Thailand Stories

Bangkok’s Chinatown is an old business center covering a large area around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Roads. There are many small streets and alleys full of shops and vendors selling all types of goods. It has been the main centre … Continue reading

Throughout history, Thai elephants have been indispensible creatures employed in both labor and war. A Thai elephant had even graced the national flag during the reign of King Rama II. I took this picture during a parade in Uthai Thani.

One of the biggest events of the year for Chiang Mai is the International Horticultural Exposition Royal Flora 2011. It was originally intended to open during November, but due to the flooding situation in Central Thailand, it was decided to move the event to December. This is not because the …

Yesterday marked the official start of the Vegetarian Festival in Thailand. In Samut Prakan it runs from 26th September to 6th October 2011. We went to Thong Siang Vegetarian House in Samut Prakan to watch this opening ceremony. The event was a signal for the nine Gods to…

The annual Vegetarian Festival is about to start here in Thailand. It happens every year in the tenth Thai lunar month on the first new moon after the equinox. This year it is celebrated between 26th September and 5th October 2011. Most people make the mistake in thinking that…

One of my favourite fruits found in Thailand is the Pomelo, which is the largest of the citrus fruit family. In some ways it is a bit like a grapefruit, though of course larger, and is also often sweeter. However, it has a thick skin …

A number of historical ruins around Thailand put on Light and Sound shows at different times of year. For example at Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. I took this picture a couple of years ago during a similiar show that was put on at Prasat Hin Phimai in the North-east of Thailand. It is always good to see…

I spent most of my Songkran holidays enjoying the more traditional side of this new year festival. Yesterday I visited my local temple to take some pictures of two Songkran activities. The first one was Song Nam Phra where people poured water on the hands of monks. I told you about this one yesterday. The second…

A foreign tourist is splashed with water by a young boy as people come out to mark the start of the Songkran festival, at a shopping mall in Bangkok on April 13, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, when many …

Bangkok has hundreds of buses of all shapes and sizes. They cover all areas of Bangkok, though for foreign tourists they might not be so convenient or comfortable. Many of these buses, like this red bus, often only have the destination written in Thai and there is no air-conditioning. Just fans when they work. But they…

Songkran is the start of the traditional Thai new year. It also marks the height of the hot season. A good way to cool off is to join in with the many water fights that are just starting in Thailand. Traditionally, you are supposed to splash your elders with a little rose scented water. But, these …

Worshippers take part in a procession featuring Chinese deities in Yala province, southern Thailand, February 16, 2011. The event is celebrated annually by the Thai-Chinese community in the region. (Reuters) More Thailand pictures can be found at www.ThaiPhotoBlogs.com .

Thais hand dried food to line of Buddhist monks during the morning alms offering while making New Year merit Sunday, Jan. 1, 2011 in Samut Prakan, Thailand. (Richard Barrow/ThaiPhotoBlogs.com) More Thailand pictures can be found at www.ThaiPhotoBlogs.com .

Bright flowers dazzle in the sunlight on a 69-rai former cornfield transformed into a floral exhibition. ‘Wang Nam Khieo Flora Fantasia” , organized by the Horticultural Science Society of Thailand and local state and private agencies, is running in Nakhon Ratchasima’s …

Hot air balloons take off during the International Balloon Festival in Nakhon Nayok December 4, 2010. Pilots and their balloons from all over the world arrived for the five-day balloon festival as part of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 83rd birthday celebration, which is on December 5. ( Richard Barrow / Thai Festival Blogs ) More …

One of the most beautiful festivals in Thailand takes place on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month. It is known in Thai as Loy Krathong, but is sometimes referred to as the Festival of Lights. The next one will take place …

A monkey enjoys eating fruit in front of an ancient temple during the annual ‘monkey buffet’ in Lopburi province, some 150 kms north of Bangkok on November 28, 2010. More than 4,000 kilos of fruits and vegetables were offered to monkeys during the annual festival to help promote tourism in…

A number of historical ruins around Thailand put on Light and Sound shows at different times of year. For example at Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. I took this picture a couple of years ago during a similiar show that was put on at Prasat Hin Phimai in …

November in Thailand sees some of my favourite festivals. These include Loy Krathong (21st November 2010), Surin Elephant Round-Up (20-21 November 2010), River Kwai Bridge Week (24 Nov-5 Dec 2010) and the Monkey Buffet Festival (28th November 2010). The sunflower season also kicks off in November. For a full list…

Local people from Phra Samut Chedi District in Samut Prakan take part in a candlelight procession (wien tien) around the chedi. People from Samut Prakan are now celebrating their annual Phra Samut Chedi Temple Fair that has been going on for nearly two hundred years. The fair ends on Sunday 8th November 2010. (Richard Barrow/Paknam.com) More Thailand pictures …