How to get to Ban Chiang

Ban Chiang, one of the 7 Unesco World Heritage sites in Thailand and perhaps the one that is most under-appreciated among all. It does not help that it is the sole site in the North East of the country in Isaan. If it is considered with a visit to the 2 other World Heritage sites in Laos, then coming to Ban Chiang does not require more effort. The significance of this site is that is showed that South East Asia were in bronze and Iron age 2500 years earlier than previous understanding. As a history student, I have always wanted to visit this site when I studied about it long time ago and amazed that even Thais do not know that it existed.

Anyway, the easiest way to come here is to go through Udon Thani than Nong Kai or Sakron Nakron. You can opt for a special trip or to use the public transport. For public transport, make sure you are at the bus station 1 ( there are 2 bus stations). From the Udon Thani train station, it is just a 10 minute walk to bus station 1. Once you are at the bus station, look for the bus that goes to Sakron Nakron (First bus goes off at 0600 and last bus goes at 1720, with intervals of 30 to 40 minutes). It will cost about BHT400 when you tell the conductor that you are alighting at Ban Chiang. (If you are in Bus station 2, you should be able to do the same if the bus is going to Nakron Panom) At the Ban Chiang Junction, you should opt for the tuk tuk that will cost BHT60 for the 7km ride. I paid for both way and included BHT40 as tips. Its really worth the money. 

 Checking out the rural area during the drive. Loads of paddy fields and other interesting view.

You have arrived at the Ban Chiang Museum. Ticket is priced at BHT150 for foreigners (farang) and BHT30 for Thais.

 Lovely space outside the museum.

 One of the better museums in Thailand that I have been so far. The facility for the physically challenged is adequate. Signage in Thai and English and is worth the read.

The view in the town. There are now shops and commercial entities developed around the town. Do check out the town market if you have time.

The archeological pit in Wat Pho Sri Nai is a must visit. Situated more than 500 metres away from the museum, i would suggest that you use the tuk tuk. Here, you can really see the extend of the dig that happened in the midst of the temple and in the middle of the village.

The tuk tuk will bring you back to the junction and to the bus station on the opposite site. Wait for the next bus back to Udon Thani and it will cost you BHT450 ( i think it is the cost of picking you up for the additional BHT50). Overall , the visit can be achieved within 3-4 hours.

National Museum Ban Chiang
Moo 13, Sutthipong Road Ban Chiang, Nong Han, Udon Thani 41320
Open Every Tuesday to Sunday and National Holiday from 0900-1600.
Tel: 0 4220 8340

Updated: Spammed by Malaysian Prime Minister

Update: The reply from Customer Service

Appreciate your respond.
If Government owns Maxis, then quite surely Maxis did not do wrong. The fact that Maxis is a public listed company should distint itself and ensure total data privacy considerations.
If the government requires certain action, they can go to the court to obtain an injuction on why such action should be done. It is certaintly is not a practice in Malaysia yet for that kind of genuine respect to be given to customers.
I insist that this issue be escalated to your management that UNLESS it is a grave situation of imminent danger, such a service should not be allowed to be used at the whims and fancies. MCMC does not have power to order compliance and they should stick to their role.

Also, it does not absolve the way your customer service is discharging Maxis from its responsibility. In short, i am not happy with your solution nor the lack of apology.

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Dear Mr. Joseph, Thank you for contacting Maxis and we apologize for any inconvenience caused.We were unable to reach you to clarify and explain further on your query.
Kindly revert with a contactable number and a suitable time for us to call you:-

Nevertheless, referring to your feedback below, we have investigated and found that the SMS was not sent by an external content provider and therefore there is no breach with regards to customer confidentiality.

The SMS was sent direct by Maxis upon request by Prime Minister’s Department. Customer Confidentiality is extremely important to us and we would like to assure you that we will not disclose our customer's information to any 3rd party as we take our obligations to protect our customers’ data integrity, very seriously.

I hope the above explanation has been able to address your concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any further assistance on this matter.
Thank you. Yours sincerely,
Devendra AdrianCustomer Relations UnitCustomer Operations

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Salam 1Malaysia. Selamat tahun baru cina kepada semua rakyat terutama kepada kaum cina. Ikhlas Dari Najib Razak Dan keluarga. Najib@1malaysia.com.my "


Yes! Got sms from 'old friend' Najib. How did the Prime Minister of Malaysia got my phone number?


Called Maxis to their customer service (123) and they say that it's an external provider who generated phone number on random. I was assured that no such thing would come from Maxis and they would block that number.

Then, their customer service called back that 62002 is unregistered and they cannot detect in their system. So, how does government got hold of my phone number and how do they access Maxis network? I am totally unhappy that a third party provider is able to access the network and are able to obtain my phone number. The person said that he will investigate and call back.

I then got a sms to give feedback on their customer service. Noticed that the number is 20002. The spam came from 62002 and the customer service is from 20002. Hemm....

From their explanation, they seemed unconcerned. By now, I have got information that the same message is spammed by the other 2 Malaysian Telco provider - Digi and Celcom. And later in the day, even Citibank in Malaysia got into the act of misusing access to customer data to send unsolicited, unnecessary sms to its user.

Does Maxis, Celcom , Digi and Citibank protect the privacy of their customers?

Does Maxis, Celcom , Digi and Citibank have the concern of their customers at heart?

At least DIGI customer service is upfront that the government of Najib Razak through MCMC forced them to broadcast this. FORCED! What is a regulator like MCMC forcing telecommunication companies to propagate ?

A webchat between my friend and Digi customer service with a transparent description of what it is .. a forced spam.

Malaysia is becoming more like Tunisia and Egypt by the systemic abuse of power by the government. And the businesses are just too happy to make the government happy by forsaking the rights of their customers.

Maxis , utterly disappointed by your lies and pretence. No apologies so far even when I said that i want explanation from higher management. I am keen to review my 12 year relationship with you Mr Maxis because you have betrayed the trust.





MAXIS lied!

Abraham with Isaac or Ishmael?

I have been preached many times by Muslims that the bible we are reading has been changed by the church, similar to the works of Dan Brown. This story have been told many times in attempts to convert me and indeed is quite a passionate agreement. Almost similar passion displayed to the defense that MCA is not about money.

One of the great 'urban legend' is the story of Abraham and Isaac/ Ishmael which is also the 'evidence' of the conspiracy of the Jews and Christians to uphold Isaac and dethrone Ishmael.

Islamic arguments

Contrarian perspectives

So, it is clear that there is no verse in the Quran and traditions that provided the proof, hence the continual divergent among Muslim theologians in contrast with the Christian and Jews's stand.

My thinking is a bit more shallow.

Muslims believe in the 4 books - Torah (Old Testament ), Zabur ( Psalms ) , Injil (New testament ) and Quran.

Note that the earlier 3 are books that 'is in the original state and not that has been corrupted by human/church'. So far, no evidence where these real books are.It is claimed that the church has them.

(Reminds me of Ezam Mohd Nor who claimed that he has 6 boxes of proof against Anwar Ibrahim and then Ezam says that Anwar have the 6 boxes instead. )

Lets say we take the face value of the current 4 books hear what they say about Abraham and Isaac/Ishmael.

1.Torah - Isaac

2.Psalms - Indicated Isaac (the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.105:9)

3.NT- Isaac

4.Koran - no name mentioned.

So, at best 3-1 score or 2-0.

So, take your pick on the evidences on the table and am still amazed on how people can be convinced with these arguments. (and be converted)

Anyway, to digress.

1. Paran - is a small town historically mentioned by Arab explorers etc. to be in the Sinai Peninsular, "Ibn Khaldun clearly places Faran in the Sinai peninsula, at the northern end of the Red Sea. Faran is associated geographically with Midian and with Aila (ancient Elath, modern Elat, located at the end of the Gulf of Aqaba). " So, Paran is not Mecca. (Read)

2. Lets say Paran is Mecca. Wonder how Abraham goes of with Ishmael and mom to Mecca ( probably a few years journey at those times) , stick around to build the Kaaba and then went back after the holiday. Did he bring the whole tribe or part of it? Did he leave his other wife behind with the newborn? Who was the designated leader when he is on leave?

That is easily 1500 km on foot accross desert just to go to Mecca. And he was already in the 'promised land' that God told him he would be (which is waaaaay up north)

Anyway, you believe what you believe. The devil is however, in the details.

Crossing borders

If you cross the North Korean border illegally
You get 12 years hard labour.

If you cross the Iranian border illegally
You are detained indefinitely.

If you cross the Afghan border illegally
You get shot.

If you cross the Saudi Arabian border illegally
You will be jailed.

If you cross the Chinese border illegally
You may never be heard again.

If you cross the Venezuelan border illegally
You will be branded a spy and your fate will be sealed.

If you cross the Cuban border illegally
You will be thrown into political prison to rot.

If you cross the British border illegally
You will be arrested, prosecuted and sent to prison and deported

If you are an Indonesian/Filipino Muslim and cross the Malaysian border illegally

You will get:
- My PR (Permanent Residence)
- A driving license
- Voting rights