Showing 51 - 60 of 222
Songkran alternatives
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 04/04/2019
» In Thailand, April is usually the hottest time of year. But thanks to Songkran, it is also one of the most fun. With a few exceptions, in most parts of the Kingdom the water festival runs from April 13-15.
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.
Lighting up Lampang
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 10/05/2018
» Chae Son National Park in Lampang province is famous for its hot springs. However, not many people know that every April the park's geothermal area becomes the venue for nightly mass gatherings of cicadas. Perhaps even fewer people are aware that hidden in the back of the park headquarters, there's a road that goes across the forested mountain all the way to the popular Chiang Mai village of Mae Kam Pong.
Bringing a forgotten community back to life
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 17/05/2018
» Pathum Thani's Sam Khok district recently launched a new attraction: the Sam Khok Waterfront Market. Located in Bang Toey, a community on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river, the retro-style weekend market offers not only shopping opportunities but also a chance to learn about the area's history and the various cultures and traditional lifestyle of the local people.
Enjoy the ride, but watch out for the king cobras
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 07/06/2018
» Ban Chom Bueng Thai Literary Botanical Garden of Ratchaburi may not be a familiar name. But if you like mountain biking, this is one place you should visit.
To the mountaintop
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 22/02/2018
» Rising 2,285m above mean sea level, Doi Pha Hom Pok of Chiang Mai's Fang district ranks as Thailand's second-highest summit. On my recent visit to the mountaintop -- I had not returned to Doi Pha Hom Pok since I first climbed it 25 years ago -- I wanted to make the most of the trip, so I added biking as part of it.
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.
The long and the short of it
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 18/01/2018
» 'Normally, how many kilometres do you bike?" This is one of the questions people often ask me when they learn that I like to cycle. And the most exact answer I could come up with would be: "It depends."
Calling all adrenaline junkies
Life, Pongpet Mekloy, Published on 25/01/2018
» Foreign tourists arriving with oversized luggage -- bike bags -- are a common sight at Chiang Mai International Airport. Although unknown to much of the general public and tourism policymakers, the northern city is one of Asia's most popular destinations for downhill mountain bikers from around the globe, including World Cup pros. Over the past decade, Chiang Mai's position as a bike Mecca keeps growing stronger. And now it is boasting a new downhill track that is sicker than any of its predecessors.
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.