Archive for January, 2013

Asiatique The Riverfront – Beautifully Exotic Place in Thailand II

January 30th, 2013

asiatique-at-nightAsiatique The Riverfront at night

Because hot weather in Bangkok can make you tired, I think walking along the river at twilight would probably release you from such tiring day. Recently, Asiatique The Riverfront becomes a newest landmark of Bangkok where visitors are fascinated by the sight of Chao Phraya River and a unique style mall. Although it has just been about a year after its grand opening in April 2012, Asiatique now becomes one of popular places for both Thais and foreigners. » Read more: Asiatique The Riverfront – Beautifully Exotic Place in Thailand II

Asiatique The Riverfront – Beautifully Exotic Place in Thailand

January 28th, 2013

Asiatique The River FrontAsiatique The River Front, Bangkok

After I got back to Thailand, I thought I could find a place in Bangkok to hangout as same atmosphere as my favorite place, Pier 39 in San Francisco. Last year around July, I remembered after my sister and I got back from her friend’s house, accidentally we found an interesting place on Charoenkrung Road, named Asiatique, “Asiatique The Riverfront” for official name. It was a new wide space mall along Chaopraya River where it decorated in attractive styles. My sister immediately said “Let’s check it!” and made a turn to a parking lots. » Read more: Asiatique The Riverfront – Beautifully Exotic Place in Thailand

My First Time as A Tour Guide to Kanchanaburi

January 24th, 2013

spinning-tiger

Dec 29, 2012

Hey Jane,

It’s been quite long I didn’t write to you.

Anyway, I’m here to tell you what happen with me. I just got back from Kanchanaburi again yesterday. For this time, I did not go there to visit my family, but I took a tour group there instead. Yeah! It was the first time for me to go solo with a group of tourists as a tour guide. From the program tour, I have to take them to The Bridge of River Kwai, having lunch near the bridge, and then take them to the Tiger Temple. I think I should skip to talk about Kanchanaburi before you sick of it, but I will tell you how the Tiger Temple was. I confess that it was the first time I get to know this Tiger Temple. » Read more: My First Time as A Tour Guide to Kanchanaburi

Bangkok Shopping Places for Fashion Clothes and Accessories

January 21st, 2013

platinum fashion mall in bangkokPlatinum Fashion Mall, Bangkok

    I’m just a window shopper when walking in brand-name department stores, but I’m a compulsives buyer for cheap and fashionable. One of my favorite shopping places is Platinum Fashion Mall. It’s just right around the corner from Central World, across San Sab Canal to Phetburi Road, known as Pratunam Intersection. Platinum Fashion Mall is packed of small shops selling mostly women fashion clothes, shoes and accessories. Recently, Hundreds of them are available in either wholesale or retail. When visiting this mall, you would be able to notice that there are two different kinds of shoppers – a group of retailers looking for wholesale clothes and a group of regular customers looking for fashion or occasional clothes. » Read more: Bangkok Shopping Places for Fashion Clothes and Accessories

Royal Grand Palace: Walking around Wat Phra Keaw and The Grand Palace II

January 17th, 2013

the gate to inner court of royal grand palaceThe gate to get in the inner court

      Last time, I have given you some information about getting around Wat Phra Keaw already. Now, we will get into the central court of the palace. After we walk through the door of Temple of the Emerald Buddha into the area of Throne Halls, you can see Borom Phiman Mansion, on the left, behind the big gate. This European style building was built in the inner court, the private area where it used to be the royal residence and royal guests house. This is why we can’t get in. » Read more: Royal Grand Palace: Walking around Wat Phra Keaw and The Grand Palace II

Royal Grand Palace: Walking around Wat Phra Keaw and The Grand Palace I

January 16th, 2013

     royal-grand-palace-walking-mapCommon Walking Route in Royal Grand Palace

      If it is your first time to visit Wat Phra Keaw and The Grand Palace, don’t be afraid to get around without a tour guide. Follow me, I will lead you to highlight spots that you shouldn’t miss like having a private tour guide with you.

      After you hold the ticket, get a map and walk through the entrance gate to the monastic compound, the first thing you will see is a statue of Hermit Priest. It is believed that he was the first traditional doctor who later became the doctor of the Lord Buddha also. » Read more: Royal Grand Palace: Walking around Wat Phra Keaw and The Grand Palace I

Introduction Class of English Language for Guide Speak

January 16th, 2013

terminology-study

Apr 29, 2012

Dear diary,

Today I came to the class so early to study the subject of tour guide which I had been waiting for, Terminology. It was about the technical words or expressions used in a guide field, for instance, vocabularies in architecture and art. During the entire course, I will have to study about tour guide terminology class several times, and its general contents will be mostly about temples, the royal palace, religion, characteristic of Buddha image and so on. Moreover, I also had to learn the architecture concepts, building elements and history of architecture. Will my brain have enough spaces to save them?

In today class, although I was hungry for new information, all I had to know was so informative that it made me too full. I then started a little worry about information overload because I wasn’t sure how to memorize all of them during this course.

Anyway, the more I learn, the more I feel so proud to be Thai. Keep up, not give up!

Invited to The Delayed Songkarn Day 2012 in Pattaya City

January 16th, 2013

songkran day in pattaya

Apr 15, 2012

Dear diary,

My friend called me to join a delayed Songkran Day in Pattaya. It’s locally called “Wan Lai”-She said it is the tradition in Pattaya to celebrate New Year on Apr 18-20. There are many activities each day, such as pouring the water to the Buddha image, the processions, traditional games and concerts.

It sounds fun and I really want to join with her because I haven’t been celebrated Songkran Day in Pattaya before. Let’s me think about it because I’m not sure whether I need to go somewhere with my family or not.

My First Songkran Festival in Bangkok after Coming Back

January 14th, 2013

songkran  from the carChildren Play Water on Songkran Day – Photo by My Sister

I think Songkran Day is the biggest festival in Thailand. Compared with New Year celebration on January 1, traditional Thai New Year is still be the most popular celebration in Thailand. Not only Thai people have been waiting for playing with water in Songkran Day, but also the foreigners from around the world are coming to enjoy it.

Songkran Day in the past, people always prepared the food to go to temple for making merit in the morning. But today, I saw the kids wake up early to prepare water guns and buckets of water instead. » Read more: My First Songkran Festival in Bangkok after Coming Back

Move Forward to The Future

January 13th, 2013

future-clock

Apr 12, 2012.

Dear diary,

I miss the place I used to live in San Francisco. Six years there, I think I know San Francisco better than Thailand.  Although I live in Thailand longer than that, it seems I know nothing much about my own country. What a shame!

Today I stayed home did nothing, but watching a movie, “Sacretariat”.  One of dialogues on the scene of the movie hit my feeling and motivated me to see the world in the different way.

It says “This is not about going back. This is about life being ahead of you and you run at it! Because you never know how far you can run unless you run.”

This dialogue made me think if I couldn’t go back to the place I used to be, why wouldn’t I try to find a new place that suit me here.