Mango Metro – Volume 10, Issue 2 – January 2016 by Mango Mango Ltd. Part.

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JANUARY 2016 • VOLUME 10, ISSUE NO. 2

Gone Retro in Hua Hin pg.4

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Volume 10, Issue No. 2

JANUARY 2016

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GONE RETRO IN HUA HIN B y

D a v e

Thailand can be a strange place. On the one hand, just about everywhere one looks these days, a new condo or shopping development is going up. Other than parts of Chinatown, all the old shophouses are being torn down, and it won’t be long until there won’t be much left of pre-1980s or ’90s Bangkok. Yet at the same time, the same young folks who flock to buy these new condos and shop in the new malls also seem to embrace anything retro or vintage. One look at the rabid crowds at the (now, not one, but three!) Talad Rot Fai retro train markets, or at the hipsters flocking to the latest retro clothing and fashion shops in Ekkamai, show that old, most certainly, is not

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S t a m b o u l i s

completely out. With this in mind, if you’ve got a weekend in Hua Hin planned, follow the crowds into the past at Plearn Wan, the retro shopping village that seeks to remind folks that all is not lost. Plearn Wan opened several years ago to great fanfare, and while the crowds are nowhere nearly as insane as they once were, the place still packs them in on weekends. Designed to resemble a series of ThaiChinese shophouses from the 1950’s, the open-air retro shopping village is set on two levels, and is something akin to an American Wild West recreation theme park, albeit a bit tamer. The entry to Plearn Wan looks a bit like

an ark, made out of reclaimed wooden boards, which open up into a rectangular courtyard set over two floors. Vintage automobiles line the street, with a colorful Volkswagen bus parked not too far from classic Cadillacs. There are plenty of benches to relax on, and bands play live music, or if they aren’t going, the whole shopping complex is filled with tunes of yesterday, classics like “Hey, Jude” filling the air, while life-size cutouts of the Beatles adorn some of the walls. Here, one will find old gramophone shops, along with vintage camera stores, some of them faux facades, while others actually stock plenty of the real thing. An apothecary right out of half a century ago sells me-

dicinal powders and potions just like great grandma used to buy, and nearby is a hair salon, complete with large hair dryers that belong to a yesteryear sitcom. Food is also a prominent feature here, with some cutesy sit-down shops, as well as plenty of vendors hawking old-school or traditional hard-to-find Thai sweets and snacks, ranging from coconut pancakes to various types of rice cakes. Upstairs are a couple of cool bars that have walls lined with old whiskey bottles and vintage film posters of decades-old features on Mao Tse Tung and other historical luminaries. There is also an entertainment section in the back of the establishment, where there is a game arcade that one can win stuffed dolls for hitting the targets with darts or balls, plus there is an old-fashioned Fer-

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concrete. For those who want to make a full weekend of it, there is even a retro boutique hotel here to call home for the night. Those who don’t come to shop will still get a kick out of some of the retro items for sale and exhibit, and there really are some nice creative and artistic endeavors, especially upstairs, where there are large murals in some of the restaurant/ bars, as well as some vintage architecture. This is how Hua Hin and Bangkok actually looked some 30-50 years ago, and there are also plenty of small pieces placed here and there to enhance the old village effect, like old red postboxes along the walking street or colored gumball dispensers and pinball machines set up along the route.

ris wheel to ride on, and there is even a large outdoor cinema set up, undoubtedly showing classics from before most of us were born. It isn’t surprising that Plearn Wan translates to “the joys of the past” (or more precisely, “play and learn from yesterday”), and the place does seek to have that warm wooden look that seems to be missing amidst all of today’s cement and

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Overall, Plearn Wan is like a cross between a movie set, a traditional Thai temple fair, and yet, with enough appeal of modern shopping and conveniences (yes, there is air-con and the live bands do play modern tunes) to satisfy a wide range of ages and tastes. It certainly is a lot more interesting than going into any same oldsame old cloned shopping mall. Plearn Wan – www.plearnwan.com – Phetkasem Road, just past Hua Hin Soi 38, Hua Hin. Tel. 032-520-311(-2)

Weekend Wanderings

Ko Sichang By Voicu Mihnea Simandan

When you feel like unwinding and wanting to escape the rat race, the first thing that comes to mind here is a weekend escape to the beach. After all, this is Thailand and clear water washing up against white sand beaches is one of the main reasons why Thais and foreigners all love this country so much. But the problem we always have is time, time, time. And when you have only one weekend at your disposal, you’d like to make the most out of it. You just want to enjoy as much time on an island beach as possible, so you bring up the map of Thailand on your screen, zoom in on the eastern coast, find Koh Chang off Trat province, then you move further northeast and pinpoint Koh Samet off Rayong province, and still unsure, wander up with your mouse cursor on the coast. You run into Koh Larn off Pattaya, but are still unsatisfied. You want to be far from the madding crowd….

you read “Ko Sichang.” You quickly do the math and realize that the 130 kilometers from Bangkok to the port of Laem Chabang in Chonburi province can be travelled in less than two hours. Add the 45-minute ferry ride to the island, and you realize that you could be on the beach by late Saturday morning. You’re sold, and Ko Sichang, it is!

lands mentioned above, and, thus, over the years Koh Sichang has remained a destination more favored by Thais. Surprisingly, there are many more activities you can do on Ko Sichang than bathing in the sun and swimming in the sea. These include visiting a royal palace, checking out Thai and Chinese temples, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and even fishing.

Many foreigners overlook Ko Sichang in favor of the bigger and more vibrant is-

It’s a very good idea to visit the attractions the island has to offer before you

Then you spot another island further to the north. You zoom in even more, and

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actually hit the beach. To do this, you can rent one of the island’s specially modified tuk-tuks, which can go up on steep roads and negotiate a tour of the island. Make sure not to miss the Royal Summer Palace, the Thai temple Wat Asdangkhanimitr, the Chinese shrine Saan Chao Pho Khao Yai, the shrine housing Buddha’s Footprint, and Chom Kao Kard Park with its pavilions and panoramic views. The most popular destination on Ko Sichang is, by far, the Summer Palace, which was built at King Rama V’s orders. Construction started in 1892, but soon, the French invaded the place and disrupted plans. Eventually, the French left and the palace was completed, but the king never spent time there. In 1900, King Chulalongkorn visited the abandoned palace and decided to move it to Bangkok, where everyone can visit it today as Vimanmek Mansion, the largest teakwood building in the world. Next to the palace you’ll find Wat Asdangkhanimitr, a Thai temple built in the shape of a round church with a Thai-style roof. Gothic arch windows, Buddhist statues, stained glass on the door, stone inscriptions, and a tree transplanted from India add even more charm to this temple. There’s also a Chinese shrine you can visit that is very popular with both Chinese families from Thailand and the rest of Asia, as, supposedly, it was founded by seafarers from blessings from the mountain god, and snap some good photos. By now, you’re all sweaty and can’t wait to get to the beach, but make one more stop before you check in. The views from Chom Kao Kard Park can’t be found anywhere else on the island, and they’re well worth the detour. The island has changed a lot in the last decade. Resorts have replaced bamboo bungalows and very cheap food with a place that offers better comfort and more exquisite Thai cuisine. But all this is now available at a higher cost in baht and at the expense of encroached nature. However, it still an island with a lot of locals, so prices notably cheaper than it’s close island cousins can still be easily found.

the Ming Dynasty. The name of the shrine translates as Shrine of the Father Spirit of the Great Hill and includes several deities and sacred rocks one can pray to. You’re only 500 steps to another shrine housing a copy of Buddha’s Footprints, where once you’ve reached it, you can also enjoy a panoramic view of the island and the far sea. Reward yourself with a a few minutes of rest, ring the shrine bell three times to ask for

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The sand is not as soft and white, and the water is not as clear as what you’d normally expect from a Thai island, but Ko Sichang will nonetheless offer the relaxation you are looking for. If you get bored easily on the beach, you can also go snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, or you can even visit some of the other smaller islands in the area. Plus, don’t forget to explore the island on foot, especially the fishing port and see what life on the island really entails. Charlie’s Bungalows offer great accommodation at decent prices, and they have a good restaurant, but you’d best book in

advance, as weekends get quite busy. Their website – www.kohsichang.net – is also full of valuable travel advice. To reach the pier at Laem Chabang, you’ll have to take a bus to Si Racha, a coastal town in Chonburi province. Buses leave hourly from both the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai). From the bus stop, you’ll have to catch a motorbike taxi or tuk tuk to Koh Loi Pier and from there, the ferry to the island. If you drive, take the Bangkok-Chonburi motorway and park at the pier.

STAY HEALTHY WHILE YOU FLY THIS SEASON It’s not all that uncommon to fly and then feel under the weather a few days later. Traveler’s sicknesses can take many different forms including head colds, stomach ailments, or even skin rashes. If you’re planning to travel this season, learn how to stay healthy and avoid getting sick with these tips from Bumrungrad International Hospital. It’s probably not the airplane’s air making you sick The good news is that, contrary to popular belief, an airplane’s in-cabin air is very clean. For starters, air on airplanes is constantly being re-circulated and passed through High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that remove particulate matter such as bacteria and viruses. Outside air is also continuously replacing old incabin air during the flight. Fresh air is pulled from the atmosphere, pressurized, and then cooled How to stay healthy before being pumped into the cabin. Carry with you disinfectant wipes or sanitizing hand gel to kill the microbes that may make you Lastly, the air that is being re-circulated doesn’t sick. Do the following to prevent catching germs move from the front of the cabin to the back but on “high touch” surfaces: rather from the top of the cabin downward. Passengers are more likely to breathe the air that is • Wipe surfaces, such as your arm rests and belt within a close proximity of themselves and not buckle, before settling into your seat the air that everyone has been breathing on the plane. • Clean the surface of your tray table before eating

There are germs on “high touch” surfaces

Because there are many people within the small confines of an airplane’s cabin, there are numerous “high touch” surfaces which increase the chances of picking up a travel bug. This includes arm rests (particularly those in the aisle seats), tray tables, seat buckles, seat back pockets, and the contents in seat back pockets such as magazines and pamphlets. The lavatory is an especially high touch area because of the high ratio of passengers to bathrooms on any given flight.

Because airplanes are notoriously dry, the mucus membranes of your nose and mouth dry out, which diminishes their effectiveness against preventing germs from entering your body through these orifices. Drinking small amounts of water throughout the flight will keep you hydrated and your body properly functioning. Nasal mists are also an excellent way to boost your body’s natural germ-fighting ability of preventing germs from entering through your nose.

• Use sanitizing gel on your hands after using the If you are sick, wear a face mask to reduce restroom and always prior to eating spreading germs. Make an effort to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer and refrain Keeping your immunity up is another way to from touching your nose and mouth. prevent getting sick. Eating healthy prior to your flight and getting a good night’s rest the night Taking caution when flying will keep those before you travel will keep your immune system unwanted travel bugs at bay. Stick to these in tip-top shape. There are also immunity boost- preventative measures to help reduce your ers, such as vitamin C lozenges, that you can get risk of getting sick and to maintain a happy, from any pharmacy and bring with you on your healthy you wherever your final destination trip. may be.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT By Dr. Veeravorn Ariyakhagorn, Specialist for Vascular Surgery, Bumrungrad Hospital. Airplane travel is extremely safe but for some people there is a risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. Learn what causes it, its symptoms, and how to avoid it with these tips from Bumrungrad International Hospital.

What is deep vein thrombosis?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of blood clots in the deep veins within your body, most often in the legs. The danger with DVT is that the clot can come detached and travel to the lungs and block essential blood flow, which is known as a pulmonary embolism. Immobilization for long periods of time can lead to the development of deep vein thrombosis.

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This is why sitting on long flights is a concern, particularly for those at risk of developing DVT. People with hereditary diseases in which their blood clots easily, who are pregnant and therefore have increased pressure on their pelvic and leg veins, who have an existing injury to their veins or the adjacent tissue, or who lack mobility due to old age or obesity are at highest risk of developing DVT during a lengthy flight. Deep vein thrombosis symptoms included swelling of the legs with redness, warmth, or tenderness. You may experience symptoms in only one leg and not both. However, DVT may also occur without any obvious symptoms.

MAKE FLYING WITH CHILDREN EASIER When it’s time to board, many airlines allow for families to board first. Use this as an opportunity to take your time getting your children seated and your carry-on items stowed before the remaining passengers board.

Take-off and landing

Talk to your children about the importance of using their seatbelt during both take-off and the flight itself. Flights are often delayed because a child refuses to be buckled.

Airplane travel can be stressful, but it’s an entirely different experience if you are traveling with children. Follow these tips from Bumrungrad International Hospital before, during, and after take-off to help make your trip easier.

Packing

Being prepared for the unexpected can make all the difference when flying with children. Dedicate a carry-on bag to airplane travel essentials. Pack wipes and diapers, milk or snacks, toys and books, blankets, and even an extra change of clothes. Don’t forget to bring plastic or Ziploc bags. These are not only great for organizing toys and outfits, but they are good to have on hand to contain dirty clothes or used wipes after a mess.

Checking in and going through security

Checking your family’s luggage is a good idea. Struggling with multiple carry-ons while trying to get your children properly seated may be too much to handle. For less stress, only bring one bag containing your children’s travel essentials with you onto the plane.

If there is a family security line, use it because the extra staff is there to help you with your belongings. To prevent any hang-ups in the security line, children and adults should wear slip-on shoes and refrain from wearing watches, jewelry, or belts. If you choose to bring a stroller, most airlines will allow it through security and check it at your gate. Remember to collapse it yourself because the airline staff may not know how to. The stroller will be waiting for you when you get off the plane.

Prior to boarding

After going through security and if you have time, take your children and explore the airport. Often airports will have a play area where kids can release some of their energy. Use this time to go to the bathroom and change diapers prior to the flight. This is also a good time to buy any drinks or snacks that will come in handy during and after the flight.

The change in cabin pressure can hurt children’s ears. If you are traveling with an infant, make sure to have formula or milk available during take-off and landing to regulate their inner ear pressure. For older children, providing them with gum is an excellent alternative and a welcomed treat.

In flight

Your children may be curious about the plane and the flight, so this is a good opportunity to teach them about flying and satisfy their curiosities. Keep children entertained with quiet toys and books. Bring out one toy at a time and not all at once in order to prolong their entertainment. Giving your children an in-flight sleep aid is not recommended. Some children have unexpected reactions such as becoming hyper or throwing up instead of falling asleep. Once you’ve landed, it’s best to let all other passengers off the plane first so that you can take your time gathering your belongings and making sure that nothing is left behind. While most parents know that traveling with children can be challenging, with these tips you can be better prepared for what life may throw at you.

DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS If a blood clot has occurred and has dislodged itself, it can cause a pulmonary embolism. Symptoms of a blood clot blocking a major lung artery include: chest pain particularly when taking a deep breath or during a cough; shortness of breath; rapid pulse; feeling dizzy or lightheaded; and coughing up blood.

Tips to preventing deep vein thrombosis

There are several simple ways to prevent the onset of deep vein thrombosis while flying. Incorporate light exercises and movement during long flights. Get up and walk around when the seatbelt display light is off. While you are in your seat, do neck rolls, arm stretches, and an

kle turns. At the very least, move your lower legs by extending them straight out at the knee and then returning them to a bent position several times. Do not cross your legs or arms during the flight as this can restrict blood flow. Take your prescribed medication, particularly if you’ve just had surgery and have been prescribed blood thinners. After speaking with your doctor, you may also want to take aspirin or other similar medication that help prevent clots. Wearing compression stockings or socks while flying is an excellent way to reduce the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis.

These come in a variety of pressures (from light to strong) and lengths (from knee high to thigh high). These work by applying pressure that helps move blood upwards to your heart and prevents blood pooling in your lower legs and feet. It significantly reduces leg swelling and, to an extent, lessens blood clotting.

Contact Bumrungrad if you think you are suffering from deep vein thrombosis

If you believe you are suffering from deep vein thrombosis because you experience the symptoms as described above, please contact your doctor. Your doctor will evaluate your condition and determine which preventative measures and treatment are right for you.

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PARTY NIGHT

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MANGO BITES Wolff’s

33/30 Sukhumvit 11 090-926-1777 www.fb.com/ wolffsbarsukhumvit11

Everyone likes a good story, and that is exactly what you will get, along with great ribs at Wolff’s. The team at Wolff’s have found their stride. Owned and operated by husband and wife team Malcolm and Wanna. Malcolm has been in Thailand for several decades, and he has the stories. He has even written a book, Bangkok Rules, under the pseudonym of Harlan Wolff (soon to be made into a movie) that uses his experiences in Bangkok as a backdrop. If you are eating at the bar, he will more than likely be there and will keep you entertained while the smell of barbeque fills the air. In partnership with Hickory, the barbecue professionals, they have built Thailand’s biggest traditional charcoalfired smokehouse out back. The result is the best ten-hour hickory-smoked barbecue ribs in town. There are a few places in Bangkok that serve chicken wings, but at Wolff’s, even the chicken wings are getting the hickory treatment. I recommend the sloppy joe burger with potato wedges… extra napkins please. The full rack of ribs is enough for a small party, and the side fixings are a delight. The meat is of high quality and is prepared with great care. The slow smoking process leaves them literally falling off of the bone.

Find us at Sukhumvit soi 11 Telephone: 02-651-1098 snappernz@snapper-bangkok.com www.snapper-bangkok.com www.facebook.com/SnapperNZ

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Behind the coppertop bar is a wide selection of spirits to choose from, from old single malts to vodkas made by hand in antique copper stills. Even the choice of gin is extensive with around a dozen to choose from. Cocktails are plentiful, and the house recommends the Old Fashioned, which the owner tells me is a secret recipe from old Shanghai. While many such competitors charge quite a

bit for such food and atmosphere, Wolff’s has reasonably priced food and cocktail specials too. Wolff’s is sophisticated and relaxed, tucked away from the hectic main drag of Sukhumvit 11. It’s very easy to find, as it’s just round the corner at the end of the soi near the Le Fenix hotel, just opposite where the old Q Bar used to be.

The place is old-fashioned and a magnet to Bangkok’s colorful characters. The owner told me over a drink that, ”This is the sort of bar we used to hang out at back in the seventies.” The decor is red brick and copper. The multilingual staff is courteous while keeping your glass full; black and white photographs, the smell of barbecue in the air and the piano in the corner provide an atmosphere of nostalgia and sophistication. Wolff’s is not pretentious, just a really good bar with really good bar food. Start being a regular there, and you might find out you become one of Malcolm’s (or Harlan’s, if you prefer) next Bangkok’s stories.

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MANGO BITES

Fast Foodie B y

D a v e

S t a m b o u l i s

Crab and Claw EmQuartier, Helix Building, 7th Floor Tel. 096-197-5769 I recently had the pleasure of dining at Crab and Claw, the New England seafood restaurant in the EmQuartier that has been one of the most talked-about eateries in Bangkok this year. Memories of eating clam chowder in small port towns near Boston or putting on a lobster bib and cracking open some fresh claws were brought back to life, only here I was doing it inside of a glitzy shopping mall in Bangkok. I thought to myself that that this was pretty cool and sought out Can Markawat, the owner of Crab and Claw, as well as the force behind a few other notable restaurants in Bangkok. Markawat comes from a family of genuine foodies, as his mom was the founder of the Oam Thong restaurant, part of the prestigious Naj Collection, and Can grew up with good Thai food and an extensive array of recipes passed down through generations. After a stint at the Naj, Can and his sister Ploy opened up The Local, an authentic old-school Thai restaurant housed in a 70-year-old traditional home outfitted with antiques, wooden bird cages, old paddles from the floating market, and bookcases full of Thai cookbooks from throughout the ages. The Local serves up hard-to-find dishes from all regions of the country, and even Thais gazing over the menu are sometimes bewildered to find dishes they have never heard of nor tried. Markawat spent much time collecting recipes, re-

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The Local 32 Sukhumvit Soi 23. Tel. 02-664-0664. searching cookbooks as well as visiting vendors. His wish was to carry on and preserve Thailand’s culinary heritage, evidenced by dishes like gaeng lun juan, a pork or beef dish laced with Thai herbs and shrimp paste, which comes from ML Neung Ninrat, who was a cook in the royal court of King Rama V.

While it was easy to see how The Local succeeded, with its ambience, extensive menu, authentic taste, and fair prices, opening the Crab and Claw was a whole different ballgame. This wasn’t Thai food, it was during a year when the restaurant business and economy as a whole wasn’t faring all too well, and it was in a mall, for Pete’s sake! Yet while other restaurants struggle, even on a weekday night, Crab and Claw is packed with diners, most of them digging in to the signature lobster rolls or else tucking in to large plates of old-bay-seasoned crab or lobster.

MANGO BITES

The restaurant has done almost no advertising, and yet it’s Bangkok’s most popular venue on Instagram and Facebook, as photos of happy customers in dirty bibs munching on giant lobsters speak a thousand words. Head Chef Colin Stevens, a Hawaiian who has years of experience running restaurant kitchens in Thailand, shares Markawat’s enthusiasm for doing everything right. The Maine lobsters served here are imported alive

and served fresh on a daily basis, and there are a nightly array of some of the finest oysters from around the world, with players like Gallaghers, the world’s most premium oyster farm, shipping in from Ireland. Chef Colin proudly states that Crab and Claw uses nothing from a can, and that everything from sauces to bread gets made in-house, not to mention that Stevens only chooses to work with sustainable fishing practice suppliers. Markawat visited New England and took ideas and motifs ranging from seafood murals to fishing nets, buoys, and fish trap cages, which decorate the restaurant and enhance the authenticity, and it is obvious that he has done his homework well. Catching up with him after a

long day of work, he told me that he tries out most of the new popular and trendy foodie spots in the city, yet at the same time loves to come home and eat simple old-fashioned Thai fare, and he’s one of the few restaurateurs one can talk intelligently with about where to find the best khao man gai or guay jub stalls in town. Markawat said that quite a few friends and business acquaintances told him he shouldn’t be starting ventures like the Crab and Claw in the present economic climate, but not only has the restaurant done so well, he’s gone ahead and opened another branch of it in Siam Paragon, with yet another branch planned to follow. Additionally, Can will be opening a traditional Thai eatery in the new Eastville Mall, aimed more at the local market.

I remarked to him that most of the recent spate of restaurants in Bangkok seem to rely on being trendy in order to succeed. People go to spots to be seen and to the places that are all the buzz, but that once the buzz dies out or there is a new place to be seen, the restaurant falls off the map. We talked about how this isn’t the case with the old-school Thai eateries, like pochana family restaurants, where people keep coming year after year just because the food is so good. Coming from his family background and memories of great Thai street food and small eateries as a kid, Markawat seems to have a knack for combining the old and the new, keeping tradition while staying innovative. From fine dining to quick bites on the streets, this is one fast foodie who knows his palate.

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5 Ratchaburi

Must Dos

By Voicu Mihnea Simandan Many aspects of Thai culture have been highly influenced by the Indian civilization, especially when it comes to names, as the Thai language has borrowed heavily from Sanskrit. Many provinces in Thailand, especially in the central part, end with the word “-buri” which is a word derived from the Sanskrit “puri” meaning “city” or “town”. But, some provinces even trace the etymology of their names completely to Sanskrit. Such is the case of Ratchaburi, a province located about 100 kilometers southwest of Bangkok, whose name can be translated as “royal city”, with the word “racha” (from the Sanskrit word “raja”) standing for “royal” or “kingly.” Apart from being a

great example of language assimilation, the province of Ratchaburi is also a great place to visit and explore. If you’re thinking of going on a day trip to Ratchaburi, here are five destinations you should try not to miss. They include caves, temples, floating markets, and even churches! Ratchaburi is not named the “royal city” for no reason. According to some sources, King Rama I was born here (with other scholars quoting Ayutthaya as the place of birth and Ratchaburi as one of his governorships before he assumed the role of the king). This is also reflected in the province’s seal, which is made up of a royal sword above royal sandals placed on an aristocratic tray.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market The most famous, crowded, and overly publicized destination in Ratchaburi province is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, a favorite with travel agencies, postcard printers, and even travel guide covers. The fame of this floating market has somewhat diminished in recent years, as many other floating markets opened closer to Bangkok, but the exoticism of the place is still there. If you want to experience the real purpose of the market, then you’d better

Ave Maria Although not as imposing as the Nativity of Our Lady Cathedral in the neighboring province of Samut Songkhram, Ave Maria is still a church worth visiting, even if only for the peace and quiet of its courtyard. Compared to the hustle and bustle of the floating market, this Catholic church belonging to the Diocese of Ratchaburi is a nice place to enjoy a few minutes of silence.

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The church is in excellent condition and is flanked on one side by a row of eucalyptus trees where one can rest in the shade. Unfortunately, unless you make the effort to arrive there for mass, the church doors will be closed, and you’re left only with the great marble columns and the tall steeple to admire on the outside.

get there early in the morning so that you can witness the local community engaging in trading activities straight from their boats. By 11 a.m., the floating market winds down, but there’s still plenty of touristy things to do, such as renting a boat for a ride up and down the canal or going souvenir shopping in one of the many stalls that stay open even after the locals have finished their morning trade. The colors of the merchandise in the boats make the place a hotspot for photographers.

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Khao Bin Cave / Chompol Cave To the east, Ratchaburi province is crisscrossed by tributaries of the Mae Klong River and its canals; to the west, on the border with Myanmar, you’ll find limestone mountains. When you put the two together, you get caves with stalactites, and we recommend you stop by at two of them. The most visited cave in Ratchaburi is Khao Bin Cave, but since it’s more fun to travel on the un-

beaten path, also plan to visit Chompol Cave found on the premises of Wat Chompol. The cave is made up of several chambers containing religious symbols and statuettes, plus the hard-tosee bats hanging from the ceiling (which give the cave a strong smell). At the entrance of the cave, you will be greeted by families of macaque monkeys that are on the lookout for any loose accessories that you might have.

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Wat Prasart Sit There’s nothing special about the temple cave, so if you want to explore more unique religious architecture, then, your last stop for the day should be at Wat Prasart Sit. This Buddhist monastery (now totally reconstructed) was built by Chuang Bunnag, King Rama VI’s regent, and was part of a 19th century modernization process that also saw the digging of the Damnoen Saduak canal. The centerpiece of the temple is a raised shrine with a three-tier roof topped by a Siamese royal umbrella. The temple offers both Thai- and Chinese-style worship elements, making it a great place to explore under Ratchaburi’s clear, sunny sky. Ratchaburi is a laidback province that

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makes a great one-day trip destination. With its local culture strongly connected to that of its natural elements, Ratchaburi offers something that most people living and working in Bangkok wouldn’t mind escaping to once in a while: a quiet place to sit down and watch the world go by. Ratchaburi province is easily accessible from Bangkok by bus, train, or van. Buses leave for Ratchaburi from the Southern Bus Terminal on a daily basis, while trains leave regularly from both Hua Lamphong and Thonburi Railway Station (Bangkok Noi). Alternatively, you can catch a van from Victory Monument or drive your own car out of the capital on Phetchakasem Road or Highway 4. The trip takes about two hours.

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FOR RENT – The Tempo Ruamrudee Condominium, Soi Ruamrudee. Modern studio-2 bedroom unit, furnished, from 16,000Baht, BTS Ploenchit Stn. M. 095 948 7221. (L) OPENING – Nichada & Natakorn Lake Condominiums was launched in May 2015. The 22-floor towers are the newest development in the prestigious Nichada Thani luxury gated community in Chaeng Wattana, Bangkok,just minutes from downtown. Built on a 60acre lake, there are 159 apartments of 1,2,3 and 4 bedrooms for both short and long-term rental. The project features personalized butler services and state-of-the art security. For More Information: www. nichada.com n1n2@nichada.com 02 960 4329-31 (I) SOCIAL PETANQUE – Fancy a game of French Petanque and meeting new people? Can’t think of anything better than playing on a Saturday or Sunday morning 10-11 am around Sukhumvit-Asoke area? Then, wait no longer, join our Petanque Group and join the next event! Email your contact details to Pat at pmbkk@hotmail.com (J)

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