Showing 1 - 10 of 14
Hiding in plain sight
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 24/12/2020
» I'm no fan of paintings but I understand folks who are able to enjoy a visual feast by masters such as the likes of Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci or Vincent Van Gogh. I do the same every time I find myself in a magnificent landscape. Indeed, Mother Nature is my favourite artist.
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.
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.
White light
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 14/11/2019
» Wat Rong Khun, also widely known as the White Temple, is one of Chiang Rai's top attractions. By the end of next week, the architectural gem of the northern province will no longer be monochromatic, at least after sunset. Get yourself ready for the first Wat Rong Khun Light Fest.
Timeless treasures
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 11/04/2019
» Like every time I went to Si Sa Ket, I dropped by Khao Phra Wihan National Park again on my latest visit to the northeastern province. As always, the sunrise at Pha Mo E Daeng, the cliff that is one of the park's top attractions, was a refreshing sight. During the rest of the trip, however, I came to realise that Si Sa Ket has much more to offer than Khao Phra Wihan.
Tastes of Kuala Lumpur
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 26/07/2018
» I love Thailand. The more I travel, the more I realise how lucky I am to have been born and raised in this country. But when it comes to durian, it's a different story.
Spiritual connection
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 05/07/2018
» Back in February, when a notification on my mobile phone alerted me about a budget airline's promotional fare to Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, I immediately checked it out. For a round trip in June, it's only about 4,500 baht. With a big grin on my face, I said to myself: "Okie Dokie."
Return to Ko Lanta Yai
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 19/04/2018
» Three years ago I wrote in this column about a biking route in the northern part of Ko Lanta Yai, the elongated island of Krabi province that lends its name to Mu Ko Lanta National Park. That was the only one of my visits to Ko Lanta Yai when I failed to make it to Laem Tanot, the beautiful cape at the southern tip where the park's headquarters and the island's iconic lighthouse are located.
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.
Take a stand on taxis, general
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 22/01/2015
» The bitter account of a Japanese educational volunteer's latest experience at Suvarnabhumi airport, which he referred to as "a disgrace to Thailand", has been all over the internet in the past few days. Originating on Facebook, where it since has been shared more than 1,600 times, Koki Aki — known as Kamen Rider among some of Bangkok's underprivileged children after visiting them dressed as the motorcycle-driving Japanese superhero — complained about poor service at the airport, especially in regards to taxis.