tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666486539858424402024-03-05T09:16:08.291+01:00My unseen ThailandPlaces I have visited which normally no Farang would ever findAndyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-48130803620499453152011-04-03T18:55:00.001+02:002011-04-03T18:55:00.478+02:00Cruise through the Andaman Sea<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6NlmrSLN8iEwRhKwT6QaMr1FrBS7HRe3xu-zG0FvGrKxTSX5Oc7e1QLIpn6gqbi-OndB3g_72thForQe4D1orEvRd4-kPLRMkZ-U-7c5KBB_92MSpLbWYWV_c_zggNjKNGJypn1sBQ/s1600/061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09MucOVJrC5ns7M-u4_twuvtLm3cUaSfFS6BHEJqvt9zPDSGiDXUpKw47iytLT9ws5sUh0xiumOOXfoYsgjVJA5cBUfaEtUKZUtZfrDm0PiQqPxJgl-yc_ywDiQJhzssE1NTN_8RZCw/s1600/000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09MucOVJrC5ns7M-u4_twuvtLm3cUaSfFS6BHEJqvt9zPDSGiDXUpKw47iytLT9ws5sUh0xiumOOXfoYsgjVJA5cBUfaEtUKZUtZfrDm0PiQqPxJgl-yc_ywDiQJhzssE1NTN_8RZCw/s200/000.jpg" width="136" /></a>A trip which I sadly cannot repeat in the same way was a cruise tour through the Thai Andaman Sea on the Andaman Princess. It was not just a cruise, but also a diving tour, as at several stops the passengers were disembarked to do snorkeling, or have beach fun. The tour we did started at Phuket, after a night on board the first stop was at some island near Krabi, including Ko Poda (เกาะปอดะ).<br />
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The second day was the highlight, as it took into the area of Ko Tarutao (เกาะตะรุเตา), a <a href="http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style2/default.asp?npid=7&lg=2">marine national park</a> off the coast of Satun near the boundary to Malaysia. Used as a camp for political prisoners during World War II - see for example the fictionalization in <a href="http://www.librarything.com/work/798087/book/27150292">The pirates of Tarutao</a> by Thai politician and author Paul Adirex - still thanks to its remoteness it is still one of the few really quiet and natural places, though some tourism is found there of course. First stop was Ko Hin Ngam (เกาะหินงาม), the island of beautiful stone, named by the rounded stones which form the beach there - stones which look like pebbles displaced from a river in the alps. According to my notes, the other island we visited were Ko Butang (เกาะดง) and Ko Yang (เกาะยาง), if I did not mix them up completely the latter one is the one in the photo.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jMr53snnuIzbI1LJA1W6_VdyLohh93OtDAJEJFtactuvOSjLgKpqANXv-_vMzN_X6y41Qd5SmRCs78egsU8kYbvIvaZnfsE_BtNCFdzm3at0kUlQPKyZWL7aL6kmFtgvv-GGDyJXJw/s1600/080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jMr53snnuIzbI1LJA1W6_VdyLohh93OtDAJEJFtactuvOSjLgKpqANXv-_vMzN_X6y41Qd5SmRCs78egsU8kYbvIvaZnfsE_BtNCFdzm3at0kUlQPKyZWL7aL6kmFtgvv-GGDyJXJw/s200/080.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The final day was a visit at Ko Phi Phi Leh, the beach from the movie <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beach_%28film%29">The Beach</a>. As it was early morning, we were the first to be at the beach, which was thus still comfortably non-busy. When the boats with the normal visitors started to arrive we were already set to leave and return to Phuket.<br />
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The reason why this trip cannot be repeated is the fact that the Andaman Princess no longer operates, shortly after the 2004 tsunami Siam Cruises <a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/08/12/national/data/national_18327523.html">stopped it without prior notice</a>, and all I know about her fate is that the ship was later sold and now runs as <a href="http://www.ferry-site.dk/ferry.php?id=5346502&lang=en">MS Prince</a>. When I was on board I already noticed that the ship originally came from Finland, as I found several signs still in the original language - I recognized because as a child I traveled on ferries on the Baltic Sea several times. I might even had seen it in operation back then, at that time it was known as Apollo III of the Viking line, which run from Stockholm to Helsinki. But sadly I did not do any photo of the ship, neither from its time as Andaman Princess nor even more unlikely from its Viking Line times.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com2Thailand6.5250469538318914 99.176840685253865-0.9011310461681088 95.030132685253861 13.951224953831892 103.32354868525387tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-62769706514769030062010-10-30T18:24:00.004+02:002010-10-30T23:29:41.872+02:00Nonthaburi local museum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkS4jCWqP43iOrO0v6k3ExYp1nj-62adR3yAaLrIKlIiLRXQnaWGnfOWA8x4DTggX1JyK5qqE8a02XO_Exeu9cTE_NyzKwSJTEZNYCPcpDWle6s0UiKUuD65g-fNPwJ_IyUfyhBKyVA/s1600/Museum+Nonthaburi+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkS4jCWqP43iOrO0v6k3ExYp1nj-62adR3yAaLrIKlIiLRXQnaWGnfOWA8x4DTggX1JyK5qqE8a02XO_Exeu9cTE_NyzKwSJTEZNYCPcpDWle6s0UiKUuD65g-fNPwJ_IyUfyhBKyVA/s200/Museum+Nonthaburi+sign.jpg" width="200" /></a>So far the best local museum I have visited in Thailand has been the one in Nonthaburi. Not only it seems it has better funding than those local museums in the Bangkok district, the location in the historic province hall complex right in the center of Nonthaburi, right at the Nonthaburi pier on the Chao Phraya river. The only major drawback - photography is not allowed inside, so I sadly cannot show the exhibits in here. However, the webmaster of Tour Bangkok had been allowed to photograph, so in his <a href="http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/museum-of-nonthaburi.html">long review of the museum</a> one can find both outside and inside views. In fact, it was that site which made me aware of this museum.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoqnMB6r-wsjSubQ8cBwNA5CLTDGlQKeGxjZBUXAkxXaDS_uIZLcN_hN3NRP5XO2IKvjDi22-8RXgdVcQQ8mpknqtWnFfJrHx4q-hQPMqS4NFXDhBC-mSS67SkdgX2F_ouIF73fx-zA/s1600/Museum+Nonthaburi+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZoqnMB6r-wsjSubQ8cBwNA5CLTDGlQKeGxjZBUXAkxXaDS_uIZLcN_hN3NRP5XO2IKvjDi22-8RXgdVcQQ8mpknqtWnFfJrHx4q-hQPMqS4NFXDhBC-mSS67SkdgX2F_ouIF73fx-zA/s200/Museum+Nonthaburi+front.jpg" width="200" /></a>The museum only covers few rooms on two floors, other parts of the complex are still used as a kindergarten or seem to be empty. However, from a map placed near the entrance there are plans to enlarge the museum a lot and cover many more parts of the building. This building did not just contain the province hall, but also had the district office of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphoe_Mueang_Nonthaburi">Mueang Nonthaburi district</a> and the provincial court - not that different from the <a href="http://tambon.blogspot.com/2010/05/administrative-offices-in-nonthaburi.html">current governmental center of Nonthaburi</a>. One of the exhibitions rooms is thus on the history of the building, too bad I could not photograph the map which office was in which part of the complex.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgYj6bxRwh6hG8p94lZTc2dRwUUJwg9CDO8B1WOHity5Aob3tOiajT0Iz9UR0KqS-KvqO6cZDS3DHy0ST-G37l1i82EDpepWmHJmILQwxCKmlw4-Xnw_50XoNqw0aeR4FnzIWojU7OQ/s1600/Museum+Nonthaburi+entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgYj6bxRwh6hG8p94lZTc2dRwUUJwg9CDO8B1WOHity5Aob3tOiajT0Iz9UR0KqS-KvqO6cZDS3DHy0ST-G37l1i82EDpepWmHJmILQwxCKmlw4-Xnw_50XoNqw0aeR4FnzIWojU7OQ/s200/Museum+Nonthaburi+entrance.jpg" width="200" /></a>The most beautiful rooms are on the top floor, one explaining the traditional main occupation in the province - pottery. It has figurines explaining the way the mud was turned into bowls and pots, and these figurines are of course also made by pottery. There are also two videos to be seen, and most fascinating for our daughter the magic screen showing a scene of pottery loaded into boats. Most interesting for me was the room focusing on the symbols of the province, featuring a large provincial seal in center. Inside the cabinet were the coins with the seal, the stamps, and also an antiquarian booklet compiled by the province administration with history and data on the province. I would love to have a facsimile reprint of that booklet - maybe in the later development of the museum a gift shop will be added, and that would be a great special item to sell there then.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaykEuQUBiH8qLATbm_FD_WRObLfAYZENE9N6yAb8TESEGlZRgmzITLzSS6HyKVSXJ_VD2xmD_ZUQhJMntaO784bH6oM2Wq_-UOsm8lyOo76Fqvr31nq0aX4MriDlgsxUTWSUBzkHOQ/s1600/Museum+Nonthaburi+wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaykEuQUBiH8qLATbm_FD_WRObLfAYZENE9N6yAb8TESEGlZRgmzITLzSS6HyKVSXJ_VD2xmD_ZUQhJMntaO784bH6oM2Wq_-UOsm8lyOo76Fqvr31nq0aX4MriDlgsxUTWSUBzkHOQ/s200/Museum+Nonthaburi+wood.jpg" width="200" /></a>As I could not photograph the inside, I tried to catch many views of the wooden structures of the building, beautifully carved. Too bad all the modern administrative offices have a much more boring and plain building style, this old building has much more charm - but obviously much harder to maintain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOMod7RJyeRiTgnDgkhqk2nmFKhVZ4EkT89NlrIfXOe5B4XAU6vdS7AZisUpME8kBiKzx-52H21k19rkn9b8S3Wzek-Lq_Q5puhU1cTov5a1h7AKxRAdJyKrP36EHEMopho-kdBDZew/s1600/Museum+Nonthaburi+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOMod7RJyeRiTgnDgkhqk2nmFKhVZ4EkT89NlrIfXOe5B4XAU6vdS7AZisUpME8kBiKzx-52H21k19rkn9b8S3Wzek-Lq_Q5puhU1cTov5a1h7AKxRAdJyKrP36EHEMopho-kdBDZew/s200/Museum+Nonthaburi+plan.jpg" width="200" /></a>While visitors of the museums are allowed to park their car inside the complex, maybe the best way to go the museum is to take the Express boat - when disembarking from the boat at the final stop upriver one is directly at the museum already, and though it may take longer than by car the boat travel is the cheapest and also most scenic way to travel there. Maybe I will try out this way for a return visit, when the phase one in the master plan is finished there'll be many more rooms with interesting exhibits - only area A was finished in early 2010.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com1Suan Yai, Mueang Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand13.841538630112261 100.4918602108955413.84121313011226 100.49140421089554 13.841864130112262 100.49231621089554tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-30834158422054472922010-08-22T18:36:00.054+02:002010-08-22T18:36:00.188+02:00Siam Commercial Bank Talad Noi branch <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz21blZbHU-jzhpsPAs94x2OTYxWW6zYs0g6iH5z2qPkrvGT2olxVWEpVA9myZmwmJn5D-UOXFg_b9TIyK2i0uo5qehmUrQ3YD_KFRgl4Utk9d21bZC6p48YgzwGAK504r6a4b7YKPA/s1600/SCB+Talad+Noi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpz21blZbHU-jzhpsPAs94x2OTYxWW6zYs0g6iH5z2qPkrvGT2olxVWEpVA9myZmwmJn5D-UOXFg_b9TIyK2i0uo5qehmUrQ3YD_KFRgl4Utk9d21bZC6p48YgzwGAK504r6a4b7YKPA/s200/SCB+Talad+Noi.jpg" width="200" /></a>While I was looking to find the district office of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samphanthawong_District">Samphanthawong</a>, I at first misread the map and only looked directly at the rim of the Chao Phraya river. Though I could not find the office there, I instead found a beautiful historic building, which one most easily can see when traveling on the river with the express boat. From the street it is a bit hidden, while the gate marking it a Siam Commercial Bank office is easy to notice, the building inside the compound is hardly been seen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3vzBflBpO7jBJYj3fzg-WQhR8eD__yXgXv8nagp_Oc4K7w1NgW3G-n4Nxls0A3zUCVQGIAUASP06SkRizbYF43BL4vOKthlBdpCtk-hVG64e0X96IIaEw9z-E-mCH8KmpgLSkUUqrQ/s1600/SCB+entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3vzBflBpO7jBJYj3fzg-WQhR8eD__yXgXv8nagp_Oc4K7w1NgW3G-n4Nxls0A3zUCVQGIAUASP06SkRizbYF43BL4vOKthlBdpCtk-hVG64e0X96IIaEw9z-E-mCH8KmpgLSkUUqrQ/s200/SCB+entrance.jpg" width="200" /></a>From the website <a href="http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/siam-commercial-bank.html">Tour Bangkok Legacies</a> I later learned that this building was built 1906–1910, and was designed by the famous Italian architect Annibale Rigotti (1870-1968). The same architect who also designed the Hua Lamphong railway station as well as the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall. When finished, the building became the headquarter and first branch of the <a href="http://www.scb.co.th/">Siam Commercial Bank (ธนาคารไทยพาณิชย์)</a>, which was established in 1906. Until 1971 the headquarters remained in this location.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrpUFimLlRQOU6uB986Ao8PhFTx4xYmoHAhyphenhyphenBkeAlk1N-mU8KymANt71UsYqmdz62SnxA5NpAoCMBpN6N57WF-_XY-A-KASxrLS5Gmauc32tKBXgspiPiJG9y-ZjvI2jf79a6ye6l-g/s1600/SCB+ATM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrpUFimLlRQOU6uB986Ao8PhFTx4xYmoHAhyphenhyphenBkeAlk1N-mU8KymANt71UsYqmdz62SnxA5NpAoCMBpN6N57WF-_XY-A-KASxrLS5Gmauc32tKBXgspiPiJG9y-ZjvI2jf79a6ye6l-g/s200/SCB+ATM.jpg" width="133" /></a>Later in 1983, the building housed the <a href="http://www.thaibankmuseum.or.th/eng/home.php">Thai Bank Museum</a>, which however was moved into the new headquarter building of SCB in 1996 as well. Yet I think this building would be a much better location for such a museum, both easier located for tourists than the bank headquarter in the northern outskirts but also more fitting into this historic building than a normal bank branch office.<br />
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In case anyone is wondering where all the money deposited at the bank is going - at the entrance of the compound is the most beautiful ATM I have ever seen, housed in a small building in same style as the 1910 building.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com5Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand13.731943772957173 100.5127412080764813.731292272957173 100.51182920807648 13.732595272957173 100.51365320807648tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-40299176849299221832010-08-15T19:36:00.032+02:002010-08-15T19:36:00.311+02:00Ranong city pillar shrineWhenever I visit a provincial capital, I try to make sure I drop by the city pillar shrine (Lak Mueng). Thus no different when I was in Ranong this year, the city pillar was the first stop on a tour through the town. It is located close to the Phetkasem highway, at the rim of Khlong Hat Som Paen (คลองหาดส้มแป้น). While the building itself is built in the same style as many of these shrines, so it did not impress me that much. However, the two pools in front with a Naga snake inside presented some nice photo opportunities, as you can see below. The <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/sets/72157624550114141/">complete set of photos is on flickr</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4870047030/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sign" border="0" height="160" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4870047030_abf8ca30c4_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4870048234/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Naga" border="0" height="160" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4870048234_de371057a7_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4869436341/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shrine" border="0" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4869436341_efbe052d6d_m.jpg" width="160" /></a><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4869443279/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pillar top" border="0" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4869443279_75fea0ce5f_m.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br />
Very close to the shrine, at the southern end of the small park, is another site worth visiting - a statue commemorating Phraya Rattanasetthi (Kho Su Chiang), the first governor of Ranong and founder of the na Ranong family.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTjIihVkYhZ4g3LVtpiCZF54ThPu0TpK1buZKm9FXYlnPNnDd8byJ0w-vofO4-KWJP-PMtzL_FIEKoNcl0nPczFPraJ_u9hbZWragkOFXII1oSmsOfYpCo79rHedOz3V8phm8e8izeg/s1600/IMG_5258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTjIihVkYhZ4g3LVtpiCZF54ThPu0TpK1buZKm9FXYlnPNnDd8byJ0w-vofO4-KWJP-PMtzL_FIEKoNcl0nPczFPraJ_u9hbZWragkOFXII1oSmsOfYpCo79rHedOz3V8phm8e8izeg/s320/IMG_5258.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com1Khao Niwet, Muang Ranong, Ranong 85000, Thailand9.9623149449375976 98.64060223102579.9596729449375978 98.6369542310257 9.9649569449375974 98.6442502310257tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-63908068121032619922010-08-08T18:00:00.158+02:002010-08-08T18:00:03.696+02:00Museum Siam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjd0XmdNITOEAnaVaER6J-ZKM1GCMKixVY7ApF2pyMZ-NsB2083xP_iulOfGw7ULP80glFsfmt6HX_vsghScZlCvYcLLs3yer64b0itH5IOl7dLpGg7xH-hUiFmv47F3cpnxOB_Xo1IQ/s1600/Museum+of+Siam+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjd0XmdNITOEAnaVaER6J-ZKM1GCMKixVY7ApF2pyMZ-NsB2083xP_iulOfGw7ULP80glFsfmt6HX_vsghScZlCvYcLLs3yer64b0itH5IOl7dLpGg7xH-hUiFmv47F3cpnxOB_Xo1IQ/s200/Museum+of+Siam+outside.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>One of the best museums in Thailand is the relatively new <a href="http://www.ndmi.or.th/">Museum Siam</a> (มิวเซียมสยาม), located at the southern end of the Rattanakosin island in the former building of the Ministry of Commerce. I <a href="http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/museum-siam.html">learned about it from the great website Tour Bangkok Legacies</a>, where a lot of special places within Bangkok off the beaten track are featured. While it has only few original antique items - if you prefer to see that better go to the National Museum in the north of Rattanakosin -the way of presenting the history of Siam/Thailand is much easier accessible than in the older style presentation of the National Museum. And one big advantage of the latter - here photography in the museum is not only allowed, the clerk who sent me to the first room even explicitly notified me that I can take photos of everything. Also many exhibits are free to be touched for completely experiencing the items.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4nd9lo0WTZNoox1HIV127KSZ-n_-SSf0mwOI38edZFHdWkGrbCRadGMrzyjM10uZe7QyGDiKerpQ0YTJ_H8ung7QeLOElTtSgYBEWkWcp3SjsdOr4PP41GBcNjoqu6RT-MpRJ4uCqA/s1600/Museum+of+Siam+Tuk+Tuk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4nd9lo0WTZNoox1HIV127KSZ-n_-SSf0mwOI38edZFHdWkGrbCRadGMrzyjM10uZe7QyGDiKerpQ0YTJ_H8ung7QeLOElTtSgYBEWkWcp3SjsdOr4PP41GBcNjoqu6RT-MpRJ4uCqA/s200/Museum+of+Siam+Tuk+Tuk.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3tzXqsODvY_CKZ6qw9O75_Yl7juikymtZKbiOlrXjm7N6fAfRoGuINuJfQY8Ixjvn-tb9GACAP318Rd7efWRRSfl9kAa3Rh1AFORtuUn2AFAI2WcD7sIi8l74IgXlpQbtxj8jQ-tag/s1600/Museum+of+Siam+emblem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3tzXqsODvY_CKZ6qw9O75_Yl7juikymtZKbiOlrXjm7N6fAfRoGuINuJfQY8Ixjvn-tb9GACAP318Rd7efWRRSfl9kAa3Rh1AFORtuUn2AFAI2WcD7sIi8l74IgXlpQbtxj8jQ-tag/s200/Museum+of+Siam+emblem.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
The first room is a big auditorium, where a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBA9OTwNcg0">short movie</a> is shown as an introduction to the main theme of the museum - why is typically Thai. The movie also introduces the emblem of the movie, a red character in a frog style standing position. One will find many variations of the emblem in the later rooms, but very nice are those hanging in the staircase one has to go up to the third floor. But before the staircase one enters the first exhibit room, which is kind of a wild collage of all the cliches of typically Thai - Muay Thai, temple dancers, a spirit house, a street food carriage and of course inevitably a Tuk Tuk, ready to sit inside to pose.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi1OHwCkMQiHR8XIJxH1mUzwjIdsyQj9GVemUperyTfGrjkaHUoXwm54Rt5sFUr-8ZG-ryMCi9A2jlEyziSO584beXQ7KW6qtIhCisB2RQbdvu0Nr4c8hJDycWb8z2xJnH4Nt3bDEig/s1600/Museum+of+Siam+Market+diorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi1OHwCkMQiHR8XIJxH1mUzwjIdsyQj9GVemUperyTfGrjkaHUoXwm54Rt5sFUr-8ZG-ryMCi9A2jlEyziSO584beXQ7KW6qtIhCisB2RQbdvu0Nr4c8hJDycWb8z2xJnH4Nt3bDEig/s200/Museum+of+Siam+Market+diorama.jpg" width="200" /></a>Starting in the third floor with the early history - starting way before prehistory with the dinosaurs found in the Northeast, racing from the Lampang Man (<i>Homo erectus</i>) and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prehistoric_Thailand">prehistoric remains</a>, reaching the mostly mythological Suvarnabhumi country as the first main stop. Since Suvarnabhumi more refers to the whole South East Asia, on what later became Thai soil it had the first city states of the Dvaravati culture, which later became replaced by the first Thai city states.<br />
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With Ayutthaya being the most successful of these city states, the next room features beautiful boats hanging in the center and several dioramas depicting scenes from various times in this city - a royal cremation, a market, even a Christian church built by the western missioners. Another one room focuses on Buddhism, and one on the culture of war in these times.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgh6YEZ-Ry5Rb1FuQxSfR10_K0_-zdYf-idf-5vFKQoZUopuiSVjtCFR9d_rvMcR7jiwH7sotsqGMK24pYH-LPdw6P1hiCT4SSLmt3q4ANtNSF1aQNJjCxwbAkNglM1W4I0qkyAmqgw/s1600/Museum+of+Siam+chinese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgh6YEZ-Ry5Rb1FuQxSfR10_K0_-zdYf-idf-5vFKQoZUopuiSVjtCFR9d_rvMcR7jiwH7sotsqGMK24pYH-LPdw6P1hiCT4SSLmt3q4ANtNSF1aQNJjCxwbAkNglM1W4I0qkyAmqgw/s200/Museum+of+Siam+chinese.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>One floor down the exhibitions continues with the map room, not only showing old maps like the famous <a href="http://tambon.blogspot.com/2008/09/carte-du-royaume-de-siam-et-des-pays.html">Carte du Royaume de Siam et des Pays Circonvoisins</a> and the first modern cartographic map of McCarty finished in 1897, but even more notable the depiction of the change of the boundaries of Siam is critical of the nationalistic use of these maps and - of course hardly possible in such a short presentation - shows many of the main points of the highly recommended book "<a href="http://www.librarything.com/work/647885/book/27131311">Siam Mapped</a>".<br />
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The various cultures in Siam at the beginning of the 20th century are shown in small windows with audio and video, and small items typical of them - I photographed the Chinese as the most iconic of them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZll_1L8XFFmXuSKpVaQwacYvHYglaLuBKGab8j11pPy1_1cHVhFpC8nuOr89gMoiUT-DJhe_t8N515grgezkxTl9h2lemqCmvxkRkfkQx3QjEa_kMS_WYgpqDPSiKJaZyQdrQ6HrvCg/s1600/Museum+of+Siam+rice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZll_1L8XFFmXuSKpVaQwacYvHYglaLuBKGab8j11pPy1_1cHVhFpC8nuOr89gMoiUT-DJhe_t8N515grgezkxTl9h2lemqCmvxkRkfkQx3QjEa_kMS_WYgpqDPSiKJaZyQdrQ6HrvCg/s200/Museum+of+Siam+rice.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcu9-v9N9e-Ucmud7OZ1wC486t1Z7Be9nS10erGKDhGUbMpeYHJhxmFpESoXRDIP6dYvt0tRpE-urUWhn26OhgC_bvuYVGZ8gAJ_IIKRtwpegLXIlQOqbaQuGahZWVuTL6GvLeJIr-hw/s1600/Museum+of+Siam+Phibun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcu9-v9N9e-Ucmud7OZ1wC486t1Z7Be9nS10erGKDhGUbMpeYHJhxmFpESoXRDIP6dYvt0tRpE-urUWhn26OhgC_bvuYVGZ8gAJ_IIKRtwpegLXIlQOqbaQuGahZWVuTL6GvLeJIr-hw/s200/Museum+of+Siam+Phibun.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
The contrast between the farming communities and the modern technology coming into Siam at that time is shown next, including the first postbox of Siam. Next step is already the nationalist Phibun regime, again (at least in English) the description of the displayed items is notable critical of the ideas of these times, where anyone who disagreed with the government policies was termed non-Thai.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xb6NPi52EsPE-ljBEPujwjk3F1Hj_LBlDta7m1w6C69gOObaRhC8TXqasbbs5Bb4EbCTJuGpxGNf3elL6SeHQTgKnVUAanVfiJcGFkCzwLuftcdCjsbJqGE7mSTpU3yFPM5zoJgR_w/s1600/Museum+of+Siam+Bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xb6NPi52EsPE-ljBEPujwjk3F1Hj_LBlDta7m1w6C69gOObaRhC8TXqasbbs5Bb4EbCTJuGpxGNf3elL6SeHQTgKnVUAanVfiJcGFkCzwLuftcdCjsbJqGE7mSTpU3yFPM5zoJgR_w/s200/Museum+of+Siam+Bar.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>A 1960s TV station where one can try to sit as a news announcer in front of the camera is next, and a bar of the about the same time. A time tunnel into the future is then the exit of the exhibition.<br />
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The only point I could criticize about the museum is the pricing - like many venues it does the infamous double pricing, whereas foreigners pay 300 Baht, while Thai only pay 100 Baht. It is worth the inflated price nevertheless, but would probably attract even more foreigner with a more fair pricing - and an English website would definitely help to spread to word better, inside the museum everything is bilingual already. Whereas many museums in the western countries have their exit directly into the museum shop, I completely failed to find the museum shop here and wondered why there's no merchandise with that nice emblem. Only after I checked the website again later I noticed that there is a museum shop, but it must be quite well hidden.<br />
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Also notable is the fact that this museum is the first one in Thailand which is present in the Web 2.0 - they're quite active on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/museumsiamfan?ref=mf">Facebook</a> as well as <a href="https://twitter.com/museumsiam">Twitter</a>; and there are two branch museums planned already, one in Lampang and one in Chanthaburi. When I come in either of these cities these museums will definitely be on my itinerary.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com4Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand13.744116554870589 100.4942339658737213.743465054870589 100.49332196587372 13.744768054870589 100.49514596587372tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-32698529291986704352010-07-25T18:29:00.001+02:002010-07-25T18:29:00.357+02:00Wat Phra Boromathat Chaiya<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4784154884/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Chedi from Southwest"><img alt="Chedi" border="0/" height="240" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4784154884_215740f13e_m.jpg" width="160" /></a>Wat Phra Boromathat Chaiya Rat Worawihan (วัดพระบรมธาตุไชยาราชวรวิหาร) is the most important Buddhist temple of Surat Thani, and also one of the most beautiful ones. The central chedi in Srivijaya style with its many golden ornaments is even the iconic symbol of the province Surat Thani.<br />
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The reason why the main temple of the province is not located in the provincial capital lies in the history of the province. In fact, the temple was originally in the capital of the Mueang Chaiya, one of the semi-independent city-states which made up Siam until the administrative system was completely overhauled at the begin of the 20th century. Though by then the town Chaiya was moved closer to the sea to present-day Phum Riang - it came back to its original location after the railway was built in 1915. However, by then the province Surat Thani was established by merging the area formerly under Chaiya with the one under Kanchanadit, and the new center of the province was at the mouth of the Tapi river in Ban Don.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4784156080/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Buddha row by MaewNam, on Flickr"><img alt="Buddha row" border="0" height="160" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4784156080_d5f2e5d301_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>Every side of the chedi shows a different ornament, though I don't know much about the actual meaning. Pointing north is a peacock, to the south is Erawan as the multi-headed elephant, to the east a Buddha surrounded by regalia which reminded me of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emblem_of_Thailand#Coat_of_arms_of_Siam_1873-1910">old coat of arms of Siam</a>. The one on the west side I could not recognize at all. The chedi is surrounded by a walkway with lots of Buddha statues, and several smaller chedis, elephant and other statues, as well as nice small trees. If only it were not so hot and sunny, which made walking around on the hot plaster barefooted far from comfortable.<br />
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Much less spectacular than the chedi is the bot, though religiously it is the more important building. Inside are just several smaller Buddha statues, and no murals at the walls.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4784166302/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Three Buddhas"><img alt="Three Buddhas" border="0/" height="160" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4784166302_cd10542ca7_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>The three Buddha statues outside next to the Bot are also notable. Normally Buddha statues are always under a roof protected from the elements, however these three are believed to prefer to stay outside - when they were placed under a roof in past, lightning struck and destroyed the building. I don't know if and when this story actually took place, but it sounds like a perfectly fit explanation for these statue's location.<br />
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Directly at the temple is also a local branch of the National Museum, which has several items from the Srivijaya times on display. Sadly not allowing photography I did skip the revisit and focused on taking photos of the temple instead. Since I did quite a lot of photos, like the views of the chedi from all four sides, I uploaded the whole collection to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/sets/72157624472059596/">flickr</a>.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com4Wiang, Chaiya, Surat Thani 84110, Thailand9.3845218538589013 99.1843936444092839.383198853858902 99.182569644409284 9.3858448538589 99.186217644409282tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-42747384666667130762010-07-11T18:40:00.001+02:002010-07-11T18:40:00.231+02:00District museum Yannawa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRYcTu0kUeZZTtKeSWsGNfrNCDTqvhlTNqBNx-bt99Fjdt1AAaWQ2e60vYdywj7JEburI_HuL369ESBgxgu8X9DpAA_BDT7rkGjhsazb45ehvWC5VfTFc3CB8pwRXmRhkbw3p-EH6dA/s1600/BRT+bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRYcTu0kUeZZTtKeSWsGNfrNCDTqvhlTNqBNx-bt99Fjdt1AAaWQ2e60vYdywj7JEburI_HuL369ESBgxgu8X9DpAA_BDT7rkGjhsazb45ehvWC5VfTFc3CB8pwRXmRhkbw3p-EH6dA/s200/BRT+bus.jpg" width="200" /></a>When I read about <a href="http://www.mythailandblog.com/2010/05/a-ride-on-the-brt-dedicated-bus-in-bangkok/">Richard Barrow's test ride on the BRT</a>, I was curious to try this new bus system myself. Looking at the route map, I noticed that along the route it has the <a href="http://office.bangkok.go.th/localmuseum/website/web2/19/index.html">BMA local museum of Yannawa district</a>, though in between two widely spaced stations, so I had to do quite some walking to get there as well. Nevertheless, this new public transport opens up a new part of Bangkok for those who prefer public transport over taxis, even though these aren't expensive in Bangkok.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZtnjyjbPB_OO2dpDmcKA8ZI5lErZeJqHnN1FFFZkJWZHZ7xwBf06B62aY9TMKZRpjDFjJLy9q1jyT3l3JRskrlgwInQf-Xaeyuzhyphenhyphenm_2lV6p-NowAcMlP3htjsEeFjbw9V9AX2JbAg/s1600/Yannawa+museum+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZtnjyjbPB_OO2dpDmcKA8ZI5lErZeJqHnN1FFFZkJWZHZ7xwBf06B62aY9TMKZRpjDFjJLy9q1jyT3l3JRskrlgwInQf-Xaeyuzhyphenhyphenm_2lV6p-NowAcMlP3htjsEeFjbw9V9AX2JbAg/s200/Yannawa+museum+1.jpg" width="200" /></a>The trip to this museum was definitely worth it. Though the museum is a rather small one compared to some other of the district museums I visited, what made it a special visit was the caretaker. The nice woman not only showed me around the items on display, explained them in Thai (sadly I only got maybe 10% of what she told) and also helped me to take good photos by flipping open one Sanskrit manuscript. Not sure what it showed however, but it looked like something about astrology or the calendar. Since she noticed I was quite sweaty from the walk to the museum - it was a rather hot and very sunny day - she also gave me a bottle of water, and a small pack of cookies for snack. I even could get one of the very last copies of the <a href="http://tambon.blogspot.com/2009/05/district-museum-brochures.html">brochures</a> on Yannawa district which she found deep inside a drawer of her desk, hope it wasn't the last one kept for the museum itself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY75VycCWOv2a9WauAIZ5HRDJMjpQOPnzyvLOjYT1txeiZW7BzX-I1t6OpHWn7gQl0uFdlPB_KYoY3mKUC6cBWKv-rJPegyxmxmhGMu2o__I6BLDebPVJt3PeonycF_-3FhGxVtlP7w/s1600/Wat+Khlong+Phum+crematorium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY75VycCWOv2a9WauAIZ5HRDJMjpQOPnzyvLOjYT1txeiZW7BzX-I1t6OpHWn7gQl0uFdlPB_KYoY3mKUC6cBWKv-rJPegyxmxmhGMu2o__I6BLDebPVJt3PeonycF_-3FhGxVtlP7w/s200/Wat+Khlong+Phum+crematorium.jpg" width="200" /></a>She not only showed the museum itself, but also the temple where it is housed. Though Wat Khlong Phum (วัดคลองภูมิ) is none of the spectacular temples, it has some interesting sights as well. There are Buddha statues from Ayutthaya times, sadly locked behind bars to prevent theft but which also made photography very difficult; a quite old monk's quarter; the crematorium gave a great view with two failed skyscrapers abandoned in the 1997 Asian crisis in the background; and of course the bot and a viharn next to it also look great, too bad they weren't open to see inside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetLE4eOjweRy8fCweyeJItag_oCp_Ta0giWCCMyyBlJWwmBqGOSGQSoFn0q-u12NUx_S2rLH0prT9mYJudz258pAzWdIq4nIYMTKxyB5AauqApokM3DgOfFQX6vZRKCveYcrba1k73w/s1600/Wat+Khlong+Phum+monk+quarter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetLE4eOjweRy8fCweyeJItag_oCp_Ta0giWCCMyyBlJWwmBqGOSGQSoFn0q-u12NUx_S2rLH0prT9mYJudz258pAzWdIq4nIYMTKxyB5AauqApokM3DgOfFQX6vZRKCveYcrba1k73w/s200/Wat+Khlong+Phum+monk+quarter.jpg" width="200" /></a>My guide even wanted to make sure I will take the right bus to go to my next target, the Bangkok Folk Museum in Bang Rak district (to be featured here later), so she even went to the bus stop in front of the temple with me. I planned to continue my trip by walking to the next BRT station, and then walk within Bang Rak, but it took me a bit to explain my itinerary to her with my still bad Thai.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fTz8KcUtcDrLr16Z66sL3YdFP8-JnCpspThBC2zPBpe6wvSbD5aWsCbsgz6wN2ec8y-Tc1AtKXOwq91DOC3OIvTvqnLrkEkHUdLpm32Z7rL2HP16VbKLhyln3RcXLc81Cm_Dx2AeAQ/s1600/Wat+Khlong+Phum+viharn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fTz8KcUtcDrLr16Z66sL3YdFP8-JnCpspThBC2zPBpe6wvSbD5aWsCbsgz6wN2ec8y-Tc1AtKXOwq91DOC3OIvTvqnLrkEkHUdLpm32Z7rL2HP16VbKLhyln3RcXLc81Cm_Dx2AeAQ/s200/Wat+Khlong+Phum+viharn.jpg" width="200" /></a>I had experienced several very good caretakers in the local museums, who very much tried to make my visit worthwhile, but the one in Yannawa topped it all. So if anybody visits this museum after reading my review, make sure to tell her it was "Khun Andreas" from Germany who made you go there.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com2Chong Nonsi, Yannawa, Bangkok, Thailand13.680322286670902 100.5500721931457513.679996286670903 100.54961619314575 13.680648286670902 100.55052819314575tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-14573818974579112782010-06-27T19:27:00.001+02:002010-06-27T19:27:00.240+02:00Grass hill in Ranong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAVB8_yyFlo1lnni6GEvYiZbFAbPag4Q_49YIKH6468DDtJgFegjCNxByd9AQZSZRCvfPM4PsvWL0ECvJtKnfpX0Gy8jIxkyRKYYXauT84DM5Xljza0gDZni1bNAPuBgrG-jVGR-DVQ/s1600/IMG_5311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAVB8_yyFlo1lnni6GEvYiZbFAbPag4Q_49YIKH6468DDtJgFegjCNxByd9AQZSZRCvfPM4PsvWL0ECvJtKnfpX0Gy8jIxkyRKYYXauT84DM5Xljza0gDZni1bNAPuBgrG-jVGR-DVQ/s200/IMG_5311.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Phu Khao Ya (Grass Hill, ภูเขาหญ้า) or Khao Hua Lan (Bald Hill, เขาหัวล้าน) is an odd landscape feature a few kilometers south of Ranong town directly along Phetkasem highway. Unlike most hills, it is not covered with trees, but only grass, hence the names grass hill or bald hill. Since it was the last stop of a day tour through Ranong, there was not much time left to explore the place in details and walk around on the various trails over and around the hills, but just take the few photos and then continue the return drive to Surat Thani.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKs2rF5goNCucIoFvxtJIijxNja6uRv5eCk4QbzoX7L6U25ajhcufLYHjYj4oRY9sZw05j2E8KfZ80VwakUT1RqOoovghxDUW2e0W4Yl0XKSRaKv8XO0tvbcxG0tOEEPQ0M8jya1rhZA/s1600/IMG_5314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKs2rF5goNCucIoFvxtJIijxNja6uRv5eCk4QbzoX7L6U25ajhcufLYHjYj4oRY9sZw05j2E8KfZ80VwakUT1RqOoovghxDUW2e0W4Yl0XKSRaKv8XO0tvbcxG0tOEEPQ0M8jya1rhZA/s200/IMG_5314.jpg" width="200" /></a>But even though it were only a few minutes I walked from parking lot to the most scenic view, the landscape looked really very interesting. I could not find yet what made this hill show this peculiar vegetation, I can only guess it is a secondary landscape with the soil loosing its ability to nourish trees after being deforested. Especially the area between the highway and the hill looks very much like it was made into a meadow for grazing animals.<br />
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Apart from too short, the time of the visit was also a bit badly chosen - as it was in later afternoon, the sun was already relatively low in the west, and therefore directly behind the hill when seen from street. At least from the scenic viewpoint it wasn't making photography impossible - it was one of the few days in Ranong on which it had no raining at all, but most of the time sunny. Probably in the morning sun the hill will look even better than it did for me.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com1Ngao, Muang Ranong, Ranong, Thailand9.86580757200914 98.6211562156677259.86316507200914 98.617508215667726 9.868450072009141 98.624804215667723tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-24701593645089030072010-04-04T20:07:00.001+02:002010-04-04T20:07:00.316+02:00Wat Amphawa Chediyaram<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtc_27MOOczFetqFudK_7wEEw7_cK_v_VYRz5oiE1CgrR95KBz0voAQJN2U9gWN1rhKWiEqmsvegvERAdXL68QjLiZHopov1hKNggcceOddsUE3Kj1zhXdwsjRxpH6BJPz2oqv-Rkdw/s1600-h/Wat+Amphawa+gable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtc_27MOOczFetqFudK_7wEEw7_cK_v_VYRz5oiE1CgrR95KBz0voAQJN2U9gWN1rhKWiEqmsvegvERAdXL68QjLiZHopov1hKNggcceOddsUE3Kj1zhXdwsjRxpH6BJPz2oqv-Rkdw/s200/Wat+Amphawa+gable.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>With the Amphawa floating market becoming more and more popular as an more authentic alternative to the standard tourist target at Damnoen Saduak, I have used the opportunity to drop it a visit as well. Though I think it is definitely worth a visit, I instead write about the temple right next to it, which normally visitors to the market only notice as their parking lot. Since shopping isn't among my favorite pastimes, I had some time to spend while the family was still busy, and did some walking around the temple complex. It was quite surprising how few people I saw strolling around there, compared to the crowded market area.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0M4-WpKIhWdY46m9DdOZh1Qk2A9twdemdMf7qompBjhYiDXJbPBIc3lL79yb2NRAvB61B885J5GArqyW0drS-aisPvMgJByk4gh7BI_tDYQ2U1SxlSEKlz-aaF70FA0d39jD8Ns_Gsg/s1600-h/Wat+Amphawa+Buddha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0M4-WpKIhWdY46m9DdOZh1Qk2A9twdemdMf7qompBjhYiDXJbPBIc3lL79yb2NRAvB61B885J5GArqyW0drS-aisPvMgJByk4gh7BI_tDYQ2U1SxlSEKlz-aaF70FA0d39jD8Ns_Gsg/s200/Wat+Amphawa+Buddha.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>Most beautiful is the main hall, which contains the large Buddha statue. While for me as a non-Buddhist the statue did not look any special, the murals on the walls were the most interesting thing to look at in the hall. The one behind the Buddha statue shows, if I am not totally mistaken, the former capital city Ayutthaya before it was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. But not only the mural behind the Buddha is worth looking at, between each window it has one showing some historical or mythological scenes. It even has small signs under them explaining what it depicted - but sadly only in Thai, so I could not understand which one is the most notable of these murals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcRUKV5FUbj4WxknMCDLdChndP8Pe1k9MGJLg3z3g4F7Fnem7foj3ycFHTW8FuxKwLvFm7lgVp4z2INMhVDdJZmmwdMlNaLDgYXL1Ui31_PCI8HhUNBCZzIOZJ8Qv2Shyphenhyphen0JPnQz_c_A/s1600-h/Wat+Amphawa+footprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcRUKV5FUbj4WxknMCDLdChndP8Pe1k9MGJLg3z3g4F7Fnem7foj3ycFHTW8FuxKwLvFm7lgVp4z2INMhVDdJZmmwdMlNaLDgYXL1Ui31_PCI8HhUNBCZzIOZJ8Qv2Shyphenhyphen0JPnQz_c_A/s200/Wat+Amphawa+footprint.jpg" width="133" /></a>But not just this main hall of the temple has something special to show, in a small and inconspicuous building is another Buddha statue, and more notable a large footprint. Light inside was a bit weak, so the photo turned out to be a bit blurred, I did not bring the tripod since most of the photos I do in Thailand are in the strong sun outdoors, when a tripod is only unnecessary weight.<br />
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The final building I entered is the courtyard, a walkway with the donated Buddha statues at the walls, and a white chedi in the middle. Though this part looked so similar to the ones I had seen in countless other temples already, here's a photo of the smaller statues.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmo8QDB947Tw2EChvoHKbShBIkan7vtICFX0V0cXe7c_pt10kNCpMeI5pQXc2aEkwtz6LCJ8X3v1WRA-XKDCvd70_KCG8hw3PVAWuHi7eST_KYKLkhYbqNC0bkOby2MuyAUV-eRzMOQ/s1600-h/Wat+Amphawa+Buddha+walkway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmo8QDB947Tw2EChvoHKbShBIkan7vtICFX0V0cXe7c_pt10kNCpMeI5pQXc2aEkwtz6LCJ8X3v1WRA-XKDCvd70_KCG8hw3PVAWuHi7eST_KYKLkhYbqNC0bkOby2MuyAUV-eRzMOQ/s200/Wat+Amphawa+Buddha+walkway.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com1Amphawa, Samut Songkhram, Thailand13.426169291207028 99.95393800739293513.425517291207028 99.953026007392936 13.426821291207029 99.954850007392935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-1923210548919748652010-02-28T19:32:00.001+01:002010-02-28T19:32:00.408+01:00District museum Samphanthawong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJwzvwWaIcOxnp7Gv4iw0M6jhyphenhyphenBvv-E1HLZoVQMb_qNlZfoVV_MRNSa8wV4qOgYHhXQsxiu3ymHpAoeXYrfrC2o_exzqBqVehfm8jlnnKkxOA-2Fjcz07_06cKivptsAs3dBy0MHgfg/s1600-h/Samphanthawong%20museum%20medicine%20shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJwzvwWaIcOxnp7Gv4iw0M6jhyphenhyphenBvv-E1HLZoVQMb_qNlZfoVV_MRNSa8wV4qOgYHhXQsxiu3ymHpAoeXYrfrC2o_exzqBqVehfm8jlnnKkxOA-2Fjcz07_06cKivptsAs3dBy0MHgfg/s200/Samphanthawong%20museum%20medicine%20shop.jpg" width="133" /></a>The district museum of Samphanthawong district, which basically is Chinatown, was originally located within <a href="http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/wat-traimit.html">Wat Traimit</a>, the famous golden Buddha temple. It was however removed there in 2006 in order to make space for the massive rebuilding of Wat Traimit, which now has been fully opened. Within the temple it now has a new local museum on the history of Chinatown, the <a href="http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/yaowarat-heritage-centre.html">Yaowarat Heritage Centre</a>, a museum I will try to visit in my next trip to Thailand.<br />
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The original district museum was however not completely abandoned, it was moved into the Pathum Kongka temple school, only one block away from its original location. To visit it, one however really has to know where to search, as there is no sign at the school entrance nor at the school building which houses the museum. When I went there, the school entrance was blocked by a goal net, as the students played soccer in the inner courtyard, so I had to ask me way through. I was guided to the office building to the right, the upper floor now houses the museum.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzK2LsTQzobVjtpd0OmPTjI44wPIPx782Ve549nYXUuCFQnOFGJxTVWZKwYd78APYFc9EsBAsq-iG_6FtW3HQWWBuynWlaGxyUKrZXvWgbIBxAOuOmR0M0dFFywbfSKJdMADyO2DZRGA/s1600-h/Samphanthawong%20museum%20general%20shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzK2LsTQzobVjtpd0OmPTjI44wPIPx782Ve549nYXUuCFQnOFGJxTVWZKwYd78APYFc9EsBAsq-iG_6FtW3HQWWBuynWlaGxyUKrZXvWgbIBxAOuOmR0M0dFFywbfSKJdMADyO2DZRGA/s200/Samphanthawong%20museum%20general%20shop.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgK6nq2vH-5m8KUddBI8IcpHwhW2J-AP1Nde8sfzoKQQYC1c9RhZngMXB_MULuuzZl_an-ZcXhklFH-AmGrxhsVhXFHS3oM4kBc4upt8YgvnS_2s2sal0D_R3A7ZkrPbB3ii9RYEqLA/s1600-h/Samphanthawong%20museum%20rice%20shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgK6nq2vH-5m8KUddBI8IcpHwhW2J-AP1Nde8sfzoKQQYC1c9RhZngMXB_MULuuzZl_an-ZcXhklFH-AmGrxhsVhXFHS3oM4kBc4upt8YgvnS_2s2sal0D_R3A7ZkrPbB3ii9RYEqLA/s200/Samphanthawong%20museum%20rice%20shop.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>The main exhibit in the museum is a row of Chinese shop houses, one with traditional Chinese medicine, a rice trader and a general store. In the larger room it mostly has posters showing reproductions of historic photos with explanation, both in English and Thai, giving an overview of the Chinese community.<br />
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Given the much bigger, more elaborate and better located new museum, and even more the total lack of promotion by the Bangkok tourist office (who told Eric from the <a href="http://www.tour-bangkok-legacies.com/index.html">Tour Bangkok Legacies website</a> that the museum is still in Wat Traimit even after he noticed it being gone) as well as the total lack of signs towards to museum, I doubt it will attract any reasonable number of visitors except those who were able to find the sparse information on it. Though the Song Wat road, at which the museum is located, has far less tourists walking by than on Yaowarat road, one or two English sign would increase the visitor numbers already a lot.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com1Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand13.736691024669138 100.5109870433807413.736039524669138 100.51007504338074 13.737342524669138 100.51189904338074tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-27610040238870730342010-02-14T19:22:00.001+01:002010-02-14T19:22:00.469+01:00Vin de Ray winery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxAt4e6ZdLVxJxV4-PF_ZzqS7PEAoxTYEfl7VmpjV62m9JXWrO4oQH7IwnA73ijL79C7OaXnZ5j88YRVeGf2T9JXky_bgP23vT35A_KDGOv1c4WPLG-ImBDjFUSfbwTB8DJ1JQUwcbQ/s1600-h/Vin%20de%20Ray%20winery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxAt4e6ZdLVxJxV4-PF_ZzqS7PEAoxTYEfl7VmpjV62m9JXWrO4oQH7IwnA73ijL79C7OaXnZ5j88YRVeGf2T9JXky_bgP23vT35A_KDGOv1c4WPLG-ImBDjFUSfbwTB8DJ1JQUwcbQ/s200/Vin%20de%20Ray%20winery.jpg" width="200" alt="Vin de Ray vineyard"/></a>Vin de Ray (แวงเดอร์เรย์) is a small but high quality winery in Saraburi. If I remember right, it belongs to a Thai TV personality, but the wine is available for sale there in a small shop as well, so it is not solely for the personal fun of this personality. We bought a few bottles, and unlike a Thai wine I once bought in a supermarket and which tastes quite strange, the red wine we bought was same quality as the European ones. At least for the taste of a casual wine drinker. The only other thing we did there was photo taking, while I took only the vineyard with a few workers in behind, whereas my family did many photos posing in front of vine and grapes. Also, for me the large yellow shower tree gave a great color contrast with the blue sky.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBZ_wTC7So89XbWW3zJA_1xR5dCCfVe5zwD6Hx37JNW1xf8MAvcoXXFsS5dA3CKPgb-3KL8v15urXcbu56l7ntryvWYtGEBpBZoqS6RH514S7He7Rv-Yt1PWqA94CB4_fUpZTyGyDVg/s1600-h/Ratchapruek%20flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBZ_wTC7So89XbWW3zJA_1xR5dCCfVe5zwD6Hx37JNW1xf8MAvcoXXFsS5dA3CKPgb-3KL8v15urXcbu56l7ntryvWYtGEBpBZoqS6RH514S7He7Rv-Yt1PWqA94CB4_fUpZTyGyDVg/s200/Ratchapruek%20flower.jpg" width="200" alt="Yellow shower tree" /></a>The drive to there is also interesting. When coming from Muak Lek, one first passes a stretch of road named mystery road, as its one of those <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_hill">roads where the law of gravity seems to be violated</a>. The car apparently rolls uphill, but of course this is only an optical illusion - which somehow did not work for me. A little later is a much more fascinating one, the tree tunnel. The road goes through a forested valley, and the trees have grown over the road so one drives through a nature-built tunnel. Too bad we did not stop for a photograph there.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com3Salaeng Phan, Wang Muang, Saraburi 18220, Thailand14.775497343343094 101.1220858097840414.774200343343095 101.12026180978404 14.776794343343093 101.12390980978404tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-42832809717438156712010-01-31T19:46:00.020+01:002010-01-31T19:46:00.282+01:00District museum Khlong San<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3kABO-KZaZ9GVxQeUbMyWzpZ5SXjDotYqBif2MmlYHh0SzLjR6dkdJsHFu1emJ0u7ibZHxPpIb5UPSOK2JSY8OSNzm-e8KNomFZbUIYnjlSo-58eSoJyLdFTwKJGFBO42pkKxqy_dA/s1600-h/Wat%20Anongkharam%20library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Udom Wittaya library" border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3kABO-KZaZ9GVxQeUbMyWzpZ5SXjDotYqBif2MmlYHh0SzLjR6dkdJsHFu1emJ0u7ibZHxPpIb5UPSOK2JSY8OSNzm-e8KNomFZbUIYnjlSo-58eSoJyLdFTwKJGFBO42pkKxqy_dA/s200/Wat%20Anongkharam%20library.jpg" width="200" /></a>The smallest of the Bangkok district museums I have visited so far is the on of Khlong San district, just across the river from Chinatown. It is located within the public library of Wat Anongkharam (วัดอนงคาราม), named Udom Wittaya library (หอสมุดอุดมวิทยา). I love libraries, just sadly it has only Thai books in this one so there was no point in browsing through the shelves - besides I was coming there in late afternoon and it seemed they were about to close soon anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uADI5POkqXAVGVcwiDWGAYuPNMZt0foUw2oyoTqdL87bB3xF3FpvFJORjzA3AsdCk0hh5BIaGrKpbJ9jlvdaSAFLxk7FeRDSiS2TpX6l_fmgnH7ImTfh7xzJpYGM8zC3RTTYQxw0KQ/s1600-h/Khlong%20San%20district%20museum%20potrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Portrait of Somdet Ya, Khlong San district museum" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uADI5POkqXAVGVcwiDWGAYuPNMZt0foUw2oyoTqdL87bB3xF3FpvFJORjzA3AsdCk0hh5BIaGrKpbJ9jlvdaSAFLxk7FeRDSiS2TpX6l_fmgnH7ImTfh7xzJpYGM8zC3RTTYQxw0KQ/s200/Khlong%20San%20district%20museum%20potrait.jpg" width="133" /></a>The museum is in the first floor, just up the stairs and then to the right. When I entered, I asked the clerk at ground floor for the location of the museum with those few Thai words I can say, so she directed me upstairs and gave a warning call to the one upstairs that it has a farang coming for the museum. I guess foreigner are a rare sight in there, like in all of these museums.<br />
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The central place of the museum area is taken by a portrait of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srinagarindra">Somdet Ya</a>, the mother of King Bhumipol. She was educated in this temple, and close by the temple a <a href="http://myunseenthailand.blogspot.com/2008/07/suan-somdet-ya-in-bangkok.html">Somdet Ya garden</a> was established around a reconstructed house of your youth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn3O9TTaTq4aqLA1VS0H-LXDxV0SnnU6uCxfgyRWeMVcA2xxrVrNEpF4pMcecaJen9KNxoQp5WFqBlN0W3M157GXZ-TJhLBhIJmW5MkhcOHuBcbwWdA49aKhi4wNeOeffTWNP6f8l6g/s1600-h/Khlong%20San%20districy%20museum%20exhibits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn3O9TTaTq4aqLA1VS0H-LXDxV0SnnU6uCxfgyRWeMVcA2xxrVrNEpF4pMcecaJen9KNxoQp5WFqBlN0W3M157GXZ-TJhLBhIJmW5MkhcOHuBcbwWdA49aKhi4wNeOeffTWNP6f8l6g/s200/Khlong%20San%20districy%20museum%20exhibits.jpg" width="200" alt="Khlong San district museum exhibits"/></a>Other exhibits include old tools used by the main professions in the district, like those salt drying tools I photographed. There's also a bell from the Khlong Sa-Tha Chin railway - originally the Maeklong railway started in this district, now the endpoint is at Wong Wian Yai. Another nice antique exhibit is a metal shop sign; also shown are a few <a href="http://www.thailandlife.com/khonmask.html">Khon masks</a> manufactured in the district - <a href="http://www.baankhon.com/">Ban Khon Thai (บ้านโขนไทย)</a> is located in Khlong San.<br />
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The museum is most worth if you combine the visit with the already mentioned nearby Suan Somdet Ya, and the temple Wat Pichai Yat, which I may write about later as well.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com2Somdet Chao Phraya, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600, Thailand13.73466394431577 100.4980373382568413.73401244431577 100.49712533825684 13.73531544431577 100.49894933825684tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-2464872934656923592010-01-10T19:24:00.001+01:002010-01-10T19:24:00.438+01:00Phum Riang silk village<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjyvh5HxwWRfds1aAp2Mk3dQgeNIci8vgiWQK3Rz7nuxuAGxZjaGsX_ppYwonp0guY1nLCxWL_3bf5LyEQgSwyu4lKSuGyhx2-s-muR9LLrzypFQba0wPl0sw4Y4_hAQqNi8fXcQlog/s1600-h/Phum%20Riang%20Shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjyvh5HxwWRfds1aAp2Mk3dQgeNIci8vgiWQK3Rz7nuxuAGxZjaGsX_ppYwonp0guY1nLCxWL_3bf5LyEQgSwyu4lKSuGyhx2-s-muR9LLrzypFQba0wPl0sw4Y4_hAQqNi8fXcQlog/s200/Phum%20Riang%20Shop.jpg" width="200" /></a>Phum Riang in Chaiya district, northern Surat Thani province, is a small Muslim fishing town, which however is famous for the hand-woven silk products. Like many me, shopping for handicrafts, especially textiles, isn't my favorite kind of activity, but when we went to the main shop in the town last time after a short look around my mother-in-law led to the back exit of the shop right into the working area of the weavers. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcM6iuFSW5NYw-rFWYC4Afjo5kOJlkQ6Mwp157dXPXQPslPBlKqAmyiduS0uDRFuZA_5P6F6OnGcyUNeGmKLBb0kIzdc2J_BDzKKt8GWpY9KB7GIgavuJQ655d6EmZ428cf-TA3yZLPw/s1600-h/Phum%20Riang%20spinning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcM6iuFSW5NYw-rFWYC4Afjo5kOJlkQ6Mwp157dXPXQPslPBlKqAmyiduS0uDRFuZA_5P6F6OnGcyUNeGmKLBb0kIzdc2J_BDzKKt8GWpY9KB7GIgavuJQ655d6EmZ428cf-TA3yZLPw/s200/Phum%20Riang%20spinning.jpg" width="200" /></a>Since it was on the day after Songkhran, only very few workers were there, so I could look around without worrying to disturb them by my curious looks, photography or by simply standing in the way. Still I could see the dyeing of the silk, the rolling-up of the freshly dyed silk, as well as one loom in action weaving some clothes. Yet since it was very tightly packed in there it was not easy to catch the loom on photo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-D6nQMBC84TfKzojxOKmlPceVUSQKRCiCmyk1I0gH0CBtyeynqEbbw5wpJXYFs9ea1AtfC5yQQDuNX1gp7qIr0lHKrfMd2RGPvaYiDDwN-L-WJ1JzCHfBfEvfK7K-HBRBTnLEbLACg/s1600-h/Phum%20Riang%20weaving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-D6nQMBC84TfKzojxOKmlPceVUSQKRCiCmyk1I0gH0CBtyeynqEbbw5wpJXYFs9ea1AtfC5yQQDuNX1gp7qIr0lHKrfMd2RGPvaYiDDwN-L-WJ1JzCHfBfEvfK7K-HBRBTnLEbLACg/s200/Phum%20Riang%20weaving.jpg" width="200" /></a>As we had to travel there on Songkhran - in evening my mother-in-law had her annual school reunion nearby - and therefore the main street was full of the youth playing with water, thus I did not dare to stroll around the town for other sights to keep my camera dry. Which is actually a pity as Phum Riang is quite a significant town despite its present remoteness. Phum Riang was the seat of the province Chaiya, before it was merged with Kanchanadit in 1899 and the seat was moved to Bandon, the present day city of Surat Thani. When the railway was built, the new settlement Talat Chaiya was built. I am not sure which year the district administration moved from Phum Riang to Talat Chaiya, but today the only office left in Phum Riang is the municipality administration.<br />
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I doubt any of the old administrative buildings still survive after about 100 years, but at least the historical temples still are on my list of places to visit when I return there next time.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com0Phumriang, Chaiya, Surat Thani, Thailand9.38659373279676 99.2555308341989.3839472327967588 99.251882834198 9.38924023279676 99.259178834198tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-35222058516193393112009-11-30T00:13:00.001+01:002009-11-30T16:39:24.896+01:00Don Wai market<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6G3nGtmDZHKbOvJVYRu7tLbSDY_bd7UIjqSlt1Rp2Sv5G8D2jLcakex5bDjMcmBkX6EfOURSNedWs8MaeqAlyiNhtqPvdeMzuffyNmUjK9OGot7qaK7Jkx7I-R8_ezpZ-SqvmrQhfw/s1600/Don%20Wai%20market%20garlic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6G3nGtmDZHKbOvJVYRu7tLbSDY_bd7UIjqSlt1Rp2Sv5G8D2jLcakex5bDjMcmBkX6EfOURSNedWs8MaeqAlyiNhtqPvdeMzuffyNmUjK9OGot7qaK7Jkx7I-R8_ezpZ-SqvmrQhfw/s200/Don%20Wai%20market%20garlic.jpg" width="200" /></a>A daytrip from Bangkok I have done three times already is the market at Don Wai, close to Phutthamonthon in Nakhon Pathom province. It is a huge market where almost everything is sold - from fresh fruits, herbs, dried and fresh fish, up to all the different kinds of sweet snacks. But also toys, Buddha statues, even plants are on sale there. And of course there are several restaurants. Especially for Thais this market is already the prime attraction, yet what I enjoy most there are the boat trips on Tha Chin river.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjgbY5eXTrz_uk6SP064X8c5Ruje1AAY8L1tWH7NnM3vlXbJ5uBxHjo27GFVgktHR4z_4QnLVcmY5ch0Gsxek-ZemI0QU1hPqd2l8tF3kHthwKWQbx4L6IGXg3ULHgohLBv5GnVsreg/s1600/Don%20Wai%20Boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjgbY5eXTrz_uk6SP064X8c5Ruje1AAY8L1tWH7NnM3vlXbJ5uBxHjo27GFVgktHR4z_4QnLVcmY5ch0Gsxek-ZemI0QU1hPqd2l8tF3kHthwKWQbx4L6IGXg3ULHgohLBv5GnVsreg/s200/Don%20Wai%20Boat.jpg" width="200" /></a>Since on our latest visit there I had my GPS tracker with me, I could make a map showing the exact way the boat took - from the pier at Don Wai till the bridge at Wat Rai Khing in Tha Talat, and back. At the turning point it had the standard activity of Thai at water bodies - feeding the fish with bread. Also a small boat with a ice-cream dealer docked to sell a snack.<br />
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<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=http:%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F473159%2FDon%2520Wai.kml&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=28.805654,53.261719&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=13.756726,100.273418&spn=0.058358,0.060081&z=13" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
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From the river one can see all different types of housing, from very plain houses up to villas, mostly on the western shore. On the east shore it has two temples, Wat Rai Khing at the turning point and Wat Tha Phut a bit upriver. But what makes the trip most enjoyable is that we always bought many things to eat before and brought them on the boat - in the first trip, which was at my first trip to Thailand, I even had a complete lunch on the boat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvetoPbBPe5o5FTDgRX-wZ3cmIZOB6Y4JlOkcLhSWjMpJTf2ZVADf_EeptAWXVRhliqjB3CBZ2d7k7ljauO67jN20rgfX0VpkccgZN0yBrLBHO5NXfAaow4VQS7UYLs6EqQcKQHGDnw/s1600/Don%20Wai%20river%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvetoPbBPe5o5FTDgRX-wZ3cmIZOB6Y4JlOkcLhSWjMpJTf2ZVADf_EeptAWXVRhliqjB3CBZ2d7k7ljauO67jN20rgfX0VpkccgZN0yBrLBHO5NXfAaow4VQS7UYLs6EqQcKQHGDnw/s200/Don%20Wai%20river%202.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W8M_rDps_RcrybiuTUpdpQzd0haJElWGChhbR1E-EZsjuOEBW_dTulqQ_lbPOIYZPKy7G3vp1LWeraSojgRu_10I4L_ny5CQYGbbpw4_9hlS2WSXlLedGDIVoBTrNizoFo0kz0HHEw/s1600/Don%20Wai%20river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W8M_rDps_RcrybiuTUpdpQzd0haJElWGChhbR1E-EZsjuOEBW_dTulqQ_lbPOIYZPKy7G3vp1LWeraSojgRu_10I4L_ny5CQYGbbpw4_9hlS2WSXlLedGDIVoBTrNizoFo0kz0HHEw/s200/Don%20Wai%20river.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFaYd_BfQNn5f9yPQ5Sb8SUao_f6F8oIGx6fq4JQNNcHU5b_ZH2kWThadwOSX8rkq0RTOIL4oO8rTURdzupS5YwSd5MDxPr6us2bQyV35TX1YhphDY3wOoZcPok3vi24BOZQq9dlP_A/s1600/Wat%20Don%20Wai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFaYd_BfQNn5f9yPQ5Sb8SUao_f6F8oIGx6fq4JQNNcHU5b_ZH2kWThadwOSX8rkq0RTOIL4oO8rTURdzupS5YwSd5MDxPr6us2bQyV35TX1YhphDY3wOoZcPok3vi24BOZQq9dlP_A/s200/Wat%20Don%20Wai.jpg" width="200" /></a>Though it is mostly used as the parking lot of the market, the temple Wat Don Wai is also worth a short visit. I don't know why, but the photos of that temple looked almost artificial in their colors, and I did nothing like HDR with them.<br />
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For the full set of photos see the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/sets/72157622777015001/">Don Wai set at flickr</a>.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com5Bang Krathuek, Sam Phran, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand13.771348083882215 100.2836083174133813.770696583882215 100.28269631741338 13.771999583882215 100.28452031741338tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-11981632035558556812009-11-15T21:43:00.001+01:002009-11-19T00:21:23.021+01:00Wat Phonimit, Surat Thani<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4079482599/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Ubosot"><img alt="Bot" height="240" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4079482599_5a94cf02ec_m.jpg" width="160" /></a>The temples within the city Surat Thani did not impress me that much, there are neither really historical ones - maybe except the <a href="http://myunseenthailand.blogspot.com/2009/01/wat-pattanaram-surat-thani.html">one building of Wat Pattanaram</a> - nor as lavishly decorated. Slighly outside the city center however is one temple which is worth a short visit just to admire the architecture and handicraft necessary to create it. Of course compared with the temples in Bangkok it is just a normal one, yet for Surat Thani city it is apparently the most interesting one.<br />
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Named Wat Phonimit (วัดโพธิ์นิมิต), the temple is located on the road towards Kanchanadit, about 4 kilometer from the city center. I went there together with family, and while they attended a ceremony in the Sala I was free to stroll around in the temple complex and took lots of photos.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4079483217/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Lions in front of Bot"><img alt="Lions in front of Bot" height="160" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/4079483217_0a5cab9d0a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>The main building is of course the Ubosot, most lavishly decorated and with a small fence around it. The gate inside as well as lion statues, and of course the gable of the building made great photo locations. Note the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4080243864/in/set-72157622745337772/">wasp nest glued on the gable</a> in one side. Sadly the building was locked, so I could not get a view on the Buddha statue inside, or see if it has any interesting murals on the walls inside.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4080241650/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Statues by MaewNam, on Flickr"><img alt="Statues" height="160" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/4080241650_44cd302b90_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>Interesting were also several statues located around a tree, the hermits in behind I could recognize, yet I don't know about the symbolism of the other figures. Also, several smaller chapels and Salas are spread over the compound, for example <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4080240984/in/set-72157622745337772/">the one housing three monk statues</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/4080245390/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Graveyard by MaewNam, on Flickr"><img alt="Graveyard" height="160" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3535/4080245390_448ee92171_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>Separated from the main compound by the street towards Rama IX park is the crematorium and the graveyard - the small chedis house urns of the deceased.<br />
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Since I could not add all the photos here I have created a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/sets/72157622745337772/">set on Flickr</a>, and when I have the chance to add more photos of the place I will put them there as well.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com0Bang Kung, Muang Surat Thani, Surat Thani, Thailand9.1541360990859157 99.3529515266800449.1534740990859156 99.352039526680045 9.1547980990859159 99.353863526680044tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-209908597716516512009-10-25T19:13:00.009+01:002009-10-25T19:13:00.181+01:00House of Museums<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopnVEUb3GG5SOiK8YCPcCtQ5Tra7yN2C90X8Lb8nn2XuMQIdmtiv93-okCQA5WRhaYUpPCPssRy-owNIhKVMsJurww_taXfDfnjwl3lfXQZvnsE75g-95YjkenOtOb9NAsqJBX5j_gw/s1600-h/House+of+museums+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopnVEUb3GG5SOiK8YCPcCtQ5Tra7yN2C90X8Lb8nn2XuMQIdmtiv93-okCQA5WRhaYUpPCPssRy-owNIhKVMsJurww_taXfDfnjwl3lfXQZvnsE75g-95YjkenOtOb9NAsqJBX5j_gw/s200/House+of+museums+shop.jpg" /></a>A very interesting museum in the western outskirts of Bangkok is the <a href="http://houseofmuseums.siam.edu/">House of Museums</a> (บ้านพิพิธภัณฑ์), where lots of everyday items of the 1950s and 1960s are collected and displayed.<br />
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On the ground floor is one corner with lots of toys, mostly tin toys, and since we went to the museum with our small daughter this corner we spend most of the time - she could not get her eyes off from the many toys, all so much different from those she is used to nowadays. There are further two old style shops, though while such a shop layout itself can still be found in Thailand away from the big malls of Bangkok, I could only wonder that so many of the old product packaging was kept by collectors. There also a small shop of old-style toys, though most in plastic already, as well as some treats. Also, directly at the entrance next to the counter are the <a href="http://rikker.blogspot.com/2009/03/spoils-from-national-book-fair-part-1.html">books by Anake Nawigamune (เอนก นาวิกมูล)</a>, the founder of the museum and a very productive writer on many historical topics. Sadly the books are all only in Thai, only the photos inside might be of interest for those living behind the language barrier.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCvFxRyBdWtApq-IT__92PaNwMKK4VYiiZDTduvbbM9unlihC0DuodaVQniG9BZmRxI7qNaq8XnWh0ulP0Py8qMdc-Hkw0V46udkDaf8VedRMBqeGAIz-gcwdzKp5HoPJ_akKJ217EQ/s1600-h/House+of+museums+printing+office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCvFxRyBdWtApq-IT__92PaNwMKK4VYiiZDTduvbbM9unlihC0DuodaVQniG9BZmRxI7qNaq8XnWh0ulP0Py8qMdc-Hkw0V46udkDaf8VedRMBqeGAIz-gcwdzKp5HoPJ_akKJ217EQ/s200/House+of+museums+printing+office.jpg" /></a>The first floor features a printing press, a barber shop, a photographer shop, and a kitchen, all with the historic utensils. Another room just has many mixed historic items, like a historic playing car, musical instruments, games, dolls. Even more interesting for me was the second floor, especially the <a href="http://tambon.blogspot.com/2009/07/district-office-in-house-of-museums.html">office of a district officer</a> as well as an old school room. Finally on the ground floor of the neighboring house is the workplace of a dentist, a Chinese gold shop (still looking much similar to the ubiquitous gold shops of Bangkok).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi8G5dXh1V1yehOwS0b86jNeEZ0sKDL-SuOzJn_Wepm5g2gdKHo7pdtq2NDZOfPmpi_ywViQwJfrvHtm1Asf271OoGwHiyr5ZWJWDoED3oKGg4-b00RcduEVntHhiiAyJgiy2H_bsVw/s1600-h/House+of+Museums+dentist+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOi8G5dXh1V1yehOwS0b86jNeEZ0sKDL-SuOzJn_Wepm5g2gdKHo7pdtq2NDZOfPmpi_ywViQwJfrvHtm1Asf271OoGwHiyr5ZWJWDoED3oKGg4-b00RcduEVntHhiiAyJgiy2H_bsVw/s200/House+of+Museums+dentist+chair.jpg" /></a>Though we spend more than an hour in there, we had to hurry through the last rooms since we had another appointment later the day. But as this museum is located close to the home of my brother-in-law, it won't be my last visit there for sure.<br />
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The museum is run by a private club and is therefore only open in the weekends when the members don't need to work. It is quite easy to find when driving yourself, from the city center on the highway to Nakhon Pathom (but don't use the elevated one which has only few exits), then right after the intersection with the ring highway change to Phutthamonthon Sai 2 to north, turn left at the end and shortly after at the sign left again.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com1Unknown location13.797061657604807 100.3916852474594613.796410657604808 100.39077324745946 13.797712657604807 100.39259724745946tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-79316805781845881832009-10-04T20:18:00.062+02:002009-10-04T20:18:00.810+02:00Baan Rabiang Dao resort near Khao Yai<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmOj72K5Mwq4PDefdpYcCAUZFmA5cxX-nUw3uIqDV8I8lQP9FUxMsewHh6ZxLNVifHcSDSSioNC4YY_IlSL9Fj49sh6h_zHTkErQa8pcT3bJwxaM4h8SWtbqjJZKy68FuHVRGgRNXYA/s1600-h/Boat+resort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmOj72K5Mwq4PDefdpYcCAUZFmA5cxX-nUw3uIqDV8I8lQP9FUxMsewHh6ZxLNVifHcSDSSioNC4YY_IlSL9Fj49sh6h_zHTkErQa8pcT3bJwxaM4h8SWtbqjJZKy68FuHVRGgRNXYA/s200/Boat+resort.jpg" /></a>Normally I don't write about resorts or hotels here, as for me these are mostly the places to spend the night and I prefer to explore the attractions around. So we don't go to the expensive resorts and choose a plain hotel room instead. But since it was a nice and special place we stayed together with the Thai family two years ago I'll give it a try to deviate from the normal contents here this time. Just to make it clear - I wasn't paid for this posting, nor am affiliated in any way with the resort.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNQEMHdpw1ldZpis3GTLxeUzMBGqclSDtaXeQUZYsXN7ltilDwRb9yBFpbaY3C9gt5qOmaQ2ERBIghQ67mO0_I8qPLuUXxZMkRz68TJlNrIBt-5UMk0MzByr_LAN2OpMD0B3sTu36WQ/s1600-h/Boat+resort+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNQEMHdpw1ldZpis3GTLxeUzMBGqclSDtaXeQUZYsXN7ltilDwRb9yBFpbaY3C9gt5qOmaQ2ERBIghQ67mO0_I8qPLuUXxZMkRz68TJlNrIBt-5UMk0MzByr_LAN2OpMD0B3sTu36WQ/s200/Boat+resort+pool.jpg" /></a>The resort is named <a href="http://www.rabiangrua.biz/RD_mainpage.php">Baan Rabiang Dao</a>, yet the part we stayed was named Ban Ruea Resort (บ้านเรือรีสอร์ท), literally house boat resort. The name and the photos already explain the theme of the resort - the rooms are inside traditional styled houseboats. As we were traveling with all family we filled a large boat completely - actually we were even more than the 6 persons normally planned for a single home. As it is a relatively expensive resort we only stayed one night, but it was definitely a pleasant stay. Especially the children liked the pool a lot, and luckily we could borrow swimming suits from the resort as not all of us did bring our own.<br />
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The resort is located near Khao Yai national park, and it was very quiet around it. Only when I now searched to pinpoint the location exactly I learned that very close to the resort is the <a href="http://www.granmonte.com/">Gran Monte winery</a> - we visited a winery next day, but that was the Vin de Ray in neighboring Saraburi.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com2Phyayen, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand14.55945165253045 101.2768220901489314.55685565253045 101.27317409014893 14.562047652530451 101.28047009014892tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-27215455644499335392009-09-27T18:21:00.001+02:002009-09-27T18:21:00.245+02:00District museum Thonburi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrcW-I_n_uIBkwXQ9IIv1kR6NRNZinuJHIOBRTjh35CdedS9dyXzrPptaHpjSmrN-KzMH1GPvv3JZup9WR46z5SDQYgPcFjKnz0CATDCEAKNaNSzs9KlY5xASq2wmjgt1sTJBE45jMA/s1600-h/Thonburi+district+museum+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrcW-I_n_uIBkwXQ9IIv1kR6NRNZinuJHIOBRTjh35CdedS9dyXzrPptaHpjSmrN-KzMH1GPvv3JZup9WR46z5SDQYgPcFjKnz0CATDCEAKNaNSzs9KlY5xASq2wmjgt1sTJBE45jMA/s200/Thonburi+district+museum+2.jpg" /></a>One of the local district museums I should mention here is the one of Thonburi. It is relatively easy to reach, has several nice exhibits, but most of all the caretaker was that much concerned about me getting most of the museum it was nearly annoying already. As she did not speak much English, she instead read the text on the plates next to the exhibits.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUo-XkhrmB7YtU5ErZndQwbHrfNfh2AAyhVxrsumPX0ySfhFcaLjfGHx_liF5FBuVnkJfHL3xvhSKDZV6bPUkb-yhKTP6EIyxHYd6BxRXsV8WudIQ8040plGKR0nQP_rW6ojVIB-niQ/s1600-h/Chedi+Wat+Prayoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUo-XkhrmB7YtU5ErZndQwbHrfNfh2AAyhVxrsumPX0ySfhFcaLjfGHx_liF5FBuVnkJfHL3xvhSKDZV6bPUkb-yhKTP6EIyxHYd6BxRXsV8WudIQ8040plGKR0nQP_rW6ojVIB-niQ/s200/Chedi+Wat+Prayoon.jpg" /></a>The museum is located in the 3rd floor of the temple school of Wat Prayurawongsawat, most famous for the replica mountain known as "<a href="http://www.watprayoon.org/index.php?topgroupid=1&subgroupid=359&groupid=9.">turtle mountain</a>". It is located right across the river at Memorial Bridge. The temple itself is also worth a visit, but one wouldn't find this museum at all strolling around on the temple grounds. It has a sign on the street outside the temple complex, but not a single hint inside to guide to the school. In the brochure of the temple it has a photo of a sign in front of the school, but I did not notice that one in there. So once I found the school building I asked at the kiosk in front and it quickly had someone guide me upstairs to the rooms occupied by the museum. Felt quite odd to pass the school rooms full with pupils to reach a museum.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQsSzvaRAVycYkaCPvF5xkV-KuwpSKUGfkxHtVoXqc7QMUsmuwZcs4rUIHaeJk31GIQBjTH63W2TAN4wy8JNKa47PXXlu2bxt_fNfb_1znOlJswyVmiwoiXPH4B1xDIKg_Re1REv1Pw/s1600-h/Thonburi+district+museum+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQsSzvaRAVycYkaCPvF5xkV-KuwpSKUGfkxHtVoXqc7QMUsmuwZcs4rUIHaeJk31GIQBjTH63W2TAN4wy8JNKa47PXXlu2bxt_fNfb_1znOlJswyVmiwoiXPH4B1xDIKg_Re1REv1Pw/s200/Thonburi+district+museum+1.jpg" /></a>The museum itself consists of two rooms, and since it was a very hot day and I was on a walking tour visiting several of these museums the fact one of it was acclimatized was quite comfortable. Since the district shares its name with the historical capital - though the actual palace back then is in <a href="http://myunseenthailand.blogspot.com/2009/05/district-museum-bangkok-yai.html">Bangkok Yai</a> now - and the former province covering the area west of the Chao Phraya river, these histories are prominently displayed on the posters. It was one of these posters where I learned that the <a href="http://tambon.blogspot.com/2009/07/province-hall-of-thonburi.html">former province hall of Thonburi</a> is located just around the corner of the temple.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyMWEFwLw-ml3OjePGXw2vJAYYUdnJhWf28MrqGAauJ0Ib4EXqsMyKwW5rx3vQ01WscN4WTdi5Pm-fuLnuOPO39rUm4PkKgygEdrFGK_TmD06iUXzRK44KdhKBMAN0dsudHBIyt9NfQ/s1600-h/Thonburi+district+museum+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyMWEFwLw-ml3OjePGXw2vJAYYUdnJhWf28MrqGAauJ0Ib4EXqsMyKwW5rx3vQ01WscN4WTdi5Pm-fuLnuOPO39rUm4PkKgygEdrFGK_TmD06iUXzRK44KdhKBMAN0dsudHBIyt9NfQ/s200/Thonburi+district+museum+3.jpg" /></a>Of course the local artisans are featured as well, music instruments from (if I recall correctly) Lao settlers including audio recordings to listen, or the Khon mask shown to the left. Also, photos and descriptions of the main religious sites in the district are shown - apart from the Buddhist temples Wat Kanlayanamit and Wat Prayurawongsawat the <a href="http://myunseenthailand.blogspot.com/2009/05/santa-cruz-church-bangkok.html">Santa Cruz church</a> and the only Mosque built like a Thai temple building are the most prominent ones. These alone already gave me enough ideas of places to visit next time I am out for a walking tour in Thonburi.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com0Wat Kanlaya, Thon Buri, Bangkok 10600, Thailand13.735871683311711 100.4959105253601613.735220183311711 100.49499852536016 13.736523183311711 100.49682252536016tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-30219554092620468052009-09-20T19:54:00.001+02:002009-09-20T19:54:00.677+02:00Prasat Phanom Wan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KjGEAeNlSYxSZBoD3HIMVd6SDNklub6PNeFpN3idGWT7zCbNLYTOLoEEWpm-9JJ6-3ytGnr9eFdmOBf_0tiJHVTEjOkVGh5vj7SrzsMgU23_GMDhDLWZasy6da00C9Pft_xizQjgfw/s1600-h/067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KjGEAeNlSYxSZBoD3HIMVd6SDNklub6PNeFpN3idGWT7zCbNLYTOLoEEWpm-9JJ6-3ytGnr9eFdmOBf_0tiJHVTEjOkVGh5vj7SrzsMgU23_GMDhDLWZasy6da00C9Pft_xizQjgfw/s200/067.jpg" /></a>Prasat Phanom Wan (ปราสาทหินพนมวัน) is a Khmer temple ruin located between the more famous and big one in Phimai and the city Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat). It consists of a about 50x50 m big area enclosed by a stone wall, with a single shrine in the middle.<br />
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I went there on the return way from Phimai, so this much smaller and less reconstructed site failed to impress me that much after seeing Phimai, but the fact that I was the only one exploring there and the more ruined state also has a lot charm. Since I did a lot of photos in Phimai already, I only did very few there, and only one turned out good enough to show here. But on <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Prasat_Hin_Phanom">Wikimedia Commons</a> it has several more from other visitors.<br />
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I only came to go there because I bought a <a href="http://www.librarything.com/work/899937/book/27131291">book on Khmer sites in Thailand</a> in preparation for the visit to Phimai, and noticed that there a second place which nearly on the way. According to that book, this temple was built between the late 9th and late 11th century, and was used for Shiva worship, and at other times Vishnu worship and finally Buddhism was practiced there. It was rediscovered by the French explorer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Mouhot">Henri Mouhot</a> in 1861.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com0Ban Pho, Muang Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Ratchasima 30310, Thailand15.025069515939338 102.1935904026031515.024422015939338 102.19267840260315 15.025717015939337 102.19450240260315tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-42729218527004156612009-09-13T18:48:00.001+02:002009-09-13T18:48:00.899+02:00City pillar shrine of Suphanburi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fxFo5sKsoXJQakcqbpE51eGy-wyuTr-QNoJg2tFw-_4-5NpKFpAfZWVvY9EAcbSeugMYo_vYrZg173VIsgAc1LW-kqQH3T1-Ey3FpWZYQ4w9HW-qUC0Jj1KVqlx50HKAc9XRPX9MAg/s1600-h/Lak+Mueang+Suphanburi+front.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fxFo5sKsoXJQakcqbpE51eGy-wyuTr-QNoJg2tFw-_4-5NpKFpAfZWVvY9EAcbSeugMYo_vYrZg173VIsgAc1LW-kqQH3T1-Ey3FpWZYQ4w9HW-qUC0Jj1KVqlx50HKAc9XRPX9MAg/s200/Lak+Mueang+Suphanburi+front.png" /></a>As I am fascinated by the city pillar shrines, which it has in almost every provincial city and also some others, after I saw the photos of the <a href="http://blog.tourismthailand.org/EugeneTang/?p=1290">shrine in Suphanburi</a> in the tourismthailand blog this particular site not too far from Bangkok was quite high on my list of places I need to visit. The <a href="http://blog.tourismthailand.org/EugeneTang/?p=1186/">dragon museum</a> showing an exhibition on the history of the Chinese, located right next to the shrine, made the place even more interesting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhK1LVN3ArB17E7pw3Ua32EdNyRESm8-3epNgTb1akrFq9nSJ12ZNCpCKcbVdioQr49luqeNiDY2C0NN4wF-iDF24uvOrkhQ949ZPpT5bwAnji3vWxp7MdQJdJTdMn4cloaaBRrs8vTg/s1600-h/Lak+Mueang+and+Dragon+museum.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhK1LVN3ArB17E7pw3Ua32EdNyRESm8-3epNgTb1akrFq9nSJ12ZNCpCKcbVdioQr49luqeNiDY2C0NN4wF-iDF24uvOrkhQ949ZPpT5bwAnji3vWxp7MdQJdJTdMn4cloaaBRrs8vTg/s200/Lak+Mueang+and+Dragon+museum.png" /></a>However already when we were underway in Suphanburi I could get a brochure from the museum, and once seeing the entrance fees the interest shrinked a lot. No one of my Thai family was considering it worth the 300 Baht, and as a foreigner I would even have to pay 500 Baht - the infamous Thai double pricing. As a little reality check - the Louvre in Paris is <a href="http://www.louvre.fr/llv/pratique/tarifs.jsp?bmLocale=en">9 Euro for a normal day ticket</a>, or as of today close to 450 Baht. And I doubt it has anything spectacular like the Mona Lisa in the dragon. So I only took a few views from the outside and will delay the inside until the pricing gets more reasonable. Yet if you're interested in a report on what to expect inside, <a href="http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php/2008/12/24/museum-of-the-descendents-of-the-dragon?blog=5">Richard Barrow was there already</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0UBNA6Fe2n1NsBkzLz9dhsKWoAl4AFJj3evf6g-6My6j8zXux_84mXgEAbqHGM74m7Mq3pkN9q4fx__yL2tf-BEvdCpUVWF6niUY3RDtvfwxcxo4qXhC7H0tk36PvXiWlA3PoWNygw/s1600-h/Lak+Mueang+pillars.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0UBNA6Fe2n1NsBkzLz9dhsKWoAl4AFJj3evf6g-6My6j8zXux_84mXgEAbqHGM74m7Mq3pkN9q4fx__yL2tf-BEvdCpUVWF6niUY3RDtvfwxcxo4qXhC7H0tk36PvXiWlA3PoWNygw/s200/Lak+Mueang+pillars.png" /></a>But even skipping this museum the site definitely was worth the visit, as the city pillar shrine is probably the most lavishly decorated one of all Thailand. But this is also due to the fact that it is one of the few city pillar shrines built like a Chinese temple, which are known for their colorful decorations. The central part are of course the pillars, two gold-covered statuettes. In front of the shrine many people pray, light the incense candles, just like in the Buddhist temples.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL7GMT-52vE5DvWYgSSk81caAvwKeG_kRs7plBDmHHtKeEzRMDbXyDi1ETDumo7upcXSE-QByufNVvo8AjRV6J9XACO_134mBH_8bZfiX6zkQsXfUYBau2GNPHk4uQE5DtlTIt2NlAw/s1600-h/Lak+Mueang+back+side.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL7GMT-52vE5DvWYgSSk81caAvwKeG_kRs7plBDmHHtKeEzRMDbXyDi1ETDumo7upcXSE-QByufNVvo8AjRV6J9XACO_134mBH_8bZfiX6zkQsXfUYBau2GNPHk4uQE5DtlTIt2NlAw/s200/Lak+Mueang+back+side.png" /></a>But not just the place in front of the shrine and the inside of the building is worth looking at, even on the backside it has paintings. There are also some additional buildings in the behind - the furnace for burning larger gifts to the ancestors is a standard found in every Chinese temple. It further has a large meeting hall, and still partially under construction at my visit a huge tower, <br />
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Since I have taken more photo than would fit into this posting, I have created an <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/sets/72157622167153843/">album in Flickr</a> to show the whole set.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com2Rua Yai, Muang Saphan Buri, Suphan Buri 72000, Thailand14.478511950632432 100.1108872890472414.477213450632432 100.10906328904724 14.479810450632433 100.11271128904724tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-54018161100298036722009-09-06T19:09:00.064+02:002009-09-06T19:09:00.790+02:00Wat Khao Suwan Pradit, Don Sak<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVGl6Fk9iW-xjR-p9MsHl36MGyepjoJx6x2uiJnaDpmpO12HbP6Re8Q7eLKcRvznQkgI5RFltuigZZTc5N0frwRWH25H41KPHm68AEycasq-WN5WgseKBsgubJxaaYa1KLfzg8sjA5Q/s1600-h/Don_Sak_Wat_Khao_Suwan_Pradit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVGl6Fk9iW-xjR-p9MsHl36MGyepjoJx6x2uiJnaDpmpO12HbP6Re8Q7eLKcRvznQkgI5RFltuigZZTc5N0frwRWH25H41KPHm68AEycasq-WN5WgseKBsgubJxaaYa1KLfzg8sjA5Q/s200/Don_Sak_Wat_Khao_Suwan_Pradit.jpg" /></a>Most tourists only know <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphoe_Don_Sak">Don Sak</a>, the easternmost district of Surat Thani province, only because the main ferry from the mainland to Ko Samui leaves near this small town. Though it is not that spectacular, a stop-over in the town is a worth it, not just the sea food restaurant directly at the mouth of the small river into the sea. On the hill overlooking the town is the temple Khao Suwan Pradit (วัดเขาสุวรรณประดิษฐ์) - literally the "hill of artifical gold".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaX6orzHYeqMfEoqZuX9agvpZ4FXjGHaPWgztO8zvW1Fj1KBPHrpTyUpleMJLLETkvh-bTO67wYsmKojaPnd6ePNhZw8EG2QXCTpaaHmCp-dTROZNa4JBwYC3Pc-LZh5zmdkU4Cc5rtA/s1600-h/Dsc00007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaX6orzHYeqMfEoqZuX9agvpZ4FXjGHaPWgztO8zvW1Fj1KBPHrpTyUpleMJLLETkvh-bTO67wYsmKojaPnd6ePNhZw8EG2QXCTpaaHmCp-dTROZNa4JBwYC3Pc-LZh5zmdkU4Cc5rtA/s200/Dsc00007.jpg" /></a>The buildings at the entrance, the area usually used for parking the park, are not much spectacular, the only interesting was a smaller shrine with the mummy of a monk inside. I guess this is Luang Pho Choi (หลวงปู่จ้อย), who founded the temple in 1982. To me it seemed quite strange to have him laid out in that glass shrine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2HJsNtYr9ZTKbTl9t4iVZ3AHEX124PGpeWOH4BgyfcVdEQGgMFIeghMKH8hyphenhyphenVwwagyYD1X5AWhiG-OsJPtG3Zd8I1AFhVZyqN4N6XA5ZCi3yBaAigXqQwaAjCdcQueyEN_CAPbxhNQ/s1600-h/Dsc00008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2HJsNtYr9ZTKbTl9t4iVZ3AHEX124PGpeWOH4BgyfcVdEQGgMFIeghMKH8hyphenhyphenVwwagyYD1X5AWhiG-OsJPtG3Zd8I1AFhVZyqN4N6XA5ZCi3yBaAigXqQwaAjCdcQueyEN_CAPbxhNQ/s200/Dsc00008.jpg" /></a>But the much more interesting place is reached after walking up the long stairs. These lead to the hilltop pagoda, a beautiful white chedi surrounded by a building. This chedi enshrines a Buddha relic, originally from Chiang Mai. But for me as a non-Buddhist, apart from the beautiful building the view from the hill to the sea was much more breathtaking. One can see the Ang Thong archipelago and Ko Samui easily, as well as look down to the town center.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5-H3hoE-UCD0g5Wqqlxoj5OSc4EZxPWdKQSq7jlj2zvei-3-hkeS7OrUxH8qvMQf3quW75hwFe0pBL-XXZtsWLVEJQjAGCnt0R4fHzS-db7IB3o2ypXVw1sPwCPZd0xDDh90KsDzpQ/s1600-h/Street+sign+Don+Sak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5-H3hoE-UCD0g5Wqqlxoj5OSc4EZxPWdKQSq7jlj2zvei-3-hkeS7OrUxH8qvMQf3quW75hwFe0pBL-XXZtsWLVEJQjAGCnt0R4fHzS-db7IB3o2ypXVw1sPwCPZd0xDDh90KsDzpQ/s200/Street+sign+Don+Sak.jpg" /></a>As this temple and especially the chedi is the most important landmark of Don Sak, it is no wonder the municipality Don Sak (<a href="http://www.donsakcity.go.th/">เทศบาลตำบลดอนสัก</a>) uses it in their <a href="http://www.donsakcity.go.th/logo.php">official emblem</a>. Quite nicely to see in the top of the street signs, like the one of the road from the town center to the temple.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com1Don Sak, Surat Thani, Thailand9.3212770283065076 99.6836328506469739.3159835283065071 99.676337350646975 9.3265705283065081 99.690928350646971tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-14134384169453409522009-08-23T19:09:00.001+02:002009-08-23T19:09:00.226+02:00Morakot cave, Trang<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2iPlpvHoorSGz05jAIh1V5HijWtA2ctevTyGgr90Km-wxkRBrbz42c6ssXLl6r4dKCD9Bjo-nbXQXD64zMr6dC1Jn2NFgfkuj6ZxDQo3evjMjlE5pDjwxH8lyP6c_ggZYPdv9Uggug/s1600-h/032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2iPlpvHoorSGz05jAIh1V5HijWtA2ctevTyGgr90Km-wxkRBrbz42c6ssXLl6r4dKCD9Bjo-nbXQXD64zMr6dC1Jn2NFgfkuj6ZxDQo3evjMjlE5pDjwxH8lyP6c_ggZYPdv9Uggug/s200/032.jpg" /></a></div>One of the most impressive trips to Thailand was my second time there back in 2001, which was the first time in Southern Thailand. We went by train from Bangkok till Trang, and the only thing which really impressed me about this provincial town at that time was the delicious cake, a special kind of local soft biscuit. While that cake is still a "must" every time I come to the south, even more impressive was the coast of Trang province.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9uOizO2-PT9SqsBtXwUsuVxgZpNsLzfb8vPwWZ4Ykyq-fXxbaNr3yRdrsf_2YRYWqtGQdJWzBNW_2uB0Cx5M5BR7bBwjOX3Z_lpdw3Zx61H80h7MqxquSkdtfYOD3r8K8MVZYHJv4g/s1600-h/039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9uOizO2-PT9SqsBtXwUsuVxgZpNsLzfb8vPwWZ4Ykyq-fXxbaNr3yRdrsf_2YRYWqtGQdJWzBNW_2uB0Cx5M5BR7bBwjOX3Z_lpdw3Zx61H80h7MqxquSkdtfYOD3r8K8MVZYHJv4g/s200/039.jpg" /></a>We did a day trip from the town Trang to the coast, and there entered a small boat for a snorkeling tour. Maybe as it fitting with the tides, the first stop was at Ko Muk (เกาะมุก), where we swam into a cave hardly visible from the outside. The cave, named Morakot cave (ถ้ำมรกต), is partially so narrow we nearly had to dive to avoid hitting our heads on the stone. Clearly nothing for someone scared in dark narrow places. When the cave opens again, one is at a lagoon inside the island surrounded by high cliffs, with a nice sandy beach.Too bad that cheap underwater camera we bought made only very low-quality photos, so all I can show here are the views from the boat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAzNX3QCifM-D03D8amp6G_SXJTZj2Iq0gyUIqOj12_fwrSzKxcOLzX1Bd5gI0OmVx7yT4flepp52hLatu4V6TrB8Fd29GpcTdbfAPipPKrreQ-eR_7SyHHYXZ17PesL47bcECpHvmg/s1600-h/046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAzNX3QCifM-D03D8amp6G_SXJTZj2Iq0gyUIqOj12_fwrSzKxcOLzX1Bd5gI0OmVx7yT4flepp52hLatu4V6TrB8Fd29GpcTdbfAPipPKrreQ-eR_7SyHHYXZ17PesL47bcECpHvmg/s200/046.jpg" /></a>After that cave the tour continued to two other places which had some nice corals and fish, it had a simple lunch on boat, and I was kind of an attraction since I was the only foreigner among the maybe 20 Thai taking the tour with us. Thus after returning in evening I had to pose with a large Thai family in front of the boat, and I never knew why they needed me on their memory photo. Anyway, the underwater sights together with the impressive steep <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karst">karst </a>islands made it quite a memorable trip, even though the underwater sight were soon thereafter outshined by those around <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarutao_National_Marine_Park">Ko Tarutao</a>. But that will be another posting.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com1Thailand7.3685105603175787 99.28501367568977.3671805603175784 99.2831896756897 7.3698405603175789 99.2868376756897tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-47743352202494954642009-08-09T19:16:00.001+02:002009-08-09T19:16:00.588+02:00Surat Thani night market<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfl6wG68c7RfMhyBDW3Y1eD60pIwW0mrOddrKYbqc5_eYHq1ytmLIZfWIT7puDZpc4QGUkKLV7O46-iXU-xcmOUDFhpEYZqob-1Nn7dJjp2a637znqejB9_EwcA1pG0ycX9hgCOuFcQ/s1600-h/Wat+Sai,+Surat+Thani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfl6wG68c7RfMhyBDW3Y1eD60pIwW0mrOddrKYbqc5_eYHq1ytmLIZfWIT7puDZpc4QGUkKLV7O46-iXU-xcmOUDFhpEYZqob-1Nn7dJjp2a637znqejB9_EwcA1pG0ycX9hgCOuFcQ/s200/Wat+Sai,+Surat+Thani.jpg" /></a>When I checked through my photos from last year I noticed the one to he right as a quite good one I simply needed to share. It shows the temple Wat Sai (วัดไทร) located in the center of the town Surat Thani. But - actually apart from this view the temple isn't anything special, the large open place is often used as a parking lot, and I haven't been able to check the inside of the bot if it has any special murals or Buddha statues.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn6zKyShj5JQtqOqRYVqgQyRPdon_VornrG_H4M98TgkxZbRnvdKuEdy2wzTiYP4SFBx0RcM0ZFSZgxcnPcA6dE5Q-zCSH_THOG5_ZqxPnltGtooKyUsnQnuNl71gpaJwlv6SloX3Nw/s1600-h/Surat+Thani+nightmarket+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEn6zKyShj5JQtqOqRYVqgQyRPdon_VornrG_H4M98TgkxZbRnvdKuEdy2wzTiYP4SFBx0RcM0ZFSZgxcnPcA6dE5Q-zCSH_THOG5_ZqxPnltGtooKyUsnQnuNl71gpaJwlv6SloX3Nw/s200/Surat+Thani+nightmarket+1.jpg" /></a>So in order to be able to show this photo, I instead write on the night market of Surat Thani, which is held every evening in the small side street in front of the temple. Like all markets it is always busy, and since it has predominately food stalls offering meals as well as diverse snacks every time I am in the town we go there at least once, usually having <a href="http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php/2008/11/28/how-to-cook-pad-thai?blog=5">Pad Thai</a> at the corner to Na Mueang road. Also the book store from where I shot the night view belongs to a distant relative, so we always have to pass there as well to say hello.<br />
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It is of course only a small night market, just 200 meter long, nothing compared with the huge one in Chiang Mai, but on the other hand it is much more authentic as there are hardly any foreigners to be seen there.<br />
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For some additional photos, take a look at <a href="http://samui-weather.blogspot.com/2009/01/surat-thani-night-market.html">Camille's review of this market</a> on his <a href="http://samui-weather.blogspot.com/">Samui info and weather blog</a>.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com0Talat, Muang Surat Thani, Surat Thani, Thailand9.145666127778826 99.3262821435928349.1450041277788259 99.325370143592835 9.1463281277788262 99.327194143592834tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-47475681229774302662009-08-02T19:41:00.000+02:002009-08-02T19:41:00.459+02:00Wat Boromratcha Kanchanaphisek<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/3717271063/" title="Stairway"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/3717271063_afa9d05e68_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Stairway" align="right"/></a>Wat Boromratcha Kanchanaphik (วัดบรมราชากาญจนาภิเษกอนุสรณ์) is a newly built Chinese temple in Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi, northwest of Bangkok. It is also commonly named Wat Mangkhon 2 (วัดมังกร 2), as it is related to the Wat Mangkhon (Dragon temple) in Chinatown.<br />
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It is a huge temple complex, which merges together elements from Chinese, Buddhist and also Hindu temples. It is the most lavishly decorated temple I've visited in Thailand. When entering the temple, one first sees the Chinese parts - lions next to the stairway, several statues which look like monks but unlike the normal ones seen in Buddhist temples. Next come the pavilions with several statues of Chinese gods, and all the wall and even the roof painted with many religious symbols.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/3717377503/" title="Buddhas and Monks"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/3717377503_b560e7dd07_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Buddhas and Monks" align="left"/></a>The next building is the main hall, in which it has the three Buddha statues, and when we went there also had monks chanting their sermons.And of course all the things it has in every other Buddhist temple, people lighting incense stick or donating flowers, rubbing gold leaves and placing coins on stone balls spread around this main hall.<br />
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In the behind it has a two-stored building, with a small part of it closed since it is used by the monks themselves, probably as their living quarters. But the two main rooms offer even more interesting views. On the ground floor it has some small Buddha statues in middle, but the real attraction is the wall, which is completely covered with thousands of small Buddha statues. In the second floor it has the already mentioned Hindu parts, a multi-handed statue - but I don't know which of the many Hindu gods it shows.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/3718459824/" title="Buddha wall"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3476/3718459824_dfaa2e37a7_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="Buddha wall" align="right"/></a>Altogether I strolled around there for one hour, and took lots of photos of the many details within the temple - even simple things like the balconies of the walkways have ornaments, and without repeating each is different from the next. Or small figures on the roofs, simply heaven for a photographer, only sometimes needed more zoom to catch the best views. I have uploaded <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21057552@N00/sets/72157621404059702/">an album of my photos to flickr</a> because there are simply too many to show them all in this posting.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com2Sanoe Loi, Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, Thailand13.913053931791518 100.4215650558853713.912402931791519 100.42065305588537 13.913704931791518 100.42247705588537tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66648653985842440.post-50820033185879204332009-07-26T19:39:00.001+02:002009-07-26T19:39:01.005+02:00Phra Nakhon district museum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzbUwMQ0mSEUEFurKbIYfiTe3ZHD9XMtR3K1kKTTTSSEeIWQSg7xHhOPqq9tSeFVzwyXORD4k8s1_ShLZPCEE6rvAbPMn1hkyppL_ejlQ7kuFEIir5pFcvSFi7-5H51Ab7dhYf2GUOQ/s1600-h/District+museum+Phra+Nakhon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzbUwMQ0mSEUEFurKbIYfiTe3ZHD9XMtR3K1kKTTTSSEeIWQSg7xHhOPqq9tSeFVzwyXORD4k8s1_ShLZPCEE6rvAbPMn1hkyppL_ejlQ7kuFEIir5pFcvSFi7-5H51Ab7dhYf2GUOQ/s200/District+museum+Phra+Nakhon.jpg" /></a>The most beautifully located district museum (พิพิธภัณฑ์ท้องถิ่น) is the one of Phra Nakhon district, the central district of Bangkok. Prior to its merger with Thonburi, the Bangkok province was named Phra Nakhon after this central district. The museum is located directly next to the district office on Samsen road. It is therefore close to the popular tourist area of Khao San road.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9M14dIWinr6Q_XT9KVxwUvXWYnwL-jWnCx6aE1N2MYeN8NSFzzxh5l9-h4V9otQQI9u_8jrgjzodeomAHDs1uPSD_J2UwyVyvJqGe17T0qsKOFdeQHR7Ce-9f-BDLZtvhvAsk0Mb3Q/s1600-h/District+museum+Phra+Nakhon+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9M14dIWinr6Q_XT9KVxwUvXWYnwL-jWnCx6aE1N2MYeN8NSFzzxh5l9-h4V9otQQI9u_8jrgjzodeomAHDs1uPSD_J2UwyVyvJqGe17T0qsKOFdeQHR7Ce-9f-BDLZtvhvAsk0Mb3Q/s200/District+museum+Phra+Nakhon+inside.jpg" /></a>The museum is in a wooden house in traditional Thai style, the former residence of Phraya Borirak Ratcha (พระยาบริรักษ์ราชา), who was a palace guard for King Rama V till Rama VII. In one room in the second floor it has some portrait paintings of the former home-owner.<br />
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The other rooms show various exhibits connected with the local history, the traditions of the citizen like local products, like the baskets and other wickerwork as shown in the photo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXFJtYtzFR17piZsPFAvF9TnJcx-ppvmvghsgnSxm-dHXbkDBq_wXFcREURUM4HlWE93LoYYL8EBHSqe0m3I_7jPPvOt-eFQc5b9Hg3tm-svCWccgSwzFxl4dM6lmYmIvH-7HkB6nzw/s1600-h/Phra+Nakhon+district+office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXFJtYtzFR17piZsPFAvF9TnJcx-ppvmvghsgnSxm-dHXbkDBq_wXFcREURUM4HlWE93LoYYL8EBHSqe0m3I_7jPPvOt-eFQc5b9Hg3tm-svCWccgSwzFxl4dM6lmYmIvH-7HkB6nzw/s200/Phra+Nakhon+district+office.jpg" /></a>When visiting this museum, also take a look at the district office itself located at the other exit of the lot towards Samsen Soi 3. While most of the administrative offices are located within a modern office building, there's also a historic building which probably was the original district office - however in real I don't know anything about this building, it only look worth to take a photo.Andyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17710647861853833065noreply@blogger.com0Wat Sam Phraya, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand13.764093970395347 100.4990512132644713.763442470395347 100.49813921326447 13.764745470395347 100.49996321326446