The Journey(s) of Ian

My plans were (though they have changed several times this year) were to by now to be in central Thailand, exploring the small and quiet provinces which lie between the bustle of Bangkok and the provincial grandeur of the northern Thai city of Chang Mai, however ... in 2011 (2554 in the Buddhist Era) Thailand has been afflicted with severe floods, first in the south of the country, now in the north. Thus, I am still in the resort city of Pattaya. Not a hardship, but it can be a little wearying for a travelling man. As at the 28th of October there is no major sign of distress in Pattaya, however, there is little if any bottled water to be purchased in the city. Road transport is being hampered by the floods. Also, there has been an influx of (wealthier) Thais into the city, comfortables refugees from Bangkok. Apart from this, things go on as before in the City on the Bay. My plan now is to remain here until the end of November, and to then reassess. If I can I will travel north for

I regret to write that Thailand has been suffering the ill effects of flooding for most of 2011. In the first half of the year the southern regions of Thailand were flooded. Now, in the second half, it is the north and central regions that are suffering. Since the middle of the year the Chao Phraya River, the main river of Thailand, has been carrying an ever increasing amount of water, due to heavier than usual monsoonal rains. This River runs 400kms from central Thailand southwards to and through the capital of the Kingdom, Bangkok, and then discharges into the Gulf of Thailand. The floods began in the northern province of Chang Mai mid-year, but became serious in the province of Nakhon Sawan—the point of origin of the Chao Phraya River. Since then over 300 people have been killed to date, billions of dollars of damage has occurred as houses, buildings and industrial estates have been flooded. The main roads leading north from Bangkok have been closed to traffic since mid Septembe

A shock. Steve Jobs was always there. An innovator, a trier of new ideas, a man who pushed. An interesting man for us to watch. A figure. He deserved a longer life. He would have enjoyed watching the next few decades of tech unfold, and been part of it all. A good man. RIP.

Thailand, Bangkok, Pattaya, and Me—early October. Sad to say, Thailand is suffering the worst floods in 50 years. Maybe 1/5 of the country is affected, largely the areas to the north of the capital Bangkok, along the Chao Phraya River. For me, having returned to Thailand from Cambodia, no great problem. Staying in Pattaya, where now, there is no flooding. Best wishes for the future.