Visit to Wat Preah Kaew
Yesterday was a holiday here. It was a special day honoring a monk. The holiday is called Makha Buchare (spelling differs sometimes). I went to the Grand Palace complex which includes the Grand Palace and Wat Preah Kaew. It is one of the "don't miss" tourist attractions in Bangkok and for good reason. If you come, don't miss it. It is truly spectacular. As you all know, I am not a big fan of "tourist" places but if you can only go one place in Bangkok, forget the snake shows, the elephant shows and the floating markets, head for Wat Preah Kaew. After Wat Preah Kaew, take a five minute walk to the Chao Phraya river and hop on a long tail boat to go across to see Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). You can do the whole kit and caboodle in 4-5 hours easily. However I definitely advise you to arrive at the Grand Palace as close to the 10am opening as possible because it gets both very hot and very crowded later. Yesterday I got a late start and didn't arrive until the heat of the day was in full force. The place was jammed due to the holiday. Most Buddhists spend at least part of this day at a temple. At Wat Pra Kaew, be on the lookout for sleazy touts who will try to tell you it is closed and offer to take you to another 'attraction'. Somewhere on the way to the other place you will make a stop at perhaps a jewelry place where the tout gets a commission. Grrr…. Also you cannot wear shorts, short skirts, tank tops or flip flops. So dress appropriately! I've put a few pictures up; all taken yesterday. The bad part of the day was that a large part of the temple was closed off for maintenance. Of course they have to do it, but it's always annoying to arrive and find that they are doing it on the very day one has chosen to visit. Ah well. It was still well worth the trip.
On another note, you may or may not be aware that Thaksin (the PM) has divided up the South into 3 kinds of zones based on the level of violence and cooperation exhibited by the residents. The Red Zone (that with the most violence and least cooperation) will cease to receive aid from the central government for most things. This as you can well imagine is hugely controversial. The critics of this plan are very vocal and they definitely have excellent points. Thaksin's response is also valid. He is saying that if anyone has a better idea, he's willing to listen. He has called a special legislative session this week for further discussion. We're all hoping for better ideas and open minds!
Short post today, have to do some work! As always any comments or questions to andym528@hotmail.com
By the way, if you are new to my blog, I suggest that you start at the bottom with the oldest posts first. Anyone planning a trip, DO email me for do's and don'ts!! I'm happy to share!
Thai Business Tip: Building personal relationships is just as important here as it is in China or Japan for that matter. For instance, in Japan, if you are invited to a Karaoke Bar, not only do you go, but you MUST sing at least once! You just relax and make the best of it. Hopefully you'll actually have some fun! In Thailand if you are invited to a bar after work or a meeting, relax and go. You don't have to do anything you are not comfortable with (morally or otherwise) but more business will be done after work than during work as often as not. Establishing a relationship of trust does usually entail some social contact here in Thailand. Leave room in your schedule for lunch if you are invited to a late morning meeting. Leave room in your schedule for dinner or a trip to the bar if you have a late afternoon meeting. If you're invited for a round of golf, by all means go! Those things may or may not happen, but do leave room for the possibility especially at the beginning of the relationsip.
On another note, you may or may not be aware that Thaksin (the PM) has divided up the South into 3 kinds of zones based on the level of violence and cooperation exhibited by the residents. The Red Zone (that with the most violence and least cooperation) will cease to receive aid from the central government for most things. This as you can well imagine is hugely controversial. The critics of this plan are very vocal and they definitely have excellent points. Thaksin's response is also valid. He is saying that if anyone has a better idea, he's willing to listen. He has called a special legislative session this week for further discussion. We're all hoping for better ideas and open minds!
Short post today, have to do some work! As always any comments or questions to andym528@hotmail.com
By the way, if you are new to my blog, I suggest that you start at the bottom with the oldest posts first. Anyone planning a trip, DO email me for do's and don'ts!! I'm happy to share!
Thai Business Tip: Building personal relationships is just as important here as it is in China or Japan for that matter. For instance, in Japan, if you are invited to a Karaoke Bar, not only do you go, but you MUST sing at least once! You just relax and make the best of it. Hopefully you'll actually have some fun! In Thailand if you are invited to a bar after work or a meeting, relax and go. You don't have to do anything you are not comfortable with (morally or otherwise) but more business will be done after work than during work as often as not. Establishing a relationship of trust does usually entail some social contact here in Thailand. Leave room in your schedule for lunch if you are invited to a late morning meeting. Leave room in your schedule for dinner or a trip to the bar if you have a late afternoon meeting. If you're invited for a round of golf, by all means go! Those things may or may not happen, but do leave room for the possibility especially at the beginning of the relationsip.