Professional Collaboration with similar businesses?

In Facebook you're given targeted adverts at the side.  One was "Accessible Thailand" so I clicked through to investigate.

I decided to contact them with a view of collaborating on articles and information and I was pleasantly surprised by the positive response.  I have therefore put the link to their site, where they offer package deals to Thailand, on my website and here - Accessible Thailand

For the most Thailand, like any non-EU country, the situation for disabled awareness is not always the best.  This has begun to change and improve for the better, driven in part by Westernisation and tourism.

Disabled people are there but not always seen or if they are they are forced to beg on the streets.  Not just in Thailand but for example Moscow.  Often I saw people, generally amputees, on the metro collecting cash from passengers.   I saw a few disabled people out and about but to be fair, the plethora of steps would be the nemesis of wheelchair users (just as the Daleks couldn't traverse them until quite recently) who would face a mobility nightmare in Moscow.

While in Moscow I did meet one lady, a powered wheelchair user, with a respectable well paid job. She, like myself, was looking for a dating partner however at the end of our meeting she told me she would be holding out for the tall, dark rich American so a relationship wasn't on the cards.  However, in conversations I gained an insight into travel for disabled people in Russia, especially those in wheelchairs.  They can access "dial a ride" that is an accessible taxi, unfortunately one  of very few and in high demand - plus not reliable on the time keeping front.

Thailand, the country where family is important.  People are taken care of in the family, not farmed off to care homes or "living independently" in "adapted" accommodation.  Just as with any family member, the citizens live at home and are looked after by family members.

One time I was at a restaurant with the wife and niece, we heard screaming and splashing of water from behind the partition. No one took any notice, not even the customers.  Later a woman, possibly 20-30 years old appeared from behind the partition, dripping wet.  I determined she had CP (having it myself) from the appearance plus additional needs.  A lady came over and shuffled her back behind the partition and encouraged the water play, watching for while.  Whenever the woman started becoming loud, the other lady "shhh"ed her, but eventually departed for other duties.

Another time I visited a water park and swimming pool.  Obvious by the appearance, a family gathered near one of the shallow pools with a young girl in a wheel chair.  All family members assisted the girl into the water and helped her swim a little.   No one took any notice, well no one except me.

At another restaurant, (we did a lot of eating), a car pulled up and a man retrieved a "walker" from the boot for his disabled wife, who I could see clearly was suffering from the aftermath of stroke.  

Health Care is a paid for service in Thailand, no free NHS. All those belittlers of the NHS need to go abroad and access healthcare for a while, they would soon stop moaning.

The pavements are terrible and you'll be better in the road.  I found obstacles in the middle of the pavement, gaping holes and slabs out of line, so pretty much dangerous for me.  They do make an effort with curb side ramps, but they are usually steep.

As in my hotel, a recent build, the front has steps up.  Whoever designed the hotel obviously had no idea regarding disabled visitors and there are no Laws governing accessibility.  At this hotel, there is a "ramp", but it is best used for a "slide", it is very very steep.  The same goes for Moscow.

So, I think the point is, if you're a website of similar aims then I am looking for you to reciprocate the links and to work together for the common good.  Contact me via the website contacts page.

In the meantime give the Accessible Thailand site a whirl, maybe you'll be jetting to The Land of Smiles very soon.

Was this the seedier side of life?

Songkran is in full swing.  It is Thailand's new year over 3 days, where the norm is to soak everyone with water. hoses, buckets, guns!

Its a fun family atmosphere and last night, as we negotiated the streets of Khon Kaen there was  a party atmosphere. Our friends and myself and Tad went to the Tiki Tiki bar, which was also frequented by "farang" foreign men.  Most of them fell into the "old and overweight" category, all of them looking for that good time Thai girl.

One particular English chap took my focus as he chatted with my friend and I (or mostly my friend whom he met the day before).  He was with a stunningly beautiful Thai lady, although not stood close together it was obvious. He was short, bald but average sized, and in my opinion would have the right appeal to attract the ladies.

I notice things and one thing i saw was the absence of rings.  During the chat we talked about relationships and how it was with dating.  It came out these people had been together for 5 years and he comes to Thailand 4-5 times a year, which is more than myself - I cant spare the time or afford it.

During conversations about visas and stuff, we talked about how difficult it is to get one. I asked him had he taken his girlfriend to England, and he said no.  The bombshell reason for not doing so and game changer for me with this chap, was when he confidently announced he was married.

Maybe I am small minded, a prude or something else, and of course there could be other factors such as they could be separated or whatever, but I just stopped liking him.  I know when I was going through divorce, I could not envisage being "separated" for longer than necessary.  It just struck me, maybe he was in the seedier side of life which I don't want to see, or perhaps a normal chap experiencing a good time.

People do go to places for "sex" and this is a place where it could happen.  I just hope he has found a lady who doesn't share similar ideas about relationships, because it is a possibility that I foresee could happen where he is not the only farang on her contact list.

Update: we met up next day while meeting Mike and Mam, at the Kosa restaurant. During overheard conversations it became obvious to me the Thai lady was unaware of his inappropriate activities and though none of my business I had an overwhelming urge to tell her to beware,  because I had some nice conversation with her and detected the blissful naivety of her situation to which  she was an unwilling participant.  I knew the signs of two timing, having been in circumstances where I led a double life of marital deception, and saw this man's actions were the same. 

Day 6 written blog

We are off to kumphawapi today, to meet with the people who introduced us and helped with a visa last year. We're going to ask about another one, but I have reservations because of the cost and liklihood that it is  an ideal direction to be going in when we should be looking at living here instead.

The meeting I had at the university with the trainer for TEFL went ok, if not strangely with the guy not even remembering my name and that I said I was coming to see him that day but also the name change on the door to the office, which made finding it harder.

Managed to complete day 3 video now rendering. Will be uploaded later.

Day 4 written blog

So, got home and tried to do some video work but far too tired so went to bed. In the morning started to render but it would have been 3 hours, plus another couple to upload so at 50% stopped because Tad wanted to go.

The plan today is to go back to Big C and get the mifi sorted, then take the kids to the water park to swim. It's a good 90 minute drive to what is the zoo, but is also a water park with multiple pools and will be busy.

Right now it's fried rice with prawns for breakfast.

Hopefully I can render overnight so there will be a video later.

10 things I didn't know about Thai Culture

Thai culture can be a little strange to outsiders at times, and many Thai customs and traditions take some getting used to.

From men not washing women’s underwear to it being bad luck to nap at 6pm, I’ve heard some weird and wonderful things, not all of them understood by or even heard of by some of the Thais I know.

Like dialect in Thailand, customs differ from region to region, and on your travels up and down the country, you’re likely to come across many a different custom and tradition.

Here’s a list of 10 you may or may not have heard before…

1. Unopened Gifts

Should you visit a Thai home and take a present for your host, you may find it is put on the side and left unopened. Don’t be offended by this, though. It’s actually considered rude to rip the present open there and then in front of the giver. A Thai person is more likely to wait until you have left to open the gift. This is part of  the “grengjai” custom (in consideration of).

2. Asking a Ghost’s Permission

Historically, overnight visitors to a Thai home were requested to ask permission from the phra phum (spirit ghost of the land) to stay in the house. The visitor would then be asked to thank the ghost when they left. This custom still exists in some rural areas of the country, but you probably won’t be asked to do this as a foreigner. However, some Thais will even perform this ritual before going to sleep in a hotel room.

3. Keeping Your Cool

Raising you voice is unacceptable in Thailand, and considered an act of losing control. Me and a couple of friends caused quite a stir once in Chiang Mai when debating current affairs at the table of a restaurant. Quiet and humble is always the best approach in the Kingdom; you certainly won’t achieve anything by becoming aggressive or loud. Jai yen yen (cool heart)instead of Jai rawn (hot heart)

4. Wearing a Bra

As a foreign women in Thailand, you will see women, particularly in Bangkok, dressed in short skirts, heels and backless tops, and often think, “that’s a bit dressy just to go to the mall”! This may appear as a green light to dress liberally, but in actual fact, as a foreign women, you should always exercise modesty if you want to be perceived in a good light.

The perception of western women is one of a highly sexed bunch who like to let it all hang out, a notion borne out of western movies and different cultural upbringing, and therefore, not wearing a bra underneath your vest top with your nipples poking through or cleavage hanging low, is likely to cause a fair few looks of judgement .

It may feel a little contradictory as you see a Thai lady walk past with shorts on shorter than your knickers, but that’s just one of those “Thainess” things you’re going to have to get past to enjoy your holiday.

5. Pregnancy Taboos

Pregnant women in Thailand will generally avoid visiting the sick, eating chilies and fishing. Chillies, I guess, are bad for the baby, visiting sick people might make you or your baby sick, and fishing…hmmm, no idea.

6. Take Off Your Shoes, Always!

Shoes must be taken off upon entering someone’s home. Even if you get a “mai pen rai” (no problem/it’s okay), still take them off! Shoes walk on the ground and pick up all manner of dirt. A no-brainer really.

7. Don’t Touch The Head

Don’t touch anyone on the head unless you want trouble. You may see Thais rubbing kids on the head, but I would refrain from this unless the child is in your extended family and a bond has been established. In contrast to feet, the head is considered the sacred part of the body and not to be touched without permission; certainly don’t put your feet near someone’s head!

8. Don’t Point!

Pointing is a no-no in Thailand. Your Thai friends won’t take offence if you point when joking around, as they will understand that as a foreigner you may point instinctively. However, don’t point at monks or pictures of any of the Royal Family, and as a general rule don’t point at people to make reference to them. If you need to point (indicate) someone out, instead of extending your finger, bend your hand downwards with your fingers leaning toward the floor and your palm facing upward.

9. Paying For Meals

If Thailand the inviter pays for the meal. In cases where it is unclear who the inviter was, the superior will usually pay. Remember, if you are going on a date with a Thai woman, don’t think going “Dutch” is an option. It isn’t, and you may well be seen as tight (kee-nee-ow) for expecting to split the bill. In this part of the world men pay the way on the dates, I’m afraid.

10. Ducking Down When Walking Between Two People

You’ll see the majority of Thais duck down slightly when passing in front of two people engaged in conversation. It’s a polite gesture of respect to acknowledge the interruption. The same applies if you walk past a person and block out their vision for a split second.

This list is a fairly brief overview, and there’s  a ton of other customs and traditions out there. There’s also likely to be variations and completely different customs found as you travel between regions.