Showing 11 - 20 of 55
Park Hyatt Bangkok
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 25/06/2020
» I was kind of anxious as I entered the hotel's premises, not because it was my first time at the property but because it's the first time in three months that I was to spend a night away from the safety of my own home. However, as the check-in process began the worries started to dissipate. By the time I reached my sanitised room, I was already feeling at home. It was the first time I realised how much the feeling of being in a clean and safe place has to do with the meaning of the phrase.
Safety first for holiday getaways
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 24/06/2020
» After months of business suspension due to Covid-19, several hotels and resorts have resumed operation, and many more are soon to follow suit. Various promotions with special benefits are being offered to draw guests, and income, back to the properties. Still, despite immense travel cravings, a great many people may still feel uncomfortable to sleep at someplace other than home, and thus reluctant to take advantage of the opportunity.
Rainy days & getaways
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 04/06/2020
» Interprovincial travel is now possible, although with restrictions in certain cases. Historical parks and national museums are open. Many beaches are starting to see visitors from different provinces dying for a break from the unprecedented lockdown. Still, it's going to be a long while before tourism reaches the pre-pandemic level.
Easy-peasy Chinese on TikTok
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 19/05/2020
» TikTok, one of the most downloaded social media apps in recent years, is rapidly attracting more users during the lockdown period with fun and creative short videos. But the contents the popular platform offers cover not just lip-syncing, singing, dancing, stunts, pranks and crazy challenges.
When you're free to move about the country
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 07/05/2020
» It's going to be a while before we find out whether or not the easing of coronavirus lockdown measures, the mass scrambles for alcoholic beverages, and the exodus over the recent long weekend will reverse the trend of the pandemic control in Thailand that seems to be going well. Let's hope they won't. At the same time, let's not forget that in many parts of this small world, the Covid-19 situation is still not getting any better.
Thailand's abundance
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 09/04/2020
» April is usually the height of the hot season. The sea, both in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman, is at its best. The forest, meanwhile, may seem lifeless, yet actually there are a lot of interesting things going on in the ecosystem. Most waterfalls, for example, may not be boasting powerful cascades, but the calm, clear water reveals a fascinating array of fish and other aquatic lifeforms that thrive. And guess what: even during this dry period of the year, there are falls in some protected forests where the water continues to flow down rigorously, regardless of what month is shown on the calendar. Too bad I don't have their photographs in digital form and no time to dig through the piles of slides.
Samet Ville Resort
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 02/04/2020
» Three weeks before the lockdown, having cancelled a trip to Japan, I decided to use my leave days at Ao Wai instead. This beach on Koh Samet of Rayong Province is one of my all-time favourites. Over the past 25 years, I've visited Ao Wai numerous times. Unlike most beaches on the island, this peaceful haven has only one resort. Somehow, I've never written about it until now.
A time for solitude
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 26/03/2020
» Starting on Thursday, Thailand is under a state of emergency. Hopefully, this will help the country cope with the Covid-19 pandemic more effectively. At the time of writing, a full lockdown is not yet announced. But in line with the emergency decree, it's likely that social distancing will no longer be urged but enforced. Only with people staying calmly at home will it be possible to keep the highly contagious virus under control. China has shown that such stringent measures worked. If everybody complies, it should bring a good result here, too.
Doin' the durian
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 24/03/2020
» The king of fruit is starting to show up in the market. For lovers of old-school durian, this is arguably the most important period of the durian season. Now you can find the chani variety.
Chiva-Som
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 19/03/2020
» The multiple-award-winning international health resort was named Best Destination Spa for the Condé Nast Traveller Spa Awards 2020. As with my previous visit two years ago, soon after check-in I attended the compulsory consultation session in which I was told to choose a goal for my stay. The consultant then scheduled the treatments and activities I needed to achieve it. My simple goal was relaxation. The day I left the resort, it was a mission delightfully accomplished.