Author: 4amExpat

  • Silom Carnival – December 19, 1999

    Silom Road party that had parades, music, beer gardens under the newly opened Sky Train. The sky train made it all accessible as you could just arrive at the station and drop down into the action.

  • Full Moon Party Jun, 1999

    As I have to move hosts, and now no longer an expat, I figured I’d throw up some photos of life in Thailand, thru the years. Better late than never… Hat Rin To stay in Thailand required 3-6 month visa renewals that could be had by leaving the country. Great excuses for taking a trip […]

  • How to Pay a Late Overdue Thai Electricity Bill

    How to Pay a Late Overdue Thai Electricity Bill

    One, two or 3 days over – it doesn’t matter once you go past your due date, you can’t pay you Electric Bill thru the same channels.  Normally you can pay your 7-Eleven or Tesco Lotus, but they’ll just give you blank look and a “mai Dai” if you bring it in late.  Your only […]

  • LongBoarding in Thailand

    LongBoarding in Thailand

    On my recent trip to Venice, California I picked up a long board from the local Arbor skate shop. I have not skated in for a long time but after seeing what a smooth ride the new boards with big wheels give, I was sold.  I settled on the 33″ Zeppelin Cruiser as it was […]

  • Quadcopter Journalism in Thailand

    Check out this year’s Thailand protests from the comfort of your home with video feeds from overhead quadcopters.

  • Buy Bitcoin with Thai Baht

    Buy Bitcoin with Thai Baht

    Get yourself some Bitcoin with Thai Baht on Localbitcoins.com The process to buy is simple: Find a seller that is selling at a price you are willing to pay. Choose the amount of BTC you want to get or THB you want to send. Submit that amount and the seller will display their Thai Bank […]

  • Killer Karaoke Thailand – If you hate Karaoke, you’ll love this

    This is fun. Thailand’s killer karaoke is a weird and wonderful divergence from all the talent singing shows.  Much like what My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss did to the Apprentice,  this is  Fear Factor meets American Idol.  Not to spoil it for you, but try singing with a cow tongue in your face or a […]

  • Compare searchs for Thailand’s top cities

    Compare searchs for Thailand’s top cities

    Take a look at Thailand’s top cities using Google Search Trends to look at the popularity of each major Thai city in worldwide search trends over the last year.

  • New Thai Tourism ad

    New Thai Tourism ad

    Thailand cultural ambassador Dan Fraser in the latest TAT ad.  

  • Why Thailand may be the best place in the world to ride motorcycles

    Why Thailand may be the best place in the world to ride motorcycles

        Limited road animals.  While sad for the planet, Thailands is very low on most western road kill candidates.  No need to watch out for critters like opossums  skunks, beavers or raccoons.  While dear seem to roam north america freely, Great quality of roads. The tarmac thru out thailand is quite good, and northern areas can be quite […]

  • Bitcoin gaining traction

    Bitcoin gaining traction

    With all the talk of Bitcoin gaining traction connecting with a bank and debit cards to follow, people may forget that Liberty Reserve and Webmoney have been going strong as the digital currency without borders. It seems, however, the more popular the currency gets, the more restrictions come along with using it. We can only […]

  • Cool morning time time-lapse of the river in Bangkok

    Did this with the iLapse app on the iPhone 4s.  This was a photo every 2 seconds.

  • Nokia Maps launches with with Santika Club

    Sporting nearly 4 year old data, Nokia’s answer to the failure of iOS6 maps gives us the opportunity to visit Club Santika, which burned down Jan 1, 2009 killing 66 people.  If you are a historian, you can find several other places that long since shuttered their doors.  Here are a few I found.  Lets see what […]

  • Bangkok traffic apps compared

    Fighting traffic in Bangkok is part of living here.  As a city with an ever growing car population, many people are looking to apps to save themselves from the long waits in cars.        First the app that has shown a bit of promis is BMA livetraffic.  But how does it compare with […]

  • The 2012 NFL season in Bangkok

    Last year I dabled with a new way of watching NFL games in Thailand – NFL Game Pass.  The quality was pretty good, but obviously it depends on your internet connection.  I ended up watching more DVR games rather than live games.  The live games have commercials which once you are used to watching TV without them, […]

  • Choosing a VPN for Thailand

      There are more and more reasons for everyday internet users in Thailand to use a Virtual Private Network (puts all your network traffic into an encrypted tunnel, which exits at some remote sever location).  Here are some of the main ones: Access USA based content like Netflix, Pandora and Hulu Plus. Bypassing Thai censorship and their […]

  • “It’s not, but it can be.”

    This is funny that it’s hard to hear, but it’s time to accept it.  The USA is not the greatest country in the world anymore. This clip from the first episode of the new HBO show Newsroom.

  • Video from end of Don Muang Tollway – Oct 29

    This is the view from Google maps: View Larger Map The current coming in to the city is moving at about walking speed. That said, I’ve checked the Wat Laksi / IT Square / Chengwattana / Vibawadi area for the last 3 days and the Channel 7 van has been in the same place. Here […]

  • Oct 25th aeiral footage of Thai flooding

  • Aerial video of Ayutthaya from Sat, Oct 15th

  • Photos of the Thai flooding in Ahyuttaya

        More

  • GPS track and photo locations of the Thai flooding from Sat, Oct 15th

    Flight over Ayutthaya EveryTrail – Find the best hikes in California and beyond

  • NFL Game Pass review in Bangkok

    Tried out the NFL.com Game Pass for the weekend.  Cost is $25 for the weekend.  $210 for the whole season.  Check out all their packages here. Quality on an 8mb DSL connection from True was quite good.  There are 6 levels of quality ranging from 400 Kbps to 3000 Kpbs.  If you set the quality […]

  • What would YOU grab if your house was flooding?

  • Monkey vs. Dog

    Monkey has his way with this lazy dog

  • DTAC, True, and AIS don’t think you know the iPhone4 is already here

    All three networks have dedicated their front pages to allowing you to register your interested in knowing when they will know the price, and time that they will be able to actually sell you an iPhone4.  I think anyone that interested has already made their way down to MBK to see iPhone4’s everywhere.

  • 25Satang.com – Pay to bid auctions

    This is a new one.  The Thai auction site 25Satang.com launched earlier this year, lets you buy bids by the pack, like 10 bids for 90 Baht or 700 Bids for 4,800 Baht.  The average price per bid comes out to 7 baht.  The bid increment? You guessed it, 25 satang.  This means to get […]

  • 2010 Kawasaki ER6-N ABS Review

    If you are looking for a suitable big bike for Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand, look no further than the Kawasaki ER6-n. Besides looking as good or better than anything in it’s class (SUZUKI GSR600), it’s assembled in Thailand.  As with all vehicles in Thailand that are subject to a nearly 100% tax rate, at […]

  • It’s over – a bike ride thru the protest zone

    Great video showing the aftermath of the Bangkok protests two days after it’s completion. Red shirts left a bit of a mess behind, but it won’t take long to get cleaned up. Thankfully the bad example, started by the PAD, of protesting till the PM steps down, won’t become a Thai habit.

  • Events of May 19th – The redshirt crackdown (video)

    The protests are over, for now. Reds, upset with the outcome, take it out on the city of Bangkok. It will take a while to wash themselves of their tarnished image. Taksin’s hope of setting foot in the country ever again, has faded. Boston Globe has some great large sized photos of the day.

  • Things have gotten worse since Thursday

    There is a good article at the Economist called No End In Sight, but I think an even better comment by Felix Qui.  Also some really great photos at CNN. Felix Qui wrote: May 16th 2010 6:43 GMT I live on Silom Road, near the blockaded area. Until Thursday evening, things were daily becoming more […]

  • Video of yesterday’s stand off

    The best video coverage of yesterday’s skirmish on Bang Na Trat road: BBC:

  • How To Video: Build your own bamboo tire barricade

    Grab a few friends, some long bamboo and used tires, and you can make your own defensive barricade. Watch how:

  • The government will win the waiting game

    Is the best solution for the government to wait it out? From a piece by Imtiaz Muqbil: In what could be an entirely new new chapter in the history of handing public protests, the Thai government has effectively stalemated the red-shirts. Far from buckling, as the red-shirts had expected, the government now believes that time […]

  • Honda PCX upgrades the scooter market

    Launched in September 2009 and produced locally, the streets of Thailand are starting to see more of the upscale scooter, the Honda PCX 125. Why is this significant? The price for the transport of choice for the non-car set in Thailand is a 110 or 125cc scooter with an average price tag of 50,000 Baht. […]

  • Video: Silom violence, the people fight back

    Some of fighting against the Red Shirts at Silom Road. This report shows Silom business owners and workers fighting back against the Red Shirts, in order to keep them away from Silom. Red Shirts seem to be running out of friends. BTW, this is right next to Dusit Thani Hotel, so avoid staying at this […]

  • Blogger video coverage of the Red Shirt skirmish

    Some well shot video on the scene of the Red Shirt / Military skirmish from Thai blogger Thai-faq.com.

  • Buying a BBQ Grill in Thailand

    So you finally moved into a big enough place or far enough out of the city that you can entertain the idea of a barbecue. Congrats, however, you’ll be pleased to find that you will be paying more for fewer features.  But of course, if you’ve made it here this long, you are used to […]

  • Red shirt solution: Pay them 3,000 baht to leave.

    As the Ted Shirts are getting 2,500 Baht a day to hang out and protest, why don’t the shop owners of Gucci, Louis Vuttion, and EGV pay the Red Shirts 3,000 baht a day to leave?

  • Against the law for Thai retailers to charge 3% on Visa purchases?

    Here’s what the Tourism Authority of Thailand suggests: “You may be better off paying cash than using a credit card. While it’s technically against the law for the Thai vendor to pass onto you the fee that the credit card company charges them (approximately 2.25% to 3.5%, depending upon card type), it’s quite common for […]

  • Pay for True Wi-Fi with Skype Credit?

    According to this page, you will be able to use your Skype credit to pay for wifi access with wifi networks around the world, including True Corporation Public Company Limited. Other majors include KSC, Boingo, Airborne Access, Starhub, Singtel and about 150 others.  This is great news as the current state of pay for wifi […]

  • 4amexpat blog update

    Technology Upgrade Have a been away from blogging for a while, but haven’t been idle.  I have put up a couple of sites that while not perfect, I think make some improvements on what is out there.  The first is a Thai classifieds mashup from some of the local classifieds sites.  Rather then checking the […]

  • In case you missed it, bikini thailand magazine vol5 is out.

    Written in a language we can all understand.

  • Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand

    Check out the the episodes here. Shown on Bravo UK.

  • What’s up with the BNE tag? CNN & ABC don’t know.

    Here’s a story ripe for the breaking… the mystery BNE tags that have shown up in Bangkok, New York, Tokyo, Madrid, San Fransisco and Prague. Who’s behind it and what does it mean? Don’t ask CNN or ABC.. they have no clue. Embedded video from CNN Video So what is this BNE tag? Here’s some […]

  • Urban Exploration – Imperial World Lat Prao (Big C)

    Having seen the defunct water park on top of the Big C Lat Prao many times on my way by, I was always curious about what was up there. Well last Sunday I got the chance. First, a bit of background. The mall used to be called Imperial World Lat Prao, but as Big C […]

  • Stem Cell donation: Private vs Public

    If you are having a baby anytime soon, you’ll be presented with the choice of extracting blood from the ambilican cord at the time of birth.  Most likely though, you’ll only be presented with the option of private cord blood banking as this is where the money is made.  Private cord banking companies will, well, […]

  • I Love Tuk La Dee

    Cheap Thai and Western food, prepared with flair right before your eyes. Best vanilla milkshakes in town and gives you that old school diner feel. Located inside select Food Land grocery stores. Oh.. and if their menu bores you… you can go into the grocery store, pick out a fresh t-bone and they’ll prepare it […]

  • Sondhi and car photos after the hit attempt

  • Batman sighting at the Red Shirt protests

  • Tony Cheng of Al Jazera thinks he works for Fox News

    Come on. Being a tad over-dramatic don’t you think Tony? See his alarmist article here. “The people of Bangkok wake to a city scarred with the wounds of war.” “These huge uncontrollable missiles smashed everything in their path from trees to an electricity pylon, which snapped and sent sparks on to the battle raging below.” […]

  • Suggestion: Build a Park

    Does Bangkok need another mall? The big empty lot next to Gaysorn Plaza would be perfect for a park.

  • DTAC Pushmail :How To

    Want Blackberry like functionality on your average phone? Check out DTAC’s PushMail at dtac.co.th/pushmail or smart-sync.com. First month is free, then it’s 30 baht per month. Pretty easy .. here’s how I did it for my Nokia 6300. Get to wap.dtac.co.th on your phone’s browser. (didn’t work on opera mini) Find the pushmail sign up. […]

  • BBC story on escape from Bangkok prision 13 years ago

    Nice read about a prison escape from a Bangkok prison in 1996 by David McMillan: I started at midnight with hacksaw blades that had been sent over in a care parcel, carefully hidden, so I took those out and began working on the bars. In fact only one bar was cut, and only partially at […]

  • Santika nightclub fire video

    Warning, some people in really rough shape in this video. More from people’s camera phones and AP and others…

  • New Bangkok Post website

    Well, the long, behind the times Bangkok Post website finally has a new design. Good job guys. And also, thanks for this long winded introduction to RSS. It’s about time you got RSS.. was that 2 or 3 years behind the Nation? Also finally good forum software, but classifieds and jobs are still seriously lacking.

  • The Sexy Women of the PAD protests

    Yeah, I know we are all upset with the People Against Democracy, but there’s always time to look at sexy women.

  • A bike ride thru PAD protest grounds

  • Video completion of motorcycle crashes in Thailand

  • Old but still funny Sylvania ad

  • Model Thai wins dance competiion

    “My aim in joining this competition isn’t just to win the lucrative prizes, but also to introduce pole dancing to people in Asean countries.” – Lili Ussaraporn Kosin, Thai winner of the Clorets Amateur Pole Dancing Competition in Kuala Lumpur. More…Nice work, we are proud. But couldn’t they have found a more stable pole… the […]

  • 13th best place to start a small buisness – CNN

    While Singapore is still number 1, Thailand has made moves in the right direction: This year, Thailand moved six places up the ranking from 19th position, thanks to recent reforms in registering property, protecting investors, trade and paying taxes. These days, transferring property takes only two days and two procedures. Thailand also strengthened the rights […]

  • PAD = People Against Democracy

    as PeterS Says: The ‘D’ in PAD is one of the most funniest things I’ve read the last few years. Looks more like “People Against Democracy”

  • Electric Motorcycles

    Thanks to the Chinese, you can now buy an Electric motorcycle in Thailand. These silent savers come in at 800 and 1200 watts. A charge of 6-8 hours gets you 70-80 km of travel. Top speed about 40 km/h. The model shown is a Vestor-b 2008 and runs 38,500 Baht. One that looks more like […]

  • Ultimate map resource guide of Bangkok

    There are a lot of great map resources for Bangkok these days. Let’s have a look at some of the best map resources for checking out Bangkok. Satellite imagery maps Google Maps – The clear winner, although sometimes annoying because place names only in Thai. Windows Live – Less resolution than Google on satellite imagery. […]

  • Fat kids in Thailand, what a surprise.

    10 years ago the multi – national chains of KFC, McDonalds, and Pizza Hut began their march across the Kingdom of Thailand in a move that most of thought was modernization and progress. 10 year later The Nation brings us this story: Thailand ranks among countries with the world’s fastest-growing number of overweight children, according […]

  • Bangkok has another food delivery service – ChefsXP

    ChefsXP opened in December and an alternative to the other Bangkok delivery services. At the moment it is online only. 60 Baht for delivery, and prices that are the same as in the restaurant. You can order from: BOURBON ST. AMERICAN TONY ROMA’S AMERICAN HENRY J. BEAN’S AMERICAN GARAGE, THE AMERICAN LONDONER, THE BRITISH BLACK […]

  • I have pussy so I make the rules

    I was walking in Central and I had to take a photo of this. I told her I thought her shirt was funny, but she didn’t understand why.

  • Why we hate Thaivisa.com

    Check out this heavy handed board censorship on Thaivisa.com by the almighty moderator ‘Totster‘. “You can not discuss this, and why you can not discuss this is not allowed either.” Hi, The post was closed as per board policy with regards to topics of this nature. Unfortunately this topic tends to attract a lot of […]

  • Tradional, Thai, and Topless

    In the recet debacle over the sale of nude photos to help an Aids hospice, it seems the people in charge of culture in this country have forgotten their past. Look at these comments: Prisana Pongtadsirikul, secretary-general of the National Culture Commission, said that being charity-minded was good but their deeds should also be responsible […]

  • Farung Yuthithum takes the crown, looks down on other contestants

    Why is she the winner of Miss Thailand Universe 2007? Well, with numbers like these, how could she loose?Contestant #: 18Age: 19Weight: 54kgHeight: 179cm Don’t miss the YouTube coverage of the gala and the crowing.