Kui Buri National Park’s wild elephants

When the wild elephants’ natural food resources dwindle, the animals unknowingly put themselves in a hazardous situation by leaving the jungle to feed on cultivated crops. Having become intolerant, several farmers trying to stop the unwanted visitors from trashing their livelihoods and fields during their search for food have resorted to violence.

Not far away from Kui Buri National Park, two of the mighty animals were found dead in the pineapple plantations. A bottle of insecticide was found near the dead elephants. The first conflict between elephants and farmers here took place 12 years ago.

Suggested by His Majesty the King, the reserve’s denuded forests need to be rehabilitated restoring the wild animals’ natural living environment. The King’s suggestion set in motion resulted in the gradual production of a natural foraging territory for the animals.

Due to this the number of confrontations between elephants and farmers decreased. The land-lease contracts’ termination was the start attempting to reduce the fights. Under these contracts the farmers legally hired the deforested territories to cultivate pineapples.

Covering an area of more than 18,500 rai, new plots were leased to the villagers. Most of them cooperated relocating their plantations.  Preventing encroachment on the selected foraging environment, a watch unit was founded. In addition, an awareness program was carried out promoting conservation of wildlife and forests.

Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

The area’s elephant population has grown from 78 animals in 1997 to 168 today. There have been spotted other rare wildlife species as well. At present time, wild elephants hardly make their way into the pineapple plantations.

To promote eco-tourism, an educational and visitors centre has been established, which serve as new income sources for locals working as tour guides as well. Supervised by the TAO with the Kui Buri National Park’s help, the centre mainly serves visitor groups from Hua Hin. The eco-tour leads tourists to designated locations where they can observe herds of wild elephants.  

Rambuttri and Samsen

I still can’t get used to Khao San Road’s transformation into a much too crowded alley with rapid diminishing charm. Today, I rather spend my free time on Samsen and Rambuttri, Khao San Road’s pretty smaller sister. Though she has matured a little bit – at presence sporting several pubs in among the little guesthouses, internet café’s, travel operators and local eateries – Rambuttri has not lost her charm.

Due to Wat Chanasongkram nearby location, more bars are scared off from moving in. But when Khao San gets jam-packed, travellers spill into Rambuttri, giving her the opportunity to present her wild side. Like Khao San Road in its early days, the narrow lane is crammed with little pubs and cheap-beverage kiosks.

However, pulsating dancing clubs can’t be found here – solely laid-back places that serve simple, cheaply-priced drinks and offer a good music selection. The seats, which spill out onto the lanes offer an outstanding invitation for having conversations while enjoying a cold beer. And with the nearby Buddhist temple and many guesthouses, bars have to keep the volume down, making it a preferable spot for a chilled-out night out.

Stroll just a little farther from Rambutttri and you’ll reach Samsen Road, where things have began to pick up over the last five years. Rather than back-to-back positioned bars, Samsen Road scatters its little bars, food stalls and live music spots at intervals, giving you the option to make some discoveries.

From here visitors may also trek up to the fortress where Prachipatai Road and Prasumen Road meet. This area represents several atmospheric hole-in-the-wall bars that are popular among the local night-owls. Each venue in this neighbourhood has its own style and clientele, something Khao San Road doesn’t offer anymore.

Bangkok forum online

The Kon mask production centre in Bangkok

Khon is a part of traditional Thai theatre in which the actors wear a mask known as Kon heads (Hua Khon). Usual performances feature scenes from the Buddhist Rammakien, Thailand’s fascinating version of the mythic epic.

For decades the Khon mask production has been carried on by the Thai well-known artist, Louis Yongkiewsod. All of his family members were puppet performance and khon actors who created and maintained their own costumes.

When modern entertainment became more popular than the traditional theatre performances, the family changed the production process’ goal to manufacturing khon masks, selling them as decoration, souvenirs and cultural gifts.

For about three decades, 69 year-old Mrs. Sangad Rodpai has been creating Kon masks. It takes about three days to complete one mask. Depending on the design, the price will be between 850 and 1,200 baht.

The Centre of Khon mask making is opened daily from 08:00 to 18:00 and can be found in Bangkok’s Bansue District on Prochachun Road, Tel: 662 585 7693.

Bangkok cycling tour (Part 2)

The Hong Si Khiew – the green room – features an old piano of mahogany with ivory keys. A third-floor octagonal hall above is where Rama V and his wives lived. The king’s living room boasts an old piano-shaped desk and a bookshelf. The bathroom – Siam’s most modern at the time – had no water pumped in, but there is a separate bathtub and copper shower.

On another floor is an audience hall that is filled with sparkling glassware from Poland, Germany and Czechoslovakia. The bicycle parade pedalled next to the Thai Press Museum, which is housed in the Press Association of Thailand Building. Especially interesting is the French newspaper that carried reports of the king’s travels throughout Europe.  More on Thai history

King Rama V

At the 17th century Church of the Immaculate Conception in the Samsen district – the nation’s oldest church – is a brilliant stained-glass mural. It deprives the lives of Jesus Christ and other holy individuals. Also displayed is a wooden sculpture of Cambodia’s revered Mother of Health.

The fascinating outing ended at Wat Rajathiwaswihan, which was constructed in 1276, during the early Ayutthaya period. Inside the ubosot are a mural by Italian artist Rigolee, relating the tale of the 10th bodhisattva and a sacred golden Buddha image called Phra Niruntrarai. 
 

The two-wheel tour

The Thai capital’s history moves in cycles and as it turns out, bicycles are one of the greatest ways to explore it. Bangkok, for all its glitzy malls and modern hotels, remains a destination to luxuriate in heritage and history, and if you don’t believe that, said National Geographic, jump on your bicycle and go see.

Recently a hundred cyclists got out and discovered history-steeped Rattanakosin Island. If there was any scepticism about the city’s surviving merits, it filtered away every shift of gears. “The Temple of King Rama V”, better known as the Marble Temple, set the trip’s tone of architectural splendour with its ubosot designed in the European neo-classical style and Italian marble.

Inside are the revered golden statue Phra Buddha Chinarat and gorgeous murals showing different kinds of stupas. Along a long marble corridor are over 50 Buddha images in the Sukhothai style. In 1873 King Chulalongkorn was ordained in the wooden Song Phranuant Hall. You can see the bed in which he slept as a monk, and paintings of his life’s scenes and Thai traditions.

The next stop was Dusit Palace, where the cyclist admired the graceful Vimanmek Mansion, constructed on Ko Si Chang as King Chulalongkorn’s summer residence and moved to Bangkok in 1901. In the capital, the three-floor golden-teakwood mansion was refurbished in the Victorian style by his Royal Highness Prince Narisranuvattivongse, the King’s half-brother.

There are 72 rooms, although only 31 are open to the public as a museum. The walls in shades of green, blue, pink, ivory and peach enclose displays of rare collection of art, artefacts, royal portraits and handicrafts. The Hong Si Fah – the blue room – has 72 turtle-shaped black sapphires on view, created for His Majesty King Bhumibol’s 72nd birthday. In another room are wonderful ceramic ware from the Netherlands and Russia and Shanghai-style silverware used to test food for poison.

National Geographic

Stay tuned for part 2!
 

Safari World

Situated in Min Buri, just north of the Thai capital, Safari World is a fun-filled attraction offering exciting entertainment for the entire family. The park’s 800,000 square metre territory houses both a Marine Park and Safari Park

The Safari Park is home to a wide range of Asian as well as African animals that can be observed by visitors, while living in their natural habitat. Frequent shows performed by seals and dolphins can be seen in the Marine Park, a must-see and unforgettable experience for children.

Starring in one of the funniest animal shows are orangutans

Safari World offers its guests an all day happening. Due to the attraction’s location outside of Bangkok, it is going to take travellers a while to get there. Especially the kids will find numerous of interesting things to see and do so parents should expect being dragged around the park by their children all day long! 

Given the distance, taxis provide the most convenient way to get there for parents travelling with kids. The taxi ride might be pricier but the savings in comfort completely outweigh the expenses. However, if you still wish to save money on transportation, bus 26 from the Victory Monument will take passengers to Ram Indra Road’s Kilometre 9. A minivan service to Safari World departs from this point. For more information about Safari World, visitors can call 0 2518 1000.

The open-air museum of Muang Boran

The Ancient City or Muang Boran or the Ancient City is the globe’s most spacious open-air museum. This attraction’s territory occupies an area of 200 acres. The Ancient City’s construction started in 1963. The open-air museum is positioned at Tambon Bang Pu Mai within less than five miles from Samut Prakan town.

This unique feature makes a rewarding daytrip from Bangkok and boasts many actual-sized and scaled-down copies of the Thai provinces’ significant historic sites including: Phrathat Chaiya, Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, Wat Mahathat Sukhothai, Phrathat Muang Nakhon, Phraphuttabat Saraburi and many more.

In addition, the museum displays traditional folk, cultures and arts, some of which are difficult to come by at presence. For those travellers who appreciate to be educated about Thailand, a visit to Muang Boran should not be missed!

The Ancient City can easily be reached by bus from Bangkok as well as by car.
The museum is daily opened from 08.00 to 17:00. The admission fee for adults is 300 baht and for kids 200 baht. You can get around the vast museum by van at an additional fee of 50 baht. For more information www.ancientcity.com/

Brief introduction to the ‘City of Angels’

The national capital, Bangkok is absolutely one of Thailand’s most spectacular places to explore. This hectic and never-sleeping city serves as a travel centre for the entire region of South East Asia. Most travellers come back and forth when they’re visiting Thailand’s different popular regions, for example Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi or Pattaya.

Bangkok’s bad reputation due to pollution and severe traffic jams is not really longer justified. Modern, fast and efficient public transport was launched by the BTS Sky Train system about eight years ago, while new roads have been constructed as well. Also the underground railway, known as the MRT metro offers a convenient way to get around the city. The MRT operates services to several popular downtown locations.

Another way of transport is offered by the numerous tuk-tuk drivers. These noisy, typically Thai three-wheeled taxis can be found throughout the entire city and visiting Bangkok wouldn’t be complete without experiencing at least one ride. Making more rides in these open-air vehicles isn’t recommended as they don’t offer any protection against pollution and due to the lack of air-conditioning it can get very hot. Bangkok, compared to many other huge capital cities, is a very safe place to stay in and its crime rates are even one of the world’s lowest!

Bangkok’s lively markets

Markets in the Thai capital vary from the sticky and hot mazes such as the enormous JJ Weekend Market (also know as Chatuchak), the Pahurat and Pratunam markets, to the cooler and trendier Suan Lum Night Bazaar.

Along with some outstanding bargains, these markets also offer the option to absorb the local’s daily life and a great place to taste the kind of Thai cuisine, which isn’t served by most of the city’s guesthouses and hotels. Make sure you smile when bargaining at one of Bangkok’s markets as a smiling face will get a better price!

Patpong Night Market:
After improving its reputation, Patpong has become a vibrant market place that shouldn’t be missed by enthusiast shoppers. The Patpong Night Market is always hectic and crowded with many foreign tourists. Bangkok’s most famous and naughty nightlife zone with its numerous go-go bars can be reached within just a short walk.
 
Suan Lum Night Bazaar:
Blending stylishly dressed, fresh-from-the-office locals, budget-minded backpackers and expatriates, Bangkok’s main VIP outdoor market is Suan Lum. This booming market boasts covered walkways with numerous centrally-positioned eateries, providing most likely the city’s most posh (outdoor) shopping opportunity.

JJ Weekend Market:
The famous and huge Chatuchak Market boasts about 15,000 stalls attracting, every Saturday and Sunday, over 200,000 visitors. This enormous weekend market is Bangkok’s mother of all market places. It is one of the world’s largest and most renowned shopping areas. If you get an adrenalin rush from hunting for bargains, then get ready for an earth-moving and head-spinning shopping adventure. Conquering this vast and bustling market isn’t that simple though. Being patient and drinking plenty of water will reward visitors with a full bag full of bargains as pretty much anything can be found at this market.
 
Local Markets in Bangkok:
The local markets in Bangkok feature some of the metropolis’ best-kept secrets. These shopping places offer a wide range of goods at incredibly cheap prices, and quite often are filled with the kindest variety of Thai locals. A walk to Bangkok’s outer edge may be necessary to reach certain markets. However, it is at these places where the most lucrative deals on a huge variety of products are mostly made. Some of the most interesting local markets in Bangkok are Khlong San, Or Tor Kor, Major Ratchoyothin, Minburi, Saphan Mai and Klong Toey.

Wholesale Markets in Bangkok:
Bangkok’s wholesale markets attract retailers coming from each part of the world. Here they often benefit from unbeatable deals. The city’s cheapest priced jewellery, textiles and herbs along with many other favoured wholesale goods can be found at these markets. Wholesale markets in Bangkok are Pratunam, Bai Yoke, Bo-bae Market, Sampeng Lane, Pahurat Textile Market and the flower market known as Pak Khlong Talat. Professional local wholesale agent

Floating Markets in Bangkok:
Even most of the people visiting the Floating Markets today are day-tripping tourists rather than locals, the boats navigating through the canals are still fully loaded with exotic fruits, fresh vegetables, coconut juice and many different local dishes cooked onboard in the floating kitchens. A guided boat trip of Damnoen Saduak offers the best way to enjoy the unique ambience. Bangkok’s floating markets are Damnoen Saduak, Tha Kha, Bang Ku Wiang and the Taling Chan Market.
 

Bangkok’s newest rooftop restaurant

Offering guests a bird’s-eye view of vibrant Soi Nana, the Aura Rooftop Bar & Restaurant is a great place for the finest dining and wining options. Soi Nana isn’t exactly a popular choice for visitors thinking of drinking, eating and some relaxation but this establishment surely is.

Positioned on the 3rd floor, Aura’s rooftop spot is a laid-back bar and restaurant rolled into one. Spacious and airy, the décor is simple, and while the panorama isn’t jaw-dropping, you’re away from the chaos down below. No worries here when it’s raining cats and dogs, or the sun is too strong as the roof is retractable, so the open air can still be enjoyed.

Taking a seat in the long bar is ideal for those wanting to munch on some snacks or to drink. Opt for a table if you want full dinner. Beers, wines and cocktails are affordably priced. The menu includes a delectable selection of salads, pasta, deserts, tapas and main Western dishes along with popular Thai food at prices varying from 180 baht to 900 baht.

In the open space smoking is allowed and indoor air-conditioned seating is catered for as well. A DJ daily spins the grooves with the exception of Mondays. Feel free to get connected as Wi-fi access is available. Aura Rooftop Bar & Restaurant is open daily from 17:00 till 03:00. You can find this trendy venue on Sukhumvit Soi 2 near BTS Nana. Car parking is available.

Aura Rooftop Bar & Restaurant