Finally back onto Charoen Krung Road, a small flight of steps leads away from the busy main road and to the quiet canalside precinct that is Ong Ang Walking Street. Looking along an uncharacteristically quiet Charoen Krung Road to the junction with Maha Chai Road. Ong Ang canal is behind me, with the market path… Continue reading An Afternoon Walkabout In Bangkok Part Three: Ong Ang Canalside Market
Continuing my wanderings that began where Thanon Krung Kasem meets Thanon Rama I, continuing along Thanon Luang. First stop, taking a peek at only a small part of the large temple complex of Thep Sirinthra Ratchaworawiharn.... Moving on, to Phlab Phla Chai temple.... Within the grounds of Phlab Phla Chai Temple... These photographs are from… Continue reading An Afternoon Walkabout In Bangkok Part Two: From Thep Sirinthra Ratchaworawiharn To Phlab Phla Temple
Having four limbs that are strong and healthy is something that we take for granted. Not everyone has such fortune, though, and my respect is immense for those who were either born with disability, or have had to adapt their lives due to misfortune. Years ago, whilst visiting friends in Laos, I was shocked to… Continue reading An Afternoon Walkabout In Bangkok Part One: From The Prostheses Foundation To Krung Kasem Canal
Time on my hands in Bangkok. Where to go, what to explore without going too far afield or have to fork out too many travel expenses… decisions, decisions. Sometimes, it isn’t that I necessarily have an urge to see a certain place, but maybe it is that I have noticed a particular area when passing… Continue reading Wat Yannawa: The Boat-Shaped Temple
Dominoes. Think of their knock-on effect. How often this is a part of everyday life for us - sometimes with dismal results, but also sometimes with exciting discoveries. One such connection-reaction came about following discussion with a friend about the history of old London, in particular its hidden treasures, the less-obvious things that we either… Continue reading Bangkok’s Wat Mangkorn Underground Station
No matter how important the ceremony, how big the occasion, how much fun the activities are, there is always one thing that matters more. The lunch that follows. Today’s lunch was no exception. Unlike at the other school for senior citizens in town itself – Pha Suk District Council is happy to provide a free… Continue reading Pha Suk School For Thai Senior Citizens: Rounding Things Off With Lunch
I used to think that the opening ceremony for something, or somewhere, would surely be the first item on the agenda, but thanks to the number of opening ceremonies I have attended here, I now see that that is not the case. Quite the opposite, in fact, as there have to be activities both before… Continue reading Pha Suk School For Thai Senior Citizens: Events Before The Official Opening
I know it takes time for the wheels to turn when it comes to planning new initiatives here, especially in a small, rural town. However, I also know that when plans change for the negative, it is not often made common knowledge or formally announced as cancelled or postponed, apart from to those in the… Continue reading The Opening Ceremony For Pha Suk School For Thai Senior Citizens
Thawd Kathin, Isaan Thailand’s annual festival in the thirty days immediately following the end of Buddhist Lent. There are a lot of provinces in Isaan, a lot of towns, a lot of villages, and whilst there is a traditional formula to follow, it is down to the individuality of each location to stamp its mark… Continue reading Comparing The Ways Of Conducting Thawd Kathin Festival
Whilst the processional part of a Thawd Kathin festival, is something light-hearted, musical and fun, the ceremony that actually matters - the presentation of the cloth and the monetary donations to the abbot of the temple – is a far more serious event. Actually, even the atmosphere of the processions can vary, depending on where… Continue reading The Serious Side Of Thawd Kathin: Presentation To Our Local Monk
Are You Looking At Me, Or Wat?! 