November in Thailand-Cooling Off Period?
November in Thailand signals the start of the high season for tourists and the beginning of the cool season as far as the weather is concerned. Judging by the amount of new white faces in Prachuap Khiri Khan and the drop in the ambient temperature and humidity, it would seem that global warming and the world financial crisis have not affected things too much in Thailand.
Climate change continues to feature in the international news but here in Thailand we have been assured this month that predicted sea level rises in the world oceans will not affect the Gulf of Thailand since and I quote "Thailand is too far away from the ice caps for any effect." Quite how the Thai government spokesman figured this out I don't know, but then again I am no scientist and fortunately nor are the majority of the citizens of Bangkok. Since the City of Angels is barely above sea level. Perhaps the early Thais knew something when they chose Ayutthaya as the capital of Siam.
Political strife is never far away in Thailand and former Prime Minister Taksin Shinawatra has continued to stir the mix by turning up in Cambodia. Where, according to reports, he is to become an economic advisor to the Cambodian government. Talk about strange bedfellows.
Meanwhile back in Bangkok and the rest of the nation where mass singing of the Thai nation anthem in the provinces seems to have done little to raise the political gloom. Sadly this week has seen the death of former Prime Minister Samak. Not Thailand's favourite politician, somewhat of a rough diamond, who will perhaps be better remembered for his cooking than his politics. Sticking with politics for a moment. Is it really a year since the Bangkok Airport siege? You know when supporters of the current PM, those with yellow shirts, brought the country to its knees and made a few tourists sweat as well.
This month has also seen the emergence of a type of fragrant rice called Jazzman in the USA. Since Thailand is the worlds leading exporter in Jasmine Rice this has raised more than a few hackles here, with the Thais employing scientists to show that the pretender to the rice kingdom is nothing more that a Chinese strain of rice that has been genetically engineered. Of course if you dig a little deeper you will find that the origin of Thai Jasmine Rice is actually China. Oh dear!
On the personal front we all enjoyed celebrating Loi Krathong early in the month, it was great fun, MTF made some beautiful Krathongs and we floated our boats in the harbour at Khlong Wan. A beautiful Thai celebration was enjoyed by all. I also got my first Thai Drivers Licence having negotiated the red tape at Thai Immigration and the Department of Land Transport.
Hopefully December will provide a nice cooling off period for the politicians and all people living in Thailand. That said its easier to predict the Thai lottery results than political events here, so if you are a tourist heading over for a holiday or a part-time expat visiting a loved one, better pack a few extra red and yellow shirts just to be on the safe side!
PS Look at the image and see if you can work out what the figure in the symbols, above the temperature, means!!
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6 comments:
Where did you read that it were the Khmer who founded Ayutthaya? That was Prince U Thong, a Thai prince from Suphanburi. Though there might have been an older settlement there, it definitely wasn't capital of Siam then. The older definitely Khmer settlement in the vicinity is Lopburi.
Guess that spokesman announcing the coastal areas are save still has some land to sell there and don't want the price to fall yet. Anyone doubting the sea rise should visit that temple in the sea...
Hi Andy as always thank you. I am right in saying Ayutthaya was capital of Siam-yes?
Thanks also for the link to temple in the sea.
25°c and that is Thailand cooling off? I am so living in the wrong country.
Wow - the airport seige feels so much more recent than that! It feels like May or June, not a whole year ago!
Hi Emm yea its a very pleasant 25C or was when I penned the post.
Its not so much the drop in daytime temperatures that makes it nice(they are usually 30-35C all year round) its actually the drop in humidity.
As you can see it was 64% humidity yesterday compared to the high 80-90's at other times of the year.
Mike to me the airport siege seems a lot more than one year back, I was quite surprised when I read it happened late last year.
The cooling temperatures make December for me the best time to be in the LOS. The days are fairly hot and the evenings much cooler, far different to the uncomfortable sweaty days and nights of April.
Personally I'd be more worried about an imitation potato than inferior rice quality, but when it's all said and done, Smash mash ain't too bad.
Martyn time does fly, although a few tourists didn't! The big hit for me is the lower humidity, I have a lot more energy.
As for potatoes, the ones I buy locally make jacket spuds OK but chips is another matter.
Perhaps I should try Smash chips?
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