A long overdue update

Haven't had the chance to update for a while as we're in the process of pretty significant change. After ranting about making plans for the future I decided the leave the world of freelance journalism (and give up my cherished M (for media) Visa) for an in-house marketing job at a big tech company in Bangkok.

Initially we stayed in Saraburi and I had the unenviable 2.5 hour (each way) commute in addition to a 9.00am - 6.00 pm job for my first tens 10 days, a combination which almost finished me off. However, after a through search, we moved into a nice two bedroom place in Bangkok last weekend...words can't fully express my delight at a new sub-30 minute commute to work.

As yet there is no internet at home hence the mini hiatus in posts, but rest assured I'll be back soon with plenty of content.

As for Saraburi, my in-laws remain there and I envisage we'll be making plenty of trips back at weekends, particularly as the missus is expecting late November/early December and will need some support looking after the little fella as she becomes less mobile. For now, all three (/four) of us are in Bangkok.

Before I sign off, a quick point to a great post at a newly discovered blog by Lat (aka @RatasitC) who covered the delights of the national park in Khao Yai (a place I know well) and curry puffs, a delicacy that originated in Saraburi and is closely associated with the town.

Check out the post here.

Queen's Cup football coming to Saraburi

Thailand's Queen's Cup football competition is coming to Saraburi next week with six matches taking place at the Osotspa Saraburi stadium.

[Click to enlarge fixtures list]

The matches are being promoted around the stadium (in Thai) but there's no mention around town (details confirmed in English at the ever reliable Thai Football News blog) so it will be interesting to see how many turn out. Presumably the Sunday games will get the largest audience.

I'm planning to take in all the games, meaning a footie report might finally make it to the blog...can sense Martyn's excitement already.

There is no real parallel for the Queen's Cup back in England, it appears to be hosted by the clubs themselves, Chonburi this year, with competition on a invitation basis only.

This year's is the 34th competition (according to Wikipedia) which sees 12 teams battle it out in four knock-out groups hosted in Rayong, Chonburi, Pattaya and Saraburi: congrats to Thai Port, Samut Songkhram and Army (and home team Osotspa Saraburi, of course) all of whom miss out on a trip to the cost in favour of the glamour of Saraburi. Or not.

More to details to follow.

Walk around the neighbourhood

Chris made a good point that I should post more pictures from life in Thailand. Guilty as charged.

With that in mind, here are a few shots from around my neighbourhood taken the daily morning walk with my little one.

Thanks to knowing some of the friendly neighbour we are allowed to go into the neighbouring private housing estate, here's the entrance.


The combination of a lot of grass/greenery with friendly neighbours makes it a great place to stretch his legs in the morning or evening.


He loves the chickens in the garden although he's yet to catch one, not for want of trying.



There are even a few well groomed peacocks strutting their stuff.


This is one of the main houses owned by a successful lawyer who is also a local politician - a handy person to know.


We stop by the Pasak River for some views and scenery.



Here's the Pasak looking East...



And West...


Back to the road we go, next stop home.

Tragedy in Saraburi

This weekend has been a sombre one as we have mourned the tragic and senseless death of a family friend killed in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Although I didn't know him well Khun Arom was well know to my in-laws, and most of town, as both a local politician and the owner of White Room, a restaurant-cum-bars in the city where my sister-in-law once worked.

Below is the news taken from this Bangkok Post article, one of media outlets to have covered it.

Five people - including two local politicians - have been killed in a shooting spree at a house in Saraburi.

Chawalit Thipsawet and Arom Udomsan, local politicians in Muang Saraburi municipality, were among the five bodies found in the single storey house located in a 10-rai compound in tambon Phukhae, Chalerm Prakiat district.

What the article doesn't state is some of victims were gunned down as they slept. Utter cowardice.

So who did this awful crime?

The murderer is, at this stage unknown. Media report across Thailand, in both English and Thai, have suggested the attack came after a Friday night out but the local perspective is somewhat different.

From what I've heard, a number of army officers that regularly visit the bar had racked up a sizeable tab. During one visit, a few weeks ago, the officers were confronted about the debt and, upon refusing to settle it, fighting ensued with several officers hospitalised from their injuries.

There is speculation that the murders were revenge for the events of that evening.

Many are quick to blame the army although it remains to be seen exactly what did happen.

I sincerely hope the culprit is caught and brought to justice quickly. There is absolutely no justification for killing five men is cold blood.

It's hard to believe that in a country known as 'The Land of Smiles', where Buddhism preaches tolerance and patience, there are individuals with such callous disregard for human life.