Worshipping goddesses like Mae Phosop (โพสพ), the rice goddess, has been a part of Thai culture and tradition since prehistoric times. Even though the role of female deities became subservient since the introduction of male-dominated faiths such as Hinduism, Brahmanism and the official religion Buddhism, the power of the matriarchal spirit has always played an important role in Thailand. She is also known as Mae…
Woodcarving can be regarded as a characteristic decorative Thai art form. It reflects the fertility and vitality of nature in technique and subject matter. Wood has been primarily used for furniture and religious objects, and thus not so much for creating Buddha statues. Hence, woodcarvers have sought their inspiration primarily in nature and mythology since they have been free of restrictive iconography. Thai Woodcarving Carved wooden facade at…
Thailand is very safe for tourists but from time to time a number of tourists are bothered by the police unintentionally. As appearing in many news articles lately, Bangkok police accelerate random visitor urine tests, searches, interrogations on western tourists and expats. There has been a rapidly increasing policy of harassing western visitors and residents in Bangkok, such individuals are now regularly being stopped by…
The pros and cons Chiang Rai is slap bang in the middle of Laos and Myanmar, which gives you the perfect opportunity to visit these countries for a weekend retreat. This however means that there is no coast and therefore no beach in Chiang Rai. There is a river area where locals like to visit but the water is best to be avoided. Over the…
6-7 minutes When the plane finally landed, we exited into the steamy, humid air. My droopy eyes could tell this experience would be something totally new. My sister and I had travelled from our small hometown in Colorado, where the air is too thick to breathe and the mountains rise high around each crack of the town. After thirty hours in airports and planes, we…
As unfathomable as most might think it is, western men marrying Thai bar girls or prostitutes in Thailand isn’t an uncommon occurrence. In fact, for a sizeable percentage of western men in Thailand, whether on vacation or living here, the only Thai girls they date are bar girls from the local sex industry. Some western men even marry Thai bar girls only to discover there…
Steamed Cattle’s Fetus With Galangal Chilli Paste Aborted cattle’s fetus in local market (picture credited to จาปาตี) This menu is not advisable for everyone to eat! Be sure that the meat is well cooked. In Northern Thailand there is one menu that some would say “is to die for”. This is aborted cattle fetus as a main ingredient, this delicious food’s name in Thai is…
Believe it of not Chiang Rai has several dozen established and well-known artists – among them Thawan Duchanee, Chalermchai Kositpipat and Somluk Pantiboon – and hundreds of other talents in all genres of art. It is believed that the number of well-known artists (excluding persons from musics industry) born in Chiang Rai is just behind Bangkok. Many of the artists exhibit their works at galleries…
top of Doi Luang Chiang Dao (elevation: 2,225 m.). From here, you can see Doi Sam Phi Nong or Three Brothers ,Photo by Zolashine Doi Chiang Dao (ดอยเชียงดาว), also referred to as Doi Luang Chiang Dao (ดอยหลวงเชียงดาว), is the third highest peak, a 2,175 m high mountain in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Although Doi Inthanon is far more popular for being the highest point in the country, Doi…
If you have lived in Chiang Rai long enough, you probably already know lots about the province, but here are some random facts about Chiang Rai that you might not have known. Ok, not all items are facts. I add some of the most famous phrases local people say about something in Chiang Rai, mostly in a funny way. As for the “saying” items, some…