Alms Giving to 11,111 Monks

April 11, 2011
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Alms Giving to 11,111 Monks

At the weekend, we had a very special event in Samut Prakan. Late on Saturday night the main two roads through Paknam were closed for traffic. An army of people then went about setting up for a mass alms giving the following morning. They set up, in straight rows, an incredible 11,111 seats which was the expected number of monks for the alms giving. The whole event was organized by the Dhammakaya Foundation. Photo album >>> The seats were set up between the Clock Tower intersection and the police station from where I took this picture. This stretch of...
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Songkran at Nakaphirom Park

April 10, 2011
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Songkran at Nakaphirom Park

Many foreign tourists, and even some Thais, seem to think that Songkran is only about the water fights. But, there is another side to this festival which is more traditional. It is possible to experience what I call the real Songkran at various places around Thailand. In Bangkok, one of the best places to go is at Nakaraphirom Park which is alongside the Chao Phraya River and next to the pier at Tha Tien. It is a new park with some excellent river views including Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. The opening ceremony was tonight but from Sunday...
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Pictures of Songkran Fun in a Thai School

April 8, 2011
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Pictures of Songkran Fun in a Thai School

Songkran is the start of the traditional Thai new year. It also marks the height of the hot season. A good way to cool off is to join in with the many water fights that are just starting in Thailand. Traditionally, you are supposed to splash your elders with a little rose scented water. But, these days people just throw buckets of water at each other. The dates of the festival are 13-15 April 2011. However, be warned, in some areas, kids have already started playing water fights. At Sriwittayapaknam School in Samut Prakan this morning, the students went...
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7 Days of Danger in Thailand

April 7, 2011
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7 Days of Danger in Thailand

In January this year, the Thai government launched their campaign to promote 100% use of crash helmets. It is a year long campaign that started mainly with government offices. It became compulsory for anyone entering or riding in their premises to be wearing a helmet. If they didn’t have a helmet, they were stopped at the gate and told to walk in. In Samut Prakan signs have been up for the last few months encouraging 100% use of helmets. As we all know, things like this take time to make a difference. It has been compulsory for a number...
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5 Floating Markets around Bangkok

April 4, 2011
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5 Floating Markets around Bangkok

There are many floating markets and riverside markets around Bangkok. Some of these are new and others have been revitalized. This is part one of my comprehensive list of Thai floating markets that you can easily do as a day trip from Bangkok. The most famous floating market for foreign tourists is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi Province. If you want that picture perfect postcard shot I recommend this place. However, if you don’t want any foreigners in the picture that you must go there early. By 9 a.m. there is a traffic jam of tourist boats. Most...
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Map of People on Twitter in Thailand

April 2, 2011
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Map of People on Twitter in Thailand

The emergence of Twitter over the last few years has dramatically changed the way we receive our news. No longer do we have to wait for the newspapers the next morning or watch the news on tv at the top of the hour. With twitter we get instant breaking news from people like you and me who happen to be in the right place at the right time. Or sometimes they get caught up in natural disasters and they send out messages to warn others. As you probably know, I started tweeting last year (@RichardBarrow) and have I gained...
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Koh Tao after the Storm

April 1, 2011
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Koh Tao after the Storm

Much of Southern Thailand has been hit hard by unseasonable storms which have resulted in floods and mudslides. Up to 25 people are believed to have been killed and some villages either engulfed by rising waters or covered by mudslides. Eight provinces in mid-southern Thailand, including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Phatthalung, Trang, Phang Nga, Songkhla, and Krabi, have been affected by the floods. At present, Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport remains closed and trains on the Southern Line terminate at Chumphon. Buses are getting through on some roads, but a number of roads, for example in Krabi, are...
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Nong Khai to Udon Thani & Ban Chiang

March 31, 2011
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Nong Khai to Udon Thani & Ban Chiang

Darkest Isan (where decent thais fear to tread), Part Eleven For some people a holiday means laying on white sand beaches, sipping umbrellared cocktails and ogling bronze flesh. For others it means being bounced to death in a suspension-less bus/sauna breathing three completely new varieties of pollution and sitting with your knees tucked under your chin watching the netted sacks of crickets by your feet writhe around the floor like some sort of mutant blob from planet X. However as the saying goes, in travel sometimes the journey is better than arriving, and certainly on some parts of the...
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Songkran 2011 is More than Just Water Fights

March 30, 2011
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Songkran 2011 is More than Just Water Fights

It is nearly time for the most popular Thai Festival, Songkran 2011, which takes place all over Thailand in mid April every year. This is the traditional Thai new year which is the most enjoyable of all festivals both for Thai people and foreign tourists. Songkran is widely known as the water festival as people have lots of fun splashing water over each other during the three day festival. However, Songkran is more than just waterfights. I took the following pictures in Samut Prakan Province of some more Songkran activities. Other provinces in Thailand will also have their own...
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Where and When to Celebrate Songkran 2011

March 29, 2011
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Where and When to Celebrate Songkran 2011

In less than two weeks we will be celebrating the biggest Thai Festival called Songkran 2011. This takes place all over Thailand in mid-April. The date used to vary but it is now fixed and takes place on 13-15 April every year. Although these are the dates for the public holiday in Thailand, Sonkgran itself will be celebrated over a wider period in different places around Thailand. If you feel up to it, you can play water fights for up to 12 days at various locations. However, in one location, water fights don’t usually go on for more than...
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Win a Guidebook for Elephant Holidays in Thailand

March 28, 2011
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Win a Guidebook for Elephant Holidays in Thailand

I am in the Northeast of Thailand for the launch of two new guidebooks. I already told you about the one called “The Mekong: Journeys along the River of Life”. Today I’m on my way to Surin Province for the launch of the second guidebook called “Elephant Holidays in Thailand”. Again I have several copies to giveaway in a competition and like last time you can choose either a Thai or English version. This book prepares you for a unique experience in Thailand with the elephants, the most important symbol of the Kingdom. This experience not only includes learning...
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Win a Guidebook for the Mekong River

March 27, 2011
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Win a Guidebook for the Mekong River

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 prove an inspiration for travellers who want to take a memorable journey along the course of the mighty Mekong. Running through Thailand in the provinces of Chiang Rai, Loei, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, and Ubon Ratchathani, the Mekong River creates life, culture, and friendship...
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Mae Sai Border Town

March 26, 2011
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Mae Sai Border Town

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 Mae Sai. On the other side of the building is a bridge that crosses the river that acts as a natural border between Thailand and Myanmar. These people are in a kind of no-mans-land. They have already passed through Burmese Immigration and are on their...
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Doi Mae Salong in Chiang Rai

March 25, 2011
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Doi Mae Salong in Chiang Rai

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. It is a popular destination for both Thai and foreign tourists who come to enjoy the cool mountain air, relax in one of the many tea shops and also to learn about the rich and varied culture of the groups that live here. Doi Mae...
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History of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

March 20, 2011
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History of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

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 also established many overseas offices the first being in New York, which was opened in 1965. During the past 30 years, TAT has since established 15 more offices in different parts of the world. The headquarters for TAT is on Phetchaburi Road in Bangkok. I...
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Pictures of Pattaya Music Festival 2011

March 19, 2011
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Pictures of Pattaya Music Festival 2011

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 400,000 people are expected for this three day concert at various stages along  Beach Road. This stretch of road is three kilometres long which is why they are now calling it “The Longest Beach Music Festival in Asia”. The four main stages are Galaxy Stage...
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It Shouldn’t be so Cold in Thailand in March

March 17, 2011
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It Shouldn’t be so Cold in Thailand in March

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 and it starts warming up for the summer season. Indeed, last week was so hot that it actually felt that the height of summer had arrived already. But, here we are, mid-March, and we are back to the coldest day of the year. These “summer...
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Wai Khru Ceremony at Muay Thai Festival

March 16, 2011
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Wai Khru Ceremony at Muay Thai Festival

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 to take part in the Wai Khru Ceremony. They came to pay respect to their teachers, and to pay homage to the legendary Muay Thai folk hero, Nai Khanom Tom. Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport and Ayutthaya, the home of its legendary hero is...
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Watch “Living with the Tiger” in Bangkok

March 14, 2011
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Watch “Living with the Tiger” in Bangkok

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 the Foreign Correspondents Club Bangkok (14th March 2011) and then the second is at the Patravadi Theatre on Thursday (17th March 2011).  Click on either of the links for more information and also to reserve your free tickets. Be quick as there aren’t many tickets...
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"Stories about culture, language and small-town travel are posted by various expat and Thai contributors." - Lonely Planet Thailand Guidebook

Articles from Thai-Blogs.com have been re-printed at The Nation, Daily Xpress and also the official website for the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Over 100 of our photographs have appeared in the Bangkok Post.

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