Showing 1 - 10 of 39
Drawing on the history of old Bangkok
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 16/12/2020
» Exploring Rattanakosin Island and other old parts of the capital is increasingly popular among Bangkokians. With so many elegant temples and heritage buildings, these areas offer tons of photo opportunities. But instead of using a camera or a smartphone, how about recording your wonderful experience on paper with pencils and paintbrushes?
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.
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.
Safety first for holiday getaways
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 24/06/2020
» After months of business suspension due to Covid-19, several hotels and resorts have resumed operation, and many more are soon to follow suit. Various promotions with special benefits are being offered to draw guests, and income, back to the properties. Still, despite immense travel cravings, a great many people may still feel uncomfortable to sleep at someplace other than home, and thus reluctant to take advantage of the opportunity.
Happy trails are here again
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 05/06/2020
» The legendary Club11 mountain bike track, the only of its kind in the Thai capital, is reopened and renamed.
Rainy days & getaways
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 04/06/2020
» Interprovincial travel is now possible, although with restrictions in certain cases. Historical parks and national museums are open. Many beaches are starting to see visitors from different provinces dying for a break from the unprecedented lockdown. Still, it's going to be a long while before tourism reaches the pre-pandemic level.
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.
Banding together to help those in need
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 29/04/2020
» Chula Marketplace, aimed primarily as an online marketplace for students and alumni of Chulalongkorn University affected by Covid-19, is one of the fastest-growing groups on Facebook. In just a couple of weeks, the group has grown to over 218,268 members and counting. However, to make the numerous products and services offered by members available to the wider public, the closed group recently launched a spin-off, which can also be accessed on Facebook.
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.