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A journey through Isaan’s historical sites
The “Grand Staircase” to the main stupa at
Phanom Rung,
near Khorat, showing clearly the Khmer architectural style.
George Scudder
Chiang Mai - Recently, the realization dawned that, after 13
years in Thailand, I had only a peripheral acquaintance with the eastern
side of the Kingdom, better known as the Isaan region. To remedy the
situation without further delay, I scrounged around for my maps, fired
up the computer, did the required Google searches, ran out and bought a
used Lonely Planet Thailand guide book, and, thus well armed, was ready
to plot this Vasco da Gama journey through the world of Isaan.
First, though, I must give credit to a fellow Chiang Mai expat, Bernard
Davis, who had told me that this was “really a very nice trip”. He was
to be proved right, in spades! With many hours at the computer, much
research on tourist sites and local hotels, and an attempted foray to
find some restaurant suggestions, (the latter of which proved to be most
elusive), we were ready to begin our journey.
We left Chiang Mai on a Monday morning, on a route that would take us
through Uttaradit, and on to Phitsanulok, for our first overnight stay.
Just outside of Uttaradit, we encountered Wat Denchai, home of a
29-metre image of the reclining Buddha, in serene repose in front of the
impressive Wat.
Leaving Wat Denchai we headed to Phitsanulok, and, more specifically,
Wat Phra Si Ratana Mahathat, the home of the Chinnarat Buddha. This
bronze image is considered to be second in importance only to the
Emerald Buddha in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew. Cast in the late Sukhothai
style, the image’s flammiform halo becomes dragon serpent (naga) heads
either side of the image’s body.
After sightseeing in and around the Wat, and its environs, we began the
next leg of our journey, heading to Khon Kaen, where we had planned to
stay the night. The drive, 376 kilometres, through the loveliest scenery
of the trip thus far, took a total time of about 6 hours, including gas,
bathroom and refreshment breaks, mainly because of the mountainous
winding roads.
After a good night’s rest, we departed Khon Kaen and moved on to the
city of Korat. As you get near this historical area, there are many
ruins to visit. The first major area you encounter is Phimai Historical
Park. One could make this a whole day’s excursion by itself, and thus we
could not do it justice. However, we did cover a lot of ground, and if
one has already visited the superb ruins at Angkor Wat, it helps one to
speed through this site.
After leaving Phimai, we stopped at other ruins, most of them less than
impressive, and decided to head for the next pit stop, the Dusit
Princess Hotel in Korat, where we had planned to stay for two nights.
Our next treat was a day trip to a wonderful site, Phanom Rung, where we
soon became aware of a feeling of spirituality that was really
enthralling. One could literally feel the peace of the Lord Buddha here,
and the Khmer influence of the sculptures and architecture was easily
recognised.
We decided next day to make a loop off of Highway 24, along what seemed
to be a short circuitous route to the Khao Angkhan Temple. On the map,
it looked easy and close; however, this was definitely not the case! But
at the end of the day, it was clearly worth the effort and time.
Although this complex was erected in 1982, and is a modern stylization
of the Khmer style of architecture, it is worth the trip. Not easy to
find, but really worth the effort.
After spending some time at Wat Khao Angkhan, we continued on the loop
and worked our way over to Prasat Meuang Tam, another site in what I
call the “Phanom Rung loop”. This ancient Wat dates to the 10th century,
was “sponsored” by King Jayavarman V, and is reputedly, and I would say
I agree, considered to be the third most interesting temple complex,
after Phanom Rung and Phimai.
On leaving Meung Tam, our planned visits were over, but, candidly, there
were many sites we missed because of the lack of available time. Our
last night was spent in Si Saket, gathering strength for the arduous
journey home.
Certainly, our first trip to Isaan was one of discovery and enjoyment,
and definitely needs to be repeated some day soon. There are some truly
amazing photo opportunities to be found at these historical sites, and
you are also left with a sense of wonder at these special places.
Clearly, this is an area of Thailand that one could spend serious time
exploring in order to truly appreciate the essence of these sites, and
to clearly understand and feel their magnificence and ancient heritage.
Island twins - Skål clubs of
Bahrain and Samui join forces
Picture shows HE Jihad Bin Hassan Bukamal
(Minister of Information of the Kingdom of Bahrain), Khun Seni
Puwasetthawon (President TAKS - Tourism Association Koh Samui), Horst
Hornung (President Skål Int. Koh Samui) and Mohamed Buzizi (President
Skål Int. Bahrain), in the company of Executives of the Information
Ministry Bahrain and Skål Bahrain Board members during the twinning
ceremony.
Skål International Kingdom of Bahrain and Skål International Koh Samui
sealed a twinning agreement, in an official signing ceremony in Bahrain
on 27 August, 2008.
The official twinning certificates were signed at the office of HE Jihad
Bin Hassan Bukamal, the Minister of Information of the Kingdom of
Bahrain, who graciously presided over the ceremony.
During the 1 hour audience with the Minister of Information, various
options were discussed about how to develop the new partnership in order
to maximize business contacts on both sides and to finalize future
activities. Co-operation will be centered on the opportunities to
enhance tourism between the two destinations, with the objective of both
islands benefiting with increased visitor arrivals.
Commenting on the twinning, Skål Intl President of Koh Samui, Horst
Hornung said, “The Samui delegation were extremely pleased and impressed
with the warm welcome, the relaxed ambiance & attitude of Bahrain as a
destination and the overwhelming hospitality, provided by the Regency
Intercontinental, the Bahrain Gulf Hotel and Skål International
Bahrain.”
He added, “The Bahrain - Samui Skål connection certainly stands for an
interesting new partnership with good potential and value in the arena
of tourism and international communication, based on the friendly spirit
of Skål International, the largest travel & tourism organization in the
world. Our emphasis is on friendship and doing business amongst friends.
A perfect fit for our two clubs.”
Thailand set to lose Bt.70 billion
tourism revenue if unrest drags on
Thailand could lose as much as Bt.70 billion in tourism revenue from foreign
visitors if the political unrest in the country continues into the fourth
quarter of 2008, according to a report issued by the Kasikorn Research Center.
The report said violent demonstrations had already eroded safety confidence
among foreign tourists wishing to travel to Thailand and there are signs that
the country could lose about Bt35 billion in total from foreign tourist spending
if the political turmoil ends this month.
If the unrest continues into the last quarter of 2008 however, the country is
expected to lose at least Bt70 billion in revenue, it said.
Of the total projected lost income, about Bt20 billion would come from hotel and
resort cancellations, Bt18 billion from a downturn in business for souvenir,
jewellery and handicraft stores, and Bt32 billion from food and entertainment,
it said.
The kingdom earns about Bt.600 billion annually from foreign tourists staying in
the country. (TNA)
Poll: Majority of foreign tourists still prefer to revisit Thailand
Despite ongoing political turbulence in Thailand, as many as 97 per cent of
foreign investors and tourists visiting the kingdom said they would revisit this
country again if the opportunity arose, according to a poll conducted earlier
last week.
Noppadol Kannikar, director of Assumption University’s ABAC Poll, said the
survey, conducted Sept 2-5 among 532 foreign investors and tourists, found that
98.9 per cent of the respondents said they would also tell their relatives and
friends to visit Thailand.
A total of 88.7 per cent of respondents expressed positive comments even after
learning of the recent clashes between pro- and anti-government demonstrators
and the State of Emergency imposed in Bangkok, said Noppadol.
However, 23.8 per cent of total respondents admitted their journeys were
inconvenienced due to the suspension of domestic airlines and railway services
as a result of work stoppage by employees. Some 11.6 per cent were forced to
change their travel plans.
The gross happiness index of foreigners residing in Thailand, however, improved
marginally to 8.06 in the latest survey from the 8.02 registered earlier.
(TNA)
Webcam pictures On Google Earth
 Travelers
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Earth to view pictures from panoramio.com, articles from Wikipedia or videos
from YouTube. Now, Webcams.travel makes it possible to see what destinations all
over the world really look like at this moment. Webcams.travel makes this
possible by providing access to thousands of webcam pictures via its Webcam
Community now accessible in 24 languages. Do you want to visit world famous
places like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the spectacular Matterhorn
in Switzerland and nice beaches in the Caribbean and see what they look like
right now? You can easily do that with Webcams.travel and Google Earth by
visiting: www.webcams.travel/google-earth/
Webcams.travel is a second-generation webcam portal based on map solutions
provided by Google Maps and Google Earth. Users can rate and comment on webcams
or add the most interesting webcams to their personal favorites list. Currently,
approximately 6,000 of the world’s most beautiful and fantastic places are
available via webcams that are physically located all over the world yet
connected and available in one place, the Webcam Community.
Webcam owners can add their webcam to www.webcams.travel for free and place it
at the right location on the map. The subscribed webcam may be available on
Google Earth and Google Maps a very short time later.
On today’s crowded Internet, webcams are a very powerful online marketing tool.
Travelers increasingly use webcams to find, evaluate and settle their plans.
(eTN)
Thai government backs aviation expansion amid tension
Although the government under Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is currently
struggling against defiant protesters, it still continues efforts to secure
Thailand’s air transport future. The government a week ago made two decisions
regarding Thai Airways and Suvarnabhumi airport.
The Ministry of Transport is looking now to get a favorable response from the
National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) for the acquisition of 65
new aircraft for Thai Airways that will be delivered over a ten-year period.
The investment is worth US$ 11.75 billion and will help Thai Airways to cut its
fuel consumption thanks to more efficient aircraft. The investment program
foresees the integration of 16 long-haul aircraft with a capacity of 350 to 500
passengers, 29 aircraft for mid-and long-haul purposes with a capacity of
250-300 aircraft and another 20 short-haul aircraft for 150 to 250 passengers.
In parallel, Thai Airways would retire some 47 aircraft.
Thai Airways is likely to purchase rather than lease the new aircraft in a bid
to lower its cost, The Nation newspaper reported.
Thailand’s Ministry of Transport is also likely to give its blessing to a US$2.3
billion budget for the expansion of Suvarnabhumi airport’s second phase. It
would include a midfield satellite as well as a third runway. The airport would
then be able to grow its capacity to over 60 millions passengers per year.
However, with growth projections running between 4.5 percent and 6.5 percent per
year, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi would rapidly run again at capacity limits.
Once approved, the airport would start expansion work by the end of 2009 for a
possible completion in 2012.
Meanwhile, Airports of Thailand, the country’s main airport operator, also
announced it is to study the introduction of a relief package for airlines
severely affected by the hike in fuel prices. The package might translate into
reduced fees perceived on airport services and/or landing charges. Airlines
would be able to save up to 15 percent of their current costs at Bangkok
airports. (eTN)
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