TISCO's freinds arranged a party at Oriental Hotel for P. Muay - Phavadee on her retirement after 37 years of working at TISCO.

A claimed to be “new year gathering”, though it almost past two weeks since year end; we still use that reason to have an eating trip without any other objectives. The first stop is at the “Taling Chan” floating market. It is a small weekend market. A small table is lined on the floating piers. The food, the atmosphere are o.k. but I don’t like it much since I have motion-sickness. A busting place, not recommend for those above-average-size persons since people may step on your toes and also those who have difficulty sitting on a floor. The Som-Tum (papaya Thai style dish) should have tasted better.



So within less than half an hour we are all ready to move on to the next place, Tik Pochana (ติ๊กโภชนา) at Nakornchaisri, Nakorn Pathom Province. Very famous dishes are crispy fried eggs (Kai-Jeiw – ไข่เจียวกรอบๆ) and fried shrimp (กุ้งทอดกระเทียม).



Our last stop for today is for Ice-cream; however, the recommended one around the restaurant has not shown up for today. So we split the group, our group head back to Wipawadee road but finally find a place at Krua Khun Yui (ครัวคุณยุ้ย) at soi Areesamphan1 to have some dessert. The homemade ice-cream is so-so but the good one is Waffle.

A farewell party to Tua - Chavalit from TISCO friends at Sorrento restaurant. Tua had been with TISCO for 17.5 years. I hope that our friendship still flourishes as time goes by, no matter where ones work.

Chiang Mai - Day 3

This morning we visit another “Doi”, “Inthanon”, the highest mountain in Thailand (2,565 meters above sea level) The mountain ranges gave birth to the main tributaries of the Ping river and formed many waterfalls.



On the way down we visit Phra Maha Dhatu Nabha Metaneedol and Nabhapol Bhumisiri which are the Buddhist places of worship containing the Lord Buddha’s relics from many original. The Royal Thai Force constructed the stupas in commemoration of their Majesties the King’s and Queen’s Sixtieth Birthday Anniversaries in 1987 and 1992, respectively.




The last stop before heading back to town, is Doi Inthanon Royal Project Research Station which we limit the visit at 1 hour sharp, otherwise some of us including me may miss the flight back to Bangkok. Step down from the car one will be greeted by the hill tribe children presenting the cut-flower reminding me of a recently hit Thai song ….หนูเอาแครอทมาฝาก....

Chiang Mai - Day 2

Today after breakfast at the same place as yesterday morning, we then return a car before joining our friends at Royal Flora Ratchapruk. Visit many sections that I missed them the last time I came here.



For me, an umbrella is a "must" to bring along for this event.





Though the temperature in the morning is under 20 degree celcius, it is still unbearable to be under the sun at midday so we spend our time in the Exhibition center taking pictures and writing some postcards to those who can’t join this trip.


At Morocco Garden

Tong’s friend, Khun Pom, pick up us from the event to “Bann Rai Yam Yen” restaurant (บ้านไร่ยามเย็น). The place offers local cuisine such as kaeng hang-le (northern-style pork curry), kaeng ho (spicy curry of bean vermicelli), sai ua (Chiang Mai sausage), lap (minced meat, cooked and highly seasoned), nam phrik ong (chili paste with minced pork and tomatoes), which usually goes with khaep mu (crispy pork rinds) and nam phrik noom. Pe Paew enjoy dinner very much since there is a folksong playing 1970-80’s country song.

My first trip in 2007 - Chiang Mai - Day1

A plan to visit Chiang Mai and Royal Flora Ratchapruk has been added to my schedule one more time due to many friends will be there too. After arriving at the airport we rent a car and head to “Patchkit House” near Suan Dok Gate to check in. It costs Baht 650 per a twin en-suite bedroom with air-condition (though it is not necessary for me at this cold weather).



Having breakfast at “Ton Pa-Yom” fresh market before visiting “Bann Den” Temple around the Mae-Ngat dam.



Since we are on the road leading to Fang, a plan to visit Lampoon is changed to “Ang Khang Royal Agricultural Station” of which I and Pe Paew wholly support since we have never been there before. The station is designated for conducting experiments on possible temperate plants to be grown in Thailand. The experiment is aimed at promoting the cultivation of cash crops to replace hill tribes' opium plantations.



A restaurant and beautiful landscape flower gardens are offering here including guesthouse. We are so lucky that there is a “Thai Sakura” for us to take pictures with.



Sunset at Doi Ang Khang
We spend time non-stop shooting pictures. I am so glad that for today there are only 5 ladies, otherwise we might get complaints from those tough guys who think that “flower is just flower”. Then it’s time to go back since the route is filled with steep s-curves.



Final stop for today is at “Ka-Lae” restaurant at the reservoir near Chiang Mai University. The decision is made on its flower garden at the restaurant. I went to this restaurant in 2005, the food is fair, but this time we all agree to recommend the “fried cat fish with grapefruit” spicy dish (ยำปลาดุกฟูส้มโอ). (Sorry no picture since I am so hungry that I forget to take the picture.)

In the first working week of every year, it is one of TISCO traditions to greet new year with K.Sivaporn and his family at home in the morning.

Life still goes on as usual for us (almost – since I would be avoid seeing movies at the theatre for the time being), another party for welcoming the new year is held at Nong Aoy’s house.
The children are playing music before the older generation: their dad and uncles are trying to take over. The youngest one in the band is “Ply”, probably less than 10 years old.