Thailand's "happiness index" soared in October to its highest level since the military coup a year ago, fueled by revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej's recovery from an illness, a poll showed on Sunday.
The Gross Domestic Happiness Index rose to 6.90 in October from 5.94 in September, its highest since the bloodless September 2006 coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the poll conducted by Bangkok's Assumption University said.
A level of 10 indicates maximum happiness.
"Thai people are happy to see the king in better health," the survey said of the 79-year-old monarch who left a Bangkok hospital earlier this month after three weeks of treatment for a blood clot. [via The Star]
Ed. No matter what the state the state of the country politically or economically the King can always make his people happy. He is also the only one with more influence in the rural areas than Thaksin so his ongoing good health is essential for future stability. His calming influence will be much needed over the coming months if the election produces a PPP winner or a weak, coalition government.
Sierra Tangos
- Checked out Silver Star Go Go on Soi 8 for the first time after it's refit and what an improvement. The bar previously on the right wall as you enter has been relocated to the back wall, (opposite the door) and the extra space gives the club a far more open feel. The space previously occupied by the bar now has a couple of tables and a couple of shower units but the shower units didn't work as well a Jacuzzi for me as a crowd puller. Staff on display were in the okay category
- The surge in mongers seems to be holding and the insurgents appear to have picked off the top brass leaving most bars running with just a fraction of their staff of a month ago. Many of the girls that are now in the shop window couldn't get a look in a month ago. Being wise to the fact that demand is outstripping supply, these girls are getting picky. Good luck to them, I say. It won't be long before they're dining at the geriatric buffet again.
- Windmill Club, Soi Diamond - 2nd Anniversary Party, Monday Nov 19
- Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2007 Part 1, 2 & 3 - There are about 30 pics in each section so be patient while they load
- A possible reason for the recent surge in visitors is tourists taking advantage of the last of the cheap airfares before price hikes for the coming high season.
- On Saturday November 24th, HST/Pirelli are organising the first open track day for bikes over 250cc at Bira Circuit. The re will be 3 groups; beginner/intermediate/advanced with a 20 minute session for each group every hour. The day begins at 8:00am with registration and a safety briefing and carries on through till 5:00pm.
Every level of rider and type of bike is welcome. This is a fun day at the track, not a race meeting! Cost is 1,000 Baht if you register before the event or 1,500 on the day. You will not find a cheaper track day anywhere in the world. Professional photography available on the day as well. [via Thaitrack]
- With demand soaring and seats overbooked between the Thai capital and New Delhi, Thai International Airways is increasing its frequency to 10 flights a week from the summer of 2008, advancing the timeline by six months. [via Earthtimes] Ed. Not more effing tailors.......
- A Thai air force pilot has been suspended from flying duties after allegedly landing his helicopter in the countryside to collect wild mushrooms for his mother, a spokesman said Friday. The air force ordered the provisional suspension and began investigating after villagers in the western province of Kanchanaburi reported the incident to police, said spokesman Capt. Monthon Satchukorn.
Monthon said villagers said that a helicopter had circled a jungle clearing Wednesday before landing, and when some of them went to investigate, they found that the pilot had gone. When the pilot eventually returned, he told them he had been collecting mushrooms for his mother. "The pilot will face punishment for abandoning his helicopter without anyone to look after it and also for violating other rules," Monthon said. [ via MSNBC] Ed. Must be magic mushrooms to go to all that trouble
- Further to Stickman II's comments in his column re background checks for those wishing to apply for a retirement visas, word coming out of the UK is that the embassy in London and the consulate in Hull require that all applicants now provide proof of no serious convictions. There's a special form you have to fill in which can be downloaded from the websites of the two missions. [via Stickman II]
- A new magazine for farang Sukhumvit Eye has launched in Bangkok. The magazine takes a satirical look at ex-pat life in the Thai capital. Sukhumvit Eye is written by farangs for farangs and Unlike other local magazines we are driven by editorial integrity not advertising so the Sukhumvit Eye is full of articles that take a critical, if not slightly jaundiced view of all that happens around us! There are sections about music, food, nightlife, dance clubs.
- A tourist walked into a Brighton curio/antique shop. After looking around for a while, he noticed a very life-like bronze statue of a rat, it had no price tag, but it was so striking that he decided to buy it anyway.
He took it to the owner and said: "How much is this bronze rat?" The owner replied: "It's £12 for the rat, and £100 for the story."
The tourist gave the owner his £12 and said: "I'll just take the rat, You can keep the story."
As he walked off down the street, he noticed that a few real rats had crawled out of the sewers and begun following him. This was a little disconcerting, so he started to walk a little faster, but within a couple of blocks the swarm of rats had grown to hundreds, and they were all squealing and screeching in a very menacing way.
He increased his speed & ran on towards the beach, and as he ran, he Looked behind him and saw the rats now numbered in their MILLIONS, and they were running faster & faster. By now very concerned, he ran to down the pier and threw the bronze Rat far out into the water. Amazingly, the millions of real rats jumped into the water after it and were all drowned.
The man walked back to relate all this to the shop owner, who said: "Ah, you've come back for the story then?"
"No," said the tourist, "I came back to see if you've got a bronze Muslim Fundamentalist Cleric, a couple of immigrants, a Poof, a Manchester United supporter, and anything French!"
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