How convenient. No need to act “ab-baew” and beg, though that would have given me a discount instead of having to pay full B500.

The photos are unbelievably crisp and clear, with my license plate clearly visible in HD. Wow. Who would have thought we would have such technologically advanced traffic video equipment, considering the state of our city, where people get shot and bombed on at major intersections without any form of photographic evidence.

Does that mean I can easily run red lights at Silom and Ratchaprasong and not get caught? Cool. I’ll keep that in mind once those streets are open to innocent public again.

Well before all that, there was this.

And now there are holes in Au Bon Pain, MRT/BTS closing down, more people getting injured, one reported dead. You’re all just fucking anarchists, no matter what color you’re proclaiming to be.

Troops retreating, police outnumbered. Soldiers firing fake bullets and tear gas, while the reds attack with real guns, grenades and molotovs?

Isn’t this already justified for a REAL retaliation?

I’m all for them protesting for their voice, their right. But stirring up shit just because things don’t happen like your leaders have brainwashed you to believe and expect, this is just plain stupid.

I didn’t care whether Abhisit stayed in power or not but now I want a government that can react and deal with shit like this professionally. This is ridiculous.

OK someone is on air now. Guess I’m live blogging this shit. Oh hello September 2006. I’ve missed you.

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9:00pm: Whatever the government says, the redshit is gonna say they’re lying, inciting violence among their people. Of course they already trust you. Thanks for lying to them now they’re all believing violence is the answer. Thanks.

OK this soldier dude on TV is really threatening the reds. If they don’t stop attacking the soldiers, they’re gonna attack back.

9:07pm: OK fine.. Live ammunition from the army but in the air only. Whatever. Well either way, nothing is working is it? Either man up or just give up, okay Thai government?

9:15pm: From @journotopia: “Eyewitness reports of other injuries. Soldier dead or near dead. Man with brain blown out.”

Oh and for tweets live from the scene, follow these brave tweeters: @journotopia @newley

9:17pm: Two reds dead, being carried out from hospital by protesters, confirmed on NBT.

9:22pm: NBT is saying soldiers are retreating.

9:25pm: And of course Channel 3, 5, and 7 are showing soap operas. Amazing Thailand. @phuphu said it best: ประเทศนี้มีฟรีทีวีไว้เพื่อดูละคร โฆษณา มิวสิควีดีโอ เกมส์โชว์ตลก และรายงานสดแพนด้ากับหม่าม้าของมัน

9:32pm: Wait, they’re bringing the bodies of the two dead reds and show them off on stage? OK. No comment.

9:40pm: Government, please just end this by ending yourself. I don’t care who wins. The country is not going to be any better either way.

9:44pm: TV dude is back. Same predictable things.

9:47pm: Times like this make me realize blogging is slowly losing its relevance. Twitter is definitely star.

All this freaking time, I always thought of Naraya as a brand only Japanese grandmothers could love–Fabric bags with floral prints, maroon colored cloths, nappy-bag shaped totes and motherly wears and gears. My grandma’s collection also didn’t make a good impression on me with all the old people colors and prints that she picked.

After being stuck in a Sukhumvit traffic jam near the shop, I had time to peek inside the store. And instead of the usual housewifey designs, I saw navy stripes, polka dots, Chanel-esque quilted black and white totes and more. All this time I had been going to the Emporium, I never once set foot into the small Naraya shop at the corner of Soi 24 until today.

This has to be one of the most “duh” moments in my entire life as everyone around me seems to have already been aware of its greatness. Everything is super cheap. I bought a quilted tote about A3 size, a makeup bag with mirror, a tissue paper case and a card holder–all under B500. That makeup pouch alone is only B50. FIFTY! Anything similar to this sold in the malls or even Jatujak would send you back at least B200.

The website really doesn’t do its products justice; it’s only further emphasizing on its housewife image with all those pink roses and butterfly prints and all.

I’m so going back to bag all of its houndstooth and polka dot collection.

She has only just started her YouTube videos this month and she’s already garnering a lot of hits for her main series, Learn Thai the Bon’s Way, which gives funny and easy to understand lessons on Thai language.

But what got my attention wasn’t her enjoyable Thai grammar lessons, but this other side project she has, Jaidee TV.

The intro sequence is cheesy, the soundtrack is awful but those are exactly what makes this series awesome. She parodies different Thai stereotyes, such as ab-baews (a girl acting/talking/making faces like she’s a 12-year-old Japanese anime character), kradae inter kids (speaking Thai like you’re a farang even though you’ve only been living a broad for only a month), and a nature mockumentary about farangs.

Only five videos and I’m already a fan.

Here’s the mockumentary. It’s a parody of this old, conservative documentary series shown on Thai national TV, called Krajok Hok Daan or six-sided mirror. I don’t know if they’re still producing it. It’s very traditional, with an old Thai teacher kind of character doing the narration, just like in this parody. The funny part in this video is when she pronounces English words in a very Thai-teacher accent.

Too bad it’s only in Thai right now. These parodies can really open a window into the world of modern Thai culture. Rikker, get started on those subtitles right now!

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Edit: Here’s Rikker’s subtitle!

I have been following the Red March news since the asset judgement day and I really didn’t think anything would come out of it, except the usual blocking of the roads and marching in the streets of Bangkok.

Then came their new tactics/antics.

(Thanks Newley for the photo)

The redshirts are drawing bloods from their protesters, aiming at 1 million cc., to be splashed at the government house–Songkran style. It’s a symbolic act they say, but I don’t see it.

Who said Thailand’s protests aren’t bloodshed?

This photo alone shows just how pumped up these guys are when it comes to being radical, reckless, stupid.

They could have used pig blood. We already eat them in our noodles but no, they have to go all the way. A legit blood bank could never attract this much participants. And what are they going to do with all this blood? Throw them onto the streets. What a waste. Edward Cullen is in Forks somewhere crying.

My friend, Cod, had an open letter to Thaksin all written up and it pretty much sums up what most people, non-shirted ones that is, think right now.

The photos of the babies as well as the mother are up on the SCAD website

The mother has been named Chaiya (we kept calling her the phoo-ying because she was always with babies), and her babies are Rama, Shiva and Kali.

I miss them so much. When we walk pass the parking lot where they used to live in, I feel sad not having the phoo-ying come out to greet us like she always did.

But it’s better this way. At least now they’re being taken care of by a team of people who really care, when before it was just two of us against the whole condo building, and we couldn’t even feed them everyday. Now all they need is a loving home. It would be nice for them to be able to stay together but if not then it’s fine too.

I’m gonna pay them a visit some time this week and donate some food to the center.

We finally found a temporary home for them at the Soi Cats and Dogs center.

I approached them knowing that adoption isn’t their priority as I was desperate to find home for these kittens.

As I tweeted, or blogged, before, the last batch of babies by this stray mother cat were met with untimely death, thanks to the “kindness” of the condo management, who thought these kittens were making too much mess in the garden around their pool.

I later asked someone from the condo, and they said the kittens were actually left at a nearby temple, though you can’t really be sure, considering the temple is right next to Klong Saen Sap.

But anyway, we wanted to get the mom sterilized but then she got pregnant again, and this time with these cute little babies, and we couldn’t let them get killed again.

So I asked SCAD what they could do. Turned out the kittens were eligible for their Rehoming program. Usually the center would go to a neighborhood, neuter the dogs and cats, and bring in ones that they think would be adoptable (healthy, clean, nice). They don’t encourage people to drop the animals at the center, but we were lucky as they said these kittens would find home quickly.

Now the kittens are up for adoption, as well as the mother, to our surprise. They usually release sterilized animals back into the neighborhood but the mother however charmed the staff and got herself a spot on the adoption list also.

So, if you’re planning to get yourself a cat, consider SCAD instead of a pet store. It’s free to adopt and they always make sure the animals are friendly and healthy before putting them up for adoption.

Photos of the babies and the mother cat will be posted on their website soon, and I will update this post with the links to them.

Just in case you’re new in town, and foolishly thinking that taking Bangkok’s BTS or MRT is like taking one back home. Though the trains may look like an old Shinkansen model, and the stations may look like they have been airlifted from Singapore, but the truth remains: in Thailand, things are not the way they seem.

Someone once told me, Thai people think of the BTS/MRT as a bus. A Thai bus. The one that speeds away from their stop, stops for no one, and speeds off just as fast before you fully get on. It’s also crowded, no room to be polite, you have to be selfish to get to your destination.

This bus culture is still pretty much evident on the BTS/MRT. And just in case you’re not already familiar, here’s a simple set of guidelines for surviving a Bangkok’s public commuter train.

1. Always form a neat queue when waiting for the train. But once it comes, run as fast as you can and push everyone aside so you could get yourself in front of the doors first.

2. No food or drinks on board. But packed sidewalk treats are allowed. Make sure they are as smelly as possible. Think fermented fish, garlic-laced pork barbecue, som tum, fried salted fish, and when possible, ripe durians.

3. If you’re coming down with a flu, don’t worry about carrying a napkin or handkerchief. Once you’ve sneezed, feel free to wipe your hands on the handle bars.

4. When you see that the BTS/MRT is already packed with people, by all means jump right in, especially when the warning sound starts. Just like the yellow light in traffic, the warning sound means “motherfucker go go go” and not “get ready to stop” like the rest of the world.

5. Right in front of the doors but this isn’t your stop? It’s alright to stand and act as if you’re a tree and rooted in your position. Others definitely don’t mind trying to maneuver themselves around you. Just make sure you have an extra layer of skin on your face and all will be fine.

6. See the poles? They’re not for holding. They’re for leaning and hugging, and sometimes as a practice space for your nighttime performance. Feel free to flung your arms around it like it’s your long lost friend. Better yet, lean your sweaty body against it so no one else can hold it. It’s yours to keep.

7. What’s more important? Checking your BB or holding a handle bar? Of course the BlackBerry wins. So when the BTS finally brakes, you can rightfully fall on other passengers. That’s their purpose you know, to be your cushion.

8. Girls, and I’m sure you already know, EVERYONE LOVES your perfume. So go crazy on that bottle of knock-off No. 5 from the talad you bought the other day.

9. Kids. We know those backpacks are heavy. But please don’t rest them on the floor for your convenience. We like it when that thing bumps into the backs of our heads, and you being completely oblivious to the whole thing.

10. Despite multiple staircases, and in Siam, multiple escalators available, you should be lazy and take the same one as everyone else. Because you know, an escalator takes you places faster, even if it means you have to wait in line as long as the BTS itself.

I brought my birthday present, the Hello Kitty Fuji Instax Mini, with me. I took more photos than what’s shown here but some were stolen right from my hands when the camera spotted them out. Guess that’s the effect instant cameras have on people.

Bonus: Anyone can provide home for these kitties. The last batch from this Mommy Cat were “taken care of” by the condo management. I don’t want it to happen again. Just contacted SCAD but taking in strays isn’t exactly their focus. Please pass the word around. The babies are about a month old.