Thailand: Bangkok

Jan's Big Birthday

Posted October 9, 2025 by Jan
Thailand: Bangkok
B"H
Jomtien Beach
Thailand
Thursday
October 9, 2025
 
Hello,
 
I was blessed with three separate birthday events this year.
 
On Thursday, September 18, my actual birthday, I decided to attend the morning prayer service at my synagogue.  I hadn't been in shul for two years. My friend Shmuel Avraham helped me straighten my tallis.  Rabbi Kantor was pleased to see me.  He assisted me with the tefillin and in the siddur, directed me to the Schema, the proper prayer.  On Thursday the Torah is read and since I am a Levi, I was called up for an Aliyah.  Of course!   I can still read and chant the Hebrew prayers.
 
The remainder of the day was quite normal. My Bangkok friends were either out of town or unable to meet me.  I did a little shopping, prepared meals, and read a bit.  
 
On Saturday, September 27, my friends Bijan and Lita organized a wonderful late afternoon-early evening birthday party at their condominium building at Jomtien Beach.  The 26th floor meeting room has an extended balcony that overlooks the Gulf of Siam.

Dan came down from Bangkok. My girlfriend Ooy took a day off from work. Olga brought a chocolate cake. Happi and LT and his girlfriend Cho completed the cheerful and celebratory group of close friends.  In addition to the food and drink and ice cream cake, Bijan popped open a bottle of champagne.  This is a party to remember.

 
On Saturday October 4 My friend and webmaster Aun and her husband Bill came down to Jomtien with their eight-month-old daughter "Baby Muffin."  Ooy and I met them for dinner.  Bill is an attentive father and Aun is always cheerful and energetic.  Across the table from me, Muffin seemed quizzical yet amused by my facial expression antics. 
 
After dinner Aun disclosed that Muffin screams when held by strangers.  Nevertheless! In my arms Baby Muffin was delighted with my conversation.  Eventually she even reached out to my beard with curiosity and dare I say, approval.  I told her I won't be here for her wedding or for her college graduation.   But I'll hang around for awhile as her friend and keep our conversation going.
 
Thank you my friends who have celebrated my birthday with me  Thank you to my friends who have sent me your best wishes.
 
Friends is what I have.
 
Be well,
 
Jan
 
PS I always know the Hebrew calendar year.  How is that?  This New Year is 5786.  I am in my 86th year.   See you next September. 
 
 

Jan's Special Birthday

Posted September 18, 2025 by Jan
Thailand: Bangkok

 

B"H

Bangkok

Thailand

September 18, 2025

Hello,

Today is my Birthday.  I am Eighty-five.

I am well.  I have family and friends who care about me.       

I am active.  I am happy.

Since I have been an expatriate and a traveler for more than twenty-five years, I have celebrated my birthday in several locations.

For example, in 2011 in Russia, I was visiting the small city of Vladimir.   I sang Happy Birthday to myself as I wandered around town.

In 2014 in Lithuania, in the small city of Palanga, I met Rima, a rehabilitation physician and her husband Mindaugas.   Since Rima was on duty the evening of my birthday, we three had a small party in her hospital office.

Over the years I have had several large gatherings in restaurants here in Bangkok and at Jomtien Beach, my get-out-of town pad.  Thai friends and expat friends from Afghanistan, America, Australia, Canada, England, France. Hungary, India, Iraq, Israel, South Africa and South Korea have celebrated my birthday with me.

 At one party my Thai friend Nai came with her very young daughter.  Little Samantha stood on her chair, bent over the cake and helped me blow out the candles.  Samantha is now a high school senior!

This year I’ll have a party with my friends at Jomtien Beach.

You might ask, “So far, Jan, where was your favorite birthday party during your expatriate and travel years?”

That’s easy to answer:  Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China.

Click on the photo above for photos from Bangkok.

Scroll down for the videos from China.

Finally, My Friends, Thank You for your encouragement and friendship for all these years.  With your support, and continued good fortune, I’ll keep on goin’.

Be well,

Papa Jan

PS Click here for the full story from Dunhuang and the stunning Dunhuang Yardang National Geo Park.

 

Bangkok: "Baiyoke Tower and 360 Degrees"

Posted August 10, 2006 by Jan
Thailand: Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand
Thursday
August 10, 2006
9:00 pm

Dear Family and Friends,

Along with my dinner partners, I am standing on the Sky Walk Revolving Roof Deck of the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, the Tallest Tower in the Kingdom of Thailand. It's my first visit here.

Below us, as we turn through 360 degrees, are the street lights, darkened towers, and criss-crossing bright ribbons of Bangkok expressways. A police car, blue lights flashing and siren wailing, speeds along a multi-lane roadway.

Bangkok Photo Walk

Posted December 15, 2019 by Jan
Thailand: Bangkok

Bangkok

Thailand

December 15, 2019

Hello,

Why travel hundreds or thousands of miles away when many interesting things can be found in our own neighborhood?   Just have to look around. 

I was pleased to join the Bangkok Photographers group since we started our tour a short walk from my apartment.

I doubt whether "skyscrapers" is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Bangkok.

Nevertheless, we have our share.

Delightful Afternoon in "Pakistan"

Posted July 15, 2017 by Jan
Thailand: Bangkok

Bangkok

Thailand

Sunday

July 15, 2018

 

Hello,

I had the most delightful afternoon at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.  I attended the “Pakistan Single Country Exhibition.”

My goal was to obtain tourist information.  I had heard excellent stories from a group of German motorcyclists who I met last year in Tashkurgan, Xinjiang Province, China near the Pakistan border.  I had traveled from Kashgar through some spectacular mountain scenery.   Apparently, to the west, the Karakorum Highway in Pakistan is even more spectacular.

At the exhibit today, I did find a few brochures about the mountain and lake regions of Pakistan.  But the convention center had exhibitors from a variety of other businesses: Rock Salt Products, Marble and Onyx, Wooden Furniture, Rugs, Gems and Jewelry, Garments and Textiles, Agro Foods, Brass Artifacts, Cutlery, Surgical Instruments, Sports Goods, Leather, Fishery, Pipe and Steel, Handicrafts, and of course, a Food Court.

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