Are These Sea Gypsies Really Dolphins? No doubt some of you have visited the so-called Sea Gypsy islands in Surin National Marine Park in southern Thailand, or at least you may have heard of it. But there are some things utterly unique about these former seafaring nomads which is like something out of a sci-fi … Read more
Kukrit Pramoj A Man of Literature And Politics Few figures in modern Thai history have cast as long, vibrant, and deeply complex a shadow as Mom Rachawongse Kukrit Pramoj. He was a prince by blood, a bohemian by nature, a fierce political tactition, a master storyteller, and a man who held the fragile heart of … Read more
Legend of the Banana Tree Ghost If you’re like me and enjoy driving out into the rural provinces of Thailand, away from the flashing neon of the cities and deep into the emerald agricultural heartlands, you will eventually encounter a bizarre anomaly. A modern highway will stretch perfectly straight for many kilometers, only to suddenly … Read more
The Chaotic World of Thai Buffalo Racing For over 150 years, this unpolished, high-octane rural carnival has turned Thailand’s most peaceful beast of burden into a high-stakes drag racer. Welcome to the Chonburi Buffalo Racing Festival. Yes there is such a thing, it’s wild and crazy in every sense, and if you play your cards … Read more
Samurai in Thailand: The Rise and Fall of Yamada Nagamasa in Ayutthaya Hi Folks, I’m guessing many of you have visited Ayutthaya, the ruins of the ancient capital city of Siam. Amongst the historical debris, you may have stumbled upon the “Japanese Village”, but do you know why a Japanese Village would be in the … Read more
Thailand’s Journey From Tropical Forests to World-Class Chocolate Chocolate from Thailand, Surely A Joke! Thailand is famous for fragrant jasmine rice, tropical fruits and aromatic coffee, yet another crop has quietly been earning international recognition. Hidden among orchards and rainforest-covered hillsides, cocoa trees are producing beans that are being transformed into some of Asia’s finest … Read more
Beyond the Guidebooks: Discovering the Hidden Heart of Loei Province I will say right at the start of this story that I can’t adequately describe the beauty, atmosphere, diversity, and excitement that you’ll find in this unique province. Once you’re here you’ll begin to understand. When travellers think of Thailand, images of tropical islands, bustling … Read more
The Mystery of Wat Pa Krathum Less than ten minutes from the traffic of Highway 305, a forgotten Buddhist chapel (Ubosot) sits quietly beneath the branches of a giant Bodhi tree. Surrounded by water and hidden among fields and village lanes, Wat Pa Krathum is one of Nakhon Nayok’s most intriguing historical sites. Little is … Read more
Unveiling Thailand’s Intangible Cultural Heritage: The Art of Traditional Thai Weaving Thailand is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, and among its most treasured traditions is the intricate art of handwoven textiles. As Thailand celebrates the recognition of its cultural wisdom by UNESCO on the international stage, traditional weaving techniques such as Phaa Jok (จก) … Read more
When Siamese Troops Occupied A German City Siam in World War I: The Forgotten Story of Thailand’s Role in the Great War When people think of the First World War, images of muddy trenches in France, British and German soldiers battling across Europe, and the collapse of great empires often come to mind. Few realize … Read more