This weekend I am in Isaan for the launch of two new guidebooks. This first one is called “The Mekong: Journeys along the River of Life”. I have several copies of this new guidebook (in English and Thai) which I will be giving away to a lucky reader of this blog. The guidebook should...
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Thailand’s Northern-most district is Mae Sai in Chiang Rai Province. It is about 60 kilometers north of the provincial capital and has easy access along the main highway. The most notable landmark is this tall building which houses the Thai immigration. It is easy to find as there is basically only one road in...
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There is a remote community in the mountains of Northern Thailand that is home to hilltribe villages, tea plantations and the so-called “lost army” of the Republic of China Army’s 93rd Division. It is called Santikhiri (Hill of Peace) though most people still refer to this town by its old name of Mae Salong....
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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was established on the 18th March 1960. TAT was the first organization in Thailand to be specifically responsible for the promotion of tourism. Since the inception of the first local office of TAT in Chiang Mai in 1968, there are now 35 regional offices throughout Thailand. TAT has...
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This weekend, Thailand is hosting one of Asia’s biggest beach music festivals. The Pattaya International Music Festival, 18-20 March 2011, is now in its tenth year and is bigger and better than ever. The opening night was on Friday which I attended. It continues over the weekend with both Thai and international singers. Over...
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Usually in Thailand we only get a week or so of cold weather. At least cold enough to turn off the air-conditioning. However, during the last winter season we had extended periods of cool temperatures that came back several times. By January, and certainly by February, the cool weather is supposed to be over...
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Muay Thai is truly an international sport these days as people all around the world compete in this ancient form of boxing. However, the spiritual home is definitely here in Thailand with the home base being in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. Yesterday, 350 boxers from 35 different countries came together at Wat Mahathat...
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This week in Bangkok, there are two opportunities to watch the highly anticipated documentary “Living with the Tiger” which explores the lives of a group of Thai children affected by the HIV virus. The two screenings this week are free and are sponsored by the British Embassy in Bangkok. The first is tonight at...
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Nakhon Sawan Province is in the North of Thailand about 240 kilometers north of Bangkok. It is important as it is regarded as the source for the Chao Phraya River which flows all the way south to Bangkok and out into the Gulf of Thailand. One of the latest attractions in the city is...
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Before the age of television soap operas and movies, Thai people entertained themselves by watching Shadow Puppet Shows. In Thai these are known as “Nang Talung” and were popular in Southern Thailand. Although you cannot see them so much these days, you might be lucky at a village festival, temple fair or some other...
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One of the most bizarre festivals that I have ever attended in Thailand is the Tattoo Festival. This takes place at Wat Bang Phra temple in Nakhon Chaisi, about 50 kms west of Bangkok. This year it is on Saturday 19th March 2011. Wat Bang Phra is famous for its magically charged tattoos and...
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(17) Peuak Guan – Tua Guan (เผือกกวน – ถั่วกวน) which is a Taro and Mung Bean Pudding. (18) Fak Thong Kaeng Buad (ฟักทองแกงบวด) which is Pumpkin in sweet coconut milk. This cost 20 baht. (19) Khanom Luk Chub (ลูกชุบ) which is Miniature Fruit Candy. (20) Khao Niew Tud (ข้าวเหนียวตัด) which is Sticky Glutinous Rice with...
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Six months have passed since I did the Thai Street Food Challenge. During September 2010, I ate just over 100 different street food dishes. The challenge was to only eat street food for one month, for every meal, with no repeats. Like most people who live in Thailand, I usually stick to half a...
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In the old days, before movies and T.V. soap operas, people were entertained with Nang Talung. This is the art of shadow puppets that first became popular in Southern Thailand two or three generations ago. It has since spread to other parts of Thailand, like the north-east, but many people still see it as...
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Probably one of the best ways to see dolphins close up in Thailand is by kayak. During my recent trip to Nakhon Si Thamarat Province, I joined Khanom Fishing & Tour for their one day tour called “Conserving Dolphins, Conserving Khanom Environment”. They operate out of Khanom which is a district at the northern...
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One of the most important places to celebrate Makha Bucha Day, a Buddhist holiday, is at Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan. This royal temple, in Nakhon Si Thammarat in Southern Thailand, houses a relic of the Lord Buddha. On the full moon day during February every year, local people take part in a parade called...
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This is the continuation of my Bangkok Day Trips for Kids. Probably the most popular open zoo and theme park close to Bangkok is Safari World and Marine Park on the northern outskirts of Bangkok. I have taken Nong Grace here twice and she has also gone with her school. She keeps asking about...
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(9) Wun Kati (วุ้นกะทิ), which is a Jelly with Coconut Cream Topping. It costs 30 baht. (10) Khao Niew Na Sangkaya (ข้าวเหนียวหน้าสังขยา), which is Thai custard on sticky rice. It cost 12 baht. (11) Thong Yod (ทองหยอด) which translates as Golden Egg Yolk Drops. (12) Met Khanoon (เม็ดขนุน) which literally translates as Jackfruit Seed...
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A short distance north of Amphawa there is another riverside market that has been trying to revive its old community. This is Bang Noi Floating Market that straddles a canal of the same name near the Mae Klong River. There has been a market here for more than one hundred years and at one...
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It seems that a number of provinces in Thailand are starting to build their own aquariums that rival if not surpass the one in the basement of Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok. One of the latest ones to be built is at Bueng Boraphet in Nakhon Sawan. It was officially opened in 2008 and...
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