Thailand Stories

Over the weekend I went to Uthai Thani, in the lower north of Thailand, for their festival to mark the end of the 3 month Buddhist Rains Retreat. We arrived at Wat Sangkat Rattanakhiri about two hours before 500 monks were due to walk…

One of the most beautiful temples in Uthai Thani is Wat Chantharam otherwise known as Wat Tha Sung. In one of the buildings there is this replica of the famous Phra Phutthachonnarat. Many people regard this to be the most beautiful image in…

The main river that flows through Uthai Thani is the Sakae Krang River. There are a number of different boat tours that you can take. We went on a dinner cruise with Sakaekrang River Cruise. They took us up and down the river while we ate our food and admired…

This weekend I’m in Uthai Thani to take pictures at a Buddhist Festival to mark the end of the Buddhist Rains Retreat. This is Khao Sakae Krang at Wat Sangkat Rattanakhiri. During the Buddhist festival tomorrow, first day after the full moon, about 500 monks will walk down these…

This temple is in Tambon Ban Dan in Khong Chiam District of Ubon Ratchathani. The temple was built in 1978 by Luangpu Khamkhaning Chulamani as a place for meditation practice. The monk has since passed away but his body hasn’t decayed at all. His body

These sandstone rock formations are called Sao Chaliang. They are mushroom-like natural wonders found in Pha Taem National Park. – Posted from my iPhone

These are pictures of a waterfall in Pha Taem National Park called Saeng Chan. It is unique as it flows through a mountain tunnel to a pool below. – Posted from my iPhone

These are pictures of a waterfall in Pha Taem National Park called Thung Na Muang. This is a mid-size waterfall flowing straight off a high cliff to a creek below. On the way down we came across this giant vine twisted with age. – Posted from my iPhone

The smallest national park in Ubon Ratchathani Province is Pha Taem on the Eastern border. It runs alongside the Mekong River and Lao PDR. Pha Taem National Park was established in 1991. It covers an area of 140 square kilometres. The park features plateaus, undulating hills, towering cliffs and unusual sandstone rock formations. From this viewpoint on the cliff…

Lunch today was eaten on a raft on the Mekong River. This restaurant is called Pae Araya in Khong Chiam District of Ubon Ratchathani Province. The hills on the other side of the river are in Laos. Pla Kang Luak Pad Pet Pla Meuk Kanah Pla Kem Moo Tod Krathiam Prik Tai…

One of the best things about travelling in a new region is tasting the food. Isaan is no exception. This is our meal at lunchtime today at Samchai Gai Yang in Ubon Ratchathani. This dish was my favourite. It is Au Nor Mai Pla which is a Fish and bamboo shoots coconut curry. This one is Tom Sap…

For three days I’m visiting Ubon Ratchathani in the lower northeast of Thailand. It is 629 kilometres from Bangkok. The border to the East is the Mekong River and Laos. One of the things that Ubon is famous for is the Candle Festival marking the start of the three month Buddhist Retreat. In my local community they give 2 meter…

I’m here at Charl E. Chang’s Pizza Factory, Bangkok’s latest indoor adventure playground and restaurant for all the family. It is probably one of the few places in Bangkok where it is safe to bring your kids to play and eat…

The Vegetarian Festival in Thailand is in full swing and and many people, dressed in white, are visiting their local Chinese shrines. Tonight I was delighted to be shown around the neighbourhood of @BkkGreg who lives on the edge of Chinatown in Bangkok. For ten days…

The re-opening of Central World in Bangkok last week was overshadowed by the opening of a doughnut shop at the nearby Siam Paragon mall. Personally, I don’t know what all the fuss has been about. But apparently, Krispy Kreme is a popular doughnut chain in America. I had never heard of them before, but due …

One of the attractions at the newly re-opened Central World in Bangkok is “The Rink” which offers Bangkok people the opportunity to ice skate right in the middle of the shopping mall. The rink is located in the Forum Zone in front of B2S. It apparently cost 100 million baht to make. Prices are about 250 …

Early this morning I went to San Jao Pho Tap. This is a famous Chinese shrine  in Samrong Tai District of Samut Prakan Province. They were having their annual “ting krachaat” event for local poor people. This basically involves giving out free food …

I spent most of today at Safari World, which is just north of Bangkok. It is a great day out for the family if you are looking for somewhere to go. From Samut Prakan it only took about an hour to get there …

I spent most of today at Safari World, which is just north of Bangkok. It is a great day out for the family if you are looking for somewhere to go. From Samut Prakan it only took about an hour to get there and it would…

My favourite hotel that I stayed in during my recent TAT trip down south was at the Atleenta in Pranburi. As you can see, there is no TV, but who needs one when you have such a fine view of the sea! I loved this room and it was a shame that we could only stay one night…