Thailand that I travelled
Northern Thailand
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Chiang Rai In the ending period of 1990's, with the Americans crackling down on Opium production this region was a very exciting area to move about
1. Chiang Saen - The "Golden Triangle" Park & View Point 2. Chiang Saen - The House of Opium - Museum 3. Chiang Saen - Short visit -Phra That Pu Khae Temple 4. Chiang Rai - Mae Sai the Border Check Point with Myanmar 5. Chiang Rai - Tourist destinations around Mae Sae 6. Chiang Rai - Mae Sai - Unique shopping spree in Mae Sai 7. A peep into - The Burmese Border Town of Tachilek 8. Scenes from the Streets of Mae Sai 9. Chiang Rai - The Imperial River House 10. Mae Sai The Wang Thong Hotel 11. Chiang Rai - Checking out - The Chinese Yunan Restaurant Chiang Mai For those who loves Culture and history, Chiang Mai city was like a Museum
1. Queen Shirikit Botanical Garden 3. Old City Walls - Chiang Mai 7. Our Hotel - Holiday Garden Resort 9. Night Bazaar Shopping and dining 10. The Mae Sa Valley & Sameong 11. Bo Sang The Umbrella Village Quite an interesting destination - This Chiang Mai is! I have built up 11 topics with pictures. Lampang I do have some pictures Low priority Province I will come back later
Phrae I onlu made a very brief stop over to check my car. Unlikely I will have a page on this Province
Suhkothai Kamphaeng Phet This is a huge UNESCO site
1. Exploring What's Around the Kampheang Phet area 3. Kampheang Phet UNESCO Historical Site Phitsanulok We had good time there
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Central Thailand
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Nahkon Pathom I made countless stop over for overnight stay. My pictures were all devoted to the Chedi but unable to trace them now
Samut Sahkon Yes, there is pone page on Salt and and loads of pictures on the floating market. Hunting the page on salt mining now and getting it linked
Kanchanaburi This Province is almost like my hometown, Say liking it is an understatement
The Sai Yok Noi Waterfalls The Hell Fire Pass The Huay Khamin Watefalls Kanchanaburi Town Floating Restaurants in River Kwai The Muang Singh Historical Site. Petchaburi
I have fond memories from this province. Just because of a ride with a Policeman. But I went back not that long ago to do birding
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Isthmus Peninsula - East Coast
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Prachuap Khiri Khan
The narrowest of the Isthmus of Kra, how can I forget this Province Hua Hin City Wat Thamikaram Worawihan This is the "Monkey" Temple. On top of limestone hill, there was also a big see-thru hole in the mountain Border with Burma Fishing Port - Phrachuap Khiri Khan Around Prachuap Khiri Khan Narrowest in Thailand Dan Sing Kong in Burma Border Resort town of Hua Hin Chumphon Another very important stay over point for me having met the owner of the hotel too Stay in Chumphon The Princess Fingers bananas of Chumphon Raptor Watch at Khao Dinsor Surat Thani Another Province with an usual amount of memories
Lots of Tourist destinations Monkey Training school Vehicle Ferry Don Sak This was the [passenger as well as Vehicular] Ferry plying between the mainland in Surat Thani and the island of Koh Samui. Ferry leaves every 2 hourly, each morning at 8am cost B180 for car and driver. Takes 45-60 minutes. Don Sak Car ferry Arrival in Samui Island terminal Koh Samui The impression that stayed in our mind about Surat Thani is the Pasar Malam and not so much as the Samui Island Had wonderful time staying in that same hotel on all occasion. Incidentally Surat Thank is an essential stop after 500 Km from Hat Yai and smack mid way to Bangkok Nahkon Si Tammarat The Temple experiences with the monk - an unforgivable event "Nahkon" as everyone called it remind us about the good food, nice Garden Inn hotel and to he Monk in Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan Phattalung Oh! This province was my land of adventures Trail Head - Mon Jui Waterfalls A souvenir picture with the Road sign
On the way Phraiwan Waterfalls Yes! 9 km further north along the same road
The few interesting places here are:- 7.1 Khao Oh Thalu The "Hole-in-the Heart" Hill 7.2 The Thale-Noi Inland Lake & Wetlands Area More Waterfalls in Phattalung Mon Jui Waterfalls Phraiwan Wateralls
Yala
The land lock province
of Yala in another one of the Muslim dominated places in Thailand
deep south. Better known to Malaysian, would be it's city Betong at
the Perak border. Betong is 1198 km south of Bangkok, 130 km from
Provincial capital Yala and 263 km from Hat Yai. Border Crossing @ Betong Thai side - Crossing over from Pengkalan Hulu formerly known as Kroh.
Travelling within Yala Province was a long trip and also a lonely drive. Place quite rural and the feelings of uncertainties. Yes for those heading for Betong it is a breeze. This border tourist town is ust 12 Kms from the border. In all my trips I was in Yala for Waterfalls. Disappointed found that most of them were:- "baby" Falls,
Narathiwat We are all too familiar Sungei Golok. Across the border from the Kelantan side is the Thai town of Sungei Kolok. It is 1,190 kms south of Bangkok. This town is in the province of Narathiwat . The province has a land area of 4,475 sq kms and a population of 802,474 inhabitants. Narathiwat was part of the semi-independent Malay Sultanate of Pattani paying tribute to the Thai Kingdom of Suhkothai. In 1909 Narathiwat was fully integrated into Siam by the Anglo-Siamese Treaty. Negotiated with the British Empire Amphoe Su-ngai Kolok is the largest town in Narathiwat and commercial center for the province. They have nice beaches but with low patronage. Remember that the population is predominantly Muslim and using the Jawi language. This province is in the group of the 4 provinces in deep south where security in the province is the main concern Signage at Narathiwat Luckily found one - not a good example too
There is nothing spectacular about Golok or Kolok as they called it in Thai, the town had a couple of main streets and accompanied with am small shanty township. But Narathiwat is one of the border Provinces I need to cover . More so after the millennium times. Hala Bala National Park is the name to go for Hornbills Sungei Kolok Town Hala Bala National Park
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Isthmus Peninsula - Andaman Coast
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Ranong Ranong is a town
and Province in the southern part of Thailand It is 586
kilometers south of Bangkok and in 2005 had a population
of,16,263 inhabitants. It is the most northerly province along
the Andaman coast Well known for its rainy weather 8 months in a
year This is
basically as Hokkien speaking county Isthmus Of Kra So glad to find this monument but this picture was signage in Thai
Isthmus Of Kra
Isthmus Of Kra
We were mesmerized by the sheer size of the fish market in Ranong and so thrill to meet up with the Punyaban Waterfall which was just beside the Trunk Road. Those excitement was quickly overshadowed by the sight of the monument to mark to the Isthmus of Kra. We made it to an important landmark. That was rather unexpected
Phuket
Phuket Province has a land area of 543
sq Kms and a population of 416,582 inhabitants. It is the second smallest
province in Thailand
For historical sites, see the remains in the old town
that are still today, these are
relics left behind from its mining era. The Chinese influences here is very
strong evident by the numerous shrines and restaurants in town. The
chinese community is big, they brought along their traditions. The
festival of the Nine Emperor deity which is still celebrated
annually Phuket being a big Island is blessed with having countless quality beaches like Rawai, Patong, Karon, Kamala, Kata Yai Kata Noi. Laem Phromthep is the palce to get your Sunset pictures We were in Phuket Welcome signage after the bridge
Phuket is a touristy destination that does not offer much of the features that I was seeking. Anyway it is inevitable to be in Phuket as most travelling companion liked the idea to be driven into Phuket. My impression of the province was deeply etched with the super sweet pineapples that we harvested ripened on the plant
Phang-Nga
Phang-Nga is in southern Thailand have
its shore on the Andaman coast. The province has a population of
268,240 inhabitants living in a land area of 4,171 sq Kms The city is 788 Kms from Bangkok and has chosen it's land mark is in the form of a crouching elephant, which is one of the limestone features in town..
While there is not much attraction in
town, the province Phang-Nga is famous for its iconic off shore islands
namely:- the two Surin islands and the Similan Islands, known for
scenic beauty and good dive sites. Khao Tapao This is my most favourite spot in the entire Thailand.
Phang-Nga is nearer to Malaysia, This is another Province that I visited more times than I liked. All because of the different groups whom I must show to them - the famed James Bond Island Phang-Nga Bay Ban Pang Yi Island Ko Tarutao Island
Krabi Krabi gives me many fond memories. Until now in 2021, there was not much infrastructure developments, other than the roads. So over the last 20 odd years had passed. The city has changed sure! Heavier traffic which was non existence in 1995, More modern amenities. I still love the "Krabi town" that I found in 1995. Small provincial capital, layback moods and basic facilities. Looking back, It was towards the last quarter of 1995, I took my newly acquired "Dalmatian Beetle" and did a solo trip straight from Petaling Jaya direct to Krabi. A drive of almost 1,000 kilometers. Passing through the customs at the border, learning of the road system in Thailand and plotting my way through 4 provinces. By the time, I was there in Krabi by the late afternoon, I found myself a resort hotel. Right in town. Got a whole small chalet, one room all to myself. The only guess there that evening. Long day and long drive. I went to bed before 9pm. Around 11.30pm I was awoken with hairs all standing The fear was too much to bear. Without investigating, I picked up my barang, head into town center to look for a hotel. Luckily got myself a room at midnight. Next day, did a short drive to Ao Nang Beach and I made an early start for the return journey leg. Way to Ao Nang Beach This is my most favourite spot in the entire Thailand. First time I had my car in Thailand, First time having the car with Thai road sides.
Way to Ao Nang Beach A shot on the same spot, to commemorate my first & solo journey to Thailand. The car then not so well ornamented
Outside Khao Pung Cave Time for break from searching
Beach Terrace Hotel Ao Nang Beach
Before leaving for Lod Cave The boat ride in Mangrove forest and passing through under a cave
Turning into Khao Panombencha National Park
Compound of Khao Panombencha National Park
Phi Phi Island National Park Office
Beach for local Thais in Krabi
Junction Town Ao Luk From here the spring board to 3 National Parks
Krabi together with Trang and Kanchanaburi were the 3 provinces I paid the most number of visit. In fact, Krabi would be to the second Province that I would be completing my entire write up about my trips to Thailand. The Fossil Beach / Su-saan Hawy The "Tiger" Caves or Wat Tham Seua Phi Phi Don Phi Phi Lay Tham Bok Koroni National Park Tham Lod Mangrove Forest
Trang In the 90's, when I started to learn about this place Trang as a Province Trang, the people there very proud of their twin heritage - The imported Jacaranda trees that were planted in their parks and the presence of Dugongs in their warm tropical seas. As I understand more, they are also famous for their Ko-pii shops and stalls by the roadsides. At that time the city has a population of only 50,000 people. Town area almost twice the size of our Ipoh town. The first thing I wanted to know about Trang or rather about Thailand was the Tuk-Tuk taxis. This was my first personal outing to Thailand and Trang was the first town that I was in. Up till these trips, I have never been to Hat Yai! Visiting Chiang Hai Cave
Washing Car at Chiang Hai Cave compound
Care Taker & guide
Looking for Roi Chan Pan Wang Waterfalls
Clearing for new rubber plantation
I had documented my pictures with write ups on this province. Ao Muk Emerald Bay Caving adventure The Klong Lamchan Waterbirds Sanctuary The Pak Meng Pier -Departure into Andaman Seas Visiting Trang - Here I come The Waterfalls in Trang Province
Songkla Songkla is a province
in Southern Thailand also known as Singora, and a capital of the
same name It is bordering Malaysia Songkla lies 968 km south of
Bangkok and had as population of 61,758 inhabitants. The largest
city in Songkla is Hat Yai Hat Yai The most preferred destination overseas for many Malaysian would be Hat Yai, not ovsas but just across the border. Why do we all like going to Hat Yai? For the men - the girls? And the women folks - shopping!. I have collected picable spots and things that we did in Hat Yai. Would be very much the same as what almost every one did as well. For me personally, refreshes that good old times while we were there too. Now looking back at the these pictures, in the comfort of home. What is the most striking point that these places all have in common? Is it that they were not attainable locally in Malaysia? . Cheap? Exotic? I think the real answer is these happenings were away from home. We all passed through those experiences under a very different moods. That's holiday Exit - National Park Car with models
In Songkla The car alone in Thailand
Around Songkla Province Heading south on east coast to reach Pattani Province
I said there were two destinations I avoid in my travel with VW and they were Bangkok and Hat Yai. Easier said then done. When I did other trips with different groups and when I was not using the VW, I had no choice but to spend over night in Hat Yai and as a result, I made Lee Garden Plaza as one of my favourite hotels Fond memories & pictures from Hat Yai Lee Garden Plaza - The preferred hotel in Hatyai Road Signs around Southern Thailand
Satun Satun Province in
southern Thailand is the most southern Thai province along the
Andaman Seas. It's provincial capital of the same name is 980 Kms from Bsngkok Generally a very rural locality but behold, to
nature lovers it is a province with lots of world class sites of
unparallel beauty The Pak Bara Pier This is the departure point to Ko Tarutoa
Satun - again I say though very close or sharing bordered with Malaysia, the province seemed so to be so Ulu, yet it is a haven to those seeking adventure and those who love outdoor plus adventure Birding in Thale Ban National Park Waterfalls in Satun KoTarutao National Park
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By 1995, I have taken up a new hobby "Waterfall Hunting"- a switch over from the past time of going Caving. Most remote waterfalls are in deep jungle without proper access roads. So, there was more needs about going off road with the car before reaching the trailheads. Co-incidentally, it was also at this time, the contemporary craze toying around with 4WD was prevalent, I must do it differently.
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With Will Will Wander |
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1. 
Long Way to Surat Thani
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