Thailand smile land

Khaoniao Moo Ping (Thai-style grilled pork on skewers with glutinous rice)

noreply@blogger.com (aekkanut) — Thu, 01 May 2014 15:34:00 +0000

Khaoniao Moo Ping or Thai grilled pork on skewers with glutinous rice (Khaoniao means ‘glutinous rice,’ ‘Moo’ means ‘pork,’ and ‘Ping’ means ‘to grill’) is one of the simple-but-awesome street meal that can be easily and comfortably found everywhere around Thailand. Normally (and maybe traditionally), the grilled pork is best served with one or two pockets of glutinous rice as a combo set so we usually buy them that way for breakfast, lunch, or any meal time, and this is why it is called ‘Khaoniao Moo Ping.’

Each vendor has their own style for Moo Ping varied by how they marinade the cut of pork and thread them onto the bamboo skewers. Additionally, the way of grilling pork makes differences as well. It is verified by so many gourmet that grilling the pork on a charcoal stove will be more fragrant and better taste than on an electric stove. Also, being the perfect matching of Moo Ping, the glutinous rice that cooked by some good seeds of rice (Khaoniao) makes the meal more delicious.

Most of Khaoniao Moo Ping vendor sell a tiny pocket of dried chilli dipping sauce (aka ‘Jaew’ (แจ่ว)) as an option for seasoning, but the taste of the sauce varies from vendor to vendor. You can either dip or do nothing with it depending on how you want to taste. This may be the fascination of Khaoniao Moo Ping.

Figure this article out by yourself and don’t forget to note Khaoniao Moo Ping in your to-do list when coming to Thailand next time!

MBK - Shopping Center @ Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (aekkanut) — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 04:22:00 +0000

MBK Center
the remarkable shopping mall at the heart of Bangkok (Thailand)

If you are looking for interesting shopping places full with merchandisers inside Bangkok (Thailand), Mahboonkrong, aka MBK Center, may be one of the most outstanding shopping mall among foreign visitors.

There are plenty of stores and merchandisers at MBK Center such as clothes, accessories, and home decorations, and here is the center of gadget and mobile phone shops. Moreover, there locates many interesting restaurants including cinemas and arcade games. Also, the money exchange counters and banks are available here.

Located in downtown at the intersection between Phyathai road and Rama 1 road, taking the BTS skytrain to the National Stadium station sounds comfortable to avoid traffic jam and enjoy shopping.

Khaosan Road

noreply@blogger.com (aekkanut) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:36:00 +0000

There are plenty of accommodations and tourist attractions here in Bangkok. Being well-known by backpackers from all over the world, Khaosan Road is one of the very first choice to visit because it offers many cheap hotels and guesthouses. It is actually easy for tourists to go anywhere in Bangkok also. At nighttime, restaurants, pubs, and bars are opened throughout the area, serving all the tourists’ taste. As you can see, it is not only foreigners hanging out around Khaosan Road but also the Thai.

The area of Khaosan Road starts from Chakapong Road, directly opposite Chana Songkram Temple to the south-east, along the way to Tanao Road near Khok Wua Intersection.

One of the most famous and important festival at Khaosan Road must be Songkran Festival (13-15 April every year) which is a water-splashing festival of Thailand. Khaosan Road will be temporarily closed for foreign and Thai tourists to joyfully splash water.

Pattaya

noreply@blogger.com (aekkanut) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:38:00 +0000

Pattaya is a city in Thailand , located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung (Banglamung) in the province of Chonburi.

Pattaya is a self governing municipal area which covers the whole tambon Nong Prue and Na Kluea and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. The City is situated in the heavily industrial Eastern Seaboard zone, along with Si Racha, Laem Chabang, and Chonburi.
The main sweep of the bay area is divided into two principal beachfronts. Pattaya Beach is parallel to city centre, and runs from Pattaya Nuea south to Walking Street. Along Beach Road are restaurants, shopping areas, and night attractions.

Popular Beach in Pattaya

Jomtien Beach in the southern part of the bay area is divided from Pattaya beach by the promontory of Pratumnak Hill. It consists of high-rise condominiums, beachside hotels, bungalow complexes, shops, bars, and restaurants. On weekends, it becomes increasingly crowded, with many Thai visitors coming from Bangkok. It offers of watersport activities such as jet skis, parasailing and small sail boat hire.

Offshore islands include the "Near Islands", Ko Larn (main island), Ko Sak and Ko Krok located 7 km from the western shores of Pattaya Ko Larn, or "Coral Island", Mu Ko Phai, the "Far Islands", Ko Phai (main island), Ko Man Wichai, Ko Hu Chang and Ko Klung Badan, located offshore further west of the "Near Islands", and Ko Rin, located offshore to the southwest, south of Mu Ko Phai. Some of the islands in the group are accessible by speedboat in less than 15 minutes and by ferry taking about 45 minutes. The names "Near Islands", "Far Islands" and "Coral Island" are used for touristic purposes only and do not correspond to any naming conventions of the island groups and are not shown on maritime charts published by the Hydrographic Service of the Royal Thai Navy. Many of the islands have public beaches and offer scuba diving activities.

Songkran Festival

noreply@blogger.com (aekkanut) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:07:00 +0000

The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April. It coincides with the New Year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia.

The date of the festival was originally set by astrological calculation, but it is now fixed. If these days fall on a weekend, the missed days off are taken on the weekdays immediately following. If they fall in the middle of the week, many Thai take off from the previous Friday until the following Monday. Songkran falls in the hottest time of the year in Thailand, at the end of the dry season. Until 1888 the Thai New Year was the beginning of the year in Thailand; thereafter 1 April was used until 1940. 1 January is now the beginning of the year. The traditional Thai New Year has been a national holiday since then.

Songkran has traditionally been celebrated as the New Year for many centuries, and is believed to have been adapted from an Indian festival. It is now observed nationwide, even in the far south. However, the most famous Songkran celebrations are still in the northern city of Chiang Mai, where it continues for six days and even longer. It has also become a party for foreigners and an additional reason for many to visit Thailand for immersion in another culture.

The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. Thais roam the streets with containers of water or water guns (sometimes mixed with mentholated talc), or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. This, however, was not always the main activity of this festival. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors.

Besides the throwing of water, people celebrating Songkran may also go to a wat (Buddhist monastery) to pray and give food to monks. They may also cleanse buddha images from household shrines as well as Buddha images at monasteries by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance over them. It is believed that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year. In many cities, such as Chiang Mai, the Buddha images from all of the city's important monasteries are paraded through the streets so that people can toss water at them, ritually 'bathing' the images, as they pass by on ornately decorated floats. In northern Thailand, people may carry handfuls of sand to their neighborhood monastery in order to recompense the dirt that they have carried away on their feet during the rest of the year. The sand is then sculpted into stupa-shaped piles and decorated with colorful flags.

Some people make New Year resolutions - to refrain from bad behavior, or to do good things. Songkran is a time for cleaning and renewal. Besides washing household Buddha images, many Thais also take this opportunity to give their home a thorough cleaning.

The throwing of water originated as a way to pay respect to people, by capturing the water after it had been poured over the Buddhas for cleansing and then using this "blessed" water to give good fortune to elders and family by gently pouring it on the shoulder. Among young people the holiday evolved to include dousing strangers with water to relieve the heat, since April is the hottest month in Thailand (temperatures can rise to over 100°F or 40°C on some days). This has further evolved into water fights and splashing water over people riding in vehicles.

Nowadays, the emphasis is on fun and water-throwing rather than on the festival's spiritual and religious aspects, which sometimes prompts complaints from traditionalists. In recent years there have been calls to moderate the festival to lessen the many alcohol-related road accidents as well as injuries attributed to extreme behavior such as water being thrown in the faces of traveling motorcyclists.

The water is meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away and is sometimes filled with fragrant herbs when celebrated in the traditional manner.

Songkran is also celebrated in many places with a pageant in which young women demonstrate their beauty and unique talents, as judged by the audience. The level of financial support usually determines the winner, since, to show your support you must purchase necklaces which you place on your chosen girl.

Yaowarat , China Town of Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (aekkanut) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:26:00 +0000

About Yaowarat

Yaowarat Road, the heart of Chinatown in Bangkok, is said to have been built during the reign of King Rama V in 1782 with the purpose of establishing the capital city on the eastern side of the Chao Phrya River.

The mostly Chinese immigrants who were originally settled in the area which is now the Grand Palace had to vacate and relocate to a strip of land two kilometres down the river. For anyone wanting to immerse themselves in Chinese culture, Chinatown is a must.

Since that time, the area has expanded with fresh immigrants, mostly from China, and Chinatown now includes an area which is bounded by Phadung Krung Kasem Canal to the East, the Ong Ang Canal to the west, Liang Road to the north, and the Chao Phraya River to the south.

The area is of about two square kilometres. The crowded street curves and snakes through the jostling heart of Chinatown, rather like the famous Chinese mythical dragon enshrined at the Odean Gate, the auspicious, bright and colourful entrance to Chinatown.

Outside the entrance to Wat Traimit is a traffic island, where stands a huge Chinese arched gate, the Odean Gate, built in 1999 to mark the 72nd birthday of King Bhumipol, the present King of Thailand. This gate marks the start of Yaowarat Road and the walking tour of the rest of Chinatown

To cover the whole area by foot would probably be more than the average tourist would want. The two main roads of interest are Yaowarat Road, and Rachawong Road which is off Yaowarat Road. By far the most of the interesting attractions in this area are located in the two main areas of Yaowarat or Rachawong. The shop signs are all in Chinese as well as Thai, leaving the visitor in no doubt as to which district they are visiting.

For those hunting for exotic bargains, Chinatown is a veritable goldmine. The streets have plenty of gold shops, with restaurants selling shark fin and birds nest soups. Many people swear by the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine, and there are plenty of traditional Chinese herbal medicine shops. Huge lines of glass jars full of colourful dried mushrooms, salted fish, dried seahorses and all manner of leaves, bark, roots and flowers, make this a very colourful and scented area to shop. In amongst these shops are tiny kiosks selling Chinese calendars, almanacs and lottery tickets.

A visit to Chinatown is truly a cultural experience, opening the doors of China to tourists, while still in the heart of Thailand. Each year, during the Chinese New Year, Yaowarat Road is closed to traffic. This is to allow for prolific street parties, general festivities, lion dances and plenty of food fairs, showcasing the fusion cuisine of Chinese and Thai food. Often, a member of the Thai Royal family blesses the occasion to the immense joy, pleasure and pride of the residents and visitors to Chinatown alike.

Shopping around China Town
Gold Shops
There are more than 130 gold shops along Yaowarat Road. It is why it is called the ‘Golden Road'. Originally, there were four tycoon gold shops: Seng Heng Li, Hua Seng Heng, Tung Jin Aeng and Tung Toh Gung even though new gold shops are still burgeoning on both sides of the road. Most shops are members of the Gold Merchants Association. Gold products here are not only recognized of high standard and quality with the purity of 96.5% or approximately 23 karat gold, but also of hand-made beautiful intricacy.
Talat Kao (The Old Market)
Talat Kao has been the marketplace for China town for over a hundred years. It is the center of all kinds of specialties, ranging from fresh to preserved food. Chinese chefs from restaurants around Bangkok flock here each day to find the best ingredients. It can be said that it is the paradise for those who shop for fresh foods. Just right at the opposite is Talat Mai or Talat Krom Phu-tared (New Marketplace), selling the same kinds of food and products found in Talat Kao.
Wanit 1 (Sampeng)*
The area is usually called Sampeng within which retailers and wholesalers of textile are located. Here is Bangkok's center of textile wholesalers that sell everything about clothing making such as buttons, zippers, laces, sewing equipment, gifts, souvenirs & stationery and children & teenager products.
Chiang Kong*
Chiang Kong is located in the area of Tala Noi (Noi Market). It is the hub of spare parts of cars, machinery and cheap second-hand steel products.
Khlong Thom*
It is where shoppers can find a variety of electronic products and components of sound equipment, computers, game players, calculators and watches. Most sellers are vendors who sell their items at a fairly cheap price. Bargaining can be done here.
Nakhon Kasem Area
The area is a cluster of antique shops and imported musical instrument shops. Also, other products include kitchenware such as coconut-grating machine, coconut milk squeezer, brass pans and water pumping machine.

* These areas are usually packed with people and shoppers especially during weekends and holidays. However, many shops are close on Chinese festivals.

Chinese Shrines
There are numerous shrines in China town. Among them, there are four oldest shrines of the area:
1. Leng Buai Eie Shrine. It is the Teachew Chinese shrine that houses the big bell constructed in the 23rd year of the Seng Phi Dynasty and the bell donated by King Rama V.
2. Bunyasamakhom Shrine (Rong Je Trokkrai) was named by King Rama V.
3. Ah Mha Geng Shrine is dated back more than 150 years. Inside, it houses Goddess Thapthim who is highly revered by local people.
4. Wat Mangkon Kamalawat or Wat Leng Nei Yi is the first Mahayana Buddhist sect temple in Thailand. It was constructed during King Rama V by donation from the Chinese living in Sampheng area.
Important Contact Numbers
Chakkarawat Police Station: 0-2225-1817, 0-2225 4091
Phlapphlachai 2 Police Station: 0-2226-2148-52
Health Information Center: 0-2222-7875
TAT Call Center (8 am – 8 pm): 1672

Loi Krathong Festival

noreply@blogger.com (aekkanut) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:06:00 +0000

Loi Krathong festival

Loi Krathong festival is a Thai tradition which has been conducted for a long time ago. Loi Krathong has been held since the middle of the eleventh to the middle of the twelfth lunar month, which is a great flood season- especially on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month. When the moon shines at night, it makes rivers clear. It is very beautiful scenery which is suitable for floating krathong.

In the past, we called Loi Krathong as Chong Pa Rieng- floating lantern of royal ceremony. It is a Brahman festival to worship Gods- Siva, Vishnu, and Brahma. When Thai people adopted Buddhism, they adapted this ceremony to honor the Buddhas cremated bone- the original Buddha at the second heaven ruler. They floated lantern to worship the foot-print of the Buddha on Nammathanati River beach in India.

Floating krathong along the river was created by Nang Noppamas; the most favorite concubines Sukhothai king. She made krathong as lotus-shaped. The king of Sukhothai floated it along the river. According to Sri Chula Lucks treatise, Phra Ruang (Sukhothai king) said From now on, on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, kings of Siam have to make floating lantern- like lotus-shaped- to worship the foot-print of the Buddha on Nammathanati River for ever after.

In Rattanakosin period, people often made big and beautiful krathong. According to Chao Phraya Dhipharachawongs historical annals said:-

In the twelfth lunar month on 14 and 15 waxing moon, I ask for members of the royal family and civil servants making big-sized krathongs- look like banana trunk rafts, they size 8-9 sauk width (an ancient Thai measure of length) and 10-11 sauk tall. They make for contesting each other. For example, some imitate krathong as Mount Meru - shaped and others make krathong as basket decorated with flowers. There are a lot of people to do these so they use a lot of money- about 20 chung (an ancient measure of weight).

Nowadays, Loi Krathong festival is held in mostly Thai provinces. Particularly in Chiangmai, it has krathong parade, contestation of making krathongs, and Noppamas beauty pageants contest.

The villagers in northern and north-eastern parts of Thailand often float lanterns. They are made of color paper. If they float in the afternoon, they will use smoke for floating lanterns while they use torch to set smoke in lanterns to float them in wind chill at night. We can see the light from lantern in the sky with moonshine and stars glitter at night, which is very beautiful.

Som Tum (Green Papaya Salad)

noreply@blogger.com (aekkanut) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:53:00 +0000

Green Papaya Salad, or Som Tum (sometimes written Som Tam), is a very common dish eaten throughout Thailand. It originates in Laos/Issan, but now the whole country enjoys it. This version does not add fermented crab or fermented fish paste (plaa-raa) which is common in Issan. Feel free to add that if you want! This dish is easily made vegetarian by omitting the dried shrimp, and substituting salt for the fish sauce.

How to Make Green Papaya Salad:-

• Som Tum is traditionally made using a mortar and pestle. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, mince the Thai chili and garlic and combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Ingredients:-

1 pound green papaya

2 Thai chilies (add more chilies if you want it hotter!)

1 small clove garlic

2 strings long bean (cut into 1 inch lengths)

1 tablespoon chopped roasted peanuts

5 cherry tomatoes (cut in half)

1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar)

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce (nam pla)

Directions:-

1.Cut papaya in half (lengthwise) and remove seeds. Peel the skin of the papaya and shred the flesh using a shredder or knife (the shreds should be thin and long). In a mortar and pestle, pound the chilies and garlic until they’re broken up. Add the long beans and roasted peanuts, pounding only enough to break them up a little bit.

2. Add the shredded papaya, tomato, sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, pounding until everything is thoroughly mixed together. This dish should taste sweet, sour, and a little bit salty, so you may need to add more sugar, lime juice, or fish sauce to get the taste you like. Som Tum is commonly served with roasted or grilled meats, fried fish, sticky rice, and fresh cabbage or lettuce.

Bangkok , Capital city

noreply@blogger.com (aekkanut) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:51:00 +0000

Not many cities in the world can match Bangkok for sheer vibrancy. Bangkok is a magnet for a broad range of visitors because of its eclectic attractions, and this buzzing metropolis offers surprises at every turn. Gleaming skyscrapers, glittering temples, colourful street markets, sophisticated shopping malls, a bustling nightlife scene, and an energy that reflects the city's incredible economic growth over the past few years.

Despite this growth, the capital of Thailand remains true to its cultural, historical and spiritual roots – as the city's many 'wats' or Buddhist temples are testament to. Bangkok is a melting pot of races, creeds and cults, as well as food and culture. Indeed, 'Khrungthep', as the Thais call their capital, makes for one heady brew.

Bangkok is a huge and modern city humming with nightlife and fervour. Administratively, it is split up into 50 khet (districts), but these are more often used in official business and for addresses. Visitors will find the conceptual division below of the main areas more useful for getting around.

Districts of Bangkok

Sukhumvit
The long Sukhumvit Road, which changes its name to Ploenchit Road and Rama I Road going west, is Bangkok's modern commercial core, full of glitzy malls and hotels. The Skytrain intersection at Siam Square is the closest thing Bangkok has to a centre.

Silom
To the south of Sukhumvit, the area around Silom Road and Sathorn Road is Thailand's sober financial center by day, but Bangkok's primary party district by night when quarters like the infamous Patpong come alive.

Rattanakosin
Between the river and Sukhumvit lies the densely packed "Old Bangkok", home to Bangkok's best-known sights, such as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.

Khao San Road
On the northern part of Rattanakosin, Bangkok's backpacker mecca Khao San Road and the surrounding district of Banglamphu have everything the budget traveler wants and more.

Yaowarat and Pahurat
Along Yaowarat Road you will find Bangkok's Chinatown, while Pahurat Road is the home of the sizable Indian community. This multicultural district is filled with markets selling food, gold, fabrics and Bollywood VCDs.

Thonburi
The quieter west bank of the Chao Phraya River, with Wat Arun, many small canals and some offbeat attractions.

Phahonyothin
The area around Phahonyothin Road and Viphavadi Rangsit Road is best known for the Chatuchak Weekend Market and Don Muang Airport.

Ratchadaphisek
The district north of Sukhumvit centered around Ratchadaphisek Road (part of which is called Asoke) and reaching from Phetchaburi Road to Lat Phrao. This area has really opened up recently as the new metro line follows Ratchadaphisek Road.

Around Bangkok are the provinces of Pathum Thani to the north, Nonthaburi to the northwest, Chachoengsao to the east, Samut Sakhon to the southwest, and Samut Prakan to the southeast.

Know Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (aekkanut) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:08:00 +0000

The kingdom of Thailand is commonly referred to as the Land of Smiles, however, literally translated it means Land of the Free. The Prime Minister Phibun changed the name from Siam to Thailand on 24 June 1939 for two reasons. Firstly, to break any association with the history of the old country, and secondly, because Thai is what they have been called themselves for centuries rather than Siamese, a name inherited from their neighbours. Thailand was actually officially founded in 1238 and is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonised by European powers although it was forced to cede large tracts of territory to both France and England.

It is bordered to the north by Laos and Myanmar, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and Myanmar. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast and Indonesia and India in the Andaman Sea to the southwest. The capital city of Thailand is Bangkok. It is also the country's center of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities.

Thailand is the world's 50th largest country in terms of total area (slightly smaller than Yemen and slightly larger than Spain), with a surface area of approximately 513,000 km2 (198,000 sq mi), and the 21st most-populous country, with approximately 64 million people. About 75% of the population is ethnically Thai, 14% is of Chinese origin, and 3% is ethnically Malay; the rest belong to minority groups including Mons, Khmers and various hill tribes. There are approximately 2.2 million legal and illegal migrants in Thailand. Thailand has also attracted a small number of expatriates from developed countries. The country's official language is Thai.

Thailand is one of the most devoutly Buddhist countries in the world. The national religion is Theravada Buddhism which is practiced by more than 94.7% of all Thais. Muslims make up 4.6% of the population and 0.7% belong to other religions. Culture and traditions in Thailand are significantly influenced by India, as are Burma, Laos and Cambodia.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth king of the House of Chakri, as the ruling monarch. The king has reigned for more than sixty-three years, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch and the longest reigning current monarch in the world. The king is officially titled as the Head of State, the Head of the Armed Forces, an Upholder of the Buddhist religion, and the Defender of all faiths.

Thailand experienced rapid economic growth between 1985 and 1995 and today is a newly industrialized country with an emphasis on exports and a flourishing tourism industry, thanks to various world-famous tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Bangkok, and Phuket.