Showing 1 - 10 of 16
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.
Explore hidden gems outside Bangkok
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 24/09/2020
» The other day when I learned that the Tourism Society, an academic network of communities that run tourism operations, was planning an outing to Ban Sala Daeng Nuea and nearby sites of interest, my heart leapt with joy. This Mon community by the Chao Phraya River is one where the residents still cherish their cultural heritage. Located in Pathum Thani's Sam Khok district, which is only 37km or so from Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, where I live, Ban Sala Daeng Nuea and its namesake temple are among those places in adjacent provinces that I've long wanted to visit but somehow never got the chance to.
Treat your taste buds at food fair
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 23/09/2020
» Pathum Thani, which neighbours Bangkok to the north, is known for its variety of food. From today until Sunday, goodies from the province's different districts will be available at the "Pathum Thani Gastronomic Wonders Festival".
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.
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.
Come live with me
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 10/02/2020
» Imagine yourself shuffling out of your bedroom in the morning to find the girl next door sitting on your favourite sofa chatting on the phone. On the other side of the large living room, another neighbour is working on his laptop. At the dining table, a familiar couple are enjoying breakfast. In the kitchen, somebody's cooking a cheese omelette.
The Pride of Phayao
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 28/03/2019
» First-time visitors to the northern province of Phayao should be sure to check out the provincial town and, in particular, the famous namesake lake on which it stands. For repeat visitors, however, I suggest exploring the northeastern part of the province, which is made up of Chiang Kham, Phu Sang and Pong districts. Unless, you have plenty of time to spend , don't bother going back to the lake.
Enjoy the ride, but watch out for the king cobras
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 07/06/2018
» Ban Chom Bueng Thai Literary Botanical Garden of Ratchaburi may not be a familiar name. But if you like mountain biking, this is one place you should visit.
Old monks' gift to cyclists
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 14/12/2017
» Apart from Suvarnabhumi airport's newly renovated Sky Lane, there are not many cycling lanes where bicyclists in Bangkok and peripheral areas can ride without worrying about hitting a jogger or being crushed by an automobile. This place in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, is one such rare training ground.
Subterranean biking
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 23/02/2017
» Kanchanaburi is a huge province, the third biggest after Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima. Although the provincial capital seems close to Bangkok, its western boundary extends all the way to the border with Myanmar. Despite the fact that I have been to Kanchanaburi so many times over the past 26 years as a journalist and have seen more of the province than many of its natives, I would not say I know Kanchanaburi inside out.