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  • TRAVEL

    The temple of our concrete jungle

    Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 03/12/2020

    » Each day countless numbers of Bangkokians commute past Wat Pathum Wanaram, the royal temple sandwiched between Siam Paragon and CentralWorld. Every day, they see it from the windows of their cars, buses or Skytrains. Few, however, actually step into the temple to learn more about it.

  • TRAVEL

    Mercury falling, spirits rising

    Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 10/12/2020

    » The Colours of Doi Tung Festival is one of Chiang Rai province's best-known annual events. Every weekend and public holiday in December and January, a fair featuring the sale of food and goods by hilltribe people and other ethnic groups living in Doi Tung and nearby mountains is held near the Mae Fah Luang Garden, a famous attraction that is part of Mae Fah Luang Foundation's Doi Tung Development Project. The idea is to draw more visitors to Doi Tung and enable the villagers to benefit from the high season.

  • TRAVEL

    Place of peace and tranquility

    Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 19/11/2020

    » Ask any Thai to mention the names of the five islands that immediately come to mind, chances are Koh Sichang would be included in the shortlist, maybe even the first. This small island 12km off the coast of Si Racha, Chon Buri, is the closest to the capital.

  • TRAVEL

    Roaming in the gloaming

    Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 05/11/2020

    » It was pouring like crazy. I was lucky to find refuge in a noodle shop before getting soaked. It had rained twice since the morning. So far, including the days when I was on Koh Phayam, I never got a chance to shoot -- or even see -- a clear blue sky.

  • LIFE

    Splendour in the city

    Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 22/10/2020

    » At this time of year, a lot of Bangkokians would be looking forward to a visit to Wat Saket, home to the Golden Mount and the venue of one of the city's best-known temple fairs, which coincides with the Loy Krathong Festival.

  • TRAVEL

    Humble museum holds keys to past

    Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 10/09/2020

    » Entering the main hall of Chiang Saen National Museum in its namesake border town 64km or so northeast of Chiang Rai downtown, I was greeted by three beautiful seated Buddha images from the 16th century. Each had a pretty chubby body and a round face with a prominent chin and a closed-lips smile, typical of Chiang Saen, aka Lanna, style.

  • LIFE

    Far from the madding crowds

    Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 13/08/2020

    » While the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting border closure has brought about considerable economic impact, not everything is bad news. At the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is part of the Grand Palace, the long-lost ambience of tranquillity has returned.

  • LIFE

    A place where time stands still

    Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 16/07/2020

    » Despite what the science says, time seems to pass at different speeds. In areas like Si Yan, Samsen and Bang Krabue -- which are all part of Dusit district in Bangkok -- it's as if time hasn't passed into the 20th century.

  • LIFE

    A stroll back in time

    Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 02/07/2020

    » A refreshing breeze blew from the other side of the river, greeted by cheerfully rustling leaves of land and aquatic plants along its expansive path. Different kinds of egrets, thanks to their sizes and bright white plumage, could easily be spotted foraging near the waterside, but faint chirps in the air also revealed the presence of numerous other birds hiding among the foliage. In the river, a monitor lizard emerged from the dense floating patches of water hyacinth and swam leisurely in the open to the far bank. Meanwhile, along the lively yet tranquil waterway line traditional-style wooden houses built on tall stilts, some with boats moored at the water's edge.

  • TRAVEL

    Skipping ahead

    Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 23/04/2020

    » Earlier this month when I launched this bi-weekly Travel Diary series, I had a gut feeling that this coronavirus pandemic could drag on a lot longer than many people had thought. Maybe it could even take a whole year. However, feedback revealed that readers were more optimistic and believe it won’t be that long. Some even suggested that it would benefit them more if — instead of featuring destinations suitable for the season that matches the current time of year, but may not be useful if the travel ban is still in place — I should just skip a couple of months ahead.

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