Thailand-USA Information Portal and Hub

The United States of America Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton made a diplomatic and humanitarian visit to Thailand on November 16 and 17, 2011. Following this text is an embedded video clip including speeches by both Clinton and the Prime Minister of Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra. Read more »

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Thailand – USA relations remain unscathed following reports that the two countries were experiencing a rift of mis-communication.

In a report released earlier this week by the State-run news agency, MCOT, General Yuthasak Sasiprap, Thailand’s Defense Minister denied allegations that Thailand had declined an offer by the United States for flood aid. Read more »

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This first weekend of July, 2011 is an important time for both Thais and Americans alike. Read more »

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Upon learning that a sequel to the Hollywood blockbuster, the Hangover was being filmed in my then-residence Bangkok, curiosities arose. When you’ve lived in Thailand’s capital for the better part of a decade, you pretty much see it all and it doesn’t take long before one becomes jaded amid the cosmopolitan wonder of a city which [international] name’s pronunciation resembles a ludicrous action. What follows is a part-film review, part-social-cultural perspective and critique, and represents the sincere opinions of the author.  Read more »

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Following are images taken in Denver and Thornton, Colorado during the period between the months of February and March of 2011. These images–random and intentional snaps of typical, ordinary, daily life in the United States–were taken with a Nokia smart phone, model E63, which camera’s resolution is less than two mega pixels. For web optimization, the photos have been reduced to 25 percent of their original size. Read more »

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Since departing stateside last on December 31, 2003, the Siamerican Wanderer’s February, 2011 return to the fatherland marked some 85 months habituating the land of Thai straight through; having anticipated a long-due return to his birth country, the dual-national, Siamese-American hybrid had diligently been preparing himself mentally and physically for several months leading up to his most recent Asia-exodus flight, knowing all-to-well he would be at high risk of ‘culture shock’ when re-exposed to the multi-cultural tessellation commonly known as America. Read more »

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Similar to retailers’ initiative to reduce plastic bag distribution in places like Germany and Holland, major retailers on the tropical Thai island of  Phuket plan to start  charging customers for  bags in hopes of tackling the island’s infamous waist dilemma. Frankly, a ‘start’ is all that such a decree can qualify to be.

While arguably an initiative for some consumers to start developing a sense for reusing, revenue seeking fractions of such two-fold environmentally capitalizing legislation is only starting to tap the tip of this iceberg’s much larger problem. Even more worrisome and urgent than retail packaging waste is an over-neglected burden of food packaging.

Walk into a 7-11, Family Mart, 108 Shop, or any other mini mart or supermarket in any part of the country, and the only way you won’t walk out without at least one bag, no matter how small your purchase was, e.g. a pack of gum, bag of chips-crisps, etc., is if you outright declare to the clerk, “No bag, please! Mai Tawng Sai Tung krup (ka)! ไม่ต้องใส่ถุงครับ (ค่ะ)”
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So you’ve arrived at the realization that teaching English to foreigners-in a foreign country may be just the unemployment crisis cure you were needing. If you landed on this page without reading the first part, it is strongly suggested you read that before continuing.

As local unemployment rates continue to surge, a window of opportunity is glowing just beyond the horizon. What next, how to get there and grasp it? Read more »

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With the economy hurtin’ and uncertain, a lot more folks find themselves in position to consider critical career change, if not by choice, certainly a crisis’ coercion. Whatever the actual current number of laid off, jobless sentenced hobos, the fact is much of the first world is left with an excess supply of skilled laborers and idle intellects alike, with no apparent demand to utilize them.

Perhaps this applies directly to you? Don’t reserve your copy of ‘Slangin’ Rocks for Beginners’ guide just yet, there is still light in more prestigious fields of work. In fact there is more than enough demand and necessity for white collared workers regardless of any economic crisis the news was babbling about. This Crisis’ Cure has come!
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