; The goal, if anyone can remember back that far, was to live for the whole month of June on only 200 baht a day in Pattaya, Thailand. Obviously I didn&#8217;t make my goal as the experiment shut down on June 23rd when my tonsils decided to attack again&#8230;and they are still attacking. Even though...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7347" title="Living like a Thai" src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Perfect-Pattaya-Day-in-Pictures-40_cropped.jpg" alt="Living like a Thai" width="479" height="291" /></p>
<p>The goal, if anyone can remember back that far, was to live for the whole month of June on only 200 baht a day in Pattaya, Thailand. Obviously I didn&#8217;t make my goal as the experiment shut down on June 23rd when my tonsils decided to attack again&#8230;and they are still attacking.</p>
<p>Even though I didn&#8217;t make it all the way to the finish line I did learn a bit about myself and living more cheaply in Pattaya if not Thailand.</p>
<p>The impetus for this experiment came from a post that Martyn at Beyond the Mango Juice wrote back in March of 2010 entitled <a href="http://www.thaisabai.org/2010/03/red-red-whine/">Red Red Whine</a>. In this post Martyn wrote about the average Thai&#8217;s daily wage and what it could buy. At the end of his post Martyn issued this challenge:</p>
<blockquote><p>I would like some of my fellow Thai bloggers to pick up the ‘One70 Baht Challenge’ and  give it a go for one day. It just might make an interesting blog post  for one or two of you. Here’s the rules and what your 170 baht must  cover.</p>
<ul>
<li>All alcoholic and soft drinks must be paid for from the daily allowance. An early morning tea or coffee is the exception.</li>
<li>Cigarettes or tobacco.</li>
<li>All food consumed during the day.</li>
<li>No usage of your own car, truck or motorbike. Travel must be paid for on public and private transport, or by your own devices.</li>
<li>Entertainment, newspaper etc.</li>
</ul>
<p>Good luck and please let me know how you get on.</p></blockquote>
<p>I took up the challenge, not for a day but for a month. I did adjust the 170 baht daily allowance to 200 baht due to inflation and living in the tourist town of Pattaya.</p>
<p>Another impetus for trying this experiment was to curb some of my lazier ways and get back to eating and shopping in the Thai markets instead of the convenient 7/11&#8242;s , expat pubs and supermarkets which are generally more expensive.</p>
<p>I was quite surprised to see so many people get behind this experiment and urge me on, it made for some really good comments and discussions that provided good information for all. I was also surprised at the amount of e-mails and comments I received  against the experiment. Many of the more negative comments pointed out that I am not Thai, I am not really living like a Thai etc. The e-mails and comments that bothered me were the ones that claimed I was making fun of Thai&#8217;s or belittling Thai&#8217;s which is absolute nonsense.</p>
<p>From the very beginning I was very clear about my intentions regarding the experiment and why I was doing it, it was more to understand my spending habits than actually re-creating the day to day life of an average Thai. It was never my intention to make fun of Thai&#8217;s or treat them in any way disrespectful, consciously or sub consciously. After reviewing everything I had written for the month I think I am safe in saying that the only one I made fun of, belittled or disrespected was myself&#8230;and I enjoyed it.</p>
<p>The one thing I think I observed through all the comments and e-mails is the fact I don&#8217;t think many readers realize that most of my friends in Thailand are indeed Thai and come from every walk of life. Some are in the nightlife industry, sure,  but others are taxi drivers, hotel workers, business owners and security guards. We go out to eat, we stay in to eat, we have a drink together, we share stories and I daily share smiles with many of them. I treat all of them with the utmost respect because that is how they treat me.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">What I Thought I learned Living Like a Thai</h3>
<p>Incredibly I really did learn quite a bit about myself and my lazy ass spending habits. After being here a few months I started falling into the same old patterns. When I first arrived I cooked at least a few times a week but I got away from that and into prepackaged food from 7/11 or eating at expat joints.</p>
<p>While Ramen noodles are good to have around for a quick snack when you don&#8217;t want to go out they aren&#8217;t a good source of anything but a full stomach.</p>
<p>I&#8217;m not one to eat vegetables normally but for some reason in Thai food I will eat just about anything thrown in. I had forgotten my love for Chinese kale, Cauliflower, pak choy and red peppers. Buying these things and rice at any Thai market is generally very cheap and makes for a great meal&#8230;add in some chicken or pork and you are golden.</p>
<p>Cleaning and hygiene products&#8230; definitely a product of my western upbringing I have always bought the name brands but during this month of living cheaply I found many comparible Thai brands that are just as good and much cheaper. The biggest problem for an expat living in Thailand that is stuck on a certain brand from home is the hefty import taxes that raise the prices dramatically.</p>
<p>While all of these things are good to know it&#8217;s nothing new or earth shattering&#8230;anyone that has been to Thailand or lives here knows these things, you just have to stick to them and not get lazy with the conveniences that may be around.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">What I really Learned</h3>
<p>The biggest thing I learned this month had nothing to do with food, cleaning products or budgets&#8230;The biggest thing I learned is that I am part of a community, and believe it or not I forgot that during the whole month.</p>
<p>As I have been out and about over the last few days I have re-connected with a lot of people I saw little of this month. They all asked where I had been and how I was and it was then that I realized just how badly I failed the experiment. I took on the challenge with my American mind that always tells me if you don&#8217;t have money you don&#8217;t go out. Sure, I went for morning walks and such but I stayed in a lot more than normal and shut out a small community that I had become part of.</p>
<p>As I walked home from a check up at the clinic this afternoon I noticed my friend Tok was at work, he&#8217;s a security guard at one of the condo&#8217;s near me. We met about 8 months ago, in the early days it was just a hello or how are you today and we built on a friendship from there. Now we regularly chat and play Makruk together ( Thai Chess ), and I lose every time. Further up the road on my way home I noticed another friend having dinner at the roadside restaurant and popped in to have a bite and a talk about his family and the fact that low season is really bad.</p>
<p>Other friends have wondered where I was and several have scolded me for not letting them know I am sick so they can check in on me and take care if needed, both male and female, young and old.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">The Take Away</h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">Anyone can live cheaply in Thailand it only takes the will to do so&#8230;to truly live like a Thai you have to embrace the community around you, make friends and join in.  In good times and bad they are there to support you even if it&#8217;s just a smile.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<hr /><h2>Related Articles of Interest:</h2><ul><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/06/23/living-like-thai-day-put-fork-itim-done/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Living Like a Thai Day 23: Put a Fork in it&#8230;I&#8217;m Done">Living Like a Thai Day 23: Put a Fork in it&#8230;I&#8217;m Done</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2008/01/09/funny-thai-signs-2/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Funny Thai Signs">Funny Thai Signs</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2010/04/24/so-much-do/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: The Move to Thailand, So Much To Do&#8230;">The Move to Thailand, So Much To Do&#8230;</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/05/31/living-like-thai/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Living Like a Thai">Living Like a Thai</a></li><li><a href="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/03/07/living-tiger-update/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: Living with the Tiger Update">Living with the Tiger Update</a></li></ul><hr /><small>Copyright &copy; 2007-2010 Thailand, Land of Smiles.This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. <br /> The use of this feed on other websites without express permission by Thailand, Land of Smiles breaches copyright. This content is for use in your news reader and certain pages where Thailand, Land of Smiles has given express permission for it's use, any other uses is an infringement of the copyright. (Digital Fingerprint:<br /> 80c05c1e967be8c748e0d66ae7c5b673 (38.107.179.240) </small><img src="http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/?ak_action=api_record_view&id=7341&type=feed" alt="" />]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://thailandlandofsmiles.com/2011/06/28/living-like-thai-wrap-up/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>15</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

