South of Bangkok & beyond

Experimental Wind farms

2010-12-27T11:57:00.001-08:00

The first blog posted here was on the stretch of salt farms between Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhran provinces. This is a view from the restaurant I frequented when passing through.

In recent times, there are several wind turbines installed here. Quite a contrast seeing the new alongside the old. Renewable energy always catch my attention.

Another cluster of smaller turbines in the vicinity.

Unfortunately, I hardly see them spin whenever passing through! Seem they have yet to prove their usefulness over the traditional wind mills!

Hua Hin Hills Vineyard

2010-12-05T09:58:00.000-08:00

When I first came to know of vineyards in Thailand, my first reaction was "Wow, Thailand seems to have it all!" There are several vineyards in Khao Yai Valley, about 3 hrs drive north-east of Bangkok. But further south in Hua Hin area? You got to believe it, there is one around - Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, some 40KM west of Hua Hin.

Somebody marked the way there from Hua Hin on Google maps.

View Hua Hin Hills Vineyard in a larger map

Greeted by "The Sala", a restaurant perched on a hill top as one arrives.

The red potted plants add some color to the entrance, contrasting with the scenic backdrop.

I like the view of curve roof and high entrance into the restaurant.

Great view as one walks in.

Seating with open views to go with the food and wines.

Thai wine to go with Thai appetizers...

The property spreads over 560 acres!

A lovely afternoon here with a cool breeze...

Living the moments here..

Nice panoramic shots with my Sony Nex-5

Monk initiation ceremony

2010-03-18T23:57:00.001-07:00

It is customary for men in Thailand to spend a part of their life through the passage of monk hood. I've posted some of the processions seen before. This time I witnessed one as an invited guest. The son of my friend P'Piak was entering monk hood.

This is a joyous occasion.. witness the mood of the procession!

Arriving the temple mid-day for lunch - with swiftlets' condo in the backdrop.

Thai temples has their distinctive architecture - the roof in particular.

These tents roof over 100 tables i.e. more than 1000 guests!

Huge pots & big woks - food preparations for the banquet!

Of course, all my bird farming friends were there too.

P'Piak & family (less the son obviously) ...

After lunch, the procession arrived at the temple...

The new monk with hands clasped in prayer followed behind.

This lovely lass is dressed for the occasion.

Undue attention can be stressful too.

Well I won't mistaken such as wedding procession as I did before!

Giving way to ducks

2010-03-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

Ducks are seen occasionally feeding along irrigation canals in rural areas. Normally they do not wander off to obstruct roads. This time I stopped to watch how farmers herd them up a truck.

They were driven off their feeding area..

... onto the roadside,

...then in to make shift holding pans leading up a gangway to be truck away - last journey perhaps!

It was time approaching Chinese New Year, I visited my friend whose family business is supplying braised ducks to restaurants. Guess this is how they ended up.

Demand peaks this time of the year, cooking round the clock for 2 days with a production line operation - overs 4,000!

So this is another glimpse into life in rural province.

Lessons of "self-sufficiency economy" - Part 1

2010-03-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

During the last world economic recession, the export oriented economic sector was much affected. His Majesty the King has since advocate the country to follow a more resilient economic model of 'self-sufficiency'.

This message come to light again while I was on way to Keang Krachang National Park recently, came across this "Sufficiency Economy Learning Center". I soon discovered this is also a rehabilitation & reform center of drug offenders.

Open to public, this showcases various activity that can be promoted in rural communities.

Took me a while to realize this key shaped 'welcome' sign signifies the unlocking of knowledge within - how meaningful!

The entrance area has a number of mud huts, this is a barber shop service provided by inmates.

The other side is a coffee shop manned by inmates too.

Wall photos of the King & Queen in their younger active days.

Flower-shaped mud cup holders to place your coffee.

This is a meeting room

Another building in progress. Our guide - a reformed drug peddler still have six months remaining to serve before discharge.

Central to this theme is the use mud bricks, made of mud & grain husk mixture. Most impressive is their creative & artistic expressions.

Animal husbandry are pigs that generate cash income and its feces are fed to sealed tank to produce methane gas for cooking in the kitchen.

Mother pigs & piglets - she is huge!

Goats that provides milk too.

This tunnel like bamboo structure supports various creeping vegetables. One that I would duplicated in my farm.

There are numerous economic models here. I was more into a learning mood than taking photos. This place warrants a second visit and I shall feature them in future.

Finally this is the inmates quarters - another mud hut of course!

Beds for 20 here - far end is an open toilet shared by all.

This is truly an eye opener. What an excellent approach to combine drug offenders reform with 'self sufficiency economy'!

Wild elephants watching - Kuiburi National Park

2010-01-12T01:03:00.001-08:00

On the way back towards Hua Hin after visiting Dan Sing Khong, I took a detour into KuiBuri National Park.

It was about 3pm in the afternoon. Lucky us, we met the ranger at the Park HQ who was about to lead a small convoy to watch wild elephants.

Our guide, Khun Somchai

This was an exciting time for me, may be with some anxiety. Seen many tame elephants at theme parks and Bangkok streets. Encounter with an wild elephant? My first experience!

He led us to another part of the park about 20km away.
The check point en route to the observation area.

We learned there are 168 elephants & more than 15 tigers in the wild here.
The waterhole is walking distance away and animals would come for a drink or a bath.

As we arrived, a group was watching a black bear perched on a tree top. Without the ranger's guidance, it would be hard to spot them!

We drove along dirt tracks with the ranger in radio contact with others elsewhere looking out for the elephants. After an hour, sometimes hap hazard about turns to rendezvous with other groups, we came back to the water hole where a male elephant was feeding.

If you are unprepared with binoculars, you may rent one from the park HQ.

A privilege few had vantage point.

Keeping a safe distance, we all watch in silence with respect to the animal.

Catching a last glimpse before departing.

I did wondered about personal safety as we wondered around in the wild. But I placed trust with the rangers escorting us. We also hear about their close encounters at times. The huts at the observation center were manned by rangers. They are armed in event of animal attacks during the night which did occurred in the past.

Wild Orchids of Myanmar

2010-01-11T23:04:00.000-08:00

If you love orchids, then one place to visit when in Thailand is Dan Sing Khong, a Thai border town along the Myanmar border (perhaps an hour & half drive south from Hua Hin).

The town is unmarked on Google Maps but I have located for your reference. The turn-off (sign posted) from the Asian Highway 2 (Phetkasaem Road) is roughly midway between the towns of Huai Sai & Huai Yang. The road leading in is good and well traveled by weekenders seeking wild orchids!

View Larger Map

I came for 2 reasons, one is to sample the orchids; the other is to check what kind of wood products available.

Well I am not disappointed with the first, but fall short of the second objective. There are good selections of wood pieces for orchids cultivation. However, the wood furniture on displays are rather bulky and lacks fine craftsmanship.

Rows after rows of make shit stalls flourish into a fair size market place.

You can differentiate their Burmese origin as most women folks wear a white power on their faces for skin protection.

It was a leisure pace all round. Wake her up if you want to know how much to pay!

Yes, I'll surely be back again when it is time to start my orchid collection.

I've also found a link that gives more background info about Burmese wild orchids and this town.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/281327

Captivating Vandas of Suang Phueng

2009-10-14T22:50:00.000-07:00

Recently I brought a friend who loves orchids up to Suang Phueng. He is impressed with the varieties of Vandas found there. This is my second visit and can't help captivated by its colors & beauty too.

Caught up with Khun Lek again and learned quite a bit on the upkeep of these beautiful flowers.

If you love orchids, this place will surely interest you.

Heard of a place call Suan Phueng?

2009-08-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

Ratchaburi springs another surprise to me recently. I came to know of a large orchid farm, claimed to be the largest in Thailand in a place called Suan Phueng, part of Ratchaburi Province to the west bordering Myanmar. So I took a drive there to check it out.

After the visit, I realized this area was featured in BangkokPost travel article early this year. It is accessible only in recent years.

It wasn't difficult to find Suang Phueng Orchid Farm.

I wasn't disappointed upon arrival, these orchids at the entrance are simply gorgeous!

It occupies 6 rai (1 rai = 40 x 40 m) of land and was delightful to walk around with its cool climate here.

Khun Lek, the owner, told me his story of giving up his career in Bangkok and took over the family biz. He established the farm here 6 six years ago with his brother. I also learn from him this place has the elevation similar to Chiang Mai. During the cooler months, night temperatures can drop to 7 to 8 deg C.

I noticed numerous new resorts are opening up here. This one I favor is Mediterranean styled.

I would definitely come back this way again.

Harvest time at a shrimp farm

2009-08-24T04:42:00.001-07:00

One evening I had a call from P'Jiap, "I am harvesting shrimps tomorrow morning, would you like to come and see how we do it?"

"Sure, of course!" As I am not a early riser, it was past 10.30 am arriving his farm. A refrigerated truck parked by a sorting shed.

Many busy hands were sorting out the shrimps harvested, picking the smaller ones into separate bins. Larger ones are about 33 to a kilo, being raised just over 5 months.

Water were drained before being weighed.

Shrimps were chilled in ice cold water. "Is it to sedate them so they won't jump while sorting?" I asked.
"It firms up their meat too." P'Jiap answered.

After weighing, ice chips are added to chill the shrimps during transport. These large ice blocks on ground are for later use.

Next we drove to the pond to watch the harvesting process. Workers were dragging a net across the pond from one end to the other.

This part of work is outsourced to a specialized contractor. The operator has more than a hundred teams, each with about a dozen workers! So one can imagine the vibrancy of harvesting biz in this region! But according to another friend, the scale of farming output here is small compared to southern Thailand!

This is the third & last round. About 90% will be harvested by now. After that water will be drained completely to harvest the remainder.

The enclosed area get smaller and tighter as the net was roped in.

Concentration of shrimps forced many to leap continually in attempt to escape, demonstrating a strong natural survival instinct.

The net kept tightening in with each step they made.

Till small enough to scoop them up by buckets.

It's time to haul them up finally.

A human chain was formed to haul in the catch into a waiting truck for transport to the sorting shed.

Later in the day, P'Jiap brought me a box full of shrimp (>10Kg must be) as he always does after a harvest. I made prawn noodles for diner.

Next day I called him to say I found the prawn shells very thin.
"Yes, the shrimps are shedding old shell around this time and that's why I choose to harvest now" he said.

Life is good here isn't it?

A monk hood initiation procession

2009-05-09T01:48:00.000-07:00

I often take the coastal route from Hat Chao Samran towards Ban Laem on the way back to Bangkok. This time I saw a row of men with colorful umbrellas lined the road. Well, some event must be going on... so I made an U-turn to check it out.

Armed with camera, the locals knew I am a passing tourist and directed me into a private compound where a ceremony was going on. The color of these fabrics caught my immediate attention as I walked in.

I was just in time to watch a procession of young ladies in traditional costumes went on stage collecting elms of flowers. Without a clue, this is part of a wedding ceremony I thought. The lady dressed in gold carried a golden pillow could be the bride. A friend pointed out later, this is an initiation ceremony for a family member entering monk hood. The lady is likely his fiancee.

More ladies came out in line towards the main road.

It became obvious why the men lined the road with waiting umbrellas..

These young ladies found their spots in front.

Young mother adjust her daughter's costume to look her best.

At the head of the procession, she is the prettiest of all - like a princess, look a bit under stressed though.

Soon the band started to play and led the procession towards a temple few hundred meters away. This must be a wealthy local family to have such an elaborate procession.

Two weeks later, I witnessed another on a much modest scale in comparison.

This time I looked out for the new monks - 3 of them actually!

Count myself lucky to pass at the right time to catch a glimpse of an event in local life.

Railway that runs through a market!

2009-01-25T00:56:00.000-08:00

I have read of a market in Samut Songkhram along a railway line, where vendors scramble each time to clear the way for a train's passage. Having passed through the town a dozen times, it never occurred to check it out until recently.

Well, it must be within the heart of the town as a market and not difficult to locate once you find the road crossings. It turn out to be a short walk from Wat Ban Laem & the street foods I often stop by for.

Market stores indeed line up their goods right to the edge of the railway line. Prefab slabs were laid over the gravel to serve as walkways. But how could a train pass through such a narrow market alley even at 1/2 normal speed? Well, the other end of the market is the railway station, so the train would slow to a halt 200m away.

Canopies are stretch over supported by poles to provide shelter from the weather elements

There wasn't a train passing during my stopover, only to witness 4 men delivering a refrigerated steel store along the tracks.

Stopping to take a break - it must be pretty heavy.

Up it went again down along the tracks.

I reckon thousands of tourists must have been here before and surely photos posted on the internet. Samples from Google search:
A vendor raised the pole to retrieve the canopy...

Train approaching...

Rail carriage over the vegies right at the edge!

Just to put up a couple of minutes for the train to pass...

Back went the canopy and life resumes as normal, amazing!

Video clips on YouTube too:

Coastal drive - Ban Laem to Hat Chao Samran

2008-10-23T02:54:00.000-07:00

I've driven the 30km stretch of coastal roads between Ban Laem & Hat Chao Samran many times over. I would always take my time without any hurry and enjoyed scenes along the way.

Much of the area are vast open brine salt farms to both sides of the road. At times they appeared pink during late afternoon. Salts are white, right? Can't explain why high concentrations of it leads to pink! My science knowledge ends here.

Lovely scenes during the evening hours

Notice the use of plastic sheet here laid above ground - clean salts collected this way. Also windmill conveyor water pumps are not in use in this area.

A new storage shed under construction - bamboos are being used... must be very salt resistant.

Along the way is a large fuel storage facility - no identity as to which company operates or owns it. Never seen any oil tankers truck around here too. Guess it is a bunker facility for shipping traffic of the Gulf area. Outside are remnants of torn banners protesting their presence, so the reason to keep its profile low perhaps.

What interests me more are these picturesque spot of inlets where fishermen land their boats.

It brings life into a small community around it. Colorful to watch and photo shots too.

Across the road is this abandoned and forgotten one.

Perhaps someday I'll check if the owners may give it away!

Wat Mahathat Worawihan, Petchaburi

2008-10-23T01:15:00.000-07:00

For a modest size provincial town, Petchaburi seem to have many ancient temples in close proximity to each other. It must be steep in history I believe. So posed P'Jiap the question why so many temples are around? He said many of these temples are centers of learning in the past.

Wat Mahathat Worawihan is the most impressive amongst all. Its 5 large pagodas can be seen from many parts of the town. Even more beautiful when seen in compliment with other temple halls.

These are so beautifully crafted - finely molded from lime or cement? (I am not sure)

Some info about the Temple's history.

Entering the imposing main temple hall..

With arts all around.. murals painted end to end!

Looking up at the Buddhas makes one feel insignificant.

Such exquiste artistry in craftmanship.. I can stand here and admired this piece alone for an hour!

These Garuda like warrior sculptures supports the base where Buddha sits.

So are these Chinese figurines.. fusion of Chinese & Thai culture?

Look out to anothere temple spire.. simply a joy to watch.

Outside the courtyard, rows of Buddhas with various expressions.

The main pagodas in close up view, finally. White provokes a sense of purity and elegance all round!

Two golden buddhas (guess 4 in all) stood guard to ward off evils?

A row of bells to summon monks to prayer calls?

A little of colors offers interesting contrasts here.

Near entrance to temple grounds are ceremonial dancers one can 'order' to accompany merits offering.

Ancient costumes and modern convenience of cellphone!

At a quiet corner, a cat found comfort in the lap of a Buddha too!

Rest my tired feet, had noodle just outside temple gate. This old hardware shop had withstood the test of times to modernize.

Looking back at a passge way entrance to temple.

Why didn't I notice this tourist map of temples in vicinity earlier?

Oops, it doesn't help much either - details only in Thai. At least I can figure out there are 11 temples around to visit!

Boat race on Petchaburi River

2008-10-06T03:51:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, as I drove to P'Jiap house I passed a farm truck with a super-long wooden boat on tow. Wow.. it's more than 20M long!

"A row boat event takes place along the Petchaburi River this Sat." he informed. Well, how could I not show up then (even not knowing what event it is)?

Participants came from many places.. Ayuthaya, ChaCheongSao, Samut Sakhon.. just few provinces heard on loudhailers.

These beautiful boats came to sight as I crossed the bridge where crowds gathered to watch the races.

Still managed to find a water front spot, not the best though.

A team passed close by heading for the starting line.

The competition in preparation across the river, crewed by almost 30!

The team in Pink took the honor this round, its rowers stretch in relief.

Relaxing moments after the finishing line.

Spectators watched from the bridge above..

But can't beat the vantage view of this elderly couple below! (Their boat looks familiar to me, of course!) Water needed to be scooped off occasionally - a little leak perhaps but posed no danger! Have they been here year after year at the same spot? I'll know next year!

These are smaller boats with race crew of 7.

There are more than a hundred races by the day's end.
Ferry the boat out of water required an army of men!

Safely atop the trailer again before the long journey home.

By night, it was festive time again with live concert and what else? Food everywhere, of course!

Watched this lady spinning the flour dough skillfully making thin dessert wraps non-stop!

The sound technician's van was air-con with this window unit with a supporting steel pole. Thais know how to make do with any means!

Abundance from the sea

2008-10-06T00:09:00.000-07:00

The coastal provinces of Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram & Petchaburi I frequented have abundance of sea food. Obviously there are fishing communities apread along the coast plus many excellant seafood restaurant around.

Each night one can see hundreds of fishing boats out at sea identified by a green light each carries. A large variety of dried sea food can be found in markets and in particular at Don Hoi Lot.

I always like to check out what's in store when passing sights like this. P'Moo's neighbor put out trays to dry by the roadside.. my favorite squid? I thought.

On closer inspection, these are actually small fishes..

Cut in middle and spread out.

Hmm.. lots skills at the fingers and patience required.

Another array (like solar panels) by the road to check out!

What kinda of stuff is that?

It's fish again.. interesting arrangement isn't it?

A new passion for wooden boats

2008-09-29T23:39:00.000-07:00

I have a passion for things crafted out of wood. It took on a new dimension one day while driving back from Cha Am.. I came across an open yard full of old wooden boats - large & small!

As I strolled amongst them, a few sleek and elegant boats caught my eye. To my disappointment, they were all sold! These are hard to find nowadays I was told; soon as one arrives it is snatch up by clients in queue. I asked to be on the waiting list too. More than 3 months passed since, none available. Hmm.. this is going to a collectors item I reckon!

I content with another interesting boat (built for irrigation) being restored as a book shelf. These are selling pretty fast too, judging from the dwindling stocks each time I dropped by.

This is how the boat is mounted with water pump and a push handle at rear.

Once I dropped by and this one just arrived (its design originated from Ayuthaya). It was the first of such design they acquired. It is elegantly shaped with beautiful curves and I wasted no time to make an offer! When I took delivery several weeks later.. many wanted it too and they had standing orders to duplicate 4 of it.

P'Moo knew of my new hobby and came to check out what I've got last weekend. He is also on look out for me through his network of friends. He took me to Samut Songkhram to view this one made of teak but painted. "I'll show you how it is like when the paint are removed at a friend's restaurant." he said.

So off we went to Don Hoi Lot, at the river mouth of Mae Klong. The restaurant owner P'Mon is an avid collector of beautifully crafted boats too!

The one similar displayed at his restaurant... not many are around too!

I had an eyeful of his collections displayed here. The large one at bottom of photo is made out of a single tree trunk!

There are probably ten or so around!

His latest acquisition is still under restoration at a workshop.. so we set off again. On the way we visited another boat shop off the main road (wouldn't find it if on my own). A couple of the design I seek was on display. My jubilation was short lived as they were sold too!

This is the most beautiful I've seen so far! It is carved out of a single log, wish I can have it too!

P'Moo and his friend P'Mon posing by its side.

The end shaped like an alligator's mouth, decorated with finely crafted bronze lining.

Another shot before we leave! What a beauty!

"Arm chair" Birding in Kaeng Krachan NP

2008-09-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back, my brother came through Thailand. Though he'd been to Bangkok numerous times before, never been to places outside the capital except visiting shipyard clients in Chon Buri.

I asked him to plan for a couple of days and showed him around this time. In brief, took him around to Don Wai market, Amphawa, Samut Songkhram, Petchaburi & Kaeng Krachan NP.

Of course we had diner & whisky with my bird farming friends one evening. He had a bottle of Gin to go with whisky. What? Gin & Chivas! Never before we drank this way! Another "Odd Mix"!

Everyone got high.. P'Moo & P'Jiap had to drive 20KM back to Ban Laem afterwards! Called P'Jiap next day to ensure all are well.. his speech was still muffled with hangover. That was funny!

My brother summed up his trip; "Never before I experienced Thailand this way! People are so warm and friendly too."

What did he like most? Don Wai Market and the idyllic Amphawa experience.

However, something was special for me to Kaeng Krachan NP this time... we took an hour boat ride out to Ginseng Island. It wasn't the temple there that thrilled me.. but some absolutely beautiful birds we saw along the walking trial round the island!

Wow.. we trailed the birds as they hopped playfully from tree to tree. Again, I was intrigue with an urge to identify that specie.

Tonight in between watching the market, I tried my luck checking it out on Google... searching for images on "Kaeng Krachan National Park".

To my surprise indeed.. many pictures of bird species posted by birders who visited Kaeng Krachan. Well, I succeeded in my mission too.. this is it:
The Greater Flameback!

More species I came to know....

Black & Red Broadbill

Blue-throated Barbet

Blue-wing Leafbird

Emerald Dove

Long Tail Broadbill

Mountain Imperial Piegon

Ratchet Tailed Treepie

Red Bearded Bee-eater

Red Wattled Lapwing

White Browed Shrike Babler

Some unidentifies species:
Hornbill (??)

Seen butterflies scene like this while on visit to Karen Village before

Beautiful creatures, aren't they?
Not a bad idea supplement my visit to Kaeng Krachan NP this way!
Have I become a birder by chance?

Birding in Petchaburi

2008-06-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

While passing through the farmlands and salt pans of Petchaburi province, I can't help notice the rich variety of bird species around. Marvelous & beautiful creatures of flight - the frustration is my lack of ability to identify them. Besides my simple camera isn't capable for close up shots of wild life.

After taking this shot, I wanted to learn more about them.. at least be able to identify them for a start.

The best starting point is back to Google search, of course! Birding reports listed more than 300+ species in the province. Wow, that's a lot more than I realize! In fact Kaeng Krachang National Park is also among favorite birding destinations. Thailand itself has close to1000 species!

My first lesson.. photos from a Thai birder, Noom Nuttun, taken in Petchaburi.
Noom has couple more photos at his site site: http://170674.multiply.com/

I found an article interview with Philip D. Round, author of Guide to Birds of Thailand citing most of their favorite birding areas are in Ban Laem district of Petchaburi province.
http://www.ornithomedia.com/magazine/mag_art355_2.htm

Philip is reputed to rediscover a specie of the large billed reed warbler (Acrocephalus orinus) in Petchaburi; thought to be extinct and not been seen since 1867, when a single bird of the species was reported in the northwest of India.
info: http://www.cryptomundo.com/cryptozoo-news/acrocephalus/

Another link with photos of birds at Laem Phak Bia, Petchaburi.
http://www.pbase.com/wsusanto/laem_phak_bia

Someday I'll probably end up as a serious birder!

Kaeng Krachan - Thailand's largest National Park

2008-06-12T00:55:00.000-07:00

Kaeng Krachan as I learned is the 28th and largest National Park in Thailand. It is about 60Km from Petchaburi or a 3 hr drive south-west from Bangkok.

This trip provides a small glimpse of this vast NP. I'll be back to update this blog in time to come.. surely there are much more to be seen.

There are much info available on the internet, this is one:
http://www.trekthailand.net/central3/index.html

The first earth filled dam in the country. The lake behind feeds the vast irrigation system of rice fields and shrimp farms of Petchaburi province all the way to the Gulf of Thailand.

Kids having fun with the swift currents of the Petchaburi River fed by the lake.

The road along the lake offers many scenic spots.

The mountain ranges at the far end are the water shed that borders with Myanmar.

My friend P'Moo took us to visit a Karen village, a 60km drive from the Park's Center on 4 wheel drive. Karen villages spread along the long borders between Myanmar & Thailand.

Finally reaching the village across the river, a very peaceful place!

Villagers use the floating bamboo raft for crossings.

2 village girls fishing on the river.. with elastic bands!

Tree's expose roots on river bank invites a photo.

This appear to be the village's communal area, tidy and well kept.

P'Moo posing in front of a typical village house elevated on stilts, without walls. Wonder how long can I last living here!

Petrol station near the NP, a little out of the way!

Cha Am

2008-06-08T09:53:00.001-07:00

Cha Am is probably the nearest popular beach approx. 180km to the south west of Bangkok (about 20km further than Petchaburi). Said to be the longest white sandy beach of Thailand, it is pretty well develop with tourists amenities. During weekends, hoards of visitors arrive to soak the sun and have fun at sea.

Flying toy planes crafted out of Styrofoam .... pretty ingenious!

Approaching the beach from town, one would not miss a row of restaurants offering roast pork. Seem like a local specialty.

Roast chickens looks good too!

Of course there are many good seafood restaurants around. This table made of a single tree trunk more than a meter wide caught my eye.

Looking out to the vast expanse of the beach as far as the eye can see!

Lovely Palms

2008-06-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

When touring the countryside of Petchaburi, I love the sight of tall palms dotting the rice fields!

Checking out further, these are its fruits. Smaller than coconuts but distinctively different.

A closer view

Cut open, each has three of these jelly-like fruit within! Sweet but not too sweet.

Beside the fruit, palm sugar & drinks comes from it too!

Boiling away the water content with low fire to extract sugar

Laying out the sugar into cake form, light brown in color

Palm sugar are used in cooking and making of desserts

Amphawa's Weekend Floating Market

2008-06-05T23:02:00.000-07:00

Update - 22nd Oct 2008
Ampahawa seems to be growing each time I dropped by. The last time I took a night fireflies boat tour - noted a section along the Khlong I missed out before; fronted with few shops and mostly guest houses or home-stay outfits.

View from the pedestrian bridge - water level risen a lot now.

Food vendors are busy as ever along the embankments.

Turning right from the bridge away from crowded area above lead to this stretch of guest houses.

Atmosphere is filled with another sort of quiet charms. Interesting for a night stay here I reckon.

A couple of lizards waiting for preys showed up as an interesting shot!

Amphawa's floating market
Another big draw of Ampahwa is the weekend floating market, located in town along the Mae Klong river. It is a night market crossing a floating market.

By the early evening, crowd begin to build up. There are so many delicious Thai food to sample!

Local crafts.. decorative lamps shades made of coconuts!

Can't resist these grilled squids! Huge, aren't they?

Drinks made from local fruits.

This fish curry sell out fast!

Steamed fishes are very fresh too!

Someone once told me, if the food vendor look well fed, their food must be good!

I always order a "cafe yian" (iced coffee) when I see a store like this

My favorite shot.. girl checking out Thai dessert made in fruit form, so colorful!

Flower garlands!

More desserts!

Mini dumplings

Can't miss out the tropical fruits!

Photo shooting tourists over the bridge.

It's the floating market below, of course!

See the crowd sat by the canal side & enjoyed the food!

Delicious food of all sorts

This soup seem to be very popular!

Make payment & take delivery via basket hung on a guide wire

Another way to serve, spot the lady stretching out with a bamboo pole?

There goes the delivery to a customer!

In spite of busy thoroughfare, the atmosphere is still casual

Souvenirs shops lined the walkways where tourists goes.

Tourists on boats to fire fly watch at night.

Technicians serving engines of tourist boats.

Drying food out in the sun at the market.

An old charming house across the canal.

Their skills of boat handling with single oar impressed me.. you'll know what I mean if you have tried before!

Fishing game - kids get to keep their catch with paper scoops!

A blind musician performing.

Idyllic Charms of Amphawa

2008-05-05T10:35:00.000-07:00

Amphawa is a sub-district (Amphoe) of Samut Songkhram. Much of the area is filled with fruits orchards & coconuts plantations. Hidden among them is an age old lifestyle served by a network of Klongs (canals) I find very charming.

In recent years, it has become a popular weekend getaway for Bangkokians. A host of small family run resorts & homestays sprung up along the Klongs to give a taste of rural lifestyle by the canals.

Rustic charm of rural life by the Klongs.

Water so calm, watching its reflections give a peacful feeling to your soul!

However the calm water turns into swift currents as tide changes. How high can the tide be? This resort owner pointed up the tree where his boat is.. don't take it seriously, just his humor!

A convenient store & pier by the Klong

View from a resort looking out to local residents across

Kids taking a dip. Residents bathe & do washings too.

Lamp posts, electric meters & switchboards are by the waterway!

Large earthern jar collects rain water from roof.

Resident purchase food served by boat vendors.

In the early hour, an elderly monk paddled by quietly.

Breakfast time.. the noodle boat arrived!

The ice cream vendor.

Fresh water shrimp caught in Klongs, huge.. aren't they?

Never seen a banana chain this long before!

Pamelos, my favorite!

A cute boy with traditional hair cut!

Khao Takiab

2008-05-05T07:35:00.001-07:00

To the southern end of the bay of Hua Hin beach lies a granite hill of Khao Takiab, "Bamboo Mountain" in Thai, that protrudes into the sea.

There are 2 temples on the hill. The temple to the left as you ascend to the top provides magnificent views to the surrounds. From here you can have a bird's eye view of Hua Hin sea front.

Magnificent view of the sea and landscape beyond.

View of the other white temple against backdrop of the hill's peak & monument of Rama V on its compound (picture on right).

Bird's eye view to a restaurant (& a resort I believe) below.

View of the fishing community below. You may buy fresh sea food along the road leading up to temples.

Ceremonial instruments - a long drum and huge gong at the temple.

The monk approached with a little booklet in hand.. hmm, it contains a list 4 digits lottery numbers for believers! A form of commercialism? Also I can't help wondering who owns the nice Jaguar parked in the background?

The other white temple at Khao Takiab seem more popular with tourist buses and souvenir shops lined its compound.

"Monkey" business in Wat Takiap? Sounds a little mischievous?
Yes, but don't get me wrong. There is a small business for few vendors selling cut bananas to feed monkeys on temple ground.

Some monkeys rests in front of Buddha sculptures waiting for feeds.

One waited atop a truck's cabin.

A few perched on the shed's roof.

This one fell asleep by the road side.

This youngster was subjected to a dental check by mum!

This smart male hanged on to the door preventing the banana vendor closing its store! Of course she enjoyed the tussle too; talked to him like an old friend, seem like a daily affair!

A little walk down hill toward the shore are these statues of Kuan Yin, "Goddes of Mercy" and dragons of Chinese legends. Wish I know more of the stories depicted here.

Road Trip to Penang

2008-05-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

Last week I did a round trip to Penang with a group of swiftlet rancher friends from Thailand. A friend is completing his new bird house, so a visit is timely.

The distance between Bangkok and Penang is well over 1000 Km. It was a 2 hr drive form Bangkok to Petchaburi; from there an eight hr drive to Hat Yai and a further 3 hr drive to Penang. Though it can be boring at times, I have always enjoyed sights and food along the way.

It always amazes me how much Thai pick up trucks can carry! It is a common to see goods pile up sky high & wrap in canvas. But this one beats all in pushing the limits.. even my Thai friends were amused! OMG, we even saw a motorbike strapped over the driver's cabin as we passed it!

Looked precarious as it tilted while over taking a motorbike!

A welcome stop for toilet break.

Open men toilets are the norm even at restaurants.

See how much a pick up truck can carry! Resourceful, isn't it?

A detour off the main road for lunch break. This road side restaurant is rather special, order the Kanom Chin (a rice noodle in curry) and help yourself with dozens of veggie dishes as much as you can stomach! Only locals and well traveled may know their existence

Seated are P'Jiap, P'Moo & P'Mor; all from Ban Laem, Petchaburi.

We were told more than 40 bird houses in town. Being camouflage and blend in with the shop houses, need keen eyes and guide to point out where they are!

The largest in town.

Final touches to my friend's farm house.

An established farm house nearby.

Farm house of another Penang friend.

The touring party with our Penang friends.

Sea Salt Farms

2008-05-05T07:21:00.000-07:00

If you travel towards popular seaside towns of Cha-Am or Hua Hin, about 50km south west from Bangkok between the provinces of Samut Sakhon & Samut Songkhran, you would not miss a stretch of salts farms both sides of the Rama II Road. In fact there are countless salt farms scattered between the coast and the main road for possibly a hundred km!

Satellite view of the section between Samut Sakhon & Samut Songkhran (along Rama II Road in yellow on Google Earth). The white patches are likely to be reflections from salt beds.

These are large shallow & flat pools with sea water pumped in by wind power and the use of solar energy in evaporating water to leave a layer of salt behind. The process is repeated over and over. Don't ask how many times and what happens when it rains before harvest!

This view is from the road side restaurant I normally stop for breaks.

A little walk to check out the windmill driven water pump. Notice the low bushes along the foot path are salt resistant.

Nothing hi-tech here! Almost made out of wood except for the steel wheels, simply ingenious!

Close up view of wooden conveyor belt to draw water up.
(picture of one found in antique store)

Harvesting scene if you are lucky to pass at right time, this was taken before the raining season begins in May

Panoramic view of salt piles during harvest

At left is a salt storage shed.

Fancy pulling over to buying a sackful? Last you a life time!

The final impression? Simple and effective, clever use of solar & wind as primary energy source!