Showing 1 - 10 of 17
Where the lotus blossoms
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 30/07/2020
» At the front end of a long wooden boat, I stood up to appreciate the full view of the natural world around me. There weren't as many lotus blossoms to be seen as in my previous visits years ago but the peaceful marshland was still full of life. A variety of plants and animals were still celebrating the life-giving rain that had stopped just a few minutes ago. It's hard to believe that in 2016 this very place became so dry that you could see the cracked soil surface. I hope that will never happen again.
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.
Ancient Thailand, under threat
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 07/03/2019
» Centuries before the rise of Sukhothai, and even the Khmer Empire preceding it, the Dvaravati civilisation (6th-11th century) dominated much of what is now Thailand. Few ruins from the period remain. The largest, and one of the best preserved, is Khao Khlang Nok, the grand stupa in Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun province.
On top of the world
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 10/01/2019
» I was feeling high. And it wasn't just because I was 1,731m above sea level. It was also because the air was so fresh and the view so mesmerising. Surrounding me was an endless sea of mountains, the bell-shaped peak of Doi Pui Luang upon which I stood rising above them all.
Paradise in jeopardy
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 11/06/2018
» I get to know people when I travel for work, but I rarely see them again in person because each time I travel, I go to someplace different. Earlier this year, however, as I was about to leave a tourism fair, I bumped into the owner of a resort on Koh Mak, the island of Trat province famous for its efforts to become a "low-carbon destination".
Siem Reap without Angkor Wat
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 31/05/2018
» When you're in Siem Reap, home to Angkor Wat, could there be a reason not to visit the place that is the national symbol of Cambodia? During a recent work trip to the city, I happened to have a few.
Visiting the border-patrol police base of Huai Khok Mu
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 26/04/2018
» In Suan Phung, Ratchaburi's westernmost district, there are two border-patrol police bases that are well-known destinations among off-road enthusiasts, one at Khao Krachom and the other at Huai Khok Mu. The first was featured in this column almost four years ago. Today, I'm telling you about the latter.
Traversing Pathum Thani's history
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 29/03/2018
» It is no secret among my friends that in any plan for road cycling longer than 20km in total they can freely count me out. So when one of them insisted that I go explore his hometown near Bangkok, despite the obvious fact that it involves almost twice the distance I'm willing to ride, I knew there must be something special and worthwhile.
A trip down history lane
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 21/12/2017
» Ayutthaya was the Thai capital for 417 years. During those centuries a lot happened. Somehow, for many Thais, the first -- and often the only -- thing that pops up when we think of the old city is wars with the Burmese. So when my friend Tui, who is a history buff, convinced me to go do some biking in Ayutthaya Historical Park, I didn't expect it to be much fun. But he proved me wrong.
Enjoy the cool season at Khao Yai
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 30/11/2017
» The cool season may not be so tangible in Bangkok but in other parts of the country, especially areas close to forests and mountains, the temperature sure dips to pleasant levels every day from late afternoon to late in the morning.