The grounds of a Buddhist temple in Thailand have a variety of buildings of all shapes and sizes. At first glance their use might seem to be random. But, there is one building, called the “phra ubosot” which is not only the most sacred but also has distinguishing features that makes it …...
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A Thai Chinese Lion Dancer looks out from the head of his costume as he waits to perform along with more than 80 others Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, in Bangkok, Thailand. Bangkok has a large Chinese community as do many other southeast Asian nations… Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Thai Chinese Lion...
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Traditionally, in Thailand, when a Buddhist dies, their body is cremated and then the bones and ashes are collected and are either kept at the temple or at home or sometimes both. However, there is a third option which is seemingly becoming more popular these days. It is called “loi angkarn” which means...
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Undoubtedly the most spectacular Chinese temple I have seen in Thailand is Wat Boromracha Kanchanapisek Anusorn in Nonthaburi Province just north-west of Bangkok. I would say it also rivals anything I saw even in China. Parts of the temple reminded me of the Forbidden Palace. This temple, in Bang Bua Thong District, …...
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The Phimai historical park protects one of the most important Khmer temples of Thailand. It is located in the town of Phimai, Nakhon Ratchasima province. There are quite a few Khmer temples in this region but this is one of the best preserved. I was… Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Phimai historical...
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Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand tees off on the eighth hole during the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament February 6, 2010. More Thailand pictures can be found at www.ThaiPhotoBlogs.com . Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Thongchai at Dubai Desert Classic at Thai Photo Blogs
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On Sunday, we went for an enjoyable bicycle ride in Bangkok. At first glance, this would sound like a crazy idea. But, it is amazing that after only a short boat ride across the Chao Phraya River, we were surrounded by lush green vegetation and almost complete silence. In fact, for most of...
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One of the more popular sports in rural areas in Thailand is cock fighting. This is a traditional game that goes back hundreds of years. Gambling is prevalent during matches even though it is illegal. The sport is not as bloody as it was in… Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Cock Fighting...
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The central province of Suphan Buri, about 107 kilometers from Bangkok by car, is holding its major cultural event, “Don Chedi Memorial and Red Cross Fair,” from now until February 1. The two-week fair takes place in the Don Chedi Memorial compound in Don … Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Don Chedi...
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In front of the Ministry of Defence in Bangkok there is an open air museum of ancient cannons. What is most interesting here are not the guns themselves, but the fact that in 2004 someone decided it wasn’t a good idea to have the guns pointing directly at the Grand Palace. So, they...
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I think one of the first phrases I learned when I arrived in Thailand was “gin khao reu yung?” This is a phrase that asks if you have eaten yet but is really more of a greeting than an inquiry. They are… Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Have you eaten yet? at...
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This large Reclining Buddha can be found at Wat Khun Inthapramun in Angthong Province in Central Thailand. It is 50 meters long. Some guidebooks mistakenly say that it is the longest in Thailand. However, I know one at Wat Bang Phli Yai Klang in Samut Prakan… Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Reclining...
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In this March 13, 2009, file photo a Cambodian soldier looks at the Thai border through binoculars from an entrance of Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple near the Cambodian-Thai border, about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Cambodia’s military says its troops have clashed briefly with Thai soldiers along a disputed...
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If you are in the Suphanburi area this month then I strongly suggest that you go and check out the Don Chedi Fair. This commemorates the glorious victory of King Naresuan the Great which took place on elephant back. As well as the show, there is… Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Don...
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One of the most colourful festivals in Thailand is the annual Lantern Festival in Hat Yai in Southern Thailand. I flew down there last year to enjoy the lights. It is going on now until 28th February 2010. The theme this Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Hat Yai International Lantern Festival at...
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Thai cuisine involves the balancing of contrasting flavors, spicy and subtle, sweet and sharp. It is also concerned with aesthetic value, for the Thais believe that food should please the eye as well as the palate. One particularly delightful aspect… Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Fruit and Vegetable Carving in Thailand at...
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One of the oldest railway stations in Thailand can be found at Hua Hin. What is of particular interest at this station is the Royal Waiting Room which was built in traditional Thai style during the reign of King Rama VI. Original post blogged on www.mythaiphotos.com . Written by: Richard Barrow Read more:...
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Tattoo artist Shigenori Iwasaki of Japan works at the Bangkok International Tattoo convention in Bangkok January 15, 2010. The convention ends on Sunday. (Reuters) A tattooed man poses for a picture at the Bangkok International Tattoo convention in Bangkok January 15, 2010. The convention ends on Sunday. (Reuters) More Thailand pictures can be...
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This is a picture that I took in a Karen village in Mae Hong Son. This is where the famous “long-necked hilltribe” lived. I went there back in 2002. I was quite excited to see them for the first time… Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: The Long Necked Hilltribe at My Thai...
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Phra Pathom Chedi is located in Muang District, Nakhon Pathom Province, 56 kilometers west of Bangkok. The pagoda is the largest structure of its kind in Thailand. It rises more than 120 meters into the air with the radius of the base of 233.50 meters. The present chedi was built in the reign...
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I was driving through the countryside in Lopburi Province last year when I came across this amazing sight. An elephant walking through a sunflower field. These sites are a popular attraction for Thai tourists who drive hundreds of kilometres to have their pictures taken with sunflowers. For them, the elephant … Written by:...
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I talked before about the eating habits of Thai people. I mentioned that they seemed to snack all day and still remain quite slender. However, this is not saying that there are no obese people in Thailand. Far from it.
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Judging by these photos that I took early this morning, not everyone was nursing hangovers after welcoming in the New Year at midnight last night. Like thousands of other local people from Paknam, I was up early at 6 a.m.
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Buddhist Thais offer alms to Buddhist monks at the morning alms offering on the New Year day Friday, Jan. 1, 2010 in Samut PrakanOffering Alms for , Thailand. (Richard Barrow/ Paknam.com ) More Thailand pictures can be found at www.ThaiPhotoBlogs.com . Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Offering Alms for New Year Luck...
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Thai welcome in the new year at The Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan by watching concerts and playing fun fair style games (Richard Barrow/Paknam.com) More Thailand pictures can be found at www.ThaiPhotoBlogs.com . Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Countdown 2010 at Erawan Museum at Thai Photo Blogs
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It is that time of year again when we do a quick review of the past year. Today I am going to look back at some of the more popular news photos from Thailand on our sister blog www.thaiphotoblogs.com . One of the most popular pictures… Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Top...
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Thai Hmong woman walks by Thai Army soldiers outside the Hmong camp in northern Phetchabun province, Thailand, on Sunday, Dec.
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People launch floating paper lanterns into the sky over the Andaman Sea in remembrance of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami victims, in Khao Lak, in Thailand’s Phang Nga province, about 110 km (68 miles) north of the resort island of Phuket, December 26, 2009. (Reuters) Buddhist monks receive alms during the anniversary of…...
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One of the better preserved traditional markets in Thailand can be found in Suphanburi Province. It is called Sam Chuk 100 Year Market and it still has its original wooden shophouses that date back to the reign of King Rama V… Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Sam Chuk Old Market in Suphan...
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Participants in the Jumbo Queen beauty contest get ready to go onto the stage in Ayutthaya late December 19, 2009. More than 30 Thai ladies took part in the Jumbo Queen beauty contest for women over 80 kg in the world heritage site of Written by: Richard Barrow Read more: Jumbo Queen beauty...
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