The opening of a new border checkpoint with Myanmar near Prachuap Khiri Khan has been announced on a “famous expat forum”, with pictures of an official opening ceremony that took place on May 8th. Later it was announced that only Thai nationals could cross the border and that foreigners could not do a visa run there yet. In fact it seems that the border is not opened yet, even to Thai nationals, as two friends of mine got turned away today. So for all visa runners out here, don’t hold your breath and be prepared for a few more trips to Ranong. We will keep you informed if anything changes.
The traditional Thai new year is coming, with a whole week of celebrations and partying. Friday 12th is the opening day, with morning celebrations from 7 am to 9 am at Cha-am municipality (near the train station), and then parades from 10 am to noon, starting from the north side of the beach (in front of the Long Beach hotel) and ending at Cha-am municipality, where an opening ceremony will take place. At night (7.30 pm), you can attend a concert with Thai singers like Jomkwan Kanlaya and Jakkajan Wanwisa.
Officially the big splashing starts on Saturday and ends the same night, so it’s only one day. But you may get wet as soon as Friday and maybe until Sunday or even Monday. In spite of the government’s efforts to limit the sale of alcohol and drunk driving, Songkran is still known as the “seven most dangerous days” on the roads. If you can’t avoid driving, please be very careful! Having a bucket of water thrown at your face while driving a motorbike is no fun at all and can result in loss of control and injuries. As for your valuables, only bring what you really need with you and wrap your wallet, any papers or electronic devices in plastic bags.
Well, at least their spirit is coming. The municipality of Phetchaburi is organizing “The Beatles Fair 2013″, which, as far as I could understand, will feature some concerts, mainly by young musicians covering songs of the Beatles, and also contests such as a twist dance competition. Food and souvenirs will be available for sale.
The Beatles Fair will take place on the 9th and 10th of April, from 4.00 pm to 11.00 pm, in Damrongrak road, besides “Pharatchawang Ban Peun”, in Phetchaburi city. You can find the venue by taking the road that runs behind Big C and take the first road on the right.
Big C just opened a few days ago in Cha-am. It’s a small supermarket but still the biggest there is in Cha-am. No KFC or Pizza Hut, no kids playground, but a nice selection of western and especially French products.
Big C is located on the left side of Phetkasem road when going to Hua Hin, 800 meters after Cha-am traffic lights.
Thailand’s first salt sculpting display, “Art of Salt”, will be held in Phetchaburi province, from Marche 15 to 17, March 2013.
The exhibition will take place at two different locations along the coastal route in Ban Laem district, at the 25 km and 41 km milestone.
The district claims to be the largest producer of sea salt in Thailand. The “Art of Salt” is designed to give visitors the opportunity to learn about sea salt from a variety of activities and sightseeing, such as a test drive on a salt-grinding vehicle or a tour of the local salt museum. The event also aims to promote the Khlong Khon-Ban Laem-Cha-Am driving routes.
The highlight of the event, as the name suggests, will be live sculpting using salt to produce the image of a Bruda Whale, four meters tall and five meters long, by PRU (Phetchaburi Rajabhat University) students.
This Monday (Feb 25) is Makha Bucha day, a traditional Buddhist festival that celebrates the speech Buddha gave to 1,250 disciples who had gather spontaneously. Thai people make offerings at the temple in the morning, and at night there is a ceremony where they walk three times around the temple, holding candles.
As on all important religious days, bars will be prohibited to sell alcohol and will therefore remain closed.
And as we speak about bars, please be aware that these days, bars close at midnight in Cha-am…
Monday Feb 25 being a Thai holiday (Makha Bucha), the quiz night at the Blue Lagoon has been brought forward to Saturday night, Feb 23. Please pass the word to all quiz addicts, we hope to see you there!
The third edition of the Crab Festival will take place in Cha-am from February 9 to 17. As usual there will be plenty of food stalls, a night market and free concerts. Here is the line-up:
The quiz nights are back and the next quiz at the Blue Lagoon is on Monday 7 at 7pm. Entry fee is 50 baht, there’s free food and also a chance to win a free drink.
The Blue Lagoon, if you don’t know it yet, is the first bar on the left in soi Plaza, which is a soi off Narathip road, on your left if you’re coming from the beach, just after the first crossroads.
I will have the honour and privilege to be the quizmaster tomorrow, so I hope to see many people there!
The opening of a new border checkpoint with Myanmar near Prachuap Khiri Khan has been announced on a “famous expat forum”, with pictures of an official opening ceremony that took place on May 8th. Later it was announced that only Thai nationals could cross the border and that foreigners could not do a visa run there yet. In fact it seems that the border is not opened yet, even to Thai nationals, as two friends of mine got turned away today. So for all visa runners out here, don’t hold your breath and be prepared for a few more trips to Ranong. We will keep you informed if anything changes.
Well, at least their spirit is coming. The municipality of Phetchaburi is organizing “The Beatles Fair 2013″, which, as far as I could understand, will feature some concerts, mainly by young musicians covering songs of the Beatles, and also contests such as a twist dance competition. Food and souvenirs will be available for sale.
Big C just opened a few days ago in Cha-am. It’s a small supermarket but still the biggest there is in Cha-am. No KFC or Pizza Hut, no kids playground, but a nice selection of western and especially French products.
Thailand’s first salt sculpting display, “Art of Salt”, will be held in Phetchaburi province, from Marche 15 to 17, March 2013.
This Monday (Feb 25) is Makha Bucha day, a traditional Buddhist festival that celebrates the speech Buddha gave to 1,250 disciples who had gather spontaneously. Thai people make offerings at the temple in the morning, and at night there is a ceremony where they walk three times around the temple, holding candles.