Thai Spiderman rescues autistic school kid

A Bangkok firefighter donned a Spider-Man costume to rescue an 11-year-old autistic school boy from falling from a third-floor window ledge at Srinakharinwirot University on 23rd March.



This is the first time Thai fireman Somchai Yoosabai has dressed up to save someone.

Police said teachers had alerted the fire station after the boy began crying and climbed out of a classroom window. It was reportedly his first day at the special needs school. Efforts by the teachers to persuade the pupil to come back inside had failed. But a remark by his mother about his passion for comic superheroes prompted fireman Somchai Yoosabai to rush back to the station, where he kept a Spider-Man costume in his locker.

The sight of Mr Somchai dressed as Spider-Man and holding a glass of juice for him, brought a big smile to the boy's face, and he promptly threw himself into the arms of his "superhero", police said.



Mr Somchai normally uses the costume to liven up fire drills in schools.

Somchai has been a fireman for five years. He enjoys helping people but says he also loves the adventurous, exciting and challenging side of his work.

He normally uses the Spider-man costume for fire-prevention lectures he gives at schools but he's also worn it to lead dancers through aerobics routines.

"I chose the outfit because Spider-man is a very famous superhero. Most children know him and he's easy to remember. Spider-man also shares characteristics with firemen: both wear red, climb high buildings and help people."

"I'm glad I've helped people realize that firemen will do everything they can to help in a 199 emergency," says Somchai.

Miss Tiffany's Universe 2009 transsexual beauty pageant

Update May 15 2009: Sorrawee Nattee wins Miss Tiffany's Universe 2009

Miss Tiffany’s Universe Contest 2009 is scheduled to be organized during 10th - 15th May 2009. The 1st round screening will take place at Tiffany's Theater on Sunday, 10th May 2009 where 30 most beautiful contestants will be chosen for the final contest which will be broadcast live on Thai TV Channel 7, on 15th May, 2009 from 22.30 - 00.30 hrs.



Last year's Miss Tiffany's Universe 2008 winner was Kangsadal Wongdusadeekul (Nong Noeng), who became Thailand's most beautiful kathoey or ladyboy.

The winner of Miss Tiffany's Universe 2007 was Thanyarasmi Siraphatphakorn (Nong Film), a 21 year old Kasetsart University student, winning a cash prize of 2,900 US Dollars and a brand new Mercedez Benz.

To apply contestants must be transvestites of Thai nationality, aged between 18 and 26 years. During the first round screening, Miss Tiffany's Universe Judging panel and the committee will judge on personality, beauty, and of course intelligence, in search of the most 30 suitable contestants for the final round.

For the final round contest "Miss Congeniality", "Miss Best Costume", "Miss Photogenic" will be chosen among the 30 contestants, along with Miss Tiffany's Universe 2009, first and second runner up respectively. The winner of Miss Tiffany Universe 2009 will receive 100,000 Baht in cash, a Honda Jazz car, crown, trophy & sash, and gift set from sponsors.

Ticket prices for final Round (Friday, 15th May 2009 Time 20.00-00.30 hrs)
VIP Ticket - 2,000 Baht
Mezzanine - 1,000 Baht


The objectives of 12th Miss Tiffany’s Universe 2009 contest:

1. To promote Pattaya tourism.
2. To promote Pattaya’s major tourists attractions.
3. To support the implementation of Royally-initiated and other development projects.
4. To create a human rights awareness.
5. To promote a positive transvestite image internationally.

Thai PM hands over a really big 2,000 Baht cheque

Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva presided over the ceremony for the cash hand-out measure for low income earners at Bangkok's City Hall today.


(Photo credit: AP)

The cash hand-out measure is part of the government's economic stimulus packages, aimed to boost the people's purchasing power and local consumption.

Under the cash hand-out step, the government has earmarked 16 billion Baht (444 million dollars) for people with incomes less than 15,000 Baht (422 USD) a month to receive a one-off cheque worth 2,000 Baht (56 USD).



About 8 million people across Thailand have registered to receive the cheque. Cheque recipients can withdraw cash or use them as cashier's cheques to buy goods directly from major stores across Thailand.

"If you want to help the nation I ask that you buy Thai goods, eat Thai food and travel in Thailand," Abhisit said.

More stimuli on the way?

Did you just receive one of those cheques and are wondering what to do with it? Bangkok Bargains has more info on where you can spend that 2000 Baht check.

KFC Mexican Spicy WingZ Zabb

"KFC Mexican Spicy WingZ" (Thai: เคเอฟซีวิงซ์แซ่บเม็กซิกัน), KFC’s new hot summer menu is available from today until April 2, 2009, at KFC outlets and through KFC Home Delivery 1150.



KFC Mexican Spicy WingZ is an aromatic spicy deep fried wing, coated with smoke-dried Mexican hot pepper and flavorful spices. This supreme intense savory menu also comes with a specially designed mini-bucket in a stunning red pattern of hot Mexican peppers, when buying for 12 pieces.

It is sold in pieces of 3, 5 and 12, priced at 45 Baht, 75 Baht and 180 Baht respectively.

I'll have to try this one out myself.

Panda Lin Hui and Chuang Chuang may have a baby soon

Giant pandas Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui at the Chiang Mai Zoo in Thailand may soon have a baby or twins.



"There's a possibility that Linhui might have ovulated twice. She may give births to twins," Zoological Park Organisation director-general Sophon Damnui said Monday.

According to him, two artificial inseminations have just been conducted for the panda couple.

"Every step in the process went on smoothly because we have extensively monitored the pandas' behaviours for a long period of time," Sophon said.



The Chiang Mai zoo has struggled to make its star residents - 9 year old Chuang Chuang and his 8 year old partner Lin Hui - mate since the pair arrived on loan from China in 2003.

Pornography, diets and sperm donation have all failed, but Thai authorities said that a rare cold spell early this year has boosted hopes that the country's famously celibate giant pandas could produce a cub.

Zoo director Thanapath Pongpamorn said temperatures that have fallen as low as four degrees Celsius (39 Fahrenheit) in January have in fact steamed up the pair.

They normally live in a climate-controlled room but they seemed happier with the cold weather.

Thanapath said Lin Hui has shown signs of being ready to mate, including following her partner around, and it has also helped that the cold snap has coincided with the regular mating season.

The cold snap did get them a bit hot and horny.

"Because of the readiness of their physical condition and the weather, we hope we will have good news soon," he said.

Lin Hui received semen from her companion in April 2007 after the pair showed no interest in reproducing the traditional way, but she failed to become pregnant.

The previous year Chuang Chuang, who had been deemed too heavy to mate with Lin Hui, lost seven kilograms (15 pounds) on a low-carbohydrate diet, and was then shown 15-minute video clips of successful panda couplings.

But the panda porn did little to inspire.

Giant pandas, notorious for their low sex drive, are among the world's most endangered animals. Nearly 1,600 pandas are believed to survive in the wild in China and about 180 are being raised in captivity in zoos worldwide.