A very sad year-end day

It is one of the very upset and sad days that bombings had occurred in many places in Bangkok and Nonthaburi province. Whoever had even thought of doing this should be resigned from being a “Thai” citizenship.

New year party at Khun Sivaporn’s house. Can’t count how many dishes I have. “don’t drive drunk” (campaign from the government) and with no good luck on game, I am one of the first group to say good night. From what I hear, the party is over around 2-3 a.m. in the morning. (hopefully that Pe Aoy who came to the party with me did not loss all she had, so that she could go home by Taxi.)

Lunch at China Gate restaurant with my family. It is one of the top picked restaurants in 2006 by Bangkok Post. The price is on the high-end. For me, the taste is good but there might be some that is better, but I can't name one right now.

A dinner party hosted by Dr. Niran and his family at Tohkai korean restaurant to celebrate Khun Sivaporn's Birthday in advance since they will go back to the State in first week of January. With the songs and cheers we make, Pe Tim said that next time she would close the restaurant for us. I have a lot of grilled bacon; thick and juicy, all together about 1 small whole pig.

New Year gift from Treasury.




New Year lunch at Jae Ngor for both ex- and existing Treasury.

Dinner at China Palace, Surawong Rd. to welcome Dr. Niran and family to Bangkok from the gang.

Lampang Province

With a very cold weather in the northern part of Thailand waking up around 6 a.m is a very difficult thing for me. Our first stop is a must-see attraction for Lampang trip, “Wat Phra That Lampang Luang”.
The temple itself is prominently sited on a hillock surrounded by wall. The entrance arches, called Pratu Khong, is adorned with fine plaster designs. The wall-less main Vihan houses a bronze Buddha statue called the Phra Chao Lan Thong. To the back is a golden Chedi in Lanna architectural style containing a Holy Relic. Also in the back is another Vihan with beautiful murals on wooden walls, said to be the oldest in the North.



We then have lunch at “Krua Mukda” of which I highly recommend for both the taste and price.



Our last stop for the trip is at Nakornsawan Province, where we shop at "Chan-su-wan" shop for ขนมเปี๊ยะหิมะ โดยจันทร์สุวรรณ์ โมจิ and have fish ball noodle at the nearby stall.

Lampang Province

A trip is arranged with the good reason that one of our friends, Noo Da has moved to Lampang province. We arrive at Lampang in the morning and go straight to a market for some appetizers like fried pork with sticky rice, pa-tong-ko and Thai desserts before stopping at this small shop offering rice with soup (ต้มเลือดหมู).
Lampang is famous for its horse-drawn carriages and with a rooster as its provincial emblem.
http://www.tourismthailand.org/destinationguide/list.aspx?provinceid=40



Our first sightseeing stop is at Tri-luck Cemetry and then at Wat Chedi Sao Lang (วัดเจดีย์ซาวหลัง). The temple has 20 Chedis in its compound, each made in the combined Lanna – Burmese style.



Then we proceed to our accommodation for tonight, “Rai-Ya-Chae-Son Resort” about an hour from Amphoe Mueang. For our group we stay in one big room which can accommodate 16 of us as per the picture on the bottom right.



In the afternoon, we visit Chae Son National Park with the hot spring over rocky terrain. There are bathing facilities for health purpose. It costs only Baht 50 per person for private room and Baht 20 for common room.



Near by is the 6-level waterfall, of which I walk to the first level only. Some of us climb the stairs to the second and third level.

My friends and I watch "New Year Light Decoration" from Paragon to Amarin Plaza.

Go with my mom to see the highest Christmas Tree in Thailand at Central World.

Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market

My third time to this small and friendly floating market. New to this market are Dr. Niran, Pe Tim, Pe Aoy and Pe Thanom. Dr. Niran and Pe Tim came to Bangkok yesterday. After enjoy shopping Thai deserts at the market, we then have lunch at Jae Ngor.

Referring to my question on November 22, 2006

The answer to "cool in the hole" or เย็นในรู is Icecream. I am sure that those who is probably at the same age length with me may have already tasted some. However, I can't vouch for this one since I was too full on that day to try one.

We stop by to have coffee at this lovely place before visiting Ban-pa-ngam resort (บ้านผางาม).



Then visiting Thap-Lan National Park (อุทยานทับลาน).
Lan Forest and Rest Area is the last natural palm forest. The rare palm trees in this area have yellow flowers during April and June. In the Park, there are also dry dipterous carp forests and rainforests which are the habitats of wild animals, and a variety of species of birds.
http://www.tourismthailand.org/destinationguide/list.aspx?provinceid=16&typeid=7





Our last stop for today is to have lunch at Krua-Rim-Klong (ครัวริมคลอง), another recommended restaurant for those who happens to be around the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, Nakorn Nayok Province.

2-day trip to Wang Nam Khaeo

Jungle View Resort, a supposed-to-be-our accomodation for this trip.

Another good opportunity not to miss going out of Bangkok as it is long weekend. We decide to visit Wang Nam Khiao in Nakhonratchasima Province. Our first stop is at "ครัวเขาใหญ่" (Khao Yai Kitchen) on Thanarat Road. It serves very delicious food though its rule is to accept only one time order per table. Customers need to make sure that they order enough food since there are lots of customer.

After the big brunch, we then go straigt to Wang Nam Khaeo to look for a place to stay tonight. We haven't reserved any place and plan to look around first at Jungle View Resort. Too bad it is full and also some others resort along that road.




We finally get an accomodation at "สุภัทรวาริณ" resort, of which the price is very good. A one-bedroom house with a large balcony. It is a small scale resort so we have a privacy for some of us who prefer to sleep in tents.



Apart from the tents rent from the resort, Pe Sombat also brings two tents for this trip. So we are trying to set up the tents in front of the house.



These three little dogs are so cute that Pe Paew are thinking of adoption one of them.

Rangsan, Kung, both ex-TISCO, also come to join the party. This may be the first party that Kung joins since she left TISCO many years ago.


We also wish a happy belated (yesterday)Birthday to P. Somchai.


Party time begins!!!

A congratulations party is held by TISCO's friends for K. Sivaporn and P. Somchai for being appointed as members of National Legislative Assembly.

Last time I went to ตลาดน้ำบางน้ำผึ้ง, the floating market, I got this picture and want you to guess what it refers to "cool in the hole"? :-)

I will post the answer next week ka.

Royal Flora 2006

รองเท้านารี


The very acclaimed Belgium garden.



Japanese Fruit Fairs in the Exhibition Hall.

But you need a good guidance like Mer to tell where and when to go to which section. In the afternoon, she recommend to see the exhibition in the hall; of course with the air condition. Thus why we don't dehydrate and survive the heat.



A small group (or as our friends would call a "slow pace" group refering to Mer's Mom and I) visit Royal Flora Ratchaphruek in Chieng Mai. We spend a whole day at the exposition from 9.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Although the weather is very hot, I enjoy seeing many types of flowers or plants; some are in rare colors such as violet almost black Vanda.

Singapore is now lighted up with Christmas decoration both on streets and in department stores.

Khun Rojana with the "Le Sport Sac", a gift from the USA. K. Rojana, Nong Pat and K. Puvanai planned and arranged for the very enjoyable USA trip. A Thank you party is held at Harvey, Thonglor.

Since we recommend our recent finding of this floating market, Bang Nam Phueng, to our friends, a trip is required. So this time Pe Paew, Pe Sombat and Khun Nat join the "eating" tour. I sample many different dish from the previous trip: Jang-lon (grilled fish caske), Kuey-thew-tom-yum (spicy noodles), Kha-nom-cheen-nam-prick, and some Thai desserts. Needless to say that we also buy a lot to take home.

TISCO Foundation holds an annual bowling competition at Major Ratchayothin. My team name is "เทศบาลศาลาแดง" or Saladaeng municipal, which is very appropriate to the level of our skill of the game. Too bad that there is no award for those who gets the bottom rank. :-)

Autumn in USA - Last day of the trip

And that should be all for my USA trip.



Climb the Rockefeller Center, “Top of the Rock”, in the evening.
www.topoftherocknyc.com



Sky Mirror


Lunch at “Tomoe Sushi”, Japanese Restaurant.



On our last day of the trip we walk in Central Park in the morning.

Autumn in USA - Day 13

We watch the musical play "The Producer" in the evening, of which I like the first part; however the second part is quite long and I almost fell to sleep.


Visit the Ground Zero, Chinatown and Soho.

Autumn in USA - Day 12

We stay at "Paramount Hotel" in New York, the lobby is very modern with colorful chairs.



Lunch at Peter Luger in the the afternoon. Nong Pat's friend has to deposit the reservation about a month ago and our time is alloted at 15.00. And even at that time the restaurant is quite full. But don't ask me how good it is for the main dish "grilled sirlion" in the picture because I have the grilled salmon. However, if I happen to be there next time I would order Bacon for my main dish : thick and tender.



We begin the New York City tour at the “must see”, Statue of Liberty.