And that's where the gold diggers show up again!
I have previously written on Thailandblog about the Thai version of the Loch Ness Monster; a persistent myth that pops up with the regularity of a clock. Although in this specific case it is not about a prehistoric aquatic creature, but about an even more imaginative enormous treasure that the retreating Japanese troops are said to have buried near the infamous Burma-Thai Railway at the end of the Second World War.
The infamous road between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, blessed with hundreds of hairpin bends, is the only reminder of a long-forgotten piece of Thai war history. Barely hours after the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Thailand on December 8, 1941, the Thai government – despite fierce fighting back in places – decided to lay down its arms.
Gold diggers: In search of hidden Japanese spoils of war…
Thailand has its own version of the Loch Ness Monster; a persistent myth that pops up with the regularity of a clock. Although in this specific case it is not about a prehistoric aquatic creature, but about an even more imaginative enormous treasure that the retreating Japanese troops are said to have buried near the infamous Burma-Thai Railway at the end of World War II.
History of Phuket: A brief period of Japanese rule
In 1629 when King Songtham* of Ayutthaya died, his nephew, Okya Kalahom (Minister of Defense) and his supporters seized the throne by killing King Songtham's designated heir and placing King Songtham's six-year-old son on the throne as king Chetha, with Okya Kalahom as his supervising regent, who gave the ambitious defense minister real power over the kingdom.
Thonglor, a touch of Japan in Bangkok
Thonglor was once the place where many car showrooms were located, not to mention the Eldorado for wedding enthusiasts to purchase a wedding gown and a wedding suit for the groom. In the XNUMXs, Thonglor was also a Japanese military base and it is still a popular place for Japanese expats.
The difficult processing of the Thai war past
Now almost 76 years ago, on August 15, 1945, the Second World War ended with the Japanese surrender. This past has largely remained unprocessed throughout Southeast Asia and certainly also in Thailand.
For 33 Hours, the Thai Air Force resisted Japan
It was 4 am and still dark when Lieutenant Srisak Sucharittham of the Thai Air Force heard the enemies without being able to see them. Srisak and his colleagues got up early to get from their air base to nearby Ao Manao Bay. In the evening that day, a senior officer was to visit the airbase, home of Wing 5 Squadron, for which Srisak's group went to catch fish for a welcome meal.
Another 'confession' in Japanese murder case
Somchai Kaewbangyang, who previously confessed to murdering and dismembering the missing Japanese Tanaka, has now also confessed to murdering his ex-wife's previous Japanese partner. But his brother says he is lying.
The woman who killed two Japanese
Soon in this theatre: 'The woman who killed two Japanese'. The synopsis is already there: a man who fell down the stairs, and a man who was chopped to pieces. Tragic for the bereaved, but a treat for crime movie aficionados.
Missing Japanese murdered and dismembered
The 79-year-old Japanese man, missing since last month, was killed by his Thai girlfriend and her boyfriend. They chopped up his body and dumped it in a canal in Samut Prakan. The death of her previous husband, also Japanese, will be re-investigated.
Most child sex offenders are Asians
The majority of child sex tourists in Southeast Asia are Asians. The Asean Economic Community, which will come into effect at the end of 2015, poses a major risk to children because border restrictions will be lifted. Myanmar is emerging as a destination for child sex as it has become easier to visit.
Floods: Low confidence Japanese companies
Japanese investors have serious doubts about the government's ability to prevent floods like last year. Some labour-intensive companies could move abroad because of the increase in the minimum wage as of April 1.
About Christmas cards, Hello Kitty, Doraemon and other things Wiki-Leaks doesn't know about
Ning, my wife, is a creative creature. She has been busy for weeks designing Christmas cards that we send to all corners of the world every year. However, don't expect snowy landscapes, Christmas baubles, nativity scenes, Christmas trees or other Christmas clichés.
Problems for Thai industry due to flooding
Economists question the Thai development model, in which industry accounts for 44,7 percent of economic growth. They are also critical of the rise of Bangkok, which accounts for 41 percent of the Thai economy. In the XNUMXs, a transition from an agricultural to an industrial economy was initiated.
Do you get it or don't you, ma'am?
I don't think the Japanese get it, Madam Prime Minister. The Japanese, who had to deal with the devastating effects of the tsunami and nuclear leaks earlier this year and who faced their problems with determination, efficiency and perseverance. They will not understand why there is so much confusion and incoherence here in our fight against the floods. In case you were too busy to…