from The Peninsula

At least 32 Qatari nationals who are from a large group of government employees who were laid off after the new human resource law was enforced last year, have approached the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) demanding their reinstatement.

Although the retrenched employees are receiving their monthly salaries and will continue to be paid until they are provided alternative state jobs, the complainants have said they have been deprived of various allowances such as those they were being paid for transport and telephone while in employment.

The complainants including some women, have claimed that some of the laid-off staff has been told that they are being rehabilitated but their job orders have not yet come.

They have challenged the decision of the government to retrench them and said the move was unjustified because they were qualified and experienced for the jobs. “In whatever government departments we were employed, we were doing our job very well. We have university degrees and our performance was good, so we being targeted in the retrenchment drive was not justified.”

They added in their plea to the NHRC that after they were laid off a number of fresh vacancies arose in the government sector but they were ignored and instead new people were recruited.

“This is against the assurances we were given at the time of being given the marching orders,” says their plea.

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It was the start of Ramadan when I came back and since I’m alone, I usually don’t cook much. For the past weeks, I’ve been living off Chicken from Family Food Center, Milk and Soda, Hamburgers, Chapatti and Creamed Beef on Toast. I’ve had better meals on the weekend when a friend of ours, Maggy, comes over. Last weekend, we were able to have steak and rice, and vegetables (Pinakbet) for Friday Lunch/Dinner. In the morning I usually have Milk and an apple. And since it’s Ramadan, no one is ther eto serve you tea in the morning and you can’t have you usual snacks in the office. Though I can close my office door if I want to, it doesn’t really bother me that much as work starts at 8:30 AM and ends at 1:30. 5 hours without food and water is a cinch. It’s actually a good change in pace since vacation tends to be a gastronomic experience altogether; it started with the several buffets we had in Bangkok, followed through by our eating endeavors in the Philippines. The only thing which really bothers people would be the heat!

I haven’t been out that much aside from my trips to the Supermarket, my cars’ service center, and insurance building. The heat can still reach to 46 to 48 degrees mid day. I can’t imagine how the workers outside are able to bear the heat as I’ve experienced going out without my car air conditioner turned on. I was sweltering in a couple of minutes,  drenched in 5 and light headed at 15 minutes. Of course, this was compounded by the lack of food that day but these workers are not even allowed to drink water since it is Ramadan. If people in Tokyo are already complaining of the Humidity there, how much more for people in the Middle East!

I’ve been able to do some laundry, cleaning, and arranging at the apartment. A stack of boxes are still in our bedroom since they are Mavis’ stuff. Hopefully, I’d be able to clean up more before they come home.  Till then, I’ll just laze around, play Call of Duty and watch Nat Geo shows whenever I can! Ramadan Mubarak!

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1. Ramadan Traffic Jam
2. Start of Ramadan 2006
3. Weather in Qatar

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Siam Niramit is a world-class performance of Thailand’s arts and cultural heritage. Set in the heart of Bangkok affording convenient access by MRT subway and major thoroughfares, this must-see spectacular is performed on the gigantic stage now listed in the Guinness World Records, featuring over 150 performers with as many as 500 costumes. On top of this, enhanced special effects with the world’s most advanced technology are used to produce a stimulating, very realistic and inspiring experience. This is a Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Thailand that no one can miss.

We never did go to Siam Niramit last year as we chose to have a Dinner Cruise at the Chao Praya river. This time, with my parents, we did book ourselves a night to watch Siam Niramit. I was quite hesitant to really watch as here have been conflicting reviews regarding the show itself. Some people say that it wasn’t good and not worth the money while some say it is really good. Last night was the night that I get to decide for myself.

We booked the tickets the day we came and got them for 1200 THB from Tourismo. They had a desk at Pullman’s lobby so it was quite easy to book. The 1200 THB included the transport to the Siam Niramit and back but didn’t include the buffet food. You just needed to add 200THB to get the buffet though.

Located at the Thailand Cultural Centre, the area was quite big and you’re given the chance to feed the Elephants (who were to be used later in the show) and ride on them for a fee. Of course, you have to usual photo op with the greeters in front , again with a fee. You also get to roam the “Thai Village” bringing to life the traditional lifestyles, arts and crafts of the four regions of the Kingdom. This was actually nice as you have some stations where you can try out some delicacies and learn more about their culture. Xiane was even able to play one of their traditional “guitars”. The show itself starts at 8 PM so there was an open show at the courtyard which you can watch while waiting. Sadly, cameras and video cams were not allowed inside the theater itself.

We got in before 8 PM and were seated at ROW R, Seats 27-32. These were really good seats as they were in the middle and close to the stage. The theater was huge so if you were on Rows A-O, you wouldn’t see the stage close enough to see details. Again, top /farther seats start with Rows A downwards. The show itself was amazing. Technically, it was really good. You’ll be amazed at how intricate the sets were, how they move them around at such a short time and how many times the whole stage changes. Lighting was very good and were used quite well too emphasize mood and highlights in the play. By the middle of the show, I keep asking myself why anybody would say that the show wasn’t good. I was looking at the people watching and everybody was enjoying it. Nobody was standing up to leave as other reviews would say. The first part was great and though some of the acts were repetitious, there wa s always something added to each to make it different.

The 2nd act was more of a comedic relief to break the seriousness of the whole thing. A guy with a guitar case goes center stage and one by one, calls some actors bringing one of their traditional musical instrument in. Someone from the audience is asked to take part and goes up the stage to join them.

The 3rd act opens with the scene from Hell which gets really scary but eventually gets to the Heaven scene in which actors start flying everywhere. Oh, did I mention that the stage gets to have a flowing river? Amazing.

By the end of the show, people were standing up, calpping for the actors and the whole show. I would recommend you to watch Siam Niramit if you’re in Bangkok. I enjoyed this better than the Dinner Cruise last year. Again, sorry for not having photos of the show itself as they were not allowed inside the theater.

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We really just had one thing in mind when we went to Siam Paragon, that is to go to Siam Ocean World Bangkok. Mavis and I didn’t go last year as we were not with Xiane. This time, I promised Xiane we would go see the aquarium in Bangkok. Prices for the entrance was 900 THB but they has a promotion where you pay 990 THB which includes the Backdoor Tour, Glass-Bottom Boat Ride, Sanyo -4D Theater, a 10 minute date with Doctor Fish, and popcorn and soda.

The Backdoor Tour was just a tour of what goes on behind the closed doors of the Aquarium. This included seeing the big pool where the sharks are, their pool clinic, where they propagate the sea anemones, where they hatch shark eggs, how they test the salinity of the water, and more. There wasn’t that much to see but since you were only paying an extra 90 THB extra, along with the other extras, it was just ok. The Glass-Bottom boat was fairly the same except you ride the boat while going round the same pool. It was still fun though. The aquarium itself was big. They have different areas which were interesting; the Spider Crabs looked like the King Crabs from Deadliest Catch, the seahorses, the pineapple fishes, the african penguins, the big water rats from South America, the envious Otters and more.

We did enjoy the 10 minute visit with the Egyptian “doctor” fishes. They were placed on a jacuzzi and you dip your feet for them to nibble on the dead skin you have. Xiane had a blast laughing as it was ticklish. We also saw the Sanyo 4D Theater which showed a 3D movie with some movement from the benches, airblowing and water sprays. It wasn’t that good as the 3D was very dark and the glasses were scratched. Still, Xiane enjoyed it much though short.

We have visited the Aquariums from Hongkong, Malaysia and Bangkok and Siam Ocean World is probably second to Ocean Park as Ocean Park has a more diverse variety of fishes. Although Siam Ocean World is also great for the bigger space and the way the fishes are presented. They also have a bigger and longer space to see the sharks. For 900 THB, I do think it is worth it to visit Siam Ocean World.

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2. Platinum Fashion Mall, Bangkok Thailand
3. Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand