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The Princess Fingers Bananas 21st April 1996 Maiden Voyage to Chumphon This page was intended to reflect our association with a special type of bananas: the Princess Fingers Bananas. While preparing the content, I delved into my archives for privileged information but found it futile. A topic frequently discussed nowadays is the "Finger Bananas". Without their Thai or scientific names, I cannot provide further commentary. Nevertheless, the page is now complete. Interestingly, significant changes have occurred in the banana trade, along with a couple of topics that caught my attention. Therefore, included in this page are scenes depicting changes in the rest stops along the highway in Chumphon, as well as the new complex for the shrine in Tha Sae 1. Chumphon - Here we come! Left Surat Thani in the wee hours and was till dark when we reach Chumphon. Not a good picture but it helps to reflects our mood then and there
2. A taste of "Princess Lady Fingers" Bananas These two photographs evoke memories of our joyous encounter with the renowned Chumphon Princess Fingers Bananas. They also bring to mind the abundance of ripe fruits that surrounded us. The sight of the yellow, ripened bananas served as a reminder of our practice in Malaysia, where we offer for sale fruits that are nearly ripe to accommodate their holding period, while ripe fruits are intended for immediate consumption
3. The stalls - full with local produce Bananas and Pamelos - At that time no processed products
2nd May 2001 Chumphon Tha Sae district We passed by the "banana row". But this time we were better prepared to learn more about the fruits here 14-b-1 Princess Finger Bananas The dual carriage way was newly constructed and at the time the road shoulders looked bare and without vegetation
14-b-2 Every stall was well stocked Good record - the fruits were "yellow" all the way
14-b-3 The small shrine There were some figurines of Elephants. The shrine was amidst all the stalls
It appears that considerable emphasis was placed on the stopover at the banana stalls, evident from the way the photographs were gathered. During that time, we had the opportunity to engage with locals and witness firsthand the transformation of unsold bananas into banana fritters. Remarkably, this simple yet effective method served as the foundation for the emergence of a cottage industry 14-b-4 Princess Finger Bananas Oh! they look fresh and juicy
14-b-5 Princess Finger Bananas The fruits very well handled with little blemish
14-b-6 Princess Finger Bananas The unsold fruits peeled and collected in large tubs
14-b-7 Princess Finger Bananas Finished banana fritter - very chunky
14-b-8 Princess Finger Bananas A miniature home made oven helped in completing the process
14-b-10 The shrine We have no clue as to what was going on! Cars were horning and there were letting off of firecrackers every now and then. But we did see these crackers available for use
14-b-9 The shrine Our pious travelling partner asked no question, She went ahead and asked for good blessing for our journey ahead
The new lay-by along Highway 14-b-13 Rest Stop @ Highway This set of pictures were collected on our south bound journey. At the time our 1996 travel up north there were no such rest stop . At that time the road was mono carriage and flow of traffic was very very low. As we found out later, the road travel was very solitary and just like what was in Malaysia in the early days, travellers were way laid by robbers, Also changed was the sight of many saloon cars. In the past the only type of vehicles was plying the inter city roads They were mainly pick-up trucks
14-b-14 Coffee was offered Another scene that was new to me was the availability of coffee as a common offering. In my travel, most travelers I met were contended with taking plain water. The other option as a luxurious beverage then was Ovaltine
14-b-15 More pictures @ the Rest Stop Good crowd meaning more local travel and also modern structures
14-b-16 Petrol stationObserve! Off road vehicles were the preference
14-b-17 The market leader PTT - Thai Petroleum That blue coloured Mazda was mine!
14-b-18 Rest Stop @ Highway Not missing out - Food stalls in local style could be seen
Updates on Chumphon - 5th June 2023 14-c-1 Fast forward - 12 years later The same rest stop and same petrol station. A better organised compound and filled with statues of chicken? The significance? Found out that Cock Fighting was still a very like sports in Chumphon
14-c-2 An impression of location We were heading north with 3 destinations important to me. - But our next stop - Tha Sae just 20 kms more
14-c-3 Speed limits marker and warning of cameras This is a new sign for me, I was seeing it for the first time
14-c-4 Full size temples - two of them I have no idea but the signage says "Wat Pho Ta Sin Chang" There are many ways or getting the name spelled
14-c-5 Subject proper - Banana stalls on both sidesI was back for more pictures and updates There was no vacant slot
14-c-6 The shrine The petite building for the shrine looked unchanged since the last time we saw it in 2001, but spruced and in better colours. The area besides the shrine made more obvious
14-c-7 The "Changs" or Elephants I have not understand the significance of this practice but i presumed it is meant for devotees to leave their statue at this spot for good blessings
14-c-8 Have a look at the assortment of Elephant's figurinesAll sizes shapes and colours
14-c-9 Eateries next to the ShrineA break from that long row of stalls
14-c-10 Another view of the rest area
"Kluay lep mue nang", a type of banana, is cultivated in the vicinity of Bang Saphan and Tha Sae. However, to purchase them, one must visit the Por Ta Hin Chang Shrine, located beside the Phet Kasem Highway in the Tha Sae District. As drivers pass by the shrine, they make the traditional wai gesture as a sign of reverence. In the past, travelers would stop at the shrine to pay their respects in a more elaborate manner, complete with offerings. This was due to the dangers posed by the highway, including bandits who would rob unsuspecting travelers. Drivers would pause to seek the protection of Chao Phaw Hin Chang for a safe journey. They would light incense and a candle and ignite firecrackers before continuing their journey. Although the road is now safer, the shrine is still held in high regard. However, instead of stopping and making offerings, modern drivers simply honk their horns as they drive past. Despite the rapid succession of cars passing by, each one emits a blast of the horn as a form of respect. The banana vendors, situated next to the road, offer the cheapest prices. Their stalls begin before reaching the shrine and extend beyond it. Each stall displays bunches of golden yellow kluay lep mue nang, with green fruits stacked on the ground. Bananas are produced in such abundance that they are also available in dried form, packaged in plastic boxes. These dried bananas are delectably sweet without the need for additional sugar or honey. They pair exceptionally well with tea or coffee. Regardless of whether customers purchase fresh bananas or dried ones in boxes, they must ensure they shout during the transaction. Normal conversation tones are insufficient due to the loud honking of passing cars near the shrine. Consequently, both vendors and customers must raise their voices to be heard over the noise. Compared to this bustling scene, Chatuchak Weekend Market seems eerily quiet 14-c-11 Destination - Por Ta Sin Chang Shrine Here we were back to the rows of stalls in Chumphon for Princess Fingers Bananas
14-c-12 Typical looks of the stalls Main item on offer - pre-pack food stuff and Bananas? Often green and unripe 14-c-13 Neatly lined up All things Thai and I have chosen one stall with fresh bananas
14-c-14 A close up picture to show the offerings Here is another stall offering fresh bananas
14-c-15 Plenty of Fresh bananasI cannot tell the tale from the truth. Despite all that have being written, sales of fresh bananas was a thing of the past. Why was fresh bananas hardly seen? This is one picture I got as a filler to show that there were times when there was a glut in the supply of fresh fruit. Only then would an exception when fresh bananas both in green and ripen were available at the roadside
14-c-16 Devoid of fresh fruit Nothing like seeing real photographs. Situation at the Por Ta Sin Chang site had varied. Almost everyone were selling the same stuff - as souvenirs
14-c-17 A very long row of stalls Picture taken for the North bound stretch of the road
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