#Thailand - Angthong National Marine Park closed for 3 days due to approaching storm

The Angthong National Marine Park, off the coast of Surat Thani province, is closing for three days from tomorrow (Thursday) as tropical storm ‘Pabuk’ is expected to hit the southern Gulf coast.

The decision has been based on weather warnings from the TMD, which says the storm “Pabuk” will bring unseasonal heavy downpours and high waves in the Gulf of Thailand from Thursday into the weekend.

Entry into the national park area will be banned for three days and park officials are asking for everyone’s cooperation. They say the public will be notified if there are any changes to the announcement.

.

 .

The Angthong marine park is comprised of 42 islands and was named a national park in 1980.

Though “Pabuk” is expected to be less powerful than Typhoon Gay, which devastated Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces in 1989, it could still cause more damage than the tropical storm that ravaged 12 southern provinces in 1962.

Nearly one thousand people died when “Harriet” cut across Nakhon Si Thammarat through Krabi, Phuket and Phang Nga provinces. Tropical Storm Harriet made landfall in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, causing a storm surge that wiped out villages in Laem Talumphuk, Pak Phanang District, killing over 900 and leaving over 10,000 people homeless.

Source - TheNation

Bangkok roads flooded following heavy overnight rains

.

Heavy rains throughout Wednesday night and Thursday morning have caused flooding on many Bangkok roads, leading to severe traffic congestion during the morning rush hours.

[See also: Five flood-hit Bangkok schools closed
More photos from Ratchadaphisek scene
More photos from Moo Ban Chonlathep in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan ]

The Bangkok Flood Prevention Centre issued a statement, warning motorists to avoid the following eight roads:
1. Ratchadaphisek Road from the Ratchayothin intersection to Lat Phrao Road

2. Ngam Wong Wan Road at Pongphet Market and Soi Shinnakhet
3. Lat Phrao Road from Pradit Manoontham Road to Soi Lat Phrao 97
4. Pattanakarn Road from the Klong Tan intersection to Klong Lao
5. Ramkhamhaeng Road in front of the Bang Kapi electricity office
6. Srinakharin Road near Wat Sri-Iam
7. Srinakharin Road at the Krungthep Kreetha intersection
8. Sukhumvit Road under BTS Baring station.
On some roads waterlogging was as high as 40 centimetres.
The floods prompted Sompong Wiengkaew, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Sewerage and Drainage Department, to inspect some roads at 4.40am.
He said many roads were flooded late Wednesday night but the waters had receded by Thursday morning while his department officials were racing against time to drain the water.
The water level subsided on the Ngam Wong Wan-Pong Phet Road and vehicles could use two right lanes while the left lanes on both sides were still flooded.
He said the road in front of the Criminal Court was still inundated.
His department reported at 4.45am that Klong Chao Khun Sing in Wang Thong Lang district had the heaviest rainfall – 156.5 millimetres.

 .

 .

 .

 .

Source - TheNation

Diner Alert: Nine Thai foods you should avoid in summer

.

The Department of Disease Control has issued a list of nine Thai dishes that could potentially cause diarrhea during the summer.

.

According to the Department, the number of diarrhea patients between Jan. 1 to Mar. 10 totaled 191,515. One patient reportedly died from complications resulting from the condition. The Department warned restaurants across Thailand to pay more attention to hygiene in the kitchen and warned diners to wash their hands before each meal.

.

Below is the list of Thai foods that easily go bad in the hot weather, subsequently posing a risk to the health of diners.

.

1. Larb/Koi or spicy Isaan meat salad: This dish is a combination of ground meat seasoned with fish sauce, limejuice, chili and herbs. Both dishes are similar except that Koi uses raw meat.

.

2. Yum Goong Dten or “spicy shrimp salad”: This dish’s Thai name literally means “Dancing Shrimp Salad,” suggesting that live shrimp are main ingredient to the dish.

 .

3. Yum Hoy Krang or “spicy cockle salad”: Diners need to make sure that cockles are given a good rinse before eating them.

 .

4. Fried rice topped with crabmeat

 .

5. All coconut milk recipes: Phanaeng curry, Massaman curry, chicken green curry, coconut custard, Bualoy, Saku Biak, you name it.

 .

6. Kanom Jeen or “fermented Thai rice noodle”: Since Kanom Jeen is made from rice that has been fermented for three days, it can rot quickly.

 .

7. Khao Man Gai or “chicken rice”

8. Som Tam or “spicy green papaya salad”

.

9. Green salad

The Department also warns diners of ice and suggests them not to eat food that has been left out overnight.

.

Source - Coconuts 

.

 FOR THE BEST GLOBAL HOTEL & FLIGHT BOOKINGS
"We are at your Service''

.

Myanmar (Burma) - Rohingya militants `well-organized

The emergence of a "well-organized and well-funded" Muslim militancy behind attacks on security forces in western Myanmar could further de-stabilize the conflict-ridden region, an international think tank warned on Wednesday.

Harakah al-Yaqin, or Faith Movement, formed by members of the persecuted Rohingya minority, has been blamed for deadly attacks on security forces in northern Rakhine state, including an October 9 assault when hundreds of fighters, armed mostly with swords and sticks, overran three border police bases.
The violence prompted a sweeping crackdown on the Rohingya population, thousands of whom have fled to Bangladesh in recent weeks amid accusations of mass killings and rapes. The government denies the allegations.
In its report, the International Crisis Group conducted interviews with members of Harakah al-Yaqin that suggest it is overseen by a committee of Rohingya emigres in Saudi Arabia.

The research also found evidence of ground operations organized by 20 men, experienced in guerilla warfare, who trained hundreds of locals to use weapons and crude explosives.
Crisis Group's Asia programme director Tim Johnston told dpa at least some of the funding is believed to come from private donors in the Middle East.
"There are real risks that if the government mishandles the situation, for instance with the further use of excessive force, it will push more of the Muslim population in that area to support al-Yaqin, entrenching the armed group and a cycle of violence," he wrote in an editorial published by Time magazine.
"It may also create conditions for radicalization that could be exploited by transnational jihadists to pursue their own agendas in Burma."
Rights groups and Rohingya activists cast doubt on some of the findings and said the majority of the hundreds of thousands of Muslims confined to internal displacement camps and villages across Rakhine state did not support the insurgency.
"Villagers are consistently telling us they want rights and want to return home," said Matthew Smith, founder of NGO Fortify Rights. "No one is telling us they want militancy or armed resistance."
Richard Potter, a researcher with the Burma Human Rights Network, said recent contact suggested the militants had run out of ammunition and scattered in recent weeks.
"If there's money that's being gathered for them I can't see where it's going," he said.

About Google Local Guides Connect

 

About a Real Local Guide and a Google Local Guide.

I'm a Dutch man, and live over 20 years in Asia (Thailand & Cambodia) and been an "Local Guide" for years. Recently I'm invited for Google Local Guides Connect !

All look nice, and after the first topic the ask, and I did that. "Introduce your self" But on a professional way, not same others as hello, hello, hello and hi, and that sort of bullshit, ...
.
I'm sorry my name is connected with over 400 other Social Media. (I build these Social Media Networks in the past.)

When there is an discussion about new Meet-Ups I offer my knowledge and want also create an Meet-Up here in Bangkok. And want invite people (who want to come) to my location, yes sorry again, I invite them in my restaurant. (Also registered in "Google my Business" I not want invite people for a meet-up on the streets like a Tramp.
But the not accept that and block or suspended my account ?
The next morning I can not login ? Not any warning or mailing coming ?
And it is impossible to connect any moderator.

To continue I made a new Local Guides Connect account with an other Google Gmail But it is not allowed to have 2 accounts (I know that) But this is only temporary to try to contact someone for a solution.
.

Than @CorrieD (moderator) replay to me in the new account, and blame me for have 2 accounts, But how on an other way I can contact them.
.
.
.
Than she write my account has NOT any quality. Who is the crazy one ?
I not write the whole community full with, hello hello hello, ....
An other big point is the topic I made about the safety in Thailand. There was the last weekend on different locations 11 bombings in Thailand. And she name it #Spam !!!
.

I'm an professional Local Guide, And yes, I have a Travel Agency. What is wrong with that ?
.
We warning people about their safety ! Many people come to my office and mailing me, the are really worry.
How you can name this #Spam ??? You must be crazy.

After I delete this temporary second account. Before I ask to reconnect my main-account, what is linked to many other social media. But not any reaction or solution.
.

Ps. I ask her Name and address information, to open a case against this bitch. This is absolute not normal. I not want more use this Local Guides Connect for posting, but only for to have the button om my Google Maps, and create some points. (I was on level 3 already)

But anyway, when you want a real Local Guide, (and not want only a hello hello puppet) be free to contact me. "We are at your service"

Thailand - New Year highway toll up despite harsh enforcement

Heavy congestion was reported on main roads leading into Bangkok yesterday (Jan 3), at the end of the New Year’s weekend. These gridlocked motorists were on the Phahon Yothin Highway in the Saraburi area. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)

The death toll has reached almost 300 as more passengers return to Bangkok after the New Year holidays. Deaths are 11 per cent higher than during last year’s Seven Dangerous Days despite harsh measures.
Last year, there were 2,446 accidents during the first five of the dangerous days, compared with 2,753 so far this year, a rise of 12%. Total road casualties (killed and injured) are up 13%, year on year.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd stressed yesterday (Jan 3) that severe penalties will be imposed against both drivers and transport operators, particularly vans and inter-provincial buses, if accidents occur.
Driving and operating licences will be suspended or revoked, he said.
The warning came after several vans and buses were found to be travelling above the speed limit.
Heavy traffic was reported on several main roads leading to Bangkok including Mittraphap from the South and Phahon Yothin from the North.
“The prime minister also urges people who are returning to Bangkok to make travel plans to avoid traffic congestion and reduce the number of vehicles on main roads,” Maj Gen Sansern said.
A total of 3,046 vehicles were confiscated from drink drivers from Christmas Day to last Saturday. Of them, 2,477 were motorcycles and 569 were cars.
- See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/new-year-highway-toll-up-despite-harsh-enforcement-55657.php#sthash.ToeiO4XT.dpuf

Heavy congestion was reported on main roads leading into Bangkok yesterday (Jan 3), at the end of the New Year’s weekend. These gridlocked motorists were on the Phahon Yothin Highway in the Saraburi area. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya) - See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/new-year-highway-toll-up-despite-harsh-enforcement-55657.php#sthash.ToeiO4XT.dpuf

Heavy congestion was reported on main roads leading into Bangkok yesterday (Jan 3), at the end of the New Year’s weekend. These gridlocked motorists were on the Phahon Yothin Highway in the Saraburi area. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya) - See more at: http://www.thephuketnews.com/new-year-highway-toll-up-despite-harsh-enforcement-55657.php#sthash.ToeiO4XT.dpuf

The death toll has reached almost 300 as more passengers return to Bangkok after the New Year holidays. Deaths are 11 per cent higher than during last year’s Seven Dangerous Days despite harsh measures.

Last year, there were 2,446 accidents during the first five of the dangerous days, compared with 2,753 so far this year, a rise of 12%. Total road casualties (killed and injured) are up 13%, year on year.

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd stressed yesterday (Jan 3) that severe penalties will be imposed against both drivers and transport operators, particularly vans and inter-provincial buses, if accidents occur.

Driving and operating licences will be suspended or revoked, he said.

New Year revelles queue up at Nakhon Ratchasima Bus Terminal 2 to buy tickets to Bangkok on Sunday. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)

The warning came after several vans and buses were found to be travelling above the speed limit.

Heavy traffic was reported on several main roads leading to Bangkok including Mittraphap from the South and Phahon Yothin from the North.

“The prime minister also urges people who are returning to Bangkok to make travel plans to avoid traffic congestion and reduce the number of vehicles on main roads,” Maj Gen Sansern said.

A total of 3,046 vehicles were confiscated from drink drivers from Christmas Day to last Saturday. Of them, 2,477 were motorcycles and 569 were cars.

Meanwhile, the death toll from road accidents has risen to 292 from more than 2,700 road accidents in the first five days of the “seven dangerous days” of the New Year holiday season.

Drink-driving was the major cause of the crashes, with more than 23% of cases, followed by speeding at 16%.

The death toll from road accidents has risen to 292 from more than 2,700 road accidents in the first five days of the “seven dangerous days” of the New Year holiday season.

Permanent secretary for justice Charnchao Chaiyanukit, in his capacity as chairman of the Road Safety Committee, yesterday said the accumulated road accidents during the five days between Dec 29 and Jan 2 stood at 2,753, with 292 deaths and 2,855 injuries.

Drink-driving still remained the major cause of the crashes, with 23.08%, followed by speeding at 15.98%, said Mr Charnchao.

Most road accidents involved motorcycles, with 83.41%, followed by pick up trucks at 7.24%.

Chiang Mai had the highest number of accumulated road accidents at 108 and the highest number of accumulated injuries also at 108. Nakhon Ratchasima had the highest number of deaths at 12, he said.

No deaths were reported in eight provinces – Trang, Phang Nga, Phrae, Ranong, Samut Prakan, Sing Buri and Sukhothai.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, one person has been killed and 98 injured in 83 road accidents through Saturday, the fifth day of the seven dangerous days period.

The number of accumulated road accidents in this southern province has increased from the same period of last year by 12, the provincial road safety centre said. 

The number of injuries has also increased from last year by 22, but the number of deaths reduced by 3.

Meanwhile, a total of 3,046 vehicles have so far been impounded from drunk drivers across the country as part of the New Year holiday road safety campaign.

National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) deputy spokeswoman Sirichan Nga-thong said yesterday that police and soldiers manning road checkpoints across the country have temporarily seized 3,046 vehicles – 2,477 motorcycles and 569 cars, from drunk drivers between Dec 25 and Jan 2.

During the nine-day anti-drive-drive campaign period, authorities have so far taken action against 21,690 motorcyclists and 8,462 drivers of public and private vehicles for violations, Col Sirichan said.

On Jan 2 alone, there were 5,869 violations of the ban involving motorcycles. A total of 525 bikes were seized and 5,040 people face legal action.

There were 2,264 violations involving public and private vehicles on that day, with 259 driving licences and 381 vehicles seized and 1,897 drivers facing legal action, she said.

Army chief Theerachai Nakwanich ordered soldiers to launch a holiday road safety campaign.

Troops and police are arresting people found to be driving while drunk and seized their vehicles. The seized cars and motorcycles can be reclaimed after the New Year festivities.

Original story here.

*****
For the Best ‪#‎Hotels‬ and ‪#‎Resorts‬‬
We help you with your ‪#‎Bookings‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR BOOKING

ASIAN-BESTHOTELS
BANGKOK-BESTHOTELS
EUROPEAN-BESTHOTELS
HOLLAND-BESTHOTELS
VIP-BESTHOTELS
PLANET-ASIAN
GERRIT-TIENKAMP
TRIPADVISOR‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

.