The Northeast of Thailand, a vast plateau covering nearly one third of the country, is usually known as Isan. It extends northwards to the Mekong River which divides Thailand from Laos, and to the south and it ends at the Dong Rek mountain range along the border with Cambodia.

It is known to be an arid region with soil of poor quality, but for tourism, Isan is one of the country’s most intriguing destinations with many Stone Age and Bronze Age dwellings and artifacts, and several significant temples that are a legacy of the great Khmer empire.

The sandstone shrines are popular tourist attractions, particularly the superbly restored sites at the historical parks of Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima and Phanom Rung in Buri Ram. The great temple complex at Khao Phra Viharn in Si Sa Ket on the border with Cambodian is now accessible to visitors after a long period of isolation.

The Bronze Age settlements at Ban Chiang in the province of Udon Thani provide fascinating evidence of the work of the local potters some 5,000 years ago. The red and white pottery with characteristic “fingerprint” designs are thought to be the first earthenware vessels known to man.

Two of Thailand’s best-loved national parks, Khao Yai, Phu Kradung and Phu Rua in Loei, are in Isan. Other major attractions include the villages in Khorat and Khon Kaen where the beautiful local silk is woven by hand.

Isan is a comparatively poor region whose main income is from agriculture, and many of the younger people in the villages migrate to the city. But Isan folk have a distinctive character and dialect and a vigorous culture, with their old traditions still reflected in the many festivals unique to the region.

With its strategic position bordering Laos and Cambodia, Isan has in recent years risen to become a useful starting point for adventurous journeys to destinations along the mighty Mekong River. There have been important developments in infrastructure to accommodate what is expected to be a boom in tourism.

Travel in the region has been improved by domestic airlines with regular flights to regional airports; and it is no longer impossible to find luxury accommodation, especially in large provinces of Khon Kaen, Udon Thani Nakhon, Ratchasima and Ubon Ratchathani.

The Northeast consists of 19 provinces: Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Loei, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Yasothon.

Credit to : Tourism Authority of Thailand

MundoExchange in Thailand

Currently, MundoExchange teams with Laekplian Lokgatat members to work on projects including teaching in public schools, working in local temples, developing community outreach projects, setting up community funds and preparedness for natural or man-made disaster, environmental awareness projects, and many more. Through the exchange of knowledge and cultural ways with international volunteers, Thais will learn more about community development, English language skills, business development, computer and technological skills, arts and educational training.

Mundo Exchange is helping to finance Laekplian Lokgatat upstart costs, members’ skill building, governmental fees and more, while funding local projects.

Laekplian Lokgatat – our Thai partner association

Founded 2006, the association is gaining more and more Thai members. The association got a huge piece of land donated and one of the tasks at the moment, beside the work with volunteers is the developmnt of this land into a garden and teaching center. Members are in the process of learning the skills necessary to work with and manage international volunteers.

The textures and sub-tropical essence of the jungles fade into the distance as the temples rise into infinity and the imagination takes hold in the vision of Thailand, complete in its trinity of flavor. From the hidden province that is Isan in the northeast to the wonder of the elephant rainforests south of Phuket to the magic that is Samui, an island hidden off the peninsulan coast, this country paints of picture of diversity and adventure.

Gliding in the evergreen comfort of Premium Laurel on Eva Air connecting from Los Angeles to Bangkok through Taipei, the expanse of the capital city spreads out below, the 17-hour journey spoiling in its whirl of exceptional lounges, signatures cocktails (such as plum liqueur) and attentive flight attendants. Inside the urban sprawl, the Four Seasons Bangkokprovides an oasis from which to launch our trek. After a relaxing siesta at the pool, a refreshment of champagne, prosciutto and delicious spinach and cheese pizza at Biscotti lead to our main course at the Madison Room with a sizzling rib-eye which ushers us into dreamland.

After a filling breakfast of Kao Tom mixing boiled rice, pork and egg, the ornate spires and carvings at The Grand Palacestretch out inside the intricately carved visages as soldiers stand guard, statues in the midst of the piety of the Emerald Buddha. Walking to a dock along the Chao Phraya River, a longtail boat coasts across the busy channel as a sea craft filled with faith chanting followers leads us through a lock into the back canals of Bangkok. Arriving at the hidden abode ofAmita’s, a Thai cooking lesson commences teaching the spicy and filling crest of a savory creamy chicken curry over rice and a luscious papaya salad pinnacled with coconut milk and bananas.

Our carriage of air conditioned caravan bliss heads away from the bustle towards Pak Chong in the vicinity of Nakon Ratchasima. Chok Chai Farm swirls in the sustainable agro element where ice cream tickles the tongue and Thai Cowboys wrangle. After a soothing in-room Thai Massage at Khao Yai Fah Sai Resort at the base of a reaching mountain, the Thai Western of lore reveals itself at the outdoor Thong Somboon Club. Pork and local Singha drafts lead to cowgirls celebrating as dancing on the line with buckle holding enthusiasm greets the cheers of the night.

The Dan Kwian Village sprawls out as dogs and toads bask in their freedom while, within the workshops, the artisan of clay sculpting unfolds in real time. Walking through the different styles and streets, the etched brilliance makes itself known as small constructed treasures appear before the eyes, priceless in their nature.

Walking through the streets of Korat in the approaching dusk, the stores of gold shine. After miso, sushi and cream of the curry give credence at the Dusit Princess Hotel, the night market within walking distance beckons. There the local flavor permeates as the delicacies of grub, cricket and frog, marinated, grilled and simmering with spice, greet the palette with expectant and unknown anticipation highlighted by a touch of mint. Late night continues as the Coyote Bar rages with a Thai rock band fronted by an excellent guitarist shredding the fantastic as bottled Singha pours and cracked necks increase the resolve with the rhythm of dancing. The race back in pedi-cabs provides exceptional thrill as the speed throttles.

Phimai Temple rises in the pink hues of sunset as the full moon crests over the ruins of this thousand year old site. Standing on the stone, looking up at the ancient spires, the dances begin and food stretches into the night as the tales swirl with sticky rice.

After enjoying the local cuisine replete with chicken, sliced corn, mushrooms and asparagus, the cool and brisk bus of lore arrives at Suvarnabhumi Airport signaling the journey to the South aboard Bangkok Airways. Landing in the darkness of Phuket, the Royal Marina bursts with activity as local culinary treats highlighted by filling sushi mixed with pulsating music promote the dancing of Travolta heating up the light. The Sarojin Resort beckoned us with a spirited ride to Khao Lak an hour away on the Gulf Of Siam. The Lady Sarojin Suite, beautified in its reception and expansive silken organic essence, welcomes with open arms. After a luscious dinner with a spicy curry touch, paper lanterns, a tradition here in the South, were lit and offered to the sky, visible and viable to extreme heights. Offshore at 2am, thunder rumbled in the Andaman Sea as the moon glowed the water.

After a soothing morning stretch on the white beach as trawlers swayed, the transfer to Elephant Hills set the adventure forth. The majesty of Surat Thani, encompassed in the Khao Sok National Park, is a wonder. After checking into our luxury tents, open air and enraptured with the sounds of the surrounding jungle, we venture to the elephant base camp via wind blown transport. The elephants stroll into view with their Mahout handlers on top of their backs. These intelligent creatures line up as we begin chopping their supper of pumpkin, cucumber, corn and pineapple via machete before picking one to feed. Hop Ma, the one I chose, ate with fervor, his trunk grasping the food peppered with sugar cane as pats encouraged goodwill. After climbing aboard bareback with his Mahout Ta Da and riding to the back of the compound, washing commenced with your humble narrator scrubbing this wonderfully gentle animal behind the ears as well as on the back and snout with coconut and soap before rinsing her off in the glimpse of the melting essence of the spire-like mountains.

A longtail boat heads out onto the mythic lake of Cheow Lan as the limestone mountain cliffs rise up straight from the water like gigantic scepters disappearing into the distance. After a lunch of grilled fish aboard a floating raft platform, elephant trekking back at the Hills commenced aboard Poke, the happy elephant, who loved going off on his own to the chagrin of his Mahout while pulling down branches as fellow riders in mounted seats cheered in support. This experience is not to be missed.

Canoeing down the Sok River at the cusp of the tent camp continued the fervor before the bus boarded for the Samui Ferry. Located off the Eastern coast of the Thai Peninsula, the paradise of Samui welcomes with the colors of the mist. The Four Seasons Koh Samui is a miracle in earthly form, its property stretching like Eden from its pinnacle point. The villa, replete with long private pool, vaulted bedroom, private deck and soaking tub, is the height of luxury and worth the trip alone. After a dinner mixing rich Thai salads and prawns that delighted the soul along with a welcome and paradoxical spinach ravioli, the late night welcomed the neon at Chaweng Beach where the music pounded in unison from the open air cocktails of C to My Friend to Me Me as a Havana cigar is lit and the Singha, cold and torrent, paints the boulevard.

After touring the island and changing the visage to truly local via rock stone formations and the overture of the Buddha, the return to the Four Seasons welcomes The Spa, almost treehouse like in its layout, with private villas for soothing of the chi. The 90-minute Siam Fusion, smooth with both medium and gentle pressure, provide a relief of unrelenting bliss. A late afternoon cocktail class highlighted the signature of the creamy coconut Kalalae as an early evening beach soiree kissed the sky while a full moon, burning, crested above the islands.

After an early morning 18 holes at Santiburi, barely 15 minutes away, where the back nine stretches out with angelic views of the ocean and angling increases for strategic play especially on Hole 11 & 17, the rain gently cleanses the land with love and care. Such is the truth of Thailand where diversity reigns supreme. As the plane lifts off from Samui and the blue green heaven sifts below the clouds, the greatness of this experience holds true as the trumpeting of an elephant echoes away.

Udonthani is one of the lagest city which is located in Northeastern Thailand (Isan region – อีสาน) after Khon Kaen and Nakorn Ratchasima. Thais normally address Udonthani as Udon. It is located around 560km from Bangkok. A land journey will takes around 7 to 8 hours. Udon is near to the Lao border which is only 1 hour by car. Sometimes it might be less.

Sometimes I go back to Udon through Laos. It saves a lot of time and cost depending on the air ticket. From Bangkok, travellers normally take express buses which depart from Mochit Bus Terminal. Ticket booths is located on the 3rd floor of the station. There are many bus companies. You can choose 24 VIP seaters, 32 seater etc. with different prices.

From Vientiane, Laos, just head to Talat Chao and buy ticket to Udon for 80 Baht. It is better if you have Lao Kip because they might charge extra if you use Thai Baht. There are many Farang staying in Udon. Mostly are retired expats from Australia, UK and US. Prajak Road is also known as Farang Road in Udon since there are many Farang and their bars there.

Udon has few big shopping malls and supermarket such as Tesco Lotus, Big C and Central Plaza. You might notice many cars from Laos in Udon as most of them cross the border to shop for household in Udon. Shopping is Udon is definitly better than the neighbouring provinces like Nong Khai, Sakon Nakorn etc. Udon has a large population of Chinese and also Vietnamese. There are many chinese gold shops in Udon where you can exchange your currency with a better rate than the one in the bank. Most of the Chinese and Vietnamese had already adopted Thai names and speak Thai. 

There are also a lot of interested places outside Udon city which is located in other districts like Ban Chiang, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. So far, I only visited 3 places which is quite famous in Udon which are Ban Chiang, Kam Chanot and Phu Phra Bat Historical Park. I plan to visit more in the future. In Udon, Somtam is like a rice for me together with Kun Chiang, Mu Yong, Mu Yo and of course the Sticky Rice.

Afterall, Udon is a nice place to stay. The city is not as busy as Bangkok. There are places where you can get your mind relax. The people are great. The city is not so big and yet not so small. So it is easy to get around. By bike is the best way to get from one place to another. That’s why many Farang choose to retire in Udon other than other city. You will never get bored in Udon.

El tema de las tenencias será llevado a la próxima reunión de la Conago, no con el fin de desaparecer dicho impuesto, sino para que se aplique a nivel nacional la eliminación temporal para los autos nuevos, o sea de 100 por ciento el primer año y 50 por ciento para el segundo, además de exigir la deducibilidad inmediata para la adquisición de vehículos de personas morales.

Eduardo Solís Sánchez, presidente de la Asociación Mexicana de la Industria Automotriz (AMIA), propuso lo anterior durante una conferencia de prensa, donde destacó también demandar la eliminación del ISAN de manera emergente para 2010, no sin antes expresar su desacuerdo por aquellas reglas que sólo inhiben la inversión en la producción, ventas y generación de empleos.

El dirigente también reconoció que la industria automotriz en el mundo pasa por una de sus peores crisis de los últimos 50 años y México no podía quedar al margen, por lo que advirtió que los distribuidores de vehículos rechazarán el cambio en las reglas del juego que inhiben la inversión. Es por ello que, añadió, no estar de acuerdo con la iniciativa de la Secretaría de Hacienda en materia de consolidación, de ahí que demanden el 100 por ciento de deducibilidad inmediata en todo el país, a fin de fomentar las inversiones productivas del sector automotriz.

Ahí mismo, recordó las conclusiones a que se llegaron la semana pasada durante el desarrollo del Foro Automotor 2009, por lo que destacó que para reactivar el mercado interno, aumentar la deducibilidad a 400 mil pesos, así como permitir la deducibilidad.

[Carlos Aviña ]

Those that are followers of this blog will know that I generally post an Eclectic Mixup when I am short of substantial subject matter to discuss. However, this Mixup 4 comes at the start of a new time in my life, a change of city, and a change of daily routine. The selection below are (some of) the tunes I have chosen to soundtrack this change.

Warren Zevon – Johnny Strikes Up The Band

A fine composer of cynical yet acutely observational rock, Warren Zevon released his most succesful album to date, ‘Excitable Boy’, in 1978. He selected this musical call to arms to open the LP, an intelligent choice with its driving verse rhythm and infectious use of the title line.

Paul Simon – Can’t Run But

Continuing with the theme of great American songwriters, ‘The Rhythm of the Saints’, Simon’s 1990 followup to ‘Graceland’, extended the artists previous African meanderings by incorporating Latin-American influences. ‘Can’t Run But’, perhaps the best song ever written about Chernobyl, begins with a beautiful bit of harmonic interplay between three mallet instruments and the bass. The song is simultaneously frantic and relaxing, with Simon’s harrowing vocal winding in and out of licks from guitarist J.J.Cale (I think…)

Amadou & Mariam – La Fête Au Village

Malian couple Amadou & Mariam had been working away on the West African music scene for a while before they were approached by esteemed World/Latin music star Manu Chao, who produced their 2004 album ‘Dimance a Bamako’. The album made little impact in the English speaking world outside of the exposure it received from Chao’s loyal following. However, success in France and West Africa led to a ‘World Music Best Album Award 2006′ from the BBC. It is an album full of simple and poignant songwriting, delivered beautifully by the pleasing vocal mix of the couple (as well as contributions from Chao himself) and uncluttered production. Amongst the more upbeat tracks lies ‘La Fete Au Village’, a slow and soporific song with a harrowing high melody sung between verses. Village sounds are present in the background to add context.

Roots Manuva – Inna

Roots Manuva – Strange Behaviour

It is hard to believe that ‘Brand New Second Hand’, the trailblazing debut from the supreme talent that is Roots Manuva is now 10 years old. I have included two tracks from the album that for me have always gone hand in hand, both in terms of mood and content. Both tell stories in the artist’s irresistable prose, and further justify the critical acclaim the leftfield UK emcee has received throughout his career.

Milton Nascimento – Lilia

A haunting, wordless piece from Brazilian singer/guitarist Milton Nascimento. Melodies are wrapped around a hypnotic 5/4 rhythm played out by a band including contemporary Lô Borges.

ISAN – Still.blue

British electronic duo ISAN take their affection for analogue synthesisers and produce some great stuff. Still.blue is one of many tracks I could have chosen.

Nach einem „Ausritt“ in den Eastern Shan State Myanmars (Bericht hier), bereise ich nun wieder den Mekong. Ich habe das letzte Teilstück meiner langen Tour in Angriff genommen – den Mekong entlang der nordostthailändisch-laotischen Grenze.

Unterwegs im "Isan", dem Nordosten Thailands

Mehr zufällig als gewollt übernachtete ich in den letzten Tagen in Homestay-Unterkünften. Das hat jedoch mehrere Vorteile: Es ist in der Regel billiger als im Hotel zu schlafen und man kommt viel leichter mit der lokalen Bevölkerung in Kontakt. Meistens erhält man von der Familie, bei der man wohnt, auch viel bessere Informationen über die Umgebung eines Ortes. Angestellte eines Hotels haben einfach nicht die Zeit für intensive Gespräche. Besonders hier in Nordostthailand, auch Isan genannt, wird Homestay immer populärer. Da der Tourismus in dieser Region aber noch immer ein Mauerblümchendasein fristet, ist Homestay in vielen kleinen Orten die einzige Möglichkeit, zu einem Gästebett zu kommen.

Naja, eine typische Wikipedia-Definition eben, mit der ich nicht ganz zufrieden bin… Hier in der Mekong-Region gibt Homestay den Bewohnern von kleineren Dörfern endlich die Chance auch am Tourismus teilhaben zu können. Jahrzehntelang mussten Ortschaften zwischen Fluss und Reisfeld mit neidischen Augen das touristische Treiben in den großen Städten betrachten und konnten nur hoffen, dass manchmal ein Abenteurer auf ein Süppchen ins Dorf kam. Die Zeiten haben sich aber geändert. Mit der Unterstützung der lokalen Tourismusbehörden und einem guten Stück Selbstbewusstsein haben einige kleine Ortsgemeinschaften entlang des thailändischen  Mekongufers begonnen, ihre touristische Entwicklung nicht mehr dem Zufall zu überlassen.

Willkommen in Ban Si Gaai !

Ein gutes Beispiel hierfür ist die Gemeinde Ban Si Gaai 18 Kilometer östlich der thailändischen Provinzhauptstadt Nong Khai. Ban Si Gaai liegt direkt am Mekong. Vor 5 Jahren hat das Dorf mit dem Homestay-Konzept begonnen und anfänglich auch Hilfe von der Tourism Authority Thailand (TAT) bekommen. Die behördliche Unterstützung ist mittlerweile eingeschlafen, aber es ist einer selbstlosen Dorfbewohnerin zu verdanken, dass man in Ban Si Gaai auch weiter an Homestay glaubt und daran arbeitet.

Selbstbewusst und immer lächelnd: Homestay-Lady Duangpaisri Nilkate

„41 von 300 Familien in zwei Katastralgemeinden beteiligen sich momentan aktiv an unserer Homestay-Initiative“, berichtet mir Frau Duangpaisri Nilkate. Sie ist Reisbäuerin und gleichzeitig Obfrau der Initiative in Ban Si Gaai. „Es ist oft nicht einfach, die Menschen im Dorf von der Sinnhaftigkeit des Homestay-Projektes zu überzeugen. Viele glaubten am Beginn, damit reich werden zu können. Als sie dann lediglich 2 oder 3 Nächtigungen pro Monat hatten, waren sie enttäuscht.“ Die tüchtige Obfrau hat es aber geschafft, fast alle Mitglieder der Homestay-Initiative bei der Stange zu halten und im Vorjahr begannen die Nächtigungen auch erstmals kräftig zu steigen. 2008 gab es in Ban Si Gaai fast 1000 Gäste, wobei manche mehrere Tage blieben. Der Preis für eine Übernachtung ist bei allen Familien gleich: 150 Baht (= 3 Euro) pro Person kostet die Unterkunft in einem Haus in Ban Si Gaai. Für die Verpflegung bezahlt der Gast noch weitere 50 Baht pro Mahlzeit, egal ob Frühstück, Mittag- oder Abendessen. In wirtschaftlich mageren Zeiten wie heuer sind diese Preise ein verlockendes Argument für eine Übernachtung bei einer Reisbauernfamilie.

Eines der hübschen Homestayhäuser in Ban Si Gaai

„In der Trockenzeit ist der Wasserstand im Mekong sehr tief. Dann stellen wir am Ufer kleine Hütten auf und verkaufen Essen und lokale Waren, zum Beispiel Flechtkörbe oder Holzschnitzereien. Man kann in den Wintermonaten sogar im Fluss baden – der Mekong ist hier sehr ruhig und es gibt auch keine Strudel oder gefährliche Strömungen. Zwischen Jänner und April liegt auch ein alter Weg im Trockenen. Den können Touristen auf 5 Kilometern Länge mit dem Fahrrad befahren, gleich neben dem Wasser des Flusses.“ Frau Nilkates Schilderungen klingen einladend. Und sie fährt fort: „Für Kinder organisieren wir auch Wasserbüffelreiten und Ochsenkarrenfahrten. Die Sache mit den Büffeln ist aber nicht so einfach. Die Biester sind ganz schön stur und brauchen viel Training bis sie zum Reiten oder Karrenfahren geeignet sind. Wenn es mit den Büffeln nicht klappt, bleibt aber noch immer eine Fahrt mit einem Fischerboot auf dem Mekong.“ Selbst in der touristisch ruhigen Regenzeit gibt es Gründe, nach Ban Si Gaai zu fahren. Anfang September finden hier Bootsrennen auf dem Mekong statt. Dieses Highlight habe ich unglücklicherweise um zwei Tage verpasst. Schade.

Fast könnte man meinen, Ban Si Gaai sei die perfekte Welt für Homestay-Betreiber und Gäste. Leider kämpft die Dorfgemeinschaft in dieser scheinbar makellosen Idylle aber auch gegen das Monster der industriellen Zerstörung. Ich kann kaum glauben, was ich zu hören bekomme: „Zwischen Ban Si Gaai und Nong Khai gibt es eine riesige Schnapsbrennerei der Firma Thep Arunothai.“ erläutert Frau Nilkate, „Die lassen mit regelmäßiger Frequenz ihre Abwässer in den Mekong fließen. Das wiederum tötet die Fische in den großen Zuchtfarmen unseres Nachbardorfes. Dort lässt man die toten Fische zwar zu Dünger verrotten, aber wenn sie die stinkende Masse nicht loswerden, kippen sie sie ebenso gedankenlos in den Mekong.

Stein des Anstoßes am Mekong Fischfarmen und andere Industrie

Angeschwemmt wird das bestialisch riechende Zeug dann genau vor unserem Homestay-Dorf.“ Meine Gesprächspartnerin klingt nun richtiggehend zornig. Ich kann ihr den Ärger nicht übel nehmen. Ban Si Gaai ist nicht der erste Ort, in welchem ich mit der Bedrohung des Mekong konfrontiert werde. Die Schilderungen von Frau Nilkate lassen wieder meine Erinnerungen an die Probleme des Stromes in Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong, Luang Prabang, Kratie und all den anderen Orten wach werden. Ist es wirklich so schlimm um die Lebensader Südostasiens bestellt? Ich denke ja.

Homestay in Chiang Khan

Neben dem finanziellen Aspekt hat Homestay auch einen kulturellen Effekt auf Gast und Gastgeber.  Gastfamilien lernen andere Kulturen kennen und der Gast selbst lernt die lokale Kultur und das Leben und die Arbeit der Menschen kennen. In Thailand werden die meisten Homestay-Unterkünfte zwar von Einheimischen frequentiert, aber für einen Großstädter aus Bangkok ist das lokale Dorfleben oft genauso neu wie für einen ausländischen Besucher.

Als ich vor wenigen Tagen ein paar Nächte bei der Familie Hanthanom in Chiang Khan am Mekong verbrachte, lehrte mir die Frau des Hauses, wie man diverse thailändische Süßigkeiten und Nachspeisen zubereitet.

Immer am Backen - Frau Hanthanom in Chiang Khan

Die Hanthanoms verkaufen vor dem Haus jeden Tag am Morgen und Vormittag verschiedene Leckereien an Schüler oder Leute, die zur Arbeit gehen. Auf die Homestay-Idee kam Herr Hanthanom erst vor wenigen Monaten, als er sich überlegte, was er mit drei Zimmern im Obergeschoß des antiken Holzhauses der Familie machen könnte. Dass seine Gäste nun die Familienbilder im Stiegenhaus betrachten oder mit Zahnbürste und Badetuch durchs Haus rauschen, stört das Ehepaar Hanthanom keineswegs.

Einfach, aber gemütlich ist die Unterkunft bei den Hanthanoms im Huean Luang Prabang

„Ich höre mir gerne die Reisegeschichten meiner Gäste an und erzähle ihnen von der Geschichte Chiang Khans“, sagt der 65-jährige Herr Hanthanom, „Meiner Frau macht es wiederum richtig Spaß, die Leute mit Leckereien zu verwöhnen“. Ich fühlte mich von der ersten Minute an wohl im Huean Luang Prabang, so nennt der Hausherr sein Heim, da seine Familie aus Luang Prabang in Laos stammt. Er war jedoch viele Jahre nicht mehr in Luang Prabang und freute sich ungemein, als ich ihm am Laptop meine kaum 2 Monate alten Bilder der Weltkulturerbestadt zeigte.

Herr Hanthanom diskutiert liebend gerne übers Reisen

Homestay hat ungemein viele Facetten. Familien, die Homestay anbieten, machen dies neben ihrer alltäglichen Arbeit und als Gelegenheit für zusätzliches Einkommen. Andere wiederum sehen es als Hobby in ihrer Freizeit oder Pension, wie die beiden Hanthanoms. Natürlich kommt es auch vor, dass im Laufe der Zeit aus so manchem Homestay-Anbieter ein Gästehausbetreiber wird. Aus drei Zimmern werden zehn und irgendwann gibt die Familie ihre alte Arbeit auf und steigt professionell in den Tourismus ein. In vielen Ortschaften habe ich auch Gästehäuser mit über 20 Zimmern gesehen, die sich noch immer Homestay nannten. Ob sie dies taten, weil es ein neuer populärer Begriff in der asiatischen Tourismusindustrie ist, oder ihr ehemaliges Homestay-Haus in ein Gästehaus mutierte, kann ich nicht sagen. Einige  Reisende fragen sich dann verwirrt, was nun Homestay wirklich ist und ob ihre Unterkunft auch in diese Kategorie fällt. Gar nicht so einfach zu beantworten, oder? Für mich ist Homestay mehr als bloß ein kurzweiliger Trend. Homestay ist eine Chance für vernachlässigte Regionen, für Pro Poor Tourism und letztendlich auch eine Möglichkeit für den Reisenden, ein Land bewusster kennenzulernen. Man muss ja nicht den gesamten Urlaub mit Homestay verbringen. Ein paar Nächte würden aber so manche einseitige Reise ungemein bereichern und dem Touristen ungeahnte Einblicke in eine fremde Kultur geben.

From Wednesday, The NYTimes reporting the fully appetizing story here.

At Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station I buy a plate of rice and something that tastes like chicken. Our train departs in forty-five minutes. We bought our tickets a few days back for the equivalent of about $18.

Catfish and I head to Platform 10. There are no places to sit, so I suggest we sit on the ground, but Catfish wants to keep walking to the end of the platform. We find a half- empty bench and meet a few friendly Thais traveling to Chiang Mai who are interested in my guidebook.

We board A/C car #2. My seat is broken, but I’m not upset; I’ll swap seats with Catfish later. The inside windows have been covered with a thin, dark film that helps to keep the heat out denying us any decent photo ops of the countryside. The train is air-conditioned, and I’m almost too cold.

We’re a few hours northeast of Bangkok. I go outside onto the small platform that separates the train cars. There is room for two people to stand. The passage between bodies is narrow, so I suck in my gut (as thin as I am), hug the railing, and stand on my tiptoes every time someone moves between cars.

Because it’s the end of the rainy season, the air is warm and thick with moisture. I smell diesel exhaust and manure. We are traveling to an enormous agricultural region called Isaan. The countryside is gorgeous: palm trees, rice fields, villages, and kids on motorbikes. A leather-faced Thai man next to me sucks on a cigarette. Some of the ashes blow into my eyes.

Eucalyptus trees and rice fields typify Thailand's Isaan region

The door to the cabin slides open, and a man named Kevin introduces himself. He ignores the turbulence and rolls himself and me a cigarette. He is from England but recently moved to Thailand. He married a Thai woman and has a job building swimming pools or something. He tells me that Catfish and I are going to love it here.

Back inside the cabin the air con is still raging, and if there were more space outside between cars I’d stay there. A man comes around and takes our food and drink orders. I’m not hungry, so I order a Beer Chang and I’m disappointed when the beer shows up in a can instead of a bottle.

I try to pee into the stainless-steel squat toilet but the train shakes and weaves, and my member swings and my aim isn’t true. I bang my head on the doorjamb on the way out, but I’m laughing and feeling good probably due to the Beer Chang.

The train is stopping, so I go outside and notice that we’ve arrived in the city of Surin, home of an annual elephant festival. Some hawkers draw up to the train, and I buy a bottle of water.

The smiling State Railway steward walks by and playfully pinches Catfish on the arm. I’m not sure why he did this, but maybe it’s his way of saying, well lucky you, you’ve got yourself a young one there and if you get tired of him you know where to find me. Too bad for him. We’re both straight.

At Si Saket, after 10 hours on the train, The Welcoming Party of Mick, Daeng, and the girls meets us at the train station.

There is an elephant across the road, and we buy some fruit and sugarcane and take turns feeding him. I feel the elephant’s prickly skin brush up against my hand as its trunk carefully grabs a wedge of papaya, and I can’t believe I’m feeding an elephant in northeastern Thailand.

Daeng is guarding Mick’s new bike at the truck, so the rest of us take dinner at a sidewalk restaurant. Some Thai girls at another table are smiling and giggling at Catfish and me, and I’m smiling back. The power of acknowledgment is immense no matter the reason.

One of our Party’s husband, Swiss Tony, shows up dressed in a headband, jogging shorts, and sneakers. He is a small man with short hair and a moustache and he tells me that he quit smoking five years ago and now he’s hooked on long distance running.

It’s about a one-hour drive to the Village where our rental Villa is waiting.

The girls are in the back of the truck with the bike, and Mick tells us about a book he is reading called The Cage. Daeng, the driver, is silent as he navigates the dark highway with unwavering concentration.

 Debido a que el sector transporte es uno de los mayores contribuyentes al cambio climático y a la contaminación atmosférica, el Instituto Nacional de Ecología (INE) promueve normas que garanticen la eficiencia energética y ultrabajas emisiones en la nuevas generaciones de automóviles que se vendan en México.

De acuerdo con el INE, se estima que para el 2030, el País triplicará su flota vehicular actual, lo que equivale a cerca de 70 millones de automotores en circulación. Hasta el 2007, la Asociación Mexicana de Distribuidores de Automóviles (AMDA) tenía un registro de 25 millones 686 mil 187 unidades en toda la Nación.

“Ante esta acelerada motorización, es urgente que el reclutamiento de unidades nuevas en los próximos años sea con los vehículos más limpios y los más eficientes en el mercado internacional “, puntualiza Adrián Fernández, presidente del INE.

Advierte que esto representa un incremento enorme, ya que países desarrollados como Estados Unidos se encuentran en una razón de 840 vehículos por cada mil habitantes, mientras que México se encuentra a un nivel de 200 autos por cada mil.

“Según datos de nuestro más reciente inventario, las emisiones de bióxido de carbono equivalente provenientes del sector transporte pasaron de 90 a 150 millones de toneladas entre 1990 y el 2006. En 2006, el sector transporte consumió el 36 por ciento de los combustibles fósiles utilizados en México.

“Existen razones por las cuales el mercado no incentiva el cambio tecnológico con suficiente rapidez. Una de ellas es que los costos de usar vehículos ineficientes y contaminantes no reflejan los verdaderos costos sociales que debieran incluir los impactos a la salud por la contaminación del aire y los impactos del cambio climático. Por esta razón, los precios de los combustibles no debieran tener subsidios como ocurría hasta hace unos meses con las gasolinas”, precisa Fernández.

Además de la moda, agrega, el subsidio a las gasolinas en México ocasionó la proliferación de grandes camionetas todo terreno y familiares, cuyo rendimiento de combustible en la ciudad, en muchos casos no supera los 8 kilómetros por litro.

Entre 1995 y el 2005, las ventas de este tipo de vehículos se cuadruplicaron, pasando de 20 mil a más de 120 mil unidades por año; para 2007, constituían ya alrededor del 30 por ciento de vehículos nuevos.

“A pesar de esto, una política de precios realistas de los combustibles enfrenta con frecuencia resistencia por parte de la sociedad. Por lo tanto, una de las alternativas más socorridas en el mundo son las normas obligatorias que imponen por ley a las diferentes industrias a cumplir con estándares de rendimiento progresivamente más estrictos.

“Hoy en día, la Unión Europea, Japón, China, Corea y el Estado de California ya han establecido normas de eficiencia energética vehicular. Es importante destacar que la nueva Administración, del Presidente Obama, en los Estados Unidos ha confirmado que introducirán a la brevedad normatividad para mejorar sustancialmente el rendimiento de los vehículos comercializados en aquel país”, comenta Fernández.

De acuerdo con Fernández, el hecho de que el 80 por ciento de los vehículos nuevos fabricados en México sea para exportación y de que los principales mercados sean Europa y Estados Unidos ofrece la gran oportunidad de contar, en el corto plazo, con una mayor diversidad de vehículos con mayor rendimiento y ultrabajas emisiones, que demandarán esos mercados.

El reto es asegurar que todos los vehículos comercializados aquí son muy limpios y eficientes y que no se intente prolongar la fabricación y venta de algunos vehículos más contaminantes o menos rendidores tan sólo porque su obsolescencia tecnológica y su menor calidad les permiten con frecuencia ofrecer menores precios.

El funcionario federal afirma que una política integral que busque reducir los impactos de la flota vehicular en la calidad del aire que respiramos, y en el cambio climático global, debe combinar diversos elementos que ataquen las diferentes aristas del problema, como, por ejemplo; normas estrictas, pero también incentivos fiscales, disminuyendo el ISAN y la tenencia a los vehículos más limpios y eficientes.

En el caso de México, el compromiso de introducir una norma obligatoria de eficiencia en vehículos será uno de los principales pilares del Programa Especial de Cambio Climático, que el Presidente Calderón presentará en las próximas semanas.

Así es que, en términos ambientales, la tendencia es incentivar y privilegiar los automotores más limpios y con tecnologías de última generación como TIER II y EURO IV.

De alto impacto

El incremento de autos sigue y con ello se mantiene el consumo de combustibles:

24 millones de litros de gasolina, promedio diario, queman los automóviles en el Valle de México

4 millones de automotores es la flota vehicular del Valle de México

15 años es el promedio de edad del parque vehicular

65% de las vialidades del DF se encuentra ocupadas como estacionamiento.

4.5 millones de autos se estima que sea la flota vehicular en el 2010.

Fuente: Comisión Ambiental Metropolitana

La tendencia

El INE impulsa la publicación de una norma obligatoria de rendimiento de combustible para vehículos nuevos para que las armadoras mejoren progresivamente la eficiencia de autos que ofrecen, tal como lo han hecho China, la Unión Europea, Japón y el Estado de California, en Estados Unidos.

Mercedes ML 63

AMG 2008

Gasto anual estimado de combustible: $ 34,700

Emisiones CO2: 391*

(*) Gramos por kilómetro

Hummer H3 2008

Gasto anual estimado de combustible: $ 19,900

Precios: dls. 36 mil 950 -39 mil 500

Emisiones CO2: 257

Toyota Yaris 2008

Gasto anual estimado de combustible: $ 8,300

Precios: $146 mil- $183 mil 200

Emisiones CO2: 121

Honda Civic híbrido 2009

Gasto anual estimado de combustible: $ 6,600

Precio: $300,500 mil

Emisiones CO2: 100

NOTA: Precios proporcionados por JATO Dynamics de su base de datos y www.honda.mx

Consulte el rendimiento energético de los autos nuevos en la página web del Instituto Nacional de Ecología en el apartado de “Ecovehículos”.

Con un litro en la Ciudad

Esto es lo que recorrerías con un solo litro de gasolina en el DF.

A bajar más las emisiones

Tendencia que se prevé en caso de impulsar medidas más estrictas y de control de rendimiento energético.

Toneladas de bióxido de carbono

Preparan un ‘ apretón‘ a programa energético

La Comisión Ambiental Metropolitana (CAM) y el Instituto Nacional de Ecología analizan un ajuste técnico al programa de rendimiento energético que se aplica en el Valle de México desde enero de 2007.

Las autoridades prevén que para el segundo semestre de este año ya se tenga listo y en aplicación un nuevo esquema para los vehículos nuevos.

César Reyna, secretario técnico de la CAM, recordó que el objetivo del programa es incentivar la introducción de tecnologías con mejores sistemas de control de emisiones y mayor eficiencia en el consumo de combustible, a través del otorgamiento diferenciado del holograma Doble 0 de verificación vehicular por periodos de 2, 4 y hasta 6 años.

“El programa está dirigido a vehículos ligeros nuevos, a gasolina e híbridos, que cumplan con los criterios de ser año-modelos 2007, 2008, 2009 y siguientes.

“Los vehículos deben cumplir con un límite de emisión de hidrocarburos de 0.047 g/km, o 0.1 g/km de acuerdo al protocolo de prueba americano (EPA) o europeo (EURO) respectivamente. Además de que deberán cumplir con el requerimiento de los sistemas de diagnóstico a bordo (OBDII, EOBD o similar) como lo establece la NOM-042-Semarnat-2003″, precisa Reyna.

Aclara que el ajuste se perfila, para acceder al refrendo del holograma Doble 0 por 4 y 6 años, que el vehículo además de cumplir con los límites muy bajos de emisión deberán aprobar con alguno de los rangos de rendimiento de más de 13 kilómetros por litro, ya que ahora se refrenda a partir de los 9 kilómetros por litro.

Lam Seephandon – Oukeo Xayavong

Lam Seephandon is a traditiona local Morlum Lao from Laos.

My featured music videos are mostly singing by women singers.

But I do some exceptions.

As you know, there are lot of very good male singers around.

Oukeo Xayavong is a very famous singer in Lao, it’s good chance to know him and listen his singing here.

This music file is comes from Hoynam from YouTub, I would like to tell ” Thank you for sharing “.

Lum Salavan – Oukeo Xayavong

Lum Salavan : many singers are singing this song, Thai-mostly Esarn singers and Lao singers too.

For Thai people, This song is very famous by Banyen and Honey Sri Esan.

This music file is comes from SaoDokmai from YouTub, I would like to tell ” Thank you for sharing “.

Saturday brought a beautiful sunny day that found me stuck inside.  The Tokyo iSAN summit brought together quite a dynamic group, and was a great opportunity to dedicate the time to playing around with some Apple software.  I’ve used most of these programs before, but software tends to be a little different than riding a bike – if you aren’t using it regularly, you can tend to forget some of the features.  This weekend also presented my first foray into the world of Garage Band, which was fun, but I’m not sure when I’ll use it again any time soon.

Having just moved here, it was nice to network and get to put some faces to names, and I did get a chance to play around with some pretty cool new (to me) software like Skitch (thanks Brian L).

Nahm Tah Lon Bon Tee Naun – Honey Sri-Eesarn

I didn’t know that sometime related post has automatically generated by WordPress.

My older post is Rum Toey – Thai, Esarn : Morlum : -Morlam- page,

She has passed already in 1990’s.

But still many Thai people think, she is a Queen of Morlum in Thailand.

She has a kind of hard voice, maybe it’s a one of big character of Morlam queen.

KongKit from YouTube, he posted many good videos, Thank you!

Rum Toey – รำเต้ย : from Yaaw Kuk Medley Eesarn 5

‘Rum Toey’ is including in album ‘Yaaw Kuk Medley Eesarn 5′.

And this kind of songs are called -Morlum- in Thailand and Laos.

It’s very popular in Esarn : East of Thailand & also has tradition in Laos too.

Originally came from Lao and ancient Lao area : called ‘ Lum Lao in Thailand.

-Morlam- in Thai music video are mostly very good made with skills and budgets.

KongKit from YouTube, Thank you for sharing!

I think musicians of this album called Krun thep all stars or something, it’s a temporary name.

So, you can see famous singers in this video.. for example Man Maneewan.

By the way, I love Poo Yai Lee most in this album.

oops!

I’ve found that many visitors coming to this page!!

Thank you so much …. this page is writing about Esarn music.

So … I decided to add another song right here…

It’s unusual right? hehe… but mai pen rai.

Poo Yai Lee : from Yaaw Kuk Medley Eesarn 5

Next one is also famous very good song.

Urai Puiwong’s singing, that’s very wonderful. but it’s maybe in the other time.

Seurng Bung Fai : from Yaaw Kuk Medley Eesarn 5

One of the viewers of the KBS TV2 drama “He Who Can’t Marry” has recently written that she was surprised by its main male character, Cho Jae-hee, who is played by actor Ji Jin-hee. So far, Ji has mostly played gentle and smart men, but this time he has been transformed into a narrow-minded old bachelor, whom he portrays in a comical way. The viewer said she had no idea Ji could portray comical roles and that they suited him perfectly.

Ji is not the only one to reflect the latest small-screen trend. A growing number of male actors are shedding their existing images to try on new roles. Despite the risk, so far the majority of them have succeeded in their transformations.

Ji Jin-hee, Lee Jong-won Realize Their Long-cherished Dreams

Ji Jin-hee has played only serious roles so far, such as Min Jung-ho in “Jewelry In The Palace,” Oh Tae-seok in “Spotlight” and his big-screen roles in the movies “Soo” and “The Old Garden.” But in the TV drama “He Who Can’t Marry,” Ji plays a very rigid man who receives hemorrhoids surgery from a female doctor, to his great embarrassment, and is engrossed in playing with a toy like a child. Ji said he was glad to take on this comical role because he had wanted to play a cheerful role for a long time. He also added that sometimes he gets carried away during filming, prompting the director to stop him.

Actor Lee Jong-won from the KBS TV1 drama “Jolly Widows” also portrays a comical man, as if trying to shed his image as a playboy. Lee, who played a cool-headed doctor in “General Hospital 2” and a charismatic prince in “The Land Of Wind,” recently impressed viewers by perfectly portraying a man who was cheating on his wife. However, this time he is back as a completely new actor, both in terms of the way he looks and acts. He wears round-framed glasses, which have earned him the nickname “fat Harry Potter,” to portray a cartoonist who puts on a headband and turns on the theme song of the movie “Mission Impossible” whenever he has to meet tight deadlines. Lee says it wasn’t his intention to portray only serious roles and that it feels good to portray an upbeat role for the first time in a while.

Kim Sung-min, Jeon No-min in Vicious Roles

Kim Sung-min from the MBC TV drama “Can I Get A Meal?” and Jeon No-min from the MBC drama “The Great Queen Seondeok” have also drawn the spotlight by appearing in vicious roles. Kim Sung-min, who has so far mostly played comical roles, such as those in the TV drama “Married to the Mafia” and the movie “The Mafia the Salesman,” appears as a man who cheats on his wife in “Can I Get A Meal?” He is unabashed and rude, but when his wife asks for a divorce, he ignores her request.

Actor Jeon No-min has played righteous and kindhearted men so far, but in “The Great Queen Seondeok” he plays a vicious man who does everything to destroy his enemies. Jeon says he had wanted to try a new role when he was cast for the drama and that although he still feels awkward portraying a person who is obsessed with jealousy and wants to realize his ambitions by any means, he is glad to try his skills at a completely new role.

Cha Seung-won, Han Sang-jin in Melodrama Roles

Actors Cha Seung-won and Han Sang-jin, for their part, have made a major transformation by taking on romantic roles in the SBS TV series “City Hall” and the KBS TV2 drama “My Too Perfect Sons,” respectively. Cha, who has already gained significant recognition for his skills in portraying comical roles and also successfully playing a charismatic character in “Eye For An Eye,” perfectly portrays a romantic guy in his first small-screen role in six years. Viewers have lauded his acting skills so far, and said they were impressed by his acting in crying scenes.

Actor Han Sang-jin, who has gained popularity for playing “Isan” in the drama “White Tower,” also plays a romantic man in “My Too Perfect Sons” in a break from his previous roles that mostly included “dry-hearted” guys who had no interest whatsoever in love. Han’s character–an intelligent and exemplary reporter–tied the knot with an actress in an episode that aired June 28. On that day, the drama’s viewer ratings exceeded 30 percent. Han says it is fun to finally play a man who has a girlfriend and even gets married.

source: kbs