Postcards from Amazing Thailand
Explore the countryside and be prepared for big surprises along the way
THAILAND — There’s more to this country that describes itself as “amazing” — that is, more than just what the capital city Bangkok has to offer such as temples, bars that feature shows for all sexes, massage parlors, tattoo shops, street food, bargain stores side by side with those selling “branded” items, the canal tour (try riding the Chao Phraya Express Boat or Water Taxi), and tiangge everywhere you turn. Visit Phat Phong (open only at night) for more cheap items (make tawad until you bleed) and cap the night with a dinner at the nearby Mango Tree (which serves todie-for Thai Crab Meat Omelet).
Our group (including Inquirer’s Pam Pastor, Lakad Pilipinas’ Christian Lucas Sangoyo and blogger Vins Carlos) discovered the other side of Thailand — yes, the beautiful countryside — during a four-day tour sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Our first stop was Amphawa, more than an hour drive from the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport where we were welcomed by Khanittha Phanworawat (TAT assistant director) and our guide, Thip-Ahphorn Thepthewi (Tinny for short). As soon as we checked in at the Thanicha Healthy Resort, we had dinner at one of the restaurants that, together with curio shops, line the winding canal that bustled with the Floating Market (open only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights). We woke up at the crack of dawn to catch the monks blessing early risers. Okay to give the monks food or rice, bills (but not coins, Tinny reminded us).
Day 2: Check out of Thanicha and visit the King Rama II Memorial Park which showcases the King’s patronage of Thai art and culture. What we learned at the museum: Coconut has more uses than we already knew (in Thailand, used to wash the face of the dead), traditional way of preparing Thai desserts and meals for the rich, and the evolution of traditional Thai attire. (Put on a Thai costume and have your picture taken for souvenir.)
Then, we moved on to the Ban Don Kai Dee Benjarong Porcelain Village, or simply Benjarong (“Five colors gemstones”), and marveled at the intricate manner all kinds of figurines were done (mostly elephants which are revered in Thailand). The stores in the area are packed full with ceramic products so be very careful or you break one that may cost a fortune (no kidding!).
After a quick lunch at a seafood resto, we relaxed at the Sampran Elephant Ground and Zoo. This time, added as side attraction to the elephant show was a magician who proved to be a hit especially with his “naughty” tricks (such as making his sidekick “pee” while swinging the sidekick’s arm as you do with an artesian well).
Checked in at Sampran Riverside (formerly known as Rose Garden Riverside) located at what could be one of the most serene corners of the world. Take a leisurely walk around the place guided by the chirping of birds and contemplate under a tree in front of the lake so calm, not a wave disturbing it, that you could hear yourself think and listen to the rhythm of your heartbeat. The day was capped by a dinner at the Pinthong Sampran restaurant where I ordered probably the besttasting Chicken Fried Rice in the world with tender pork cutlets (Thai version of our
adobo?) as side dish. Day 3: Checked out of Sampran Riverside. Before our departure for Bangkok, Sampran deputy managing director Art Yuvaboon took us on a quick tour of complex which turned out to be educational: What Thai costumes are worn for different occasions, how Thai silk is woven from cocoon of worms that thrive in mulberry trees, sample of a Thai dance (one of which reminded us of our very own Tinikling), making elephant figurines from clay, preparing banana dessert, garland-making, etc.
Stopover at the 10-acre Organic Farm which grows vegetables, fruits and herbs for Sampran Riverside hotel and restaurants. Our guide said that the farm was destroyed by a big flood in 2011 but was promptly reconstructed with the help of hotel guests (dikes were built in only one month and a half).
Day 4: Checked in at the Crowne Plaza Bangkok located just across from the Lumpini Park where the
Thailand Tourism Festival 2016 was held (reported in Part 1 of this report, The Philippine STAR Feb. 13 issue). The day was spent traveling on board a traditional long-tail boat along the Chao Phraya River. The city’s Chinatown, which covers a kilometric street, was lit up by lanterns hanging from stores selling all kinds of souvenirs in anticipation of the Year of the Monkey (Feb. 8). Dinner was at the Asiatique, touted as “Your night shopping destination.”
We left Bangkok confident that we learned more about the country than we did before the four-day tour. The countryside proved to be much more “amazing.”
(E-mail reactions
at entphilstar@ yahoo.com. You may also send your
questions to askrickylo@ For more updates, photos and videos visit www. philstar.com/funfare or follow me
on www.twitter/ therealrickylo.)