Thailand The Johnsons

I was went to Palm Square, Kata Town in Phuket, you will love this place for two reasons, not only for the excellent food they serve but the amount of brilliant graffiti artwork in and around this huge complex called; Palm Square, and this got me excited for two reasons, I love good Thai food and I love great graffiti work so, I was definitely looking forward to seeing Palm Square in Kata Town and let me warn you there is going to be a overload of graffiti artwork in this post so, I hope you love brilliant graffiti artwork because here you will see some of the best graffiti artists work.

I have broken it down into 3 parts this is Part 1, 2 and three are to follow to be sure to hit the like and follow button so you can be notified when they come out in the next few days!

The Palm Square complex was at one point a abandoned building until a Thai group bought it out, and the builders and graffiti artist got very creative and today a large part of this complex has been completely restored and turned into a very famous restaurant which is called the Palm Square Restaurant. It is well known by the local, expats and many tourists and they Makes for a good place to stop and admire the work.

On the top floor you feel like your working on a tropical island underwater scenes give this feeling, with the graffiti artwork around you, some of the window openings, in the back of the room have been closed up with bricks because the views were not great, they were just looking over people's roofs so they have been replaced with more aesthetically stunning Artwork. Making it look like your looking out at the ocean, how brilliant! and giving you that relaxed chilled out feeling of Island Life.

It really was like walking through a art gallery, I loved this graffiti, also showing the old and the existing culture of Thailand, just looking at these paintings gives you a view into the culture , Old and new.

Part 2 will focus on the street wall that runs across the road from Palm square. Stay tuned!

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Titles: Find Your Way by Nana Kwab

Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya stands as the most elaborate example of Srivijaya influence remaining in Thailand today. Built around an eye-catching Javanese-style chedi, the site is thought to have been established when Chaiya was an important regional centre of the Srivijaya kingdom around the eighth century CE. Today the chedi features on the Surat Thani provincial symbol and is mimicked by the provincial capital’s City Pillar shrine.

Many scholars believe that the Srivijaya’s linguistic legacy can still be heard in the Old Malay derived languages spoken in modern Indonesia and Malaysia. Srivijaya subjects also may have been the first to introduce Buddhism to what’s now Thailand and Cambodia, though their Mahayana-dominated form would eventually lose out to Theravada Buddhism from Burma and Sri Lanka. The chedi at Wat Phra Borommathat is one of a handful of ancient Srivijayan monuments that can still be seen in the Chaiya area, with two others found at nearby Wat Kaeo and Wat Long.

First constructed out of brick and vegetable mortar some 1,200 years ago, the chedi was twice restored in the early 20th century. Some alterations were made, including the addition of Thai artistic elements, but the original shape was largely preserved. Those who have explored ancient Javanese temple sites will notice a strong resemblance to the sanctuaries of Prambanan and others. Rising from a square base, its five patterned tiers include shelves, niches and points leading up to a lotus and topped by a slender spire. Buddhist relics are said to be enshrined inside.

Surrounding the chedi on all four sides are ceramic-roofed cloisters filled with Buddha images of various shapes and sizes. Near a Bodhi tree on the other side of the cloisters, a trio of sandstone Ayutthaya-era Buddha images in the Subduing Mara posture sit side by side, exposed to the elements. Local lore claims that these images prefer to be outside, evidenced by a lightning strike on a building they were once placed in.

The temple grounds also include a medium-size ordination hall which, surprising given the importance of the temple, has no murals and only a small collection of typical-looking Buddha images. Stroll to the temple’s northern section and you’ll find a cluster of attractive old wooden buildings that appear to hail from around a century ago.

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Spirit of Fire by Jesse Gallagher

During my recent visit to Bangkok, just after Songkran, I made sure not to miss this colourful canal walk between Chinatown and Rattanakosin

If you know me, you must be aware of my fascination for colorful and fascinating street art. I love to visit places that are noted for their vibrant graffiti and murals. And I am always up for arty experiences. Trust me, it is a lot of fun when you turn around the corner and find a beautiful piece of art.

Every artwork has a different story to tell, which is what makes this street unique. If you too enjoy stumbling on random art in nooks and crannies of different cities, this street will leave you mesmerized for sure. I had a great time clicking pictures of the countless murals, made by some of Thailand’s best street artists. And if you are looking for photo-ops, this is the place to find some!

Huahin Railway Station
Some photos from my recent visit to Huahin Railway Station, felt like I was back home in the UK, in Leatherhead where I used to live and where there is a very similar railway station to this, or is it the other way round? without the grand royal pavilion of course!

A remnant of bygone times, the picturesque Hua Hin train station is one of the stops on the route from Bangkok to the South. The station is located in the center of town, in walking distance from attractions as the night market and the main beach.

Its main attraction is the Royal Waiting Room which was used by Thai Royals when they visited the seaside summer Palace. Pictured on postcards and t-shirts, the building is one of Hua Hin’s most recognizable landmarks.

A visit to Hua Hin railway station feels like a step back in time. The station is one of the oldest in Thailand and one of the few still in its original state.

The main building in Victorian style dates back to the mid 1920’s.
Old style light bulbs between the tracks are carried by mythological birds.
On the other side of the tracks stands an antique steam locomotive.

A little away from the main building stands the Royal Waiting Room, a beautiful teak wood building in bright yellowish and red colors.

Originally part of Sanam Chandra Palace in Nakhon Pathom province, the building was moved to Hua Hin to be used as the Royal Waiting Room.

The very well preserved building was once used by members of the Thai Royal Family when they visited the seaside Maruekhathaiyawan Palace. King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) built the teak wooden palace as a seaside summer retreat in 1923.

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Title:Orient by SefChol

Pran Buri Forest Park Walk
In this video you will see some of the mangroves but mostly the local colourful Crab population that has been allowed to thrive here.
Some were easy to see and some not so easy.......
Founded in 1982 under the majesty of Queen Sirikit, Pranburi Forest Park is located 25 km. south of Hua Hin and encompasses over 3.17 sq. km. of protected land. The park is known for its vast and dense forests of mangroves and twisty trails that lead visitors to all corners of the park. With its pristine views and natural beauty, Pranburi Park is the perfect escape from some of the urban centres in southern Thailand.

The nature reserve is an excellent day excursion from the Hua Hin area (and best of all, it’s practically free). Not only will you be surrounded by the tranquil and majestic scenery, but you’ll also get to see an abundant array of flora and wildlife, many of which are exclusive to Thailand.

The forest floor in the mangroves is covered by muddy sediments formed by the tides, densely covered by horizontally grown tree roots above and below the ground. This muddy habitat is an ideal place for crabs, mudskippers and shrimps. During the low tides, many crabs and mudskippers can be seen from the boardwalk.