Daily Archives: September 6, 2005

99 Things Not to Miss in Thailand – Part III

The 99 Things Not to Miss in Thailand List from Thai Airways’ Sawasdee Magazine continues.

[ Part I ] [ Part II ]

41. Golfing

42. Street Foods :: Duh! Do I even have to go into details here? Sawasdee Magazine points to noodles of China Town, northern curries around Dusit area, southern roti on Phra Athit Road, and northeastern Thai BBQ chicken on every corner! My personal advice, look where the crowd gathers at lunch time and eat there!

43. Loy Kratong Festival :: Sing with me now! ./~ November full moon shines, Loy Kratong, Loy Kratong. (Yes, I know the English version of the whole song. Learned it for international camp gazillion years ago.) Usually on the full moon night of November, Thai folks take ther kratongs, an open-lotus shaped floating object, to the river as an offering to the river goddess. They light the candles on the kratongs, so the river is lit up by all these floating lanterns. Being a Thai festival, of course, parties and fireworks ensue nationwide! My mother treated Brandon and I to the extravangaza at the Oriental last year. Obviously, up and down the river at hotels and even restuarants there are celebrations. Even the inland hotels have them poolside!

44. Thai Talismans :: Ancient warriors wore them for protection and special powers. Today’s amulets still have the same effects on believers. From miniature Buddha to ancient scroll and tiger’s fang, head down to Chinatown for the city’s oldest amulet market.

45. Old Town Bangkok:: Check out all the nooks and crannies of Chareon Krung road. Through each Soi, small street, you can find modern townhome next to 1920s architecture.

46. Thai Garlands – Puang Malai :: You’ve seen these on the dashboard of taxi cabs, at places of worship, used to welcome state guests by the prime minister. Jasmine garlands made fresh daily and can be purchased just about anywhere.

47. Thai Script :: Thai alphabets were invented over 700 years ago, and evolved since then to become what we have today. The first record of the alphabets were carved on the Sila Jaruk, a black stone pillar. I believe there’s a replica at the National Museum in Bangkok.

48. Meditation :: Peaceful environment (outside the city and probably some patches in Bangkok) helps with meditation or perhaps outdoor yoga. When in doubt, you can always find a corner at a temple to sit and meditate. Tons of meditation camp/lessons are available anywhere you go.

49. Thai fruits :: Exotic and deeelicious! Richard has also blogged about the wonders that are Thai fruits. Please check his archive for your drooling pleasure.

50. Lampang :: Lampang is known as the friendly town. Up in the north, it’s famous for teak houses reflecting Thai and Burmese influence, and home of the last remaining horse drawn carriages.

51. Koh Lanta :: 50 kilometers south of Krabi province lies an island of 2 seasons–low (wet) and high (dry). Not too off the beaten path, but still have stretches of quiet beach.

52. Local Ice Cream :: More than just the coconut ice cream served in buns topped with sweet fruits! Some other boutique joints offer more adventurous flavors like tamarind, basil, lychee, and mangosteen.

53. Climbing Phang-nga Bay :: Head south for some limestone face time.

54. Thai Elvis :: Elvis impersonator swivels his hips nightly at Radio City. As for Los Angelenos, you don’t have to go far. LA has a Thai Elvis at the Palms Thai Restaurant in Hollywood!

55. Head Case :: This one will explain a lot about the whole head is sacred thing with Thai people. I’ll type it word for word. For Thais, a person’s body is a sacred temple, and the head symbolizes a crown of conscience that deserves highest reverence. It’s disrespectful to pat anybody on the head, and it’s a blasphemy to place your feet near or at the same level as another person’s head, especially your parents. Observe how people take utmost prudence when dealing with other people’s heads–it will be appreciated and you’ll learn another reason why the country is so special.

56. Thai Spices :: Fresh herbs and ready-made chili pastes for all occasions.

57. Northern Food :: While in Chiang Mai, check these guys out: authentic and affordable Huen Phen, riverside Huen Soontaree along with the famous Lanna entertainer performing nightly, more rare recipes of the north at Rachamankha Hotel, flower in your food at Saimok Kab Dokmai. Finally, for the famous Khao Soy, coconut based curry with meat and noodles, try Khao Soy Samurjai.

The 99 Things Not to Miss in Thailand List from Thai Airways’ Sawasdee Magazine continues.

[ Part I ] [ Part II ]

41. Golfing

42. Street Foods :: Duh! Do I even have to go into details here? Sawasdee Magazine points to noodles of China Town, northern curries around Dusit area, southern roti on Phra Athit Road, and northeastern Thai BBQ chicken on every corner! My personal advice, look where the crowd gathers, at lunch time and eat there!

43. Loy Kratong Festival :: Sing with me now! ./~ November full moon shines, Loy Kratong, Loy Kratong. (Yes, I know the English version of the whole song. Learned it for international camp gazillion years ago.) Usually on the full moon night of November, Thai folks take ther kratongs, an open-lotus shaped floating object, to the river as an offering to the river goddess. They light the candles on the kratongs, so the river is lit up by all these floating lanterns. Being a Thai festival, of course, parties and fireworks ensue nationwide! My mother treated Brandon and I to the extravangaza at the Oriental last year. Much different than the everyday-people way I’ve done growing up. Definitely more farangs present. 😉

44. Thai Talismans :: Ancient warriors wore them for protection and special powers. Today’s amulets still have the same effects on believers. From miniature Buddha to ancient scroll and tiger’s fang, head down to Chinatown for the city’s oldest amulet market.

45. Old Town Bangkok:: Through each Soi, small street, you can find modern townhome next to 1920s architecture. Check out all the nooks and crannies of Chareon Krung road.

46. Thai Garlands – Puang Malai :: You’ve seen these on the dashboard of taxi cabs, at places of worship, used to welcome state guests by the prime minister. Jasmine garlands made fresh daily and can be purchased just about anywhere.

47. Thai Script :: Thai alphabets were invented over 700 years ago, and evolved since then to become what we have today. The first record of the alphabets were carved on the Sila Jaruk, a black stone pillar.

48. Meditation :: We have clear water and clean air (outside of the city, of course). And plenty of places to learn to meditate and perhaps do some outdoor yoga.

49. Thai fruits :: Richard has also blogged about the wonders that are Thai fruits. Please check the archive for further drooling.

50. Lampang :: Lampang is known as the friendly town. Up in the north, it’s famous for teak houses reflecting Thai and Burmese influence, and home of the last remaining horse drawn carriages.

51. Koh Lanta :: 50 kilometers south of Krabi province lies an island of 2 seasons–low (wet) and high (dry).

52. Local Ice Cream :: More than just the coconut ice cream served in buns topped with sweet fruits! Some other boutique joints offer more adventurous flavors like tamarind, basil, lychee, and mangosteen.

53. Climbing Phang-nga Bay :: Head south for some limestone face time.

54. Thai Elvis :: Elvis impersonator swivels his hips nightly at Radio City. As for Los Angelenos, you don’t have to go far. LA has a Thai Elvis at the Palms Thai Restaurant in Hollywood!

55. Head Case :: This one will explain a lot about the whole head is sacred thing with Thai people. I’ll type it word for word. For Thais, a person’s body is a sacred temple, and the head symbolizes a crown of conscience that deserves highest reverence. It’s disrespectful to pat anybody on the head, and it’s a blasphemy to place your feet near or at the same level as another person’s head, especially your parents. Observe how people take utmost prudence when dealing with other people’s heads–it will be appreciated and you’ll learn another reason why the country is so special.

56. Thai Spices :: Fresh herbs and ready-made chili pastes for all occasions.

57. Northern Food :: While in Chiang Mai, check these guys out: authentic and affordable Huen Phen, riverside Huen Soontaree along with the famous Lanna entertainer performing nightly, more rare recipes of the north at Rachamankha Hotel, flower in your food at Saimok Kab Dokmai. Finally, for the famous Khao Soy, coconut based curry with meat and noodles, try Khao Soy Samurjai.

58. 19th Century Phuket :: 19th Century buildings built by prosperous Chinese merchants on Krabi, Thalang and Dibuk Roads.

59. Jatujak Market :: There is NO shopping experience like a day at J-J! Thousands of stalls. 2 days a week. Everything from amulets, clothes to wear to work, food, to (shh…you didn’t hear it from me…pirated movies) handmade paper and other handicrafts.

60. Khao Yai National Park :: Go camping in the lush jungle 2-hour drive from Bangkok. I was there when I was a wee child. We did drive out at night with our flashlights to see if we could spot wildlife. We saw some deer. And we found tiger paw prints in the morning too!

I took yesterday off as it was Labor Day for us here in the Yankee land. I have a project due on Wednesday (yes, taking classes again…A is for Asian, I tell you!) so you’ll see me back with the list later this week with the next 20 of the remaining 39.

Strange Love

Sawasdee Krab! After a slight delay of ‘technical difficulties’ I am glad to be back in the blog saddle, with apologies for missing my usual midnight deadline. I let myself get ‘pricked’ by one too many ‘prik’ this weekend so to speak with some tasty pad bai gra pao and the combination of extra, extra spicy and my morning coffee ritual was just too much for me!

I had planned to go see the movie for this review yesterday afternoon but I had a much more pressing appointment with wallowing in bed moaning and groaning and swearing if I live I’ll never utter ‘kaw gra pao phet mahk, pom chorp Thai phet, mai chorp farang phet’ again because I was pretty much ‘mai chorp’ life for a good while yesterday until I got the fire in my tummy and my tail end put out. 😉

All this week I’ve been debating what to write for this weeks blog since I have several ideas in mind but each idea depend on me finally getting off my arse to buy a scanner. My other option was write a scathing editorial on the debacle playing out on the Gulf Coast following the aftermath of Katrina since some neo-fob made the stupid comment of calling the flooding of New Orleans ‘Our tsunami’, as if there was any comparison to what happened on December 26th last year. I’m still tempted to write about that after seeing the city breakdown into total anarchy only two days after Katrina with lootings, shootings and rape. And this is America?

However you can rest assured Thailand that at least three of your countrymen are now safe. I was watching yet another newscast this morning when I saw three Asian gentlemen being rescued from the top story window of a hotel. I was surprised to see the first gentleman bow and wai his rescuers as he stepped into the boat. Oh my gosh they’re Thai!

The other good news at least for me was the answer to my blogging prayers came Friday when I opened the local Metro Express paper to see a review for a new Thai movie called Tropical Malady playing at the local AFI theatre here in DC. Done! That’s it, another blog in the bag, check please!

I read the review and immediately was intrigued. Tropical Malady is the fourth feature film conceived by director Apichatpong Weerasethakul and produced by his production company Kick the Machine. Despite so far avoiding the commercial success of other more main stream Thai films in recent release it has won a host of film awards such as the Prix du Jury, at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. It also won the Age d’or Prize, at Cine’de’couvertes in Belgium and Grand Prize in the Tokyo Filmex in Japan that same year. The film also picked up awards as Best Film and Special Jury Prize respectively in the XX International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in Italy and Singapore International Film Festival, this year.

As a Thai friendly and gay friendly blogger how could I resist plus I read in the reviews that the film is so unusual that you can expect half the audience to ‘get it’ and the other half to walk out!

Continue reading

Bangkok: Then & Now

I am fascinated by historical photos. I can stare at an old black & white photo from turn-of-the-century anywhere for minutes on end. I look at the people or places depicted and try to put myself there. I look at the faces, the clothing..what was the weather like? Are those people miserably hot in their stiff century-old garb? What did they do after the photo was taken? What did they say?

Especially fascinating to me are the series of photos called “then & now”. These pictures will show some area, landmark, or building from long ago. Next to it will be a photo showing how that area or building looks today. Usually the “now” photo is in color. My local newspaper does this every Sunday and it is the first page I turn to every weekend.

This brings me to the topic of my blog. As I was leaving Thailand back in 2001, I ran across a book in the airport duty-free shop. It was called “Bangkok: Then and Now” by Steve Van Beek (ISBN #:974-87616-0-6).
This book has loads of photos taken from 1900-1901 in and around Bangkok. Next to those photos are their modern siblings depicted in a modern myriad of colors. Some of the photos are depicting well-known areas or structures. Many are often more obscure (such as a sidestreet or narrow little klong).

Without further ado, here are some of my favorite photos from the book. Enjoy! P.S. My apologies; I couldn’t fit these photos side by side. I don’t think too much was lost by stacking them like this. The quality might have suffered a bit as well, as I took the photos with my camera from the open book.


Looking north from the top of the Golden Mount ca.1880 and today


Ti Thong Road ca.1900 and today


The intersection of New Road and Worachak Road then and now. I don’t know where this is, but I thought it was cool.