Jim Thomson House Bangkok

Jan 4, 2018

We left Suan Pakkad Museum and took a Tuk Tuk headed to Jim Thomson House. The traffic was not bad as we got there in 15 minutes. We could take the BTS but my feet hurt so I did not want to walk further to the BTS station.

I heard about this place for many years and finally, I was here the first time today. The place was not as I expected which smaller than I thought. I was a little upset.

There were many foreigners, oh! I should say, " Most foreigners" here. I got the tickets and lost for a couple minutes because I could not find a person I supposed to talk to. Well, I saw a woman with a name tag then I asked if she was the one. "NO" she said and pointed me to the counter I wanted to got. Eventually, I got our house tour timing. It was another hour.

While waiting, there were two groups staffs demonstrating silk thread making and also silk products store for tourists. Also, a restaurant in the area if hungry. I was sure that the price higher than outside then I walked out to get a bottle of water at a local shop.

Inside photos taking did not allow so I took a few photos outside.

The house tour was the same as in the USA. We walked with a guide and listened to the stories along. I liked this way because if I walked and looked by myself, I would not know why all this important or worth to show. Stories behind made the whole tour enjoyable.

If you interested to know Jim Thomson history, please search by yourself because I do not remember well. He was a foreigner man who loved Thai culture and built Thai traditional house for living and also produce Thai silk which is popular worldwide the present day.

Suan Pakkad Museum Phayathai

 Jan 4, 2018

I had been living in Bangkok for many years and travel passed by this place also very day when I was a college student, but I did not have a chance to visit. It is on Phayathai road where Phayathai BTS station is the nearest and takes a bit walk to get here. On that day, we stayed at Changwattana road so we took a taxi van on the Express-way, got off at Victory monument and walked for few miles. The houses are old which some house not allowed to touch on the art because of delicate and also could not take photos and video inside. 

I like the place very much as I felt like home. Finally, I have been here.

Pongtang Homestay Nuen Maprang Pitsanulok

Dec 31, 2017 click to see album

After left Khanita Homestay , we went a bit further to Pongtang Homestay. Here also provided tents and houses for rent. We walked around and enjoy the view before headed back to Bangkok.

My dad talked with someone there asking about renting tents and houses. They all fully book before New Year. If you just walk in then you will not have a place to stay. I heard about booking on the phone available but I do not know if available on the website or if there was a website of this place.

I looked at other people's video who visited this place and stay overnight. It was very fun, plenty tasty food provided and also camping activities around the firepit.

Khanita homestay Pisanulok

Dec 31, 2017

My dad planned to stay here last night but he did not sure which turn and also we were in the area late at night. We decided to stay at the resort we passed by first and came here in the next morning.

He told me that this place is popular as many people posted photos on Facebook but I had no idea about this because I have not seen any photos. I like the place.

There are tents and houses provided for guests but must reserve by phone. I am not sure if any website and available for online booking. If just walk in then no chances to get tents or houses.

There is an observation deck on the cliff which maximum 7 people capacity at the time. I did not get up there but my dad and Mister did. 

We spent time here about 2 hours and moved to the next homestay. There were many people coming during the time we were leaving.

On the street side, I saw rubber trees (see the photos below). My dad told that growing rubber trees were mainly business in the area but now changed.

I was really wanted to eat pork skewer since arrived Thailand but had not eaten yet. I was happy here as skewer pork was selling, mmmm! Yum!

Forest Learning station Sukhaphiban 2 Bangkok

Jan 4, 2018

I knew this place from the internet and the photos attractive me. I noted information, address, time and also how to get there. I chose the most convenient way which was BTS sky train. We took BTS sky train at National Stadium after visited Jim Thomson house, get off at Phayathai and took the Airport link sky train to Bantubchang station and took a taxi.

I did not recognize the area where we got off the Airport link at first but after awhile on the taxi, I remembered. When I was a sale person, I used this direction to the client companies all the time.

It was my first time traveled by Airport link, so I had no idea where we were, then we walked down to the street and found our way to the main street. It was an inside lane which not many chances to get a taxi because no taxi comes if no passenger hiring to the area. Eventually, there was a taxi turn in the street while we were walking. Yeah!, I was really sure that the taxi will come to us and YES!

I told the driver the destination we wanted to go but he did not know it. He asked me, what the place looked like but I had no idea and told him that I never been there. I also asked him to look on the internet. Finally, we got there by google maps from his cell phone.

The place did not easy to be noticed just the sign so we passed over and turn into the village where next to it. The taxi driver asked the village security for the place. It was next to the village just turn back a little.

No entrance fee, just sign in visiting book. This place is a forest learning center. We watched an introduction documentary before walked inside, walked on the bridge through the observation tower and walked in round follow the garden way to the exit.

It is good to have a small forest in town, trees and a water-fall (artificial) give fresh air and relax.

A day at Elephant Nature Park Chiangmai

Dec 26, 2017  click to see album

"This is a must do when visiting Thailand. It was a great experience."

It was my second time spending time with elephants like this in Chiangmai but I do not remember if the same place. I was there 12 years ago.

I reserved a daycare for elephant online before we came to Thailand because their calendar was fully booked. We were lucky to get the day we wanted.  The requirement was the location of hotels where the company provided picking up, if not we must go to the office in Town by ourselves. Everything must confirm online before our trip such as partial payment, hotel address and we received a confirmation number.

The van picked up us at the hotel between 7:30 and 8 in the morning. It took about 2 hours to get there. Please look at the video to see what were we doing a whole day with elephants. 

They are huge but very kind and friendly.

Here is the Sanctuary, rescued elephants which hurt from people. I saw a couple of them have broken feet and blind.  In the Sanctuary does not ride the elephants and does not use hooks with them. They stay free as natural.

I learned new info from the documentary video showing in the van along our way. That was sad such as the elephant draws picture does not because of its talent but forcing to do by hurting. The elephants on the show had struggled time on training, and etc.

The cost is not low to be with them but when think about helping them to get better lives that worth to pay. Even though, voluntary people must pay to be there, a lot of people happy to pay and be with them, help them.

Not only elephants here but also buffaloes, cows, pigs and rescued dogs from flooded. I am sure, they need a lot of money for the association.

สัตวแพทย์ต่างชาติกำลังตรวจเท้าช้างที่ได้รับบาดเจ็บ
Veterinary was checking the elephant's injured foot