Thailand Holiday 29 November to 5 December 2024

 It took me a couple of days to unwind after I came back from holiday trip.

My family went to Northern Thailand – Lala Mukha Tented Resort @ Khao Yai on 29 November to 1 December. This is the first time that I have travelled North of Bangkok. Previously we visited Bangkok and Phuket in the South.

 Khao Yai Province

Book a taxi for the 3 days trip in Khao Yai. From Bangkok airport to Khao Yai is about more than 3 hours drive (?)

Taxi set-off from after arriving @Bangkok airport

We stayed at Lala Mukah Tents Resort in Khao Yai. The temperature is very cooling at about 15 to 20+degree C.

Cycling in the resort

A bridge that bring us from the lobby to the tent sites.

The resort has various tent sizes. I counted more than 20 of these tents. There is also a double-storey hut.

Dinner at a restaurant along the main road near the resort.

On Saturday, 30 November, we went to Dong Phayayen Forest

Waterfall at the forest

Behind us is a steep cliff. A military's soldier is stationed there to ensure safety

We went to Primo Pizza for lunch. Beside the restaurant, the place has also a farm with Alpaca's, sheep, goats. 

On Sunday, 1st December, we went to the Jim Thompson Farm, Khao Yai.

Reflection: Life is like a driving journey

"When you face obstacles, opponents and obstructions in your pursuits in life, what is your reaction?"

These thoughts flash through my mind as we travel on our journey in the taxi to Jim Thompson Farm, Khao Yai on the 1^st December 2024 morning. I was sitting next to the driver and has the privilege of watching everything that is happening in front of me, including how the driver navigates and behave while driving.

It was more than one and a half hour of ride. On many occasions, we passed through narrow roads with a single lane on both sides divided by a single line on the middle. These roads are often tattered with big pot-holes which can damage cars when driving through them. Sometimes, there are steps and uneven roads. Slowing down is quite common in such a situation. That’s when my mind was triggered as I asked: “Why did the driver keeps slowing down when there are no cars in front of him?” Then I started to observe and focus on the journey. Sometimes, the driver had to drive on the opposite lane just to bypass the potholes and look out for in-coming cars. Thankfully, most in-coming cars slowed down and didn’t even horn at him. There is this mutual understanding of giving ways to each other in difficult road terrains. Along the stretch of road, it is common to have a slow-going truck or three-wheels motorbikes loaded with fruit; vegetable and produces driving along side the shoulder lane and blocking your way. Drivers tend to be understanding and slow down for them, carefully overtaking them when safety is not compromised. Throughout the journey, I have not heard of any drivers horning.

In many senses, life is like that. Some people are loaded with burden, and they may cut into your path that seem to irritate you. Do I slow down for them with grace and understanding or do I horn and flare up at them? Potholes and uneven grounds are like storms in our life – COVID; retrenchment; economic downturns; sickness; etc. These things do happen to everyone and anyone. We just have to slow down or pause, navigate with care and not give up on life. There is no need to feel depressed or shaken with such events. Someone may need my helps when they drive over into my lane. I need to slow down to help them pass by before carrying on my journey of life. Life is about helping one another navigate through this fallen world with “potholes, obstacles” and natural disasters.

God seem to be speaking to me as we journey towards Thompson Farm. The hours spent on the road was not wasted. But surprise! When we reach Jim Thompson Farm, we found out that it was closed for tourists.

We then went to Rai Maneesorn to see the Sun flower Field. 

In the late afternoon, we visited the Chocolate Factory

On the left side of the chocolate factory, steps leading to the restaurant

Toys, shoes and handbags make of Chocolates

We visited the restaurant in the Chocolate factory. Business was good but the prices are high and we decided to go the restaurants near our resort.

Mukdahan

Map showing Mukdahan (left) in Thailand with the Mekong River (blue trace) and Laos on the right.

On 2 December, we checked out of Lala Mukha and travel by road to Mukdahan, a town which is at the border of Thailand and Laos, separated by the Mekong River. We visited our in-laws and stayed at their home. 

Catholic Church – Our Lady of the Martyrs of Thailand Shrine

The Martyrs took place during the Second World War.

 The church is open to visitors and has Services on Sunday.

On Wednesday, we visited a few places and also the Phu Pha Thoep National Park.

Picture with my wife and in-laws

On the last day, we took a taxi to Ubon Ratcbathani Domestic Airport to return to Bangkok International Airport by Air Asia. The drive from Mukbahan to the Airport was about two and a half hour. I was trying to figure out where Ubon Ratcbathani is. Google map below shows the location.

Thailand has many scenic areas that had not visited. With my son-in-laws showing us the beauty of Thailand, we manage to go further North. Mukdahan is a very quiet and peaceful town. Nobody smoke in public and the town is very much like the Singapore in the 60's.