The Flying Duck Blogs:
06/01/2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Another year old, should be another year wiser – we will have to see if that’s true.
At work today. Ocean Tower II, Sukhumvit Soi 19, also home of Israel’s embassy 25th floor (my work is below them 17th), there was hundreds of Thai Muslims demonstrators waving banners and burning the Israeli flag. This is all due to Israel’s attack on Gaza. It was some sight as for lunch we had to leave out the back door and not the front. So many police partoling in and around the building. I have a short video on youtube (danoochan).
The Santika Pub/Nightclub was on fire at 12.30am 1st Jan 2009. Someone light a firework inside the place and killed 64 people and 68 injured, 35 remained in ICU. Sad news for the start of New Year. The owner operating without a proper licence, police meddling licence application, a temporary business licence that went for four years, apparently no safety inspection, expired insurance… the list goes on. It was said that it was the fumes that killed most people as the walls were made of polystyrene and the three exit doors area of about 400 sqm were insufficient to deal with 400 guest never mind 2000 est that night. I am just thankful that i wasn’t there that night and none of my friends or their friends and family wasn’t there too as i have been before but just didn’t like the place.
This Santika received all the headlines this week but what shocked me more in the Bangkok Post is the amount of road deaths during that week in Thailand. 335 lives and 3,810 people injured and this was down 9% from last year. Drink driving is the main problem. With my experience so far, Thai’s just do that without a second thought. OK. i have been no saint in my younger days but i will never ever do it again. Over here the Thai’s just think, if i get caught i will just pay the police.
To end on a more happier note: Thanks too all my friends and family for saying Happy Birthday and friends in Thailand who took me out on my 27th when i wasnt expecting it.
01/12/2008
First of all i would like to say that i am safe and well with all this happening just now in Thailand.
As a farang who is in and working in Thailand for the last 6 months (which isn’t a long time compared to some of my BCM football team mates), i consider myself to be almost a resident. Its nearly a week now since PAD unlawfully seized the airport severing Thailand air bridge from the rest of the world. Its completely crazy in my mind that this is happening. The police have tried to regain the airport with no success and the PAD are eagerly waiting for the militaryto end this unsustainable crisis which will be viewed through the world. With my festive period near decided (staying in Thailand as no money to fly back), thousands of Thais and farangs are booked to fly home for Christmas and New Year. Will they be able to make it this year? Will they be able to spend the festive season with their families or love ones?
With the world already suffering from its economical downfall, Thailand is going to suffer too with great effects. Already GDP is expected to be down 2-3% for next year and Tourismalready fading faster than my personal money for UK Pound to Thai baht (now: 1 pound = 55 thai baht as when i first arrived: 1 pound = 65 thai baht – the Thai baht is so strong just now that its madness). This political turmoil will only get worst for next year as expected an decrease in Tourism between 30-40%. Just think what a ripple effect this will do to the country as a whole and as an individual – i.e. shop keepers who rely on this trade – even the working girls will suffer!
The battle will still continue between the PAD mob (yellow protesters) and Thaksin mob (red protesters), it might get a bit worse with the bombs going off as who know the tanks might come out as they did four years ago and if they do, i want a picture next to one.
At the end of the day when the dust has settled: WHO ARE THE WINNERS? NOT THAILAND I CAN TELL U THAT!!!
14/11/2008
Today everyone has to wear white or black for three days in Thailand in respect of the King sister – Her Royal Highness Princess Galyan Vadhana passing away. There is so much such respect that everyone does it, at lunch time it was just black and white, hardly any colours at all. I cant even image this would ever happen back home for our current Queen or Royals as people at home don’t give a dam. The Thai people have such high regards for the current King that it’s hard for people to believe this.
Also their was a Thai special day – Loykra Tong – 12/11/2008. I think its regarding about the full moon. Thai people were placing floating flowers and candlesin the river and pray for all the bad deeds to disappear. The flowers are so pretty with the candles in the dark. I went with friends and as usual got drunk after it. But if you ever go to Thailand on that day its a must see.
21/10/2008
Just had an amazing weekend as i do every weekend. On Friday night, went out with my Manager – Matthew as we went to shoot some pool at Soi Cowboy – Sukhumvit Soi 21. As people might know if you have been to Thailand, the pool bars are very different to the pool bars back home. These bars have working girls- all hot Thai girls which makes it very very hard to play. The usual deal is you buy them a drink and play pool with them, some of them are really good at pool, better than me, then maybe take them out to eat or to do the dirty deeds. After pool we moved into other bars which has no pool but its even more girly bar. They do have a Ladyboys bar if that’s your thing. But we didn’t dare to go there. Very interesting as i dont go to these places as it was a funny weired feeling for me. The usual thing again is buy them a drink, chat with them and they would try and get you to get them out of the bar to do the dirty deeds. Fees would be to pay the bar and pay the girl. How much? well quto from girl was: 600 baht for bar and girl 4,000 baht as i didn’t even need to think twice as no way i do this kind of thing. Would rather buy two bottles of Black Labeland drink with friends. Appartenly that is expensive.
Joined a football team – BC Masters (British Club) as been training with them for 2 weeks now. Oh yeah the team is for over 35’sbut the kindly made an exception for me so thanks lads – bearing in mind, this doesn’t mean that i am the best player or fittest as i am so fat now, probsmakesthe team worse. My first game was on Saturday. Drew 1-1 against the Scans as i thought i play alright for first game (played right mid) but i will get better as the more i play and train with them. After game i promised i would go to a Thai wedding with my workmate and her boyfriend (very rich). The wedding was so posh as everyone was rich as the hotel was grand and so was the Bride and Groom. Modern style but also they done some Thai traditional things too. Went to a party after it and again got drunk.
Chilled all day on Sunday and that was my weekend!
09/10/2008
This blog is about Thai staff in a working environment! Bless the Thai people, most are so nice and polite where you would never find this back home in UK. As you know from my previous blog, that i am currently working in Thailand. The people i work with, it so frustrating! Working as a Marketing Manager, i am trying to get this company from the stone-age to 20th century. Trying to simplify everything so the Thai staff can understand and work more effectively. You may think that they aren’t as educated as i am but they all have some sort of degree been to university! Yes they all know how to sign onto MSN and Facebookand Hi5 with their eyes closed but to open excel and to use Microsoft Outlook its an frustrating task. I have alot of time for training if the staff is willing to learn but when i train these guys, it goes in one ear and out the other. Got one person to do a test and send an blank e-mail to me and she would tap tap tap and say done but clearly she didn’t have a clue where she clicked and thought it was done. ARRRHHHHH!!!! and this was after spending 20 mins in showing how to use it and she said she understands. Even asking simple questions like: What is the budget for this client to buy a condominium? Answer: Yes! what the FECK of an answer is that! i am ripping my hair out! (bearing in mind this is what i get for all questions and answers) And i have one staff who is so sly and greedy! where he would pretend to know nothing, even though i have sent e-mail and also spoken to him as well. I feel they are lazy and just don’t “think out of the box!”I just feel that they do what is told and not try and help or solve problems. I am not saying all Thai people are like this, maybe just withthe people i work with. I don’t want a million Thai people leaving comments that i am a bad person. This is just a matter of opinion. I find that good staff is hard to find. Oh yeah, their English is good as mine as they do understand what i say so thats not an excuse.
Ahh, i feel much better! only 1 hour to go before i finish work!
04/09/2008
Last weekend went North of Thailand to Loburi. Went to my friends house as it was in the countryside. Stayed there for 2 nights as it was fun. There was 7 of us and we had a BBQ and played card drinking games, got so drunk, went through 5 bottle of whisky and god know how many beer. Also went to Sir Satchanalai Historical Park – Wat Changlom, the place had lots of monkeys. They were every where as they were so naughty, hamsab naughty! hehe! I will load the pictures on my link page.
Last night, was invited to Curve bar, for an promotion night for New Balance shoes, free drink and free food. Was a cool party as it was a hip hop theme and MTV was there. There was break dancing and many PR girls in hot tight tops. Moved onto a bar called Jets, also in Ekkamai. That was alright as Ekkamai is the place to go now for younger people but expensive. My 2 Germans – Phillip and Julian (who i met in Loa) are away as they were here for 2 weeks, it was fun with them. Too much drink as its time for my body to detox and rest. I will see Phillip in 8 months time as he will be back. You know why, do the maths.
11/08/2008
Just done another Visa run. This time went to Loa (north of Thailand), Valentine. Took a night sleeper train about 12 hours as that was different, get trains with AC or with Fan as i tried them both as AC is about 200 baht more but worth it. I would recommend traveling by train than by bus or flying. Bed quite comfortable. Valentine – Nothing to do there, just visit some monk places and some local bars. Loa is a really under developed country. Meet some fellow backpackers and local Lao girls. They all very friendly, more friendly than Thai people. You think Bangkok is cheap, Loa is cheaper. About 50p for a big bottle of Loa beer. Oh drank so much there. 1 Thai Baht = 250 Loa Kip est, as its very confusing when ordering food, trying to work out if its expensive or not. The best thing about this Visa run is that i got 2 months Visa for Thailand – WooHoo and done this all by myself.
04/08/2008
I know this is unusual for me to do an another blog so quick but there is something i need to say about AMAZING THAILAND:
I read the Bangkok post everyday to keep track of news in Thailand. On Aug 1st, they published a readers letter reporting a shocking shooting death of two persons in broad daylight near NBK (big shopping centre where i go most weekends). The writer, troubled, witnessed the event and wrote that immediately after the shooting two cars arrived, four men appeared “as if on cue”, threw the bodies into the two cars and the cars sped away. Motorcycle police arrived, one of whom tried to mop up the blood. All this within about two mins. I am shocked as this shows anything can happen in amazing Thailand.
Oh yeah, the situation (tax invasion) with Thaksin Shinawatra’s (Man City owner) wife, she will never see the inside of a jail as remember this is Thailand. MONEY talks loudly it deafens you.
29/07/2008
I have really settled in Bangkok, Thailand as now i have my own condo, not very big but not too small compared to some of the places i have been. A condo is just a room with a bathroom thats all, no kitchen. Just found a new job – Real Estate – Koll (Thailand) Ltd. I will be doing all their marketing actives and upgrading their database. This gets me out of my bed as before i would party nearly every night and then get up about 12 or 1pm everyday. I could easily be happy to stay here for a year or 2 or longer. Also i would like to add, even though i have put on about 5kg and is a fatter than ever now, i am eating great food, fresh seafood, fresh fruit (believe it or not – fresh pineapple and watermelon everyday as there is like a little moving stall which is outside my condo), lots of different tasty desserts and don’t forget plenty beer and whisky. Every weekend finding new bars and clubs to go to as my favorite placesforclubs in Bangkok just now is ARC – Slim (Rama 9) or Muse & Curve (Ekkamai). Check it out if you ever go to Bangkok. This is where all the locals go not where tourists go.
11/06/2008
I just wanted to say this: Got my first hair cut in Thailand the other day as it was getting long. For 190 baht, about 3 pounds I had my hair washed withmassage as they washed two times and then with conditioner then cut about 20 mins. After cut they washed hair again then cut 10mins. It was great, the best hair cut ever. Also I would like to say that if you ever go to Thailand Bangkok and you need to extend your Visa, don’t go to airport like I did, waste of time as they can only offer you 7 days extension with cost of 1,900 baht which isn’t alot but I have booked for 2,200 baht a Visa-Run which they can sort out with me for one day in & out of Thailand as Visa will last for 30 days in Thailand. Going on Sunday 17th. WooHoo, going to meet my brother-in-law tonight. Should be great, cant wait to meet.
p.s. i haven’t uploaded any pictures as it takes too long. Will try and put some pictures up on bebo site.
04/06/2008
Finally done my sight seeing in Bangkok as it was a mixed couple of days. Went to the Grand Palace as that was amazing must go place, so many gold. The other sights like Democracy Monument, Wat Ratchanadda, Wat Saket, Giant Swing and Wat Po in that area is ok. Took a boat down the river as its a must do. China Town is crazy with so many narrow street. Makes Lady Market in Hong Kong rubbish – finally found a nice Ped (Duck) Rice place to eat as the Thai Ped not nice. Took my first Tut Tut as that was fun but prefer taxi as it has AC and around same price. I like to travel on bikes as its fast and cheaper. Learning Thai very fast as its getting better, thanks to some friend i met over here. Very nice people as they take me out to local clubs – Slim and places where i would never find my self – night markets. Where Thai people go, not where Tourist go. Thats what i am looking for. Still having a great time, not missing home yet.
23/05/2008
In Bangkok just now and WOW. Its something else. Been to Khaw San Road, lots of bar and restaurants as the food is very yummy but also very hot hot hot. Everything is so cheap but it all adds up. Made my way down South to Kho Samed Island as it was amazing as the sand was so white, clean water to swim in. Cool beach huts but very expensive but worth it also eat lots of fresh seafood. On the way back up North i stopped at Pattya, Walking Street is world famous for its special massages and No i didnt! So many narak girls and Ladyboys as they were more narak than the working girls. There was lots of bars as a couple had rings for Thai Boxing which was cool to watch. Such a mad sport. Only thing i didnt like about Pattyais that there was alot kids working as young as ten years old. Not a good sight to see. Bar that – must go place.
16/04/2008
Single Ticket Booked for the “The Flying Duck” to Hong Kong 10th May then Thailand on the 17th May then who knows. Booked same flight as my Brother-In-Law as he works for British Aways: First Class – UPGRADE UPGRADE UPGRADE. The Duck Pounds is sorted and the Insurance is sorted. So excited now. Going to miss the end of the Apprentice when i am away.
29/03/2008
Last day at work, sad to leave, its been a great learning experience in Marketing @ R&S Robertson and wish them all the best in the future. Time to close the book on that chapter and open a new chapter – “The Flying Duck”. Arranged to see the bank on 5th April to stamp “The Flying Duck” adventure. WooHoo!
