Archive
Ban Bang Phalp, Community Tourism, Samut Songkhram
Ban Bang Phalp, Community Tourism
Samut Songkhram
Also see: FAM tour of Thailand
Thailand is not just about beautiful beaches, exotic sea food and exciting night life but the country has something more to offer.

Bicycling tour of Ban Bang Phalp, Samut Songkharm (Photo courtesy: Aso Lori)
Taking in the rural landscape on a bicycle, walking through coconut groves and watching local people go about their business is one of the best ways of experiencing rural Thailand.
Wat Pho, Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Bangkok
Wat Pho, Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Rattanakosin, Bangkok
Also see: FAM tour of Thailand
Wat Pho (also spelled Wat Po) is a large temple complex in Rattanakosin Island (Also see: Heritage walk of Rattanakosin Island) of Bangkok. It is located just south of the Grand Palace.

Reclining Buddha, Wat Pao, Ratanakosin Island, Bangkok
Wat Pho is popular, or rather wrongly, known as the Temple of Reclining Buddha. Apart from the shrine of Reclining Buddah the complex houses several other shrines including prayers hall, giant chedis (stupas) and galleries housing 1000+ Buddha statues, more than any other temple in Thailand.
Chao Phraya Express Boat
Chao Phraya Express Boat
A river boat service in Bangkok, Thailand
Also see: FAM tour of Thailand
My Heritage Walk of Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok started with a ride in the Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat and ended with a ride in the Chao Phraya Express Boat.

Boats in Chao Phraya River, with Wat Arun in the background, Bangkok
No trip in Bangkok is complete with a boat ride in the Chao Phraya River. There are plenty of options starting from luxurious sun set cruise, which comes with a gala dinner to tourist boats with English speaking guides. Read more…
The Grand Palace, Bangkok, the Royal Residence of the King of Thailand
The Grand Palace, Bangkok
The Royal Residence of the King of Thailand
Also see: FAM tour of Thailand
The Grand Palace (Phra Boromma Maha Ratcha Wang) is a complex of palaces, temples, pavilions and stupas in the heart of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand . It is located on the banks of Chao Phraya River and is on the Ratanakosin Island. (Also see: Heritage Walk of Rattanakosin Island)

The Grand Palace, Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok, Thailand
The construction of The Grand Palace began in 1782 under Rama I, the founder of Chakri Dynasty. After overthrowing King Taksin, who ruled from Thonburi, on the other side of the Chao Phraya River, Rama I dug canals (Also see: Fortification of Bangkok) to set up the artificial island of Rattanakosin, his new capital.
Benjarong Porcelain Crockery, first hand experience of porcelain painting
Benjarong Porcelain Crockery
First hand experience of porcelain painting
Also see: FAM tour of Thailand
Benjarong literally means five colours (Benja = five, rong = colour) and is a form of traditional Tahi ceramic painting. The five primary colours consists of black, green, yellow, red and white which are mixed in different proportions to produce shades of other different secondary colours.

The creation and the creator. Benjarong Porcelain Crockery, Bangchang Village, Samut Songkhram, Thailand
Although a traditional Thai art the origin of Benjarong dates back to China. According to historical records it probably originated during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) in China.
Monks of Amphawa Canal, Alms collection on boat
Monks of Amphawa Canal
Alms collection on boat
Also see: FAM tour of Thailand
No visit to Thailand is complete without a visit to the floating markets. Thailand is literally dotted with floating markets. Bangkok alone host at least 5 floating markets in its vicinity and definitely Damnoen Saduak heads the list.

The Buddhist Monk arrives at the Kanokart Resort, Amphawa Canal, Thailand
Sadly many of the floating markets around Bangkok have been commercialized badly. They have become too touristic and have lost most of their local flavour. For those wanting a real deal and experience lesser touristic places Amphawa Floating Market is the great option.
Satapada, Dolphins and Chilika Sea Mouth
Satapada, Dolphins and Chilika Sea Mouth
Exploring India’s largest Coastal Lagoon
See also: Sterling Resort Puri FAM
Geographers define a “lagoon” as a special type of lake separated from the sea by a narrow natural embankment with small openings connecting it with the sea. On the other hand biologists claim that these small openings allow salt and sweet water to intermingle and thereby form a unique, but fragile, ecosystem found nowhere else in the world.

The Satapada Jetty, Chilika Lake, Odisha
For a layman like myself, it is a place where one can cruise through the endless expanse of blue water, laced with green hills in the company of egrets, herons, flamingoes, kingfisher, kites and the last but not least the elusive jumping dolphins – it’s paradise!
Amphawa Floating Market, Samut Songkhram, Thailand
Amphawa Floating Market
Samut Songkhram, Thailand
Also see: FAM tour of Thailand
According to Wikipedia a floating market is a market where goods are sold from boats. Originating in times and places where water transport played an important role in daily life, most floating markets operating today mainly serve as tourist attractions, and are chiefly found in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India.

Amphawa Floating Market along the Amphawa Canal, Samut Songkhram, Thailand
No visit to Thailand is complete without a visit to the floating markets. Thailand is literally dotted with floating markets. Bangkok alone host at least 5 floating markets in its vicinity and definitely Damnoen Saduak heads the list.