Thailand Stories

Fine food enthusiasts in Bangkok have an opportunity this weekend to participate in the “International TASTE 2011 Amazing Thailand”. This is taking place at Parc Paragon which is the area in front of Siam Paragon. About 30 of the best restaurants in Thailand have been …

The Wan Lai Bangsaen Festival is taking place this weekend, 16th-17th April 2011, on Bangsaen Beach in Chonburi. This is the annual water flowing festival that takes place a few days after Songkran. People in this area of Chonburi Province are descendants of the Mon and they celebrate Songkran later than the rest of the country. I went down there…

If you missed out on the Songkran water fights last week or want a second round then head to Bangsaen in Chonburi for their Songkran Festival on the beach. As well ad the water fights, there are free concerts and fun & games on the beach. There is also a Sand Pagoda

In less than two weeks we will be celebrating the biggest Thai Festival called Songkran 2011 . This takes place all over Thailand in mid-April. The date used to vary but it is now fixed and takes place on 13-15 April every year. Although these are…

Safari World and Marine Park This is the continuation of my Bangkok Day Trips for Kids . Probably the most popular open zoo and theme park close to Bangkok is Safari World and Marine Park on the northern outskirts of Bangkok. I have taken Nong Grace here twice and she…

Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Chonburi Province These are some ideas for day trips around Bangkok that are good for young children or teenagers. I think the most popular one for Nong Grace was the Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Chonburi.  She keeps asking to go back here every…

On Wednesday 3rd February 2011 we will see the start of the Chinese New Year. This time it is the Year of the Rabbit. Already I have started to hear the crash of cymbals and the occasional firecracker. I was in Chinatown yesterday where I took these pictures. There …

One of the nearest places to Bangkok to go and see monkeys in the wild is probably at Sam Muk Hill [ MAP ]. This is very near to Bangsaen Beach which is in Chonburi Province. It should take just over an hour to reach there from Bangkok. There are a…

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (R) and U.S. golfer Tiger Woods smile as they exchange gifts at the Government house in Bangkok November 8, 2010. Woods is in Thailand to play in the “World Golf Salutes King Bhumibol”, a one-day skins golf event at the Amata Spring …

Thai farmers ride on buffalos during a buffalo racing festival in Thailand’s Chonburi province on October 22, 2010. The annual race takes place at the end of the three month Buddhist Lent, before the full moon of the 11th lunar month. (Richard Barrow) More Thailand pictures can be found at www.ThaiPhotoBlogs.com .

Navy seamen stand guard on their ship before they depart to the Gulf of Aden in Somalia from the Royal Thai Navy base, in Sattahip, Chonburi province, east of Bangkok September 10, 2010. About 386 Thai navy personnel, two vessels and two helicopters are …

This is a review of what happened in Thailand during the last week based on topics that I tweeted. You can follow me live for latest news about Thailand @RichardBarrow . Friday 13th August 2010: Pregnant woman, who the Queen praised for chasing car thieves, gives…

Thai navy sailors carry a 10-year-old Hawksbill turtle into the sea at the Sea Turtle Conservation Center of the Royal Thai Navy, in Sattahip, Chonburi province, east of Bangkok August 10, 2010. More than 700 endangered green and Hawksbill sea turtles were released ahead of the 78th…

My Bangkok Day Trip for this week is to Bangsaen Beach in Chonburi Province . This is the closest seaside resort to Bangkok which has sand and water clean enough for you to swim. Chonburi City is just over 60 minutes from Bangkok and you can…

When I am off exploring Thailand, an essential tool for me is Google Earth . I love reading maps and also creating my own. But even better, I really enjoy studying satellite images. I have discovered many new places in my neighbourhood just by using Google Earth. Like sunken ships, temples …

A popular Beach resort for Bangkok people is Bangsaen Beach in Chonburi. It is the closest beach to Bangkok as it is only about an hour or so away. However, it also marks the spot where mangrove forests become beaches for the first time…

Ang Sila is a small fishing village not too far away from Chonburi City. The local people are famous for producing things made out of granite. This is a popular place to come to buy a mortar and pestle. Click here to see the location on a map. – Posted from my iPhone

While I was planning my trip to Chonburi, I studied satellite images of the area around the city. Along the coastline I came across a patch of mangrove forest and what looked like a boardwalk. The only way that I could drive to the Mangrove Forest Conservation and…

On Watchiraprakan Road, near the Chonburi City Hall, there is this beautiful pavilion which houses the Phra Putthasihing Buddha image. It is cast in silver and is much revered by the people of Chonburi. The image is taken on a procession around the town during the Songkran Festival in April every year. Click here to see the…

Today I went on a day trip down to Chonburi City and Bangsaen Beach. My first stop was at Wat Thammanimit. It wasn’t easy finding this temple as all the signs were in Thai. However, once I turned off Sukhumwit Road in Chonburi City and headed towards Phanat Nikhom, it…