Showing 11 - 20 of 42
No merit in such soulless commercialism
Life, Peerawat Jariyasombat, Published on 02/12/2015
» I recently participated in a traditional ceremony to mark the end of Buddhist lent in a remote village of Chiang Mai. Without having a big budget, the locals had no choice but to prepare the site and organise the rites themselves, instead of hiring someone to do it. It was a simple ceremony in which everyone was happy to partake. People in rural areas usually think that apart from money, labour can also be donated as a way to make merit.
Travel smart, choose your mate wisely
Life, Peerawat Jariyasombat, Published on 30/10/2015
» There is an epigram: "The taste of food may not be as important as the atmosphere and the atmosphere may not be as important as your dining companions." I do not know where this first came from, but I agree that sometimes the great taste of food is useless if you are not in a good mood. Moreover, an ordinary dish becomes an impressive meal if you're with good company.
Travelling smart in the digital age
Life, Peerawat Jariyasombat, Published on 30/09/2015
» The world of travel has changed tremendously because of technology, especially with the help of a smartphone. One no longer reads travel magazines or guidebooks to collect information on a holiday destination. Travel guidebooks have been outnumbered by hundreds or thousands of travel reviews online, and booking hotels no longer means making long-distance phone calls.
High-speed trains? Keep dreaming
Life, Peerawat Jariyasombat, Published on 24/06/2015
» I linger at a railway station, waiting for the train. Half an hour before, I was in a super-rush. According to the timetable, the train I was scheduled to catch should be about to arrive. From the hotel, I told a motorcycle taxi driver to go fast so I wouldn't miss this train.
Discovering new things on old routes
Life, Peerawat Jariyasombat, Published on 22/05/2015
» Driving in Thailand has become easier these days with better roads, a wider road network, more gas stations, smarter GPS and faster cars. Though these factors make any roadtrip easier, it doesn't stop people from getting lost. In other words, it doesn't rob them of all the joy of adventure.
Stay on top of Otop
Life, Peerawat Jariyasombat, Published on 17/04/2015
» The Songkran festival just wrapped up, and I am sure most of you have only just returned from a long trip. Besides getting soaked in water wars, shopping was also included on many people's holiday itineraries.
The old Thai twist
Life, Peerawat Jariyasombat, Published on 12/03/2015
» When travelling overseas, I'm always excited to try new cuisine. But when in Thailand, I often find what was once ordinary food turns into an adventure.
A bit of convenience is a breath of fresh airport
Life, Peerawat Jariyasombat, Published on 05/02/2015
» Airport taxis have yet again become the talk of the town. Last month, when a Japanese man took an airport taxi, instead of being charged the standard 35 baht fee, the driver insisted on a starting rate of 75 baht.
Picturing a lost age
Life, Peerawat Jariyasombat, Published on 23/12/2014
» In front of a mega mall, a big Christmas tree towers above the people. Its shining stars, golden bells and various decorative items fascinate all shoppers. They all take out their mobiles and happily snap pictures.
It's moto-madness out there
Life, Peerawat Jariyasombat, Published on 20/11/2014
» Each country has a different driving environment. Sometimes, what looks dangerous may in fact have its own chaotic flow. For visitors to Vietnam, the stream of motor scooters that dominate the roads look quite scary.