19 Jan

19 Jan - If you were in the vicinity of Laem Ngop the other day you'd have seen warships from the Royal Thai Navy parked offshore as part of the celebrations of Thailand's naval "victory" over the French in WW2. As with many battles, there are differences of opinion over who actually won. Thailand officially claims victory which is fair enough, but naval historians tend to hold a different opinion. This is mainly based on the fact that no French ships were sunk whilst the Thai fleet, despite their bravery, was only saved from being wiped out by a ceasefire brokered by the Japanese. Here end's today's history lesson.

Last update I mentioned that the island seemed pretty quiet considering it was high season. I received an email from a guy who has a business here saying I shouldn't say things like that as it might put visitors off coming. (?!?) Fair enough, the island is packed with visitors, there are no rooms available anywhere, there are traffic jams of mopeds on the roads. OK? Rushing to book your flights?

If you're staying in a fancy hotel it's worth shopping around for your tours. Visit any tour agency outside the hotel and you'll find the exact same tour or trip at half the price that is advertised within the walls of the 4 star. Luxury hotels seem to think that if you're paying a lot more than most for a room then you should also pay far more for an identical tour. One emailer learned this recently when, having paid 900 baht for a snorkelling trip booked through their hotel, they found themselves on a boat where the other people they spoke to had only paid 500 baht for exactly the same trip.

And finally, an early contender for Koh Chang's wedding of the year , taken from the Thai language press . . .

Triple play

The guests, it has to be said, were taken aback by the wedding invitation card, which announced the nuptials of bridegroom Yeuifa Meelaap and two brides: Vassana Uysap and Jenny Saibua.

A wedding for a threesome was unusual, and all the more so when one realizes that the groom was also a woman.

Talking to reporters, the trio explained that K. Vassana, a mother of one child, and K. Jenny were very close friends, “sworn sisters”, as they put it. Together they ran Vassana Seafood on the holiday island of Koh Chang in Trat Province.

The groom, Yeuifa, ran the nearby Khunyoong Seafood restaurant. Each, they said, was in love with the other two.

The groom followed tradition, paying a bride price of a 10-baht-weight gold necklace, 300,000 in cash and a car to each bride’s family.

People at the ceremony admitted that it was unusual, but in no way objectionable.

The happy trio have now combined their businesses into the Vassana Seafood and Khunyoong Seafood Talay Pao Restaurant, and have moved into a house in nearby Rayong Province.