After a one and a half hour drive to the Thai – Cambodia border to visit Prasat Khao Phra Wihan we found there would be no access on that day. The famous temple located strategically on top of a mountain overlooking Cambodia has been a point of conflict for many years. On the day that I decided to visit the temple some Thai and Cambodian troops had a stand-off in the nearby area and it was decided to close the temple for safety reasons. I was disappointed but still could view the temple using some binoculars at the Thai lookout area and had a great view of the mountain and Cambodia below. I will try to visit the temple from Siem Reap on the Cambodian side on a future visit. Fortunately I had a plan B ... read more

Ubon Ratchathani is a very good place to visit and the people have not been exposed to as much tourism like other parts of Thailand and can maintain their normal lifestyle. This was my first visit to Ubon which is a large city in the east, close to Cambodia and part of Isaan, my favorite region of Thailand. This is what I call the “real” Thailand where most people are even more friendly, charming and polite than the tourist areas and live a normal life at work and play. It is quiet and peaceful, the motorcycle and car drivers are very careful and also polite unlike the hectic traffic in other places. I saw very few foreigners in my five days in Ubon and everywhere I went in the city and region I met the most ... read more

This is visit number 17 to Thailand from December 15 to January 27. I started in Bangkok and since I have been called a butterfly :) I thought I had better go and see a park famous for it's butterflies. The Butterfly Garden is part of the Queen Sirikit Park in Mochit. It is easily accessed by the BTS skytrain. I have never been to this park before and I was very impressed although it is not the best time of the year to see flowers and gardens in full bloom. The park is huge and I was one of very few visitors on that day. At least I kept a security guy busy blowing his whistle at me when I stood on the edge of the ponds to take a photo of the flowers. I ... read more

My 15th visit to Thailand was in April/May and it was very hot and very wet because of the Songkran water festival. I rented a condo in Pattaya and spent my holiday travelling between Pattaya and Bangkok. It was too hot to go up country, only an excuse, maybe I am getting lazy to take the long bus or car trips. I will save that for when I return in September and hopefully see some new waterfalls and go white water rafting in rainy season. Songkran is a fun time to be in Thailand and I experienced the festival in Khao San and Silom Roads Bangkok and also Pattaya. There were also Isaan Concerts in Pattaya and a great birthday party BBQ just before I returned home. Kop khun khrap - Thank you Sawatdee khrap - ... read more

I did not feel much like traveling too far so I spent my time with friends around Pattaya and Bangkok on this visit to Thailand. Watching a sunset at Jomtiem Beach or wandering around Lumpini Park or a river cruise along the Chao Phraya in Bangkok are some of my favorite pastimes. I enjoy going for a long walk most days and there is always something to do when I am in Thailand. The photos give you a glimpse of what keeps me occupied on these trips. ... read more