Author: footloose

Siamotif Boutique Hotel is very much part of the local community in Thonburi. A reminder of simpler times.

Set on the Bangkok Noi Canal it is an old wooden house offering uniquely-designed accommodation that is well off the beaten track.

The hustle and bustle of Bangkok is left behind as you wander through the Ban Bu crafters community or browse for something to eat from the vendor stalls at the food market. And the Emerald Buddha Temple is just across the Chao Phraya river when you are ready to mix it with the crowds and sightseers.

My introduction to diving in Thailand was a live abord cruise on a catamaran from Phuket up to Similan, Surin and the Burma Banks. An experience I have never forgotten.

Similan is an archipelago. One of the best dive sites to see manta rays and if you are lucky whale sharks. Best done on a live aboard to dive sites like Richelieu Rock, Elephant Head, and Beacon Point.

A World Heritage site, the Thung Yai Naesuan and Huai Kha Khamin Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of over 600,000 hectares.

Access is limited to a few hides and walking trails around the administrative centre. Although there are accommodation facilities these are only available for research and study purposes rather than casual visitors.

More than half of the total population of the Indochinese tiger survives in Thailands Western Forest Complex, with Huai Kha Khaeng as its core habitat. This a story of Huai Kha Khaeng, a story about Seub Nakhasathienva the superintendent whose work and death at the sanctuary was largely responsible for it being declared a World Heritage site.

A struggle and commitment best expressed by the solitude and simplicity of a bench near his cottage that overlooks a bend of the river at the Sanctuaries Headquarters. A testament to the memory of a man who dedicated his life to preserving something he believed in passionately.

It is the time of year when Thai’s from all over the world return to their families, their homes and villages to pay respect to their elders. And to join the kids celebrating Thailands Water Festival.

Songkran is the New Year’s festival. New Year’s Day is 13 April every year, but the official holiday period includes 14–15 April as well. And unofficially stretches through to the following weekend. The word “Songkran” comes from the Sanskrit word saṃkrānti which literally means “astrological passage”, transformation or change.

 

Mornings begin with visiting the local temple and offering food to the monks is commonly practiced. Later in the day pouring water on Buddha statues represents a way of purification, washing away the past.

It is a festival of unity.

 

People who have moved to other countries usually return home to their loved ones and elders and the younger members of the family show respect by pouring fragrant water over the palms of elders’ hands. Paying reverence to ancestors is also an important part of Songkran tradition.

Main streets in the towns and villages are closed to traffic to allow both young and old celebrate by splashing water on each other and engaging in fierce water battles. Water barrels are placed on virtually every road and traffic runs the gauntlet of laughing noisy kids armed to the teeth with an impressive array of water guns, hosepipes and fragrant paste.

 

Gunsmithing skills are also an essential service.

Kanchanaburi is one of the most scenic and interesting provinces in Thailand. It is also largely untapped. There is little or no English spoken outside of Kanchanaburi city and the established tourist attractions. This makes it an exciting destination for self drive travellers who are looking for something different

Everyone is cutting, cooking and prepping the young bamboo shoots that are sprouting with the rains.

I have been in the UK for nearly three months now and have given up looking for a decent Thai restaurant. Haven’t had a decent Tom Yum yet.It’s not quite the same as my search for western food in Kanchanaburi  .

The UK and I assume Europe, lacks that vigor that comes with freshly cooked, spicy meals. It is all regulated, calculated and sanitised.

Making it profoundly boring.