Chiang Mai & Tachileik
Early October, 2010
Tao had the opening for the third (actually 4th) Preduce shop in Chiang Mai! We all headed over to show some
support and enjoy the north of Thailand.
support and enjoy the north of Thailand.
Tao and his mother.
Eric warm up ollies at the bridge in Chiang Mai.
Soon after warming up, Simo was getting into Tailslides. He was sliding on them pretty well besides the one try
when he slid on his shin resulting to a quick hospital visit for some stitches.
when he slid on his shin resulting to a quick hospital visit for some stitches.
Thai hospital.
Simo before getting hurt. Nosemanual at an abandoned park.
After trying to enter with Kenny last year and getting denied, I was finally able to give Myanmar a short visit while
taking care of a visa run at the same time.
taking care of a visa run at the same time.
Click to enlarge. Close to the Golden Triangle. China to the left, Laos in the middle and Thailand to the right.
Getting into Myanmar made me feel like a little kid again, so excited and enthusiastic towards the new culture which I
admire with passion. Myanmar is totally closed off their borders to the west, but you can enter from either China &
Thailand. Out of the six borders only two or three are accessible for foreigners. The Mai Sai/Tachileik border is a
really interesting one... you can enter for fourteen days but without a guide you are only allowed to stay in Tachileik.
admire with passion. Myanmar is totally closed off their borders to the west, but you can enter from either China &
Thailand. Out of the six borders only two or three are accessible for foreigners. The Mai Sai/Tachileik border is a
really interesting one... you can enter for fourteen days but without a guide you are only allowed to stay in Tachileik.
I crossed the border and was ready to head into the Shan province. I was stunned when told that I could only stay
in Tachileik and could only head onwards to a city called Keng Tung if I hire a guide for 1000 baht (30 USD) per
day. I came all this way so I had to do it for at least two days. But had a late evening and night to check out Keng
Tung.
in Tachileik and could only head onwards to a city called Keng Tung if I hire a guide for 1000 baht (30 USD) per
day. I came all this way so I had to do it for at least two days. But had a late evening and night to check out Keng
Tung.
Burmese haircut. By the way, people always get confused how to call Myanmar, some people say Burma, and
some say Myanmar. The official term for Myanmar the country is "The Republic of the Union of Myanmar". When
people refer to Myanmar as Burma, not all the states of Myanmar are included within the name.
some say Myanmar. The official term for Myanmar the country is "The Republic of the Union of Myanmar". When
people refer to Myanmar as Burma, not all the states of Myanmar are included within the name.
Late night snack... chicken heads
I was so surprised when it got dark at around 6pm and the whole city got so dark. Its a weird feeling, since you take
street lights for granted back home, while Myanmar has power cuts through out the day leaving its people in the
dark. Hotels and little stores use generators to live through the uncertainty of such a common and accessible
source such as electricity.
street lights for granted back home, while Myanmar has power cuts through out the day leaving its people in the
dark. Hotels and little stores use generators to live through the uncertainty of such a common and accessible
source such as electricity.
Around 6am, girls getting out of the school bus to go to class while a strong shower just passed the skies of
Tachileik.
Tachileik.
I just have so much respect for Myanmar. The people are so humble and respectful even though they been living in
a state of military dictatorship. Being colonized by the British for around 150 years until the Japanese occupied
during World War II, Myanmar has such a harsh and sad history. After becoming independent it has been controlled
and dictated by various military juntas. The people are oppressed and controlled, everyone needs to go through
check points leaving the city, so that everyone is traceable. The last election in 1990 was corrupted when Aung San
Suu Kyi's liberal party was fairly elected, the junta didn't recognize the win and stayed in power. After 20 years of no
elections, 'The Republic Union of Myanmar' is finally having another election on November 7th, 2010. Lets hope that
the military junta can be overthrown by a more liberal party which could change how 60 million people live in one of
the most beautiful countries of the world!
a state of military dictatorship. Being colonized by the British for around 150 years until the Japanese occupied
during World War II, Myanmar has such a harsh and sad history. After becoming independent it has been controlled
and dictated by various military juntas. The people are oppressed and controlled, everyone needs to go through
check points leaving the city, so that everyone is traceable. The last election in 1990 was corrupted when Aung San
Suu Kyi's liberal party was fairly elected, the junta didn't recognize the win and stayed in power. After 20 years of no
elections, 'The Republic Union of Myanmar' is finally having another election on November 7th, 2010. Lets hope that
the military junta can be overthrown by a more liberal party which could change how 60 million people live in one of
the most beautiful countries of the world!
I made friends with a sixty year old man called Danny. He was supposed to be my guide to Keng Tung but the
officials didn't let me take him since his social status was too low. I had a great time hanging out with him and
hearing his stories of trying to illegally enter America on a freighter ship from Bangkok. He was caught and put into a
detention center for four years which he enjoyed since "they gave me a bunch of food and I played chess... I don't
know why the other people complained". Anyway, he understood what I was in Myanmar for, to find spots, and he
showed me this Whoopty woop at a local Skate Club.
officials didn't let me take him since his social status was too low. I had a great time hanging out with him and
hearing his stories of trying to illegally enter America on a freighter ship from Bangkok. He was caught and put into a
detention center for four years which he enjoyed since "they gave me a bunch of food and I played chess... I don't
know why the other people complained". Anyway, he understood what I was in Myanmar for, to find spots, and he
showed me this Whoopty woop at a local Skate Club.