Songkla is proposing to UNESCO for naming the city as a World Historic Heritage Site. Though Songkla is a province but it is a twin city with Hat Yai which seems to be a communication hub of the South of Thailand with business and trade, and cross-cultural traditions and religions. Songkla itself is living gallery with Street Art displaying Thai, Muslim and Chinese styles of architecture and archeological sites. These are worth visiting many times, over and over.
Long time no see “ME” !!! So might as well update my life journey a little. Had a chance to travel to Japan with friends, spending 10 days driving, riding city trains and walking in the rain. Japan is a very country and I love the people, places, trees, mountains and rivers.
I visited Ayudhaya several times and always saw this ancient city from different views. This time is also different. We NSTDA angels drove to Ayudhayaburidevi, and after lunch (usually barbecue prawns) we toured around the island of Ayudhaya by boat. Next day, got up early to bring food to the monks at Wat Rajbantom, an old Buddhist temple where King Naresuan in the ancient time rested before going to the wars. Had breakfast at Hua Raw Market by the River Pa Sak.Then we went to Wat Maheyong where Buddhists came to study and practice meditation. Wat Kudidao located nearby stood still, grand and beautiful and so peaceful. Trip ended by shopping a lot of OTOP foods before heading back to Bangkok via Bang Pa In Highway in only an hour drive. Everyone agrees that a day or two in Ayudhaya is fun and never enough.
Before this year ends, I try to remember what I did by looking at these pictures . Without these pictures I would have forgotten something that I should remember. I was very happy that this year I met my friends whom I have known for over 60 years from Rajini to Chula. Hope next year 2017 will bring peace and happiness to friends and relatives and all people around the world.
I visited Chantaburi several times, but this year was the first to stop by Wat Plub where King Taksin set as the strategic site before leading the Thai troops to fight against the Burmese. Also, the Red Fort, a historical building since the French colonization period, stood in the middle of the town market. A scenic road along the beach from Rayong to Chantaburi became a new tourist attraction in the Eastern sea coast of Thailand
2016 is when we have been friends at Chula, so we celebrate BIG event in September to remember those days. Two books were created very beautifully: Devalai in Our Memories, and Arts 34 address book. Friends will read them and smile and call as well as chat with long lost friends to meet, to eat and to have fun. Arts 34 – we are alive and kicking!
November 2013 I joined Senior Kasetsart Faculty in a trip to Chaiyaphum, Chiangkan in Loei and back to Nam Nao National Park in Chaiyaphum. Our 4 days together, 42 of us 60 plus years of age, started from Bangkhen early in the morning heading to Chulabhorn Dam where Arts 34 visited years ago. Back then, we did not see “Tung Kramang” a Natioanal Wildlife Conservation which is located next to Chulabhorn Dam. Lucky enough this time we had a chance to board two trucks to follow the wildlife living in the area. Deers and birds and elephants were supposed to come by but we met only quite a few of deers. Chiangkan is our next destination.
A cruis
e along Mekhong River took one hour and we saw Laos so close on the opposite bank and just over the hills.
We spent the night in a hotel in Kang Koot Koo, Phurua before moving on to 
Phurua flower nursery
where theymake good business growing and exporting cool climate flower plants.
Loei is famous for “Pee Ta Khon” bamboo masks festival.
And, Wat Pratat Sri Song Rak where the Kings of Thailand and Laos established friendship agreement between two nations over 200 years not to fight in wars since then.
Nam Nao National Park is the last stop before returning to Bangkok.
The only view we missed was December foliage of Nam Nao which is only a few weeks to come.
The first Bhutanese we met, Sonam – our tour manager wearing national outfit and looked cosmopolitan.,using iPhone 3G.
Girls went to the mask festival, in national dresses all of them looked beautiful, no shorts and no hats though the sun was bright and weather was warm.
In town, going shoping young mothers held babies hurrying to the market.
People dress the same, always men wear leather shoes and knee-high socks, men , women and children never showed toes nor bearfoot, in town and in farms and wear white shawls when entering the temples. No fashion police around!
This country is very colorful, not only the bright blue sky and white clouds, green forests and silver rivers but also the house and temples decoration. I saw dyed rice in pretty colors offering for spirits worshiping. Flags hung on trees up in the mountains. Flag decorations like curtains in monasteries, palaces, restaurants, libraries, archery fields. And, the national dresses for women and men, boys and girls are all colorful. Never been bored
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