Happy Chinese New Year 2015

Celebrated according the Chinese calendar between 21 January and 20 February. This year (2015) on 19 February. It is also called "Spring Festival" and starts on the last evening of the old year and lasts until the "Lantern Festival" at the 15th of the first month. So it is the longest holiday time of 2 weeks and is celebrated all over the world in Chinese related countries and of course in all China Towns. In Thailand that would be especially China Town in Bangkok and the Chinese hill-tribes in Northern Thailand. But even up here in the North-East of Thailand it is celebrated by many people from Chinese origin. For more information about look HERE. Going for the next New Year ... Songkran!

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It ain't over till the fat lady sings

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Written 24 December 2020 . And well in regards of the Corona virus worldwide the fat lady has not been singing yet. And the borders of Thailand are still more or less closed, people entering Thailand still have to go into 14 days quarantine. Although until now the numbers of COVID-19 cases have been very low in compare to other countries. But since a few days there might be (or is) a second wave of COVID-19 going on in Thailand. What happend? Well Thailand is famous for its fishing & seafood industry. And just like many other industries they try to make as much money as they can by hiring cheap labour. Now you would say that is easy in Thailand. But it is much cheaper to use the so called migrant workers from Myanmar (or Cambodia and Laos). But in the fishing & seafood industry most are from Myanmar. So when in the beginning of the Corona crisis the borders of Thailand were closed many Myanmar workers returned home. Then later borders were openend again for business and cargo t
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Visiting the Wat Tham Phrathat Khao Prang in Chai Badan

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The parents of my wife are old and life has not been kind to their health, although they themselves are also not kind for their own health. So this week it was time to visit the family of wife, a bare 600 km drive from Nan province in North Thailand. So we left in the very early morning and arrived in the afternoon. And every time driving over route 21 at Chai Badan we can see in a distance a huge Buddha image built on the flanks of a small mountain range. And on the way back we finally made a short stop. Short as we still had to drive another 500 km to home sweet home. Of course the name suggest already that there is some kind of cave at the temple. And the stairs going up suggest that there is a magnificent viewpoint. But as we were a bit in a hurry we skipped all that. Later I saw that you can actually also drive up to the viewpoint. Well never mind, must be said that once close by the Buddha image is less impressive as you think it would be. There are temple related shops, donation
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Sunset in Krabi

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Sunset at Ao Keak Tub in Krabi, South Thailand (2016) Reposting from 2016. I love sunsets and sunrises so here a beautiful sunset seen from the beach at Tub Keak in Krabi, South Thailand. A wonderful beach to stay out of the busy area of Krabi.
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Another sunset along route 1256 in Pua

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Yesterday I made again a short ride to Lan Doo Dow viewpoint along route 1256 at 1436m high in the mountains of Doi Phu Kha. Although it is only 28 km from my home, it takes me about 45min riding. And to prevent that I am riding back in the dark I always leave about 16:00. Ride up is is already beautiful in this time of the year with longer time of sunset, long shadows and autumn like colors in the forrest (as far the forrest has not been destroyed for corn plantations). At the viewpoint are now 2 coffee shops & souvenir shops. Behind the shops is the viewpoint that also is a camping ground from where you will have a stunning sunset view. Officially the viewpoint is part of Doi Phu Kha National Park. So after a drink of a hot choco (it is cold in the mountains) I did ride back home again. And the riding towards the sunset is even more stunning. Photo's above and directly below were shot with my new Samsung A31 phone while riding down. Last photo below is the camping ground at L
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Visiting Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary in Loei

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Small creek between the trees Reposting from 2016. Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary is at the Phu Luang mountain area in Loei province and is part of the Luang Prabang mountain range Eco-system. Although the Phu Luang mountain is accessible from different places, the wildlife sanctuary entrance is at the north side. Access to here is a road from route 21 (203) between Phu Rua and Loei city. It takes you about 14 km to the entrance of the National Park. Entrance fee for Thai is 20 Thai baht while non-Thai have the privilege of paying 10 times as much (200 Thai baht). After the entrance it is another 14 km driving to the HQ at 1.400 meter high. Be aware that the last 7 km of this road has some very steep parts. I would not recommend to drive this with a mini-van. Actually a 4WD car would be best. Be also aware that in the raining season access to the park is closed. At the HQ op top are some simple rooms in bungalows and tents for rent. The tents look good and well taken care of. You ev
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The Golden Triangle and beyond in North Thailand

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Happy Buddha at the Golden Triangle - North Thailand Reposting from 2015. We made a beautiful trip along the Mekong River from Mai Sai to the point where the Mekong River starts to be the border between Thailand and Laos. And then following the river until the point where the river enters Laos for the first time. You will need your own transport but traveling east of Mai Sai along the not anymore so mighty Mekong River (Mae Nam Khong) one comes in a all new area of Thailand bordering with Laos where you are passing the Golden Triangle (stop at the Hall of Opium), Chiang Saen, Chiang Khong (border crossing to Laos) and Wiang Kaen to go in direction Chiang Kham but not before you visit Phu Patang and Phu Chi Fa  and Doi Pha Tang. For me it was really one of Thailand's most remarkable trips, reasonable good roads, not much tourists and even for me as long term resident of Thailand it did feel like I was on holiday in a foreign country. Stunning view along the Mekong River and fro
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Travelling along the Mekong River in Loei province

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View over the Mekong River in Thailand Reposting from 2017. After visiting Phu Phrabat Historical Park we did travel along the  Mekong River  to Chiang Khan. We did follow the Mekong river along the mountains and there are many stunning views, small villages, temples and waterfalls. What a stunning landscapes! It is that time of the year that the rice is ready to be harvested and it looks beautiful in the afternoon sunlight. And end November the shadows are so beautiful long. We did stay overnight in Chiang Khan in one of the many hotels along the riverside. Although Chiang Khan is overrun by Thai tourism, it is still a relax and nice place with family style shops, restaurants and small hotels. But I would not recommend to go in the weekend or public holidays. The next day we traveled along the the Thai-Lao border to the international border crossing at Thali. While on the way you will pass the place where the Mekong River becomes again (for the second time) a border between Thai
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Tai Lue party in Pua

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Today, 31 October 2020, is Loy Kratong festival and Krathing celebration (end of Buddhist lent) so in the village Ban Ket (in Pua, Nan province) was today a procession of local villagers dressed in their traditional Tai Lue cloths. And tonight there will be in front of the Wat Phuket the celebration of Loy Kratong with traditional live music and rambong dancing. We on the other hand will celebrate Loy Kratong in a small village along the Nan River. And with a little bit of luck I can make some nice photos for tomorrow new posting. For more information about Nan province see  Destination Travel Guide Nan .
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On the motorbike to Nanthaburi National Park in Nan province

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This will probably be the last new post of 2020, making a morning motorbike trip from Pua to Nanthaburi National Park. It is only 50 km but I took a little bit detour, actually I lost the way taking the short-cut. First route 101 to Tha Wang Pha, but before Tha Wang Pha I took a short-cut to route 1148. But then I actually already passed route 4022 to Nanthaburi National Park, so a few km riding back again and then route 4022.  A few km before the road to Nanthaburi National Park you will be passing the mountain village Ban Doi Tio. And in the village was just a procession going on, so I stopped to make some photos. Parked my bike at what I thought was the entrance to a house. But when the procession passed it was the street they wanted to go into. Lucky my motorbike did not really block the street. So following are some photos. Enjoy! As you can see on the last photo I actually did not really go to Nanthaburi National Park. Have a look for the route on Google Maps . For more informati
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