Tribudragon in Thailand.

Do you want to introduce a new food product in Thailand ?

2011-05-06T22:55:00.001-07:00

How it works ?
Your agency hires the girls.
Dress the girls in nice, summer outfit.
Set a stall with the products in the middle of Chatuchak weekend market.

Fire brigade arrives. Thailand

2011-04-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

This is the smallest fire truck I've seen in my life. The grass near a road from Minburi to Suvarnabhumi airport was on fire.

Passangers at Hua Lamphong station. Bangkok

2011-04-21T06:49:00.000-07:00

Red plastic chairs are waiting for you in the case of any train's delay.

Sweet Pandanus. Thai dessert called Lod Chong.

2011-04-12T02:24:00.000-07:00

Green pasta in a plastic bag is a rice powder mixed with the leaves of pandanus tectorius.

The green pasta is mixed with a syrop contains coconut milk and brown sugar from sugar cane. I used to add some ice cubes to get a perfect dessert during hot days in Bangkok. A bowl of Lod Chang is nutritious, sweet and cold.

Weather in Bangkok today.

2011-03-27T22:54:00.000-07:00

Only 21 degrees Celsius in March ! Incredible weather in Thailand ! This morning gray and cold. I should go back to Bali :)

Indian visa in Bangkok.

2011-03-02T02:57:00.000-08:00

How to get a tourist Indian visa in Bangkok ?

3 steps process:

1/ fill an electronic application on so called website The India Visa Application Centre,
2/ print it and copy first page of your passport ( 2 copies + 2 passport photos ),
3/ submit it and pay some 2,700 baht at India Visa Centre in Sukhumvit Soi 25,

I've got my visa after 5 working days. You can check current status of your application online typing you surname and passport number.

Mira Daihatsu pickup in Thailand.

2011-02-28T05:48:00.001-08:00

This yellow peculiar car was spotted on the street of Chiang Mai.

The photo taken in 2005.

Lights of Khaosan Road. Bangkok

2011-02-25T09:53:00.000-08:00

I know some foreigners who spend their holidays on Khao San every year. They are nuts ;)

Sukhumvit 23 - Bangkok's noble address.

2011-02-24T01:59:00.001-08:00

Sukhumvit soi 23 area with an easy reach of the Asoke BTS and Sukhumvit MRT is perfect place for people working in downtown.

The traffic isn't crazy and some local and international eateries sweeten life here.

A condo with one bed room can cost here between 20,000 - 40,000 baht per month.

Top condominiums provide here a swimming pool, a fitness centre, a parking and another facilities.

Coca-Cola truck in Chiang Mai. Thailand

2011-02-21T04:59:00.001-08:00

There are 195 countries in the world. South Sudan will be 196th country this year. The Coca-Cola company is the most advanced and a few years ahead of all competitors in the beverage industry. The company sells 500 brands already today in over 200 countries.

The company's logistics and distribution is at the highest level, comparable only with the Coca-Cola's lobbying. The company uses ultra modern trucks in Thailand.

Its employees are among the best paid in Thailand. It must be just the best job in Chiang Mai.

The moat. Chiang Mai

2011-02-20T06:51:00.001-08:00

The moat and the rest of fortifiacion around old city was build by Chao Kawila at the end of 18th century. The Chiang Mai's moat is regularly cleaned and deepened since 1990's.

During April Songkran festival the fiercest water battles are fought near the moat, which is the best water reservoir at the town. I woundn't recommend swimming in the channel, although some drunk festival's participants are always looking for refreshing and cooling there. The moat is a home of thousands water rats.

Katam Corner.

Queen Victoria Inn in Chiang Mai.

2011-02-18T20:53:00.001-08:00

Queen Victoria Inn is located near Chang Phuak Gate and the moat in Chiang Mai. There are 8 room and english style eatery.

252/13-14 Prapokklao Rd,

T Sripoom A Muang,

Chiang Mai

rooms between $20 - $30

The range of beers and other alcoholic beverages at the Queen Victoria Inn is excellent.

New Liam Neeson in Thailand. Unknown

2011-02-18T00:34:00.000-08:00

New Liam Neeson's movie appears soon in cinemas across Thailand.
Unknown is a film where the main character played by Neeson wakes up after 4 days coma and discovers that someone stole his identity. Our hero decides to regain his name. The game with bad guys begins.

Dramatic action with the tall Irishman takes place in Berlin.
The movie is made on the base of novel Hors de moi by French writer Didier van Cauwelaert.

The movie has acquired 9.2 stars on IMBd! (nearly 700 votes) after the pre-release movie shows.

Is looks like Joel Silver once again had a good personal touch for the investment :-) and Liam Neeson known as a very effective guy (after action movie Taken) can be still dangerous in spite of his age of 59 years.

Magnolia Ice Cream outdoor advertising in Bangkok.

2011-02-15T20:30:00.000-08:00

Magnolia Ice Cream is a Filipino brand. Magnolia is a division of San Miguel Corporation, a food and beverage company from Manila. Magnolia in Thailand is among the top three brands in Thailand's ice-cream market, after Wall's of Unilever.

Magnolia ads at Sky Train Siam station in Bangkok.

Victory Monument Bangkok อนุสาวรีย์ชัยสมรภูมิ

2011-02-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

The Victory monument was erected in June 1941 to commemorate the Thai military victory in the Franco-Thai War.
Today it is the largest transfer point for the Bangkok's residents traveling from and to work.

Where can you buy precious stones in Bangkok ?

2011-02-13T05:44:00.000-08:00

All diamonds and other precious stones are genuine at the shops in Silom Rd. It's worth to visit a few stores and check the prices and quality of stones.

You should request a certificate that confirms the quality of stone if you make a decision to buy expensive one.

Another stones like: amethyst or topaz, and jewelry made of opaque sapphires and rubies made in India can get at the shops in Charoen Krung. It's a long road leading from Silom to China Town.

The shops with stones and jewelry are located near Silom Rd. It's worth to negotiate patiently a price. The owners are Muslims mostly from Pakistan and Afghanistan who have been living in Bangkok for years.

Thai satyr.

2010-11-23T08:24:00.001-08:00

I discovered him on the door of a temple.
It seems that the satyr has a big sanook, much more than poor woman.

There are no goats in Thailand, but there are satyrs. I think it may be an important discovery.

100 Pipers Blended Scotch whisky - the most popular alcohol in Thailand.

2010-11-20T23:00:00.001-08:00

The Thais like to copy the habits of the Western man.
The whisky as well as playing golf fits perfectly into their psyche.

"100 Pipers" - the most popular alcohol in Thailand.

100 Pipers is definitely the most popular alcohol. It is a cheap scotch, the blend of 25 whiskies.
100 Pipers' logo adorns the city throughout all country.
If I remember well, a bottle costs between $10 -$12.

Saleswoman at a jewelry store at Chatuchak Weekend Market. Bangkok

2010-11-20T04:20:00.000-08:00

Lots of interesting artifacts can be found at the Jatuchak market.
Jewelry shops running by Pakistanis and Afghans are the best.

Culinary report from Thailand. Oysters and fish...

2010-11-18T19:14:00.000-08:00

I was on tour in western Thailand. I spent first night in Nakhon Pathom.

The local night bazaar is a large square adjacent to the oldest stupa in Thailand.

As it happens always in Thailand, each town has a "culinary festival" for 365 days a year.
Many thousand Thai people cook and sell food throughout the country. Another 30 million Thai sit and eat from the "pot stalls" every evening.

The first dish: a soup called Ka Po Pra. It is a popular Chinese dish known in Bangkok's China Town. It consists of some fish's stomachs, chicken blood in the form of jelly, bamboo and quail eggs.

The second course: Hoy Tod.

Fried oysters with tapioca flour and egg.

For dessert, sour mango and soft peanut candy with sesame.

Chinese door.

2010-11-16T07:38:00.001-08:00

Wooden doors at chinese temple in Nakhon Pathom.

I yielded to temptation and took some pictures of the doors. I could not move away without watching all details and drawings on the door's panels.

Sacrificial stone table.

2010-11-14T05:55:00.000-08:00

It does not really matter what was original purpose and use of this stone bowls.

The vessels with gutter look like containers that carry blood out.

The explanation could be prosaic and simple. The were stands for the stone statues at the temple.
Blood didn't flow down the gutter, but rain water.

The Khmers in Mueang Sing were very pious, but not cruel.

Guru from Chinese Temple.

2010-11-12T05:56:00.001-08:00

I was confused. Sadhu in Chinese temple ?

Soon more pics from mistery temple in Nakhon Pathom.

Bossini outlet in Bangkok.

2010-11-11T22:31:00.001-08:00

Bossini is one of the most popular garment brand in Thailand.

The Bossini outlet at "Fashion Island" mall in Bangkok.

Bronze Age graves are waiting for new treasure hunters.Thailand

2010-11-05T03:48:00.001-07:00

The bronze age graves at Prasat Muang Sing Historical Park can be more interesting than Khmer Ruins.
Prehistoric time on the areas within present Thailand’s boundaries was more exciting than it might seem.

There is only a matter of time when archaeologists discover next Ban Chiang.

The bronze age cemeteries are located along all river valleys in Thailand.

The image of a prehistoric necklace unearthed at Kwae Noi Cementary.

The local villagers know it, because they extract from old graves many stone beads necklaces (made of agate and carnelian ) and bronze ornaments.

It’s really surprising that archaeologists since Hendrik Robbert van Heekeren time are focus so far on ceramics and stone tools. Well, I don’t believe that researchers holding government’s jobs are so bright, hehe…

Images of Phra Pathom Chedi - Largest stupa of the world.

2010-11-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

If the Phra Pathom Chedi isn’t the oldest temple in Thailand, it is certainly the highest.

Light orange stupa with frosting gloss overlooks entire downtown of Nakhon Pathom.

Traces of the first temple dates back to 6th century.

Present structure is the work of King Mongkut. In the mid-nineteenth century the brick stupa was only 84 meters high.

Ford Anglia found in Thailand.

2010-11-02T05:44:00.000-07:00

I've never seen a predecessor of Ford Escort. The old Alglia with rusted body was parked in the downtown of Kanchanaburi.

An owner of this vehicle must have had a lot of fun.

13th century Khmer temple Mueang Sing.

2010-11-01T01:40:00.000-07:00

Prasat Mueang Sing is located 42 km from Kanchanaburi.

Once upon a time this town called Srichaiya Singhapura was sophisticated urban center with a drainage system and wealthy merchants' houses.

Today these Khmer ruins are deserted. During my 3 hours stay in Mueang Sing I met no one.

The front prang is built of laterite bricks and hosts a reproduction of a sculpture of Avalokitesvara.

All original sculptures found in Mueang Sing are kept in the National Museum in Bangkok.

Death Burma Siam Railway Cemetery in Kanchanaburi.

2010-10-30T21:04:00.001-07:00

There are almost 7,000 POW’s buried in the cemetery.

The Japanese decided to use prisoners of war to build a line railway to link Siam with Burma in 1942. The railway project was finished in October 1943. The POW's working along the railway line died from exhaustion and malnutrition.

Kanchanaburi War Cemetery is located in the heart of the town near of the site of the former prisoner camp.

More than 5,000 Commonwealth soldiers are commemorated here.

1,800 Dutch soldiers found a resting place in Kanchanaburi.

Fresh frogs in Nakhon Pathom.

2010-10-30T02:14:00.001-07:00

Nakhon Pathom is famous for the great stupa Phra Pathom Chedi. The town situated on the road between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi has also large food market.

The huge frogs attracted my attention at the market.

Don't miss any opportunity to eat something bizzare with local taste and touch during a break in journey. The town offers many food delicacies.

Old film posters for sale in Bangkok.

2010-10-12T02:45:00.000-07:00

Original movie posters. Gunuine old stuff in Thailand ? It's hard to believe, isn't it ?

Maybe the long hair dude sold out all copies ?

Dove soap is promoted in Thailand

2010-10-09T09:14:00.001-07:00

I stared at girls and I forgot to ask for a soap.

White color speaks very much to the imagination of local women. Every woman wants to be white. Can dove help ?

Baiyoke Tower is still the tallest building in Thailand.

2010-09-17T07:21:00.001-07:00

Baiyoke is like an overgrown mushroom.
The building is sleek and slender.
Rain clouds in the sky above Thai capital reinforce this impression.

On the 84th floor there is a viewing platform rotateing 360 degrees around its axis.
This is the best view point in Bangkok.

Baiyoke Tower, completed in 1997, is more than 3oo meters high.
In this skycraper is located Baiyoke Sky Hotel, which is the highest hotel in all of Asia.

Night view of Bangkok from Baiyoke Tower is fabulous. The lights of thai metropolis reach to the horizon in every direction.

Old radio in Phitsanulok.

2010-09-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

I've been taking photos of murals in Wat Rathaburana when I discover old radio.

In fact there were much more old objects. Monks from Phitsanulok are also collectors of antiques.

Ramayana mural in Wat Phra Kaew. Bangkok

2010-09-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

The mural depicts a scene from Ramayana epic.

Thanks to restoration works being carried out systematically since the reign of Rama II the fresco owns its vivid, vibrant colors.

End of school year in Wat Phra Singh. Chiang Mai.

2010-09-10T03:08:00.001-07:00

Wat Phra Singh is a jewel of the Lanna architecture. The original name of the temple was Li Chiang Phra, but was changed to Phra Singh in 14 th century.

Wat Phra Singh houses a school.

When the hot season is in full the holiday begins.

Receiving a certificate of attendance is a pleasant moment for students.

The sun always shines on this day.

The lady at Suvarnabhumi explains.

2010-09-08T02:53:00.000-07:00

The lady at the Suvarnabhumi Airport will explain you what you can not take away from Thailand.

I assume everybody will be able to take only old pants on the board in a few years.

Safety first!

Thai saa paper lamps.

2010-09-07T08:32:00.001-07:00

Thai saa paper lamps are one of the most beautiful tourist souvenirs.

You can expect to pay 150 baht for a lamps with a height of 12 inches in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

Remember to ask a lamp vendor for an adapter. Thai plugs don't work outside Thailand.

Some lamps have shades made of bamboo mats.

Pepsi in Thailand.

2010-09-06T04:13:00.000-07:00

You can see a Pepsi logo on the streets and in stores walking around Bangkok. To many people drinking Pepsi still mean a global flair, although the first bottles of Pepsi were presented in Thailand half century ago, in 1953.

Thailand is hot country, so before you drink pepsi remember what pepsi is made of ( citric acid, carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, sugar, phosphoric acid, caffeine ).

Recently Duke University Medical Center study found that frequent consumption of high fructose corn syrup can cause liver damage.

Water with dissolved carbon dioxide - every carbonated soft drinks cause tooth decay

cheers !

Nan Province. Solitude and silence.

2010-09-05T09:56:00.000-07:00

Any escape from Bangkok is always a good idea. I like to visit the island of Ko Chang, and occasionally travel to the North of Thailand.

Nan province is bordered by the 300 km stretch with Laos, and is basically deserted. Such Thai's New Mexico without the deserts and canyons.

You can go fishing and enjoy the empty landscape. It is a pity that most of the surrounding forests have been cut long ago.

I stay often in the village of Na Sa, in a teak house built several years ago by Tiam.

The nights tend to be pleasant here, where the temperature drops below 15 degrees C.
There is no mobile coverage, no internet.

Grandma Chan Dee is only one person living at Tiam's house.
Grandma prepares weed called pak wan.
These herbs have excellent properties against cancer cells.

The price of this plant has increased fivefold since some doctors in Bangkok announced that pak wan can combat cancer. People in the village have eaten the herbs for centuries.

The rainy season lasts in Bangkok. Buildings seen from the Lumphini Park.

2010-09-04T02:23:00.000-07:00

It rains every day in Bangkok.
The city in the dark, rainy frame during my walk near Rama IV Street, in the Lumphini Park.

Family business. Cookies straight from the pick up.

2010-08-31T11:54:00.000-07:00

Night market in the northern town of Nan offers several specialties. Cookies Kanom Buang are popular throughout Thailand.

The wife fries cookies.

The husband takes cash from buyers.

Evening work for 3 hours a day brings profit 1000 - 1500 baht.
Everybody likes cookies kanom buang.

Golden Balls Ru Nimit. Thais love gold.

2010-08-30T03:28:00.000-07:00

Almost everything revolves around gold in Thailand. There are 6,000 goldsmith's stores in the country.
Most jewelry sold there is made of 23 carat gold (96.5% gold). The Thais don't accept a 18 carat gold jewelry, not to mention a 14 carat gold.

Adding golden leaves to the Buddha images is a national tradition.

I saw in the oldest temple in Nan, the Phra That Chae Haeng some stone balls covered with golden leaves called Ru nimit.

The people in temple leave the coins there after the prayers.

The deepest dream of every Thai person is to posses a lot of gold. People are praying to become rich. Leave some gold or coins, in the hope that this investment will be profitable.

Ru nimit works as a type of a catalyst.

*****

Besides, every Farang who has a Thai girlfriend is systematic asked to buy a gold jewelry. Maybe should visit a temple with golden Ru Nimit and make an investment ?

Wat Ku Kam in Nan. Thailand วัดกู่คำ

2010-03-09T21:18:00.001-08:00

In the city of Nan there are several old temples.
During a day with cloudless sky all wats present up splendidly.

Wat Ku Kam in the middle of the town shines and illuminates.

Chinese New Year 2010 by night. Bangkok

2010-02-14T06:20:00.000-08:00

Chinese New Year in Bangkok was a good opportunity for gluttony. I walked around Chinatown and tasted many delicacies.

Chinese New Year begins.

2010-02-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

Chinatown in Bangkok today. Before dark.

Go and study in Australia.

2010-02-12T03:53:00.000-08:00

Outdoor advertising in Bangkok ( February 2010 )

Change money at the airport Suvarnabhumi. Bangkok

2010-02-05T09:53:00.000-08:00

Though there are only two banks at the Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, the exchange rate is the same as in the city center.

Don't be afraid to change some cash. Don't think to find another better rate somewhere at the downtown.
Withdrawing money from ATM will cost you 150 baht per transaction, if you don't use a plastic issued by thai bank. All banks in Thailand have introduced this charge last year.

The exchange rates on February 3rd.

Taxis in Bangkok.

2010-02-01T09:53:00.001-08:00

Taxi in Bangkok is a convenient and cheap way to go around the city.

The flagfall rate is 35 baht including the first 2km. I use to pay for a 30 km taxi journey around 300 baht ( $9 ) from Chinatown to my home in Minburi.

Of course there are some people who complain always about taxi drivers in Bangkok.

Some taxi drivers set the taximeter to get more 2 baht per one kilometer ride. This scam can cost up to 20 baht in the city. I guarantee that no passenger will be aware of this fraud.

These aircon taxis are much cheaper than tuk tuk.
The tuk tuk has no taximeter and each negotiation with a driver requires patience.

Obsession with amulets. Thailand

2010-01-31T02:02:00.001-08:00

You can see many people watching amulets under a magnifying glass in Thailand.

The amulets' collecting with the image of Buddha or a monk is as a national sport discipline in Thailand.

There are millions of copies on the market, so each amulet must be examined carefully before purchase.

Sweets from banana leaves. Thailand ขนมใส่ไส้

2010-01-27T07:39:00.000-08:00

These sweets are wrapped in banana leaves.

Sai sai wrapped in banana leaves after boiling in steam are sold everywhere in Thailand.
Sai sai are prepared of rice or fruit with sugar and coconut.
The sweets must be sufficiently sweet according Thai taste.

From the left side (yellow color) is a sai sai of cantaloupe, or Thai melon. White sai sai are cooked of rice.
Sai sai in the middle is from a banana.
Last sai sai (also yellow) is cooked of a pumpkin.

20 baht for 6 sai sai in Bangkok.

Thailand raises funds for Haiti.

2010-01-23T05:17:00.000-08:00

Thai government has already sent twice the cash for the earthquake victims in Haiti. Private persons and companies in Bangkok also collect funds for Haiti relief.

Well known monk Phra A Tohn Pa Charat collected money for rice in Chatuchack market today.

The reverend monk plans to send the food for 200,000 people in Port-au-Prince.

The oldest building in Minburi. Bangkok's area.

2010-01-21T23:40:00.000-08:00

Minburi is located 9 km from Suvarnabhumi Airport and 25 km from Bangkok's downtown.
The town was found during the reign of Rama V in 1902.

The district office house was built in the same year.

In 1972 Minburi became a part of Bangkok Metropolitan Area.

Sweet rice, sweet egg, sweet fish. Thai dessert.

2010-01-19T04:32:00.000-08:00

I visited the food market in my neighborhood today.

A stall with colored rice drew my attention.

This sweet sticky rice is called "kaw man".

Thai people love sweet food. Anyone can buy a portion of sweet rice with something else.

The choice is between : cake made of fish, shrimps and eggs. Especially the "cake" made of smashed eggs with coconuts is popular. It is called sang ka ya.

I don't have to say that all these stuff is very sweet :-)

Sausages with chilli sauce are everywhere. Thailand

2010-01-17T09:21:00.000-08:00

Without a doubt, Thai people like to eat sausages.
The chicken sausages are among the favorite ones.

If someone wants to open a small business in Thailand, should consider seriously a stall with meat products.

The Golden Buddha in Wat Traimit. วัดไตรมิตร

2010-01-16T06:54:00.000-08:00

If you want to see more than 1000 kilograms of pure gold, you should visit Wat Traimit in Bangkok ( district Samphan Thawong ).

The Golden Buddha statue is over three meters tall and weighs around 5.5 tonnes. The statue was made of pure gold in Sukhothai over 700 years ago.

The history of the Golden Buddha is very interesting. Even the youngest kids want to listen this tale.

When the kingdom of Ayutthaya became powerful in the 15th century, the kingdom of Sukhothai was subordinated. Many golden statues were covered with gypsum plaster in Sukhothai to hide their treasures.

King Rama I ordered to bring more than 1200 Buddha statues from around the country to his new capital Bangkok 300 years later.

During the reign of King Rama III the statue came to the Wat Yannawa Phrayakrai and later was moved to Wat Traimit in 1930's.
Nobody knew about the material value of the statue at this time. Twenty years later, during a construction work a part of the plaster mask was dropped and the pure gold was discovered.

She sells bus tickets from Udon Thani to Chiang Mai.

2010-01-11T11:16:00.001-08:00

Bus station with buses betweens Udon and towns of North Thailand is located 5 km from downtown.
Once I passed several times through Udon Thani. The bus station there was on my route from Laos to Chiang Mai.

Walk on Ratchawithi street. Bangkok.

2010-01-10T06:09:00.001-08:00

Today I went to the Victoria Monument Square.
The street is one of the most crowded in Bangkok. Ratchawithi wasn't crowded despite the perfect weather. Probably people got tired with spending money yesterday.

For the first time I drew attention to the stalls in the street. Plastic watches for 100 baht. ( $3 )

I noticed the orange building with pompous name BCC opposite the watch stall.
BCC which means Business Computer Center.

On the marsh bank of the Mekong River in Chiang Khong.

2010-01-02T08:28:00.000-08:00

The border crossing between Thailand and Laos in Chiang Khong.
The long boats here are called feries.
The crossing to Huay Xai in Laos takes 15 minutes.

A fish for your home aquarium. Thailand

2009-12-31T01:14:00.000-08:00

The vendors of freshwater aquarium fishes at Hat Yai town.

Thai like old cars.

2009-12-27T22:39:00.001-08:00

Many people love the old cars. This Mercedes-Benz from the period before the II World War can adorn every collection.

On White Sands Beach. Ko Chang Thailand

2009-12-25T06:57:00.001-08:00

North part of White Sand Beach has a fine beach with magnificent view of the island's hills. There are some cheap hotels located on the beach.

The beach at dawn is always empty.

Rock Sand Hotel has a restaurant located on the picturesque terrace.

Independent Bo's colorful buildings are pressed in a sea cliff.

The cottages look as built by a castaway on a desert island.

Even the evening on the beach you can spend here only with friends. It is a quiet part of White Sands Beach.

People pray. Ayutthaya Thailand

2009-12-23T06:10:00.000-08:00

At Wat Panan Choeng large Buddha image built in 14th century has a powerful gravitational pull. His great figure conceals great spiritual strength.

Ayutthaya dwellers and Thai from all over the country often pray at his feet. The big Buddha is 19 meters tall and was under a restauration in 1928. Currently, the great Buddha is in perfect condition and shimmers in the temple's twilight.

People believe that the saffron material surrounding the statue ensure prosperity.

Dental prosthesis in Bangkok's street.

2009-12-21T19:58:00.001-08:00

Thailand is famous for all kinds of service. Japanese tourists discovered the Thai dentists a few years ago.
Third teeth in Thailand ? Why not. Dental tourism in Thailand is flourish. The porcelain teeth can afford many people.

The dental prosthesis are waiting in Bangkok for those with only minor cach resources.

I like people sitting at a small table in busy streets with sophisticated works of thai dental industry.

Hot December in Bangkok.

2009-12-18T03:30:00.000-08:00

I returned from my month journey to Indonesia.
Over the past 3 years every December in Bangkok was quite cool. I mean the temperature below 25 degrees C. I had to put up socks in the house after midnight (barefoot was cold).

This week is 30 degrees every day. I'm pleasantly surprised. Hot days were from the beginning of the month. (I watched the weather in BKK on the Internet)

I need to look for a better supply of drinks. Milk and fruit shakes are not sufficient.

The climate is changing or it's just now a normal weather in Bangkok ?

Somebody knows ?

Lamoot like caramel. Fruit in Thailand.

2009-11-10T07:20:00.000-08:00

Sapodilla is known as lamoot in Thailand. Its shape resembling a potato. The sapodilla tree which grows only 4 meters tall yields fruit twice a year.

Its flesh tastes like caramel and is juicy.

The fruit is 7 cm in diameter and has 2-3 black seeds.

Wat Suan Dok in Chiang Mai. Thailand

2009-11-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

Wat Suan Dok is my favourite temple in Chiang Mai. "Suan Dok" means "flower garden". This name promises nice relax. The visitors enjoy space in the temple's compound and breeze from mountains during hot days. Everybody can walk around undisturbed. Such conditions are uncommon in crowded Chiang Mai.

The large wiharn was rebuilt before World War II by Khru Ba Srivichai.

The are numerous tombs and chedi contain the remains of the royal family of Lanna Kingdom.
Princess Dararatsmi who moved back from Bangkok to Chiang Mai collected the royal ashes from entire city and placed in Suan Dok almost 100 years ago.

Remarkable Wat Suan Dok was established in 1371 during reign of King Ku Na. The king invited a pious monk from Sukhothai Kingdom. Lanna King wanted to create a large buddism center in Chiang Mai under a leadership of the venerable Sumana Thera who worked and meditated with monks from Sri Lanka.

The temple contains some striking Budha images. One of them was cast by King Muang Kaew 500 years ago.

You can visit in Wat Suan Dok teachers and novices of monastery's Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University.

Thong yod. Thai sweets from Ayutthaya Kingdom.

2009-11-08T22:42:00.000-08:00

One of traditional desserts from time of Ayutthaya Kingdom is called thong yod. Thai cooks were influenced by the Portuguese living in Siam since 1511. Thais started to used eggs as a part of their sweets.

During the Ayutthaya's revolution in 1688, French Jezuits and King Narai's closest councillor Constantine Phaulkon were killed.

Phaulkon's Japanese wife had to leave the European residence in Lopburi. She survived cooking sweets like thong yod in Ayutthaya. Even King Phetracha who beheaded Phaulkon and was afraid of European influence in the kingdom liked this egg's desserts.

I ate thong yod yesterday. This stuff was impossible sweet. Too sweet...

Thai food. My dinner tonight.

2009-11-08T06:07:00.000-08:00

Here is my today's dinner. I bought all meals on the food market in Minburi district.

First dish: Vietnamese Yan Nam, which already has a lot of Thai varieties.

You can see components. The vendors make a delicious salad on the spot. (Ratio of components on request).

From the left: that white stuff is pork skin ( it tastes almost like octopus), minced pork and on the second plate - roasted rice balls. These three components are mixed with spices, chilli, peanuts.

At the next stall there are different fish and meat dishes with sauces which are eaten with boiled or sticky rice at home.

I decided to eat the food from the first bowl on the right side at the bottom.

Tom yam kai pra, a soup made of fish eggs ( caviar ) cooked with fish heads and large admixture of chili.

and fried freshwater fish.

For dessert: the cookies kari pup filled with sweet soya stuffing.

Thailand. Father and son.

2009-11-07T22:13:00.000-08:00

Father with his son on Sunday afternoon in coast town Bang San.

Pai. Mountains town with a relaxed atmosphere. Thailand

2009-11-07T03:44:00.001-08:00

Pai has become an important point on Thailand's tourist map. The small town has an airport with several daily flights and more than 100 guesthouses and restaurants. Pai has got big influx of land speculators and has survived some invasions of tourists from Bangkok and foreign backpackers since 2006.

The tourist high season is between November and March.

Like everywhere in Thailand, scooters are the most popular means of transport in the town of 2.500 inhabitants.

Many tourists use Pai as a base for trekking and visiting hill tribes like Karen, Hmong, Lisu and Lahu.

Pai's ceramic women in wai position are responded to garden dwarfs in Germany.

There are some temples in Pai and the surrounding area.

T-shirts are the most popular souvenir of Pai.

New tattoo in Thailand.

2009-11-06T09:05:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine visited me in Thailand. We got new tattoos in Bangkok Banglamphu one afternoon.

Cool, huh?

Our presentation of the tattoos was not splendid, but it was already long after midnight and after a few beers. (we didn't lit cigars )

If you want to shock your mother in law or colleagues at work, then write to me.

@Tribudragon ( by Twitter )

Innovative religious ornamentation in Chiang Rai. Thailand

2009-11-05T03:00:00.000-08:00

I liked the green illumination at Wat Phra Kaeo. My guess is that green color was related to the Emerald Buddha, the copy of the most revered Buddha image in all Thailand. Original Image was held in Chiang Rai in the fifteenth century.

The green illumination adds more familiar energy and climate at the temple.

The whole effect is astonishing. From further perspective, this green light was composed to fit well with the traditional colors of the Thai wat.
Genuine Emerald Buddha is made from jade, and is held in Bangkok since 1784.

Wat Phra Kaeo in Chiang Rai has its discreet charm and is worth visiting.

Petrol station on the island Koh Chang. Thailand

2009-11-04T08:14:00.000-08:00

Like everywhere in the world good petrol stations can provide meals and drinks. I can boldly boast business initiative of local inhabitants on Ko Chang.

The gasoline service station supports the local inhabitants and tourists touring the island on scooters.

Thai sweets. Luk Chup.

2009-11-03T04:12:00.001-08:00

Luk Chup are made from peanuts and are wildly sweet. It is a popular snack which can be found at many food festivals and markets in Thailand. In its form imitate different fruits and vegetables.

A dish with 10 luk chup costs only 10 baht.

Visit bar in Chanasongkram area. Bangkok

2009-11-02T04:08:00.000-08:00

Chanasongkram is the tourist area near Khao San Road. Afternoon and evening, all local bars here are filled with foreigners.

There's no noise, and traffic is limited to a minimum. Narrow Soi is one of the extensions Phra Athit Road. To Khao San is a 5 minute walk. In the bar you can talk without any raised voices. Audibility is good even after a few beers.

Bar's corridor to the toilet in the building provides artistic impressions.

The toilet itself is less aesthetic.

This is a classic Thai bar. Plastic chairs and tables remind us that we are on vacation.

Loy Kratong 2009 in Bangkok

2009-11-01T10:20:00.001-08:00

Loy Kratong is originally Brahmanical festival. It is celebrated annually in all Thailand.

The ceremony to honour the original Buddha and the Goddess of Water is held on the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar.

All photos taken today in Bangkok on Chao Phraya river.

Waterfall Klong Phu on Ko Chang island.

2009-10-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Waterfall Klong Phu belongs to the biggest tourist sights on Ko Chang Island. Waterfall is situated in National Park, 3 km from the coast of Klong Prao.

Serene Klong Phu in the middle of dry season in March.

The waterfall in October. ( the end of rainy season )

Many tourists take a refreshing bath in the pool surrounded by basalt cliffs.

Town Hall in Chiang Rai. Thailand

2009-10-28T02:47:00.001-07:00

Chiang Rai's town hall was built in 1910.

Chang beer for breakfast. Thailand

2009-10-26T04:44:00.001-07:00

The time when I drank beer for breakfast is over. By the way the Chang beer which is the top-selling brand in Thailand is also the worst. The beer with green label is the most popular choice among tourists and workers.

Picture taken in Hat Yai in 2006.

Rice Harvest in Thailand.

2009-10-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

Rice Harvest in North Thailand. The villagers in the rice paddy near the town of Nan.

The rice has been an important stample for 4,000 years in Thailand. Evidence of wet rice cultivation as early as 2200 BC has been discovered in Ban Chiang.

Thailand became the world's largest exporter of rice 35 years ago.

Fishing boat in Bang Bao on Ko Chang. Thailand

2009-10-24T23:27:00.000-07:00

Bang Bao is a fishing village with long prier. It is the base for a few fishing families. Local restaurants serve here the best seefood on Ko Chang.

The boats at the jetty are protected from the western side by the peninsula.

Pancakes Roti on Ko Chang Island. Thailand

2009-10-24T01:34:00.001-07:00

You can find a pancakes stall everywhere in Thailand. The Roti cook in White Sands Beach on Ko Chang was called "Fast Hand". He fried roti with banana or without reaching nearly the speed of light.

Lighthouse on Ko Chang Island. Thailand

2009-10-23T08:27:00.001-07:00

The lighthouse is located at the end of long pier in Bang Bao. This small village on Ko Chang's south coast is famous for fresh excellent seafood.

Free internet access at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

2009-10-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

Some gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport have a free internet access. The airport's computers have metal keyboards where ladies can breake their nails. However this is a big convenience for travelers checking the news from the world and Facebook.

View from Baiyoke Tower. Bangkok

2009-10-14T01:28:00.000-07:00

Baiyoke skyscraper is the tallest building in Thailand. Baiyoke Tower completed in 1997 has over 3oo meters in height and located Baiyoke Sky Hotel, which is the highest hotel in all of Asia.

View of Bangkok from Baiyoke is fabulous. Lights of buildings and cars of the 12 million's metropolis reach the horizon from every side.

Cocodrilo, Kasia and Stempniaked on a café terrace on the 84th floor.

People from the civil service climb the Wat Arun. Bangkok

2009-10-09T06:58:00.001-07:00

In Thailand, working in the civil service is considered as a good and stable job.

A beach wedding on Ko Chang. Thailand

2009-10-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

Some people desire to get married away from home. A beach on the island is not an outrageous place. A young couple from Sweden and their wedding guests will remember, however, such event for whole life.

The ceremony took place in the late afternoon, just before sunset.

Tham Lot - Coffin Cave. Thailand

2009-10-06T04:15:00.000-07:00

A cave system called Tham Lot is 1,5 km long and contains ancient teakwood coffins carved by Lawa people. A small river runs through the limestone cave. Bamboo rafts run by local guides from a Shan village allow to explore the cave.

There are over 100 such caves in Pang Mapha district.

The guide with a gas lantern.

The cave is filled with stalagmites and stalactites.

A shiny flowstone with carbonate crystals.

Some stalagmites reach the height of 1 meter.

The coffins in the cave have been dated more than 1000 years old. The researchers attribute their productions Lava people who lived here before Thai arrived. Today their population is estimated to be less than 20,000.

The ends of Lawa coffins have different designs.

The old cave coffins were found in all South East Asia, but in Pang Mapha area is the largest concentration.

Karen Women from Mae Hong Son Province.

2009-10-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Karen live in villages of some 30 houses raised on stilts. Today there are around 400,000 Karen living in Northern Thailand. They began to move into Thailand from Burma in 17th century.

I visited one Karen village north of Pai. The woman are famous for wear of beads necklaces and smoke tobacco.

The women's blouses are made of dark homespun cotton with embroidered patterns.

The Karen village.

Chinese temple in Wat Pananchoeng complex. Ayutthaya Thailand

2009-10-03T00:58:00.000-07:00

The Chinese community built the temple near Wat Pananchoeng. According to a legend one Chinese princess killed herself on the bank of the river. The temple was erected on her funeral ground.

Guard of Royal Palace in Bangkok. Thailand

2009-09-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

The guards from the Royal Palace wear a snowy white jacket, helmet and a black trousers.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

2009-09-22T07:46:00.001-07:00

Night Bazaar afternoon, before the storm.

Photo taken in 2005.

Muslim joker Samal from Nang Talung shadow theatre in Thailand.

2009-09-20T23:54:00.000-07:00

Puppet Muslim joker Samal hand made of buffalo hide in Nakon Si Thamarasat city.

The puppet is 74 cm high with wooden holder.

Nanny Nang Sanom from Nang Talung theatre. นางสนม

2009-09-20T06:11:00.000-07:00

Puppet Nanny Nang Sanom hand made of buffalo hide in Nakon Si Thamarasat city.

Shadow puppets from Nang Talung theatre are very popular in South Thailand.

Buddha protected by Mucalinda. Statue Phra Nak Prok made of bronze.

2009-08-25T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Buddha protected by the king of the great serpent, Mucalinda, during the sixth week of enlightenment. The image was a favourite theme of Khmer and Burmese art. The Boudda protected by the serpent is associated with people born on Saturday in Thailand.

The statue is 16 cm high and has weight of 0,5 kilo.

Ordinary train Bangkok Ayutthaya.

2009-08-24T10:11:00.000-07:00

On the train from Ayutthaya to Bangkok. I was travelling the same railroad route 7 years ago. So, I felt smooth comfort's upgrade last time. The wooden benches were changed for the better soft seats.

3rd class ticket 15 baht only :)

Giants at the golden chedi in Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.

2009-08-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

One of the most popular figure on tourist's photos from Thailand is Giant from Ramakien. Ramakien is Thai version of epic Ramayana. In the late first millennium, the epic from India was adopted by the Thai people. The Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok is lavishly decorated with many figures from the epic.

Thai Puppet Shadow Theatre Nang Talung. Ramasun

2009-08-22T02:23:00.000-07:00

Puppet of Ramasun, a character from epic Ramakien. ( Thai version of Ramayana )

Material: buffalo hide and wooden stick.
Puppet's height: 21" ( 54 cm ) without stick.

You can see many illustrations from Ramakien watching magnificent murals at the Wat Phra Kaew temple in Bangkok.

King Narai's palace in Lopburi. พระนารายณ์ราชนิเวศน์

2009-08-19T07:53:00.001-07:00

King Narai's palace was built in 17th century during the golden age of Ayutthaya Kingdom. Although the palace is in ruin, it is worth a visit. King Narai stayed here for 9 months a year escaping from jazz of Ayutthaya city. When he died in 1688, the palace were abandoned.

The palace's inner main gate and new pavement way.

Dusit Sawan hall was built with help of French architects.

King Rama IV built a new throne hall complex called Phiman Monkut Pavilion for his stay in 1856.

Phra Nak Prok, one of only two Buddha images in the royal compound.

The ruins of king's elephant stable. King Narai was avid hunter

The palace area was packed with many storages.

The local dwellers can learn the history by visiting the King Narai's home.