have been meaning to visit Wat Suwan Kuha (or Wat Suwannakuha; aka Wat Tham; also known as "that temple with a big Buddha in a cave") for a long time. I have seen many photos on the web, the temple is often visited by tours heading to Phang Nga for excursions including elephant rides or white water rafting, so we decided to go last weekend. It's only just over an hours drive from our house to reach Phang Nga town, and the temple is about 10km before the town.. but was curiously poorly signposted. On the way through the North of Phuket you pass rubber plantations, and there were a couple of local caged bird singing contests in progress. Heading over the Sarasin bridge out of Phuket the views are always great. One of these days I must head up there just to get some photos of the area.
The road from Phuket to Phang Nga is good, you pass a number of Buddhist temples and mosques on the road towards Phang Nga Town. I was surprised to find that the turn off to Wat Suwan Kuha is not marked (at least, not in English - the temple entrance on the main road is in Thai). There is a sign pointing to Raman Waterfall National Forest, so follow that! Wat Suwan Kuha is about half a kilometer along the road. There is plenty of parking and, as I say, there are tours visiting here. Quite a few "farang" visitors when we were there, but it was far from crowded.
Outside the cave you find a temple, stalls selling fruit, drinks and snacks and lots of monkeys who will steal your food given half a chance (I saw a monkey take a bag of nuts from a girl on a motorbike). Anyway, no need to buy food here, save your hunger for something better (see end of this page). Entry into the cave is just 20 Baht I am pleased to say.
Oh yes, monkeys... all over the place outside the cave. None inside. Of course people try to sell you food to feed the monkeys. Up to you. Anyway, if you have never been close to a monkey before, here's a place to get that monkey vibe.
Inside the main cave, the dominant figure is the large reclining Buddha. There are a number of other Buddha images too and a big Chedi which contains bones of the family who were the local governors about 160 years ago and who arranged for the construction of a shrine in the cave.
The big reclining Buddha is quite impressive. You can see it from all angles. My son felt the need to give a prayer - see photo below. You can climb some steps behind the reclining Buddha to a couple of small shrines, light some incense, say a prayer.
A cat came looking for a photo opportunity in the cave...
You can climb some steps past the big Buddha, enter another part of the cave. Oh, and I must mention there are bats in the cave too :) And some kind of cave dwelling birds. And a very amusing and totally pointless sign...
This was a nice day out off the island! Not in Phuket, but only an hour from home. We continued further along the road to see the Raman Waterfall.. and will go back sometime. There is a 2km nature trail with about 6 different waterfalls to see. After the temple and waterfall we looked for a nice lunch and found it - a place called Samchong Seafood, a little off the main road between Phang Nga and Phuket, a floating restaurant on a wide mangrove channel. We will be back here too and I will blog the restaurant very soon!
Phang Nga is the province to the north of Phuket and there is a lot to see here, and mostly it's within a day trip from Phuket. Wat Suwan Kuha could be combined with a ride around Phang Nga Bay and a nice seafood lunch. See you again soon!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Wat Sawan Kuha Temple (Phang Nga)
THAILAND - FIVE THINGS TO DO THAT YOU MIGHT REGRET NOT DOING
If you’re intelligent for a blot where you crapper savor this season to the prizewinning of its potential, then the large positioning to go is Thailand. From beaches to clubs, and from shopping to movies, this land is the personification of a recreation locate to savor and behave when on vacation.
To support your journey, here is a itemize of fivesome things you staleness do when in Thailand. This analyse itemize is to indorse that you not exclusive wager the connatural traveler places, but also wager the another things that this land has to substance to its tourists, in constituent to its gorgeous sites.
First, attain a activate to the beach. You crapper go to Phuket where you crapper either intend a baritone budget hotel soured the coast, or a slightly more expensive one, depending on your budget. You crapper also analyse yourself into improvement on Koh So Mui or Koh Phi Phi, both of which are stunning islands with hearty liquid and an comprehensive arrange of popular things to do. When on the beach, you crapper take in liquid sports such as plane skiing, liquid skiing, or para-sailing, or you could also go ventilator swim by engagement finished digit of the topical journeying operators.
Next, attain trusty you wager the partying on Patong Beach in Phuket. The field beach on Phuket Island is crowded with grouping at night, and the daylong distinction of pubs and exerciser is high with band goers dirt the fissure of dawn.
Experience a Muay Tahi match. This is the locate where Muay Tai started, so erst you are here attain trusty you check at small one. This is digit of the most followed sports in the country. On the another hand, if you cannot defence conflict then you are wise to resile it. Most matches are lawful on weekday nights, and you crapper communicate a topical journeying drive to support you in purchase tickets for one.
Go to a cinema. While this haw beatific same a intense intent on a activate abroad, you module see for yourself that Siam has the prizewinning cinemas world-wide. They are rattling past and armored with the most past systems. Siam offers panjandrum and First Class cinemas too, where you are presented assist kindred to a five-star hotel. With large lounges, free-of-charge snacks and beverages, and exclusive 20 to 40 grouping in the medium distribution it with you, you module see as if you are at a clannish medium screening. Most cinemas modify provide pillows and blankets, and waiters who help you food.
Bangkok is filled with malls and markets substance you every sorts of products at quite commonsensible prices. You crapper commonly understanding items downbound to half the example price, and modify if you modify up stipendiary slightly more than a topical would, it module ease be such cheaper than the artefact you haw acquire from whatever another locate - definitely at home. Moreover, you crapper go to Sukhumvit or the Night Plaza in Patpong for beatific prices.
So, these are the fivesome things that you staleness do when in Siam in visit to undergo the prizewinning that this land has to substance to its tourists. Of course, you should also do the lawful traveler sightseeing, but these fivesome things module genuinely drive you to start in fuck with this country, and entertainer you backwards again and again.
from: http://www.allwebsolution.biz/bahamas/thailand-five-things-to-do-that-you-might-regret-not-doing/
Road to Cambodia 5
By: R.K. Shivachandra
The horrifying foray to the Killing Field, Genocide museum and other historic war spots in Cambodia left everyone in a state of shock and this continued to linger heavy in our hearts. Many Europeans who had visited the site were seen breaking down on their knees in front of the memorable stupa where the excavated skulls and bones were being displayed.
We really wanted to further our visit to some interior parts of Cambodia. However due to time constraint, we couldn’t make it. The distance between Phnom Penh and Ho Chin Minh City in Vietnam is about 216 Kms. A smooth drive can take around 2 hours from Phnom Penh to Ho chin Minh city. Visas needed to be applied at Phnom Penh only. At the moment Vietnam visas are not issued at the border. We need to apply for it one day ahead. However our team couldn’t manage it for Sunday and Saturday were off- day. And that was only the two days we had in hand and overstaying more days in Cambodia could amount to cancellation of our return flight to Kolkata. Though some of us had been to the Moc Bai and other adjacent villages towards the border to Vietnam, the team as a whole couldn’t visit the city of Vietnam.
Our return journey to Bangkok through the South coast of Cambodia was a memorable one. The more interesting part of the journey had been the long stretch of the coastal and the beautiful blue sea that danced gleefully in a spectacular distance. We are water -obsessed people and are ready to be romantic about with any form of water; be it pond or small river. Traveling overlooking the vast Sea in a hot summer day was so refreshing and the situation asked one to be more romantic and calls everyone to become a harmless soul rather than violent. The beautiful site chased away at bay the bed habit of animosity, hatred and dislike among one another that we carry along with us from Manipur and for sometime we breathed freedom. The beach seemed to have expressed by itself that ‘Beauty of nature should be praised’. On the stretch of the coast there were resorts of the colonial era and many nascent national parks took its most fascinating form. Much of the coastline is dotted with small fishing communities. Some 80 Kms. down the line towards the border lies the first town ‘Kampot’. A sleepy small town in the Southern cost yet a principal port in the whole of Cambodia. Then we proceeded further to Sihanoukville. A thinly populated beach town not much to be offered to the tourists. Compared to any Thailand beach like Pataya and Phuket, Sihanoukville is still light years behind. The charmless town is fortunate enough to be hemmed in all sides by palm fringed white sand beaches and tropical islands. The present town named after the then King was amidst the thick jungle during 1950s. It was hacked out to create the first deep water port in 50s and USA provided money. The best route to proceed to Koh Kong the border of Cambodia from Sihanoukville is waterways. There are about three fast boats that depart from Sihanoukville before 11 A.M daily. They never take the risk of sailing afternoon for the sea is unfriendly during the evening. Despite our enthusiasm to have a boat ride, we missed the chance by 10 minutes that the last boat had already departed some few minutes before we reached the port. So we proceeded by a Toyota mini bus towards Koh Kong.
Koh Kong is an increasingly popular gateway to Cambodia from Hat Lek in eastern Thailand. Having the same name as its town, Koh Kong Island is the biggest island of Koh Kong’s coast. There are a number of unspoiled and less visited beaches around the island. This island visit is good for a one-day trip. The provincial capital is one of the few places in the entire province where we can find more tourists. Most folks pass through on their way to or from Thailand but due to transport limitations often they have to spend the night here. Unlike that border town to the north, Poipet, Koh Kong is a much more relaxed place with scenic beauties around .As with any border town there are the requisite mercenaries around, but no hassle around here as it was in Poipet. Having to spend a night in Koh Kong is not a bad idea
The distance between Phnom Penh to Koh Kong could cover in 6 hours with breaks at different locations. The distance is hardly 280 Kms.By the time we reached Cham Yeam the border check point in Koh Kong, it was around 5 in the evening. The big resort 7 star hotel at the extreme border stood in its majestic structure overlooking the blue ocean that spread as far as the eyes can see. Not far from the star hotel, Cambodian and Thailand National Flags were seen flying independently but struggling its way to resist the strong coastal wind. In the far horizon a faded Sun was seen half sunk in the depth of the sea. The dazzling golden water around him appeared as if it was a volcanic mountain in the middle of the sea with its lava sprung-out. The crimson ray spread over the horizon and twilight slowly enveloped the evening scene. Few shy-natured Cambodian girls peeped us by questioning telepathically who we are “Thais or Khmers” as they passed by. Nostalgic memories of my early teens attempted to whisk me back down the long forgotten memory lane in Manipur. Many evenings that have been bathed with the crimson rays had been passed by before my eyes in Manipur but never did a single thought occurred this way. Why did such a romantic mood sneak into me at this border point of Cambodia? May be a simple word to answer “When mind is free nature always takes its best role.”
Immigration officials at the border were so warm and friendly. We have crossed the border and applied for re entry visa into Thailand and soon we got it. The immigration officials in Thailand helped us to catch a mini van to further our journey to Bangkok via Pataya, the famous sea beach of Thailand. As the vehicle sped up, the silent highway gave our way towards Thailand. The sleeping mountain ranges seemed to have whispered ‘bye come back again’. In the death of the night people headed their own way to different destinations. Unlike Imphal Dimapur road or Imphal Moreh, our driver was never afraid of the gun totting element that might intervene our road to Bangkok. As we were penetrating through the silent night I could not but ponder why in Manipur things became too worse. Just beyond Motbung, the rest of the journey is purely in the hands of the God. This is all a spine chilling experience if you travel through the night. The one who is waiving Hi … by the driver widow is not there to cheer you up. If you don’t believe just open the window and just make ‘yourself’ his day. This is what happening in this tiny part of the World that we dearly called “A land belonging to Chingmi Tammi”. It is shameless robbing a stranger who passes through my corridor. On the other hand we saw hordes of departmental stores and show rooms that pressed into service till late midnight by the national highway. They seemed not to have bothered for a demand letter. They are not busy for ‘Waakat Mipham’ but used their precious time judiciously for promotion and developmental purposes only. But down here we are different creature. What is this? Are we all beasts here? When the neighboring South East Asian Countries scaled the sky, we are here just acting the ‘savage’. It is unfortunate and time calls for the godly men in the villages and city teaching the criminals the genesis of Adam and Eve with special reference to Manipur.
After a night halt at Pataya we have resumed our journey for Bangkok. The hollow Island in Pataya and people, who enjoyed life as if death would never befall on them, was a lovely site to look at.
We have reported on the Airport on the right time. The excess baggages made everybody unhappy. I have suggested them to be very cautious but the market was too tempting. Anyway we did it.
Reaching upon Kolkata, the immigration official on the desk gazed us through the thick glass lens as if we had done something wrong in the foreign countries. The customs officials kept watching us suspiciously as we passed through the green channel. Some unlucky fellow’s bags were checked but they didn’t find anything objectionable.
Back home. My daughter placed before me the bundle of newspapers with a cup of tea. Front pages contained news of ‘three killed’ and ‘four killed’. And lots more. Not a single day passed by without killing. Now the count begins how many of them killed during our absence in Manipur. How many widows stood on their mark to run the race “struggle of existence”. fromhttp://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=kshow&kid=1463
'Andaman News' program from Monday 16 February onwards & highlights 10-12 February
On Monday 16 February, we plan local news including ASEAN plus three Finance Ministers meeting to take place in Phuket; then our Special report takes you to the ‘Two island-One culture wedding’ held in Phuket on Valentine’s Day and looks at the Audio lab library for the blind at Bangkok Hospital Phuket.
On Tuesday 17 February, local news included Phuket authority ready to host ASEAN Finance Ministers; Later we had an interview at Soi Dog's Mai Khao Shelter & Clinic opened a year ago; then we looked at some sarong in Phuket.
We were NOT on air Monday 9 February, Makka Bucha Day and public holiday. We returned on Tuesday 10 February with popular specials about the Similan Islands & House made from Earth in Phang Nga;
On Wednesday 11 February we had a report about assistance for Phuket Marine Biological Centre marine animal rescues by Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation & Le Meridien Phuket Resort; plus a report on Ban Paklok villagers in Thalang.
On Thursday 12 February we had a report on Sea Gypsies unusual ceremonies in Mai Khao, Phuket; plus an interview with the Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office about the ‘2 Islands 1 Culture’ festival for Taiwanese & Thai couples, this coming Valentines Day.
We were NOT on air Friday 13 February.
From 1 April 2008 we have appeared on this website http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ Please bookmark it and stay tuned for more changes & news as they develop. Our previous website http://news.prd.go.th closed all its pages at end of May 2008, and the other previous website Thaisnews.com was closed 6 November 2007; Some special and interview videos are also put on www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews or search under www.video.google.com. Contact us for any old videos we may still have, that you may need!
Also TV Channel 11 was renamed NBT since 1 April 2008.
'Andaman News' is usually on air live most Mondays to Fridays, at 8.30-9am, in English, with the latest local Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi news, reports, interviews and weather forecasts on local NBT TV, (VHF dial, not UBC-True) ; and also with effect 1 July 2008 live on Radio Thailand FM90.5, to Phuket, Phang Nga & Krabi provinces; plus possibly repeats on Phuket Cable TV's channel 1 & their regional networks at 7pm & 1am; and on FM108 Mazz Radio in Phuket at 7pm.
The Andaman News text, photos & VDOs are usually posted on this website from about 10.00am on each day of broadcast. Most are also put on www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews . We and others can also put some interesting links to our VDOs on other websites and forums as well free of copyright as we are a public broadcaster.
To send comments, enquiries, suggestions, video contributions, advertising/sponsorship* on program, requests to lease airtime, Press Releases, & volunteers for Young Reporters or Student Interns, please email to AndamanNews@yahoo.com or send to/visit the NBT TV studio on Rang Hill in Phuket City. For urgent messages, please phone 089-1739808 (in English) 089-7231984 or 076 211555 (in Thai) or fax 076 211556.
* Also note we are willing to discuss company sponsorship of segments, programs and staff in Andaman News.
from:http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews2.php?news_id=960&news_headline=
Phuket’s Taj Exotica makes genuine start
by Phuketwan
The Taj Exotica is still planned for Phuket, despite the world economic downturn and a terrorist attack at the beautiful Taj hotel in Mumbai in November.
Hotel representatives called a meeting 11th February at the Bang Kontree Mosque community centre in Rawai to assess progress and inform interested parties about plans for the development.
As several glossy property-related magazines have noted, the Taj will probably set new standards in exclusive luxury accommodation on Phuket.
The Taj is to go on Koh Lon, an as yet undeveloped island surprisingly close to Chalong.
The 121 villas, to be set across 136 rai, could reach new record highs at a cost of $900,000 a key, according to those who have seen details of planning. That will be sumptuous accommodation.
But first, all the regular environmental impact surveys and discussions with local people have to be negotiated.
Phuketwan has visited Koh Lon many times and it´s a fascinating place. But the small island community of 80 families has been losing its young adults to the tourism industry.
So the modern pressures of earning a good income have left the island with elderly residents, and the very young. The local school has been under threat of closure for lack of students and teachers.
A resort of the right kind could be just what the island needs. It could bring back local villagers to local jobs, and reinvigorate local culture.
Wild pigs and bats are just a couple of the attractions that already make Koh Lon an ideal homestay destination, just 15 minutes away from Chalong Pier.
The villagers are friendly and keen to grow their own kind of tourist industry. Homestay suits them.
A coral reef nearby is still intact. So is the local Muslim culture, despite being so close to downtown Phuket.
Will the Taj change all that? The right resort could be a boon. But only the community can judge whether the Taj is the right resort.
In a brochure in the Thai language, handed out 11th February, the Taj management spells out its reasoning for choosing Koh Lon, and why it could work to everyone´s benefit.
Once work starts, the brochure says, building will take two years. (if you believe the breathless glossies, the Taj is about to open any minute.)
An Environmental Impact Assessment study is the first step. The brochure says Taj management is concerned to prevent landslips, waste water pollution in the sea and any other negative effects the project might have on the environment.
Major changes to the terrain are not anticipated. Waste from the construction project is to be transported to Saphan Hin, under an arrangement with the tessaban council of Phuket City.
Retaining blocks up to 2.4 metres high will prevent erosion into the sea, the brochure says. Tree-lopping will be limited and much of the area will retain its present foliage, the brochure says.
Shipping to and from Chalong will be done at high tide to avoid damage to coral, according to the brochure.
Benefits to the locals will come with jobs and more tourists to generate local income, and some of those benefits will stay on Koh Lon.
Project designers hope to be able to limit water traffic to a new pier on Koh Lon, the brochure says.
At the public meeting 11th February were representatives from Rawai tessaban Vichitt tessaban (both local councils) the Phuket Marine Biology Centre, the Royal Thai Navy, the marine transport office, leaders of the local people on Koh Lon and on Phuket, the Tourist Authority of Thailand and Taj representatives.
The firm that will make the environmental impact study was also represented.
Despite what the glossy magazines imply, no permission has been issued for construction to begin. Due process has to be followed before a timetable can be set.
About 50 people were at today´s gathering.
A representative from the Taj said that 80 percent of residents within a five-kilometre radius of the proposed project had expressed favorable opinions about it.
The result of the favorable survey has been passed to Rawai tessaban.
However, at the meeting, some local residents clearly within five kilometres of the project expressed surprise and said they knew nothing about the survey.
The Taj representatives said they would look to make the next survey more thorough and all-inclusive.
A proposal for a marina close to the Taj Exotica is being treated as a separate project. It will require its own environmental impact study.
Story reproduced with permission of Phuketwan, www.phuketwan.com.
TAT woos more visitors from Japan, Spain
TAT woos more visitors from Japan, Spain
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hopes Japanese tourists will be encouraged to return to the Kingdom following Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's recent visit to the country, and is also making a concerted effort to lure Spanish travellers.
TAT officials have been travelling to foreign shores and conducting road shows in an effort to restore confidence among international tourists, whose numbers have dropped off in the wake of the worldwide economic meltdown. The state agency began its efforts some months ago with China, and most recently has focused its efforts on Japan - long one of the country's biggest tourism revenue sources - and Spain, an emerging source of tourist dollars.
TAT governor Phornsiri Manoharn said Thai officials have met with representatives of Japanese travel companies, tourism associations and government bodies to discuss a plan to restore tourism traffic between the two countries.
The TAT apologised to Japanese travellers for the many problems that have disrupted tourism in the Kingdom, Phornsiri said, and expected the effort to pay off with a rise in arrivals from Japan within the year.
The TAT expects the Japanese market to stay above the one-million tourist level this year, keeping it among the five biggest markets.
Last year, 1.2 million Japanese visited Thailand, generated revenue of Bt42 billion, the second-largest source of foreign tourism income following the United Kingdom. The top five destinations for Japanese travellers were Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Pattaya.
Japanese tourists spend an average of 7.5 days in Thailand, and 64.1 per cent of them return to the Kingdom at some point.
Many countries are vying for a slice of the Japanese tourist pie as Tokyo is encouraging its citizens to travel abroad under the Visit World Campaign, which was launched last year and will end in 2010, Phornsiri said.
The Japan Association of Travel Agents expects more than 20 million Japanese to travel as part of the campaign this year, up from 17 million last year.
To take advantage of the campaign, the TAT is focusing on three target groups; wealthy and middle-aged tourists; families; and youth travellers.
On February 24-26, the TAT will hold the Thailand Mega Familiarisation Trip, bringing 450 international travel agents, writers and reporters to Thailand for a briefing on the tourism situation.
The event follows the TAT's participation in Feria International de Turismo 2009, a tourism trade show in Spain held earlier this month. Four Thai hotel operators and 12 travel companies participated in the show.
The agency has taken its Seven Wonders of Amazing Thailand campaign to Spain, which is emerging as a valuable market for Thai tourism.
Tourist arrivals from Spain - particularly to Phuket - are increasing due to a rise in the number of direct charter flights, Phornsiri said.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hoped that Japanese tourists would return to Thailand following a recently visiting of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva while Spain also expected to recover soon.
TAT has been taking overseas trips and joining international road shows to restore tourist confident as part of dealings with worldwide economic meltdown. Starting with China some months ago, the state run TAT now returned from Japan , where is one of the biggest market for tourism, and Spain which is one of new emerging markets.
Phornsiri Manoharn, governor of TAT said that the group has met with Japan 's representatives of travel companies, tourism associations and well as government bodies to discuss tourism rebuilding plan between the two countries.
Phornsiri said TAT has expressed apologies to Japanese over many problems and issues happened in the kingdom earlier. The move is expected to reclaim number of Japanese into Thailand this year.
TAT expected that it could maintain Japan market with more than 1 million tourists this year, remaining top five biggest markets.
Last year, 1.2 million Japanese visited Thailand and generated revenue of Bt42 billion. It was second largest tourism income from overseas fallowing United Kingdom . Top five favorite destinations for Japanese are Bangkok , Phuket, Chaing Mai Aydhya and Pattaya.
Japanese is spending average of 7.5 days in Thailand . 64.1 percent of them are repeaters.
According to Phornsiri , Japan market is one of potential markets for all countries as Japan government is encouraging its citizen to travel abroad under campaign Visit World Campaign (VWC), which start last year and will be end 2010.
Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) projected more than 20 million Japanese would join the campaign this year, up from 17 million movements last year.
To tackle the promotion, TAT will be focusing on three targets; wealthy and middle age, family and youth travelers.
The agency planned to held Thailand Mega Familiarization Trip during February24-26, 2009 to bring 450 travel agents and tourism medias and writers including Japan into Thailand to get latest up dated tourism situation.
Early this month, TAT has joint a tourism trade show, Feria International de Turismo (FITUR) 2009, hold in Spain . 4 Thai hotel operators and 12 travel companies have joint the event.
TAT has promoted its Seven Wonders of Amazing Thailand products to Spain where now became one of emerging markets for Thailand 's tourism.
Phornsiri said more tourists from Spain would come to Thailand particular Phuket Island due to more direct charter flights.
from:http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/02/16/business/business_30095770.php
VDO Special - ‘Two island-One culture wedding’ held in Phuket on Valentines Day
VDO Special - ‘Two island-One culture wedding’ held in Phuket on Valentines Day
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