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Khan Kluay the Blue Elephant

Posted on March 04, 2010

Khan Kluay was a smash hit Thai cartoon when it was first released in Thailand in May 2006. It was the first Thai cartoon made at international standard and did very well in the domestic market. The little blue elephant, called Khan Kluay, was very popular with Thai children of all ages. I know Nong Grace has watched her…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Khan Kluay the Blue Elephant at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Klong Suan Market Fair 2010

Posted on February 27, 2010

This morning I drove over to the 100 Year Market at Klong Suan on the border between Samut Prakan and Chachoengsao. They were having their second annual market fair which will take place this long weekend during the Makha Bucha holiday. Mr. Surachai Kanasa, the Governor of Samut Prakan, was there for the grand opening. If you have never been…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Klong Suan Market Fair 2010 at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Sam Chuk Old Market in Suphan Buri

Posted on December 22, 2009

One of the better preserved traditional markets in Thailand can be found in Suphanburi Province. It is called Sam Chuk 100 Year Market and it still has its original wooden shophouses that date back to the reign of King Rama V. In those days it was a bustling market alongside the Tha Chin River. This was …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Sam Chuk Old Market in Suphan Buri at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Siam Niramit Cultural Show in Bangkok

Posted on December 17, 2009

One of the most spectacular cultural shows in Bangkok is undoubtedly at Siam Niramit: Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam. So many people had been talking about it on the Paknam Web Forums that I thought that I should make an effort to go and see it for myself. It is a big show…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Siam Niramit Cultural Show in Bangkok at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Pretty in Pink for H.M. The King

Posted on December 04, 2009

Tomorrow is the 82nd Birthday for H.M. The King. In past years, most Thai people would wear yellow in honour of His Majesty. In Bangkok there would be a sea of yellow. However, after the PAD hijacked the colour yellow and forever took it away from representing His Majesty, a new …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Pretty in Pink for H.M. The King at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Fortress Island on Chao Phraya River

Posted on December 03, 2009

Samut Prakan was built as a frontier town to protect the approach to Bangkok upriver. Fortresses were built on both sides of the river from the estuary all the way up to Phra Pradaeng. Not many of these forts are around today. They are either in ruins or the bricks have been removed …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Fortress Island on Chao Phraya River at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Thousands Sing National Anthem

Posted on November 22, 2009

In September, the Thai government started a new project called “United Thais - Strong Thailand” with the intention to promote unity and patriotism. Thai people normally sing or at least stand for the national anthem twice a day at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. It is broadcast on all television and radio stations …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Thousands Sing National Anthem at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

5 Million Baht Toilet at Thai Temple

Posted on November 18, 2009

Toilets in Thailand don’t exactly have the best of reputations. They are often dirty, smelly and not well-looked after. They are also nearly always squat toilets. Now comes the news that the temple toilets at Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai in Samut Prakan have recently …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: 5 Million Baht Toilet at Thai Temple at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Twelve Giants at the Airport

Posted on November 12, 2009

At the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, you will find six pairs of giant demons that stand guard at each of the entrances. They are facing inwards towards the ubosot as if they were protecting the Emerald Buddha. These giants were built during the reign …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Twelve Giants at the Airport at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

How to cook… Pork Soup

Posted on November 05, 2009

This is the Thai version of pork soup that is a little on the spicy side. In the ingredients below you can see diced potatoes, pork, carrots, Chinese celery, lime, stock cube, bird eye chillies and plum tomatoes. You could…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: How to cook… Pork Soup at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Chinese Dragon Dance

Posted on October 28, 2009

After nine days and nights of eating a vegan diet and keeping the 10 precepts, the Vegetarian Festival in Thailand is finally over. The festival ended with a large parade through the town of Paknam early on the morning of 27th…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Chinese Dragon Dance at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

How to cook… Crispy Fried Vegetables

Posted on October 16, 2009

It is that time of year when people are eating vegetarian food for ten days. So, I thought we should kick off the festival with this simple dish. You can basically use any vegetables that you like, but in the ingredients pictured below, you can see green beans, …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: How to cook… Crispy Fried Vegetables at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Sacred Red Cloth Ceremony

Posted on October 09, 2009

Today saw the start of the 182nd Phra Samut Chedi Temple Fair in Samut Prakan. This takes place every year five days after the full moon in October. It goes on for twelve days and twelve nights and includes mandy sideshow games…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Sacred Red Cloth Ceremony at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Boat Racing at Bang Phli

Posted on October 02, 2009

Towards the end of the Rainy Season, people from all around Thailand come together to race boats on their local canals and rivers. At Bang Phli, where we went this morning, this happens a few days before the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat. At this time, the …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Boat Racing at Bang Phli at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Elephants Walk for Greenpeace and Climate Change

Posted on September 27, 2009

The participants in the Chang(e) Elephant Caravan have finally reached their destination after their trek across the plains of Central Thailand. The five elephants and Greenpeace supporters set off from the outskirts of Khao Yai National Park fourteen days ago …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Elephants Walk for Greenpeace and Climate Change at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

A Foreign Monk in Thailand

Posted on September 17, 2009

This is continuing my interview with Peter Robinson, who is probably better known in Thailand as “Phra Farang”, the foreign monk. (Click here for part one.) Peter spent ten years as a monk before finally disrobing in order to spend …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: A Foreign Monk in Thailand at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Not in the Lonely Planet

Posted on September 13, 2009

For many years my favourite guidebook has been the Lonely Planet. This has always been my first choice for its comprehensive look at tourist attractions in just about any country in the world. In Thailand, the person who is most associated with guidebooks is Joe Cummings whose name is well-known among backpackers. Although Joe…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Not in the Lonely Planet at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

How to cook… Salty Fried Prawns

Posted on September 11, 2009

This is a simple dish of salty fried prawns, or “kung tod khem” in Thai. You can see the salty prawns in the picture below. Preparation is simple for this dish. Wash the prawns and then place them in a bowl …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: How to cook… Salty Fried Prawns at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

09 09 09 Lucky 9 in Thailand

Posted on September 09, 2009

Today is an auspicious day in Thailand for all Thai people. Today is the ninth day of the ninth month of the ninth year in the 21st Century which translates as 09 09 09. The number nine in Thai is ” gao ” which sounds similar to another word which means to “move forward”. Tata Young has chosen …

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: 09 09 09 Lucky 9 in Thailand at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand

Then and Now in Samut Prakan

Posted on August 30, 2009

A good way to explore an area is by using Google Earth. I have personally discovered some interesting places by analysing satellite images. So, I was really pleased to hear that Google had updated the satellite images for a large part of Samut…

Written by: Richard Barrow

Read more: Then and Now in Samut Prakan at Richard Barrow’s Life in Thailand



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