Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Salt, sea and spoonbills
Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 07/03/2024
» During a morning stroll through vast salt fields in the seaside town of Samut Sakhon, I couldn't resist but take breathtaking photos of a large flock of birds. Close by, experienced birdwatcher Suchart Daengpayon (also known as Mr Tee) led a small group of foreign tourists on a trip to see the food-seeking behaviours of the spoon-billed sandpiper, an endangered shorebird species.
Tracing ancestry
Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 06/07/2023
» With Thailand serving as a significant commercial hub for centuries, Chinese merchants played a key role in bridging cultural linkages through marine trade prior to the establishment of diplomatic ties between Thailand and China in 1975. To celebrate the 48th anniversary of this milestone, Life explores Bangkok's early communities to learn more about our ancestry.
Treasures of the past
Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 23/02/2023
» While standing inside the recently opened Ayutthaya Gold Treasure Exhibition Building at the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, visitors may picture a gloomy night in September 1957 when robbers robbed the vault that was hidden beneath Wat Ratchaburana's main Phra Prang. When digging further, they discovered a glowing three-floor gold treasure and relocated some priceless items to a house opposite the temple.
Totally Tainan
Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 19/01/2023
» Guardian generals Shunfeng Er and Qianli Yan are stationed at the entrance of the Orthodox Luerhmen Sheng Mu Temple in the southern town of Tainan. Shunfeng Er can hear any sound on the wind, while Qianli Yan can see things up to 1,500km away.
A bond formed in clay
Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 13/10/2022
» The Meteorological Department predicts heavy rains for this week, and today is a public holiday. The National Museum Bangkok is the ideal refuge if you want to enjoy art while also getting away from the cloudbursts.
Prologue to the past
Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 28/04/2022
» Following a massive five-year makeover, the modern red-ochre compound of Ban Kao National Museum rises in the middle of vast green landscapes and rice fields on the banks of the Khwae Noi River, serving as a prologue for a day trip to explore Prasat Muang Sing Historical Park, which is about 10km away.
Steeped in tradition
Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 17/03/2022
» Sitting on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Samphanthawong district is home to a large Chinese community and the Sampheng neighbourhood, which once functioned as Bangkok's primary commercial core. Browsing around, visitors can see historic Chinese shrines with striking architecture nestled among clusters of classic shophouses, transporting visitors back to the early Rattanakosin period when Chinese sea merchants played a major role in the import and export industry.
Connecting heaven and Earth
Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 24/06/2021
» The Tourism Authority of Thailand recently launched the Himmapan Project using five cute cartoon characters of mythical creatures based on Buddhist and Hindu beliefs to boost domestic tourism. This inspired me to grab a camera and scour for other imaginary animals from the Himmapan forest, which is a bridge connecting Earth and heaven.
A story told a hundred different ways
Life, Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 13/11/2019
» The annual khon masked dance returns to Thailand Cultural Centre, with this year's feature being the episode Sueb Marga: The Adventures Of Hanuman. To help enhance the audience experience, a special accompanying exhibition provides different interpretations of the beloved tale.