Digital Gateway

The new electronic heaven, Digital Gateway, is now open in the heart of Bangkok. Standing at the former location of CenterPoint Siam Square, the IT mall hosts load of IT outlets, namely, ASUS, Fujitsu, HTC, iStudio, and the like. Some notable shops from Pantip are also expanding their branches here–World Camera and Munkong Gadget. The place also throws in some restaurants and coffee shop for the geeky shoppers to take a sit. However, up to 40% of the IT mall are under construction phrase. It’s a cool place, though.

Timeless Guy

The video above is so touched! I heard the song sometimes on Truevision but never willingly listened to it (usually moveed to other channel or turned my face to computer screen and kept chatting). I had a chance to watch the whole video and, franky, I was nearly in tear. I’m into the tune.

The song is featured by Wan AF2 and the lyric is based on the true story. The guy who are still waiting his spouse who always lies on the bed due to Cerebral aneurysm. Thus, time is meanigless to the man as he doesn’t care how long he has to wait fro his love one to come back. (Some of you might get to read the complete story from forward mail.)

——————————————————————————–
Here is the translation…

Timeless Guy
I still keep the past in mind.
I’m still loving you as always.
All memories are yet vanished.
The sound of tender laugh.

You know, that’s hurt. I feel like doing nothing.
Don’t want to hurt others’ feeling.
Am I not ready to have a new one?
I prefer to wait for you as always.

*Do you feel like coming back?
Is it too lonely?
I remain here, letting the time goes by
Because I can’t forget you anyway.

There’s nothing new.
For the timless guy, even though if it is the year dot
Just another day I get up and breathe
And to get ready to keep waiting for you.

You know, I’m wearied, feel like doing nothing.
Don’t want to love anyone.
Am I not ready to have a new one?
I prefer to love you as always.

Repeat*

I wish all my beautiful memories wouldn’t be gone.
But you probably forget as soon as you have a new one.
There may be a condition of time
But it is different from my heart
That will keep waiting for you as always.

I remain here.
Letting the time goes by.
I can’t forget you anyway.

——————————————————————————–

It’s the most touched song of this year. And I wish the miracle would occur.

True low-speed service

Waiting is suffering. True boasts providing a high-speed Internet, but have they ever realized they are running a low-speed service?

I went to True Cafe in Chamchuri Square and received the queue paper. It appeared that the next is mine, supposing it would take only a few minutes. Time went by, and both slots remained occupied. Oh! It had been 10 minutes since I waited. I then started to feel fustrated. The kind of situation happened to me several times. True service is awkward.  I always waste my time once I have to pay a bill at True. AIS is much faster.

Photo Shop

Two days ago, I went to the photo shop in Central Pinkloa to print out some of my photos. I stood at the back of  a computer waiting a gal who was about to finished her order. Suddenly, another woman showed up in the shop and handed the her SD card to a staff. She got the queue before me. What the heck! I was not sure if she had came here prior to me or not, or else I had to say something to her. It was fine for me anyway, thinking it would take only a few minutes.

Fifteen minutes passed, she was still in front of the computer selecting her photos from the collection. It was irksome. I then came up with the question in my head; why don’t people select photos and put them in a folder. This sould be done at home. It saves your time and others don’t have to wait.

Ko Kret

The long-history island now becomes the major tourist attraction of Nonthaburi province welcoming load of tourists each weekend.

History
The island was born in 1722 when a canal was made as a shortcut to bypass Om Kret branch of the Chao Phraya River. The manmade cannel was gradually widened due to the tide of water, and the land was finally separated, becoming an island.

Getting there
Starting from the heart of Bangkok, drag yourself to the Victory Monument and take the bus No. 166 or 505 from Central World till the terminal stop at Pak Kret market. Then, do an exercise by walking to Wat Sanam Neua to take a ferry boat (B2/person) to reach the island. Actually, there are load of options to get on the island. Try Googling and pick the easiest one.

Getting around
Walking is the most effective but you won’t complete the whole thing around the island. Too tried to go on foot? Bicycle (B40/day) is available for rent, but it is pretty hard to cycle through the crowded narrow path along the island. Sightseeing boats (B50/person) is available to take you around the island. It leaves the pier every hour from 9.00am – 5.00pm. This service enables you to reach Ban Khun Aew, the Thai sweet house, and other attractions nearby. Each round takes more or less a hour.

Free deal
If you would like to save your money in the end of month, get yourself to Wat Yai Sawang Arom. The Sub-district Administration Organization of Nonthaburi offers a free boating service to let you pay a visit all nine temples near Ko Kret area. Sat-Sun, 9.00am-2.00am. The service will actually be over in the end of Aug 2009, still it is finally extended for unknown period.

Sightseeing
Ko Kret doesn’t have much attraction except the antique temples and the local lives. Crossing the river from Wat Sanam Neua, you will notice the white leaning pagoda with red cloth. Some might feel like déjà vu as you might have seen this scene before in postcard or on the Net. This Mon-style pagoda is owned by Wat Poramaiyikawat, and it now becomes the icon of this island. Apart from this, there are a few Pottery Factories on this land. The island is famed for pottery. Here you can observe the life of a potter. Photography is allowed as well.

Eating
Food and drink is sold all over the way you walk on the island. The must-try seem to be Tod Mun No Kala (Fried Fish Patty mixed with local plant) which costs B20/cup and Dok Mai Tod (Deep-fried flowers); B20/cup. Coffee shop can be seen along the path as well but the most striking one seem to be Kafae Ban Lek Tee Nueng. The shop is greenized by plants giving a relaxing feeling, and the refreshment is reasonably priced.

Pattani Thailand

Life is so unpredictable. I have never thought of visiting Pattani in such a situation. It was last week that I headed down to Pattani to hold a seminar entitled “The United States and the Muslim World: Implications for Peace in Southern Thailand”. Anyway, this becomes a great opportunity to take photo of certain sight-seeing spots where million of people aren’t  access.

Pattani is one of the deep-south provinces of Thailand where we always hear the news about bomb or any violence took place. Then again, going to Pattani isn’t fearsome as I imagined. People still live their lives normally, walking on the street, riding the bikes, performing the Islamic ritual, and so on.

To get there
Flew to Hat Yai airport and then took the van for about one hour and a half. Driving for a while, check points can be spotted along the road leading to Pattani. The more you go deeper, the more you see a stronger protection. The soldiers wear the armors carrying the gun in hands. The bases are surrounded by the fort. Frankly, I felt a bit shocked but later got used to seeing them.

Sightseeing
I didn’t expect the sightseeing after all but, again, it is a rare chance to come here. The beach here is clean and beautiful. The highlight of the trip seems to be Krue Sae Mosque, the historical mosque of the incident on 28 April 2004. The trace of the tragedy could still be seen on the wall of the building. Wat Chang Hai, the renowed temple of the province. Central Mosque, the most colossal and elaborate mosque in the province. Night Market. Pattani night isn’t speepy as you think. People still go out and walk through the night market as usual. Then again, don’t stay too long, for we don’t know what would occur. More soidiers show up in the night time, patrolling around the city.

Eating
Local food is a bit spicy yet toothsome. It could be found any where in the city, but the biggest source for the local food is the market, of course. One thing you shouldn’t miss is Cha Chuk (Pulled tea). Sipping hot tea in the afternoon is very perfect. Cha Chuk here is unlike those in Bangkok after all. Its smell, taste, and color are really original. It can be hot or iced, still I recommend the former one to get the pure taste.

Warning
Supposing you are going to the deep-south and you don’t want to lost contact, do this. The prepaid phone user have to register with the phone provider (AIS/DTAC/TRUE), or else your number will be automatically locked as long as you are the designated zone. This is for the security reason.

Things in the seminar went quite well. I would like to say million thanks to those who helped me in the seminar. It was such a hectic day In have ever had, and I got so many things from this.

Khao Tha

Photo from http://www.khaotha.com

The buzz:  Standing on the brim of Chao Phraya River next to Thewet Pier, the wooden restaurant looks chic and outstanding for those who get off from a passenger liner.

The decor:  The neon of various booze on the wall all around the eatery, the frame of lomography photos and the LCD screen on the wall displaying either movies or soccer. The secret weapon is you will see the perfect night view of the Rama VIII bridge as a background if you sit at the tables near the river. Anyway, be aware of the school of fish as they will sometimes splash up the water from the river below.

The music:  Radio hits and musician will be on small stage about 7.30PM.

The crowd:  Teenage drinkers and some wearied office workers.

The price:  B90-B250/dish

Homepage:  http://www.khaotha.com

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Can’t login

I have been unable to get into Facbook since this morning. I sent mail to Facebook team still got no reply.

Face mask

Because of the quick spread of the influenza, my colleagues and me are given out a face mask to protect ourselves.

Here are the facts about face mask taken from Bangkokpost.

Face mask facts
- Face masks help prevent the spread of droplets by the person wearing them.
- They keep splashed or sprays from reaching the mouth and nose of the person wearing them.
- They are not designed to protect you against breathing in very small particles.
- Consider wearing a face mask as if:
- You are sick with the flu and think you might come in close contact with other people.
- You live with someone who has the flu and you need to be in a crowded place.
- You are wll but need to be in a crowded place.
- You are caring for flu patients.

Now, Bangkokpost reports that schools and nurseries in Bangkok are ordered to close at least five days. Even worst, the death toll now rises to 24. That means three more persons died today.

Friday night

Despite fearing the spread of the H1N1 virus, I was brave enought to sit alone in a coffee cafe in MBK, having Matcha (green tea) soft cream. I felt muddle-headed while watching loads of shoppers walked past. Thought about the nonsense things and finally pulled them out of my head.

Having finished the ice-cream, I still couldn’t kick away what I thought. Really want to leave them out. And, it’s hard to do even now.