Showing 1 - 10 of 10
A royal visit, and ruins restored
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 05/12/2019
» HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej spent much of his 70-year reign travelling the length and breadth of the Kingdom, mainly to learn about the plights of his people and find out how to help them in a sustainable way. At numerous towns and villages, his royal visits are remembered as a major event in local history. Si Satchanalai in Sukhothai province is no exception.
A walk through history
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 31/10/2019
» Across the Chao Phraya River from Chinatown are old neighbourhoods steeped in history. Over a hundred years ago, one of them was the home and playground of a goldsmith's daughter who decades later become the mother of two beloved monarchs. But the late Princess Srinagarindra was not the only historical figure who once called this area home.
Sa Kaeo festival
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 18/07/2019
» Have you ever been to Prasat Sdok Kok Thom, Sa Kaeo province's most important Khmer ruins? If not July 26 is a good time to do so as the Fine Arts Department will be holding a light and sound performance at the restored historical site.
An ocean at the top of the world
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 18/07/2019
» The wooden sign at the highest point of Phu Ta Jo claims that the mountain rises 1,300m above sea level. According to my topographic map, and judging by the vegetation, the elevation was actually more like 800-900m. But that didn't really matter, I was still on top of the world.
See the past come alive
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 22/05/2019
» The Ayutthaya Festival 2019, a must for history and culture lovers, kicks off on Wednesday. Taking place on the grounds next to the City Pillar Shrine within Ayutthaya Historical Park, the five-day celebration will feature illumination of the ancient ruins and a variety of performances and activities that promise to be both entertaining and enlightening. Numerous food stalls, shops and exhibitions will be open from late afternoon on. After the Sun goes down, the main stage will come alive. Following are stage highlights for each day.
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.
Ancient Thailand, under threat
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 07/03/2019
» Centuries before the rise of Sukhothai, and even the Khmer Empire preceding it, the Dvaravati civilisation (6th-11th century) dominated much of what is now Thailand. Few ruins from the period remain. The largest, and one of the best preserved, is Khao Khlang Nok, the grand stupa in Si Thep Historical Park in Phetchabun province.
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."
On the trail of the great Henri Mouhot
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 05/04/2018
» If you have been to Luang Prabang, you probably have climbed the 300 steps up Phousi, the hill that stands in the middle of the town. From the top, you can see not just the breadth and length of the former Lao capital and a Unesco World Heritage site but also the Mekong River a stone's throw to the west and the smaller Khan River nearby to the east. The two waterways meet just north of Phousi.
A delightful ride in Lop Buri
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 01/03/2018
» Lop Buri may not be so prominent on the tourist map. But it did play an important role in several different periods of Thai history.