Marigolds for the King

Today is the Royal Cremation of Thailand’s most beloved King. Thais all over the kingdom swarmed ceremonial places to show their love and bid King Bhumibol Adulyadej their final goodbyes. It is truly an emotional time, people may it be young or old queued and waited in line for hours amidst heat and rain. The Royal Cremation was meticulously prepared with huge support from Thai volunteers and support from establishments in the form of food, drinks, raincoats, or cutting business hours to give employees time to join the ceremony like Tesco Lotus, 7 11, and some gas stations, just to name a few.

Aside from the incomparable show of devotion and the lavish royal crematorium (yeah lavish US$ 90 million), another prominent feature is the use of countless Marigolds. In every corner of the kingdom may it be residences, business establishments, schools, offices, or images of the late king, Marigolds are displayed.

 

Let us take a closer look at this flower.

 

Marigold flower belongs to the genus Tagetes which are native to North and South America but which are now widely cultivated in Asia, including Thailand. Marigolds are used as decorations for weddings, garlands, or as offerings for rituals and religious events. It is regarded as the flower for the dead in pre-Hispanic Mexico.

In light of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s burial, this bright yellow flower is chosen as yellow is his official color. He was born on a Monday.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, forever you will stay in our hearts.

He will forever live in the hearts of Thais for they will forever be grateful of his benevolent heart.

 

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Tira-Tira Candy

This particular night we went out to Songkhla’s Night Market, NARIT’s  (National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand) powerful telescopes are out for the public to use. The children were thrilled and were amazed by how big and near the moon looked in the telescope. After this, we endulged ourselves to wide variety of yummylicious food.

As we were roaming the colorful night market, we happened to see this grandpa pulls something sticky and stretchy from an elongated pouch. I have to admit it was intriguing in fact we stopped by and watched, together with many others who can’t help it as well. To our surprise,  this grandpa is selling what seems like a candy my husband and I know from our childhood days in the Philippines, the TIRA-TIRA!
The only difference is that this one is a bit on the softer and chewy side.  The TIRA-TIRA we had before were tough and sticky on the teeth,  you would have to chew on it so hard it would feel like your teeth would chip off.
We tried it,  and indeed it is TIRA-TIRA, Thai version.

I’ll Return Back Your LOVE

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Cost of Living in the Land of Smile

Living in Thailand, generally speaking, is not pricey. Although prices have definitely gone up in the past ten years, it is still decent.

Prices may differ though from place to place depending on the density of foreign visitors the place have. The likes of Pattaya, Koh Samui, Koh Lipeh, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket are expensive unless you know the right places that sell meals at a local rate. Major cities like Bangkok, ChiangMai, ChiangRai, and Hatyai have fairly minimal rate per meal. The province of Songkhla has surprisingly higher rate at about 10 baht more. For instance, a 50-55 baht meal in Hatyai is about 60-65 baht in Songkhla. Even items on sale in grocers and thrift shops are 10 baht more expensive than Hatyai. Well they say, the oil rig companies are to be blamed for this.

Speaking of oil, gasoline prices had been a roller coaster. It fluctuated greatly in the past seven years or at least since I got conscious of oil prices due to necessity. Sixteen baht was lowest so far and that was in 2008 to 2009, I just couldn’t be certain of the date but it was definitely within these years. It was a  great time but a short lived one. After that, it has gone up and down, with 27 baht as the priciest so far in 2016.

We have gone to several places, eaten at restaurants, and shopped at local market and grocers, one important thing we observed, once sellers know that you are a foreigner they would jack up the price. So friendly tips, it is best to buy at places where prices are displayed. It happened to us countless times and we saw it happened to “Phalangs” right before our eyes.

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Thai Teaching License

Do you need to get or renew your Thai teaching license?

Working expats in Thailand especially English teachers have to acquire a teaching license from the Teachers Council of Thailand (คุรุสภา), and regularly renew this every five years.  It is necessary to have a Thai teaching license as this is one of the requirements for non-B visa extension (working visa) which is done annually.  For first-time getters, attending a seminar on Thai culture is a must.  This Thai culture seminar is regularly scheduled by the teachers council.

Download these forms, comply all requirements,and follow the procedure.

KS 02 Professional License renewal application Form

KS 02.10 Qualification Declaration Form for License Renewal Applicant

Teaching license requirements

Pay to post payment form

Send these papers to
Mailing Address
Teaching License
Professional License and Registration Bureau
Professional License Services Unit
Secretariat Office of the Teachers’ Council of Thailand
128/1 Nakhon-Ratchasima Road,
Dusit Sub-District, Dusit District
Bangkok 10300

To get the teaching license card, you can either go there yourself or authorize someone to collect it for your.  You may need to send an authorization letter and a copy of the information page of your passport duly signed.

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Bathe In The Sun At….

Summer in Samal

When we went home to the Philippines for a month long, very much needed vacay, my husband and I decided to book a weekend stay in the Island Garden City of Samal or IGaCOS, the Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort. This is our childhood favorite resort. Since we were kids this resort has been like a… well… a paradise. It seemed like the name Paradise Island was synonymous to GREAT FUN.

Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort is located at Barangay Caliclic, Babak district Samal Island. Please note that Samal Island used to be a part of Davao City before it was declared a city of its own on 30th January 1998; some websites though, still use the old address. This resort can be reached via a boat ride from a port in Sasa Wharf Davao City to the resort or via a Ferry if you so choose to bring your vehicles to the Island with you.

In general, we had a pleasant experience. My husband and I definitely had a great time at the beach. We love the powdery white sand, the blue clear water, and the fresh air. At that time there were only a few guests, so it felt like we had the beach to ourselves. It felt like paradise.

However, there were a few inconveniences.

For example, checking in was quite a hassle as the resort is quite strict with a lot of things. They do have a rule book that you need to familiarize with or else your stay will be ruined. Checking the bags to make sure you have no food, drinks and/or spirits brought with you, as one of the rules in the book says “NO FOOD AND DRINKS FROM OUTSIDE ARE ALLOWED”, was a bit annoying.

It was like we were being searched in a detention camp rather than a resort. Children under 12 years have additional fees. It was quite saddening especially when all the other resorts especially resorts in Thailand would consider them free.  The food and snacks in the resort are delicious but rather expensive. The drinks and spirits are downright overpriced.

And then there is this, no swimming pool. When we were kids it was OK because we never really had any idea about it, but now that we have gone to other resorts it seems like a pool is a given.  Our kids were extremely disappointed. They love hanging around the pool. In fact it is the very first thing they always look for whenever we check in on a hotel/resort.

I guess we sort of overlooked this. We were probably unconsciously expecting it after all these years. Anyway, the beach was irresistibly inviting, even to the kids.  They had so much fun that they didn’t want to get out of the water.  That reminded me of our childhood days. It was a blast.

If you are the kind of person who wants coffee in the morning just right after waking up… you’d be disappointed to know that there are no hotspots or whatsoever in the rooms. I know it’s not really a necessity for everyone but it’s kind of good to have just in case you need one. No refrigerator. Yup… you heard me right. There is no freakin fridge. So if you bought a large bottle of soda or bottled water from the bar or restaurant, drink it while it’s cold. It’s not a deal breaker but it is definitely disappointing since these are the kind of amenities even cheap hotels offer.

But then again when we got to our room that morning Lo and Behold… The room was really clean. The toilet was well maintained. We were able to breathe a sigh of relief as my husband and I are really particular about cleanliness. We have had very bad experiences with hotel rooms even with the pricey ones in Bangkok and in Penang Malaysia. The beddings, the mattress, the floor under the bed are well dusted. We are very particular about this since my husband and kids are all asthmatic.

We’ve been to quite a few resorts and hotels may it be for long vacay or just a weekend getaway, all these accommodations have their own good and bad points.  Nothing is perfect as they say.  But perfection is relative to one’s needs and preferences.

So, Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort despite its imperfection and the inconveniences we had, it was still a GREAT experience generally speaking.

Have you been to any of the beautiful beaches in the Philippines? How was it?

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You’ll Be Forever Remembered H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej

 

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The night of 13th October 2016 is the quietest in Thailand history.  The King so loved and revered not only by Thai people but also by foreigners, has died.  People are mourning, and those who have been praying outside the hospital where he was admitted, cried their hearts out upon knowing.  My family and I are one with our Thai friends, colleagues and the entire kingdom in this mournful time.  His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej will forever live in our hearts.  May he forever be remembered by his kindness, good deeds, and love for his people.

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A Month for Dads

December is finally here. On the 5th is the  88th birthday celebration of Thailand’s beloved King, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.  In this light, there are three big and exciting things lined up in this part of the world.

Father’s Day is celebrated on the King’s birthday and participated by locals and foreigners alike.  In schools, children give their fathers a “Wai” to show their love and respect.

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Bike for Dad is a nationwide event which will be held on the 11th December 2015 from 3.00 p.m. onward. Unsurprisingly, Bike for dad shirts have been on display in stores as early as November. This is the second time Thailand is holding this kind of event.  Back in August, Thailand hosts Bike for Mom to celebrate the Queen’s birthday, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit; and to pay respect to all moms.

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Krathong Making

Loy Krathong is a Thai celebration that happens in the month of November, wherein Thais float their krathongs in any body of water or fly Chinese lanterns in the air on the night of the festivity. However, prior to this, in schools, students make their own krathongs and sometimes join a krathong making contest.

Here are the materials needed in making a krathong.

  • Banana trunk
  • Leaves
  • Pins
  • Flowers

Procedure:

  1. Cut banana trunk into 2 to 3 inches chunks.

    chunk of banana trunk wrapped in leaves
  2. Wrap it with leaves. It could be banana or some other kind will do. You may also fold strips of banana leaves into triangular shapes resembling a lotus to cover the chunk of banana trunk with.
  3. Use pins to secure the decoration into the banana trunk base.
  4. Decorate it with different kinds of flowers.
  5. Finally, stick in a candle and incense sticks.

 

Thai people add in the krathong lock of their hair and pieces of trimmed nails.  This is to symbolize that they are want to drive off misfortune and bad things in the past.

 

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Baby #59

sewage baby

This is the incubator name where the Chinese sewage baby boy is now recuperating.

He incurred minor bruises and cuts. But generally speaking, he is Ok.

As I was watching the video two days ago, I felt a lot of mixed emotions.  My first reaction was ” OMG, if you don’t like to rear the baby have him/her for adoption”. I pity the little, helpless  angel so much. My goodness, I can just imagine the dirt and germs around. This is very degrading.  He is a human being for crying out loud, not some kind of insect.

On the lighter side, when the divine, supernatural force intervenes nothing is impossible.  The baby survived this ghastly, horrible ordeal unscathed. He could have died of asphyxiation, or could have been contaminated by whatever bacteria in that sewage.

This is a sad reflection of humanity’s profanity and weaknesses as a whole.  This should not be treated as of the Chinese community alone because reality bites, this is rampantly happening all over the world across all races and religions. STOP RELIGIOUS HYPOCRISY! World leaders and religious people alike should look at this issue of sex and abortion with open mind. Set aside political and religious agenda, and just deal with the problem head on with logic and humanitarian disposition.

 

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