Showing 1 - 10 of 22
It's all downhill from here!
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 13/11/2020
» For most gravity mountain bikers -- especially those who are not serious racers and did not take part in the national championship series which ended in August -- it was as if all they could do was watch 2020 glide by. However, just the other day, there was great news from Prachin Buri.
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.
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.
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.
Skipping ahead
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 23/04/2020
» Earlier this month when I launched this bi-weekly Travel Diary series, I had a gut feeling that this coronavirus pandemic could drag on a lot longer than many people had thought. Maybe it could even take a whole year. However, feedback revealed that readers were more optimistic and believe it won’t be that long. Some even suggested that it would benefit them more if — instead of featuring destinations suitable for the season that matches the current time of year, but may not be useful if the travel ban is still in place — I should just skip a couple of months ahead.
Religious retreat
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 06/02/2020
» If you still haven't made plans for this Makha Bucha weekend, you could do worse than head to Maha Sarakham. The northeastern province is celebrating its annual festival at Phra Borommathat Na Dun, a revered pagoda in the district of the same name, until Sunday.
Thon Buri Palace open to the public
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 12/12/2019
» Once a year Thon Buri Palace, the former royal residence of King Taksin the Great, is open for the public to visit without the need to apply for permission. That special time of year is here again.
lebua Lucknow
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 24/10/2019
» Converted from an elegant mansion that dates back to 1936, this heritage hotel in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is operated by Bangkok-based lebua Hotels and Resorts.
Exploring Ko Kret
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 05/10/2017
» It's been more than a decade since I moved out of the capital to settle down in Pakkret district of Nonthaburi, Bangkok's adjacent neighbour to the northwest. Despite the fact that I've travelled to so many places over the years, I've never visited Ko Kret, the number one tourist attraction of my current hometown. What a shame!
Time travel, minus the DeLorean
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 27/07/2017
» Based on Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, many believe going back to the past is possible if one can travel at a speed close to that of light. But based on my experience, with due respect to the great scientist and his fans, at certain locales one can enjoy something near time travel just by doing the opposite -- going slow. The southern city of Songkhla is one such place.