Imagine rowing your boat through a sea of floating lotus flowers that expand as far as the eye can see. Dreamy? Yes, but also completely possible if you visit to one of the world's strangest lakes (according to CNN) in Northeastern Thailand (Isan, Esan). The Sea of Red Lotuses, or the Lake of Red Water Lilies or what local people call “Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake … [Read more...] about The Lake of Red Water Lilies – One of the World’s Strangest Lakes
Living in Thailand
Constitution Day
December 10th marks the Constitution Day, in Thai is "wan rat-ta-tam-ma-noon" (วันรัฐธรรมนูญ) which is held annually to commermorate the advent of the regime of Constitutional Monarchy in Thailand At the start of the 1930s, Thailand (then called '*สยาม Siam') was suffering economically from the effects of the great depression. The king at the time was Rama VII was seen by … [Read more...] about Constitution Day
Koh Lipe: The Andaman Last Virgin
Lipe island (เกาะหลีเป๊ะ) is a part of Tarutao Marine National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะตะรุเตา). It is located in the Andaman Sea, around 40 kilometers from the town of Satun province or 22 kilometers off the shore from the Pak Bara Pier. The park borders the Muko Phetra National Park on the north and Malaysia sea border in the south. The park covers an area of about … [Read more...] about Koh Lipe: The Andaman Last Virgin
Mother’s Day (วันแม่แห่งชาติ)
Mother’s Day Celebrations in Thailand In Thailand, 12th of August is celebrated as the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit (Thai: สมเด็จพระนางเจ้าสิริกิติ์ พระบรมราชินีนาถ). As the Queen is also regarded as mother to all Thai people, this day is also celebrated as ‘Mother’s Day’ (วันแม่). The celebrations for the Queen and for mother are being held every year without … [Read more...] about Mother’s Day (วันแม่แห่งชาติ)
The King of Fruits – Durian
It is Durian season in Thailand (around April - June). I have seen a lot of Durian everywhere at the markets and street vendors now. Durian is widely known in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits" (ราชาผลไม้). It is a fruit like no other. We usually think of fruit as light and fresh, but durian is very rich. I think if you never had it before, you might not believe it is a … [Read more...] about The King of Fruits – Durian
Staying Sane at Songkran
Songkran celebrations allow tourists to experience part of the rich, ancient traditions and rituals of Thailand. Here are some simple Dos and Don’ts. Do Feel free to donate alms to monks Remember to use waterproof or Ziploc bags to protect your belongings if you’re participating in water fights. Say ‘Sawatdee Bpee Mai’ (watch this video to learn other useful … [Read more...] about Staying Sane at Songkran
VIDEO: Songkran Song
During Songkran festival in Thailand, this song called รำวงวันสงกรานต์ Ram Wong Wan Songkran is played everywhere. In case you would like to sing along, here are the lyrics. วันนี้เป็นวันสงกรานต์ wan-níi bpen wan sŏng-graan Today is Songkran day หนุ่มสาวชาวบ้านเบิกบานจิตใจจริงเอย nùm săao chaao-bâan bèrk-baan jai gan jing eoi Young male and … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Songkran Song
Thai scented water and White clay filler
Sawatdee ka, Songkran is one of the most important festivals for all Thai! Click here to read more about Songkran. I am ready to go! Do you have any equipment for Songkran? Besides a water gun (which is not a compressive pressure one. I am afraid I will hurt other people if I use those big compressive pressure guns) I also have white clay filler (ดินสอพอง Din Saw … [Read more...] about Thai scented water and White clay filler
Nahm : The Only Thai Restaurant in Top 50 Restaurants in the World
I had a couple of guests from abroad who have never had Thai food before though they have traveled to Thailand more than five times. This year, I persuaded them to explore Thai cuisine successfully. I was thinking where would be the BEST place for my guests and Nahm was my choice. I heard its’ reputation for a long time, but didn’t have a chance to visit myself so this was … [Read more...] about Nahm : The Only Thai Restaurant in Top 50 Restaurants in the World
Awesome Jump Shot Photos
Did you know that Thai people always do "the jump shot"?. It’s exactly what it sounds like, you jump in the air and get someone else to take a photo of you looking fabulously awesome and happy. Here are some of my Jump Shot photos: This is in Phu Kradueng National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติภูกระดึง) Beach group jump shot is a must! … [Read more...] about Awesome Jump Shot Photos
Ancient City in Samut Prakan
I like to get out of Bangkok and get some fresh air on weekends. Many times I visit places like Samed Island in Rayong, Lan isalnd in Pattaya, Hua Hin or Khao Yai. I also like to find something fun to do on a day trip like going to a museum, and I have to say that I feel a little embarrassed that I just learned that the Ancient City is just under an hour by car from the center … [Read more...] about Ancient City in Samut Prakan
Buddhist Lent Day (วันเข้าพรรษา Wan Khao Phansa)
Wan Khao Phansa [วันเข้าพรรษา: wan kâo pan-săa] is a period of three lunar months during the rainy season when monks are required to remain in one particular place or temple [วัด: wát]. This year it runs from 6th July to 31st July 2020 (วันออกพรรษา /wan àwkpan-săa/ ). This tradition originates from old times when Buddha stayed in temples during the rainy season to avoid … [Read more...] about Buddhist Lent Day (วันเข้าพรรษา Wan Khao Phansa)
เกาะเสม็ด Samet island
Samet island (or Samed ) (เกาะเสม็ด) is a is part of Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติเขาแหลมหญ้า-หมู่เกาะเสม็ด) in Rayong province, approximately 220 km southeast of Bangkok. The island is located about seven kilometers from the main land, in the Gulf of Thailand. Samet is always my first choice when I want to have a short break from busy life in … [Read more...] about เกาะเสม็ด Samet island
Cat Cafe in Bangkok
I have always been a cat lover. I grew up with many kitties before I moved out from my parent’s home - my mom currently has six cats. Now I am living in a condo in Bangkok so it is not convenient to have a cat. Couple of months ago I walked pass a construction site in soi Sukhumvit 53 and I was very pleased to see a sign ‘Cat café coming soon’. … [Read more...] about Cat Cafe in Bangkok
How to Order a Thai Noodle Soup Dish
How to order noodles There are a variety of noodle dishes available in Thailand ranging between dry dishes and soup dishes. They are widely available everywhere in the Kingdom. It can be considered the Fast Food of choice for the majority of Thai people. I want to talk about how to order noodle dishes in restaurants or street vendors given the few steps needed in the doing … [Read more...] about How to Order a Thai Noodle Soup Dish
Thai money – Coins
Thai Coins come in six denominations: 10, 5, 2, 1 Baht, and 25 and 50 Satang One Baht is divisible into 100 Satang. … [Read more...] about Thai money – Coins
Thai Money – Banknotes
Sawatdee ka, The other day when I was queuing to buy a sky train ticket, a tourist asked me for the Thai coin denominations. That inspired me to write this blog post to show you Thai money both banknotes and coins. I hope it might benefit some of you who are newbies in Thailand. The money you see in this post are from my wallet so I apologize for the messy look because I … [Read more...] about Thai Money – Banknotes
The World’s Largest Golden Buddha Image
Sawatdee ka, Did you know there is The world's largest solid-gold Buddha image in Bangkok? I have to confess that I have just known about it from my student 2 weeks ago. What a shame! LOL So, I googled the map for the temple's location and went there to see it with my own eyes last Saturday. This temple is called วัดไตรมิตรวิทยาราม Wat Traimitr Withayaram. It is on … [Read more...] about The World’s Largest Golden Buddha Image
Loy Kratong Festival
Sawatdee ka, Every year the Loy Kratong Festival falls on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, this year the festival falls on the 10th of November.The festival originally started from the Sukhothai period a symbolic tradition, as one floats away their Kratong at the same time it releases bad luck or vibes, as well as expressed apologies to the River Goddess Khong … [Read more...] about Loy Kratong Festival
King Chulalongkorn’s Day
Sawatdee ka, Today is one of most important days for Thai people. On 23rd of October of every year is "Chulalongkorn Day" or "Piyamaharaj Day" วันปิยมหาราช It is the day that our King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V, passed away. He is considered one of the greatest kings of Thailand. The most important thing he did was abolish slavery (เลิกทาส). King Chulalongkorn (Pra … [Read more...] about King Chulalongkorn’s Day