Some general news and info from various sources…
Asia – 10 weirdest Asian stories in 2008 [Weirdasianews]
China – An executive for the dairy firm at the centre of the Chinese tainted milk scandal has pleaded guilty to charges that may incur the death penalty [BBC]
Japan – Video of the lucky bags shopping frenzy on New Year’s Day [Youtube]
South Korea – Opposition lawmakers have scuffled with security guards who tried to end their blockade of parliament in the capital Seoul [BBC]
Thailand – At least 59 people have been killed in a fire in a nightclub in Bangkok on New Year’s Eve [BBC]
UK – A Polish woman has become only the second person to give birth on London’s underground rail network since it opened 146 years ago [Reuters]
USA – Summer Breeze, a Kansas mare, has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records as having the longest horse tail in the world at 12ft 6in [Dailymail]
USA – A cool photo of a supercell (stormcloud) in Missouri [Flickr]
Singapore’s Iggy’s is Asia’s best restaurant according to the Miele Guide which made its grand debut last week. The guide is claimed to be Asia’s first truly independent regional restaurant guide.
The Miele Guide 2008/2009 edition evaluates restaurants in 16 Asian countries… Brunei, Cambodia, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
The top 20 restaurants according to the Miele Guide 2008/2009…
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Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit
The above phrase is the full name of Krung Thep, Thai’s capital city which is more commonly known as Bangkok among foreigners. For this, Bangkok is recognised by Guinness World of Records as the capital city with the longest name.
The translation… “The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukam.” [via Wikipedia]
It took about 12 seconds to pronounce the name (as per this video)… amazed?
The Amazing Race Asia (TARA) season 3 has premiered on AXN-Asia on September 11.
I know most of the regulars here are not watching this show (or not able to), thus I’m not going to bore you with the details… but will share some Asian cultures and places that are featured in the race instead.
Tuk-Tuk
The race started at the Rama 1 Monument in Bangkok… the first feature that came onto scene was the famous auto-rickshaws commonly known as ‘Tuk Tuk’ in Thailand.
Similar auto-rickshaws can also be found in other South Asian countries, but Thai’s Tuk Tuk is probably the most iconic version. Little known fact though, is that Tuk Tuk was originated from Japan and was brought into Thailand in late 1950s. Most of the Tuk Tuk these days are local made.
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