Showing 41 - 50 of 76
Wintery wonderland
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 08/02/2018
» Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's major islands, makes up one-fifth of the country's land mass. Yes, it's not small. And definitely, it has much more to offer visitors than the already popular destinations like Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Niseko or Hakodate in the central and southern areas of this large island.
Exploring Bangkok's old town
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 04/01/2018
» With exceptionally light traffic and lovely weather, Bangkok was wonderful for biking during the recent long holiday weekend. Instead of joining the mass in the exodus out of the capital, on New Year's Eve my friends and I opted to hang around and explore the city on two wheels.
Old monks' gift to cyclists
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 14/12/2017
» Apart from Suvarnabhumi airport's newly renovated Sky Lane, there are not many cycling lanes where bicyclists in Bangkok and peripheral areas can ride without worrying about hitting a jogger or being crushed by an automobile. This place in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, is one such rare training ground.
Gorgeous George Town
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 10/08/2017
» I've always wanted to go see Penang. This is because every time I visited old towns in the South such as Phuket or Songkhla, I would hear stories from the past about various aspects of the relationship between those Thai towns and this Malaysian island in the Strait of Malacca.
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.
Admiring the night lights of Japan
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 21/07/2017
» International tourists, Thais included, visit and revisit Japan for many reasons, from cherry blossoms and autumn leaves to food and fruits to the culture and courteousness of the people. As if that's not enough, the country has added one more: yakei.
Biking the peaks of Khao Kho Hong
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 20/07/2017
» Hat Yai boasts a number of attractions, but no matter how many days you stay, you cannot say you have seen the best the southern city has to offer unless you have visited Khao Kho Hong. For cyclists, of course, the best way to explore this iconic hill is by bike.
Ride the waterway
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 22/06/2017
» I have written about Hua Hin in this column quite a few times before. This week, instead of exploring one of the many mountain-bike trails on the hills of Hin Lek Fai, let's do something different. Our route today starts from a mangrove, Hua Hin's only urban mangrove.
Salalah in the sunshine
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 08/06/2017
» 'Wow, coconut trees!" I exclaimed in my head as I looked through the window of the charter bus that was taking me and other visitors out of the Salalah International Airport. I must admit I had never thought there would ever be a moment when such a simple sight could make me feel so excited. "Oh boy, there are banana and papaya trees too!"
Chestnut, fish-head curry and durian
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 25/05/2017
» Never judge a book by its cover. Likewise, don't overlook this week's featured trail just because the photos are lousy. Sometimes, when a track is so much fun stopping all your ride buddies just so you can take pictures is too selfish. This forest trail in Singapore is a case in point.