Schooling in the UK
learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/online-courses/self-access
blabla blah blah blah blah da blah promised blah yes i do once a day he blah blah blah yes home schooling in the UK blah regard
Songkran water festival
It is the time of year when Thai’s from all over the world return to their families, their homes and villages to pay respect to their elders. And to join the kids celebrating Thailands Water Festival.
Songkran is the New Year’s festival. New Year’s Day is 13 April every year, but the official holiday period includes 14–15 April as well. And unofficially stretches through to the following weekend. The word “Songkran” comes from the Sanskrit word saṃkrānti which literally means “astrological passage”, transformation or change.
Mornings begin with visiting the local temple and offering food to the monks is commonly practiced. Later in the day pouring water on Buddha statues represents a way of purification, washing away the past.
It is a festival of unity.
People who have moved to other countries usually return home to their loved ones and elders and the younger members of the family show respect by pouring fragrant water over the palms of elders’ hands. Paying reverence to ancestors is also an important part of Songkran tradition.
Main streets in the towns and villages are closed to traffic to allow both young and old celebrate by splashing water on each other and engaging in fierce water battles. Water barrels are placed on virtually every road and traffic runs the gauntlet of laughing noisy kids armed to the teeth with an impressive array of water guns, hosepipes and fragrant paste.
Gunsmithing skills are also an essential service.
UK visa application
Birdwatching
Ten percent of all bird species can be found in Thailand. It is a zoogeographic crossroads or in common terms a melting pot. This because the country’s avifauna comprises Sino-Himalayan, Indo-Burmese, Indo-Chinese and Sundaic elements as well as a large number of migrant visitors.
There are a number of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and protected areas which are the main birding spots where birds can be seen all year round.
November to February is the peak time for migrating species when most areas are good for birdwatching. In the north where the weather is cooler the most popular destinations are Doi Inthanon National Park, Doi Pui/Suthep National Park, Doi Chiengdao Wildlife Sanctuary, Doi Angkhang and Chiengsaen.
One of the best areas for birdwatching first thing in the morning is in north east at the Khao Yai National Park. Then there is Kroeng-Kravia , Tung Yai and Kaeng Krachan in the west and south west. With Khao Sam Roi Yot a little further south.
Next at the hottest time of the year, March to June is good for both passage migrants and resident species, which are then breeding. The best areas are in the west, south west and the south . The mangroves in Krabi, Khao Nor Chu Chi and the Halabala Wildlife Sanctuary in the far south.
July to October is the rainy season which is a lot quieter but good for resident species and breeding visitors. With sightings of passage migrants from August to October. The best birding spots are in the central plains in and around Bangkok and Kampangsaen. As well the coastal areas Bangpu and Samutsakhorn fromSeptember to October.
Cheap flights to Bangkok
Coffee
In international terms Thailand is a relative late-comer as a coffee producer.
Although coffee has been gown for a little over a century, the country only started exporting Robusta beans in 1976. Growing to become one of the top twenty five coffee producers in the world. Unique in that it exports very little of the coffee that is grown.
Most of the consumption remains in the country, having developed a booming specialty coffee ecosystem where farmers, roasters, cafes and consumers symbiotically co-exist. An example of a working coffee ecosystem where coffee is produced sustainably from both economic and environmental perspectives. A rare achievement in the coffee world. But one that is typically and uniquely Thai.
Organic
We are not farmers by any stretch of the imagination. Nor are we strictly organic. But I am constantly reminded of the practical necessity of growing organic produce as we browse the local market where all the vegetables look crisp and perfect.
The local weekend market
It’s best to get up early for Saturdays morning market. If you leave it too late the sun gets up making it uncomfortably hot with too many people and too many flies.
They are spontaneous affairs popping up as the sun rises with all the hustle and bustle as the locals come out to browse and buy. Goods range from clothes, basic household goods, fresh produce and food stalls.
There was always a long queue for the deep fried chicken wings and sticky rice which became our regular Saturday morning breakfast.
Settling in the UK
It is cold but honestly I definetly prefer cold over hot. But buying computer parts is probably alot easier here than it was back in Thailand so thats an improvement.