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Cash 4 Trash….
"The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never
of any use to oneself." Oscar Wilde 1856-1900, British Author Early evening
and marooned amongst the Friday night madness of Siam Square's "beautiful people"
and throat choking traffic, there was only one way I was going to get a much needed
beer Chang within the hourÂ…Â…head for the Klong! Whether you're heading to or from
Khao San Road (KSR), and as long as it's before 7pm, you should bear in mind the
Klong (canal) boat taxis as a great alternative when wishing to explore the city
as they have natural air-conditioning, there are no traffic jams and they are
dead cheap. What more could you ask for? 
From
under the bridge just behind the Discovery Centre, Siam Square I arrived at Banglamphoo
Pier (located under the bridge between the Queens Gallery and Golden Mount) refreshed
and wide awake; after ducking under the low bridges along the way, in under 10
minutes for 5 baht. After a ten minute walk, passing democracy
monument, I was seated on KSR with Chang in hand, beer snacks ordered and unfortunately
an all too familiar sight these daysÂ….. A young smoker (no, not the green kind)
being escorted to the cop shop on the back of a police motorcycle. NO,
this is not going to be an account of my usual Friday night walkabout, but instead
a much need reminder for all. Whether you're back in the kingdom again for some
more fun this year or are here to leave your mark for the first time, take note
because THINGS HAVE CHANGED! Although it is not obviously
apparent in most areas around the city, especially along KSR, since early last
year there has been in place a very hefty littering penalty (take note of the
yellow peril below) 
which
conveniently goes hand in hand with the Government's 2003 Anti-Smoking regulations.
Briefly, for the uninformed, smoking is prohibited in ALL public buildings and
also "supposedly" in air-conditioned establishments (i.e. bars, clubs & restaurants).
Yes, I imagine right about now you're looking around Khao
San and thinking, well hey, I don't see any such rules down here, but go tell
that to the dude who stubbed out his cigarette on the ground while at the ATM.
He was seen by a local motorcycle patrol officer and taken off to the cop shop;
amidst applause from the misunderstood along the way, to be fined. The guy had
no idea what he'd done wrong or what was going on. Unnecessary negativity on what
may have been his first night out on KSR. I speak from experience,
there's no way of getting out of it once you've been seen littering; in particular
easily seen glowing cigarette stubs, so bear in mind that the fine you'll have
to fork out is anything up 2,000 Baht should you get caught. What's the solution?
Basically think twice before you trash anything in the street. Just remember that
there's a heap of restaurants and bars with ashtrays along KSR and litter bins
around the city so be cool and make the effort, after all 2,000 Baht buys a lot
of fun in the kingdom right? And rememberÂ….. Keepitreal.
Other Keepitreal articles: Happy
New Year? : Energy
Drinks : Lights, Camera, Action
: Cash4Trash :
Laos
Reloaded : Dive, dive, dive : Movers
and Shakers : Mai Pen Rai :
Its
official, Phuket is still rocking! :
We all live in a yellow submarine... :
Phuket
Strikes Back! : Sunset Street
: Sleeper Class : Shop
'til you drop :
Chill out in
Cha-am : The
Beeer Essentials : A
Bridge Not Too Far : Up, up and away : Relaxing
Round Rambutri : Royal Barges : More
than Muay :
Temple
trekkin' : The River
of Kings : One Tequilla
"I
have lived and worked in Asia for 15 years. I've had the pleasure to view and
experience many wonderful sights and meet and work with all manner of race and
religions. From Mumbai to Melbourne I've found no other country or people that
could persuade me to live anywhere else than here in Thailand." keepitrealbkk@yahoo.com | 
