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Archive for January, 2006

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Cosmechanics

Tuesday, January 31st, 2006

In front of the Rumburi Esthetique, on Sukhumvit 39, next door to my dentist, a sign offers, at Special Price, Cosmechanic, Face Lift and Anti Wrinkle, Sparkling Face & Pore Treatment, Anti Cellulite & Fluid Drain, Body Slim & Firming, Breast Enlargement & Firming, Massage, Beauty Eyelash Extention, Beauty Ritual Night To Be Indonesian Bride!

The Meaning of Riaproy

Tuesday, January 31st, 2006

Some friends that spent a year in Thailand with the Peace Corps have said there is an additional Thai value that is called “riaproy.” “It means polite and well-mannered; neat. It also means orderly; ready-to-go. Rarely do you see a sloppily-groomed Thai. Daily baths and freshly-laundered and pressed clothes are the norm. Riaproy also refers to polite behavior, and fits with the concept of “jai yen” (cool or calm heart) and the importance of avoiding confrontation, saving face, etc. You can see riaproy behavior on public transportation, when adults give their seats to children, and teens and adults give their seats to elderly people (or grey-headed ones like me!) Another example of riaproy might be the beautifully displayed fruits, vegetables and fish in the most ordinary markets. When a Thai person says, “She is riaproy”, it is a compliment. A riaproy person is a good model of behavior and appearance admired by Thai people.”

Bangkok Street Scenes

Tuesday, January 31st, 2006
Sidewalk Seamstress Sidewalk Seamstress Small Family Small Family Taking A Break From Shopping Waiting To Shop

Coffee Yen

Tuesday, January 31st, 2006
Iced Coffee Stands Coffee Yen Coffee Yen 2

Street Food

Tuesday, January 31st, 2006
Eggs For Sale Eggs for Sale Soup Stand Street Restaurant BBQ BBQ BBQ2 BBQ 2 BBQ3 BBQ 3[Continue reading this entry]

Motorcycle Serenade

Tuesday, January 31st, 2006
Last night I hopped a motorcycle taxi at the corner. "Where you from?" the cute young driver asked. "America," I said. "America Pie" he sang to me all the way to my dentist appointment. "I used ... [Continue reading this entry]

Bar Girls

Tuesday, January 31st, 2006
Bar Girls Waiting For Customers To Buy Them A Beer And Whatever... Bar Girls Bar Girls 2

Street Noodles

Monday, January 23rd, 2006
My favorite food in Thailand is one of the many varieties of noodle soup found on street carts. Street food is safe if you select a cart in early to mid day, when the food will be fresh, and watch ... [Continue reading this entry]

A Light In The South of Thailand

Monday, January 23rd, 2006
Visitors, to the south of Thailand, including foreigners, will soon have an opportunity to experience muslim life in a village in the province of Yala. A "Widower's Village" is being built in Rotanbu Village under a resettlement project funded by ... [Continue reading this entry]

Lucky Luk!

Friday, January 20th, 2006
I called my son Doug yesterday morning. He had just returned from the fish market on Koh Samui with a salad bowl of large fresh gung (shrimp) with heads still on for $1.60 and had cooked up a traditional ... [Continue reading this entry]

Teach The Children What?

Thursday, January 19th, 2006
On National Children's Day in Thailand, it is a tradition for the Prime Minister to deliver a positive "motto." This year the wealthy PM Thaksin who owns Thai Air and other assets said that children should read more and ... [Continue reading this entry]

Bumrungrad Hospital

Thursday, January 19th, 2006
Nearly as diverse as New York, sitting in a Bumrungrad waiting room is a show of national and ethnic costume...many from the middle east...burkas, jalabas and Arabic head wear...males greeting each other by touching noses...or foreheads...I couldn't tell. The ... [Continue reading this entry]

Bangkok Business

Thursday, January 12th, 2006
Nearby, in ironically named Washington Square, is the Bourbon Street Bar and Restaurant where an entire wall, surrounding a dart board, is covered by business cards. Here is a sampling that you would probably not see at home: Halliburton, Trident ... [Continue reading this entry]

Insurgency In The South of Thailand

Thursday, January 12th, 2006
Since January 2004, southern Thailand has been gripped by a shadowy insurgency that has killed over 1,000 people and divided local communities along religious and ethnic lines. "Bangkok," ie the Thai government, has responded forcefully to the security threat, but ... [Continue reading this entry]

Thai News

Sunday, January 8th, 2006
Six days of U.S./Thai trade talks in Chiang Mai has resulted in a stalemate with the help of 10,000 protesters...an alliance of 11 groups who are resisting trade liberalization. They are not ready, says the director of the AIDS ... [Continue reading this entry]

Familiar Bangkok

Saturday, January 7th, 2006
1wXSp3CkNsDoJl3s0SgHmw-2006171154009258.gif Arrived in Bangkok on Jan 3rd on China Air after 17 hours and stops in Anchorage and Taiwan. There has been a cooling in Asia (northern India actually falling below freezing) and it has ... [Continue reading this entry]

New Years Eve in NY

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2006
Bob left for Thailand on the 29th. Josh had to work at the restaurant so Amy and I spent New Years Eve drinking wine and champagne...good conversation with my daughter-in-law...and watching "Wedding Crashers." She spent the night and ... [Continue reading this entry]