Showing 1 - 10 of 34
A giant in size and importance
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 14/01/2021
» Prasat Nakhon Luang is one of the largest examples of historical architecture in Ayutthaya. Its role in the politics of the old Siamese kingdom that the province was named after was as immense as its size.
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.
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.
Cool runnings at Doi Inthanon
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 27/10/2020
» This weekend, the mountainous terrains of Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai, will see an army of the country's toughest trail runners participate in the first edition of Thailand by UTMB.
A place where time stands still
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 16/07/2020
» Despite what the science says, time seems to pass at different speeds. In areas like Si Yan, Samsen and Bang Krabue -- which are all part of Dusit district in Bangkok -- it's as if time hasn't passed into the 20th century.
A stroll back in time
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 02/07/2020
» A refreshing breeze blew from the other side of the river, greeted by cheerfully rustling leaves of land and aquatic plants along its expansive path. Different kinds of egrets, thanks to their sizes and bright white plumage, could easily be spotted foraging near the waterside, but faint chirps in the air also revealed the presence of numerous other birds hiding among the foliage. In the river, a monitor lizard emerged from the dense floating patches of water hyacinth and swam leisurely in the open to the far bank. Meanwhile, along the lively yet tranquil waterway line traditional-style wooden houses built on tall stilts, some with boats moored at the water's edge.
Ready to roam
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 18/06/2020
» For a lot of travel addicts residing in Thailand, with the fourth phase of the easing of pandemic control measures the situation is good enough to return to fun mode.
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.
Seeing how silk is made
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 14/05/2020
» Just a few minutes' walk from BTS National Stadium sits Ban Khrua, the old community by Saen Saep Canal that decades ago produced silk fabrics for Jim Thompson, who helped promote the Thai material to worldwide fame. After the mysterious disappearance of the legendary American entrepreneur in 1967, family-run silk workshops in Ban Khrua gradually went out of business. But not all of them.
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.