Thais in the UK

[caller]

Firstly, apologies if this is in the wrong section of the forum (I'm not sure where it really fits) and it really follows on from this, which has now developed into a discussion about Thais in the UK:

http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/di ... 11640.html

I hope I'm not being too presumptive, but I thought this subject really needed a thread of it's own, as several members here have Thai wives and family in the UK and others are currently thinking of relocating back there for various reasons and are exploring the possibility of their wives/families joining them. There have also been other recent threads about getting visas to the UK.

This report was recently researched and published and even if you are not interested in or agree with the views of the author, it does provide some interesting data about the number of Thai's in the UK and how they go about their lives.

I know some of the ladies from Eastbourne that took part in the research, as the author made contact with Thailand-uk for assistance.

http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/f ... y-2008.pdf

[Khundon1975]

Caller

lots of very interesting info in that report. I need a couple of drinks before I try to digest it all.
I will get the wife to read it in bed tonight, as she is eager to learn more about Thais in the UK.

Thanks and well done.

[Big Boy]

Thanks for that caller, I was feeling a little guilty stealing Randy's thread (at least I think it had run its course). Excellent document, which I will read later.

[Big Boy]

Kendo,

Following on from Randy's thread, you said that you were wondering what you will encounter at the Wimbledon Temple at Songkran.

I went several years ago ready for a great water battle - we all had a change of clothes in the car. The Songkran bit was boring - traditional. All they did was brought out this small buddha image, and poured about an egg cup full of water over it - no more.

The usual beauty contest was OK, but nothing special.

[caller]

Loy Kratong is probably the best time to visit the temple at Wimbledon (IMHO). It get's packed, lots of food and other stalls, reasonable entertainment, plus their very own lake for the floats. The flip side is that it is November and all that entails.

A good festival is the 3-day bi-annual event at Milford, near Guildford in Surrey, called, unsurprisingly, 'Amazing Thailand', That again gets very busy but the weathers better as it's over the August bank holiday - not cheap to get in though, but all profits are for a Thai charity. Details of the festival and charity here:

http://www.muditatrust.co.uk/amazing-thailand.html

[kendo]

Nice one Caller,
That made some good reading so in 2001 census there was 16,000 Thai's in the U.K, so when is the next Census is it every 10,or 12 years, i bet that number now will be double.
Kendo.

[caller]

Every 10 years and I wouldn't be surprised to learn the numbers have at least doubled.

[Big Boy]

caller wrote:

Loy Kratong is probably the best time to visit the temple at Wimbledon (IMHO). It get's packed, lots of food and other stalls, reasonable entertainment, plus their very own lake for the floats. The flip side is that it is November and all that entails.

Or you could visit another temple where they'll give you the same (if not better) selection of food and drink (as much as you like) for free.

Sorry caller, but IMHO I find that Wat very money orientated - pay for food, buy a krathong etc, etc. They seem to take a lot, and don't give very much in return.

[caller]

Fair enough BB, I don't have any particular allegiance to it, but it is a huge event with, I would estimate about a 1000 visitors on site at any one time, pretty much from midday on, the majority being Thai and bearing in mind this goes on all day, I doubt the Wat itself could cope with the demands.

We only live a couple of miles away and have visitied on Loy Kratong twice, only been there on one other occasion and the wifes real reason for visiting on Loy Kratong is the food!

[Big Boy]

Don't get me wrong, we were regulars(ish) there until we found the Birmingham Wats. It certainly served a purpose, and kept Mrs BB happy.

Both Loy Krathong and Sonkran were always big events, and very well supported. One Mrs BB's reasons for going was also the food, albeit a little expensive. Personally, I used to wait for the journey home, when we used to call into Sri Thai in Shepherds Bush - they always laid on a free Thai buffet on special occassions. Mrs BB could also buy her Krung Thip at little more than Thai prices and Thai magazines.

Yes, this also a good day out, but having seen the light, I have no intention of returning to the Wimbledon Wat.

[caller]

Now isn't that interesting, I have never heard of Sri Thai! Nearest around there we have visted is Thaismile, which would be just around the corner (and has a big Thai bookshop) which like the others we go to - Talad Thai in Putney (that supplies most of the London Thai restaurent trade) and PayaThai in Richmond, all seem much of a muchness to me?

Did you ever visit Esarn Kheaw in Shepherds Bush? Always rated very highly, gets mentioned everytime the words authentic and thai go together. We went once and the wife was in foodie heaven - and to show how much London has changed, as after all, this is Shepherds Bush, it's the nearest thing to that arab quarter Bkk experience as well as being virtually next door to QPR's ground?

http://www.esarnkheaw.com/e_index.html

[Big Boy]

Haven't been 'Thai food' shopping in London for about 8 years now, so maybe Sri Thai is no longer there. The 2 places we used to frequent most of the time were Sri Thai and Talad Thai, but have tried several others which I have forgotten the name of.

There was a time when the price of sticky rice was so high in the Bristol area, it was cost effective to travel to London to get it. On that note were were charged £19.40 for 10Kg yesterday

[baron_wastelanduk]

u were done on the rice front

i gotta guy bringing in hom mali from buriram at moment at around £12 for 10 kilos
will check with him on the price for kao niiow
incidentally you will find some thai food stuffs at either see woo in greenwich or the various hoo hings dotted around london area

there is another thai supermarket in plaistow east london cant remember name off hand
another great event was the thai food festival at Battersea park but sadly due to the thais selling there dumping their oil, rubbish etc it has been stopped
also battersea council imposed a big fine n the thai resteraunt association which has I believe caused them to fold

if anyone wants the number for the rice guy pm me and i will gladly pass it on

[Sabai Jai]

Songkran at Wimbledon, (Wat Buddhapadipa 14 Calonne Road) will coincide with Easter this year - Sunday 12 April. Always has big crowds, parking in the area can be difficult. Lot's of food stalls, entertainment on the stage but no water throwing!

Talad Thai in Putney is still going but not as it used to. It was a great place, most of the restaurants did their shopping there and stayed for a chat and something to eat. originally there were just two or three seats and a very good cook. they now have a fair to average restaurant and sell limited groceries from a nearby shop.

The big Chinese supermarkets; Hoo Hing, Wing Yip etc have more and are cheaper.

Thai population in Uk: anybody's guess. Many are here illegally and Thai's are famously reticent. The figures used to be based on the Thai Temples mailing list but in recent years the embassy has been trying to keep tabs on numbers.

Regards Sabai Jai

[Big Boy]

u were done on the rice front

i gotta guy bringing in hom mali from buriram at moment at around £12 for 10 kilos

Yes, I know that - that's why I mentioned it. £12 for 10 kilos is about right at the moment. Unfortunately, here in the wilderness of Bristol, you have to pay what they charge - hence my comment about it being cost effective to travel to London to buy Thai food in the past.