Thailand

As I travelled to Thailand, I try my best to share the Thai food that I came across while experiencing some of the best Thai culture, nature wonders, nice people and many more surprising and unseen encounters. Travelling indeed open up many opportunity to cherish life in multiple ways and it is where such little "luxury" brought colours to our life because of what we could experience from each moments that we were confronted with throughout the journey of travelling. This version of Thai food story would be the 3rd part of food moments in Thailand after having shared earlier 2 parts of such topic. The food story that I share here was based on the Thai food that I have opportunity to taste while on the go in this Kingdom of Amazing, some of may be new not only to me but to you as well.

Kanom pang sang kaya
One of such new food experience during my recent travel to Bangkok was this bread encounters which was so good that I thought one shall not missed this lovely sweet treat when in Thailand, not just specifically Bangkok. Kanom pang sang kaya translated into English means bread with sang kaya spread. Sang kaya is a sweet fillings made of mixture of pandanus leaves, coconut milk, eggs and sugar and is popular in Singapore and Malaysia and to a lesser extent, Hong Kong. The Hainanese clan in Singapore and Malaysia used to operate coffee shops in the old days serving steam or toasted bread with sang kaya and butter spread with some other specialties such as Hainan noodle and chicken chop. It is best paired up with cup of hot coffee or hot milk tea. While the Thai enjoy kanom pang sang kaya in a slightly different way, such bread culture can also be traced to the Chinese influence where the community formed one of the largest minority in Thai society demographic. Here in Thailand unlike in Singapore and Malaysia where the bread are served spreading the sang kaya and butter on a full slice of bread and topped with another slice, the Thai's version of kanom pang sang kaya has the bread cut into small cube size and then have them steamed up which the end results creating hot and soft dice bread. Most kanom pang sang kaya were available from the street food push cart and being prepared fresh while order being taken there and then. The sang kaya usually come on small cup size transparent container but larger size were also available in small transparent food plastic bag. This was yet another probably one of the best street food in Thailand that I had the opportunity to get to taste.

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Patong ko
Patong ko or you tiao also known as yaw char kwai is a long deep fry bread stick and is also a well known snack in Singapore, Malaysia as well as Hong Kong. Commonly and usually eaten together with porridge in the countries mentioned,the Thais enjoyed patong ko in a different way. The size of patong ko for the Thai version also display a different character which come in smaller and much shorter in size. Other than eaten with porridge, in Thailand, patong ko is special and distinctive because you can enjoy it with sang kaya. Just like the kanom pang sang kaya, patong ko sang kaya is also probably one the best snack and great breakfast food with a cup of hot coffee or milk tea. Patong ko in Thailand usually found in fresh market or morning food market. If you are lucky, you might bumped into patong ko vendor on the sois (small street) among shops and buildings usually in early morning.

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Khao tom mud
This is yet another delicious, mouth-watering Thai breakfast snack which also can be found in fresh and food market. It is also available on the street by street push carts vendors along the small lanes within blocks of buildings or shops though quite rarely and not easily found . Khao tom mud is made of sticky rice and has few sweet varieties as its fillings including banana, yellow bean, taro and red beans depending on the vendor who prepare the snack. Khao tom mud is wrapped in banana leaves and commonly comes in a double which each piece of this sweet sticky rice snack being tied together. It is prepared in the form of steaming it to have the stick rice and fillings in it cooked. Also, khao tom mud are available in the form of grilled style which come only on a single piece but slightly larger in size than the single steam khao tom mud. This is one of the tasty Thai breakfast food that is good to gushed down with a cup of fresh hot coffee.

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Gai thord
Who doesn't love fried chicken? Well, gai thord or fried chicken may be a common food and is available everywhere in every country. But in Thailand, something could have differentiate it from rest of the world. I have not yet travelled extensively around the world but what I found distinctive about Thai fried chicken is that, to have maximum satisfaction in a fried chicken meal Thai style, it has to be paired up with sticky rice. Fried chicken with sticky rice is one of the food culture of the Thais and I quite enjoy it that way. This may not be one of the healthy food for health conscious travellers but to enjoy the local culture and eat like local, it is alright to indulge once in a long while.

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Moo thord
This is another version of deep fry food that Thais are good at. Moo thord or deep fried pork is yet another tasty porky experience that is available in this Land of Amazing. Just like gai thord,Thais also enjoy moo thord treat with sticky rice. The Thai style moo thord is special on its own where the fine golden brownish external part of this pork treat is what differentiates it from other fried pork while the internal part of the pork comes with its white meat texture. Moo thord Thai style is yet another surprising new found tasty Thai food that I encountered. Just like gai thord, moo thord may not be a healthy choice of travel diet but have a small portion of it shall not do much harm. Its one the easy snack while on the go either shopping or on sightseeing.

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Moo khrob
Moo khrob or roast pork is not categorically being a Thai food but it is widely available everywhere from fresh market, food courts. street food vendors, floating markets and any kind of food establishments within a Thai neighbourhood. Or Tor Kor fresh market which has been voted one of the best fresh market in the world was one of the ultimate place to have a taste on this juicy, spongy, crunch porky experience.I have shared before story on Or Tor Kor which I believe the market really deserved the rating as one of the premier fresh market over the globe and not just within Thailand due to the organised structure, clean environment and huge variety of fresh produce from vegetables, fruits, seafood products,dry foods, cooked food and consumer daily essentials. Of course superior moo khrob is not just available specifically in Or Tor Kor but also on the street and food stalls serving khao moo deang (barbeque pork rice) which always come with moo khrob as well. Just across the street over at Chatuchak Weekend Market, there is also a moo khrob shop that sells yet another unrivalled moob khrob experience. A khao moo deang shop is easily identified in Thailand with large piece of the moo khrob being hung up on a display rack right at the front of the shop.

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Kuay teaw look chin pla
This is a noodle dish which means soup noodle with fish balls. This noodle meal is yet another product of the Chinese immigrants who migrated to Thailand as long as 200 years ago and have become one of the favourite noodle dish among the Thais. There are many variety of noodles that are available including rice vermicelli, thin and tiny flat noodles, glass noodles for example and comes with a mixture of range of fish balls prepared in different taste and variety.

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Kuay teaw khua gai
Kuay teaw khua gai is a stir fry flat noodle with generous portion of bean sprouts and comes with chicken meat and eggs. This is a very close noodle dish with pad see ew which I have shared under Thai food blog.What differentiates kuay teaw khua gai with pad see ew was the dark soy sauce used in the latter where see ew means dark soy sauce. Though both noodle dish probably best produced in neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore, the Thai version in fact could be rated on par if not tastier that its southern counterparts in my opinion after having tasted it for few times where I really enjoy a lot of the Thai kuay teaw khua gai or pad see ew.

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Floating markets are one of the best selling travel products in Thailand. Not only Thais love to shop and dine at these water themed markets but such markets also attract huge foreign tourists. What differentiates floating markets and the other markets in this Land of Sawadee is that the food here are simply amazing offering good number of seafood variety such as large prawns, large fish, large squids and large crabs where these are usually available on the grill. The price of the food are normally affordable and quality of food are satisfactory. Other than grill seafood which are extra large in size, there are also other local Thai food variety available which include pad thai, pork satay, boat noodles, Thai sweets, gai yang (grill chicken), som tam (papaya salad) and few other Thai snacks. Few of the floating markets within reach in Bangkok city include Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market, Taling Chan Floating Market and Kwan Riam Floating Market and recently, I took some time to visit another floating market within Bangkok metropolitan which is the Talad Nam Khlong Lat Mayom.

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Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is located not too far away from Taling Chan Floating Market but this one is a much larger market in comparison to Taling Chan Floating Market and offers good variety of seafood and local Thai street food with affordable pricing. The market is divided into few zones but all located just close next to each other and there are just too many choices that may caused difficulty in concluding what to eat. The most popular food is non other than the grill seafood in particular the grill fish and grill prawns. As I walked from one zone to another, it can be seen that most tables were filled with grilled seafood items. Each zone also has bamboo based table and bench for dining after purchase or placing order for food. Visitors could be seen strolling from stall to stall choosing their favourite food before purchasing and after done with food shopping, most of them will find a place to sit and dine.

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As Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is a canal based market, surely the name says it all and it would not be a floating market without boats or sampan rowing through the canals selling food items. There were few such boats seen moving slowly here in Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market mostly selling fresh produce such as vegetables and fruits.

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Another things to do in a floating market is the canal cruise tour and Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market is of no exception. The cruise will take passengers through some of the hidden green lungs in Bangkok where most of the surroundings still remain untouched and maintained its natural beings with lush trees and bushes as well as fruit farms and few lotus ponds. The highlight of this canal tour was to admire the lotus pond which was quite a surprise as visitors were brought close to the nature on a slow rowing sampan. I have the opportunity to take a close look on naturally fresh lotus on a small fresh water pond and even had a taste on the lotus seed. Though this was not one of the most interesting and surprising canal boat tour, Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market still offer yet another floating market experience that is worth a side trip while in Bangkok.

CANAL CRUISE TO THE LOTUS POND @ KHLONG LAT MAYOM

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Ayutthaya was an old capital city of Thailand (now being Bangkok) and is listed under Unesco World Heritage site with its vast ancient ruins, temples and Buddha sculptures. The trip to Ayutthaya can also include a tour to the Bang Pa In Royal Palace which I have shared before on my last visit to this Summer Palace which was former Thai kings' royal residence revived during the reigned of King Mongkut and therefater by King Chulalongkorn. Ayutthaya city is somewhat distinctive of its own due to huge part of the city which was scattered with the ancient wats and chedis as well as big Buddha sculptures. Stepping into the Ayutthaya Historical Park will bring you back to the ancient times as if you have been brought to the past by time zone machine. Most of the ancient palaces, ruins, chedis, wats and Buddha sculptures were still well preserved though some parts of these structures were lost or crumbled apart due to old age while some could have been due to theft. But, some of the important and huge temples were able to stand the test of time and fortunately, perhaps due to restoration and reconstruction efforts by the responsible authorities with help of external experts, these very precious and invaluable ruins and ancient structures were able to be preserved for the purpose of research, views, education and tourism developments which then bring source of knowledge, income and well being of people in the area and its surroundings.

WAT PHRA SISANPETH
This visit to Ayutthaya Historical Park, I have the opportunity to take a tour to Wat Phra Sisanpheth, Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Yai Chaimongkol. Each of these temples, ruins and ancient palace highlight the distinctive features of its own. Most of these ancient structures incur entrance fee but at time of visit, it was waived perhaps due to Constitution Day holiday to spur local tourism. The first tour was the Wat Phra Sisanpeth. This was a former ancient palace built during the era of King U-Thong and indeed, due to this being a former place structures, the overall boundary of Wat Phra Sisanpeth can be described as huge with old chedis, large walls, ancient structures some of which had been crumbled can be seen scattered around the area. It was an impressive ancient palace and royal temple though the most visibles now remained the chedis or stupas of the ancient temple and some parts of the ancient palace walls. The old temple was used for purpose of royal ceremonies and swearing ins occassions. It also served as royal religious centre and to placed royal ashes.

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WAT MAHATHAT
The second visit after Wat Phra Sisanphet was the Wat Mahathat. This ancient ruins was built during the reigned of King Borommarachathiraj in 1917. The highlights of Wat Mahathat was the Prang (a cone shaped tower resembled present day pagoda) as well as the Buddha's Head which has a huge tree with its large roots grown around it. There were also some Buddha sculptures and parts of ancient temple walls as well as ancient chedis scattered around Wat Mahathat. There was discovery of antiques, precious stones and silver and bronze stupas over at Wat Mahathat by the Fine Arts Department.

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WAT YAI CHAI MONGKHON
Wat Yai Chai Mongkol is located outside of the Ayutthaya Historical Park. A brief history of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. It was established during the era of King U-Thong for monks returning from Ceylon in Sri Lanka for meditation purpose. The leader of the monks at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon during that time was conferred with a special title as a form of respect to him for his role as the monk leade. During the reign of King Naresuan, the King wanted to execute those armies who defied his orders while fighting the invading Burmese forces towards Ayutthaya. The head of the monk at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon during that time has advised King Naresuen against executing the traitor armies but instead built a grand chedi as a symbol of victory against the Burmese forces. Therefore Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon was a symbol of victory of King Naresuen in his victory against his country greatest enemy. Upon entrance to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is the Reclining Buddha sculpture on the left of the entrance. Walking further inside the premise, visitors will be greeted with the temple's ubosot. The huge ancient chedi of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon was located just behind the ubosot. There were multiple Buddha sculptures surrounding the chedi and staircases which provide access to the upper level of the chedi. On the upper level, there were also multiple Buddha sculptures seen surrounding the area which has a deep hole in the middle of this chedi. Coins can be seen scattered around the base level of the hole with average depth perhaps for good luck wishes by visitors.

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Being in Ayutthaya, one should not missed the best culinary that Ayutthaya is famous for because of the deliciousness of these treats. It is not just about history in Ayutthaya but its also about taking some time to get to know more of the other side of this historical city of Thailand that is its food culture. Some of the best food Ayutthaya offers to food lovers include the boat noodle, roti sai mai which is a kind of aromatic sweets or snacks with floss candy in multi colours wrapped into a thin rounded bread as well as deep fried fish. Due to the city of Ayutthaya is surrounded by the river, fish is yet another treat that must have as here, they serve some of the freshest fish you can imagine of. Boat noodle needs no introduction as I had been reviewing this distinctively addictive soup of the noodle dish several times. Again, because the city is surrounded by the river, obviously boats were main transportation system during the ancient times and the noodles served as a fast food to boat commuters during that era to beat their hunger during early morning rush or to run other necessities. There are many boat noodles shops surrounding the historical park area and I did had some to try out and would say that this is a must-have dish while touring Ayutthaya. Roti sai mai is definitely a good snack to sink your teeth in with its aromatic flavour thin bread-like wrapper made from the mixture with pandanus leaf which then top with candy floss in various color before roll the roti over the candy floss and finally biting and melting it into the mouth. A definite should not missed snack in Ayutthaya.

ROTI SAI MAI

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BOAT NOODLE

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FRIED FISH

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SYMBOL OF TALAD NAM KWAN RIAM

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FLOATING MARKET WITHOUT CANAL IS NOT NAMED A FLOATING MARKET. KWAN RIAM FLOATING MARKET IS OF NO EXCEPTION. THE CANAL NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO TALAD NAM KWAN RIAM

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THE ICONIC BRIDGE AT KWAN RIAM FLOATING MARKET THAT CONNECTS 2 SIDES OF THE MARKET

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Floating markets is one of the most crucial tourism products to the Thai governnment and has been one of the most unique on the things to do while touring this Kingdom of Amazing Land of Unseen. Few floating markets I had visited within Bangkok and greater Bangkok such as Damnoen Saduak Floating Market , Amphawa Floating Market , Taling Chan Floating Market, Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market and Pattaya Floating Market. Not all these floating markets have the same things you could do , see or buy. There were some that offer different activities altogether. Amphawa Floating Market for one offers firefly tours during night time. Taling Chan Floating Market for another brought another surprises which include a bout tour along the canal to the Baan Silapin or Artist House for Thai Puppet show. For Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market, one can opt to cycle around the village where the floating market is located. So many activities that you can indulged in that you never thought of when visiting such floating markets unplanned without much research in advance prior to visiting and this is what made travelling experience exciting.

FOOD STALL SERVING SOME OF THE MOUTH WATERING TREATS AT TALAD NAM KWAN RIAM AT THE GROUND FLOOR OF ENTRANCE OF TALAD NAM KWAN RIAM

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A THAI COFFEE & TEA VENDOR PERFORMING HIS SKILLS IN PULLING THAI TEA AS HE PREPARES THE ORDER

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NON-FOOD SECTION ON 1ST FLOOR OF THE KWAN RIAM FLOATING MARKET

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Yet another visit to a floating market, the Kwan Riam Floating Market which is located just outside of the Bangkok metropolitan in Min Buri district, this one brought another nice experience which include a tour along the canal of the floating market. What makes this floating market distinctive is that, it is a rather huge market which has few sections and 2 sides separated by the canal and connected through a bridge. Talad Nam Kwan Riam as it is known to locals also has its own market logo which is a standing buffalo in sun-glass, which is distinctive to a floating market. There is a big Thai temple within the Kwan Riam Floating market. Other special thing to note of Kwan Riam Floating Market is sections of petting zoo which have few animals such as the tortoise, kangaroo, donkeys.

THE ICONIC BRIDGE @ KWAN RIAM FLOATING MARKET ON 1ST FLOOR OF THE ENTRANCE TO THE MARKET CONNECTING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MARKET SECTION

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A VIEW OF THE CANAL AT KWAN RIAM FLOATING MARKET AND A BOAT CRUISING THROUGH IT

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THE OLD JUNKS FOOD SECTION OF TALAD KWAN RIAM SERVING BBQ SEAFOOD, SATAY AND BOAT NOODLES

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The main entrance to the Kwan Riam Floating Market is from the temple premise. Greeting visitors are rows of thai and local delicacies in a 2 storey roof sheltered premise beside the canal. There were just unbelievable variety of food, drinks, sweets and snacks sold within this food and beverage area. When you are done with shopping for food or drinks and other food items, there were tables and chairs settings on the edges of the market where you can sit down and relax to enjoy your food and maybe a coffee or tea break. There was a thai coffee and tea stall within this area where a man highly skilled in pulling the tea and coffee as you ordered one. It was one of the interesting and fun beverage pulling experience without dripping a drop on the floor. Though this is not unique to Thailand, it was somewhat heartening to see a Thai who was able to perform such skills. If there is a competition in Bangkok in tea or coffee pulling category, this man qualify for advance stage perhaps. There were also a stall serving southern Thai food at the end of this section with more tables and chairs available for dining purpose.

PETTING ZOO AREA AT KWAN RIAM FLOATING MARKET

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On the first floor within the same section of the floating market, there are few more shops selling items specialising in clothing, herbal creams soap and herbal medicines and also souvenirs. This 1st floor area also connects to another section of Kwan Riam Floating Market through a wide walkway bridge which has a food court set up and many more food stalls, souvenirs, daily essentials items, clothing, coffee stalls and fruits and snacks. This wide area which is fully sheltered with roof is not humid and with good air flowing through the place from all angles of the premise. You can get some snacks and sweets while enjoying the cool breeze of air. This is also where you can also have some slightly heavier treat for lunch after a exhausting walk browsing through the many items available. Tables and chairs for purpose of dining are available so you can enjoy food and drinks as well as other treats comfortably. There were also some benches available between the walkways to take a break or to unwind.

THE FOOD COURT SECTION @ TALAD NAM KWAN RIAM

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On another section of Talad Nam Kwan Riam is the few old junks specially constructed and docked on the edge of the canal where some special Thai delicacies are available such as the bbq fish and prawns, pork satay and boat noodles. If you are into seafood and boat noodles, this area must not be missed as it served some of the best seafood and the boat noodle dish is also quite up to its mark.

CANAL CRUISE AT KWAN RIAM FLOATING MARKET

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The final and ultimate encounter at Kwan Riam Floating Market is to take a boat cruise along the canal which passes through few factories and private homes and bungalows. Min Buri district in Bangkok has many factories established around the area so this is where you can witness many such factories along the canal while cruising through the canal at Talad Nam Kwan Riam. Its kind of an interesting and nice outing to experience another floating market tour which also add into yet another amazing market stories in this Bangkok city adventure.

Markets is the most crucial and ultimate place for people to get daily food essentials such meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, fresh produce and other ready made food and snacks. Morning market is the most common market where people obtain such items mentioned. In Thailand, other than morning market that caters to locals's need and demand, there are other variety or types of market that are being established to meet local expectations as well as places to promote tourism and offering business and job opportunities for those who take a plunge into self employment or to earn some extra income.

SOME OF THE MUST-TRY STREET FOOD AT TALAD WANG LANG
ROAST DUCK & ROAST PORK RICE

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OYSTER OMELETTE

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The many other markets in this Land of Unseen include the ever popular floating markets, night markets, fresh markets that can also double as tourist market such as Or Tor Gor market and the Maekhlong Train market, riverside market such as Asiatique and the morning market. What I would like to share here on this Bangkok trip is about the unique morning market called Talad Wang Lang or Wang Lang market. This market was set up to cater to the needs of locals living within the area and those who work around the vicinity of Phrannok road or more well known as Wang Lang. Wang Lang market can easilly be accessible from the Chao Phraya river. Taking the boat from the Central pier over at the BTS Skytrain Saphan Taksin station on the orange flag boat, the market is located at the Phran Nok pier. This pier has its name changed to Phran Nok from Wang Lang or Siriraj pier. Siriraj Hospital located within the vicinity is a royal hospital where the late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej frequently seeked treatments during his living. Exiting the Phran Nok pier, you would already stepping foot on Wang Lang market.

KANOM PANG WANG LANG. THE WINNER AMONG ALL STREET FOOD AT TALAD WANG LANG

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TAKOYAKI

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SUSHI IS INEXPENSIVE AND TASTE GOOD AT TALAD WANG LANG

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This is where food hunting will begin. The best time to visit is in the morning just as the market opens its doors to customers. Do leave the stomach free for breakfast and lunch as there were just so many of food varieties to choose from that will of course make your mouth watering. Few special thai food delicacies one should get noted when in Talad Wang Lang including the duck noodle or duck rice known as "bami phet" or "khao na phet", the oyster egg omelette or "hoi thord" and the Wang Lang bread or kanom pang Wang Lang. What I could say about what made the oyster egg omelette special was that unlike other places serving the same treat, this version of oyster egg omelette is not only less oily, it is also much crispier and include bean sprout in the omelette. Hoi thord is definitely not to be missed when visiting Talad Wang Lang. For the duck dishes, the khao na phet portion may be a little small enough just for a snack, the quality of the duck rice can be summed up as satisfactory for a taste of Thai chinese treat. The place serving khao na phet in Wang Lang market overall is clean and comfortable which surprisingly different from others in the same market.

CROWD AT TALAD WANG LANG

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OLD SHOPS AT SOME SECTION OF TALAD WANG LANG

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NICE CAFE AT TALAD WANG LANG

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TOAST BREAD WITH CHILLI PASTE AND PORK FLOSS. ANOTHER TALAD WANG LANG SPECIALTY

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Kanom pang Wang Lang should be rated as the best food that I had over at Talad Wang Lang and shall be rated the winner among all the street food at Talad Wang Lang. This bread version is deliciously good because it has very soft texture and strong aroma which never quite similar to any other bread available elsewhere. There were few varieties of flavours including sausage, fruit jam, raisin and ham. This bread treat is a highly recommended snack when strolling Wang Lang market and is a must essentials food to buy. Have a loaf for light snack while on the go through the market and also try get another one or two packed home for another round of good bread savoury at home with coffee or tea during breakfast. Another bread item that must-try is the toast with chilli paste spread and top with pork floss. In my opinion, this is second best after kanom pang wang lang.

SOME OF THE FOOD ITEMS AT TALAD WANG LANG

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Apart from the food mentioned, there were other inexpensive snacks available including the many sushi varieties and the takoyaki snacks that looks delicious and taste good. Of course the market does not only sell food. There are other items that include ladies and women accessories, clothing, shoes, bags, souvenirs and many others including daily essentials that can be obtained at the Wang Lang market. You can also take a break after a tiring walk or shopping or just for short break at some nice vintage coffee shops. Due to the vicinity if the market within the old Bangkok, there were old wooden shop houses along the market which have been turned into coffee houses. This is another amazing Thailand market experience that tourists or visitors or backpackers could savour when visiting Amazing Thailand.

SOME NON-FOOD ITEMS AT TALAD WANG LANG

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China Gate at Yaowarat is the best starting point to explore Bangkok's Chinatown and sample some best vegetarian food during Nine Emperor Gods Festival

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Kuan Yim shrine near China Gate

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Vegetarian Festival or "Tetsagarn Gin Jae" in Thai is one of the many festivals celebrated by the Chinese people over the world in particular in South East Asia such as Malaysia and Singapore. Vegetarian Festival is also known as the Nine Emperor Gods Festival, which is a nine days celebration to honour the 9 sons of the Emperor and his wife who were the keepers of human's life and death.You may be surprised and overwhelmed on how such festival which is originated from the Chinese community was being celebrated in Thailand in such a grand way to the extent that you would see almost everywhere from street food shops, restaurants, food courts, shopping malls, supermarket, convenience store and food stalls all would have in certain ways presented themselves in promoting Vegetarian Festival. The most notable sign of how these establishments embrace the Vegetarian Festival would be the ever striking yellow coloured paper flag in triangle shape with the character in red known ans "Jae" or vegetarian being displayed almost each nooks and corners of the premises which have food items related to the Vegetarian Festival. Of course, ordinary or laymen folks will know very well that vegetarian means food that were prepared 101% without meat, which means during this festival, those who observed Vegetarian Festival will abstain from meat. In Thailand, Thais who take very seriously on Vegetarian Festival will observed no meat diet for 10 days of which this is the period which also known as 9 Emperor Gods Festival. In Thailand, Phuket province who has a large Thai Chinese community celebrated Vegetarian Festival in an outstanding, outrageously grand way. You would see how those known as "ma song" in special costumes performed the bizarre acts of using various sharp weapons pierced through several of their body parts in particular the mouth while going through a procession without the fear of pains or being hurt from such acts. To be a " ma song", those who involved in the bizarre piercing acts will have to abstain from meat, drinking , gambling and sex before they could obtained such extraordinary super power. In Bangkok, Vegetarian Festival was celebrated in a slightly different manner and much less complicated than its Phuket peers. The most well known area which one could observed the Vegetarian Festival in Bangkok is Yaowarat, Bangkok's one and only Chinatown best known all over the world. As has been mentioned, Vegetarian Festival can be seen all over the places even in Bangkok not distinctively in Yaowarat. But if you would like to get a taste or experience the splendid atmosphere of the Vegetarian Festival, Yaowarat is the best place to have a good feel of the festival atmosphere. I have a first hand experience to get myself indulged in such a distinguished festivity which also turned out to be a very magnificent food carnival. Previous year, I had in some way get to know how Vegetarian Festival was being observed by Thais where in shopping malls, special purpose vegetarian food stalls were set up complete with tables and chairs in the concourse area of the malls in Bangkok in conjunction with the Vegetarian Festival for the people's convenience to dine after purchasing their food items.

Yaowarat Road was full of yellow banners in ushering the celebrations of one of the most important festival in Thailand, The Vegetarian Festival

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Enjoy some desserts and Thai ice cream while touring vegetarian food stalls in Yaowarat

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This signage "Jae" (Vegetarian) is the most visible everywhere in Thailand during the Vegetarian Festival including stickers placed on food items, mini paper flags, labels and banners

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Huge vegetarian food items on sale in Yaowarat during the Vegetarian Festival

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The vegetarian food stalls and other related items on sale in Yaowarat

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Before the start of Vegetarian Festival, I had the opportunity to dine at the second tallest building in Thailand located in the heart of downtown Bangkok at Baiyoke Tower II. One of my best experience observing a city on bird's eye view was Taipei 101, which was the most memorable life episode that will be remembered for as long as I could. As for Baiyoke Tower II, it was yet another eye opening life event that provide another spectacular experience with the nice overall general view of Bangkok city. The outdoor observatory deck which moves at a 360 degrees, provide one with the most marvellous Bangkok city view from the 84th floor of Baiyoke Tower II.

Bangkok's metropolitan city view from 84th Floor of Baiyoke II Tower's Outdoor Observatory Deck

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Yaowarat was turned into a carnival town during the Vegetarian Festival with many stalls being set up along the streets in the Chinatown to celebrate the festival. All kinds of vegetarian food were on sale on the tiny food stalls which include Thai food such as "som tum" (papaya salad), "pad thai" (stir fried noodles), "kanom jeen" (rice noodles with curries) and other various Chinese influenced food such as "dim sum" such as "xiao mai" (shrimp dumpling), "bak chang" (pork dumpling, cakes, desserts, sweets all of which none were meat based. These were prepared based on non-meat ingredients which turned out exactly as its original outlook. The hot and humid weather never deter the visitors from strolling along the streets in Yaowarat to get a taste of so many choices of vegetarian varieties which can be tasty and flavourful. One of the best thing to do in Yaowarat after a long and hot, sweaty day of walk is to indulge in some sweet desserts and Chinese herbal tea which are well known and famous among the locals. Along the streets during this Vegetarian festival celebration, other than the many tiny vegetarian food stalls dotting the side of the road shoulder, banners in yellow colour could also be seen being placed on top of the road in Yaowarat which further adds to the festivity atmosphere of Vegetarian Festival in Bangkok.

Visitors to Yaowarat were spoilt with many choices of vegetarian food during the recent Vegetarian Festival

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Food is essential when you are on the go while travelling because adequate food provide the energy required to explore places. Food also adds the spice in travelling itinerary due to the new and exciting experience in trying different food that are unique and synonym to the place visited. Thailand is a country full of activities that could accommodate to each travellers demand such as shopping, adventures, culture experience, nature indulgence, beach vacations as well food indulgence. My previous blog touched on some of the delicious, mouth watering and flavourful Thai food and here, I would like to continue with some of other nice or well known Thai food which is not only simple and comforting but also easy on the pocket. Thai food is always thick in action, which usually have strong flavour in each of the food variety and these actually made Thai food special because of the rich taste in its food. It can be very spicy, sour, creamy, sweet, crunchy and salty. I believe that Thai food is best consumed authentically while travelling in Thailand because this give the sense of pureness in flavour, taste and variety. There were so many food in Thailand that available everywhere from the streets to shops to food court to restaurant all over Thailand. Of course there are some places that is special for certain food and worth visiting upon recommendations, advertisements and sharing through social medias but most importantly, any Thai food is available and accessible to without much problem depending on what kind of food you want to eat.

[u][b]1.Tom yum
Some of the very famous and outstanding Thai food around the globe which needs no further introduction is the Tom yum. Tom yum is a spicy and sour soup based dish that comes in 2 variety of flavour, the milky red soup and the clear broth style of preparation. The milky red tom yum was due to added coconut milk or a more healthy choice being the fresh milk while the clear broth tom yum was without the added coconut milk or fresh milk. Some of the most important tom yum broth include the lime leaves, lemon grass and galangal as well as lime juice, tomatoes and tamarind juice. Tom yum can either be added with various other add-ons including prawns (tom yum goong), fish (tom yum pla), chicken (tom yum gai) or seafood (tom yum talay). Its not hard to find tom yum on the streets in Thailand and best eaten with plate of steamed rice.

The milky red fish tom yum

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[u][b]2. Guay teaw ruea (Boat noodles)
Boat noodle was never known so widely as a Thai food not until recent years though this is traditional noodle dish that dates back to where canals and rivers were the most important transportation mode during the old Siam period. As you would have read it, the word boat originated from the time when such noodles were served on wooden sampan while passengers travelling through the boat on canals and rivers to work and running errands. This noodle dish has somehow evolved into a new dimension which has transformed into a hit among the Thais as well as tourists. Its thick dark brown broth is not only addictive but packed with rich, tasty and mouthwatering flavour that will definitely caused those who love this noodle dish to asked for more. The broth plays the most pivotal role in why one craves the noodle for more due to its unexplained addictive flavour. It wouldn't be enough without finishing off the broth and dig into the few more boat noodles after the first one. One of the most common sights in a boat noodle establishment is where you would sight the small bowls being stacked up after one another when a bowl of noodles being finished off, which made the boat noodle shop distinctively interesting. No longer served from boats on canals or rivers, the boat noodle now is available from common food joints on the streets and in Bangkok, the most well known place to have boat noodles is over at Victory Monument, one of the few transportation hubs in Bangkok. There are variety of noodles choices including glass noodle, rice noodle, yellow noodle and flat noodles. Also served along with boat noodles that comes with variety of noodle styles, include the "kanom tuay" (coconut pudding served on a tiny bowls that come on a doubles, deep fry chicken wings, deep fry pig skin, deep fry wanton skin, grilled fish, pork or chicken balls sprinkled with sweet Thai chilli sauce and the cut swamp cabbage. One of the interesting and essentials in a boat noodle shop is the stainless steel tiny cups filled up with broken ice which is added with drinking water to gush it down the throat after a satisfying boat noodle meal.

Variety of boat noodles

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The broth of boat noodle made this noodle dish distinctively special and makes you crave for more

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Boat noodles will not be complete without these add-on of grilled stick of meatballs and deep fry chicken wing

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And deep fry pork skin to be added into the noodles

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A stainless steel cup with broken ice to be added with drinking water is an icon in boat noodle shop

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Bowls being stacked up after a great boat noodle meal

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Hardworking workers on the job preparing delicious boat noodles

[u][b]3. Pad Thai (stir fry noodles)
Pad thai is yet another noodle dish which has gained much popularity among tourists well before boat noodles gained its foothold among foreign food lovers. Over in backpackers hub of Bangkok of Khao San Road, pad thai mobile cart vendors can be seen having good business serving backpackers pad thai which is not only easy on the wallet but also able to fill up the stomach just enough to cater for dinner of the day. The usual sights of pad thai vendors or shops preparing the dish include the essential wok being hit up over large fire with rice noodles stir fried over it with dark soy sauce added with other variety of add-ons including bean sprouts, tiny bean curds, crushed peanuts, eggs and fresh prawns. It is best eaten straight out super hot from the wok.

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[u][b]4. Kanom jeen (Rice noodles with curries)
Kanom jeen is a rice noodle dish that is eaten with varieties of curries including the green curry or massaman curry or som tum (papaya salad) or any choices of food items. The rice noodles usually packed into a mid-sized disposable bowls and wrap with plastic sandwich wrap available widely on the streets, fresh market or food joints in Thailand. This noodle dish has similarity with the curry noodles but what makes kanom jeen different is that the noodle need not be boiled over the hot water and does not served on a bowl full of curry broth. Basically, the rice noodle is placed on a plate and the curries then being doused over the noodle just enough for the portion of noodles to be eaten. It can also be eaten with other food items such as som tum, grilled fish, meat or vegetables and add it with chilly or any other sauces.

Kanon jeen rice noodle

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Green curry

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Kanom jeen with green curry

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[u][b]5. Gaeng keaw wan (Green curry)
Green curry is a type of curry that was prepared from the green chilli pounded with galangal, shallots, garlic, lemon grass, lime peel, red corriander, cumin seeds, salt and shrimp paste. It can be served with several alternative which include chicken, fish, prawn or other meat choices. It can either be paired with steamed rice or kanom jeen (rice noodle)

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[u][b]6. Khao kha moo (Rice with pork knuckle)
This is another widely available street food in Thailand and is popular among the Thais. This rice dish is served with steam rice added with the stew pork knuckle prepared from variety of herbs and spices. It usually comes with it a braised hard boiled egg cut into 2, which is also boiled over with selected herbs and spices and chopped pickled mustard green or other vegetable alternative. A simple one platter that is not only tasty but is also healthy.

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[u][b]7. Look chin (variety of grilled meatballs skewers)
If you crave for a snack while walking through the streets in Thailand, get yourself few skewers of grilled meatballs which is delicious, convenient and inexpensive. Pair it up with a cup of hot or cold Thai coffee or milk tea from the street vendor. One of the interesting street food experience in Thailand and you may turned out to like it after trying it.

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[u][b]8. Khao neaw gai yang (Grilled chicken with sticky rice)
This is a version of Thai food from the North east of Thailand or Isan region and has close link to its neighbour Laos. In Thailand, grilled chicken is available almost everywhere in the streets and best eaten with the sticky rice. This is one of the distinguished dish among the Thais and Lao and a symbol of how Thais and Lao people having close bond among each other. The grilled chicken meat are tender and juicy with great flavour and pairing it with sticky rice adds into an altogether meat eating experience that is so distinctive.

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Thailand has gone through tremendous changes over the years and is now the most developed country among its peers within the Indochina region. Amazingly, though this Kingdom of Unseen has been fast turning into an advanced nation, it has nevertheless able to maintain parts of the traditional way of life seen during ancient times. This include the floating market trend which gained much popularity among local and foreign tourists. It has also able to capitalised on the rivers as part of its transportation system bringing convenience to the locals while foreigners enjoy some of the most exciting way of experiencing the country through various products that come with the use of river as a tourism product of mode of transport. I have been to various a number of floating markets in Thailand including the latest one being the Taling Chan Floating Market. The recent floating market that I get to experience was the Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market located within the Bang Na district in Bangkok. This floating market has very much similarity with Taling Chan Floating Market, but was larger in size. It is similar because just like Taling Chan Floating Market , it does not provide any sampan or boat rides to cruise the river for shopping and dining but has street market on the banks of the canals.

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Wat Bangna Nok adjacent to the pier to Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market

THE CHINESE STYLE CAKE SHOP AT WAT BANGNA NOK

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To access to Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market. visitors have to take a ferry from the Wat Bangna Nok pier to have a short cruise over the Chao Phraya river to reach the market. As the name says it all, the pier is located just outside Wat Bangna Nok temple. What I always like about travelling unplanned is that, there are always something interesting that came along that will turned out to be a surprise. This is of no exception with this day trip to Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market which include the discovery of a Chinese style confectionery shop. I am not exactly a foodie but I always believe that one should try out food and delicacies which are local to the places visited. On the way to the Wat Bangna Nok pier, there is a cake shop located on a shop just before the entrance to Wat Bangna Nok pier which specialised in Chinese style sweets and desserts worth to try out some of the range of variety of confectionery items on sale. They taste good to me and I think worth to give a try as such sweets were not available easily within Bangkok and Thailand. The are quite a large ethnic Chinese descendent such as in Yaowarat in Bangkok, Chonburi, Phuket and Hatyai in southern Thailand but the Chinese traditional food and sweets are getting more difficult to find due to the lost of interest from the younger generations of these Chinese descendent who are interested in learning to make such food.

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The Wat Bangna Nok pier

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Parts of Wat Bangna Nok from the pier

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The general view of Chao Phraya river at Wat Bangna Nok pier

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The ferry to Bang Nam Pheung Floating market

Reaching from Wat Bangna Nok pier, there was bicycle rental service which charges THB 60 per bike. Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market is located further away from the Bang Nam Pheung pier in which there is a small village surrounded by lush greenery and trees located in between the pier and the market. You can either rent a bicycle or hire a motorbike taxi for short ride to get to the floating market. I decided to rent a bicycle to get to Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market and while riding through the small village, it was fun, exciting and full of fresh air because the weather was rather pleasant and the surrounding environment were covered with many lush trees while the air was unpolluted. Once visitors reach a bridge that runs through a canal, that was the entrance to get into the Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market. The bike will be parked on the roadside before walking short distance on a walkways below the bridge on the banks of the canal to reach the market. Once reaching the market, visitors are greeted with street market which have vendors dealing with variety of food items, souvenirs and range of wide range of consumer goods. From this street market area, after some walking distance there was an arch with the market name Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market attached on it. This is the entrance to the floating market area.

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The bicycle rental at the pier to get to Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market

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This bike chosen for leisure rise to Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market

THE LUSH SURROUNDINGS AROUND THE VILLAGE TO BANG NAM PHEUNG FLOATING MARKET

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Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market offers a way of relaxation or weekend break which is also an alternative to malls shopping in Bangkok. There were good number of variety of food to try out and also few other interesting items that can be purchased from the market. Just like Taling Chan Floating Market, this Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market is not a tourist infested market but still provide you with a choice to try out something different from the norm. You may like it as a way to spent a free weekend and enjoy some outdoor activity but of course you may also have some reservations about this market depending on how you judge it from your perspective. Some may say that this market was established for Thais but if you are one that seeks to enjoy free time on a different note and not fear of stumbling into unforseen circumstances (in case you enjoy something else), Bang Nam Pheung Floating market can turned out to be a trip you may treasure. Overall, it can be summed up as a nice getaway from the busy and noisy city life in Bangkok.

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Walking to the Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market from above the bridge of the canal

THE STREET MARKET AT BANG NAM PHEUNG FLOATING MARKET

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BANG NAM PHEUNG FLOATING MARKET VENDORS, THE FOOD AND SOUVENIRS AVAILABLE

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Travelling is not just about getting to know the place that one travels to through sightseeing, culture experience, enjoying the nature wonders, meeting locals and get to know more informations about locals through the natives but travelling also leads one into tasting the local food available in that particular country. And perhaps this is one of the good experience one can have while on the road being from one place to another specifically in country such as Thailand. Thailand is a country that needs no detailed orientation on where you should go for some of the best available authentic treats of food, drinks, sweets and desserts. You can find it almost every corners of the road, streets, back lanes, shops and buildings. Whenever or where ever you are on the go, chances are you will be able to see food being dished out whether its through the kiosks, pushcarts, food trucks or simply just a man or woman walking on the streets selling food or beverages. To summarised this, you do not need to struggle to find for authentic Thai food or you would not be starved hungry when travel to Thailand because food is just easily available. What is even much better than the bountiful of food availability while in Thailand, you can also have it your way whether its the budget and inexpensive Thai street food or the mid range price of food court style Thai food or the premium price of restaurant type of Thai food. The choice is yours and which ever type or style of food you prefer to eat, ultimately it is the taste and authenticity of the food that should count most in concluding a decision. As for me, I started to love street food as I travelled more frequently and extensively to this Kingdom of Unseen, where not only because they were reasonable in price but the quality, quantity and taste were of something that caught my attention to such style of food when in Thailand. Of course the food court style of Thai food as well as the restaurant joints also offer similar taste but the price will still be utmost important in choosing between a budget treats or premium treats. If you are someone who gives priority to backpacking style of travel, well, street food is the answer to the more thrifty style of travel, which suits me but surely, there will also be time when one also wanted to indulge in luxury travel. So, once in a while a premium style of eating is also not too much to ask for depending on one's budget and preference. Just the same as when it comes to food where though I prefer street food whenever I travel, I will also try to get involved in some premium style dining, not too premium though to the extend of breaking the pockets.

Some of the best available Thai food that I have tried and to share it here were mostly available on street shops or food kiosks, while some can also be found in food courts in the shopping malls. They were reasonably priced below THB 100 and will keep your stomach full for the entire period until the next meal. These Thai food being described as best by me because I have tasted them but let me qualified myself on the word "best" because different individual have different level of taste. This means it may be best to me but it may or may not when you tucked into these food. To me, they were best because the taste were good, the portion were just nice, some of them can be healthy and nutritious and they were prepared simple. Some of the Thai food has strong influence of the Chinese style of cooking and taste due to the Chinese immigrants who settled in Thailand which resulted in such clash of food style. There were also some Thai food which being influenced by the Vietnamese style of cooking especially those in the Isaan region or North East province in particular Ubon Ratchathani, which I have shared before. Also, it should be noted that due to the different regions in Thailand that neighbouring few other South East Asia nations such as Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, China and Malaysia, the taste, style and ingredients of the North, North East, Central and South of Thailand all offers its own distinctive food. Here are some of the Thai food that I tasted while travelled to Bangkok recently.

Khao Man Gai (Chicken Rice)

Chicken rice indeed was not distinctively being a Thai food but you can basically see this almost everywhere in the streets in Thailand. This is one of the most available street food in Kingdom of Thailand that is easy to eat, healthy and most of all it taste so delicious. The Thai chicken rice is actually the Hainanese style of cooking which only offers steamed chicken and the rice, which were being specially cooked with the chicken broth extracted while preparing the steamed chicken. You can see everywhere on the street where chicken rice vendors are available, the shops have the standard see-through glass display rack with the whole steamed chicken, usually 2 to 3 of them being hang on the rack with pieces of chicken meat that has been chopped placed on the base of the display rack. Hainanese chicken rice is the only type of chicken rice seen or available in Thailand as far as I was concerned. In neighbouring country such as Malaysia or Singapore, you would see different style of localised chicken rice which comes with roast pork, BBQ or char-grilled pork, roast chicken, steamed chicken and roast duck. The Hainanese chicken rice is the most simple type of chicken rice that keeps one full with portion of aromatic rice, sliced steamed chicken meat topped on the rice with some cut cucumbers on the side served on one plate that also comes with a small bowl of hot soup. You can also have fried chicken to paired it with the steam chicken or just with either one of the variety. Thai Hainanese chicken rice is also best eaten with the "nam phrik" or chilli sauce prepared from various ingredients specifically to match the chicken rice.

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Khao Kluk Gapi (Shrimp paste rice)

This is yet another simple one platter Thai rice meal which not only is tasty and delicious but also very spicy, flavourful and colourful. Yes, you read that right, colourful. Why khao kluk gapi is colourful? Well, you can see from the dish presentation itself where there were selective few colours churned out from it which came from the sliced egg omelette (yellow), dried chillies (red), chopped long beans, coriander, thinly sliced unripe mango and chopped cucumbers (green) and stewed pork meat (brown). The rice is prepared from steamed brown rice and either being mixed with the shrimp paste (kluk in Thai) or can also be then stir fried with the shrimp paste. It is not easy to find this special dish on the streets as its quite rare being sold by street food vendors. But you can find khao kluk gapi mostly in the malls' food courts or Thai food restaurants in shopping malls in Thailand. This is yet another of my favourite Thai food which to me offers healthy alternative, taste good and simple all in one kind of food.

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Khao Moo Daeng (Rice with char-grilled pork)

The 3rd kind of rice dish which offer another flavourful and good Thai food experience all in one plate. Khao moo daeng is not specifically steamed rice served with just char-grilled pork but it also adds into it other side dishes which include the Chinese pork sausages and roast pork topped it on the rice where all the add-ons were then being sprinkled with the thick sweet caramel sauce. The sauce plays the most important role as a whole in creating the ultimate great taste to this rice dish. The char-grilled pork and the roast pork come in a hearty portion enough to get you full without finishing the rice which may be way too much to finish them off.

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Khao pad graphao gai khai dao (Rice with stir-fry basil minced chicken & deep fry egg)

Another Thai rice dish which is very popular among Thais and travellers which is also very widely available on the streets as well as anywhere you know of in Thailand. This dish basically needs no introduction for those who had been to Thailand on frequent basis because this is kind of Thai national dish which offer good taste, comfort eating and easy on the money pocket. Pad graphao gai khai dao is steamed rice served with stir fried chicken cooked with basil leaves and chillies and add-on with deep fried egg.

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Radna noodle

Radna noodle is literally a Chinese style of noodle dish which comes in the form of a choice of thick wide rice noodles or "saen yai" in Thai or crispy thin noodles "saen lek" in Thai which were being deep fried and compressed into round shape. The noodles are being stir fried which thereafter being topped with the thick gravy. The gravy is what makes radna noodle tasty. Radna noodles also comes with it the kana vegetable and thick wide pork meat. You can also have the egg omelet to add-on into the dish. This radna noodle that I had was with the thin noodles and you can see the generous portion of the pork meat and the kana vegetable, which yet brings you another healthy, comforting and delicious Thai food.

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Pad see ew (Dark soy sauce stir fried noodles)

This noodle dish usually comes together with radna noodles. The noodles used in preparing pad see ew is the thick wide rice noodles which is being stir fried with dark sweet soy sauce together with pork meat, eggs and kana vegetable which finally touched up with the pepper or "prik thai". This is another one of the Thai noodle treats that I enjoy eating and taste simply good.

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Bami Haeng Moo Daeng (Dry noodles with char-grilled pork)

This is yet another popular noodle dish and widely available street food in Thailand. Bami haeng moo daeng translated literally as dry noodles with red pork meat which more accurately described as char-grilled pork or "char siew" in Chinese. Again, this is actually more of a Hong Kong style wanton noodles which consists of egg noodles with other add-ons which is no other than the char-grilled pork as well as fish balls or pork balls, fish cake or wanton (deep fried or steamed). It also come with hearty portion of bean sprouts and best eaten with Thai chilli flakes for those who like spicy taste.

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Moo Ping Khao Neaw ( Sticky rice with grilled pork)

Moo Ping Khao Neaw or sticky rice with grilled pork is another popular food and is a form of breakfast food for the Thais. Usually found on the morning markets and on walkways street vendors during the rush hour period, its kind of a Thai fast food where office or factory workers rushing to their workplace would easily grab this skewers which is not only inexpensive but filling and deliciously addictive. The size of the grilled pork which is marinated with special sauce which comes sweet in taste come in various variety with some just need 2 skewers to make you full while some need at least about 3 to 4 skewers. Its pretty much convenient to eat and would be accompanied by the khao neaw or sticky rice that made them a perfect match altogether.

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Thai Suki (Thai Hot pot)

This is not truly a Thai food but Thai hot pot has gained much popularity, not only it is healthy but also because it provides whole lot of varieties in one pot, which the traditional ones were made from clay. Today, hot pot is known as steamboat in some countries. The traditional hot pot comes with a clay made pot being placed on top of a clay stove stuff with charcoals. The soup base will first be boiled in the hot pot and as it boils over time, the raw suki dishes which include mostly green leafy vegetables, meat, seafood such as prawn, eggs, tofu and bean curds are being thrown into to pot to be cooked. Thai suki is best eaten with suki sauce which comes in a form of chilly sauce form but lighter in colour usually in orange. Thai suki is usually eaten in an outdoor environment but there are few establishments that offer such food in the comfort of air-conditioned restaurants in shopping malls.

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Nem neung (Isaan char grilled pork salad)

Nem neung as I had shared before is a hybrid food that was created in the Isaan region through the evolution of the Vietnamese thit nuong. This char grilled pork in the form of skewers can be found on the streets of Hanoi in Vietnam and widely popular and best to be eaten with Vietnamese rice noodle, which known as bun thit nuong, a form of Vietnamese salad that comes with thin rice noodles, char grilled pork, variety of vegetables and coriander mixed with a special sweet sauce all in a bowl. In nem neung, this char grilled pork is wrapped into the fresh lettuce roll together with variety of cut chillies, sliced mangoes, sliced star fruits, cut garlics, topped with a sweet thick sauce and then wrapped under rice roll. It is also another kind of healthy Thai food packed with whole lot of nutrition.

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Cha Yen (Thai Iced Milk Tea)

I can never resist a cup of cold Thai iced milk tea whenever in Thailand. It can never be better to have a cup of iced packed cha yen served by the coffee vendors on the streets in Thailand on the scorching hot weather any time of the day. The best milk tea can be found any where on the streets. Not only the taste of Thai milk tea was aromatic but it is also refreshing and superb.

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Thai Ice Cream

The original Thai ice cream is made from coconut milk and you can see that the ice cream base is white in colour. What made Thai coconut ice cream so distinctive was that it adds on with it with variety of toppings such as ginkgo, corns, taro, preserved and natural fruits, crushed roasted peanuts, sticky rice and many more.

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Ancient City was located in Samut Prakan province just outside of Bangkok metropolitan and this bizarre replicas park featuring the many important structures in the olden days of Siam (now Thailand) serving as vital information and knowledge to be preserved for many years to come. For Thai society, this ancient city park provide historical reflection of how Siam has been transformed into the Thailand of today allowing the young generation to understand the process of revolution of the old Siam into new Thailand was something that need hard work, tremendous effort and strong team work among its people. For tourists, ancient city may be yet another tour products when travelling to Thailand but beyond this, it also plays an important role in educating travellers on what has become of the contemporary yet maintaining some of its old and traditional charms in present Thailand, the revolution of Thai society has come a long way. Ancient City is a huge man-made historical park, so, expect at least a full day or several hours to maximise the tour within the large park. Entrance fee to the park costs THB700 for foreigner.

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The free bicycles area on the left just before the entrance to Ancient Siam City

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Many choice of bicycles to choose from

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The bicycle that I chose to tour Ancient Siam City

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The bike entrance signage to Ancient Siam Park

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The well paved road and lush trees and landscape at Ancient Siam

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There are several mode of transportation options available in touring the ancient park. These include the free tram ride, free bicycle, golf buggy rental and private vehicles which the park administrator charges THB400 per vehicle for foreigners. Among all these options, cycling would be the best and most sensible of all. The problem with cycling is the hot and humid weather while for tram, you have to wait at selected stations for pick-up after each point of the drop-off. The park highlights substantial number of replicas of historical structures which still exists today in several provinces such as Nakhon Si Thammarat, Kanchanaburi, Nong Khai, Ayutthaya, old Bangkok of Rattanakosin, Saraburi, Petchaburi, Lampang, Buriram, Nakhon Phanom, Surin, Roi Et, Sakon Nakhon to name a few. The Ancient City was the creation under the directions of the skilful and well-known Thai artwork architect, Khun Lek Virayahphant who was also the man who built the Sanctuary of Truth Temple in Pattaya, Chon Buri province. The small replica of this temple was also seen placed in a section of Ancient City.

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There were several coffee, cold beverage and snack huts for visitors to stop by to rest and relax after an exhaustive bike tour of the ancient park as well as a floating market where visitors could enjoy Thai food such as pad thai and boat noodle and get some souvenirs. Just before the entrance to the main park was row of shops known as the Old Market where olden days candies and snacks as well as souvenirs were on sale. The park overall was not overly crowded due to its huge size and many parts of the park were quiet, with the pathways well maintained surrounded by lush trees and garden with lakes spread around the park. It was a very peaceful area and quaint. Touring the park gives a feel of being in the old century of Siam as if one was brought back to the ancient times living in a totally different world.

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Tram is another free transport option at Ancient Siam to traverse around the park

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The creator of Sanctuary of Truth in Chon Buri province was also the architect for Ancient Siam

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The Floating Market at Ancient Siam

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The main entrance to Ancient Siam

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Boarding the boat at Taling Chan Pier for canal tour and to get to Baan Silapin

Other highlights at Taling Chan Floating Market other than the seafood treat is the canal tour which include the stop at the Artist's House (Baan Silapin) near Wat Thong Sala Ngarm (Thong Sala Ngarm Temple). There are 2 options for canal tours, one that is a public boat tour where the boat will depart once it is full but require some waiting time for the earlier boat to finished its round and returned to the pie. The second would be private boats which could also be shared with few others (good for couples) offering more privacy and comfort.

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Canal tours at Taling Chan Floating Market. Fish feeding was included as part of the fun activity

After about 20 minutes canal tour which wooden and semi-wooden houses could be seen along the canals, (sadly some of which on verge to collapse while some had already seen collapsed and disappeared) as well as witnessing how the community along the canal involve in daily activities, the boat arrived at the Wat Thong Sala Ngarm pier for visitors to get to Baan Silapin to watch the Thai puppet show themed under the Hanuman epic, which according to Thai myth was a Lopburi monkey with appearance wearing a crown on his head created by Lord Shiva, the Hindu God and also a devoted soldier of Rama, another Hindu God.

BAAN SILAPIN AND SURROUDING AREAS

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Under Thai myth, Hanuman was not believed to be God but a flirty monkey who likes to seduce women as well as a powerful character who could demolished millions of demon armies. To reach Baan Silapin from the Wat Thong Sala Ngarm pier, visitors will pass through some traditional wooden canal houses with some of the house owners involve in coffee shop and food business, souvenirs trade and fish food sale for fish feeding as there were many fresh water fish in the canals (interesting colourful fish food were on sale apart from the bread). Walking on the edge of the canal along the front wooden walkways of the traditional old wooden house brings back the nostalgic of olden era of Thailand. There were some interesting sights along the pathways leading to Baan Silapin and within Baan Silapin where an artist was seen showcasing his great drawing skills, a post box structure and 2 human structures in red and white along the edge of the wooden pathways in front of Baan Silapin.

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Thai puppet performers paying respect to Hanuman and Thai Puppet Master before the start of the show @ Baan Silapin

Before the start of the puppet show, the performers wearing in black attires and black masks were seen holding the Hanuman puppet and paying respect to the Thai puppet master. The stage was a simple courtyard of a wooden canal house with lush plants on the surroundings with an open concept. Guests watch the show from the covered living hall where seats such as long bench, sofa and chairs were arrange for seating. During show time, the seating area was noted to be full and insufficient to accomodate the guests. So, crowds could be seen standing and seating on the floors in front of the stage. The puppet show was just incredibly amazing on how the performers were so skilful in controlling the puppet to each of the Hanuman's actions as if the Hanuman was a real life puppet.

THE THAI PUPPET SHOW PERFORMANCE @ BAAN SILAPIN, ARTIST HOUSE

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As in Thai myth where Thai people thought Hanuman was a flirtatious monkey, the show at Baan Silapin include the performance that showcased how Hanuman did the tricks in seducing the mermaid Suvannamaccha. It was also believed under the Thai myth, as a result of the union between Hanuman and mermaid Suvannamaccha, a baby half monkey and half mermaid was born. I remember I have watched the show before at the Louis puppet theatre in Suan Lum Night Bazaar, which has since closed and moved to Asiatique? At the end of the show, visitors could donate to the performers for their good and skilful performance and opportunity to have close photography sessions with Hanuman and the performers.

THE CANAL TOURS AT TALING CHAN FLOATING MARKET AND AT BAAN SILAPIN (ARTIST HOUSE) AND ITS SURROUNDING AREA

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Floating markets have been a trademark in Thailand's tourism products ever since Damnoen Saduak Floating Market gained its foothold as one of the unique canal boat tour which incorporates the food sale to tourists on boat or sampan in particular the ever popular Thai national dish, "somtam" or Thai papaya salad, Thai soup noodles (any soup noodles not confined only to boat noodle which I had written previously), Thai desserts, mango sticky rice, pad thai (stir fry noodles), fresh tropical fruits and souvenir items. As such market gained its popularities among the tourists, the trend of setting up other floating markets to capitalised on the growing interests of tourists with such tours came into the mind of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO TALING CHAN FLOATING MARKET

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Ever since the establishment of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market followed by Amphawa Floating Market, canal tours have today become top things to do while on vacation in Thailand. One of the closest floating market to Bangkok is the Taling Chan Floating Market, now being promoted by TAT to Bangkok visitors due to its short distance from the metropolitan city. Though this floating market has not yet gained much attention from tourists at present, hopefully in coming years, it will and that TAT will be putting much more efforts in developing the market so that it will be on par with that of the Damnoen Saduak's popularity.The market currently attracts quite a number of locals and Thai visitors though a small number of foreign tourists could be seen here as well. The market starts with rows of vendors selling range of items mostly food and souvenirs along the small lane leading to the main Taling Chan boat pier where motorised boats could be boarded for a canal tour. Just before the boat pier, there are some few food vendors mostly seafood traders with items available include the grilled fresh water fish, large size prawns , crabs, clamps, shells, somtam (Thai papaya salad) and pork satay. There were tables and floor seating sections available for food diners over here. A handful of food vendors on boats could be seen docking along the canal including the pork satay and somtam vendors.

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The boat vendors @ Taling Chan Floating Market

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Grilled seafood at Taling Chan Floating Market

Whether the tourism authority would like to maintain the present situation at Taling Chan Floating Market or otherwise, it could also serves as one of a good option for tourists seeking a much more less crowded and relax atmosphere. It may not have a strong character depicting a great tour products but overall, it is still a place to venture in seeking for something new and different kind of floating market experience. Seafood is definitelythe main highlights while at Taling Chan and the dining area would be quickly filled-up with diners craving for the fresh grilled fish, big prawns, clamps and crabs just before lunch hour. When I arrived after noon from Or Tor Gor market, the dining place was already crowded and packed. As I already had my satisfied meal at Or Tor Gor market, I decided to give seafood lunch a miss at Taling Chan Floating Market which was regrettable.

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The street market before the entrance to Taling Chan Floating Market

Nevertheless, the experience of dining beside a river is interesting and if not for my full stomach, I would have ordered some wonderful grilled fish, prawns and crabs, squeeze myself into one of the dining tables, enjoying the riverside atmosphere while waiting for the food to be ready. For some, this may not be a real floating market experience but I would think that this could be indeed a nice experience with the absence of the huge tourists crowd. I feel more relaxed and peaceful without the hustle and bustle of people cramping the place. Floating market offers fun and interesting experience to travellers and if TAT think that preserving the current Taling Chan floating market crowd size would be good, then I am all out to support it. But perhaps more boat vendors could be added to include other than canal tours, some boat shopping options as well as boat dining could be included as part of the floating market activities to add more colours to this place. Here at Taling Chan floating market, unlike Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, you would not see visitors hiring boats to cruise through the canals to do some sightseeing tour and food and bargain hunting for souvenir items. Boat tours are available but not for food and boat shopping along the canal. The tour is for sightseeing along the canals and include a final stop at Wat Thong Sala Ngarm where Artist House or Baan Silapin is located. This is not any house but a traditional wooden canal house used as a stage to perform the Thai puppet show. This is one of the surprise package for the Taling Chan boat tour and I would say it was a wonderful experience in understanding the variety of Thai culture and myth as well as to gain some insights into the life of community of the canals in Thailand.

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The Taling Chan Pier @ taling Chan Floating Market. Boat tour service along canals of Taling Chan available as well at this floating market

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Main entrance to Or Tor Gor Market

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Spacious, brightly lit and clean interior @ Talad Or Tor Gor

If you ever thought that fresh market is a place which is wet, dirty, stinky, forgettable and unattractive, you just have to think again. Talad Or Tor Kor (or Or Tor Gor Market) yet again bring you another amazing experience which definitely fits in just nicely into the Kingdom of Thailand tourism tagline Amazing Thailand and Unseen Thailand. This fresh market located adjacent to the infamous bizarre tourist bazaar known as Jatuchak market is the "never go wrong" place to be for some of the best authentic Thai food experience as well as to get some of the most fresh food items for home cooking and for restaurateurs who need to get fresh items for the ultimate great taste in their cookings.

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Enjoying pork satay and crispy pork at Talad OR Tor Gor

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Or Tor Gor market has one of the best crispy pork available in Bangkok and Thailand

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Isaan style pork sausage at Or Tor Gor market

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Sweets and cakes at Or Tor Gor market

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Food court area at Or Tor Gor Market

It was said that many fresh food ingredients available at Or Tor Gor market had drove many of those well-known in food business in Bangkok and other provinces in Thailand to get their "secret items" in preparing their food at this market. That was not a surprise indeed, really! You just have to come over to Talad Or Tor Gor, step your foot into the market premise and check it out for what was said. The market, not only well established as the ultimate market to obtain best and fresh food ingredients, it is also a fresh market that was very well organised with regards to the stalls and vendors set-up, clean and hygienic as well as bright and spacious leaving a vacant hall in the middle of the market with benches where visitors could rest, relax and enjoy the ready to eat food bought from the market vendors.

FRESH TROPICAL FRUITS @ TALAD OR TOR GOR INCLUDING PINEAPPLES, DURIANS, GUAVA, POMELO, MANGO

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The markets are divided into few sections which include a food court section with tables and chairs available for dining purposes, fresh fruits section which have varieties of tropical fruits available, including the famous gigantic Thai durians and not forgetting the attractive shining and yellowish fresh mangoes, which always associated very closely with the mango sticky rice, one of the "must-try" Thai dessert, the vegetables of all kinds sections, dry-food items sections, seafood sections and household and consumer items section. I came over to Or Tor Gor market to experience myself one of possibly best fresh market in Asia or South East Asia, maybe.

FRESH VEGETABLES SECTION @ TALAD OR TOR GOR

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SNACK FOOD SECTION @ OR TOR GOR MARKET

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Variety of "nam prik" (chillies) at Talad Or Tor Gor

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"Khao rad gaeng" (rice with curries with choice of other food items) available at the Or Tor Gor market food court

MOUTH WATERING READY TO EAT SEAFOOD AT TALAD OR TOR GOR

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I did mentioned that Or Tor Gor market also offers a good choice of genuine Thai foods and I was here to taste them including the fresh, crispy and tasty roast pork and the pork satay. Satay or grill skewer pork dip into the sweet peanut sauce. Satay is not only unique to Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia if you thought it was because in Thailand, you can taste the delicious pork satay as well not quite widely available in that countries mentioned. The pork satay meal also served with toast bread, cut cucumbers and cut onions which also being dip into the peanut sauce before finally ends in the mouth. Other than best crispy roast pork and pork satay, other famous choice of food in Or Tor Gor market include the "khao rad gaeng" or rice with selections of curries. It is not exactly rice with choice of curries but also with wide selections of other food items including fish, pork, chicken, eggs, vegetables and other items cook in variety of style and taste. I craved for the crispy roast pork to the extent I bought from 2 different vendors and also try out the pork satay which overall was satisfactory and up to my expectations.

FRESH SEAFOOD SECTION @ OR TOR GOR MARKET

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Crispy pork best eaten with sticky rice @ Or Tor Gor Market

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Travelling has always been closely linked to food because when you landed your footprints in that particular country, you would always get to experience the food which are unique and distinctive to it. Amazing and Unseen Thailand are the 2 words which fit into this land of wonders of South East Asia in the Indochina region so well that one will never be left out in getting the tastes of the rich culture, history, food, nature as well as the warmness of Thai people. Land of Smiles may no longer be accurate to describe Thailand but the colourful travel experience due to the diverse tourism wonders will always be there for every traveller to keep tight and close to the heart, mind and soul. Forgive the Thais if they cannot show any longer the friendliness and the warmth that travellers were used to in the past as I had mentioned before that the incredible increase of the tourism growth in Thailand has taken its toll on those in the hospitality, F & B and tourism sector as a result of huge tourists from certain countries flocking Thailand. Over the years, Chinese from China has seen tremendous surge in arrival to Thailand and in tandem with such tourists arrival growth has also resulted in increasing problems to the Thai people and the government. I just hope that Thai authorities would be able to cope with the issues coming from the Chinese tourists and not let these be a chain of other problems that may affect the others who enjoy their holiday in Thailand. I am not against Chinese tourists but it seemed to me from my observations that Chinese has now possibly overtaken any other tourists from any particular countries. The "farangs" (white foreigners) who used to dominate the scenes in Thailand can be said to have been shadowed by the Chinese tourists. It is now no longer the case. I do not know whether this was true but just my observations after years of travel in Thailand. There was nothing really bad with such trends happening but just my little thoughts of how things had changed over the couple of years. What caused the Chinese to have sudden change in their travel appetite, that was to choose Thailand as their major travel destinations and how different Thailand is as compared to Cambodia, Laos, Mynmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei to the Chinese? These ASEAN countries has all that Thailand has to offer but yet Thailand became the winner over the others. So, probably its back to what I have said above that the very steep, rich and wonderful travel experience have brought the Chinese to Thailand today. Perhaps?

I would like to share the great food experience in Bangkok during the recent travel though this has been written by some over the last 2 or 3 years but nevertheless, this food adventure is so gravely special and never seen anywhere else (though its been franchised now) that it is worth the story to tell over and over again no matter who it was. Thailand is not only known for great travel places and deep culture history but Thai food itself were also very diverse and different from its neighbours within the ASEAN region that one will never want to have a missed if they ever travel to Thailand. Pad Thai (stir fry noodle with prawn and egg), gaeng keaw wan (the green curries), kanom jeen (rice noodle top with varieties of curries), khao pad (thai fried rice), gai yang khao neaw (roast chicken with sticky rice), larb moo (spicy minced pork with mints), pla phao (grilled fish street food style), pad see ew (stir fry noodle with vegetable and pork), khao kluk kapi (shrimp paste fried rice with variety of side dishes), khao man gai (Thai style chicken rice similar with Hainanese chicken rice) and many other interesting and mouth watering choices. But what I am sharing here is very different from those mentioned just now because you get to have it for only 12 bath a bowl and you can order as many bowls that you could to satisfy your hunger or as many as your stomach could fill them in. It is the BOAT NOODLE or KUAY TEOW RUEA in Thai. This Thai dish its not a new food in Thailand but has been existed for many years but only caught the attention of foreigners or travellers to Thailand in recent years. It has even now found its followers outside of Thailand with the franchise business being made available in neighbouring countries within the ASEAN region. As the name says it, boat noodle dish is a form of noodle variety that come with several choices of noodle types which include glass noodle, rice noodle, egg noodle and large flat rice noodle. What made this boat noodle tasty is the specially boiled broth which were added with pig blood and mix to the noodles when served. It also comes with pork balls, pork meat and bits of water spinach served on a small ceramic bowls. The noodle would end up in the mouth with just one serving but of course there were the other side toppings ie the pork balls and pork meat and the water spinach and not forgetting the special gravy that can be very addictive due to its rich flavour. Apart from the noodles, you can also find other side dishes which you could order from the menu including kanom tuay (Thai coconut milk pudding), luk chin moo (pork balls), deep fried pig skin and deep fried crispy wonton skin. The most well known boat noodle shops were located within the vicinity of Victory Monument in Bangkok which can be conveniently accessible through the BTS (Bangkok MRT). There are 2 boat noodle shops dominated the scenes which are the Sod Yod Kuay Teow Ruea (The Best Boat Noodle) of which the staffs donned the t-shirt in orange colour while another being the Phra Nakhon Kuay Teow Ruea (Phra Nakhon Boat Noodle) with staffs donned t-shirt in purple colour. The 1st boat noodle adventure, I checked into The Best Boat Noodle shop which was quite an old shop with dining tables available outside without air-condition on the side of the riverbanks while another section inside with air-condition. Staffs can be seen busy preparing the boat noodles and the owner could also be heard screaming to his staffs to speed up their serving whenever he sees tables were not served yet after some time. Best Boat Noodle offers free 1 bottle of EST (Thai version of cola drink) for 20 bowls of boat noodles ordered and finished eaten. Not a difficult tasks if you have heavy appetite and hungry but not exactly for those with small appetite. Though each bowl with very small portion, the side toppings which include the pork balls and pork meat as well as the broth and the bits of water spinach may well be able to fill up one's stomach pretty quickly. For 20 bowls, it costs only 240 bath and you also get 1 free bottle of EST. Not only that, you also get to taste a very good meal which satisfy the tummy just nice for a meal of lunch or dinner. Quite well worth the money spent. As for me, I did not managed to finished 20 bowls of noodles, so there was no free EST but did finished up the food adventure at Best Boat Noodle with a bottle of EST though on my own pocket. Overall, Best Boat Noddle did offer some very tasty and delicious boat noodle I would say. Over at the Phra Nakhon Boat Noodle shop, it has 2 air-conditioned sections with one of it facing the main road while the other on the inner side which was along the river banks. Both The Best Boat Noodle and Phra Nakhon Boat Noodle were situated side by side and the one thing that differentiates the 2 shops was the colour of t-shirts worn by their staffs, one in orange while the other in purple. At Phra Nakhon Boat Noodle, I try out its other side dishes other than its wide choices of noodle types of boat noddles which include the coconut milk pudding, pork balls, deep fried crispy wonton skin and deep fried pig skin. It was yet another satisfying boat noodle adventure and very well worth the money spent and the trip to Victory Monument for this boat noodle tasting was fruitful and never disappointing. Though Victory Monument is not the only place that has boat noodle shops, Best Boat Noodle and Phra Nakhon Noodle did in fact provide a very amazing and great boat noodle experience for one who is looking for something that is flavourful and distinctive in Thai food.

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AT VICTORY MONUMENT BANGKOK

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The Best Boat Noodle at Victory Monument, Bangkok

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The staff of Best Boat Noodle busy preparing the boat noodles dish

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The diners at 2 sections of Best Boat Noodle

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The canals between Best Boat Noodle and Phra Nakhon Boat Noodle @ Victory Monument, Bangkok

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Deep fried pig skin @ Best Boat Noodle

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Boat noodles at Best Boat Noodle served in multiple bowls

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Variety of noodle types offered for boat noodles dish @ Best Boat Noodle

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Bowls being stacked up after a great boat noodle meal at Best Boat Noodle

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The Phra Nakhon Boat Noodle @ Victory Monument Bangkok

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Staff of Phra Nakhon Boat Noodle preparing boat noodle dish

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The coconut milk pudding at Phra Nakhon Boat Noodle

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Deep fried wonton skin and pig skin @ Phra Nakhon Boat Noodle

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VARIETY OF NOODLE TYPES OF THE BOAT NOODLE AT PHRA NAKHON BOAT NOODLE

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The pork balls at Phra Nakhon Boat Noodle

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After a satisfying boat noodle meal at Phra Nakhon Boat Noodle.

Bang Pa-In Royal Palace was located within Ayutthaya province which was also well known for its historical park and a visit to the Ayutthaya Historical Park shall also incorporated a tour of Bang Pa-In Royal Palace. The palace was built by the then King Prasat Thong which was later being abandoned after Ayutthaya was invaded by the Burmese troops. When King Mongkut (King Rama IV) ascended the throne, Bang Pa-In Palace was being restored but much of what existed today at the palace was credited to King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) who has done substantial restoration and extension to the palace complex. A tour of Bang Pa-In can be easily done on foot. The palace ground was covered extensively with lakes and beautiful landscapes and trees and best explored in the early morning hours. Visitors are required to dress politely as an entrance condition to Bang P-In Palace. Those who did not meet the dress code would still be able to enter subject to deposit requirement to rent the attire from the ticket counter. Overall, its worth a visit to Bang Pa-In if Ayutthaya Historical Park was in your tour itinerary as it highlights the Thai royal institution importance and greatness in the history of Thailand which also served as reminder to the current and next generation of Thais that though the country is under the constitutional monarchy, the respect and the understanding on the role of royal institution in Thailand would remain very important to ensure political stability and harmony in the country remained unscathed. The other highlights of Bang Pa-In Palace other than to display the importance of Thai royal institution was also to showcase the brilliant architecture work and skills of Thais in constructing the palace which served as a summer palace and sometimes as official venue for foreign dignitaries.

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A plaque at the Bang Pa-In Palace entrance gate

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A map of the Bang Pa-In Palace ground

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A massive garden landscape at the entrance of Bang Pa-In Palace

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A canal with flower and tree landscapes @ Bang Pa-In Palace

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The exterior and the interior of Ho Hem Monthian Thewarat, a khmer style prasat (residence of king or god) built by King Chulalongkorn as a dedication to King Prasat Thong,literally means King of Golden Palace

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The trees landscape @ Bang Pa-In Palace

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A directory signboard @ Bang Pa-In Palace

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The entrance road from the main gate of Bang Pa-In Palace lined with lush trees

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Saphakhan Ratchaprayun (assembly Hall for royal families) was the residence of King Chulalongkorn's brothers and their spouses. No photos allowed inside.

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Gra-Jom Tae

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Phra Thinang Aisawan Thiphya-Art is a Thai style pavilion with 4 porches and a spired roof built by King Chulalongkorn. It is a copy of the Phra Thinang Aphonphimok Prasat in the Grand Palace which was built by King Mongkut as a pavilion for changing regalia. This pavilion housed a bronze statue of King Chulalongkorn.

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Doll's Bridge

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This royal residence palace building is a mansion built by King Chulalongkorn as his residence and throne hall. No photos allowed inside.

THE VAROBHAS BHIMAN RESIDENTIAL HALL (ROYAL RESEDENCE)

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SAOVAROD BRIDGE

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Pae Song Bath

THEVARAJ-KANLAI GATE (Royal Carriage Museum Dusit Palace). The horse-drawn carriage was being introduced into Thailand during the Rattanakosin period but not a popular transport mode and only the royal family uses it. After the visit of King Chulalongkorn to Europe only then the horse carriage became popular in Thailand. During King Rama VI, the horse carriage was widely used and he established an office for purpose of preparing and maintaining horses and carriages as well as for training of drivers and the horses.

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THE DISPLAY OF ROYAL CARRIAGES @ DUSIT PALACE ROYAL CARRIAGE MUSEUM @ BANG PA-IN PALACE

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PHRA THINANG UTHAYAN PHUMISATHIAN (Garden of the secured land)

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This was the favourite residence of King Chulalongkorn when he stayed at Bang Pa-In Palace. It was formerly a 2 storey wooden structure built according to Swiss style chalet which was unfortunately burnt down during a minor repairs. The current building was constructed under the instruction from Queen Sirikit.

THE HO WITHUN THASANA (The sages lookout)

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This observatory tower was built by King Chulalongkorn as a look-out tower for viewing of the palace surroundings

PHRA THINANG WEHART CHAMRUN (Heavenly Light Royal Residence)

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This chinese style mansion was built by the Chinese Chambers of Commerce and presented to King Chulalongkorn. The ground floor contained Chinese style throne while the upper floor housed the altar which enshrined the names of King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn

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The Memorial of Princess Saovabaha Nariratana & 3 Royal Child in remembrance of King Chulalongkorn's consort and his 3 children death