Trai Mitra Temple, Bangkok. Trai Mitra Temple or known as “ Wat Sarm Jeen” by the local people. Located in the China Town area in Bangkok. It is one of the famous temples in Bangkok …
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Wat Tha Sung , Uthaithani province.
Wat Tha Sung , Uthaithani province. Wat Tha Sung ( Crystal Temple or Diamond Temple) located in Uthaithani Province, small province in the central part of Thailand. It takes around 3 hours driving from …
Continue readingHuai Hong Khrai Royal project, Chiang Mai.
Huai Hong Khrai Royal project, Chiang Mai.
The previous King of Thailand, King Rama the 9th is the great King who worked so hard to improve the Thai people life. After he became the King of Thailand from June, 1946. During his reign, he worked hard and improved the local life in both way of living and agriculture as Thailand is mainly farming. He had established 4,741 Royal Projects all around Thailand and one of them that we are going to tell you today is “ Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Center “ or known by the locals as “ Huai Hong Khrai Royal Project, Chiang Mai”. The Royal project initiated established on December 11,1982 ,located in Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai with the total area 8,500 rai ( 1,360 hectores) H.M. King Bhumibol realized that the area which used to have abundant forests and natural resources was deteriorating. His Majesty thus ordered to have the study center set up with objectives to conduct study research and experimentation on appropriate development methods which suited the development needs of the Northern Region, especially on the conservation of watersheds, reforestation and agricultural development.
The study center located on the road no.118 by driving approximately 23 kilometers from the city, then turn right in the study center area and 1 kilometer from the main street to the study center headquarter. Here you could get the information about the local agriculture as well as the knowledge of plantation, vegetation as well as the livestock. This is the plan where people could learn about the agriculture and apply in their daily life as well as for the living. In the Huai Hong Khrai, there are different sections for you to study about the new theory to achieve Sufficiency Economy Philosophy which you could apply in your daily life.
Daily visit is possible to do in a day for you to learn about the development of the new theory as well as a walk in the trail walk which provided in the royal project area.
River cruise around Ayutthaya historical island.
River cruise around Ayutthaya historical island
Bangkok is Thailand’s current capital city. But, for those who have done a bit of research or are interested in Thai history they will know that there are a few other former capitals throughout the country’s timeline, and Ayutthaya is one of those. This kingdom started to rise around the 14th century and fell because of the Burmese troop’s invasion eventually, part of that was because of the weaknesses of the monarchy at the time. There was altogether 35 kings ruled Ayutthaya kingdom.
It is conveniently located in north of Bangkok and is about 80 km far. Nowadays, it has become a main attraction for those who are interested in history. There is the historical park declared by UNESCO as the World Heritage Site in 1991 where many ruins, numerous temples, old city walls, and other architectures well preserved.
There are different ways to explore the historical site; both by cars and boats. They both give different feelings. It is more relaxed to take the boat tour; total distance is around 30 km. And, with boat tour it is possible to do it within an hour or two for those who don’t have a lot of time. Or, taking the full day tour with lunch on the boat included for those who want to take the slower time in order to enjoy and learn more in depth. There are also both tour operators who can arrange everything for those who don’t have time to plan the trip, or for more budget travelers it is also possible to come up with his/ her own plan by doing some researches to make the trip happen.
The boat tour usually starts at the main pier in the north eastern part of the historical park. They type of boat used is the long-tailed that can carry up to 8, maximum 10 passengers. It passes the stilted houses with balconies facing the river. Some locals come down to the river back to do their chores whereas children enjoy jumping into the water and swim happily. Some of the people living there including monks, row their small wooden boats up or down the river. Some sit at the riverside with their hands holding the fishing rods, or some use the nets to catch fish. There are also some lizards living in the water too.
Not just only the way of life of the people, but the main highlight of doing the boat trip is to stop at a few temples. Many temples are seen from the river when taking the tour. But, there are those that visitors should not miss such as Wat Panan Cheng which is one of the oldest Buddhist temples built in the 14th century where the impressive 19-meter-tall Buddha image is kept. Another famous temple is Wat Chaiwattanaram which was built in the 17th century with Khmer (ancient Cambodia) architecture. There is another old Catholic church called St. Joseph’s church with western style architecture contrasting inside this historical park.
This fun, relaxed and educational boat tour is another activity worth doing when traveling to Thailand.
Maeklong railway market (Talaad Rom Hup) and salt farming (Na glua)
Maeklong railway market (Talaad Rom Hup) and salt farming (Na glua)
The fun activities close to Bangkok with something very unique about ‘Thainess’ to see is the market along the sides of the railway tracks called Rom Hup market (romhup means folding the umbrellas), one of the famous markets in Samut Songkhram province. Since it is not far so it is possible to just spend a bit more money, pay the taxi to bring you to there with reasonable price. Or, the easiest way is to join ‘day-trip’ using one of the many tours, combining a few other interesting places in the same area. But, if you do have enough time to spare for the whole day for this place so that you can see it slowly and experience enough it might be a good idea to go there by the local way. To get there from downtown Bangkok is actually quite easy. Simply take BTS to Wonwian Yai BTS station and then walk to Wongwian Yai railway station. You better check out the train schedule at least a day before leaving on this trip so that it would help to plan. Get the ticket for Mahachai station, there are a few leaving in the morning (it is only about 33km and takes around an hour). Once arrive at Mahachai, cross the river by the local ferry (3 baht per person) to Thachalom town on the other side. From that side take another train leaving to Maeklong station where the market is located. This leg is also only 30km and takes another hour to arrive there. It would feel a little bit strange to arrive there by train because there would be quite a lot of people both locals and tourists waiting for the arrival of the bright-colored-train. The tourists would raise their cameras to take photos so you would feel like you were one of the celebrities (actually the tourists take photos of the train, not of you).
Even though tourists like to go there but the products sold in the market are aimed mainly to the locals who want to buy fresh meat, vegetables, various types of tropical fruits, and some ready-cooked food. The market itself is not very different from other fresh markets in the whole Thailand but the uniqueness of Rom Hub is about the sellers who have shops along the 2 sides of the railway tracks putting their goods very close to the tracks, have to fold/ close their umbrellas and the plastic sheets when the trains are reaching to make enough space for trains to pass.
If you still have enough energy after exploring the market, it is worth visiting one of the nearby several picturesque sea salt farms that not just produce the salt but also open to visitors for snapshots opportunity as well. The technique is simple but interesting. The salt farmers pump the sea water into the fields where the water slowly evaporates until the salt grains are visible. At this stage they start to pile the salt up and then put in the bags. Salt farming is done only during the dry season, between November and May of the next year (June to October is too wet, too much rain).
3 Days 2 Nights Amazing Chiangmai + Pai + Mae Hong Sorn.
3 Days 2 Nights Amazing Chiangmai + Pai + Mae Hong Sorn. Day 1 Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden + Mork Fah waterfall + Lunch + Geysey + Pai Canyon. Pick up from the hotel in …
Continue reading“The Hum-Yon”, the wooden guardian for the Lanna people.
“The Hum-Yon”, the wooden guardian for the Lanna people. In different places, countries and culture, there are many things for us to see and learn. Travel to other countries not only for experience , entertain …
Continue readingChiang Mai Walking Streets
Chiang Mai Walking Streets There seems to be one or two weekend markets in almost every town and city in Thailand, especially the more touristy ones. Chaing Mai, as the main spot …
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The roads split out in all direction from the center of the capital city of Thailand. If heading toward the eastern side it will lead to Kanchanaburi. There are a few trains per day going there, but the faster and easier way is by cheap minivan ride. There are a lot of accommodation options to choose. The town seems to host tourists for a long time so infrastructure and facilities are well set up. There is the tourist street lined with shops, restaurants, bars, massage parlors, etc. It is not as busy as Khaosan Road in Bangkok though, which can be even better for those who do not like too touristy, too loud, and too crowded places. The small night market close to the railway station is an interesting place to go shopping or simply check out things sold there.