Thai Photo Blogs by Richard Barrow

One of the better preserved traditional markets in Thailand can be found in Suphanburi Province. It is called Sam Chuk 100 Year Market and it still has its original wooden shophouses that date back to the reign of King Rama V. In those days it was a bustling market alongside the Tha Chin River. This was a main thoroughfare between the north and Bangkok. However, with the building of roads both the importance of the market and the number of customers dwindled. Fortunately, the local people decided to work together to revive the market.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon. It started on 23rd January and will end on 9th February 2013. This year you are sure to see quite a few different kinds of dragons that will be used as good luck symbols. This giant dragon can be found at Sawan Park in Nakhon Sawon.

Bang Pai In Royal Palace can be found along the Chao Phraya River in a district of the same name between Bangkok and Ayutthaya City. The original complex dates back to the 17th Century, but most of the buildings that we can see today were built by King Chulalongkorn between 1872 and 1889. Although much of this area was badly hit by floods in 2011, the palace itself was never flooded.

The famous Golden Mermaid can be found at Samila Beach not far from Songkhla. The Golden Mermaid is a character from Phra Aphai Mani, a popular book in Thai literature by Sunthon Phu. In this folk tale, a mermaid sat and combed her hair on a beautiful beach on a stary night. A young fisherman met and frightened her and she fled into the sea. The fisherman waited for her but she disappeared forever.

One of the most beautiful clock towers that I have seen in Thailand is this one that can be found in Chiang Rai. It was built by renowned artist Chalermchai Kositpipap who also created the White Temple. Every evening at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. there is a light and sound display at the clock.

For people living and working in Bangkok, the nearest place to enjoy a sunset over the Gulf of Thailand is in Bang Pu in Samut Prakan Province. At this time of the year you can see thousands of migratory birds. A pier here is popular with local people in the evening when they come to feed the seagulls between the months of November and March. There is also a restaurant at the end of the pier where you can eat seafood and watch the setting sun.

If you have ever been to Chiang Rai then you have probably visited the White Temple. But have you ever visited a place which is the complete opposite? Literally! This collection of interesting buildings is at a place called Baan Dam or Black House in English. It is the work of National Artist Thawan Duchanee. The grounds include nearly 40 small black houses made of wood, glass, concrete, bricks or terracotta in various unique styles and design. Inside them are his collections of paintings, sculptures, animal bones, skins, horns and silver and gold items from around the world.