Showing 1 - 9 of 9
At the crossroads of history
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 26/09/2019
» The ancient city of Ayutthaya was surrounded by rivers -- the Lop Buri on the north side, the Pa Sak on the east side and the Chao Phraya on the remaining sides. South of the city island, known in Thai as Koh Muang, the Pa Sak merges with the Chao Phraya at the point where the latter makes a southward turn, away from Koh Muang.
Return to Prasae River
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 23/05/2019
» It was early in the afternoon. The Sun was high in the sky, blasting down rays so scorching as if they were meant to kill. But in the winding narrow river along which our boat was leisurely cruising, the ambience was pleasant, thanks to the light yet refreshing breeze, and the thick greenery along both banks that provided comfortable shade.
Hakodate's lingering legacy
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 20/12/2018
» After seven hours on the plane and another three-and-a-half hours on the train, I finally found myself on a street of Hakodate, the southernmost city of Japan's northernmost prefecture.
Appreciating Kantang's past glory
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 30/08/2018
» Of the six provinces along the Kingdom's southern peninsula, only Trang can be reached via railway. The Andaman rail tracks run past Trang city and end in Kantang, which is connected to the Andaman Sea 15km or so away by the Trang River. After its establishment in 1893, Kantang acted as a major socio-economic hub in the area and was an important port for goods from the West.
Salalah in the sunshine
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 08/06/2017
» 'Wow, coconut trees!" I exclaimed in my head as I looked through the window of the charter bus that was taking me and other visitors out of the Salalah International Airport. I must admit I had never thought there would ever be a moment when such a simple sight could make me feel so excited. "Oh boy, there are banana and papaya trees too!"
To the Mekong and beyond
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 19/11/2015
» The mighty Mekong marks the border between Thailand's northeastern region and Laos. With the second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge providing a land link since 2006, the town of Mukdahan has served as a convenient gateway from Thailand to the Lao town of Savannakhet on the other side of the river.
Westward, ho!
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 21/11/2013
» Despite the fact that armed conflict between Myanmar's government and the New Mon State Party ended 18 years ago and that Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, also know as the Golden Rock, has long been a popular place of pilgrimage, it is only recently that the tourism-industry limelight has begun to shine on the lower section of Mon State which hugs the eastern side of the Bay of Martaban.
Nakhon Si Thammarat is a place for all seasons
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 11/10/2012
» Mention Nakhon Si Thammarat and the image of the province's most revered Phra Borommathat pagoda would pop up in the mind of many Thais. That, perhaps, is followed by the famous sat duen sip ceremony, the grand event in which locals gather to make merit for their deceased relatives; nang talung shadow puppets; manorah folk performance and many more.
Lord Shiva awaits
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 10/05/2012
» Once upon a time in a town called Mahabalipuram, a group of royally-commissioned sculptors were working on a big boulder at the foot of a hill. As they were meticulously chiselling out one tiny bit after another from the rock surface, Lord Shiva, with a cobra around his chest and a trident in one of his hands, gradually appeared.