Pha Taem National Park, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Pha Taem National Park, Ubon Ratchathani Province  

Area of 140 square kilometers, where plateaus and hills dominate the parks landscape. There are sheer cliffs, which resulted from earthquakes. Most trees are of the deciduous dipterocarp forest. Irregular shaped sandstone is found scattered throughout the area. Beautiful flowering plants grow among the rocky ground.  

Pha Taem and Pha Kham are located near the national park headquarters. On the cliffs surface are numberous prehistoric cave paintings dating back 3,000 to 4,000 years ago that offer insight into the way of life that existed during the pre historic days and reflect the ancient lifestyle of people who once lived in the area. These painting depict scenes of fishing, rice farming, figures of people, animals, hands and geometric designs. It should be noted that the most extensive site for cave paintings in the country is that of Pha Taem.

Home to one of the world's oldest agrarian communities, Ubon Ratchathani is also the 'cradle of northeastern civilisation'. Recently discovered archaeological evidence suggests that humans settled in the region between 14,000 to 6,000 years ago.

credit : Tourismthailand.org

Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo Show, Nakorn Patthom

Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo Show attractions of 60 acres on Petkasem Road, in Samphran District, which about one hour drives from Bangkok, KM 32 Pet Kasem Highway.

Exciting to the crocodile wrestling show, the elephant theme show, baby elephant in dancing,

football and more activities fun games.

Everyday open : 8.30 - 17.30 hrs.

Erawan Shrine, Ratchaprasong Intersection

The Erawan Shrine is located by Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, Ratchaprasong Intersection of Ratchadamri Road. This road is centre main Shopping Street in Bangkok including with shopping Center, Hotel, Temple and Business Area.

The Erawan Shrine was built in 1956 mostly people believed that (Phra Phrom) will give and create many of Good Life, Good Lucks to them.

Mostly people included Thais and Visitors come here because of they are belived that "Phra Phrom Erawan" is very holy and number of worshippers is increasing every year. Mostly people offer a lot beautiful flowers, incense and candles.


Ratchaprasong Intersection
1. Ratchadamri Road
2. Rama I Road
3. Phloen Chit Road
4. Ratchadamri Road

Shopping Areas and Department Stores
1. Central World Plaza, Zen and Isetan Department Store, Ratchaprasong Intersection.
2. Siam Paragon, Rama I Road
3. Siam Discovery and Siam Center, Rama I Road
4. Penizula Plaza, Ratchadamri Road
5. Narai Phand, Thai Handicrafts center across Central World Plaza near Anoma Hotel
6. Gayson Plaza across Erawan Shrine, Ratchadamri Road
7. Amarin Plaza beside Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, Phloen Chit Road

8. Central Chidrom Department Store, Phloen Chit Road


Hotels
1. Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, Ratchadamri Road
2. Centara Grand at Central World Hotel
3. InterContinental Hotel
4. Holiday Inn Hotel

5. Four Seasons Hotel
6. Anoma Hotel

Ko Kret, Nonthaburi Province

Ko Kret

Ko Kret or Kret island in the Chao Phraya River was created from the digging of a canal around a cape of the Chao Phraya River. In 1722, during the reign of King Thaisa of Ayutthaya, the island was called Khlong Lat Kret Noi which means a shortcut to Kret canal. Later, the current diverted, making the canal larger and turning the cape there into an island.
Ko Kret has prospered since the Ayutthaya period as evident from the many temples on the island that are from that period. However, it may have been deserted when the Burmese sacked Ayutthaya. When Ayutthaya was reclaimed, King Taksin the Great relocated the Mon people who found religion here. The Mon people on the island came during the Thon Buri period and during the reign of King Rama II.
Chao Phraya Express Boat Co., Ltd. organises one day trip cruising to Koh Kred from Sathorn Pier every Saturday and Sunday. Prices: Adult 300 baht, Child 250 baht. For more information call 0 2623 6143 or 0 2623 6001-3, 0 2225 3003, 0 2222 5330 ext. 106 or visit : chaophrayaboat.co.th

Attractions on Ko Kret : Wat Poramai Yikawat or Wat Pak Ao has many interesting things to see. There is a small castle with a five tiered roof at the temples landing. It used to house a Mon coffin of a former abbot.
The fascinating convocation hall is decorated with items imported from Italy, a style that was popular during the reign of King Rama V. The king wished to preserve some of the traditional ways and commanded that this temple have prayers in the Mon language. Nowadays this temple is the only one that keeps the Buddhist scripture in this language. The main Buddha image here is in the Man Wichai posture, the work of Prince Praditsathanworakan who also made the Siam Thewathirat Buddha image. King Rama V praised this images beauty because its face seems alive. Another Mon characteristic here is the Mon-style pagoda that is a replica of Phra That Chedi Mutao in Hongsawadi that is highly revered by all Mons and houses the holy relics of Lord Buddha.
The chapel enshrines a reclining Buddha of the late Ayutthaya period that is decorated with striking mural paintings of royal insignias drawn by Prince Prawit Xumsai. Behind the building is a Buddha image of the province called Phra Nonthamunin from the late Ayutthaya period in the meditation posture on a Mon pedestal (Chong Phara) made by local artisans. In front of the building is a marble Buddha image that Sang Sew Sun, a Burmese, presented to King Rama V. The building is open daily during 08.30-16.30 hrs.
The museum exhibits artifacts that include earthen Buddha image, glassware, porcelain, and the Hem in particular. The Hem, a Mon-style coffin, which was made by Colonal Chatwat Ngamniyom, is considered a masterpiece of art. Its superb design and aluminum plate carving have been delicately done. It is believed that the Mons had copied the coffin style of Lord Buddha, which had a straight base, wide top, and narrow sides. The drawing of this coffin is shown in the museum. The Hem usually contains a dry corpse. A monks Hem has a window for onlookers to see the corpse inside.

Pottery, available at Ko Kret. This tiny island in the Chao Phraya River is famous for its distinctive style of pottery which dates back many centuries. Ko Kret pots are known for their fine, red-black glazed surface and intricate design.

credit : tourismthailand.com

Tom Yam Goong (Hot and Sour Prawn Soup)

Tom Yam Goong (Hot and sour prawn soup)

Straw Mushrooms
Thai name : Het Fang (เห็ดฟาง)Scientific name : Volvariella volvacea (Bull.Ex.Fr.)Sing













Tom Yam Goong (Hot and sour prawn soup)

Ingredient 
6 prawns (shrimp) shelled and deveined
200 grms. Mushrooms cut in to pieces or in thirds (haled or whole)
3 cups chicken stock
1 Lemongrass stem cut into sections and crushed
3 tablespoon, fish sauce
2-3 Kaffir Lime leaves, torn into pieces
5 slices fresh or dried galanga
5-6 hot chillies, slightly broken with peslte
2 coriander plants, chopped coarsely

Preparation
1. Shell and devein the shrimp and remove all inedible parts.
2. Heat the stock in a pot. When it is boiling, put in the Lemongrass, Galangal, Kaffir Lime Leaves, then add the shrimps. When this is cooked, put in the Mushrooms.
3. When the Mushrooms are done. Season with Fish Sauce, Chillies, Chilli Paste, Condensed Milk, take the pot off and add Lime Juice, Presley.
4. Dip the soup, put in Coriander Leaves and serve hot.

Tom Yam Goong (Hot and Sour prawn Soup) could be omitted roasted chilli paste and condensed Milk and serve hot.