Showing 1 - 6 of 6
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.
Outing extraordinaire
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 25/04/2019
» Less than 40km from the capital and packed with an assortment of attractions, Nakhon Pathom's districts of Nakhon Chai Si and Phutthamonthon (the latter neighbouring Bangkok's Thawi Watthana district) are a great destination for a day trip.
Same same but deliciously different
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 16/08/2018
» When was the last time you visited Pai?” I asked myself while on a van headed to the small town that sits about halfway between the east end of Road 1095 in Chiang Mai’s Mae Taeng district and its west end in the town of Mae Hong Son. With 1,864 curves along its length of 200km, 1095 is notorious asone of the country’s twistiest roads. A rest stop like Pai is a godsend. Over the years, Pai itself has evolved into a popular destination for international and Thai travellers alike. The countryside setting and the mix of ethnic and international cultures make up the charm of this laid-back town surrounded by mountains.
Isan's arid bounty
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 07/04/2016
» Yasothon and Amnat Charoen were separated from Ubon Ratchathani in 1972 and 1993, respectively. A couple of weeks ago, these three Isan provinces reunited.
Saigon didn't fall
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 15/10/2015
» Sixty-one years after liberation from French control and four decades since the fall of Saigon in 1975, less than two years after the US troops were forced to go home, the former capital of Cochinchina during the colonial period and later of South Vietnam continues to be one of the country's most vibrant cities. Did Saigon actually fall? Maybe not.
Off the beaten track
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 21/06/2012
» Connected to the southeast of Chiang Mai, Lamphun is geographically larger than many other provinces. Yet to many it seems like a tiny spot in the Kingdom, and is virtually invisible on the tourist trail. It's a pity travellers do not know what they are missing.