Koh Nangyuan, Suratthani

ภาษาไทย | English

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Background

We recommend a place to visit on your holiday. It is Koh Nangyuan (Nangyuan Island), one of the dive sites and coral viewing in area of Amphoe Koh Phangan, Suratthani comprises 3 small islands jointed with sand dunes. Koh Nangyuan is located in Northwest of Koh Tao. It is far apart from Koh Tao only 480 m. approximately, 110 km. from Suratthani and 74 km. from Chumphon.

At Koh Nangyuan, the crystal clear water makes we see various fishes, seashell and corals under the water vividly. The Tourists like to relax here with fresh air and privacy time among 3 lush islands surrounding.

Accommodation

Many accommodations are provided here such as resorts and bungalows that can be scanned upon our favor. Each one faces the sea in various point of view. It's easy to relax with lying to see natural scenery in the rest.

Travel

We can go to Koh Nangyuan by the boat from Koh Tao.
For more information, please contact Office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Suratthani Tel. 0-7728-8818, 0-7728-8819 or Public Relations of Province Tel. 0-7728-3970

Mahya bay, Krabi

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Background

Travel to Mahya bay (or Maya bay) in Koh Phi Phi Lee, Phi Phi Islands, Krabi is a trip to suggest. It's small crescent moon shape bay surrounded by limestone hills. Here...  Its beautiful landscape makes me have a lasting impression. We can see the fine clean sand under the sea through the bright green clear water.

I like to walk along the beach to touch the soft fluffy sand under my feet. Sometime, wesplash and swim in the sea or take a rest by sunbathing or snorkeling.

Travel

We can go to Mahya Bay by taking a boat at Ao Nang or Jao Fa Pier in Krabi.

Activity

Swimming, walking along the beach, sunbathing,  snorkeling and relaxing with the natural beautiful scenery.

Accommodation in Krabi e.g. : 

• Chaya Resort Tel. +66 075-638155 to 6 
• Haleeva Resort Tel.  +66 7563 8431 to 2 
• Aonang Princeville Resort Tel. +66 7563 7971 to 3
• The Element Resort Tel. +66 7562 7999
• etc.

Phucheefa, Chiang Rai

Phucheefa National Park, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Phucheefa National Park, the famous tourist attraction in Chiang Rai. It is in the National Forest area approximately 2,500 rai above sea level from 1,200 m to 1,628 m. The park is high mountain in the massif of Doi Pha Mon adjacent to the border of Thailand and Laos.

Tourist Attraction

Phucheefa mountain is the highest peak of Doi Pha Mon. The most beautiful scenic spot is a steep cliff adjacent to Laos border. In winter, the scenery is so beautiful. Most tourists will stay overnight at Ban Rom Fa Thong (บ้านร่มฟ้าทอง) away from the scenic point about 1.5 miles, then walk up to Phucheefa scenic spot at dawn.

             

Wild Himalayan Cherry

Snowy Orchid Tree

On the way, the tourists will walk through Wild Himalayan Cherry forest with beautiful flowers bloom during January - February. In February, Snowy Orchid Tree's flowers are also in full bloom around the foothills of Phucheefa.

Travel by Car

Phucheefa is away from Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Rai about 144 kilometers. We can be along the route as follows :

1. Start from Amphoe Mueangt to Amphoe Thoeng, Chiang Rai, through 3-way junction, Phu Sang Witthayakhom School, Ban Sop Bong, Ban Muang Chum 3-way junction, then go on to Phucheefa.
2. Go along the highway number 1093, through Phu Sang waterfall (Phu Sang National Park), Ban Hwk border, Doi Pha Mon Agricultural Extension Center (Experiment and promotion for planting winter flowers such as tulips and lilies)

From Phucheefa, we can go to Doi Pha Tang, Amphoe Wiang Kaen, Chiang Rai by the provincial highway number 1093. Doi Pha Tang is away from Phucheefa about 25 Km. From  Doi Pha Tang, we also go to Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen and Mae Sai, Chiang Rai.

Home - Service

No service for house, camping and food. If tourists wish to stay overnight, please bring your own tent and prepare your own food. 
To request permission to use the park, please contact Phu Chi Fa National Park directly.

For more information, please contact :

• Phucheefa National Park ,the 15th Conservation Area Office, Chiang Rai tel. (053) -714914

• or National Park Management, National Park Bureau, Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Jatujak district, Bangkok Tel. 0-25614292 -3 ext. 719

Reference : Wikipedia : ภูชี้ฟ้า, โอเชี่ยนสไมล์ทัวร์

Image : 7wondersthailand.com, moohin.com, Wikipedia : ภูชี้ฟ้า

Thai Puppet

Thai Puppet performing by "Joe Louis Puppet Theater"

Feature & Background

The puppet comprises 5 main parts ie. head, body, hands, feet and costume with decoration. Head, hands and feet are simulated the human's organs emulated the realistic motion naturally. Minimum 3 controller men are needed to control 1 puppet. While the puppet is dancing, all controller men have to dance synchronously as the same person. They have to express the emotion through their dancing and the puppet in concurrent harmony.

New Home at Asia Antique, Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok

Joe Louis Puppet Theater's new home, Asia Antique is under construction and expected to be completed early next year.

For more information, please contact :

Joe Louis Puppet Theater Company Limited 301, Moo 3, Tambon Bangrakputtana,  Bang Bua Thong district, Nonthaburi, 11110, Thailand
Tel. 02 571 4968, 02 571 4969, Fax. 02 571 1855
email: info@joelouistheatre.com
web site : http://www.joelouistheatre.com
facebook : หุ่นละครเล็ก โจหลุยส์ Fan Page

Khon

Show at National Theater on August 29, 2010

Feature & brief history

"Khon", the high class of Thai art is a kind of dancing with graceful tenderness and exquisite elegance. "Khon" has a long history since the Ayutthaya period. In the record of La Rou Bear, the Ambassador of France in the reign of King Narai the Great of Siam (A.D.1656-1688), it said that "Khon" performance was dancing with the sound of twang and instruments. The actors mask to hide their faces and carry weapons. "Khon" is various integration of arts and science ie. literature, dancing art, music art and craftsmanship. The feature of playing and dressing is taken from "ชักนาคดึกดำบรรพ์" (One kind of Thai ancient game). The excitingly sensational action of struggle and dance is applied from the first gesture of dancing of the teachers salute feature from "กระบี่กระบอง" (Clubs or other weapons, Contest with swords) including the arts of dub, conversation and music & song used for the show.

The main characteristics of "Khon"

The main characteristics of the show is masking of the actors called "สวมหัวโขน" (swm-haw-khon). "หัวโขน" (haw-khon) is the mask covering from head to neck. Two holes on mask are drilled for eyes seeing. The emotion is expressed through the dancing. Each dancing gesture and the mask are created differently upon the role of each character ie. the giant, the monkey, the angels, etc. The masks are decorated with colors, lacquer & plate (ลงรักปิดทอง) and decorative glass called  "หน้าโขน" (nar-khon).

Literature for "Khon"

Similar to the drama, Khon's story is played sorting in chronological order. The popular literature to play "Khon" is "รามเกียรติ์" (Ramayana), the story of battle between the giant and the human with the help of the monkey volunteering for troops of the man.

Thai Silk

According to understanding, Silk fabric is made from Bombyx mori's cocoons. Bombyx mori  called silkworm eats plenty of mulberry leaves before reform to caterpillar on a steady diet. 

Why is Thai silk popular?

Generally, fabric made ​​of silk is soft light, not heat and slippery smooth. Nevertheless, Thai silk has the special properties differing from others. The texture of Thai silk is glossily sequins, naturally spongy, soft and weighty. It is also weaved with exquisite Thai painting in various pattern; therefore, Thai silk is very popular and needed in the global market.

How to identify authentic Thai silk?

However, there are some people make the artificial Thai silk by using other silk or other thread marketed in the brand of Thai silk. To identify genuine Thai silk, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand designates "peacock" symbol for Agriculture Ministry of Thailand use in order to authenticate Thai silk and prevent the imitation.

Thai silk quality guarantee

"Peacock" symbol is used for Thai silk quality guarantee. The symbol is categorized into 4 types by production process as follows :

1. Gold peacock (Royal Thai Silk)    A traditional hand-made Thai silk. All materials and production are processed by Thai folk wisdom. The threads are created from native Thai silkworm.
2. Silver peacock (Classic Thai Silk)    The production is processed by Thai folk wisdom and application tools. The threads are created from improved breed of Thai silkworm. 
3. Blue peacock  (Thai Silk)    Thai folk wisdom is applied with the technology in the production process to modernize and support commercial purpose. All threads are authentic Thai silk dyed by natural material or non-poisonous environmental chemical. 
4. Green peacock (Thai Silk Blend)    Thai silk is blended with other fabrics as the customer purpose. The mixing proportion must be labeled clearly.

The first Thai silk shop

At present, there are many shop where you can find good Thai silk. By the way, the first Thai silk shop is "Jim Thompson", established in 1948 by Mr. James Harrison Wilson Thompson, american man who initialized trading system for Thai silk production successfully.

Jim Thompson House Museum

Jim Thompson's house now becomes the museum, you can visit the house at the address below :

Address

Jim Thompson House
6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok, Thailand
Tel: (662) 216-7368 Fax: (662) 612-3744

The Jim Thompson House is located on Soi Kasemsan (2) Song, opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Road

Reference site : Jim Thompson House, Wikipedia : Thai silk (Thai, English), Jim Thompson

Image : Wikipedia : Thai silk, Jim Thompson

Koh Lipeh, Satun

ภาษาไทย | English

Let's go to Koh Lipeh. Koh Lepeh (or Leepe, Lipe, Lipeh Island) is a small island in Tarutao National Park. It's in the southern boundary of group of Koh Adang - Rawi and in the west of Koh Tarutao. Here's the islander community housing over a hundred years. In addition to enjoying the beautiful nature. We can also easily find food shops, fruits and seafood sold by the villagers in the island.

Attractive Beaches on Koh Lipeh

Sunrise Beach (หาดชาวเล)

Sunrise Beach is in the east of island stretches for several hundred meters. It's shady with the line of coconut trees along the beach. Here... Sunrise is so beautiful. So, this beach's called "Sunrise Beach". From here, we can see  Koh Adang - Rawi, just 800 meters as well. There're uncrowded villager's but enough beach resorts here.

Pattaya Beach (หาดพัทยา)

Pattaya Beach is in the west of island. We can come here by walking from village about 20-30 minutes. Long Beach is a half-circle curves with the white clean sand. It's nice landscape and the most beautiful sunset in Koh Lipeh. There are many resorts and bungalows. Some are located on a slope where we can be cozy to see scenery. There are also restaurants, groceries, food shops, diving equipment rental and boat rental.

From Koh Lipeh, we can go to other islands in Koh Adang - Rawi easily. The islands are located in the short distances eg. Koh Adang, Koh Rawi, Koh Hin Ngam, Koh Ja Bang, and etc.

Vimanmek Mansion

ภาษาไทย | English

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Visiting Vimanmek Mansion makes me be so impressed. 

All around the royal house are very beautiful. 

How to reach Vimanmek Mansion

Starting from Victory Monument by getting on bus no.18, 28, 108 or air-conditioned bus no. 515, 539, 542. The admission fee 100 Baht.

Guide told me that Vimanmek Mansion has been the world's largest golden teakwood mansion built in the reign of King Rama 5.

Elegant royal house in the lush garden is pleasing for my sightseeing. In the mansion, there are many antique utensils of the king and the royal family. All them are quaint and rare.

Because of the royal court, photo isn't allowed inside the building. So, I took the photos outdoor instead.

Inside the building, There are the windows around the balcony. The outside through the windows is more beautiful.

Especially, Reurn Thai (Thai style's house) behind Vimanmek Mansion is very beautiful. Its stunning makes me out the world. (I really feel. Not over.) Unfortunately, I can't take the photo inside the building .I'd like other to see it.

There are the several groups of tourist. so, it's not easy to avoid people and find out the open space.

There are Chitralada shop, beverage and ice-cream shop near the royal house for shopping service. 

This photo is Chitralada shop and beverage shop when viewed from Vimanmek Mansion.

In front of Chitralada shop.
There are many goods eg. clothing, hat, bag and etc.







Because of many photos, other interesting royal houses around Vimanmek Mansion will be mentioned in page 2, 3 and 4 to prevent slow loading.

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Anantasamakom Thron Hall

ภาษาไทย |  English

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I walk out Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall and turn right to reach Anantasamakom Thron Hall. Inside of Anantasamakom Thron Hall is very beautiful. I'd like you to visit to see such the beauty by yourself. I can't take the photo inside the building for you because of the royal court. So, I take outdoor photos for you instead.

I take more photos, but car parked around the palace area makes me have discomfort eyes. So, many photos are skipped.

Photographed while I was walking out of Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall area.

From my learning, the building is European architecture made of marble from Italy. I try to come close to see marble tracery.

Unfortunately, the area of palace is currently under construction. The Thron Hall is elegantly magnificent as picturesque, but I can photograph only half of building because the fence construction is overlay the another haft. Although only haft, Thron Hall is still elegant.

Way into the palace. We can walk through to the other side of the Thron Hall.

There are coffee shop and souvenir shop near the palace for tourism service.

The garden around the palace.

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