British kids aren’t all bad no matter what the newspapers say about them. There’s some good one’s out there surely…..somewhere in the world there must be…
…..Not only were British children ranked ‘worst off’ in the developed world - with the highest rates of drunkenness, obesity, bullying, early sexual intercourse, cannabis-taking, and teenage pregnancy - they [...]
I hadn’t been planning to go to Kanchanaburi this year, but somehow I ended up there. I was surprised to find such a laid-back, relaxed, friendly little city so near Bangkok, less than two hours away from the new Sai Tai bus station. I enjoyed staying by the river (on the river!), watching the birds, [...]
Having sussed the market and been beaten up in a Thai massage, Sutiya and I decided to take one of the little boat tours on offer.
Our destination wasn’t specific, the captain just gave us a local ‘tour’ of a few close by destinations. The boat makes two or three stops along the huge river, and [...]
Things here in Thailand have certainly quietened down this week, the state of emergency has been lifted in Bangkok and the Songkarn holiday is finally over. Both these events should have left everyone feeling happy, but I can’t help wondering how many families here are far from happy as they mourn the loss of a [...]
When I first travelled through Asia I remember thinking that it was lucky that I spoke English as my first language. I noticed that English was being used as the way to communicate between backpackers of different nations. For example, a German would speak to a Frenchman in English. When I stayed in guesthouses it [...]
One of the more traditional events that took place during Songkran recently was “song nam phra”. This is the practice of bathing Buddha images with rose scented water. Most tourists, and even some Thai teenagers, seem to think that Songkran is only about throwing water at each other. However, it was originally more a bathing [...]
Here in Ubon Ratchathani you can celebrate the Songkran Water Festival for a whole week if you want to. Most places you celebrate Songkran on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April. Here in Ubon you can celebrate from the 10th to the 17th of April.At our main park area, Thung Sri Muang which is [...]
Fancy a trip on the Orient Express from Bangkok to Singapore? I can’t say that I particularly do since I have no desire for luxury travel, I much prefer the company of ordinary folk on ordinary trains.
But I wonder what prompts folk to splash out so much cash for a journey of 4 days and [...]
I was lucky enough to spend Songkran ( Thai New Year ) in 4 different provinces and let me tell you it was a Blast! I started off in Pattaya on day one of Songkran and then went to Mukdahan, That Phanome and Nakom Phanome.
There’s a lot more to write but for now just some [...]
Bangkok is now under a State of Emergency.I took these pictures in the area right outside Siam Paragon (under the Siam BTS interchange) around 3.30pm this afternoon as one group of “red shirts” who had taken control of two armored vehicles decided it was a good idea to immobilize them and park them at one [...]
The central area of Bangkok is incredibly quiet, almost eerily quiet, this Saturday afternoon. This could partly be because of the traditional mass exodus for the Songkran holidays, but I’m sure there’s an element of fear that’s preventing locals and tourists from coming out onto the streets.In Pattaya things are very different. The Asian Summit [...]
And just as I was saying it’s pretty much business as usual, it’s taken me more than two-and-a-half hours to get home this evening. The journey normally taken 45-60 minutes. Protesters have moved to a number of intersections in central Bangkok, including at Victory Monument which is a major transportation interchange. My trip home didn’t [...]
If you are looking for a place to escape the craziness of the Songkran celebrations then try the fast emerging Bang Nampheung Floating Market. It is just across the river from Bangkok in Samut Prakan in the place where many people call the “lungs of the city”. This is due to the fact that the [...]
This has indeed been a black day for the people of Thailand. Literally, as the black smoke from burning tyres made it look like that the city was on fire. Today should have been a day of joy as people celebrated the start of the traditional Thai new year. Although Songkran activities were cancelled in [...]
Today we went back to Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi Province. I was there last year with Nong Grace (click here for pictures) and as she liked it so much she kept asking me to go again. It is the school summer holidays in Thailand now so we thought we would drive down there [...]
TC Kitchen, Ubon Ratchathani Thailand
Bangkok on the Fly, Thailand.
A New Door, A New Journey, Isaan Style.
49 Years of Marriage for John and Nancy.
Nong Ja and Magha Puja Day Thailand 2012
Morning Alms Offering to 8,000 Monks in Bangkok
