Snake in the garden. Chiang Mai

Once a year on average I spot a snake near my Chiang Mai's house.

There have been snakes trapped in water tank, climbing on rose apple tree. In general there are fewer snakes than in Bangkok where I have lived next to the Suvarnabhumi airport. So far there are only harmless reptiles, zero cobras like in Thai capital city.

Today my younger cat brought in the front of the house a new snake. His victim is called buff striped keelback. Fortunately the reptile is harmless.

The hunter watching birds this morning.

Soi Phetchaburi 13. Bangkok

Chiang Mai University Suan Sak Campus

I enjoy spring days before the summer heat wave strikes Chiang Mai.
A trip to University campus nested in half way between old city and hills of Suthep is highly recommended. The picturesque scenery of the hills and Ang Kaew reservoir encourages for a morning stroll.

Ang Kaew Reservoir in February.

The building of Law Faculty.

Students' scooters in a parking area.

Thong Yod - sweets from Ayutthaya court. Food in Siam

One of traditional desserts from time of Ayutthaya Kingdom is called thong yod. Thai cooks were influenced by the Portuguese living in Siam since 1511. Thais started to used eggs as a part of their sweets.

During the Ayutthaya's revolution in 1688, French Jezuits and King Narai's closest councillor Constantine Phaulkon were killed. Phaulkon's Japanese wife had to leave the European residence in Lopburi. She survived cooking sweets like thong yod in Ayutthaya. Even King Phetracha who beheaded Phaulkon and was afraid of European influence in the kingdom liked this egg's desserts.

I ate thong yod today. This stuff is impossible sweet. Too sweet...

Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai. วัดเจดีย์หลวง Thailand

Lanna king Saen Muang Ma began to build Wat Chedi Luang at the end of the 14th century. 50 years later king Tilokarat completed it.

The chedi used to be 85 metres high before it was destroyed in an earthquake in 1545.

The present restored chedi is 60 metres high.

Wat Chedi Luang is located at Prapokklao Road in the historic centre of Chiang Mai.

There are many buildings in the wat compound. To the west of the chedi is a viharn with a recling Buddha.

Watch another Chiang Mai's temples :
Wat Buppharam
Wat Suan Dok
Wat Phra Singh
Wat Umong

Mae Sai - the end of Thailand.

Mae Sai is the northernmost town in Thailand. Phahonyothin Road ( Thailand Route 1 ) which begins at Victory Monument in Bangkok ends here at Thai - Myanmar border.

There is a gem market visited often by business people from Bangkok and Chanthanburi and some nice hotels.

The police officers look relax. They don't pay attention to Burmese workers and sellers.

Burmese guys pushing a cart full of empty beer bottles are glad. They earns here much more than in Myanmar.



Watch more images from Mae Sai on Tribudragon Thailand.

Furnace at Chinese Temple Pung Tao Gong in Chiang Mai.

The ancestral temple Pung Tao Gong was constructed during the reign of Rama V.

The furnace is a general feature of the Chinese temple. The colorful temple is located near Warorot Market in Chiang Mai's downtown.

more photos from Pung Tao Gong on Tribudragon Thailand

Phra Athit Road in Bangkok. Thailand

Phra Athit Road is one of the main street in Chana Songkhram quarter. The area belong to historic Bang Lamphu district built 200 years ago when Bangkok was selected to be the next capital of the Siamese Kingdom.

Local people share their community with tourists and residents from around the world.

Thai traditional food shops open next door to fastfood and guesthouse restaurants.

Phra Athit located parallel to Chao Phraya River is an architectural blend with century old classic buildings in a colonial style and modern westernised shops.

Some international institutions as FAO or UNICEF have here their addresses. It explains an existence of good coffee shops.

Phra Athit located in neighborhood of Phra Pin Klao Bridge enjoys moderate traffic.

An apartmant block recalls me European architecture from 1970's.

The stairs entrance to Bang Lamphu Pier.

At the end of Phra Athit Road is one of 13 forts built in Bangkok 200 years ago.

Phra Sumen Fort in hexagonal shape was built during the reign of King Rama I.

Sepak takraw game on Sunday afternoon in Chiang Mai. Thailand

There is only one public park in downtown of Chiang Mai. It is favorite meeting point for elder gentlemen playing takraw.

Sepak takraw is very popular in South East Asia. The earliest historical account of the game was found in Malay Annals from 15th century. The rich trades and courtiers played sepak takraw in Malacca.
In Thailand the game is just called takraw " rattan ball ". The man standing in a circle kick ball between them.

This sport has become very widely known for last decades.

Today it is played on international level in many countries. A match is played by two teams, each consisting of three players.

The sepak takraw match is played on a similar to badminton double sized court.

Soccer is the most popular sport in Thailand. But people prefer to watch games on TV. Only takraw and badminton are played outdoor by many people. Sure, you can not get tired after takraw meeting. It explains why the sport has many followers.

I believe that many of the Sunday players switch into golf. Golf is a perfect sport for Thai mentality. You play without effort and getting tired. You let to carry your clubs by boys. You can show how rich you are:)

Faces of Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok จตุจักร Thailand

I went to the biggest market in Thai capital called Chatuchak weekend market. Chatuchak contains some 5,000 stalls with food, clothing, Thai handicrafts and religious artifacts. Every Saturday and Sunday market is visited by 250.000 people.

Today I was focused less on shopping. Visitors of Chatuchak drew my attention.
I took around 200 pics. Below there are 6 of them. The first is a policeman at main entrance.

Improve your chance to get new job in crisis time.

Somebody needs new driving licence or university diploma ? Buy it cheap in Bangkok.

Hello Folk !

There is cool offer to improve your chance to get new job. What do you desire ? Have you always dreamt to become Doc ?

Or you want to become a collage teacher in Asia ? TEFL certificate will open school's doors.

Have you lost driving licence at home ? Do you plan to rent new car during holidays ? You can get new driving licence. Bring a passport photo with you.

You want to enter a concert of your favorite band or pop star ? Buy a press card and go inside without ticket.

Bangkok is the great city of unlimited opportunities:) Fake papers make you happy.

Kob Suwanan Kongying. Actress from Thailand.

Thai TV series are incredibly popular. TV programmes are watching everywhere in Thailand: market's vendors and taxi drivers watching TV on small screens, at barber shop and local grocery owners have bigger TV sets.

TV series take place in estate house and actors drive limousine cars. Actors are always very beautiful:) The most popular TV actresses become rich.

Kob Suwanan Kongying was born in 1978. She is very popular in Thailand and Cambodia.

Her face became recognizable after historic lakorn สายโลหิต Sai Lohid.

She has played in many TV series for last 10 years.

กลรัก เกมพยาบาท Tricked Love Game of Vengeance was one of the most successful Thai TV production.
ปู่โสมเฝ้าทรัพย์ Pu som fost sap was another historic lakorn about Thai - Burmese combat episoses. The TV plot shows Thai believes in treasure spirits guarding gold in hidden place.

Family's members sacrifice their life for king. They are transformed into helpful ghosts after death.