Author: Richard Barrow

The popular “Concert in the Park”, now in its 26th season, returns in the new year on Sunday 6th January 2019. However, the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra has announced that they will no longer be playing in Lumpini Park. Instead, their new venue is at Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park in Phathum Wan district of Bangkok (see map). It’s a lovely location, but unlike Lumpini Park, it’s a bit of a hike from the Skytrain and metro. To walk there from either BTS National Stadium or MRT Sam Yan will take you about 15 minutes.

During January and February, there will be a total of eight three concerts which will start each time at 5:30pm. The dates are

Samut Prakan Province (จังหวัดสมุทรปราการ) is at the far end of the Chao Phraya River, where it empties out into the Gulf of Thailand. The borders to the north and west join the Metropolitan of Bangkok. This web site concentrates mainly on Paknam which is the old city where I live, but there is also information about tourist attractions and festivals around the province. We don’t get many independent foreign tourists so this is actually a good place to experience “Unseen Thailand”. We are close enough to Bangkok for people to come for a day trip. This website is my way of giving back to the community that I’ve made my home for so many years. It’s a “labor of love” as you will find no advertising here.

– Richard Barrow, Travel Blogger and Teacher in Paknam, Samut Prakan for 24 years

Samut Prakan is divided into six districts (Amphoe).

The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Newsroom recently kicked off its fourth annual “TAT Newsroom Blogger Thailand” competition with two unique activities that double the chance to take home top honours.

All entries should incorporate key concepts of the TAT’s Amazing Thailand ‘Open to the New Shades’ or ‘Go Local’ marketing initiatives.

The main competition is for bloggers residing outside of Thailand and offers them a chance to win a five-day trip inclusive of airfare, accommodation and an exclusive itinerary. It is open to applicants with an established, active blog (website) plus at least one main social media account with serious engagement.

This primary competition accepts submission of photos, vlogs and blogs about Thailand, or an experienced based impression blogs, photos, vlogs about Thailand (for those who have never visited Thailand). For more details about the rules for submission for the main competition, click here.

Campaign dates for

A collection of 360° photos taken from the railway bridge across Pasak Jolasid lake in Lopburi.

One of the highlights of visiting Udon Thani province in northeastern Thailand is the so-called “Red Lotus Sea” or Talay Bua Daeng (ทะเลบัวแดง) in Thai. Really it is a lake and not a sea. Also, they are pink water-lilies and not red lotuses. But, regardless of these small details, it is an amazing sight that can be enjoyed during the cool season from late November until early March. The best time of day to visit is during the morning, the earlier the better when the water lilies are in full bloom. The best month is said to be in January when the lilies cover a much larger area. I went there recently at the end of November and was quite impressed with the amount of flowers. The weather was certainly perfect with a lovely cool breeze.

Nong Han Kumphawapi lake is still relatively unknown among foreign

One of the most beautiful flower festivals in Thailand is the annual Suan Luang Rama IX Flowers Festival which will be taking place again this year from 1st-10th December. Held for around ten days when the cool season hits the city, the festival is a part of the celebrations celebrating His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of his birthday on 5th December.

This week, I went on a 3-day trip to Nakhon Ratchasima province in Northeastern Thailand for the annual Phimai Festival and boat races.

Date of trip: 9-11 November 2018

Lunch at KP Steak House in Pak Chong District of Nakhon Ratchasima. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/AAuRTRA6bB22

Wat Sala Loi in Khorat was built by the Thai heroine Thao Suranari and her husband in 1827. Awarded by the Siam Architects Society for the best avant-garde religious building, the highlight is the meeting hall which has the shape of a boat riding the waves.

One of Thailand’s most amazing natural sights, the Dok Bua Tong – or wild sunflower – in bloom, can be sen on the hills and in the valleys of Mae Hong Son in Northern Thailand from early November for about one month. The Bua Tong flowers are yellow to orange in colour and have smaller size than the typical sunflower. Originated in Central America and the Caribbean, Dok Bua Tong is said to have been brought into Thailand by Christian missionaries and was previously called Bung Tong or Mexican Sunflower.

November 26, 2018