2BANGKOK.COM'S NEWS AND VIEWS APRIL 2004 News and views archives - since 1999 Search this site Pink case - April 30, 2004 Yesterday we asked: Anyone know what this case from Taiwan holds? The answer is various types of packaged cookies (below). This is souvenir given out to guests who attend a wedding party. (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) New highway planned to let herds mingle - The Nation, April 26 A 17-km elevated highway is to be built through Khao Yai and Thap Lan national parks to allow wild elephant herds to mix and end 30 years of inbreeding. The highway, to cost about 1.3 billion baht to build, will replace the Kabin Buri-Pakthong Chai road, which experts say poses ``a biological barrier'' for wildlife, especially elephants. ...The Kabin Buri-Pakthong Chai road was paved with funding from the United States government as a supply route during the Vietnam War. It cuts precisely along the Khao Yai-Thap LAN border, separating two of the country's richest forest reserves both in terms of geography and wildlife biology. ...The planned highway will be about five metres above ground. Once it is open the existing Kabin Buri-Pakthong Chai road will be closed, enabling the animals to pass back and forth. Thap LAN has the largest population, about 300 animals.... Gory stories - April 29, 2004 A decade ago, the Post and The Nation rarely covered the same gory news stories as the vernacular Thai press, but in the past few years these attention-getting murder cases are getting covered in English too. Yesterday was a good example: 'Vengeful' man slays brother, baby niece (The Nation, April 28, 2004). The only thing missing in the English-language press were the gruesome photos that made the story front-page worthy in other newspapers. (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) 7:22am, April 28, 2004 Fierce thunderstorm sweeps through Bangkok... A negative take on the economy: Thai miracle fizzling out? - Bloomberg News, April 29, 2004 Lightposts - April 27, 2004 The new-design posts around the Saman Luang area (right). Democrats deny copying policies - The Nation, April 27, 2004 This amusing incident has been all over the news in the last day. MCOT had the full, sarcastic statement made by Thaksin about the Democrats' new populist policies: Asked about a new policy of the Democrat Party, which is emphasized on 'free education', the Thai leader said that it was a good development of the leading opposition party to change its policy to be people-oriented, adding that it was also a good development of the Thai politics that there was now another political party planning to use resources to bring about what are considered constructive development to the society and the nation, rather than using the resources to destroy rival parties. "I welcome the Democrat Party to the club", he said. (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Phan Phiphop Lila Bridge - April 24, 2004 Nils writes: An old aerial photo (circa 1946) from Heinrich Damm's virtual walk through Rattanakosin Island..... looking north and showing the northeastern corner of Sanam Luang, the Mae Thorani Fountain, Phanpop Lila Bridge, the Royal Hotel (right), Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the mouth of Khlong Lord which is now covered by the ramp of the Phra Pinklao Bridge, The National Gallery (left), Khao San Rd (middle right), Chakraphong Rd and Wat Chanasongkhram, Banglamphu Intersection (Phra Sumen/Chakraphong/Samsen Rds). Note: What might look like a bridge over the Chao Phraya at first glance rather seems to be part of the plane's wing..... This photo is from the post-war aerial survey of Bangkok taken in 1946 by Peter Williams Hunt. (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Slum fire - 1:30pm, April 23, 2004 Fire Engulfs Slum in Thai Capital (Reuters) Fire engulfed a slum area near the Australian and German embassies in the Thai capital on Friday, sending a huge pall of thick black smoke into the sky, Reuters witnesses said. (Photo: Wesley Hsu) State Tower unveils its golden dome - April 22, 2004 After a long refurbishment during which it was white, State Tower's dome was uncovered in the last few days revealing a new coat of gold. Earlier: World's highest outdoor restaurant: Sirocco Restaurant on top of State Tower A walk in old Bangkok - April 20, 2004 Heinrich writes: I'm a frequent visitor to your 2Bangkok pages. I especially like the Then & Now pages (like about Saphan Kwai and the Santichaiprakarn Park). As I'm also interested in Bangkok's history I put together some pages on my own homepage, like a Virtual Walk over Rattanakosin Island and Old Bridges of Bangkok (in German). (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Advice to motorcyclists - April 20, 2004 A folksy public-service announcement from the police at Rama IV Road and the expressway. The top part reads: "A example of what not to do." The bottom part reads: "You must turn on the light and put on a helmet." The person under the sign is a mannequin to show the proper way. Thanks to Nudch for correcting our translation.