• 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

  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.

• LIFE

  Far from the madding crowds

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 13/08/2020

  » While the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting border closure has brought about considerable economic impact, not everything is bad news. At the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is part of the Grand Palace, the long-lost ambience of tranquillity has returned.

• LIFE

  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.

• TRAVEL

  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.

• LIFE

  A lesser-known side of Chinatown

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 12/03/2020

  » Song Wat road is merely 1.2-km long, but it still might take you a few hours to walk from one end to the other, especially if you are a history lover or a shutterbug.

• TRAVEL

  Eye-opening adventure

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 19/12/2019

  » To many Thais, me included, the mention of Sri Lanka will suddenly bring to mind Colombo, the capital, Ceylon tea, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, and some other religious sites. But what about Sri Lanka's southern coast? Hmm. Of course, there must be beaches and the sea. But what else?

• LIFE

  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.

• LIFE

  Penang opens its arms wide

  Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 26/06/2019

  » Penang Global Tourism, the tourism bureau of the Malaysian state, is promoting "Experience Penang 2020". With the tagline "The Diversity Of Asia", the new campaign aims to highlight various aspects of Penang's rich attractions, which range from arts, culture and heritage architecture to food and natural sites.

• TRAVEL

  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.

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