THE POTTERY VILLAGE

Located 30 km. from Bangkok is the pottery village of Ko Kret (Kret Island), an island located on the Chao Phraya River where pottery makers of Mon descent live. The Clay pottery made here has its own distinctive characteristics that are typically Mon. A half-day trip to Ko Kret can be delightful as this can be conducted by boat. Bicycles can also be rented to explore this little island where the Mon people still more or less maintain their traditional no-fuss lifestyle.

FRESH MARKETS & FLOATING MARKETS

A large number of fresh markets can still be found in the capital. One of the more popular markets, Pak Khlong Talat, more commonly known as the Flower Market, is a fresh market that sells all kinds of produce including flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables. Also visit the floating market, a traditional mode of buying and selling that used to be commonly found in any riverside town or city canal like Bangkok In floating markets, vendors paddle sampans down waterways to sell their produce. Today these floating markets have moved outside of the city. The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a 1.5 hour drive from Bangkok and is the country’s most colourful and largest floating market. Other lesser know floating markets are the Taling Chan Floating Market in Bangkok and the Bang Khu Wiang Floating in Nonthaburi.

GIVING ALMS

Giving alms is a form of merit making where contributions are provided to monks that walk the streets in the early morning seeking donations in the form of food and other useful products from staunch Buddhists. Waking up early in the morning to view this tradition is well worth the effort as this earmarks the typical Thai way of life. If you’re interested in participating, feel free to consult the hotel or guesthouse you are staying in. Hotel staff should be able to tell you where the nearest temples are located and which routes the monks take within the hotel’s vicinity in order to make your offerings.

CULTURE EXPLORATIONS DESTINATION: HOME STAYS & COOKING

For the ultimate cultural experience, nothing beats a home stay. In Bangkok, perhaps one of the best places to experience traditional Thai living is at the award-winning Rose Garden Resort and home to The Thai Village and Cultural Centre. The shows here portray captivating scenes of every life in rural Thailand and provide a vivid introduction to Thai living. The Rose Garden also offers Thai cooking Classes. For a more earthy and homey experience, The Thai House is a good alternative. Both the Rose Garden and The Thai House are also to hold a limited number of guests in their traditional Thai houses therefore advance booking should be made. Other recommended cooking schools are Oriental Thai Cooking School, the Blue Elephant Cooking School and Bai Pai Thai Cooking School. However most hotels do offer Thai Cooking. However, most hotels do offer Thai Cooking classes therefore be sure to check if the hotel you’re booked at offer such courses.

BEST TIME TO HIKE & CAMP

Depending on your interest, visits to the national parks can be awe-inspiring especially during the cool season during November – Febuary when trekkers are rewarded with a view of thick mist. However, if you prefer having stopovers at waterfalls, this is only possible during the rainy season of July-October when the falls are at their most intimidating. There is no bad time to hike or camp even if it’s during the rainy season or the dry season, this is because exhaustion from jungle treks is minimal due to the dense foliage from the tropical rain forests that keep temperatures within parks a cool 30 degrees Celsius and below. However, hiking and camping during the rainy season can be dangerous as areas with waterfalls are susceptible to sudden water swells that pour down the falls. All national parks do have a warning system of sirens and flashing lights to warn hikers and swimmers of this. These warning MUST be heeded and should not be taken lightly as these research on what to do and where. Another great website that must be visited is http://www.umphanghill.com/; where Umphang National Park’s various sights and activities are listed. Other private sector websites worth visiting are http://www.lisulodge.com , www.thaiecotours.com and http://www.wildwatchthailand.com/

HIKING & CAMPING: SOUTHERN THAILAND

Within southern Thailand, national parks are typically more dense with mangrove swamps and wetlands. Here lies Phru To Daeng or Phru Sirindhorn in Narathiwat, which is one of the world’s largest peat swamps. In Khao Chong Wildlife Development and Conservation Promotion Station in Trang, pleasant walking trails through streams and waterfalls are part of the attractions.

HIKKING & CAMPING: NORTHERN THAILAND

Vegetation in the north is less congested when compared to a typical tropical rain forest. Here cool to temperate-weathered vegetation can be found such as the Wat Chan Pine Forest located in Chiang Mai at Wiang Ping. Also located here is Mae Ya Waterfall in Doi Inthanon (Thailand’s highest mountain), dropping more than 25 metres at southern end of the park. Treks to the highest peaks during the cool season will take you to a view of a sea of thick mist and fog. Virtually all peaks in northern Thailand enables viewing of mist however, noteworthy view points for this spectacular sight are Doi Inthanon Natioanl Park, Huai Nam Dang National Park (Kiew Lom View Point), Mae Wong National Park (atop Mokochu Mountain), Phu Chi Fa in Chiang Rai and lots more.

HIKING & CAMPING: WESTERN THAILAND

Thailand’s national parks are well endowed with great waterfalls which are a great stop-over point for trekkers and bikers alike. Among the more famous and fantastic of them are Erawan Falls (probably the country’s most famous waterfall) at Erawan National Park. A noteworthy itinerary is provided by some operators that combine an interesting route to national parks. For instance, cycle or travel by mini van to Phetchburi province from Bangkok, followed by a short sea canoe experience across the bay to get to Sam Roi Yod National Park (which is also accessible by road). Upon arrival to Sam Roi Yod , take a 1.5 hour trek to the Tham Phraya Nakhon, a cave located at the top of the hill. The cave has a large opening which lets in a stream of light upon, Khuha Karuehat – an antique Gazebo constructed by King Rama V.

HIKING & CAMPING: CENTRAL THAILAND

Nature treks in Thailand are as diversified as its 5 different regions. Within central Thailand where Khao Yai National Park is located, vegetation are typically lush tropical forests with a large number of wildlife particularly wild elephants, red bull, gaur and horn bills. Khao Yai offers night time animal watch trekking as well as viewing platforms.

The overwhelming 18-tired Tho Thip waterfall in Kaeng Krachan National Park is also located within the central region and it best visited during the rainy seasons from July to early October. During the cool season between November to January, treks to the highest peaks will be rewarded with an awe-inspiring view of a sea of thick mist and fog. This can be viewed within Khao Yai National Park at Lonely Peak (Khao Yai’s highest peak).