• TRAVEL

  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.

• TRAVEL

  Where the lotus blossoms

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 30/07/2020

  » At the front end of a long wooden boat, I stood up to appreciate the full view of the natural world around me. There weren't as many lotus blossoms to be seen as in my previous visits years ago but the peaceful marshland was still full of life. A variety of plants and animals were still celebrating the life-giving rain that had stopped just a few minutes ago. It's hard to believe that in 2016 this very place became so dry that you could see the cracked soil surface. I hope that will never happen again.

• LIFE

  Come and see

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 30/01/2020

  » 'But why? There's nothing to see there. Are you looking for a filming location?" asked the old lady at the roadside food stall when she knew that after the lunch my friends and I were going to Talat Klong Sip Song Hok Wa, a nearby waterside community so named because it is located at the point where Hok Wa and Sip Song canals cross.

• THAILAND

  The Pride of Phayao

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 28/03/2019

  » First-time visitors to the northern province of Phayao should be sure to check out the provincial town and, in particular, the famous namesake lake on which it stands. For repeat visitors, however, I suggest exploring the northeastern part of the province, which is made up of Chiang Kham, Phu Sang and Pong districts. Unless, you have plenty of time to spend , don't bother going back to the lake.

• THAILAND

  Overlooked treasures

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 31/01/2019

  » If you make a northward journey to Phrae via Highway 101, just before you reach the provincial capital, you'll pass Sung Men. As you rush along the highway that cuts through the small town, you'll find Wat Sung Men right on the roadside.

• LIFE

  Revisiting Khon Kaen with my best friend

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 24/01/2019

  » Cycling wasn't in the plan when I went to Khon Kaen recently on one of my "update trips" to see how places have changed. But late that morning, after having spent an hour or so strolling under the scorching sun, I came across something refreshingly delightful: a bicycle rental shop. A godsend!

• THAILAND

  On top of the world

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 10/01/2019

  » I was feeling high. And it wasn't just because I was 1,731m above sea level. It was also because the air was so fresh and the view so mesmerising. Surrounding me was an endless sea of mountains, the bell-shaped peak of Doi Pui Luang upon which I stood rising above them all.

• LIFE

  A hidden gem in Bangkok's heart

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 03/01/2019

  » Notorious for murky water, Klong Saen Saeb is obviously not the most beautiful canal in Bangkok. But a visit to a short section of this historical waterway may make you see it in a very different light.

• LIFE

  There's riding in those hills

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 13/12/2018

  » Cyclists in Bangkok and Samut Prakan are lucky to have such nice places to enjoy their favourite sport, those famous bicycle lanes around Suvarnabhumi airport. But wouldn't it be even better if there were another purpose-built training ground that is not so flat? How about a bikes-only road on hilly terrain?

• LIFE

  Past glory revived

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 18/10/2018

  » While millions of tourists flock to Tha Tian and Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) each year, a lot of Bangkok residents tend to avoid the area due to traffic jams and lack of parking space. If it has been quite a while since you've been to this old quarter, it's time to set a date for a revisit and witness the charming results of its recent makeover. If you don't think you can fall in love with this history-rich part of the city, come again and test your heart.

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