Podcasts about Grand Palace

Sibeal Pays A Visit.Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.It is selfish to believe that your family will always love you. At some point you will be asked to earn it{Right where we left off}It was H-hour plus four. A Thai soldier fired another burst from his T A R 21. The other four soldiers around him did the same. They were using an overturned car as cover. He saw movement at a building across the street to his right. He fired off another few rounds. The figure fell to the ground. By hard-earned experience, he realized the enemy soldier had probably dived for cover, not been hit."Time to fall back. One block back," he hoped he didn't sound too shrill. "You two go first," he indicated the two townsfolk. His battalion major had drafted them minutes after the attack began. Any organized supply depot had been an open invitation for an artillery strike, so he had called for civilians to help carry the ammunition loads instead. These two had been attached to his platoon. Now they were with him.They nodded, hefted up the crate of 5.56mm and sprinted toward the rear while his men gave them cover fire. They made it. He named off two of his other men. It was their turn to go. After their sprint to safety, it was time for him and the last two to go. They ran past some terribly close flanking fire, but all made it.This Thai soldier wasn't the squad leader, or even the squad's second in command. He was a lowly Phon Thahan (Private, not 1st Class). Those two men were already dead. No, he was a common soldier who found other men listening to his orders so, by default, he was in command. His initial squad of ten had shrunk down to three. The fourth man had been part of the regimental staff, a driver, sent into the firefight to replace losses. He still could point and shoot, which was all that mattered at the moment.At the next block he found the two civilians. His men dumped their empty clips on them, then positioned themselves for the next enemy rush. The leader of this ad hoc force took the driver over to the far corner of the building they sheltered behind. Too often, going inside buildings was a death trap. The enemy would corner you then call in their artillery."Guard this corner," he told the driver. "I'll be checking up on you." The frightened soldier nodded, then took up his post. Now he had a few seconds to consider his position. He was running out of town to retreat through. Behind him lay open fields. Just then he saw the tale-tell site of a Dragon Anti-Tank missile firing from the next raised roadway to his rear-right.He couldn't see if it hit anything. There was no huge explosion. Still, it indicated that other elements of his battalion were in the fight. From what little briefing he had been given when the attack started, the major had placed his heavy machine guns and recoilless rifles on each flank to stop the enemy's mobile forces from getting around his command and surrounding them.Little did the soldier understand he was involved in a textbook defense by foot-bound infantry versus armored opponents. His two townsmen were busy shoving bullets into the thirty round magazines. His men had already engaged the enemy to the front. Gone were the cries of 'got him'. No one gave a damn anymore. They were too exhausted to care. Now they counted the comrades they had left, not the possible number of enemy out there.Six minutes later he heard the sound of death coming his way."Everyone down," he screamed a second before an artillery round flattened their shelter. For a few moments all he could do was gaze up at the heavens. His body hurt, his ears were ringing and the belief that he could stop now, he had given it his best shot and his part in this battle were over.He pulled himself and examined what he had left. He wasn't hurt if you didn't count the blood coming out his ears. He couldn't say the same for his companions. One of the townsmen had the top of his head torn off, his soulless eyes gazing up to the forever. One of his men had a smoking chunk of meat where his spine should have been. A second one was nursing a bad leg wound.The third soldier? He was already up and firing. The second townsmen was a bit dazed, yet looked like he could carry on. The soldier crouch-ran to check on the driver. He was laying on his belly. For a second he mourned for that fellow then the man got off a burst, then scooted back. He had been 'playing possum' in order to draw some enemy out. He was alive and fighting."We have got to get out of here," he told the man. "Get to the elevated road across the field then provide cover fire for the rest of us." The driver acknowledged the command, fired off one more burst then bolted for the field. The Thai made his way back to his other survivors. He gave them the same order, the civilian first.The wounded man? He couldn't make it with that leg wound and if any of the others carried him they would most likely die too."Cover us as long as you can," he ordered. The wounded shoulder crawled to the corner to relieve the only standing soldier."Go," he ordered that man. Off he sprinted. The leader placed two spare clips next to the wounded man, wished him luck, then it was his turn to sprint to safety. Close to the end, a few bullets hurried him along. He found the others had made it unwounded as well. The townsman was already shoving more bullets into the empty magazines.To his right was the remnants of the squad with the recoilless rifle and a light machine gun. To his left was a group of six Thahan Phran, paramilitary border guards. He rejoined the firing line. The enemy had overrun the buildings closest to them and were faced with the same quandary he had just overcome, the open field. When a man tapped his shoulder he nearly jumped out of his skin.It was his company commander."You've been doing well. I'm placing you in command of this section. We have a Carl Gustav (another version of a recoilless rifle) in the trees over there," the Captain pointed to the right. Hold this position as long as you can. Help is on the way."Before this fight, the soldier had dreaded this officer. He had been so pompous, so spit-and-polished and arrogant. Now he saw different qualities in the man. He was cool under fire, had his mind on the bigger picture of the fight and the discipline he had instilled in his men was paying dividends the private soldier hadn't appreciated at that time."You are Sip Tho (corporal) now," the officer told him. With that declaration, the common foot soldier had inherited 13 more men, the squad of seven to his right and the six Thahan Phran to his left. Combined with his two that made something more like a combat command. The Captain made his way back up the line. The Thai didn't have long to appreciate his promotion. Smoke shells began detonating between his position and the town, obscuring the place."Remember," he shouted. "Short, controlled bursts and only shoot at something that you know is out there!" With that, he had established his command of the situation. Several explosions detonated in the wooded position. Half a minute later, a tank appeared and pumped another H E into the position. In doing so, it exposed its side to Thai's section.The two men manning his Dragon launcher looked his way. It was a shot at a 45 degree angle and any heavy weapons fire would bring about all kinds of hate."Fire," he ordered. The man aiming the device took a few seconds then let loose. The rocket didn't penetrate the side, but it did knock a track out."Now we are going to get it," the Thai mumbled.A few heartbeats later, a larger TOW missile slammed into it from a position to his command's rear. This time the tank blew up. Of equal importance to the soldier's mind, there were men behind him and that could only mean, the second regiment had finally arrived. He was sure he wouldn't be falling back any further, giving the invaders one more inch of sacred Thai soil. It also meant his men would most likely live to see the end of the day. That mattered too.  It was H-hour plus six. Two hour earlier, elements of the Vietnamese People's Army's 314th Mechanized regiment and 206th Tank Regiment with the Mobile battalion of the Laotian 1st Division and the Khanate's Laos Force Command slammed into Khon Kaen. By that time, the small city had already seen its share of hell. Khanate forces had stormed the regional airport with an aerial assault at 4:10 AM that morning.There were no dedicated combat troops in Khon Kaen. It was the HQ for both the Royal Thai 3rd Division and its component 1st regiment. That had resulted in a see-saw battle until the relief force arrived from the north. After that, resistance had collapsed. Over three hundred men surrendered. A hundred miles to the north forces in the town of Udon Thani, battalions of the 1st and 2nd regiments of the 3rd Division were still in combat with Laotian and Vietnamese forces. The final outcome of that battle had yet to be decided.What did matter was that the entire command structure of northeast of Thailand had been neutered. There were five more battalions out there that had no idea what to do next. They suffered from sporadic air attacks, but nothing serious was coming their way.What none of them were aware of was that a Far North Force out of the Laotian highlands had broken a battalion of the Royal Thai's 6th Infantry Division, taken Roi Et and severed the communications between the two formations. At Roi Et, the Khanate armored spearhead had left elements of the 2nd Regiment of Lao's 4th Division to hold the airport and was blazing a trail westward along Highway 23, to the south/rear of those five battalions.South of Roi Et, two other Thai battalions were grudgingly giving ground to a regiment of Vietnam's 305th Division plus the 270th Combat Engineers and 16th Artillery Brigade. What mattered was that those forces were drawing off the efforts of the 6th Divisions to counteract the invasion.The 6th Division had its own litany of woes. It was the subject of a dozen pinpricks. The division's commander had lost contact with the other two divisions under the 2nd Army's command. He had enemy forces to his north around Amnat Charoen, he'd lost contact with this 1st regiment HQ at Roi Et.His second regiment, at Ubon Ratchathani, was heavily engaged with the Alliance's North Force. His 3rd regiment, spread out along the southern approaches to his life line, Highway 24, had discovered small teams of Special Forces at every bridge and crossing, making every attempt at creating a unified front costly and ultimately futile.The 2nd Army's HQ and supply hub were at Nakhon Ratchasima. They were under attack, the airport had fallen and the sole mechanized regiment (minus one battalion) was having a terrible time retaking it. They were presently incapable of coming to his defense, since their third battalion had already been called to the capital to put down unrest/enemy forces.He finally made his decision. The remnants of the 1st regiment were to retire westward over the back roads towards the division headquarters at the Si Sa Ket Railway Station. The second regiment was to hold in place until sunset. Using all of the division's remaining assets, he was going to secure Highway 24 so that his command could retire using that path before they were cut off and defeated one regiment at the time.  It was H-hour plus seven. For one of the drivers in a Khanate Heavy Mountain Supply Zuun, there wasn't much to love about this mission. He was a truck driver with a weapon, not a true foot soldier. He was content with his role in logistics, which was why his current mission scared the crap out of him. He wasn't in an armored vehicle and was accompanied by only one Fast Zuun ~ by its very nature a lightly armored unit. Now he was driving deep into enemy territory with a truckload of Karin freedom fighters, who also were lightly equipped.He had already reached the first goal, the town of San Buri, 270 kilometers behind enemy lines and only 60 kilometers from downtown Bangkok. There was a fear that his own air force would mistake then for an enemy supply column and shoot them up. Then there was the fear that some rear echelon troops would find the convoy suspicious and fill his unarmed vehicle with holes. His luck held, the enemy were looking to the north and east, not at a group of trucks heading south.Soldiers from the rebel faction of the Thai Royal Army were stationed in each vehicle to cover any conversation with the local constabulary that might come up. The cover story was that the unit was driving with a purpose ~ the capital was under attack and they were reinforcements using back roads to avoid airstrikes ~ the phone network was a mess and the fact that the plan was so audacious, the normal police officers didn't feel the need to slow the military trucks down.The last phase was pure madness. They rolled down Road 304 at 80 kph. Every time they approached a checkpoint, the unit's commander called in a hopefully faux airstrike, on both them and the Thai soldiers. That made it plausible for the convoy to race forward as the troops around them were too busy diving for cover to stop them. If anything, the defenders thought those truck drivers were the bravest men they'd ever seen.At the end of the journey, they rolled across the Road 304 Bridge over the Chao Praya River, then dispersed. Each truck disgorged 16 Karin fighters, for a total of 560. To that was added the 100 members of the Fast Zuun and 35 drivers, three Tigr's and 59 combat troops. Miracles of miracles, they found the capital to be in total chaos.  It was H-hour plus 6 and a half. The Turkish Khanate commander of 100 looked south in the direction of In Buri. He was already in the 'spread chaos' phase of his operation. The central part of In Buri was the junction of Highways 11 and 32. Somewhere to the far north, friendly units were fighting their way to him. Forces retreating south, or reinforcements from Bangkok would have to pass through his position. He commandeered some passing civilian vehicles and created barricades on all three sides of the T-cloverleaf.Before long, the ground elements of an Airmobile Zuun had joined him. That allowed him to deploy several two-man observer teams over the surrounding countryside. He left two AFV's on the bridge and camouflaged the others in the best ambush points he could think of. Then, he waited.  It was H-hour plus eight. For Julia Atwood, this was the culmination of twenty-five years working in Asia, covering a host of military conflicts and both natural and man-made humanitarian disasters. She'd gotten a tip two days earlier that Bangkok Thailand was going to be the place to be. Since she wasn't a known anti-government reporter, her entry into the country had been easy enough.She had spent the previous day picking a city guide, luckily finding one she knew well, and looking around for sources of information about 'trouble'. What she found was a quiet city on the edge of an explosion. The police, paramilitary forces and the military had everything battened down tight. At the same time, the population was extremely anxious over the upcoming loyalist offensive against the rebel northwest.The military had clamped down on all information coming out of the prospective war zones while exhorting on all forms of mass media the sacred traditions of Thai national identity and the need for law and order. That made the hairs on the back of Julia's neck tingle. It spoke of an upcoming shit storm. Still, Day One had been a bust. Few people wanted to talk about what was going on; all known opposition leaders were in prison or in exile.She had awakened early in the morning to the sound of heavy weapons fire. She had been in enough war zones to know the difference between grenades exploding, or pistol, assault rifle, machine gun, and tank fire. She was hearing tank fire, which made no sense. The Thai army didn't need to use their tank's big guns to fire at anything the opposition could bring to bear.She slipped out the back of her hotel to avoid any possible police minder, gathered up her guide and went hunting for the story. Twice she barely avoided roving army patrols. What immediately occurred to her was these soldiers didn't seem to know what was going on. They were jumpy (not good) and nervous (great for a story).Her trained ears and years of instinct led her to one of the eyes of the storm. Julia's jaw nearly dropped open. There were Central Asian men riding around in Russian equipment surrounded by throngs of hundreds, possibly thousands, of Thai 'Red Shirt' protestors marching on a police barricade. Several leaders of the movement had bullhorns and were communicating with the police. It was a tense situation.Julia forced her way to the BMP-3M, then shouted up at the commander standing in the copula. She tried Uzbek. The man looked her way."No. I'm Kazak. My Uzbek isn't very good," he replied. Julia's Kazak wasn't the best in the world, but she endeavored to make it work."What are you doing here?""I could ask you the same thing," the man smiled. "We are part of the Alliance effort to bring about democratic change in this country." Julia knew he was spouting the party line."What are you really doing here?" she pressed."I have no idea," he chortled. "I don't speak this language, don't know who these people are and only found out where Thailand was two days ago.""Are there a lot of you here?""Not really.""How did you get here?""We landed at the airport. We are a portion of an airmobile Zuun."Just then one of the protestors tried to get the unit leader's attention. He kept repeating something."He wants you to advance on the police line and look menacing," she translated."Okay," the Khanate officer shrugged. "That I can do."He spoke rapid fire Kazak, which Julia couldn't quite follow. Her ride lurched forward, the crowd parted and she could see the blood drain out of the police commander's face. Without looking her way, the Kazak spoke to Julia."Tell them they have thirty seconds to put down their arms or I'm going to shred the lot of them."Julia thought about it for a second. She was recording this exchange on her camcorder. She knew this was straying dangerously close to becoming a participant, not a reporter. She translated to the Thai young man. He sprinted toward the police and relayed the message. She had no idea what a 100mm fragmentation shell would do, had an idea how bloody a 30mm auto-cannon could get and had great familiarity with the effectiveness of 12.7 & 7.62mm machine guns.The lead protestor had a rapid discussion with the lead policeman, bowing and begging for this situation to be resolved peacefully. The countdown reached eight when the officer indicated his acquiescence. The mob didn't surge forward victoriously. Julia slapped the turret to get the Kazak's attention."You don't need to fire.""I understand that," the man acknowledged. It wasn't over though. Another protestor, a woman, waved for the Kazak's attention. Since she wasn't alone in doing so, the man hadn't noticed her. What she was saying did get Julia's attention."She is saying that tanks are on the way!" she shouted at the man in the copula."Which direction?" he inquired. Julia confirmed the information relayed by the girl, who double checked with the person on the other end of her phone, worked out the terrain in her head, then drew a quick map on her palm."They are coming up the road one block up. They are heading north toward us.""Clear out the crowd," he responded evenly. He once more ordered his unit to action. One of the Tigr's raced forward and disgorged its men close to the next corner then the vehicle withdrew."What do you plan to do?" she asked."Do what I came here to do, kill the enemy.""But they have tanks.""Fortunately I have things that kill tanks," he grinned."Do you mind if I stick around?""It is your life," he shrugged. The BMP moved forward to the point where, with its barrel turned sideways, the vehicle was just short of exposing itself. He was busy talking to someone else.Seconds later, one of the Khanate soldiers at the corner launched a grenade up the street, then two others opened fire with their assault rifles. They ducked back around the corner right as a larger caliber machine gun chewed up the wall as well as the street in front of her. Two other soldiers fired off flares into the sky."You might want to get down," the Kazak advised her. Julia nodded, jumped off and ran to the corner to join the other troopers. She edged around the corner, leading with her camcorder. Sure enough, up the street was an honest-to-God tank, with others behind it. One of the foot-bound Kazaks was busy shouting at the others. Once more, a soldier fired a grenade at the tank, to no visible effect. This time he apparently got the response the Kazaks wanted.The tank's big gun fired. One of the troopers, mindful of Julia, grabbed her as they propelled themselves to the ground. The world exploded. Julia was doing a quick check of her well-being when she heard the BMP race forward, barrel turned perpendicular down the street and then it fired. Julia barely caught it all on her camera. The IFV had fired an anti-tank missile out of its main gun. The oncoming tank was a Ukrainian made T-84 Oplot.It exploded; the turret flying away in a curtain of flame. This time it was the blast that blew Julia to the ground. A Kazak soldier hefted her up and pulled her to safety. He was truly pissed when she dodged back into the danger zone to retrieve her camcorder. She sighed happily when she found it undamaged. The BMP rolled back behind cover."Get down," the Kazak ground pounder growled. "It is about to get a whole lot worse.""How?" she looked at him."Well, now that we have stopped the column from moving," he grinned like a maniac. That wasn't much of an answer. Then she noted all the Kazaks clutching at the concrete sidewalks. She did likewise. Seconds later, she heard the jets. 'Oh God', she gulped. She'd seen more than her fair share of airstrikes. She had never been this close to one.Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the Thai crowd moving closer."Get down," she screamed in Thai. "Get Down!"Others repeated her warning and the crowed went down to their knees. Then came the thunder. Julia could barely make out the whoosh of missiles before the detonating rockets and missiles shook her world.A stubby-winged jet raced past her vision. The pilot had gotten so damn close to the building tops she could make out every feature of his aircraft. This level of caution where civilians were concerned was surprisingly unlike the Khanate. She tried to stand, but the soldier next to her had wrapped an arm around her."They come in twos," he cautioned her.Sure enough another series of explosions rocked her surroundings. No sooner had she gotten to her feet, the Kazak commander shouted,"They are coming around for another pass, then we go!"A series of passes followed with the jets using auto-cannons on whomever was left out there.Julia pushed away from her guardian and rushed up to the BMP officer."Wait," she called to him. Stunningly, he waited, looking at her. "Let the crowd save the survivors. This is their struggle too.""If the soldiers fire on them there will be little I can do," he responded."Give them a chance."Against all her expectations, he did. The crowd moved to discover the carnage visited on their oppressors, and fellow countrymen.  It was H-hour plus eight. The Thai tank commander was close to the end of his rope. He'd been fighting since sunrise. Defend, attack, withdraw to a defensive position then wait for the order to counterattack. His platoon had dwindled down to his sole surviving tank. His company no longer acted as a separate entity. Now his battalion, barely a company in strength, operated as a fire brigade, shoring up his beleaguered battle group.The last attack, backed by air power, had shattered his unit. He fell back, literally backing into a second story building to avoid the ever-present Alliance attack helicopters. From his vantage point he could see a column of armored vehicles rolling down Highway 11. He was debating which one he would fire on first when he noticed a jeep coming his way. Onboard were three Thai soldiers, rebels.The jeep rolled right up to his hiding spot. The man in the back dismounted and he walked right up to the tank."Can we talk?" the man inquired. The tank commander kept him covered with this machine gun."What do you have to say, traitor?" he barked."I come to request,""We will not surrender," he growled."We are not asking you to surrender," the man corrected him. "We are asking you to let the war pass you by.""Why should I?""If you fight, you will be destroyed. The Thai army will need to rebuild when this is over and we must be strong. If you throw your life away, we will all be weaker."The tank commander had to think that over. If he began firing on that armored column he would be striking a mighty blow for his country. He would also be sentencing him and his men to death."There will be no surrender?""No sir," the man insisted.The rebel soldier made some sense. The Thai military would have to rebuild when this catastrophe was over. He and his men had done their part."We will stay here for a while," the tank commander informed the rebel."Very well," the soldier bowed. He remounted his jeep and drove away."We are going to stay here a while," he addressed his crewmen. "Get a bite to eat and a drink of water."His men hesitated for a moment."Now, while we have the chance."The men hopped to. They had their orders. They would worry about the morality of their actions later.  It was H-hour plus nine. The men in the Royal Thai Army's high command were finally getting ahold of the big picture. The good news was the Third Army's offensive was grinding to a halt along a line stretching along Highway 1 from Tham Pet Tham Tong Forest in the east to Chai Nat on the Chao Praya River in the west. It was accepted as fact that the 3rd Cavalry and 11th Infantry divisions could hold the line.West of the Chao Praya was a chaotic mess of small garrisons involved in raids and counter-raids. It was deemed unlikely the Alliance forces could push forward any further in that direction either. It also meant that they couldn't pull units from that region to reinforce any of their other trouble points and they had a few.That was most of the good news.Another piece of good news was the1st Army's 2nd Infantry Division had stopped the invasion force they were facing only a few kilometers over the frontier in the area of Watthana Nakhon District. As soon as they had gathered the majority of the division together, they would be mounting a counter-offensive with the intention of overwhelming that force and destroying it.After that, it only got worse.In the area of the 2nd Army, the 3rd Infantry Division and the 2nd Cavalry Division had virtually ceased to exist as cohesive forces. Two battalions of the 3rd Division were retreating south into the 6th Division's area. The 2nd Cavalry division had been reduced pre-battle to one mechanized regiment. That regiment was gone and with it, the supply routes for the 2nd Royal Thai Army.Inside that zone, the 6th Infantry Division still existed, but it was in a world of trouble. They had lost control of Highway 24, their primary supply/evacuation route, and were relentlessly being driven out of Ubon Ratchathani. Even with the slowly arriving battalions of the 3rd Division, the 6th could barely muster two combat-effective regiments and those were running short of fuel and ammunition. The 6th had become a static force, too large to be overwhelmed, too immobile to press the enemy out, or save themselves from a slow strangulation. Had they their assigned tank battalion, but they didn't.The 1st Army's 9th Division was in the worst shape. They had gathered into one elliptical shaped perimeter centered on Chanthaburi and were down to four battalions and two tanks. Technically, they had another battalion, except the 1st Army command had ordered that into Bangkok to aid in suppressing the rebel movement. The 9th Division was surrounded, under attack from the land, sea (the Indian Navy had joined the fight) and air. Their commanding general expected to be wiped out before sunset.And Bangkok?It was turning into a typhoon scale disaster. They had finally determined that there were eight small Khanate platoons roaming the city, seemingly at will. The 1st Division had finally located and destroyed one of those, along with a dozen protestors who chose to fight by their side. The others were still at large and causing trouble.That wasn't the worst of it though. The plan had been to pacify outlying neighborhoods and work their way in to the worst areas. That had started out effectively, then suddenly they had lost the northwestern and southeastern sectors. In the northwest, there were Karin fighters killing, or capturing police and paramilitary strongpoints.In the southeast, it was much worse. Unknown armored troops from the 9th Division's rear area had come seeping in along the riverfront. They seemed to be everywhere at once, surprising roadblocks and checkpoints then ambushing the forces sent to restore order. They were a cancer pushing into a city already short on reserves.There were public displays of defiance going out over the international news, surgical air strikes and a growing sense among the rank and file 'Guardians of the Public Order' that they were on the losing side. There were reports of police turning their backs on the unrest, directing traffic and arresting petty criminals instead.The Royal Thai Army in Bangkok still had over 50,000 men under its command. They were sure they were facing less than a thousand hardcore militants, yet they were losing control of the streets. Part of that was caused by the military being tied down to certain strategic areas they had to hold. They had to protect over a dozen buildings and, as they had painfully learned, a platoon wouldn't do.The Government House had been temporarily overrun and Parliament had been shelled. Channel 3 had been hijacked and the forces sent to take it back had been subject to intense helicopter attacks and driven back. They'd killed two such craft, but that only seemed to make the Alliance troops angrier. This was what a death by a thousand cuts felt like. This was worse than bad, because it looked bad on media going out all over the world.  It was H-hour plus twelve. The commander of the MARCOS had finally taken the time to eat. He was in the Maleenont Towers section of Khlong Toei, Bangkok. It had been his masterstroke, seizing the Channel 3 station. He wasn't sure who the eight shady characters who showed up with the VIPs were and he didn't really care. What did matter was while the VIP's fought like wildcats in private they were putting on a unified front while on TV.One of the VIPs was the former civilian Prime Minister of Thailand. The other guys seemed to hate her guts, but were willing to work with her to overthrow the generals. What he did care about was the nearly five hundred men under his command plus a dozen helicopters and jets somewhere above, waiting to swoop in and help when the next government attack materialized.He had to give them this much, the police forces had guts, not a lot of brains, but plenty of guts. Their counter-terrorism unit had known their stuff, but they didn't have any effective anti-tank weapons and he had a half dozen tanks. Whenever the army got feisty, he called up 'Shiva's Fist' ~ his men's joking reference to the Khanate air support. Those bastards not only killed you, they came back around and killed your corpse too.He got a call from the perimeter. Some of those Karin fighters had crossed half the city to join them. The Indian officer had thought that part of the Khanate plan was utter madness, yet here they were, shooting up the place in a manner only highly experienced insurgents could. Those guys didn't even want to hang around. They were asking for more ammo. The locals were giving them all the food and water they needed.At nine, once it was truly dark, the Khanate was promising to drop off a few tons of whatever they need plus some more medivac units. He was down nine men dead and twenty-seven wounded badly enough they need to be removed. The Khanate had lost four times as many. All in all, the overthrow of a military regime was turning out to not be as difficult as he thought it would be. He was waiting to be surprised.  It was H-hour plus fifteen. The fighting had died down and now the main activity was the Thai civic authorities fighting the fires burning in Saraburi. The Khanate Commander of 1000 looked over his shoulder at the burning city. It hadn't been much of a fight, mainly a few rear echelon forces from the Royal Thai 2nd Army and some paramilitaries.He wasn't in the town. The majority of his troopers had already rolled down to the junction of Highways 1 and 33. He had communication with other elements farther west on Highway 32 at Ang Thong and to the northwest at the junction of Highways 1 and 32. The offensive operations was essentially over for his command. That was just as well. He was running low on petrol. He still had plenty of ammunition though.They were sitting on the lifeline for the 1st Army's 3rd Cavalry and 11th Division to the north and the 2nd Division to the east. The 6th Division was too far in his rear to matter and the 9th Division was facing annihilation along the coast. It was very dark now, but the air force was still active. Some pilots were flying their sixteenth mission of the day.For most of the day, the Khanate Air Force had concentrated on his axis of advance and the battle in Bangkok. The Vietnamese Air Force had concentrated on the hapless 9th Division. In reality, the Alliance was almost at the end of its tether.His combined Laos and Far North Task Forces were spent. The North and Cambodian Task Forces had the 6th Division pinned down. The South Task Force had done the same with the 9th. Only the Central Task Force facing the 2nd Division appeared to be in serious trouble.None of those formations were actually near defeat, though many of them wouldn't realize that until morning. Only the 3rd Army's two task force had consisted of more than 5,000 hastily gathered troops and most of those were Cambodians, Laotians and Vietnamese. To that the Khanate had added 50 mobile Zuuns spread over ten task forces and another 50 airmobile, parachute and airlifted units ~ less than ten thousand men and women spread over all fronts.The cold, hard reality for him was that not a single loyalist Thai unit had been destroyed. The 3rd and 9th infantry divisions has been battered, that was true. The majority of their mobile forces, the 2nd and 3rd cavalry divisions, still existed as a potent force. The 11th and 2nd infantry divisions were also out there, but they were all cut off from the capital. And in this elegant global play, the one theater that mattered was Bangkok.In the morning, if they came for him, the loyalist Thai's were going to discover that offense was a lot more painful that defense. Only the 2nd Division bothered him. The forces to the north were too heavily engaged with the rebel Thai 3rd Army to dispatch more than a battalion his way and he would gobble up a battalion.It would be too much to ask the battered Alliance Center Task Force to keep the 2nd Division occupied. From what he had heard, they were on the verge of disintegration after a powerful Loyalist counterattack. He did have patrols on the 304 and 359 Roads in case their commander got creative. What those few men lacked in vehicles, they would compensate for with air power.The Khanate Air Force was a 24/7, all-weather operation. They had lost 40 aircraft to enemy action and a further forty to mechanical malfunction. Losses in helicopters was also high. But there were still enough of both to get the job done. Now all he had to do was wait for the Americans to arrive.  It was H-hour plus seventeen.There were only three major acts left in this macabre play before the eyes of the world. A squadron of 12 Tu-22M bombers found two of the 2nd Division's regiments sneaking to the west. The Thais had done this with as much secrecy as they could. Unfortunately, their move was one of only two option left to the Loyalist Royal Thai Army.Option One, the most likely one, had the 2nd Division attacking the Khanate troops south of Saraburi. It would not only give the 2nd Division freedom of movement, it would establish supply lines to the divisions currently holding the rebel Thai Third Army at bay. It was the predictable choice.The Khanate U A V were out there, scouting for them and when they spotted the three columns using the backroads to approach their attack positions, they relayed that information to a not-so-distant A-50E/I. The squadron of waiting bombers had incredible endurance and had been circling the suspected target area for three hours. They broke up into groups of six then into groups of two. The first two lined up on their targets then unleashed their lethal cargo.Each plane dropped sixty-nine 250 kg bombs. That was138 bombs with a combined explosive power of 75,900 lbs. spread out over three-quarters of a mile. The A-50 assessed the damage for 7 minutes before sending the second set of two in. Another 138 bombs. Another 75,900 lbs. of death. The third group wouldn't be needed. In ten minutes the fighting power of the 2nd Royal Thai Infantry Division had evaporated.Option Two? That called for the 1st Infantry Division, with her added units, to sally forth from Bangkok and rescue the trapped elements of their other divisions. That would have entailed abandoning large areas of the capital to the protestors and the tiny groups of invaders that were helping them. No one thought they would do that and they were right. Had they been wrong, there was another squadron of bombers waiting for them.  It was H-hour plus nineteen. The Thai Phon Thahan-turned-Sip Tho looked out into the darkness. Four hours ago he was anticipating crossing the Cambodian border and burning down their town for a change. Now, now it was wait-and-see. The majority of the division had withdrawn for a long night march to the west. From what he had gathered, the 2nd Army had been pummeled and it was once again the time for the 2nd Division to save the day.He spotted movement in front of him. He glanced over to his 'sniper', a Thahan Phran who was the best shot in his unit and had a taste for the task. The man had the target in his sights."I come to parlay," the voice in the darkness shouted in less than perfect Thai. The Thai soldier had to think what that meant. His instinct was to shoot the man. His training taught him to not make choices above his pay grade."Advance. Don't do anything stupid," he called out. To the man next to him he whispered, "Go get the Captain." The man slunk away. No one alive in the unit stood up to do anything. You even pissed crouched down. The man coming toward him was a Cambodian. It was evident in both his gear and accent. "What do you want?""We want a truce," the man replied. He remained very erect, his hands in the air and only made slow, careful movements."I should shoot you," he growled."That would be unfortunate for both of us. I would, of course, be dead, and my allies would open up with our artillery."The conversation was truncated by the captain's arrival. They went through much of the same routine, absent the 'I should kill you part' and the counter-threat. The captain turned to the Thai soldier."Blindfold and bind this man's hands then take him to the Phan Ek (Colonel). Let him figure this out."Without the soldier saying anything the Captain added, "This could be a ruse. I must stay here. Hurry."He nodded, took a shirt from one of the civilian volunteers, cut it into strips then blindfolded and bound the man."If you so much as sneeze, I'll put a bullet in your head," he warned the man."I understand," the Cambodian replied. The soldier took the Cambodian one block behind the lines, spun the man around several times, then led him toward the command bunker. He spun him around twice more before making his final approach. A wounded junior officer met him at the entrance."Come on," he took custody of the man. Having nothing else to do and not having been ordered to release the prisoner, the soldier followed along.The Regimental Commander had the man un-blindfolded. His hands remained bound."What do your masters want?" the Major snapped."They want a truce," the Cambodian blinked in the sudden bright light."You invaded us without a declaration of war. That makes you criminals, not combatants.""We attacked at the request of the legitimate authority in Thailand, the Commanding General of the Royal Thai Third Army.""Those men are rebels and you will not refer to them as anything but," the Phan Ek insisted."Very well. My Commander wishes to let you know that our mobile hospital has arrived. We wish to exchange prisoners and place our facilities at your disposal as well.""The Royal Thai army will be there soon enough," the Major glowered."Unlikely. Our Khanate allies have informed us that most of your division was destroyed on the road. You have one battered regiment and a handful of tanks. You are not going anywhere."The soldier wanted to slap the smug smile off the man's face."I do not have the authority to hand over prisoners until their status as POWs or criminals has been established," the senior officer countered."If you consider our men criminals, we will treat your men like traitors.""Are you threatening me?""Yes. A fact you should be aware of is that the Khanate has been flying in reinforcements since noon and we have five more armored, mechanized and artillery Zuuns to attack with. Come sunrise, we will be coming at you again unless we have a truce.""Now you are threatening us again," the Phan Ek pointed out."I am explaining the realities of your situation, nothing more," the Cambodian countered. "Our task force commander believes that further violence will be futile. You have done your job and we have done ours.""And your job was to keep us occupied so you could rape and pillage other parts of our country?""No sir. The Alliance forces have been operating under very strict guidelines. The Thai people are our allies and we are a liberating force," the Cambodian replied."You consider this town 'liberated'? You've destroyed it," the Phan Ek noted."It was unfortunate that you chose to fight us here."The Colonel studied the man silently for thirty seconds."I will agree to a two hour truce. That should allow me to contact my superiors for further clarification on my mission. We will hand over any critically injured 'invaders'. You will return any POW's you are holding in exchange.""Agreed," the Cambodian immediately responded."Just like that? It is really within your authority to make such a deal?""As I said earlier Phan Ek, we believe the fighting is over. We don't need your captured men. We would like to see as many as our comrades live as possible. No matter what your commanders say, the fact remains that if you come out of these ruins, you will be slaughtered. You know that. I know that. Peace is the only avenue that leads to any level of success. Today, today, both our forces did what our commanders told us to do. The dying should stop.""Go. The truce will take effect in, fifteen minutes ~ 12:12 am. We will transfer prisoners and wounded at your point of entry. We will both give a warning whistle fifteen, ten, five and one minute before the truce ends at 2:12 am. Do you understand?"The Cambodian repeated the terms of the truce. He was bound up then sent back with the Sip Tho."Do you really think this is the end of the fighting," he asked his blind captive."On the lives of my children I hope so," the man sighed. "I led 88 men into battle this morning and now I'm down to 46 effectives. I have lost too many already for a battle that wasn't in my nation's best interest. I am tired of the killing.""Me too," the Thai said a moment later. After he delivered him to the Captain on the front lines, the man was unbound."Good luck," he found himself saying."Good luck for both of us," the Cambodian gave a weary smile. "May we not meet again.""If I see you again, I will kill you.""I feel the same way," the man chuckled. "We are both soldiers doing what more powerful men have commanded us to do. I don't know about you, but I have had enough." Several Thai soldiers nodded. They had driven the enemy off Thai soil. Continuing the fight didn't seem to have much of a point.  

All links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtoocanlearnthai.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** Unlock exclusive & ad-free episodes: Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/youtoocanlearnthai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (recommended for listeners in Thailand) Anchor/Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/learnthai/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (recommended for listeners in USA, UK and 30+ available countries) Detailed tutorial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n-tZKW76sT7ULyvOVdH7_3NcPpbWmXRAzIZp7T0_rUM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** Transcripts and FAQs: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qG1rvNaTFbjtVlYt7x5RxtUT3fFpuHfN_KAmpVuONsw⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** Books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://viewauthor.at/khrunan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Thai alphabet and activity books) Free audio flashcards for basic Thai vocabulary: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quizlet.com/youtoocanlearnthai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** Merch (t-shirts and phone grips): USA: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1EZF44ILW1L5N⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ UK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/14ESIQA0SZ5LL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Germany: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.de/hz/wishlist/ls/219DDRPHY347Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/youtoocanlearnthai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/c/YoutoocanlearnThai⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** พระบรมมหาราชวัง เคยเป็นที่อยู่ของพระมหากษัตริย์ไทย ปัจจุบันเป็นสถานที่จัดงานสำคัญในประเทศไทย ค่าเข้าชมสำหรับชาวต่างชาติคือห้าร้อยบาท เพื่อนแนนบอกว่า ข้างหน้าพระบรมมหาราชวังจะมีไกด์มาเสนอขายทัวร์ เขาเคยจ้างไกด์ที่พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ ราคาประมาณหนึ่งพันบาทค่ะ *** พระบรมมหาราชวัง เคย เป็น ที่อยู่ ของ พระมหากษัตริย์ ไทย ปัจจุบัน เป็น สถานที่ จัด งาน สำคัญ ใน ประเทศ ไทย ค่า เข้าชม สำหรับ ชาว ต่างชาติ คือ ห้า ร้อย บาท เพื่อน แนน บอก ว่า ข้าง หน้า พระบรมมหาราชวัง จะ มี ไกด์ มา เสนอ ขาย ทัวร์ เขา เคย จ้าง ไกด์ ที่ พูด ภาษา อังกฤษ ได้ ราคา ประมาณ หนึ่ง พัน บาท ค่ะ *** พระบรมมหาราชวัง เคยเป็นที่อยู่ของพระมหากษัตริย์ไทย The Grand Palace used to be the residence of Thai kings. ปัจจุบันเป็นสถานที่จัดงานสำคัญในประเทศไทย Today, it hosts important events in Thailand. ค่าเข้าชมสำหรับชาวต่างชาติคือห้าร้อยบาท The entrance fee for foreigners is 500 Baht. เพื่อนแนนบอกว่า ข้างหน้าพระบรมมหาราชวังจะมีไกด์มาเสนอขายทัวร์ My friend told me that in front of the Grand Palace, there are guides offering to sell tours. เขาเคยจ้างไกด์ที่พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ He hired an English-speaking guide. ราคาประมาณหนึ่งพันบาทค่ะ The price was around 1000 Baht.

rWotD Episode 2846: Kheow Sundarakul na Jolburi Welcome to Random Wiki of the Day, your journey through Wikipedia’s vast and varied content, one random article at a time.The random article for Monday, 17 February 2025 is Kheow Sundarakul na Jolburi.Kheow Sundarakul na Jolburi (complete title Chao Chom Manda Kheow Sundarakul na Jolburi, Royal Concubine of King Nangklao "Rama III" of Siam), (Thai: เจ้าจอมมารดาเขียว สุนทรกุล ณ ชลบุรี) was a daughter of His Highness Prince Reuang, the Prince Sundarabhubet(Thai: พระองค์เจ้าเรือง กรมขุนสุนทรภูเบศร์), but she did not inherit a title of princess from her prince father.She moved to the Grand Palace to be a royal Concubine of King Nangklao with the royal title Chao Chom (Royal Concubine). She gave birth to a prince and a princess.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:59 UTC on Monday, 17 February 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Kheow Sundarakul na Jolburi on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm long-form Patrick.

Greg and Ed discuss various aspects of Bangkok that they believe are either overrated or underrated. The guys start with things that they believe get too many props. Greg mentions the Grand Palace and the Damnoen Saduak floating market that tend to be too touristy and overcrowded, but that there are unsung superior alternatives where tourists could better spend their time. Ed counters with Thai customer service, which he credits for being genuinely warm but which he believes is often unprofessional, at least outside of five-star hotels.  Greg then brazenly brings up Pad Thai, which has never floated his boat regardless of its reputation. For Ed, he thinks Thai temples are overrated in general, at least beyond the main ones that everyone should go to at least once.  Greg then goes deep with a critique of the emphasis Thais place on ‘respect,' especially for older people out of course. That's probably a good topic for a whole show. For underrated, the guys cover things such as various museums, some financial management options (that a lot of foreigners don't know about), taxis, and Thailand outside of the main tourist areas. Listen in if you want all the inside info! :) Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook, you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website (www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you need to know.

Send us a textI've recently just come back from an amazing trip to Thailand over Christmas & NY, visiting Bangkok, seeing the iconic landmarks such as the Grand Palace & Wat Arun), Pai which is a laid-back mountain town in northern Thailand known for its hippie vibe, hot springs, and Pai Canyon. Chiang Mai in the North where the vibe was relaxed and finally, to the beaches in Khao Lak were chilling was the order of the day. Lean in & listen to some worthy travel tips and my OCD travel encounters!EnjoyIf you like this episode, please rate, review, subscribe and share with others! Check out more of me at on my websiteFollow me on Instagram

This week's monument is the Grand Palace complex, found in the Thai capital of Bangkok, which has been the official residence of the Thai roayl family since the last 18th century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am excited to introduce to you two partners of the Extraordinary Travel Festival, Matt Bowles and Ian Cumming. Matt is a 10 year plus digital nomad, who hosts the very successful as well as a real estate investment company.  Matt can be found around the globe setting up shop in cities as diverse as Nairobi, Lagos or Luanda.  I am pleased to announce that Matt will be one of the speakers at the ETF.  You can connect with him here on . Ian Cumming is the founder of Travel Massive, a global networking platform for people who work in travel or are passionate travelers.  There are scores of chapters around the globe hosting events or meet people on the network whether they be entrepreneurs or content creators.  Travel Massive is also hosting our meetup on Thursday, November 14.  . I believe there are 3 main pillars of why you might want to consider attending the ETF, this November in Bangkok. First is the destination. Maybe BKK might seem too common. Well as a resident I would posit that this city offers so much beyond the Grand Palace, the Skybar and riding a tuktuk. This is a true onion; you can keep peeling back more and more layers and keep on exploring. Maybe you are missing some NM regions in Thailand, maybe a funicular or the new UNESCO site, Si Thep. Or you missed Laos or Brunei on your last visit. There are cheap flights to everywhere in ASEASN. Or maybe catch a direct flight to Bangladesh, Bhutan or Kazakhstan. There is so much to see here! Second, is the content. We have an incredible lineup of speakers. More will be announced. Please take a moment to look at the speakers on the ETF website. Everyone from Thor Pedersen who went to every country without flying, or Renee Bruns who has explored over 130 countries in a wheelchair, or the Sultan Randy Williams, who invented his own country. And last up, is the community, the network of extreme travelers whether you are Chasing 193 or maybe enjoy Iraq more than Italy. Then you have found your tribe.  We have some great events to share a drink and conversation with your fellow travelers …. Friday night will be a great party with music, Saturday will be the gala dinner, and, don't leave early, we will be hosting the NomadMania Awards live in Bangkok on Sunday.  And we added in another meetup on Thursday evening, November 14th to check in with fellow attendees before the event officially kicks off on Friday morning.  The host of our meetup is . So think of Bangkok as the hub for the event. A hub with great infrastructure at great prices. The spokes are everywhere in Thailand or the region you can visit easily. Don't get FOMO, come join the 170 plus who have already committed. And how many more will sign up in the next 3 months. Should be a lot of people! Feel free to go to the website, use code  to save, and join us in Krung Thep this November. If you have questions, reach out to me on SM, contact form on the website, or anywhere else. Please listen in and enjoy.  And check out the last episode on . Extraordinary Travel Festival II Update #8

Join us in Bangkok for the in November of 2024. Please use code – BANGKOK – to save $100 (the discount will be reduced starting September 1). Reserve your place today. On this episode, I speak to 3 amazing people who you will also meet at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok on November 15-17. First up is Fadi Assi. Many people in the extreme travel community are familiar with Fadi and his generosity. He has welcomed many of us to Syria. Fadi is the founder of .  Fadi will be one of the speakers in Bangkok and will be sharing his wealth of knowledge.  If you are considering visiting, make sure you check in with Fadi. Second is Jon Beardmore.  Jon is an accomplished traveler and has undertaken a fascinating project, The Galapagos Postman Project.  We all love travel and sometimes incorporating in an additional quest has the potential of really adding to your travel experiences.  The Galapagos Postman Project is one of those really cool quests.  You can follow along on his quest on . And third is Evelthon Vassiliou.  He is another accomplished traveler who recently accomplished the 193.  Evelthon was ahead of the curve visiting places like Angkor Wat in the late 1990s.  Despite finishing the 193, he is still actively traveling.  Follow along on . I believe there are 3 main pillars of why you might want to consider attending the ETF, this November in Bangkok. First is the destination. Maybe BKK might seem too common. Well as a resident I would posit that this city offers so much beyond the Grand Palace, the Skybar and riding a tuktuk. This is a true onion; you can keep peeling back more and more layers and keep on exploring. Maybe you are missing some NM regions in Thailand, maybe a funicular or the new UNESCO site, Si Thep. Or you missed Laos or Brunei on your last visit. There are cheap flights to everywhere in ASEASN. Or maybe catch a direct flight to Bangladesh, Bhutan or Kazakhstan. There is so much to see here! Second, is the content. We have an incredible lineup of speakers. More will be announced. Please take a moment to look at the speakers on the ETF website. Everyone from Thor Pedersen who went to every country without flying, or Renee Bruns who has explored over 130 countries in a wheelchair, or the Sultan Randy Williams, who invented his own country. And last up, is the community, the network of extreme travelers whether you are Chasing 193 or maybe enjoy Iraq more than Italy. Then you have found your tribe.  We have some great events to share a drink and conversation with your fellow travelers .... Friday night will be a great party with music, Saturday will be the gala dinner, and, don't leave early, we will be hosting the NomadMania Awards live in Bangkok on Sunday.  And we added in another meetup on Thursday evening, November 14th to check in with fellow attendees before the event officially kicks off on Friday morning.  The host of our meetup is . So think of Bangkok as the hub for the event. A hub with great infrastructure at great prices. The spokes are everywhere in Thailand or the region you can visit easily. Don't get FOMO, come join the 170 plus who have already committed. And how many more will sign up in the next 3 months. Should be a lot of people! Feel free to go to the website, use code to save $100, and join us in Krung Thep this November. If you have questions, reach out to me on SM, contact form on the website, or anywhere else. Please listen in and enjoy.  And check out the last episode on .

  If there was ever a podcast where you're better off seeing the video, this is it! It features lots of footage that I shot the first time I visited. In mid-November 2024, hear me speak at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok, Thailand! Timeline 00:00 Intro 00:50 History 03:05 Temples 04:10  Islands 05:38 Snorkeling, SCUBA diving, & fish 07:15 Lodging 08:15 People 09:00 Dance & nightlife This video gives you an exciting overview of Thailand! You'll learn about Thailand's history, beaches, aquatic sea life, temples, languages, culture, nightlife, and dancing. Subscribe to watch my video kissing a Thai elephant! Video script Welcome to the Land of Smiles! Thailand is a country that tantalizes your taste buds, tickles your senses, and leaves you wondering if you've accidentally stepped into a vibrant dream. Thailand has got to be one of the most aptly named countries on the planet. The “Land of Smiles” delivers grins at every turn with its beautiful scenery, delightfully eccentric cultural experiences, and some of the most blissed-out, friendly people you'll ever encounter. Just be prepared for lots of bewildered head-scratching and delighted laughter as you embrace the organized chaos and tongue-in-cheek whimsy that makes traveling here such an endlessly entertaining adventure. A History with More Spice Than Your Pad Thai Thailand boasts a history as rich and complex as a bowl of tom yum soup. Kingdoms rose and fell, leaving behind a trail of magnificent temples and enough intrigue to make a soap opera jealous. We won't bore you with dates (because, let's face it, remembering your anniversary is hard enough), but here's the gist: powerful empires, epic battles fought on elephant back (seriously!), and a whole lot of cultural exchange. The Thais like to refer to their nation as the “Land of the Free” since they proudly managed to avoid getting colonized by myopic European powers who were too distracted trying to invent terrible ideas like bloodsports and obesity. The origins of this glorious nation trace back to the ancient Sukhothai kingdom, which ruled large swaths of present-day Thailand from the 13th to 15th centuries and essentially laid the groundwork for all the mischief to come. They invented the Thai alphabet, converted the nation to Theravada Buddhism (a spirituality that preaches detachment yet somehow birthed the Muay Thai boxing culture), and kick-started a prolific period of temple construction that persists today. Thailand maintained a rich, quirky cultural identity through a delightfully convoluted pageant of kingdoms and capitals. Thailand's history is like a spicy curry – full of twists, turns, and unexpected ingredients. Imagine a time when Ayutthaya was the New York City of Southeast Asia, bustling with trade, culture, and probably a few epic food fights. Then came the Burmese invasion, like a hangry Godzilla stomping through the city. But fear not! The Thais rebuilt, and today, Ayutthaya's ruins are a testament to resilience and the importance of investing in sturdy walls. Thailand's history is as colorful as its temples and diverse as its cuisine. From ancient civilizations to modern-day monarchy, this country has seen it all. Fast forward to today, and Thailand is a vibrant mix of tradition and modern life. You'll find glittering skyscrapers sharing the skyline with ancient temples, monks in saffron robes browsing smartphones, and grandmothers selling mango-sticky rice beside sleek cafes. The Grand Palace complex is a must-see if only to check off “tour the wildly ornate milieu of one of the world's most eccentric, propaganda-addicted royal dynasties” from your bucket list. The palace grounds feature the famous Emerald Buddha sculpture - a diminutive jade figure that looks like something you'd win at a county fair but is priceless to Buddhists. Nearby sits the aptly named Wat Pho, home to the epic Reclining Buddha statue that's so colossal you half expect it to pop up and start rapping about all the golden donuts it ate. Temples and Religion: Where Buddha Takes Center Stage Thailand has more temples than there are grains of sand on its beaches. Wat Pho's reclining Buddha is so chill it's practically horizontal. And the Grand Palace? It's like a wedding cake made of gold and gemstones. As for religion, Thais blend Buddhism with a dash of animism, like adding chili to mango sticky rice. It's a spiritual cocktail that keeps the universe in balance. Thailand is steeped in Buddhism, and the magnificent temples testify to the country's rich spiritual heritage. Wat Pho will leave you speechless with its reclining Buddha and towering golden chedis. In Ayutthaya, explore the crumbling ruins of ancient temples, remnants of a once-great kingdom. Island Hopping: The Aquatic Adventure Now, let's get to the good stuff: the islands! Thailand's coastline is dotted with gems – Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Krabi – each offering a slice of paradise. But getting there is half the fun (or mild terror, depending on your seafaring tolerance). Imagine yourself crammed onto a longtail boat, the wind whipping through your hair (and possibly carrying off your hat). The turquoise water stretches out before you, but don't get too mesmerized – keep an eye out for the inevitable spray that might leave you looking like a contestant on Wipeout. Thai's islands are like a buffet of paradise, and you're the hungry traveler with a plate (or boat) to fill. The joy of island hopping is like speed dating with beaches – each has its personality. Some are shy and secluded, while others flaunt limestone cliffs and party vibes. And let's not forget the snorkeling – it's like attending a marine masquerade ball, where fish wear sequined scales and dance to the rhythm of the tides. The Andaman islands like Phuket, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Lanta, and Ko Lipe have appeared on approximately one zillion desktop wallpaper screensavers with their sugar sand beaches, cliffs of swirled limestone karsts, and forests of coconut trees casually minding their own bad hair day business. Offshore, the islands offer some of planet Earth's most insane snorkeling and diving thanks to absurdly vibrant coral reefs and a psychedelically promiscuous marine life community. Marine Life: More Than Just Nemo The minute you slip beneath the waves in Thailand, you enter a technicolor wonderland. Let's talk fish – we're not talking goldfish crackers here. You've got graceful angelfish gliding by and maybe even the occasional grumpy-looking moray eel poking out of a hole. For the more adventurous, vibrant coral reefs are teeming with life. Picture schools of shimmering blue tangs, trumpetfish with their Pinocchio noses, and perhaps a majestic manta ray gliding past like a giant underwater spaceship. Underwater, Thailand's marine life is a kaleidoscope of colors. The Phi Phi islands have emerged as the undisputed snorkelers' playground thanks to their rockin' reefs populated by residents like the omnipresent clownfish–yup, the one that found Nemo – but also the elusive seahorse, basically the James Bond of the sea. And then there's the triggerfish, with a face only a mother could love. But hey, beauty is subjective, right? The coral reefs are like underwater cities, bustling with activity. Remember, don't touch the coral – it's like graffiti on the Mona Lisa. With 4000 km of coastline, Thailand's incredibly biodiverse marine ecosystems delight snorkelers, divers, and beachgoers alike. The warm, clear waters of the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand allow optimal visibility to witness vivid coral gardens and drifting schools of tropical fish. Some of the most colorful aquatic life you may spot includes the electric blue-and-yellow regal angelfish, the aptly named clownfish darting in and out of swaying anemones, vibrant parrotfish, and powder blue tang swimming through staghorn coral mazes. Stay very still, and you may even catch sight of free-swimming moray eels slithering across the reefs or skillfully camouflaged scorpionfish. Luxury Hotels: Where Dreams Come True (and Wallets Cry) Craving a touch of luxury after your island adventure? Thailand has you covered. We're talking opulent beachfront resorts with infinity pools that seem to melt into the horizon, private plunge pools big enough to host a pool party, and service so good you might start questioning your ability to tie your own shoes. The best part? These luxury digs won't leave you needing a second mortgage. Thailand offers incredible value for money, so you can live like royalty without needing to win the lottery. Thailand's luxury hotels redefine opulence. Imagine waking up in a floating villa. Or sipping champagne in a rooftop pool overlooking Bangkok's skyline – it's like swimming in liquid stardust. And the spa treatments? They're so relaxing, you'll forget your own name. Friendly People: Hugs, Smiles, and Tuk-Tuk Negotiations Thais are the friendliest folks on this side of the Milky Way. They'll greet you with a wai (a respectful bow) and feed you until you waddle.. Thais are renowned for their hospitality, their smiles as warm and welcoming as a bowl of khao tom (chicken rice soup – trust us, it's amazing). Communication might be a challenge sometimes but don't worry, a little game of charades goes a long way. Plus, the locals often appreciate the effort, rewarding you with a hearty laugh and maybe even a discount on that souvenir elephant keychain. Of course, there's always the grumpy taxi driver, the one who seems to have forgotten the “Land of Smiles” motto. But hey, even grumpy adds flavor to the experience, right? Dance Performances and Entertainment: Hip-Shaking Extravaganza Thailand's dance performances are like a fusion of Cirque du Soleil and a tropical storm. The traditional khon dance tells epic tales of gods, demons, and love triangles. Meanwhile, the ladyboys of Pattaya leave you questioning your hip flexibility. And the nightlife? It's a neon jungle where cocktails flow like waterfalls, and neon signs promise enlightenment (or at least a blurry selfie). Thailand's nightlife is as vibrant as the orchids at every market. Want to be dazzled by elaborate dance performances with glittering costumes and gravity-defying moves? Head to a cabaret show – just be prepared to have your gender stereotypes playfully challenged by the stunning ladyboys. For something a little more low-key, wander through a night market, where you'll find street performers juggling fire, musicians filling the air with soulful melodies, and puppet shows that will transport you back to your childhood. So there you have it – Thailand, where elephants roam, tuk-tuks zigzag, and every street corner smells like a stir-fry adventure. Pack your sense of humor, an empty stomach, and an extra pair of flip-flops – you're in for a wild ride!

Join us in Bangkok for the Extraordinary Travel Festival in November of 2024.  Please use code – BANGKOK – to save $100.  . I believe there are 3 main pillars of why you might want to consider attending the ETF, this November in Bangkok. First is the destination.  Maybe BKK might seem too common.  Well as a resident I would posit that this city offers so much beyond the Grand Palace, the Skybar and riding a tuktuk.  This is a true onion; you can keep peeling back more and more layers and keep on exploring. Maybe you are missing some NM regions in Thailand, maybe a funicular or the new UNESCO site, Si Thep.  Or you missed Laos or Brunei on your last visit. There are cheap flights to everywhere in ASEASN.  Or maybe catch a direct flight to Bangladesh, Bhutan or Kazakhstan.  There is so much to see here! Second, is the content.  We have an incredible lineup of speakers.  More will be announced.  Please take a moment to look at the speakers on the ETF website.  Everyone from Thor Pedersen who went to every country without flying, or Renee Bruns who has explored over 130 countries in a wheelchair, or the Sultan Randy Williams, who invented his own country. And last up, is the community, the network of extreme travelers whether you are chasing 193 or maybe enjoy Iraq more than Italy.  Then you have found your tribe. So think of Bangkok as the hub for the event.  A hub with great infrastructure at great prices.  The spokes are everywhere in Thailand or the region you can visit easily. Don't get FOMO, come join the 160 plus who have already committed.  And how many more will sign up in the next 6 months.  Should be a lot of people! Feel free to go to the website, use code BANGKOK to save $100, and join us in Krung Thep this November.  If you have questions, reach out to me on SM, contact form on the website, or anywhere else. I want to introduce three members of the community, three people who are coming to Bangkok, on this special episode.  Meet the attendee!  Please meet Virginia Ko, Zahid Williams, and Doug Mann. First up is Virginia Ko, a traveler who recently passed her 100th country.  Virginia grew up in Maylasia, moved to CA, and recently quit her job to Chase 193.  Wow!   . Next up is Zahid Williams.  Zahid is on his way to 100, but starting off with the challenging countries first.  We even met randomly in the Pacific earlier this year.    And last, I speak with Doug Mann.  Doug is a true expat.  Working for years in Germany and Japan, and now retired in Chiang Mai.    Please listen in and enjoy.  

Join us in Bangkok for the Extraordinary Travel Festival in November of 2024.  Please use code – BANGKOK – to save $100.  . I believe there are 3 main pillars of why you might want to consider attending the ETF, this November in Bangkok.     First is the destination.  Maybe BKK might seem too common.  Well as a resident I would posit that this city offers so much beyond the Grand Palace, the Skybar and riding a tuktuk.  This is a true onion, you can keep peeling back more and more layers and keep on exploring.   Maybe you are missing some NM regions in thailand, maybe a funicular or the new UNESCO site, Si Thep.  Or you missed Laos or Brunei on your last visit. There are cheap flights to everywhere in ASEASN.  Or maybe catch a direct flight to Bangladesh, Bhutan or Kazakhstan.  There is so much to see here!   Second, is the content.  We have an incredible lineup of speakers.  More will be announced.  Please take a moment to look at the speakers on the ETF website.  Everyone from Thor Pedersen who went to every country without flying, or Renee Bruns who has explored over 130 countries in a wheelchair, or the Sultan Randy Williams, who invented his own country.   And last up, is the community, the network of extreme travelers whether you are chasing 193 or maybe enjoy Iraq more than Italy.  Then you have found your tribe.   So think of Bangkok as the hub for the event.  A hub with great infrastructure at great prices.  The spokes are everywhere in Thailand or the region you can visit easily.   Don't get FOMO, come join the 150 plus who have already committed.  And how many more will sign up in the next 6 months.  Should be a lot of people!    Feel free to go to the website, use code BANGKOK to save $100, and join us in Krung Thep this November.  If you have questions, reach out to me on SM, contact form on the website, or anywhere else.   Before I introduce my guest, a name from the past has reappeared.  William Simon Baekeland aka Jesse Simon Gordon aka William Gordon.   Maybe you do not know the back story.     William appeared on the scene years ago, a young, extremely well-traveled individual and the descendent of a billion-dollar fortune.  William won over some of the most experienced travelers and began to organize challenging trips for them.  In fact, I interviewed him for this .   Some of these trips took place, others didn't, and refunds were scarce.   Harry Mitsisdis after a canceled trip put on his detective hat, and deduced that William Baekeland was really Jesse Simon Gordon from Birmingham, a product of limited means.  In short order, it was revealed that William/Jesse allegedly had fleeced over $800,000 from the travel community.  And I hosted another podcast , where several guests shared their experiences.     William/Simon then appeared to go dark … until now.   This episode was recorded a couple of weeks before the publication, so there will likely be more up to date news.  But it was discovered that William has relocated to Pitcairn Island and was working in some fashion for the government.    I was totally flabbergasted by this discovery.  Really.     William was hiding out in the most remote place in the world where he was most likely to be discovered.    I am sure we will learn a lot more in the future. First up is Marc Jorgensen, a traveler who recently passed his 100th country.  Marc has lived and worked in Brazil and also speaks Portuguese.  Marc and I discuss our joint southern African roadtrip.  Next up is Dima Zemsky.  Dima emigrated to the US from Ukraine as a teenager to start a new life in the states.  Dima is a member of the points community, and the spark of his travels began with a round the world trip.  And last, I speak with Matt Keffer.  Matt has leveraged his career and his business trips around the world into country counting.  He also was a working expat for three years in Germany.   With that in mind, I want to introduce three members of the community, three people who are coming to Bangkok, on this special episode.  Meet the attendee!  Please meet Marc Jorgenson, Dima Zemsky, and Matt Keffer.  Please listen in and enjoy  

In 2014, Clark and his family spent 3 months in Thailand. Bangkok is a beast, and while he didn't like it at first, it's now one of his favorite cities in the world. Learn about the Grand Palace and the Reclining Buddha in Part 1 of 2 on Thailand. Info on Clark's online classes: Free classes available on Coral Academy! ● Parents can visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.coralacademydemo.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ and select their preferred classes ● While filling in the learner details, they should click on 'Referred by teacher' and enter CLARK VANDEVENTER For more travel perspectives, follow Clark on social media! Clark on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/clarkvand/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Clark on TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@clarkvand?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can also email Clark at clarkvand@gmail.com and check out all of his course offerings for tweens and teens on Outschool at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/clarkonoutschool⁠⁠⁠⁠

As expats who have lived in Asia for almost 25-years each - how's that possible! - we recently got thinking about our proximity to famous, royal palaces. Scott is not so far from Bangkok's Grand Palace and Trevor for many years lived very close to Cambodia's Khemarin Palace. That got us thinking about other royal palaces we've been to throughout Asia, along with ones we have not yet visited. Then we wondered what constitutes a royal palace? We bumped into our friends Greg & Ed from the Bangkok Podcast, mentioned this to them, and realized we had a good episode on our hands, but it would be a heck of a lot more fun to chat about this as a foursome. So here we are, our second crossover episode together, where we'll explore the royal palaces of Asia.

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 1127, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: Asian Capitals 1: This capital is named for a religion. Islamabad. 2: In 1959 this city was designated to replace Karachi as the capital; its construction began 2 years later. Islamabad. 3: On Jan. 6, 2005 an international summit on tsunami relief opened in this city. Jakarta. 4: King Rama I built this city's Grand Palace, which contains the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Bangkok. 5: The Ming rulers gave this city its name, which means "northern capital". Beijing. Round 2. Category: At A Loss For Worlds 1: This 1963 work was published in English with the title "Monkey Planet". "Planet of the Apes". 2: This 1963 work was published in England with the title "Monkey Planet". Planet of the Apes. 3: At the end of Arthur C. Clarke's "Childhood's End", this world is destroyed. Earth. 4: Anne McCaffrey's written about "The Dragonriders of", "The Skies of" and "The Renegades of" this imaginary planet. Pern. 5: It's the real name of the planet referred to in the title of a 1965 Frank Herbert novel. Arrakis. Round 3. Category: At The Dentist'S Office 1: Drill speed is measured in these; Dr. Morrison's in 1871 did about 600, today's turbine-powered ones about 300,000. RPMs. 2: The ADA says this is perfectly safe as the basis for amalgam fillings--it combines with other materials to make it stable. mercury. 3: Cavities form when bacteria break down sugars, forming this substance that dissolves enamel. acid. 4: Modern lead aprons worn during X-raying have a collar to protect this gland from the radiation. the thyroid gland. 5: From the Latin for "to close", it's the alignment and spacing of your upper and lower teeth when you bite. occlusion. Round 4. Category: Everyone Into The Pool! 1: "Swimming World" magazine named him Male World Swimmer of the Year eight times. Michael Phelps. 2: One of the most popular swimming pool games bears the name of this Venetian traveler. Marco Polo. 3: He found relief from his polio swimming in the mineral pools of Warm Springs, Georgia, where he had a little "White House". FDR (Franklin Roosevelt). 4: Once known as water ballet, it became an Olympic sport in 1984. synchronized swimming. 5: You can enjoy some spectacular backdrops from this type of pool, also called a vanishing or negative edge pool. an infinity pool. Round 5. Category: Hits Of The '80s 1: This song by Olivia Newton-John "worked out" to be No. 1 longer than any other song in '81. "Physical". 2: The only #1 pop hit for Kenny Rogers, it has a 1 word title. "Lady". 3: The profits from this Sager/Bacharach Grammy-winning 1986 single go to AIDS research. "That's What Friends Are For". 4: Diana Ross dedicated "Missing You" to this late singer with whom she had 2 Top 40 hits in the '70s. Marvin Gaye. 5: "All Out Of Love", "Lost In Love" and "The One That You Love" were 3 hits by this Aussie group. Air Supply. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia!Special thanks to https://blog.feedspot.com/trivia_podcasts/ AI Voices used

EXPLORING THAILAND: FROM BUSTLING CITIES TO TRANQUIL BEACHESThailand is a country rich in culture, history and natural beauty. It offers a variety of experiences for travelers, from bustling cities to serene beaches, from ancient temples to modern skyscrapers, from spicy street food to fine dining. Bangkok is the capital and largest city of Thailand, and a hub of commerce, entertainment and culture. It is a city of contrasts, where you can find traditional markets and temples alongside modern shopping malls and skyscrapers. Bangkok is known for its vibrant nightlife, diverse cuisine and friendly people. Some of the must-see attractions in Bangkok include the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chatuchak Weekend Market and Khao San Road. Bangkok is also a city that cares about sustainability, as it has many initiatives to reduce traffic congestion, promote public transportation, recycle waste and conserve energy. Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand, and a center of culture, education and spirituality. It is surrounded by mountains and forests, and has a cooler climate than the rest of the country. Chiang Mai is famous for its hundreds of temples, many of which date back to the 13th century. It is also a hub for arts and crafts, as well as wellness and meditation. Some of the highlights of Chiang Mai include the Old City, Doi Suthep, Elephant Nature Park, Night Bazaar and Sunday Walking Street. Chiang Mai is also a city that values sustainability, as it has many organic farms, eco-friendly hotels and social enterprises. You can visit an organic farm or a community garden to learn about sustainable agriculture, or stay at a hotel that uses solar panels or rainwater harvesting systems. You can also volunteer at an elephant sanctuary or a dog shelter to help the animals in need, or shop at a fair trade store or a handicraft market to support the local artisans.Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, and a popular destination for beach lovers. It has over 30 beaches, ranging from busy resorts to secluded coves. Phuket is also known for its water sports, nightlife and seafood. Some of the best beaches in Phuket include Patong, Kata, Karon and Kamala. Phuket is also a city that supports sustainability, as it has many projects to protect marine life, preserve coral reefs, clean up beaches and promote local culture. For example, you can join a snorkeling or diving trip to see the colorful fish and corals in the Andaman Sea, or participate in a beach cleanup or a coral restoration program to help the environment. Hua Hin is a seaside town in southern Thailand, and a favorite getaway for locals and tourists alike. It has a laid-back atmosphere, with long sandy beaches, golf courses, spas and markets. Hua Hin is also known for its royal heritage, as it is home to the summer palace of King Rama VI. Some of the attractions in Hua Hin include Hua Hin Beach, Cicada Market, Hua Hin Railway Station and Klai Kangwon Palace. Hua Hin is also a city that embraces sustainability, as it has many initiatives to reduce plastic use, promote renewable energy sources and support community development. Why wait? Book your trip now!!Support the showTripCast360 --- It's all about travel, lifestyle and entertainment.Web: TripCast360.com.Twit: https://twitter.com/TripCast360FB: https://www.facebook.com/TripCast360Insta: https://www.instagram.com/tripcast360/

Our Thailand adventure continues. Day Thirteen covers: a magnificent walk through Grand Palace Temple (วัดพระแก้ว), influences of Thai Kings through time, ripped off by Tuk Tuk, Golden Mountain Temple (วัดสระเกษ), and Family Funeral. Tune in for more episodes and spread the love. ❤ Shoutouts

Country music singer and activist for Alzheimer's, Debby Campbell was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1956 to Diane Kirk and Glen Travis Campbell. She is the eldest of 8 children and the daughter of the most famous “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campbell. Debby loved singing from an early age and spent many summers with her dad on tour, and in the television studios with his Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour television show.Debby graduated high school in England living with her mom and step-dad Jack, while her step-dad was in the Air Force. Her dad, Glen became a world sensation and would perform in England and send for Debby so she could spend time with him.In her early 20's, Debby married and became a mother of 3, two boys and a girl. She lived in Italy, and the US during this time and currently loves being a grandmother to 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.In the mid 80's Debby became a flight attendant and remains flying internationally as well as domestically.In 1987 Debby became part of her dad's shows on tour as a featured singer, along with her full-time job as a flight attendant. She toured and travelled with the Glen Campbell show for 24 years, including travels to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Bermuda, and so many more. Many of the Glen Campbell fans became loyal fans & friends of Debby's and she has remained friends with them today.Her appreciation for Country music landed her with her own show in Branson, Missouri at the Roy Clark Theatre in the early 90s. She continued her career as a featured singer at the Grand Palace with her dad and then on to her Dad's Theatre –The Glen Campbell Goodtime Theatre and ending with a residency at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre.Debby's bragging rights include hosting the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, performances at the Grand Ole Opry, opening for greats and Grammy Award artists such as Charlie Daniels, Jerry Reed, Eddie Rabbit, Colin Raye, and performing the National Anthem for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. She is the author of her recently released book titled “Life with My Father Glen Campbell”. She has also been credited with recording duets with her dad on “United We Stand”, “Let It Be Me”, and “Little Green Apples” and on multiple recordings of Glen's “Live with South Dakota Symphony” on CD and DVD. As Glen recorded some of his final music, Debby was instrumental on background vocals.Debby is active with the Alzheimer's cause and finds time for her first priority, family and friends. She golfs, enjoys bowling, travels and of course, sings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lady Aurelie Capet escapes France and former spymaster, Mr. Christian Hawkes, traces her to London “You Were Made to Be Mine” by Julie Anne Long, book five of The Palace of Rogues series!Aurelie emerges in London as Mrs. Gallagher and hides in the Grand Palace on the Thames.  She enjoys her time there, but she plans to sail to her brother in America.All leads point Hawkes to TGPOTT to find the Earl of Brundage's fiancée who inadvertently would help him with his personal mission against a traitor.  As he gets closer to the truth, he gets stabbed and Aurelie offers to watch over him, the person who the guests of the TGPOTT expects to arrive next, a vicar.Aurelie monitors Hawkes while he recovers.  She does not realize he follows her around town and he is always ready to help her when she finds herself in trouble.  They enjoy each other's company until he drops a reference that causes her to impulsively run away again.Join us as we discuss the determined Lady Aurelie, the legendary Mr. Hawkes, and serendipity!!DRAWING ROOM DISCUSSIONS –Juicy firefighter mangoCoconuts and cravingsVinegar…yum!“OFFICIAL, UNOFFICIAL BOOK REVIEW”– 6:31Julie Anne LongYou Were Made to Be MineThe Palace of Rogues, book 5www.julieannelong.comwww.facebook.com/AuthorJulieAnneLongwww.goodreads.com/author/show/20987.Julie_Anne_Longwww.instagram.com/julieannelongauthorwww.twitter.com/julieannelong“POT-TAIL PONDERING” – 29:57 The Singleton Aged 12 Yearswww.thesingleton.comCozy Season recipesPenny Reid's Winston Brothers going to filmHot Twitter topic: Romance, Rom-Com, or ReachingNext – A Duchess A Day by Charis MichaelsHosts - Toni Rose & Wendy Woo Email - litwallflowerspodcast@gmail.com Follow on www.instagram.com/litwallflowerspodcast Shop at https://www.zazzle.com/store/lit_wallflowers/products Social Media https://linktr.ee/litwallflowers Lit Wallflowers is part of the Frolic Podcast Network.  You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

The Duke of Valkirk wants peace and quiet to write his next book, but the arrival of Mariana Wylde threatens his haven in “After Dark with the Duke” by Julie Anne Long, book four of The Palace of Rogues series!Mariana Wylde escapes her residence in the dead of night and seeks refuge in The Grand Palace on the Thames… if Dot lets her in after curfew hours.  With barely any funds, Mariana's reputation as a great talent helps to strike a deal with the proprietresses, Delilah and Angelique.  Mariana can stay in the palace if she agrees to perform on the palace's newly built stage.General James Blackmore carries himself knowing that people see him as a honorable influence.  He struggles to write his next book and  hopes the exclusivity of the palace will give him the right writing ambience. Mariana's vibrant personality clashes with the duke's starchy and grumpy personality.  During a required after dinner gathering with the other hotel guests, her teasing of the duke resulted in a performance in Italian she would learn immediately afterwards was intended to humiliate her.  The proprietresses do not condone bad behavior and gave the duke a choice, leave the palace or teach Mariana Italian.Join us as we discuss the uber talented Mariana Wylde who sees the man in zaddy General James Duncan Blackmore and what they were doing after dark in TGPOTT!!DRAWING ROOM DISCUSSIONS –Be With Me by Samantha YoungUniversal Studios Tour – The VIP Experience“OFFICIAL, UNOFFICIAL BOOK REVIEW”– 9:08Julie Anne LongAfter Dark with the DukeThe Palace of Rogues, book 4www.julieannelong.comwww.facebook.com/AuthorJulieAnneLongwww.goodreads.com/author/show/20987.Julie_Anne_Longwww.instagram.com/julieannelongauthorwww.twitter.com/julieannelong“POT-TAIL PONDERING” – 31:32 The Singleton Aged 12 Yearswww.thesingleton.comOld Fashioned and Hot Toddy RecipesZaddy definedThe Littlest Library by Poppy AlexanderContinue summer of Sarah MacLeanHe's a 10 BUT… inspired by TikTok's @kay_lets_readNext – You Were Made to Be Mine by Julie Anne LongHosts - Toni Rose & Wendy WooEmail - litwallflowerspodcast@gmail.com Follow on www.instagram.com/litwallflowerspodcast Shop at https://www.zazzle.com/store/lit_wallflowers/products Social Media https://linktr.ee/litwallflowers Lit Wallflowers is part of the Frolic Podcast Network.  You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

Mr. Hugh Cassidy snitches and gets Lady Lillias Vaughn adult grounded in “I'm Only Wicked with You” by Julie Anne Long, book three of The Palace of Rogues series!Lillias has not been herself for the past two months and two days.  Her latest life experience was smoking a cheroot.  Hugh has to tell her father the earl out of concern because he would not want his own sister to be smoking in unfamiliar places.Hugh has been off on his leads to fulfill his mission as soon as possible.  He has great aspirations back in America, however he made a promise to find who he is looking for.  What he does not expect is to find someone else who would occupy his mind.Lillias and Hugh has taken the allowed spirited discourse in The Grand Palace on the Thames to new levels.  They continue to end up in the same places in TGPOTT like a moth to flame.  Then they find each other literally on a stage and unintentionally give a scandalous performance. Join us as we discuss the aristocrat Lady Lillias Vaughn, the American Mr. Hugh Cassidy, and the people of TGPOTT who help them stay together!!DRAWING ROOM DISCUSSIONS –This episode is brought to you by Kensington's newest title The Last Mile by Kat Martin wherever books are sold.  Find out more at Kensingtonbooks.comWendy's salty bookstore experienceToni's but-you-just-gotta-laugh week“OFFICIAL, UNOFFICIAL BOOK REVIEW”– 15:52Julie Anne LongI'm Only Wicked with YouThe Palace of Rogues, book 3www.julieannelong.comwww.facebook.com/AuthorJulieAnneLongwww.goodreads.com/author/show/20987.Julie_Anne_Longwww.instagram.com/julieannelongauthorwww.twitter.com/julieannelong“POT-TAIL PONDERING” – 34:08The Singleton Aged 12 Yearswww.thesingleton.comRooftop Weather RecipesBe With Me by Samantha YoungThe King by Nana MaloneACOTAR by Sarah J MaasContinue summer of Sarah MacLeanNext – After Dark with the Duke by Julie Anne LongHosts - Toni Rose & Wendy Woo Email - litwallflowerspodcast@gmail.com Follow on www.instagram.com/litwallflowerspodcast Shop at https://www.zazzle.com/store/lit_wallflowers/products Social Media https://linktr.ee/litwallflowers Lit Wallflowers is part of the Frolic Podcast Network.  You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

The first official guest at The Grand Palace on the Thames finally arrives in “Angel in a Devil's Arms by Julie Anne Long, book two of The Palace of Rogues series!Mrs. Angelique Breedlove interviews Lucien Durand, the supposedly unalive Lord Bolt.  What should be an innocent process has Angelique turning red and Lucien intrigued.Lucien has revenge on his mind.  On his to do list is to own the property next door, the same property Angelique and Delilah would like to acquire.  Also on his to do list is the four evenings he must spend with the other guests which gives him the opportunity to spend time with Angelique.While Lucien checks off his to do list, one day he learns about a part of Angelique's past that she did not mention.  He overreacted to comments made about Angelique and she underreacted to the action that may take away everything she worked for.Join us as we discuss Mrs. Angelique Breedlove and Lucien Duran, Viscount Bolt, and the expanding The Grand Palace on the Thames!!DRAWING ROOM DISCUSSIONS –This episode is brought to you by Kensington's newest title The Last Goodnight by Kat Martin wherever books are sold.  Find out more at Kensingtonbooks.com.Book organizingBest Selling Author Lisa KleypasThe chiropractor and the over compensating body“OFFICIAL, UNOFFICIAL BOOK REVIEW”– 8:33 Julie Anne LongAngel in a Devil's ArmsThe Palace of Rogues, book 2www.julieannelong.comwww.facebook.com/AuthorJulieAnneLongwww.goodreads.com/author/show/20987.Julie_Anne_Longwww.instagram.com/julieannelongauthorwww.twitter.com/julieannelong“POT-TAIL PONDERING” – 29:56The Singleton Aged 12 Yearswww.thesingleton.comThe Singleton Plus Two Riverside recipeFour Weeks of Scanday by Megan FramptonYou Were Made to Be Mine by Julie Anne LongA Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera#LisaKleypasappreciationweek 2022 answersNext – I'm Only Wicked With You by Julie Anne LongHosts - Toni Rose & Wendy Woo Email - litwallflowerspodcast@gmail.com Follow on www.instagram.com/litwallflowerspodcast Shop at https://www.zazzle.com/store/lit_wallflowers/products Social Media https://linktr.ee/litwallflowersLit Wallflowers is part of the Frolic Podcast Network.  You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

We will be riverside this series at The Grand Palace on the Thames starting with “Lady Derring Takes a Lover” by Julie Anne Long, book one of The Palace of Rogues series!Lady Delilah Derring finds out that her late husband left her with keys to a building he won in a wager and with the newly discovered secret that he had a mistress, Angelique.Mrs. Breedlove was at her trusty pub when Delilah visited her building, but decided to appease her growling stomach next door first.  Instead of sherry being tossed in faces, it was being tossed back and they formed a partnership.After weeks of getting the building into ship shape, Captain Tristan Hardy becomes one of the hotel's inhabitants.  What the proprietresses do not realize is his mission for the crown to uncover Delilah's role in her late husband's activities.Join us as we discuss Lady Derring and Captain Tristan (not Tom) Hardy, and the place you want to have lively discourse with other guests at least four times a week, The Grand Palace on the Thames!!DRAWING ROOM DISCUSSIONS –Home renovationsAmazing audio narrator Justine Eyre“OFFICIAL, UNOFFICIAL BOOK REVIEW”– 4:54Julie Anne LongLady Derring Takes a LoverThe Palace of Rogues, book 1www.julieannelong.comwww.facebook.com/AuthorJulieAnneLongwww.goodreads.com/author/show/20987.Julie_Anne_Longwww.instagram.com/julieannelongauthorwww.twitter.com/julieannelong“POT-TAIL PONDERING” – 31:08 The Singleton Aged 12 Yearswww.thesingleton.comMaid in Scotland recipeNext – Angel in a Devil's Arms by Julie Anne LongHosts - Toni Rose & Wendy Woo Email - litwallflowerspodcast@gmail.com Follow on www.instagram.com/litwallflowerspodcast Shop at https://www.zazzle.com/store/lit_wallflowers/products Social Media https://linktr.ee/litwallflowers Lit Wallflowers is part of the Frolic Podcast Network.  You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

Dans cet épisode, BALADES IMMOBILES sort de ses murs pour vous emmener dans l'univers magique des salles obscures. Octobre 2021, après plusieurs mois de fermeture contrainte pour cause de pandémie, les lanternes magiques s'éclairent de nouveau pour le plus grand plaisir des cinéphiles … Malgré une activité en baisse depuis la pandémie, 96 millions d'entrées, contre 216 en 2019, les cinémas font de la résistance, en particulier les salles indépendantes qui rivalisent d'imagination pour faire revenir les spectateurs. C'est le cas du Grand Palace, multiplex emblématique implanté aux Sables d'Olonne et tenu de main de maitre par François et sa compagne. Installez vous confortablement dans votre fauteuil, bienvenue dans cette nouvelle balade immobile !

Love this area of Bangkok so much to see and do. Lots of temples and the Grand Palace just amazing come and join me on the podcast

I swear the Grand Palace on the Thames generates more marriages than mid-sized liberal arts colleges in Ohio. Our latest couple is a reserved and honorable duke and a street-smart actress with less generational wealth and a bigger age gap than you may be used to. It's a fun addition to the series, but Meg and Laine disagree over which age gap has been the biggest deal.

Harvey Brownstone conducts an in-depth interview with Debby Campbell, Daughter of Music Legend Glen CampbellAbout Harvey's guest:Country music singer and activist for Alzheimer's, Debby Campbell was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1956 to Diane Kirk and Glen Travis Campbell. She is the eldest of 8 children and the daughter of the most famous “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campbell. Debby loved singing from an early age and spent many summers with her dad on tour, and in the television studios with his Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour television show.Debby graduated high school in England living with her mom and step-dad Jack, while her step-dad was in the Air Force. Her dad, Glen became a world sensation, and would perform in England and send for Debby so she could spend time with him.In her early 20's, Debby married and became a mother of 3, two boys and a girl. She lived in Italy, and the US during this time and currently loves being a grandmother to 4 grandchildren and 1 great-grand child.In the mid 80's Debby became a flight attendant and today, remains flying international as well as domestic.In 1987 Debby became part of her dads show on tour as a featured singer, along with her full time job as a flight attendant. She toured and traveled with the Glen Campbell show for 24 years, which included travels to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania and Bermuda and so many more. Many of the Glen Campbell fans became loyal fans & friends of Debby's and she has remained friends with them today.Her appreciation for Country music landed her with her own show in Branson, Missouri at the Roy Clark Theatre in the early 90's. She continued her career as a featured singer at the Grand Palace with her dad and then on to her Dad's Theatre –The Glen Campbell Goodtime Theatre and ending with a residency at the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre.Debby's bragging rights include hosting the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, performances at the Grand Ole Opry, opened for greats and Grammy Award artist such as Charlie Daniels, Jerry Reed, Eddie Rabbit, Colin Raye, and performing the National Anthem for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. She is an author of her recently released book titled “Life with My Father Glen Campbell”. She has also been credited with recording duets with her dad on “United We Stand”, “Let It Be Me”, and “Little Green Apples” and on multiple recording of Glen's “Live with South Dakota Symphony” on CD and DVD. As Glen recorded some of his final music, Debby was instrumental on background vocals.Debby's latest project is the release of her new music in dedication to her Dad's memory with the release scheduled in April 2018.Debby is active with the Alzheimer's cause and finds time for her first priority, family and friends. She golfs, enjoys bowling, travel and of course singing.For more interviews and podcasts go to: https://www.harveybrownstoneinterviews.com/https://www.debbycampbellmusic.com/ https://www.facebook.com/lifewithmyfatherglencampbell https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClB-8rPbKLmu7HnVcQnteUg#DebbyCampbell  #lifewithmyfatherglencampbell  #harveybrownstoneinterviews

Dans ce nouvel épisode, "BALADES IMMOBILES" vous emmène dans les coulisses d'un cinéma. Laetitia, Fabien et Thomas en duplex depuis Melbourne en Australie partent à la rencontre de François Lesuisse, directeur du Grand Palace aux Sables d'Olonne. Podcast à découvrir sur toutes les plateformes Spotify, Deezer, Apple Podcasts, Youtube et sur www.baladesimmobiles.com

Laine and Meg are joined by special guest Natalie to discuss the most recent in the Grand Palace on the Thames series. The series' charm remains as strong as the heroes and we definitely recommend this one.

Welcome to Episode 075 of The RPG After Years! This week, Scott and Bill finally review the one that started it all... FINAL FANTASY! The original one! We catch-up with the original Golden Host, Bill, before launching into the review. The RPG After Years is hosting an RPG Club! The current game is Secret of Mana. The checkpoint is to complete the Grand Palace by Sunday, August 22nd! The long-awaited review! We cover the development history, story, gameplay, and our personal ratings of FINAL FANTASY! Please support the show at patreon.com/rpgafteryears Join us on our Discord server! discord.gg/3WPBgur Watch the show live on Twitch! We typically stream the main episodes at 9am EST on Sundays. Keep an eye out on Twitter and Discord for extra bonus recordings or time changes. It's all at twitch.tv/rpgafteryears You can also find Scott on Twitch over at twitch.tv/the_scott_spot! Send a Carrier Pigeon or Whatever: Twitter: @RPGYEARS Personal Twitters: Rich: @Hailblue1569, Scott: @TheScottSpot, Bill: @Metunnica, Corey: @VFLCorey Email: rpgafteryears@gmail.com Check out our merch store at https://www.redbubble.com/people/RPGAfterYears/explore We Can Make This Work Probably Network: This podcast is a production of the We Can Make This Work (Probably) Network follow us below to keep up with this show and discover our many other podcasts! The place for those with questionable taste! ProbablyWork.com,Twitter, Facebook, Instagram @ProbablyWorkEmail: ProbablyWorkPod@gmail.com Master list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13CgtJfptz1S3Da2HUsJDK86SfAIPMGA-Rmi4YZUpTGw/edit?usp=sharing Album art by Dizzy Designs: designsbydizzy.com

Welcome to Episode 074 of The RPG After Years! This week, Scott and Rich round up all of the major recent RPG news stories! Later, they convene the RPG Club for Secret of Maa! What have the boys been playing? Rich has been into Back 4 Blood, while Scott continues to make progress in a myriad of games, including Final Fantasy II, Pokemon Sword, and Live-A-Live! The RPG After Years is hosting an RPG Club! The current game is Secret of Mana. The checkpoint is to complete the Grand Palace by Sunday, August 22nd! In the news: our thoughts on the Activision/Blizzard sexual harassment scandal News: Some major titles came out recently, including the Final Fantasy 1-3 Pixel Remasters, NEO: The World End With You, Disgaea 6, and Ys IX. We discuss. News: Final Fantasy XIV sold OUT?! What?! News: Aloy from Horizon: Zero Dawn is coming to Genshin Impact. Scott has a very important question about Fortnite. RPG Club: What did we think of the third segment of Secret of Mana? We discuss. Please support the show at patreon.com/rpgafteryears Join us on our Discord server! discord.gg/3WPBgur Watch the show live on Twitch! We typically stream the main episodes at 9am EST on Sundays. Keep an eye out on Twitter and Discord for extra bonus recordings or time changes. It's all at twitch.tv/rpgafteryears You can also find Scott on Twitch over at twitch.tv/the_scott_spot! Send a Carrier Pigeon or Whatever: Twitter: @RPGYEARS Personal Twitters: Rich: @Hailblue1569, Scott: @TheScottSpot, Jay: @jaydhizzle, Bill: @Metunnica, Corey: @VFLCorey Email: rpgafteryears@gmail.com Check out our merch store at https://www.redbubble.com/people/RPGAfterYears/explore We Can Make This Work Probably Network: This podcast is a production of the We Can Make This Work (Probably) Network follow us below to keep up with this show and discover our many other podcasts! The place for those with questionable taste! ProbablyWork.com,Twitter, Facebook, Instagram @ProbablyWorkEmail: ProbablyWorkPod@gmail.com Master list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13CgtJfptz1S3Da2HUsJDK86SfAIPMGA-Rmi4YZUpTGw/edit?usp=sharing Album art by Dizzy Designs: designsbydizzy.com

We're in Bangkok, Thailand, with Ric Gazarian of GlobalGaz.com. Ric and I talk about the Sak Yant Festival, visiting the Grand Palace, and watching a Muay Thai fight. Show notes are at https://WeTravelThere.com/bangkok Miles and points make travel affordable, but tracking them is difficult. That's why I use AwardWallet to monitor my rewards, reservations, and free night certificates. Sign up for free at https://WeTravelThere.com/awardwallet

On this episode of the Books on Asia Podcast, sponsored by Stone Bridge Press, Alex Kerr is returning to the show. Alex is author of such notable books as Lost Japan, Dogs and Demons, Finding the Heart Sutra, and Another Kyoto. Today he talks to podcast host Amy Chavez about his latest book, Another Bangkok, released on July 1, 2021. He introduces Thailand's capital city via its architecture, arts, and culture, and shows us how they are similar to Japan's. NOTE TO LISTENERS: In addition to the podcast, Alex has provided some visuals of the interior pages of the book, which can be accessed on the Books on Asia YouTube channel.Show NotesKerr starts out the show explaining that Another Bangkok is not a "new" book but a rewrite of a book previously called Bangkok Found. He talks about why and how he rewrote major sections of the book. (The previous version of the book was published by River Books, and "Another Bangkok" is with Penguin. The book is available on Amazon Japan  and Amazon.com from July 1.)Alex says that in this version of the book, the subjects are broader, with topics such as living in an old house vs. living in a modern apartment, modern Thai design, Thai etiquette, and Thai food. But what all the topics share is a deep penetration into the traditional Thai culture. Alex reads a few lines from the preface that point out that while tourists come to Japan to see and experience the culture, people visit Thailand for fun, shopping, and beaches. People don't see Thailand as a place to go for rich culture and thus often dismiss it because there is nothing written down that explains the culture. Thus, this book.Amy asks Alex what kind of changes were made to the original and what the experience of rewriting it was like.He says that after writing Finding the Heart Sutra, he learned to simplify his writing and streamline it to make the book shorter, sharper, and more readable. He also updated it, as a decade had passed since it was first published as Bangkok Found. In all, it took him three years to rewrite the current book.Getting back to what the book contains, Alex says there is a chapter on traditional Thai ceramics, such as the bowl seen on the cover of the book, and he focuses on one of the Thai hallmarks of their culture, sanuk,  which means "fun."The story starts with Alex as a student in the 70s visiting Thailand (the video shows a photo of the City Pillar) and how difficult it was for him to find the history about this Pillar, the known geographical center of Bangkok. He reveals that in Thailand there are multiple meanings of so many things, including history. Alex's quest was to unearth this history and its roots.He uses the Grand Palace in Bangkok as another example, citing the fact that most people don't really understand what the meaning of the Grand Palace is. This launches into a discussion of architecture, and Alex explains how Thai buildings resemble other Asian structures but are elongated to have soaring stupas and spires. He talks about an old traditional house he lived in as well as some street scenes such as a street vendor, the BTS sky train entrance, and Motorcycle boys who act as taxis by taking on pillion passengers.The conversation turns to etiquette, which Alex is very aware of as one of Amy's passions (see Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan) and talks about how etiquette is very important in Thai society and, as in Japan, is so much more than what one sees or can observe on the surface. There is much more, for example, to the Thai smile that tourists find so charming. Marayat, as Thai etiquette is called, compares to Japanese keigo in that it is complex and used to create a mood of gentleness. Thais are horrified by loud talk or slamming of doors, getting angry or showing anger, etc.Amy asks how it is different from Japanese etiquette, since she thinks the Japanese are also threatened by such inharmonious behaviors.Alex agrees that indeed, they are similar, which is why Japanese people are so comfortable visiting Thailand. Thailand has the same concepts such as seiza (proper sitting) and enryo (self-restraint), but the difference is more obvious in Japan's bolder gestures, which aren't present in Thai culture: The militaristic rigidness and the shouting of "Arigato gozaimasu!" are absent among Thais, who prefer gentleness in every aspect. Etiquette is also ingrained in Thai culture from childhood as marayat is taught in school, and there are even marayat contests, judged not just on how correctly you perform an act, but how beautifully you do it. This is one of the keys to the charm of Thailand.Amy, fascinated, asks Alex to explain a photo showing four kinds of the wai, the Thai gesture of putting the hands together in a prayer gesture in front of the chest while bowing the head. In each photo, the placement of the thumb and fingers change. In the first illustration, showing the wai given to a friend or equal, the hands are at the chest height, head not bowed. In the second, used to a superior, the hands are held further up toward the nose. The third, with hands placed yet further up the face to the forehead, is for a salutation to a monk, and the fourth with the finger tips touching the hairline, is afforded a king or royal. Kerr says there are equally specific ways to walk, sit, and receive something.He briefly discusses the Three Worlds Cosmology used by Thais to navigate their own level in the wider world. He compares this to a mandala, a Japanese pagoda, and other symbols in Asia.He shows Lai Thai designs, that,  like Japanese calligraphy, have an ancient tradition of lines and styles that stretch back to Angkor Wat, Java, and India. Flame-like designs and roof finials are examples as well as some more contemporary digitized versions. (Images of these and other subjects discussed on the podcast are available on the YouTube video.) Kerr elaborates on the Thai Food and costume chapters, contrasting them with Japan. Whereas Japanese food is about the feel of the moment, the seasonal and distinct tastes, Thai food is mixed and mingled with other flavors to create a fusion, which is what makes the food so fantastic. Thais applied the same concept to  clothing, by incorporating Western styles and mixing them with their own, something that never really happened with Japanese clothing. As a result, the Japanese kimono is basically the same as it has always been, but also remains too impractical for modern, everyday activities.Kerr also has a chapter in his book on baisri, which is Thai flower arrangement. He notes that, unlike Japanese ikebana, nothing ends up looking like it did when it started. Things are folded and shaped into very different representations, some very elaborate, while others are subject to much modernization. He has also included a chapter on Thai dance, known for its two classic hand gestures, and talks about the evolution of contemporary Thai dance.Of course, Kerr also talks about his Thai art collection, including prehistoric pots and modern Thai ceramics. There is also a chapter on foreigners in Thailand and how for him the tables were turned when he started visiting Thailand as a foreigner who didn't speak the language or know much about the culture. In Thailand, he finds himself more in the role of an expat than he does while living in Japan, since so many of his friends in Japan are Japanese. He highlights the long tradition of foreigners being welcomed to Thailand and suggests that in some ways Japanese culture is easier to penetrate and to be accepted in as a foreigner than Thailand is.Lastly, there is a chapter on religion, folk religions, and customs like the good-luck beckoning lady similar to Japan's maneki neko beckoning cat.Another Bangkok is a cultural guidebook but served with a bit of lightness, intended to introduce Thailand to people in a gentle, fun, sanuk kind of way.Kerr winds up the podcast by introducing his new YouTube channel "Secrets of Things," where he introduces Asian arts such as paintings, screens, scrolls, and other pieces, mostly from his own collection, and tells what makes these pieces so special.Listen to our previous podcast with Alex Kerr about Finding the Heart Sutra.The Books on Asia Podcast is sponsored by Stone Bridge Press, publisher of fine books on Asia for over 30 years. Subscribe to the Books on Asia Podcast.Books on AsiaTwitter: @BooksOnAsiaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/booksonasia/ 

Réouverture des musées, terrasses, commerces et cinés... C'est le jour ENFIN !! Aux Sables d'Olonne le Centre commercial Ylium et le Grand Palace s'unissent pour cette rentrée en offrant 2000 places de ciné. Pour 50€ d'achat dans une boutique de la galerie Ylium les Sablais gagnent une place dans leur Ciné. Charles Jouin et François Lesuisse évoquent l'alliance ciné et commerces pour repartir dans ce presque retour à la normal ;-)

Hit West soutient le cinéma et propose une émission "1h avec..." spéciale avec Lucas et ses invités : le directeur général de Cinéville Yves Sutter, le directeur du Grand Palace des Sables d'Olonne François Lesuisse. Ré-écoutez également des bandes originales de films cultes. A la fin de l'émission, Hit West et Cinéville offre à un auditeur, 1 an de cinéma pour se rattraper !

October 13, 2016, the day that Thailand, and the world, lost the longest-reigning monarch in modern history. King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand took the throne shortly after World War II, and for over 70 years. After the news of his passing at Siriraj Hospital, Thai citizens were in mourning. For an entire year, Thai citizens wore black garments out of respect for the death of their monarch. Over the past year, over 12 million citizens came to pay respect to the King at his final resting place at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. To them, King Bhumibol was the only king they knew. From June 9 of 1946 to October 13 of 2016, he witnessed vast transformations within his country, from that of an agricultural-based economy to a modern, socioeconomic climate with a growing middle class. Book Siamese Sovereignty: Thailand's Strategy of Political Duality During World War II References 1. Baker, Chris, and Pasuk Phongpaichit. A history of Thailand. Cambridge University Press, 2014. 2. Winichakul, Thongchai. "Siam's Colonial Conditions and the Birth of Thai History." Unraveling Myths in Southeast Asian Historiography (2011): 23-45. 3. Neuman, Scott. “Royal Cremation In Thailand To End Year Of Mourning For Beloved King.” NPR, NPR, 26 Oct. 2017, www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/10/26/560154819/royal-cremation-in-thailand-to-end-year-of-mourning-for-beloved-king. 4. Lefevre, Amy Sawitta. “Technicolor Thailand Is Back after a Black-Clad Mourning Year for...” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 30 Oct. 2017, www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-king/technicolor-thailand-is-back-after-a-black-clad-mourning-year-for-late-king-idUSKBN1CZ0A4. 5. Crossette, Barbara. “Bhumibol Adulyadej, 88, People's King of Thailand, Dies After 7-Decade Reign.” The New York Times, 19 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/world/asia/thai-king-bhumibol-adulyadej-dies.html. 6. "Thailand applies sufficiency economy philosophy to promote sustainable development". Oxford Business Group. 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-12. 7. Head, Jonathan. “How King Bhumibol Shaped Modern Thailand.” BBC News, BBC, 13 Oct. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33956560. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/pacific-atrocities-education/support

The Chosen are taken to the Grand Palace in Mytros where they meet with King Akastus, his council and the Goddess of Wisdom, Vallus. The situation gets tense as the heroes are tasked to clear the storms ravaging the city due to Sydon's rage. How will the Chosen deal with this situation? What is Odyssey of the Dragonlords? An epic journey in a land where gods walk the earth. Discover an epic campaign in the utterly unique lands and seas of Thylea. Inspired by Greek Mythology, Odyssey of the Dragonlords calls forth a band of heroes chosen by destiny to best the many challenges in their path, even the gods themselves. This immense adventure path comprises a 466-page campaign book created by James Ohlen and Jesse Sky, a team of ex-BioWare creative directors, and NYT best selling author Drew Karpyshyn. Whose collective portfolio includes:

This week, another Drabblecast Trifecta, this time with the theme:  Friends Close, Enemies Closer.  We bring you three stories, with three different narrators, by three different authors!  Time Cookie Wars, by Benjamin C Kinney, Sandy, by Bruce McAllister, and Oh What a Privilege to Dwell in the Grand Palace of the Tungerils! by Kelly Moore. […] The post Drabblecast 426- Trifecta: Friends Close, Enemies Closer appeared first on The Drabblecast.

Playlist: Ta-Ku - Make You WannaNoname, featuring Phoelix, Smino, Saba - Shadow ManAnti Lilly & Phoniks - Blue in GreenCloudchord - Soul OfferSpiltmilk - Ground ScoreRJD2 - 20 Grand PalacePratt & Moody, featuring Cold Diamond, Mink - Lost Lost LostBlack Pumas - ColorsAladean Kheroufi - Sorry If I Hurt YouMarta Ren & The Groovelvets - Smiling FacesAphrose - Move OnSt. Paul & The Broken Bones - Grass is GreenerYUKA - UntrueLula Reed - What Makes You So ColdRoxy & The Underground - Show Me

Episode 420. I feel like we should have done more for this episode... And I'm hungry. Grinkers is slated to re-open after a long hiatus for COVID-19 concerns. Is it too soon? Its proprietor, Steve, will be live on the show THIS Thursday to talk about what it's like being shutdown... from an empty, dark, arcade in the middle of Idaho. LIVE FROM GRINKERS this episode ROCKS. WHAT'S IN THE JUKE is lit! Original air date: May 14, 2020 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rcaderadio/support

On explore de nouveaux terrains cette fois-ci! Nouvel épisode contenant une sélection de morceaux Funk, Jazz, Indie Rock & Afrobeat.   Tracklist Paul Cargnello - My Babe Bobby Oroza - This Love Holy Hive - Oh I Miss Her So feat. Mary Lattimore Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band - PIMP Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band - Xxplosive The Shacks - This Strange Effect El Michels Affair - Enfant (Feat. The Shacks) Adrian Younge & The Delfonics - Lost Without You Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge - Apocalíptico (feat. Azymuth) Idris Muhammad - Sudan Kraftwerk - Neon Lights Kraftwerk - Trans Europa Express 113 - Ouais gros Gorillaz - How Far? (feat. Tony Allen and Skepta) Tony Allen - Asiko Common - Heat [Prod. J Dilla] J A Y  E L E C T R O N I C A - Shiny Suit Theory (Feat. The-Dream) Napoleon Da Legend - Smithsonian Napoleon Da Legend - Passe-temps d'un Dieu Ghostface Killah - Danger 500 Lijadu Sisters - Danger The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble - Impeach The President (feat. Kelly Finnigan) RJD2 - Indoor S'mores RDJ2 - 20 Grand Palace Ric Wilson & Terrace Martin - Don't Kill The Wave Jay Worthy & Harry Fraud - Can't Be Stopped Les Louanges - Pitou Les Louanges - Drumz (Feat. Maky Lavender) Allah-Las - Light Yearly Little Simz - might bang, might not Little Simz - Venom Headie One - Hard To Believe David Campana - Nou la (Feat. Franky Fade)

Playlist: Flevans, featuring Laura Vane - RealisationTarik Robinson - Sao PauloSoulchef, featuring Noah King - Next to NothingRJD2 - 20 Grand PalaceThe Haggis Horns - Return of the HaggisThe Soul Motivators - SavalasFunkadelic - Biological SpeculationDojo Cuts, featuring Roxie Ray - UptightThe Diplomats of Solid Sound - Trouble MeVarious Artists, featuring Jason Joshua - Language of LoveThe Olympians - Mercury's OddysseyThe Mighty Mocambos - TodaySt. Paul & The Broken Bones - Broken Bones & Pocket ChangePratt & Moody, featuring Cold Diamond, Mink - Lost Lost LostJames Hunter Six - I Can Change Your MindMichael Bernard Fitzgerald - (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding

The beat master himself just dropped this second single ahead of "The Fun Ones", out next Friday.

The beat master himself just dropped this second single ahead of "The Fun Ones", out next Friday.

Enjoying the show? Please support BFF.FM with a donation. Playlist 0′00″ Can We Pretend by Bill Withers on 'justments (Sony) 0′49″ Use Me by Bill Withers on Still Bill (Columbia Records) 2′49″ Lean on Me by Bill Withers on Lean on Me (Legacy) 2′59″ Steppin' Right Along by Bill Withers on Watching You Watching Me (Sony) 10′30″ Lonely Town, Lonely Street by Bill Withers on Still Bill (Columbia records) 11′38″ My World is Empty Without You by The Supremes on I Hear a Symphony (Motown) 15′37″ Magic Trick by M. Ward on Post-War (Merge) 21′35″ Red Bull & Hennessy by Jenny Lewis on On the Line (Warner Bros) 23′24″ I Don't Want to Die (In The Hospital) by Conor Oberst on Conor Oberst (Merge) 30′04″ Piazza, New York Catcher by Belle & Sebastian on Dear Catastrophe Waitress (Matador Records) 34′21″ Sweet Jane by The Velvet Underground on The Complete Matrix Tapes (Universal) 35′56″ Days by The Drums on Portamento (Frenchkiss) 44′40″ Stacy's Mom by Fountains of Wayne on Welcome Interstate Managers (EMI) 49′14″ Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam by The Vaselines on Dying For It (Seminal Twang) 53′17″ Boredom by Tyler The Creator on Flower Boy (Columbia) 56′59″ White Bronco by Action Bronson (Empire) 62′35″ Pain by De La Soul on And the Anonymous Nobody (A.O.I.) 64′46″ I Just Want to Lay Around in Bed With You by The Coup on Pick A Bigger Weapon (Epitaph) 70′46″ Whatthegirlmuthafuckinwannado by The Coup on Sorry to Bother You: The Soundtrack (Interscope) 73′30″ Where Did the Night Go by Gil Scott-Heron on We're New Again (XL Recordings) 77′25″ November Has Come by Gorillaz on Demon Days (Parlophone) 79′49″ 20 Grand Palace by RJD2 (RJ's Electrical Connections) 83′38″ We Come Alive by RJD2 on Dame Fortune (RJ's Electrical Connections) 86′14″ The Remains of Rock & Roll by Broken Bells on After the Disco (Columbia) 90′22″ Pink Elephant by Chicano Batman on Single (ATO Recordings) 94′06″ Funny Thing by Thundercat on It Is What It Is (Brainfeeder) 98′00″ Prototype by Outkast on Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (Arista) 100′13″ Doobie Ashtray by Devin the Dude on Just Tryin ta Live (Rap-A-Lot) 103′13″ Funkdafied by Da Brat on Funkdafied (Sony BMG) 106′13″ Just the Two of Us by Bill Withers on Bill Withers' Greatest Hits (Columbia) 110′13″ Malvada by Tainy on NEON16 Tape (Roc Nation) 115′13″ Don't You Know by Durand Jones & The Indications on American Love Call (Dead Oceans) 118′13″ Searching for a New Day by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings on Soul of a Woman (Daptone)

Narisa Chakrabongse is a member of Thailand's extended royal family and a great-granddaughter of King Chulalongkorn. She grew up in England, the daughter of a Thai prince and an English mother. At 15, while still living in England, she found herself orphaned, in the middle of her school exams, and now the sole inheritor of a royal mansion in Bangkok, behind the Grand Palace, in need of upkeep. Today, she is the founder and owner of River Books, a successful publishing house that specialises in books on Asia art & history, and the owner of an award-winning boutique hotel in Bangkok. Listen to the first of two candid Podcasts on Narisa's extraordinary life.For more visit: www.michaelbackmanltd.com

Join us as we walk through the must-see of temple sites in Bangkok. Thailand has thousands of temples, each with their own styles, traits, and history. In this episode we share our experience visiting Wat Arun, Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and Wat Phra.

Jared and Bobby are joined by Vinny at the end of their debaucherous weekend to share their thoughts on Andrew Luck, their first trip to the Grand Palace in Lincoln, RI, recap their weekend, sexcapades, gas station boner pills, and more! Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to our show to stay up to date on the latest releases! You can also find the video show on YouTube by clicking here!

June is Gay Pride month across the U.S. and around the world. It’s a celebration of increased social acceptance and expanded legal rights. But as Trey has learned, despite that, there are still attitudes and even words that continue to cause pain. An Us & Them episode we called “Revisiting the Grand Palace” stirred up just such a reaction from Mark Yozie, a self-described proud, gay man living in the Mountain State. He was incensed at our story, and in this episode, he and Trey meet to talk things out. And we offer a tribute to “Maw Maw,” a gay man who was sent to a West Virginia mental institution in the 1960s for violating sodomy laws.  

The beginning of the podcast series for my tour of Thailand and Laos. In the first episode I describe my first 4 days in the country of the people who smile a lot. Especially from Bangkok and one and a half day till now in Chiang Rai. I'm already full of experiences, I enjoyed a drink on the 61st floor of the tower (in Vertigo), I saw the incredible Grand Palace, the Buddha Buddha Temple, Pussy Ping Pong (I'll analyze what it is, and it's not just what's heard, ), sunset from the Golden Mountain, the Blue Temple in Chiang Rai and many more. Apart from the descriptions, I gave some tips as to what to do with entering Thailand in terms of visas, how to save a lot of money when traveling from exchange rates, and which area looks ideal for a traveller. And some links of videos: Nights in Khao San Road Bangkok, Thailand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGxwCEoNYvg Riding a Grab motorbike in Bangkok's China Town: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkRyIHjs210 Chiang Rai Airport Donation for Education Music by Banpasakkai School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9EGL6mRUfk Revolut card: revolut.com/r/angelovjl (affiliate link and you order the card with Free delivery costs) And my website of course: angelokarageorgos.com As a Token of Appreciation, you can download for Free my AudioBook How to Get Closer to Your Real Self: Entering a Path of Fulfilment and Long-Lasting Enthusiasm Made by You: wp.me/P9pUyQ-52

Το ξεκίνημα της σειράς των podcast για την μοναχική περιήγηση μου στην Ταιλάνδη και το Λάος. Στο πρώτο επεισόδιο περιγράφω τις 3μησι πρώτες μέρες μου στην γελαστή χώρα. Κυρίως από την Μπανκόκ και για αρχή το Τσιανγκ Ραι όπου και έφτασα μερικές ώρες πριν γίνει η ηχογράφηση. Είμαι ήδη πολύ γεμάτος από εμπειρίες, απόλαυσα ποτό στον 61ο όροφο πυργου (στο Vertigo), είδα το απίστευτο Grand Palace, το ναό του πλαγιασμενου Βούδα, Pussy Ping Pong(θα αναλύσω μέσα τι είναι, και δεν είναι μονο αυτό που ακούγεται αλλά πολυ παραπάνω), ηλιοβασίλεμα από το Golden Mountain και πολλά άλλα. Εκτος από τις πολλές εξιστορήσεις έδωσα κάποια tips όπως τι συμβαίνει με την εισοδο στην Ταιλάνδη από άποψη βιζας, πώς να γλιτώνεις σε μεγάλο βαθμό χρήματα όταν ταξιδεύεις από συναλλαγματικές ισοτιμίες και ποιά περιοχή φαντάζει ιδανική στην Μπανκόκ για να μείνει ένα φιλομαθής περιηγητής. Όσο για κάποια links που ανέφερα: Νύχτες στην οδό Καο Σαν: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGxwCEoNYvg Παιρνώντας μέσα από την Τσαινα Ταουν της Μπανκόκ με μηχανάκι: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkRyIHjs210 Γλυκιά μουσική στο αεροδρόμιο του Τσιανγκ Ραι από παιδάκια για φιλανθρωπικό σκοπό: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9EGL6mRUfk Revolut card: https://revolut.com/r/angelovjl Και φυσικά το site μου: https://angelokarageorgos.com

025 - Thai the Knot Show Notes Late but worth the wait, Linc and Andrew talk about their latest voyage as international men of leisure. This time, they went all the way to Thailand to celebrate the wedding of their friend and first podcast guest Stefan (Episode 3). While they didn’t say much about the wedding, they did touch on: Good eats, bad beats: Tom Yum soup, thai iced tea, khoi soi, fresh seafood, and authentic local eats were some of the highlights. But the lads had some hilarious eating mishaps along the way Highlights from the trip including: the friendly Thai people, the temples, muay thai, the Grand Palace, and the Elephant Sanctuary Over the baggage limit: the change in mindset for group travelling in our 20s vs.our 30s Let’s talk: the growing university mental health crisis, student suicides, the pressure on international students, and getting support/professional help Follow Us: Follow @LADS_Unfiltered on Twitter for information related to our episodesFind out more at https://lads-unfiltered.pinecast.coThis podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Coronation Ceremonies Update-May 6-Bangkok, Thailand-Flashback Episode-August 2017-$90 Million Dollar Royal Funeral Preparations-Bangkok, Thailand I was very fortunate on my August 2017 visit to Bangkok, Thailand to see history in the making as thousands of mourners attended the Grand Palace to pay respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Preparations were also underway to construct a huge funeral pyre, 50 meters in height where the late king's remains would be cremated in October that year. Total cost of the funeral was $90 million USD. King Vajiralongkorn, the son of the late king will be coronated in May. Several roads will be closed in Bangkok from May2-6 for coronation ceremonies. There will be several parking spaces, (lots), 27 in all around the city where people wishing to attend the ceremony will be able to board shuttle buses that will take them to six different spots near the Royal event.  The Grand Palace is the most number one attraction in Bangkok, the number one visited city in the world. This will mark another milestone being the first coronation of a King in Thailand since 1950. Support the podcast by becoming a patron! Patrons support production and travel costs and get access to exclusive content. Visit my Patreon page to see all of the offers:https://www.patreon.com/FarEastTravels

Adam, Dan and Mark bring back Steve from Grinker's Grand Palace to decompress and discuss GrinkFest 2018 (which Adam and Mark attended). The yearly gathering in Eagle, Idaho drew in one of its largest crowds ever thanks to the newest expansion. Steve discusses that plus fills us in on some of the behind the scenes going-ons at his perfect vintage arcade. Original Air Date 11.01.18 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rcaderadio/support

On Monday the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued its latest report. The IPCC looked at keeping to a 1.5C rise above pre-industrial temperatures. Scientists say that we can still do it. But there's a lot of work to be done. It will need "rapid, far-reaching, and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society". It will also mean a major reallocation of funds. It will cost about 2.5% of global gross domestic product (GDP), every year for twenty years. But how is that going to happen? While the cost of wind turbines and solar panels have fallen, the global economy still relies on burning fossil fuels. Will politicians grasp the nettle and make the changes outlined in this report or will they, and we private citizens, ignore it and wait for disaster to strike? This week on The Real Story Ritula Shah looks at the economics and politics of climate change. Do developed countries have to give up growth to mitigate climate change? Can democracies sell the necessary sacrifices to their citizens? And will new technology save the day? Image: A woman walking through floodwaters in front of the Grand Palace near the Chao Praya river in Bangkok in October 2011 (Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Después de disfrutar unos días en Tokio, aterrizar en Bangkok fue un respiro. La perfección de los países desarrollados me parece un tanto fría, distante; por el contrario, ¡Tailandia me hizo sentir en casa al instante! Cuando menos lo pensamos estábamos formados afuera del Grand Palace. El acceso fue relativamente rápido y una vez adentro los azulejos multicolor mezclados con espejos –y lo que aparenta ser oro– me abrumaron, pero en el buen sentido. La alucinante arquitectura me hizo creer que este sería el highlight de la ciudad, pero Wat Pho y Wat Arun le dieron batalla. Los templos budistas son particularmente hermosos: la tranquilidad, el respeto y lo supremo se conjugan para brindar un espacio de reflexión y encuentro. Ahora, palacios y templos no es lo único que Tailandia tiene para ofrecer, también tiene playas y –más importante– ¡elefantes! ¡Acompáñame en esta emocionante aventura!

Trey Kay has observed how things have changed significantly for LGBTQ people where he lives in New York. But he’s not sure if anything’s changed in a more conservative place like West Virginia, where he grew up. A recent Pew survey shows that more than half of West Virginians believe the Bible is the literal word of God. An even higher percentage of Mountain State residents think homosexuality should be discouraged. Trey went back home to visit some old friends, and to see what it’s like to be gay in Appalachia today.

WOW - where do I even begin with Paris. It was my first time here, and it's a city that I've purposely tried to avoid going to because of the over-tourism, crowds, it's expensive, etc. I definitely had to give it a chance at some point, and this trip presented the perfect opportunity. I spent 7 days total in Paris which wasn't nearly enough time to cover everything...it's just so insanely big with so many beautiful places to see. I'm from a rather large city, but I was definitely overwhelmed with the size and the crowds in Paris. It was still incredible in every way though. I met up with my friend Sarah from Germany for the first 3 or 4 days in the city, and then covered the rest alone for the remaining days. To sum it up, I hit the Picasso Museum, the Louvre, an exhibition at the Grand Palace, the D'Orsay Museum, the Architecture and Heritage Museum, the Basilica of Sacred Hearts and Montmartre, the top of the Arc de Triomphe at sunset and watched the Eiffel Tower light show from the top, the Eiffel Tower and surrounding grounds, Luxembourg Gardens, Tuileries Gardens, Buttes-Chaumont Park, Bastille, Saint Chappelle church, Notre Dame, the Palace of Versailles and the chateau, explored Marais, Babylon, Vaugirard, Belleville and ate at some amazing restaurants all over the place. I think I covered it all! Though Paris is known to be over-crowded with tourists, Parisians come off a bit unfriendly, and it's expensive, I really loved being here and exploring this amazing city. It has so much to offer in terms of art, architecture, history, music, night life, the list goes on. There is really something for everyone here.  This city also made me realize how difficult it is to interview people for this show sometimes. Having true locals of a new city on this podcast probably means that they don't speak much English, or rather, I don't speak the language of their country. It was challenging trying to find people for this episode because Parisians are notorious for disliking English, but I did manage to interview Beatriz, a photographer and painter from Spain. She and her husband own the Aux Arts Etc. Cafe by Notre Dame and Paris is essentially her playground as far as photography goes. She has lived all over the world, but Paris kept pulling her in which is why they have now settled there. Beatriz gave me great perspective into what makes Paris beautiful in her eyes, and I hope it comes through here...enjoy!

The owner of Grinker's Grand Palace joins us as guest host of this show. Steve gives us the skinny on how his Grand Palace of arcade games was conceived. He shares his arcade origin story and tells us how he got into the hobby and how the hobby drove him to entertain others. We also talk about upcoming Grinkfest V! Original Air Date: 08.24.17 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rcaderadio/support

Before we get started, we’ve a quick warning for visitors headed to Bangkok in October 2017. We don’t normally recommend listening to the tuk tuk drivers hanging out around the Grand Palace when they tell you that the attraction you want to visit is closed. But this month, they are correct. It’s the culmination of the year of mourning for Thailand, and lots of things are closed. But don’t turn to us for the latest info. You want Richard Barrow for that, as he has all the details of what’s closed and what’s open for your Bangkok visit this month. Today we are on location in an area of Bangkok known as Samyan. This area was first settled by Thai-Chinese people, which isn't all that surprising, seeing that Bangkok's Chinatown is just a kilometer or two up the road. In more recent times, Samyan had become synonymous with street food, supplying locals and attracting visitors from all over Bangkok. Then - and  stop us if you've heard this one before - the vendors were all given notice to pack up and move, and the bulldozers followed quickly behind, leaving many wondering what project was under way. The answer? Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park, which is more than just Bangkok’s newest green space. Listen in to hear us share our experience with this new but still hidden gem in Bangkok: It sits on 28 rai of land, to form an "urban forest" concept It features a specially designed wetland that includes a rain garden, retention pond, and underground water drainage system Evo sharing some botanical knowledge (Fabacea family, not Cannabaceae, stoner) Why the grass at CUCP is way more friendly on your feet than that in Lumpini park But it’s more than just a park. CU sees the park as a an important component of their master plan to convert the Samyan area into… Thailand's Silicon Valley? Other development in Samyan, either planned or underway, including Zy Walk, Samyan Mitr Town, and Suan Luang Square. Love, Loathe, or Leave Perhaps inspired by the beauty of the park, today we’re taking on an iconic food in Bangkok and all of Thailand: dragon fruit. It’s arguably the most beautiful fruit to look at. But the taste? Well, without giving the answer away, we’re at another split decision. Listen in and tell us where your taste buds fall on this issue. And which one of us needs to drink better beer. We Love Our Supporters! If you haven’t yet heard, we’re recording additional full-length episodes every week just for our patrons. We get a little more intimate, a little more fast and loose with the topics, and hopefully provide even more insight into the lives we live every day in the City of Angels. And we’d love to share those episodes -- all of them -- with you. Just support us on Patreon for immediate access. Want More Bangkok Podcast In Your Life? If it’s your first time experiencing The Bangkok Podcast, you really should get our show downloading to your phone automatically every week. If you use iOS, it’s a breeze to listen via Apple Podcasts. Android users are be able get the show any number of ways. And for bonus points, leave us a review on those platforms or however you listen to the show.   We’d love to hear from you! You can add our official LINE account, comment on a post or send us a message via our Facebook page, tweet to us @bangkokpodcast, or simply via the contact form on our website. You may also be interested in Greg’s tweets of snarky Bangkok goodness, and you can see way too much of Evo’s face  on Instagram.   If you’re really new, the Bangkok Podcast is co-hosted by Greg Jorgensen and Evo Terra. Together the have over 20 years expat experience in Bangkok, and are self-certified experts in living in the City of Angels. (Not Los Angeles. Thailand, silly!) (Direct download .mp3)

http://bit.ly/supportJohnSaboe Become a patron of Far East Adventure Travel and gain access to exclusive content while supporting travel inspiration! Visit my Patreon page and see the offers starting at $1/month!Last year I visited Thailand and was fortunate enough to spend some time in it's bustling capital, Bangkok. Currently the second most city visited in the world it is massive, busy, hectic, with possibly the worst traffic conditions in Asia. Despite that it's absolutely a city you must visit if you want to look in the crystal ball and see perhaps what the rest of Southeast Asia may eventually look like.With limited time on my last trip in 2016 I wanted to at least cover off the main sites, including the Grand Palace and the top tier temples. A trip out to the huge outdoor Chatuchak Market, and a look around the huge shopping district of Siam and of course a couple of visits to the Erawan Shrine were also on the list.As modern as Bangkok is it's still refreshing to see in the middle of one of this side of the planet's busiest commercial districts the Erawan Shrine, attracting thousands of worshippers daily.  They bring offerings, burn incense, and sometimes hire the ladies that make up the dance troupe of the shrine that will perform for set fees while worshippers pray. This is what makes  Southeast Asia so uniquely different than visiting a similiarly sized commercial district in a western city. 

Number 3, Wat Arun. Even though it’s name means temple of dawn this is a wonderful site best enjoyed at sunset. Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, some consider it the most beautiful temple in Thailand. It’s prang or spire on the banks of the river is a world-class landmark. At the time of my visit, Wat Arun was undergoing major renovations as you can see by the scaffolding. Wat Arun held the great Emerald Buddha before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaew at the Grand Palace. In fact the temple was part of the grounds of the royal palace where it was located before it was moved in 1785. Number 2, Wat Pho. Wat Pho, home of the reclining Buddha. This temple complex is perfect for just wandering as most people will show up, check out the 46 meter long Buddha and immediately leave. You’ll have lots of space to enjoy the atmosphere of a world-class heritage site and the largest collection of Buddha statues in Thailand.Wat Pho is within walking distance of the number one temple to visit in Bangkok, Wat Phra Kaew or the temple of the Emerald Buddha, located within the Grand Palace complex. Because Wat Phra Kaew doesn’t house any monks it is more like a personal chapel for the royal family than an actual templeWrite a Review:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-travel-far-east-inspired-by-rick-steves-lonely/id1079513943?mt=2  Indore Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Mystic Force Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Mystic Force Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0  

How do you figure out which temples to see in Bangkok when there are over 400 of them? Here are the top 3 that should be on anyone’s list. I’ll explore more in another episode but here’s where to start. This may be enough for your first trip to Bangkok, Thailand. Let’s start the tour! Number 3, Wat Arun. Even though it’s name means temple of dawn this is a wonderful site best enjoyed at sunset. Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, some consider it the most beautiful temple in Thailand. It’s prang or spire on the banks of the river is a world-class landmark. At the time of my visit, Wat Arun was undergoing major renovations as you can see by the scaffolding. Wat Arun held the great Emerald Buddha before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaew at the Grand Palace. In fact the temple was part of the grounds of the royal palace where it was located before it was moved in 1785. Wat Arun glistens in the golden hour at sunset. It’s intricate craftmanship of tiny pieces of glass and Chinese porcelain artfully placed on the prang and other structures is an unforgettable site. You can get to Wat Arun via Tha Tien Pier also called Pier 8 right after you visit the number 2 temple. Wat Pho, home of the reclining Buddha. This temple complex is perfect for just wandering as most people will show up, check out the 46 meter long Buddha and immediately leave. You’ll have lots of space to enjoy the atmosphere of a world-class heritage site and the largest collection of Buddha statues in Thailand. Wat Pho was the first public university in the country and is also home to the top massage school. This is where you can experience a more therapeutic rather than soothing massage. Book ahead otherwise you may have a long wait which can eat into precious exploring time. Of course you also want to savour the presence of this incredible reclining Buddha that’s covered in gold leaf. This image is the Buddha entering Nirvana thus ending reincarnations. The statue is 46 meters long and 15 meters high with the soles of the feet at 3 meters height and inlaid with mother of pearl. There are 108 bronze bowls in the corridor representing the 108 auspicious characters of the Buddha. You can purchase a bowl of coins you can use to drop in the bowls for good fortune, which also aids the monks in preserving the reclining Buddha and Wat Pho. The sound the coins make when dropping is pretty cool in the giant hall. Wat Pho is within walking distance of the number one temple to visit in Bangkok, Wat Phra Kaew or the temple of the Emerald Buddha, located within the Grand Palace complex. Because Wat Phra Kaew doesn’t house any monks it is more like a personal chapel for the royal family than an actual temple. The emerald Buddha is considered the palladium of the Kingdom of Thailand. It is made of a single block of jade and is 66 centimeters or 26 inches high, cloaked in three different gold costumes appropriate for the three seasons, wet and hot, and winter, the cool season. No photographs or video are allowed inside the chapel but you can spend as much time as you like enjoying the Buddha and interior of the structure. This is the spiritual heart of Thailand and the top tourist attraction of Bangkok with thousands of visitors daily. There is a dress code and you will be stopped by officials if your clothing is deemed inappropriate. I’ll leave a link in the video description for your reference. In fact most if not all Buddhist temples in Thailand have specific requirements for appropriate clothing. The Grand Palace is crowded and most of the time, an extremely hot place with no air conditioning so pace yourself. To avoid some of the bigger crowds it’s best to start as early as possible, the complex opens at 8:30 everyday. Conceivably you could see all top 3 temples in one day. Starting out at The Grand Palace, then stopping for a coffee or tea beak in a cool cafe around Tha Thien or Pier 8, which is close by Wat Pho and the reclining Buddha. Then visiting Wat Pho before a leisurely lunch around Tha Tien. Then finishing off your tour with a river crossing to Wat Arun in the late afternoon and perhaps enjoying the sunset from one of the best spots in the city. Help others discover Far East Adventure Travel in iTunes! Write a Review: Dress Code For Royal Urn at Grand Palace-Bangkok, Thailand: Regular Dress Code: Music Credits Indore Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Mystic Force Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Everyone loves Bangkok and it is indeed a great city. However, that's not to say everything is worth seeing or doing. For this show we each come up with two items, places, or pastimes that we tell visiting friends and family or even expats new to the city of Angels that they can go ahead and avoid without losing out on everything that Bangkok has to offer. (Direct download .mp3) (Direct download .mp3) Evo’s finally back from his three week trip to America and mostly over his jet lag. At least to record another episode. Today we’re talking about some things we think it’s OK for you to to skip when you visit The Big Mango. Because there’s simply too many things in Bangkok to take in in a single trip, so you won’t have a lack of things to do. First up, Evo smashes the myth about getting smashed on cheap Thai beer. Because, shockingly, beer isn’t inexpensive here in Thailand. You’ll spend at least a buck -- IN A GROCERY STORE OR 7-11 -- per beer. That’s a little more than you’ll spend to buy crappy beer back in most Western nations. Which isn’t cheap! (Though it is cheap in quality.) Second, Greg commits near sacrilege by suggesting that there are other historic temples and places to visit that are not The Grand Palace. Yes, it’s a lovely place. Yes, it’s filled with history. Yes, it’s akin to Mecca for many Thais. But it’s the giant mob of people -- tourists and Thais -- that sully the experience. If you don’t mind standing in the heat (without umbrellas) for a few hours with a few thousand of your closest friends, go on with your bad self. Third, Evo suggests skipping ping-pong shows. It’s arguably the worst of the publically available sexploitation offerings endemic to Bangkok. They aren’t sexy (like, at all). They aren’t fun for more than a handful of seconds. And they are a huge and expensive scam. And you will be poorer -- in pocketbook and in humanity -- after the experience. [shudder] Fourth, Bangkok is a hot-spot for networking events, especially among the expat community. And Greg hates them. The experience is always the same, which is less about meeting cool people and more paying to have people shove business cards in your hand for services you don’t want or need. Granted, some people excel at networking events. But Greg finds something extra distasteful about the ones he’s attended in Bangkok. We do make special allowances for cool events, like the Bangkok International Travel Group, Random Thainess, and Pecha Kucha Bangkok. Hrm. Maybe we should get the people who run those events on a future episode. Love, Loathe, or Leave? Exiting Thailand is a chore. Especially at the BKK airport. Why, oh why, is it so hard to get out of this country? Listen to the show to find out how Greg and Evo feel about the process (if you haven’t guessed it already.) Want more? Drop us a line over at bangkokpodcast.com, or leave a review for us on iTunes or Google Play. You can even Tweet to the show @bangkok podcast or us personally at @bkkgreg or @evoterra. We’ll see you next week on The Bangkok Podcast!

As we venture towards the end of the game and play through the Grand Palace and the Pure Lands Square Roots may be experiencing a form of Mana fatigue. A terrifying child joins us as we blow up some crystals, turtle dudes turn into hot rods, we debate the gender of Fanha, MECH RIDER 3, Matthew and Vanessa sing some Hamilton, we do a six-boss boss rush, Jim delights in the destruction of the mana tree, we all get excited trying to unravel the implications of Tree Mom’s confessions, discuss the lack of variety of boss strategies, and ever so much more. Next week: we’ll be finishing up Secret of Mana entirely, so give us your questions for our wrap-up episode. Twitter: @squarerootspodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/486022898258197/Email: squarerootspodcast (at) gmail (dort) comIntro and outro music by: https://www.youtube.com/user/TetriminoVGBand If you listen close you might find a clue to the next game we're playing. Just maybe.

Once the home to the kings of Siam and Thailand The Grand Palace is the number one tourist attraction in Bangkok[/caption] The Grand Palace is the busiest tourist attraction in Bangkok. It has been home to the Kings of Siam and Thailand since 1782. It is not one building as the name implies but a series of buildings, halls, and pavilions set around courtyards, open lawns, and gardens. On first approach to the complex you are literally assaulted by it’s stunning array of colors, shapes, textures and symmetry, overwhelming in it’s sense of beauty. The gold statues and chedis gleam in the intense sun and are almost a distraction from the massive crowds. Arrive early to see the top sight of the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, the Chapel of the Emerald Buddha. Carved from a single piece of jade the Emerald Buddha has been on an interesting adventure in the past few centuries. Said to have been discovered by the Abbot of a monastery in Chiang Rai Northern Thailand in the 15 century, the emerald buddha has spend time in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Luang Prabang, Laos before moving to a shrine near Wat Arun in Thonburi before it’s final home at the Grand Palace. The Emerald Buddha is considered the palladium of the Kingdom of Thailand. Perhaps it’s for this reason that photographs are not allowed inside the chapel. The building is considered a personal chapel of the royal family and not a temple as monks do not reside there. The emerald Buddha statue is 19 inches wide and 26 inches high and is adorned with 3 gold seasonal costumes, one for the rainy season, summer, and cool season. They are exchanged by the King in a ceremony at the change of each season. A duplicate of the emerald Buddha can be seen a photographed in Chiang Rai. The Grand Palace is filled with adornments including the gold mythical Aponsi, half-woman, half lion, demon guardians supporting the gilded chedi and the Kinnon, half-human, half-bird. Phra Mondop, at the base of which sit stone carved Buddhas in the Javanese style. Sixteen twelve corner columns support the multi-tiered roof that houses the Buddhist Canon, or sacred texts. The gold gilded chedis are among the most striking structures of the Grand Palace especially on a bright day with a blue sky. The star creatures of the grounds are the giant Yaksha of the Thai Ramakian , Thailand’s version of the Ramayana, an epic Hindu poem. Many murals inside the walls of the Grand Palace feature images of the Thai Ramakian, the story of Rama, whose wife, Sita is abducted by Ravana, the King of Lanka, or Sri Lanka. The Ramayana or Thai Ramakan explores human values and the concept of dharma. On most days the Grand Palace will seem like the hottest place on the planet. So pace yourself. The extra clothing you will have to wear to cover your shoulders and legs as part of the dress code will add to the discomfort. Drink lots of water, wear a wide brimmed hat and do as the Asians do, use an umbrella as a barrier to the intense sun. At the east wall of the Wat Phra Kaew sits eight Phra Atsada Maha Chedis. Each chedi is decorated with a different shade of Chinese porcelain representing the eight elements of Buddhism, Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Concentration and Right Mindfulness. The porcelain creates a glowing effect fitting for their significance. There are still many buildings to admire and visit outside the walls of the Chapel of the Emerald Buddha including the Central Court. Here is where the king resided and where all state business was conducted. The Phra Maha Monthien Group are a series of buildings near the eastern edge of the central court that were the main residence and audience hall for the king. During the week you can visit inside and see the gilded thrones used by the kings. Next to the Dusit Group is the Chakra Maha Prasat, nicknamed the westerner with the Thai hat due to it’s mixed styles of architecture. Today Chakra Maha Prasat is mainly used for state banquets and receptions for foreign ambassadors. It’s closed to the public but there is a weapons collection on the ground level that can be viewed on weekdays. The base of the Chakra Maha Prasat houses the royal guards who you can see standing at attention throughout the day in front of it’s VIP main entrance. And yes you can take pictures with them, just don’t expect any conversation or engagement as they are on duty. Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall is the only building that is open to the public within it’s group. No photographs are permitted inside but you can enjoy the features including a mother of pearl throne and a large mother of pearl throne bed which was used by the king for relaxing between audiences. Today the throne hall is used for lying in state for kings, queens, and favored members of the royal family. Thai kings stopped living in the palace full time at around the beginning of the 20th century but the Grand Palace is still considered the spiritual center of the Thai Kingdom. The inner court where the Thai kings resided and their royal consorts and daughters lived is no longer used but is still closed off to the public. Most of the important sites of the Grand Palace can be seen in one visit. This is probably not a full day trip as the heat and crowds can be overwhelming to most and the exhibits that can be viewed and open to the public are easily seen during a morning or afternoon . If you arrive at the main entrance gate by the 8:30 opening you have plenty of time to see The Chapel of The Emerald Buddha and the buildings of the Central Court with time for breaks in the shade and be finished before lunch. You might be able to squeeze in a visit to one of the on sight museums as well. Like the Taj Mahal and Angkor Wat the Grand Palace is a tourist bus magnet. Though worth every bit of patience to quickly immerse yourself in the history of Siam and Thailand and understand the importance of the King, the royal family, and Buddhism to the Thai people.

Bangkok, Thailand is full of history, exciting street life, notorious red-light districts, fantastic food and enough stimulation to call it one of the most exciting cities to visit on the planet! It's actually the second most visited city in the world following by London as the top spot and preceding Paris in third place. On my most recent whirlwind visit through the city I took in the top sites including The Grand Palace where Thailand's palladium, the Emerald Buddha, can be found as well as Wat Arun, and Wat Pho, two other top temples that shouldn't be missed on a stay in Bangkok. Because I'm a travel broadcaster it's hard to overlook a backpacking center like the legendary Khao San Road, even if just for watching the street entertainment of joyous travellers pushing the partying limit. Check out the latest Far East Adventure Travel Podcast for highlights of live streams this year from Bangkok, Thailand.

This week, Kaleb and Joe discuss the storyline in Chains of Promathia. We're currently about halfway through The Treasures of Aht Urghan. Chains of Promathia   Final Fantasy XI: Chains of Promathia was released on September 16th, 2004 in Japan, and September 21st, 2004 everywhere else. This is the only expansion thus far that didn’t include new jobs. Just like with Rise of the Zilart, the games main composer and arranger is Naoshi Mizuta. We also get a return of XI’s Distant Worlds, featureing Izumi Masuda.   Story- The story starts out in Delkfutt’s Tower, with a bunch of Jeunoan scientists getting blasted by an explosion, due to a reversal of the energy flow to the crystal. The Ducal guard rush to the scene, and encounter a boy, who they take back to Jeuno. When we visit the kid, he gives us an amulet.   We skip a bit ahead, where Bahamut emerges from the water, giving us a warning that the Keeper of the Apocalypse is near. We then adventure to the three crags, Holla, Mea, and Dem, and are drawn into Promyvion. We defeat the enemies in this area, and come to the MotherCrystal. It is here that we run into Nag’molada, a Juenian diplomat. He attempts to slay the adventurer, to keep the crystal safe, but is stopped by the mysterious boy from earlier. When we reach a later crag, Nag’molada reveals that the boy has released Emptiness, a destructive force, on the crystal.   Once we defeat the Empty at the mothercrystal, we travel to the Tavnazian Archipelago for the first time. When we’re unconscious, a group of Tarutaru’s, the Chebukki Siblings, steal our amulet to take to the leader of Tavnazia, Prishe.   Prishe returns to town with her friend Ulmia after checking the area out. She informs the party of monsters amassing at Cape Riverne. Prishe returns our amulet, which is oddly identical to hers. Prise then wants to confront Bahamut in Cape Riverne for answers, and finds out that Nag’molada and the Chebukki triplets are already there. We run into Nag’molada singing an ancient song to Bahamut, proving that he is a Kuluu. Bahamut decides to honor the ancient pact made with the Kuluu ages prior. Bahamut is subdued by Esha’ntarl, a Zilart, subdues Bahamut in a magic web.   We then travel to Jeuno and turn ourselves in. We are wanted for treason, after all… We speak with Esha’ntarl, who by the way is smokin', suspects that the young man from earlier in the game is the Keeper of the Apocalypse, and charges us with capturing him to prove his innocence.   We then embark on a comical quest in Windhurst, where the Chebukki triplets are attempting to find their long lost father. Prishe is hospitalized, and given your amulet to stabilize her condition. The boy is spotted in Pso’Xja, and we head there. We then battle Diabolos, and realize we’ve been drawn into a dreamworld. The boy arrives, and rescues Prishe. We also find out that Tenzen, another of our companions, has a blade that houses Phoenix. Phoenix requests help from Diabolos, but instead is offered to stay in the dream world to avoid the shittiness of reality. It should be noted that Phoenix and Diabolos are two of the five terrestrial avatars charged with the protection of Vana’diel. The others are Carbuncle, Fenrir, and Bahamut. The party then seeks out Bahamut again, searching for answers.   We meet up with Bahamut, and request his aid. He sends one of his cronies after us, and we kill it. Afterwards, Bahamut tells Phoenix that she’s wasting her time, and that the Emptiness will win. The party recognizes a song that Phoenix starts singing, and Bahamut and his wyrms. We find out that the Emptiness is the will of the Twilight God, Promathia, who cursed mankind for trying to reach Paradise.   Prishe then reveals that she had an accident as a child when she came into contact with the baptismal vessel deep below the church, which has stopped her aging. We travel to a statue of Promathia, where he reveals that he desires resurrection, and death.   The party heads to Pso’Xja to arrive at the Vazhl mothercrystal. Nag’molada and the boy both appear, and it is revealed that the baptismal vessel is actually the Eye of Altana, used to turn Emptiness into Magicite. The amulet that we were given was once given to the Kuluu by the Zilart to contain the darkness. It also allows you to communicate directly with the mind of another. SHINING!!!!!! We finally get the boys name, although I wish you luck in pronouncing it; Selh’teus. He is the sole survivor of the disaster at Al’Taieu, that destroyed the place thousands of years ago. We wake in Promyvion, and have to rescue Tenzen, Louverance, and Ulmia, who have been captured within the darkness. We meet up with Diabolos and Prishe, and discover that Selh’teus came from Al’Taieu to protect the celestial capital, which wasn’t destroyed, only hidden beyond the fifth mothercrystal. Prishe then resolves to kill The Keeper of the Apocalypse, which will allow Bahamut to not kill everyone.   Prishe goes missing for a little bit, and the party splits up to investigate. We meet up with my favorite character of this expansion, a Galka named Jabbos. Jabbos has what I’d imagine is the voice of Christian Bale’s Batman, as he speaks…..and then…..pauses….a…..lot….. He’s been living with Moblins for far too long, and the beastmen have begun to think that they are the children of Promathia. The beasts believe that they are, and continue digging ith this expectation, but Jabbos knows that the Moblins were born long after Promathia had died. They get pissed when they find out, and Jabbos joins up.   We then find out that Prishe has a bit o magicite stuck in her chest, which is probably just as uncomfortable as it sounds. She runs off, and  Bahamut is found beyond the sea of clouds, and Cid begins working on an airship that can reach him. Prishe is spotted in Jeuno, and we head to find the little shit.   The NPC’s Tenzen, Louverance, Jabbos, and Shirakee Z… ugh… all come to the conclusion that Prishe is the Keeper of the Apocalypse who is intended to awaken the Twilight God, using the power of song.   Esha’ntarl reveals that defeating the Keeper of the Apocalypse will only set the darkness free to possess another, and that the only way to break the cycle is to resurrect Promathia, and defeat him in God form in front of the mothercrystal. The party gets on Cid’s airship, and meets up with Prishe and Bahamut. She reasons with Bahamut, and he reveals that she is no longer the Keeper of the Apocalypse, and that the true keeper is in Al’Taieu. Bahamut then reveals a crazy plan to destroy mankind in order to keep Promathia from enveloping everything, and entering Vana’diel. He then attacks us with Megaflare, and is blocked by Tenzen, and his Phoenix blade. We jump ship. We failed to outright defeat Bahamut, and Phoenix sacrificed herself, making ole Tenzen’s blade normal, and boring. Cid mentions a red light shooting up from the Sea of Shu’Meyo has appeared. He sends us out to get supplies, and studies the Eye of Altana to repair the airship. The airship is hijacked by the Chebukki triplets, and Tenzen. Tenzen was instructed by Phoenix to kill the Adventurer, but obviously gets his ass whooped. We then get teleported to the fifth mothercrystal in Al’Taieu.   In Al’Taieu, we are beckoned to the Grand Palace of Hu’Xzoi. We enter, and regain the light of the four other mothercrystals. Selh’teus explains that the Emptiness extracted from the Kuluu had been manifested into Promathia, and had been sealed in the audience chamber. Nag’molada breaks the seal, and frees Promathia. Nag’molada is swallowed in Emptiness, teaching him that all the children of Vana’diel were born from Promathia. The god then attempts to get in.   We join Prishe in the Empyreal Paradox, where Selh’teus attempts to slow Promathia down. Then, the epic fight… When Promathia reaches his end, Prishe casts the Star of Tavnazia at him, and we unleash the light of the mother crystals, allowing the tears of Altana to rain down upon us. Promathia is crushed, and returns to the mothercrystal. Emptiness is revealed as the physical manifestation of death itself, and even the god Promathia, would die when faced against it. We again learn about the origins of Vana’diel, and all of it’s races. Everyone goes their separate ways, and Prishe’s magicite melts away, making her mortal once again.   The Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSt8vifJG38&list=PL85AED8D3D495397D&index=21

OK, I don’t want to mislead you, this is not the busiest street in Chiang Rai and there is lots of traffic in the city but it’s easy to feel like it’s not busy in this town and surrounding area with a population of around 200,000. To start your exploration of the town there are at least half a dozen temples worth visiting in Chiang Rai including Wat Jed Yod built in 1844. Jed Yod means 7 peaks represented by 7 chedis on the site. In keeping pace with the town the gatekeeper is pretty laid back and once you get past him you are greeted by an impressive giant Buddha in the main hall. Wat Jed Yod is probably the least visited of Chiang Rai’s most significant temples so you usually have lots of space to yourself. The temple is a copy of one by the same name in Chiang Mai which is a copy of an Indian temple, Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, the very same spot where the Buddha found enlightenment. You will find some of the traditional features of Thai temples including the typical red and gold colors and naga serpents, above all a quiet spot for peace and reflection. The favorite part of my visit? Seeing the glowing sunset shine directly on an ornate window at Wat Jed Yod. Chiang Rai sees many people extend their stay in the town I think because there’s such a huge selection of cafes and places to eat for a town of this size. Once you’re done having a coffee, which could be from beans grown in Northern Thailand move on to the market which pretty much operates all day and through the evening. Perfect for self-catering you can get everything from seafood to cheap noodle dishes. This market is located close by Chiang Rai’s most famous landmark, the gold clock tower. This tower was designed by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the same man who created the White Temple. Check out the special show of music and lights every evening on the hour from 7 to 9pm. Wat Phra Kaew is Chiang Rai’s most important temple, the place where Thailand’s Emerald Buddha was discovered. Now and since 1784 Thailand’s palladium, the Emerald Buddha has been kept at Wat Phra Kaew in the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok. In the last almost 600 years the Emerald Buddha has been on a epic trip with stays in Lampang, Northern Thailand, Luang Prabang and Vientiane, Laos before eventually ending up in the Royal family’s private chapel at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The one here was carved out of Canadian jade in China in 1990 in honor of the princess mother’s 90th birthday. It’s an exact replica of the original. Wat Phra Kaew is a tranquil spot and only a short walk from the clock tower, worth setting aside a hour or so to enjoy the many statues, ponds, and buildings that are in the complex. Within the Wat Phra Kaew site is it’s museum which houses many gifts from it’s followers seeking merit over the past few hundred years. Being one of the most important temples in Chiang Rai province it owns many significant religious art works, some of which are on display in the museum. Each item is labeled in English, Thai, and Lanna, the language of Northern Thailand. Chiang Rai is charming, laid back and full of friendly Thai people. If you do decide to linger around the town a bit longer than your stay, try to plan it around the Saturday Walking Street Market. A chance to get up close to the locals who love to visit the market, see some of the hill tribe goods on display for sale and enjoy the music of Northern Thailand. How about a snack of bugs? Insects are very much apart of the diet in Southeast Asia, I’m actually a non-meat eater, but I’m not really an insectivore, but I guess I’ll try it. Didn’t taste like chicken, just kind of crunchy and salty, but they do have chicken if that’s what you’re craving. Maybe something sweet to kill the cricket taste. These Thai doughnuts look tasty! You’ll find the Chiang Rai Saturday and Sunday Walking Street markets are far less crowded than the ones in Chiang Mai and other large cities so there’s lots of places to stop and eat and listen to the birds, thousands in this park. Head back for the light show at the clock tower and you’ve completed your day in Northern Thailand’s haven and retreat from the speedier pace of the rest of the world, charming Chiang Rai.

Out of all of the capitals in Southeast Asia Vientiane takes the prize as the most laid back. You’d never believe it was the center of commerce, government and transportation. It’s a testament to the attitude of the people of Laos. Not taking anything too seriously and having little or no sense of urgency. They do appreciate their leisure time  and even though the Mekong River is the center of social activity in the evening it never felt too crowded there-the population of Vientiane is less than 800,000. Hell, there’s even enough room for paragliding.Vientiane became the capital of Laos in 1563 and was the administrative capital during French rule. Vientiane has seen it’s share of adversity from being burned completely to the ground in 1827 by Siamese armies, Thailand is right across the river, to passing over to French rule in 1893, Japanese occupation in World War 2., back to reoccupation by the French in 1945 to being established as the center of power for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 1975.  Laos, and it is properly pronounced without the s, is a communist country.Vientiane is a mix of French colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and the odd leftover Soviet style building.A great place to get started on your exploration of the city is a visit to one of the country’s most impressive Buddhist temples, Wat Ho Phra Keo, otherwise known as the temple of the Emerald Buddha. Once the royal family of Lao’s personal chapel it was here where the precious emerald buddha statue was reclaimed by the Thai army in 1778 after being snatched by the Laotian king.  Today the Emerald Buddha resides at the Grand Palace’s Emerald Buddha chapel in Bangkok. Excerpts from "The Slow Groove/Cafe Culture And Sights Of Vientiane, Laos". 

Patuxai, one of Vientiane, Laos' most important landmarks is dedicated to those who fought for independence from France Out of all of the capitals in Southeast Asia Vientiane takes the prize as the most laid back. You’d never believe it was the center of commerce, government and transportation. It’s a testament to the attitude of the people of Laos. Not taking anything too seriously and having little or no sense of urgency. They do appreciate their leisure time and even though the Mekong River is the center of social activity in the evening it never felt too crowded there-the population of Vientiane is less than 800,000. Hell, there’s even enough room for paragliding. Vientiane became the capital of Laos in 1563 and was the administrative capital during French rule. Vientiane has seen it’s share of adversity from being burned completely to the ground in 1827 by Siamese armies, Thailand is right across the river, to passing over to French rule in 1893, Japanese occupation in World War 2., back to reoccupation by the French in 1945 to being established as the center of power for the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 1975. Laos, and it is properly pronounced without the s, is a communist country. Vientiane is a mix of French colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and the odd leftover Soviet style building. A great place to get started on your exploration of the city is a visit to one of the country’s most impressive Buddhist temples, Wat Ho Phra Keo, otherwise known as the temple of the Emerald Buddha. Once the royal family of Lao’s personal chapel it was here where the precious emerald buddha statue was reclaimed by the Thai army in 1778 after being snatched by the Laotian king. Today the Emerald Buddha resides at the Grand Palace’s Emerald Buddha chapel in Bangkok. The temple is adorned with carved features, Khmer stone carvings and several Buddha statues. Wat Ho Phra Keo is no longer in service as a place of worship but acts as a museum and monument. Wat Si Muang is also another worthwhile temple visit for the fact that it’s where the city pillar is located and the guardian spirit of Vientiane. Wat Si Muang is considered the mother temple of the city. Round out a temple run with a look in at Wat Si Saket believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Vientiane still standing after the sacking of the city by Siam in 1827. It’s also believed because the temple was built in the Siamese style rather than Laoation style it was spared by the army who used it as their headquarters and compound. You can check out more than 2000 silver and ceramic Buddhist images, there’s also a museum on site. Take a break at one of the many cafes or French bakeries in town. This is really one of the highlights of a visit to Vientiane. A coffee, French pastry, and relaxing to the slow groove of this unique capital experience. There’s tons of dining options in Vientiane as well. I love sticky rice and fish larb, a mix of fish, greens and herbs, there’s also meat and veg versions. But it’s nice to know there’s lots of options out there like sushi, western, I really do love sticky rice though. Afterwards grab a bike from your hotel or guesthouse and head out for ride around the town, enjoying the buddhist temples, quieter charming tree-lined streets and their French colonial homes. Enjoy the slow pace, that’s what it’s all about in Vientiane. OK, so that was too slow for you? Grab a motorbike then. I personally wouldn’t attempt this in most major cities in Southeast Asia but the streets of Vientiane are pretty quiet, even in the midday and you can cover alot of ground and sites in a short period of time. It gets pretty hot depending on the time of year pedalling around here so a motorbike is a good option if you’re comfortable driving a two wheeler. After that it’s back to the cafe culture of Vientiane. Coffee is Laos’ 5th biggest export.

Bestival 2015 The last Festival in the UK calendar comes to the Isle of Wight and arguably the best!  In this weeks episode we give a run down of what to expect in this years extravaganza of music and entertainment!!! Bestival Areas Around the Site Ambient Forest - Theatre, cinema and music in an amazing forest setting, as well as the start of the festival train! Slow Motion - Yoga, meditation, and hot tubs!!! The Port - HMS Bestival washed up in a storm and brings you some great dance music and entertainment. Bollywood - The gloriously colourful hand-stitched tent serving the finest cocktails in the land is the venue that DJs request to play in year on year. Stardust - The main stage and big top featuring all the headline acts. Magic Meadow - Invaders of the Future with the best bands of the Isle of Wight performing. Temple Island - 25 stages make up this rave universe. Grassy Hill - Caravanserai and the Grand Palace of Entertainment. Wishing Tree Field - This year Wishing Tree dwellers will be rocked by the sounds of the the very best Tree Js who will swing you through into the wee hours.   In the News This week in the News both Ali and Tony are excited about upcoming music events on the Isle of Wight. Ali brings you news about  Classic Isle on the 4th - 6th September 2015 at Northwood House and Tony talks about a Country Music extravaganza at the Dairymans Daughter in Arreton Food & Drink  This weeks' food and drink features a 600 year old pub with fantastic views and great food, The Sun Inn at Hulverstone. Links you may find helpful  Classical Isle Roots and Country Festival Vanessa Mae Nigel Kennedy Bestival Sun Inn

Americans' attitudes toward gay relationships have changed dramatically in a short time. Trey Kay returns to his home state of West Virginia to see how this change is playing out in a state where 53 percent of residents believe the Bible is the literal word of God. 

Zoom sur l'avant première du film "En solitaire" au Grand Palace des Sables d'Olonne ...

Zoom sur les projets du cinéma Grand Palace des Sables d'Olonne ...

Zoom sur le multiplexe "Grand Palace" aux Sables d'Olonne ...

Emory College Language Center, Mandarin, Thailand, REALC

Emory College Language Center, Mandarin, Thailand, REALC