Leaving the bar stool ...

[KhunLA]

If taking a break along the Gulf of Thailand, looking at, instead of playing in, may be a safer experience.  This is locally, PKK municipality, 100 kms south of Hua Hin, 170 kms north of Thung Wua Laen beach, Chumphon.

 

BE SAFE

 

 

[KhunLA]

 

[KhunLA]

Why we go O&A during rainy season, as you can actually enjoy the landscape, from a nice perch.

 

Popped down to Chumphon, about 3 hrs south, for couple nights, for some different munchies & scenery. The view from Thamsing cafe.

 

Munchies ... success, a nice Lamb Massaman

Scenery .... not so much

 

Yesterday's snap of vs one taken in November, pulled off Gmaps. Smog season if full swing there. Not so bad at home. Usually better south of us.

 

 

 

[PomPolo]

Since moving out to Sakhon Nakhon I am frequenting the bars a lot less these days also 🙂

If you live in the Udon Thani or Sakhon Nakhon area and haven't been I highly recommend this one - See Stars and Forest - Sawang Daen Ding.

It is a beautiful hotel resort with a centre piece of an Airbus cafe, top class restaurants, plenty of onsite activities for adults and kids.

5* top class and inexpensive in comparison of similar quality hotels near the resorts.

A hidden gem in the North East - we love it!

See Stars and Forest - Sawang Daen Ding

https://www.facebook.com/seesstarsandforest/

[KhunLA]

 

[KhunLA]

 

[KhunLA]

 

[Harrisfan]

Udon Thani has great restaurants. Most drongos here sit in the bars though.

[KhunLA]

 

[Hummin]

On 2/16/2025 at 9:53 PM, KhunLA said:

 

Been to Gordon Ramsey pub/eatery there. That was actually quite good. 

[KhunLA]

2 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Been to Gordon Ramsey pub/eatery there. That was actually quite good. 

No ... did stroll by it though.

 

Was just there for the Napalai Terrace and view of river & city at night.   Quite nice.  Did get a pastry from Starbucks, washed down with water 

 

The Sook area (what was the floating market) sure has changed.   Food food & more food   Like the original layout, as more scenic.

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6vWvFg9zweehDKf96

[KhunLA]

On 2/19/2025 at 6:42 PM, Hummin said:

Been to Gordon Ramsey pub/eatery there. That was actually quite good. 

Took my brother & sis to Natura Café.  Really nice, and very good food.  

Can download menu here: 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XICiq994XhMIjt0i5n8L5hDaTQRnbSqZ

 

Lovely grounds and very photogenic.  About 9 kms SW of ICONSIAM, and well worth the visit.  Had a very nice Chicken Massaman, as out of the Beef Massaman that I wanted 😭

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Natura+Café/@13.6913804,100.4670246,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x30e299d8f0580af3:0xe71a36dc6dbb47f6!8m2!3d13.6913804!4d100.4670246!16s%2Fg%2F11fpghw5x2?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDIxOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

Arrived here to stay permanently in 2016 and the first two or three years were spent doing road trips up north or down south.

Wife is a bit of a Buddha nut so get to see more temples than i would if single but still impressed by the workmanship and beauty of some of them.

This January revisited the Chiang Mai/Rai attractions taking the two teenage lead weights with us this time, along with the aforementioned places also did Golden Triangle, Lampang and this wonderful view point 

 

 

Chae Hom, situated in between Chiang Mai, Phayao and Lampang.

 

Prefer mountains and views to beach breaks but occasionally visit Hua Hin and PKK for Ao Manao and the weekend market.

 

Living in Ayutthaya have obviously done the historical city ruins many times but still enjoy the night markets that are held annually with the backlit ruins creating a beautiful atmosphere.

 

Ayutthaya could be considered dull with neither mountains nor beaches but is an ideal location for going north or south with Kanchanaburi and Pattaya also within easy reach. Have ventured into Isaan visiting some friends and a great hot and sticky time at the candle festival. For a long time a trip to Roi Et has been mentioned to visit the oldest bil in his well established life as a monk, would be interesting but the drive is a bit daunting with only a stop off at Nakhon Ratchasima to break the journey. I tend to think of Isaan as a place for retirees to tend their farms rather than a tourist destination !.

 

Out and abouts are still plentiful and our favourite go to spot is 30 km up the 32 highway. With good eating and a marvellous walk through market full of Thai snacks and delicacies to have a little relax and feed some fish.

Attracts a lot of visitors as the old fella can be seen from the highway but you can always find a seat to sit and enjoy the peaceful view while regretting having that third soup !!

 

 

 With the oldest at Uni and the youngest at college but close to a term working down south will be time to do another road trip, just the little lady and me.

Liked exploring the pebbly coves around Chumporn with a stop off at PKK or HH to dip our toes sounds like bliss. Or Nan could be a new place to explore ?

 

As for the bar stool scene, for me that is reserved for when i visit my old drinking/working buddies back in the U.K. every one or two years. Here my alcohol intake is the very occasional Jack Soda once in a while.

But as bar stooling (?) is a predominantly nocturnal pastime I don’t see why both activities, stooling and O & A’s, couldn’t be done ??

Some guys like the bar scene day and night and good for them, Thailand is a place with many options and we are all here for varying reasons so make the best of your time on this planet, it doesn’t last forever !!

 

 

[KhunLA]

@Andrew Dwyer  Nice

 

As stated somewhere, will be heading North, up to Golden Triangle ourselves, after the rains start.  Been 15 yrs since there, and always during smog season, so looking forward to that.

[Andrew Dwyer]

20 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

@Andrew Dwyer  Nice

 

As stated somewhere, will be heading North, up to Golden Triangle ourselves, after the rains start.  Been 15 yrs since there, and always during smog season, so looking forward to that.

Yeah, we did Golden Triangle back in 2016 and, as i said, this was a return trip mainly for the teenagers to experience.

Not too much at GT, more of a “ been there done that “ moment imho.

Chiang Rai with the compulsory White Temple and Wat Huay Pla Kang is worth a visit.

 

 

Visited Singha Park for the first time which was okay, kids liked it driving round in the golf cart ( especially as I gave them both a turn at driving !) but just some selfie opportunities and would have been more worth it if on a weekend when the balloons were there.

 

Visited a sheep farm called Australia which is new and quite small ( just a small hill really ) but cheap enough and some really cute Alpacas ( + a kid needing a haircut ! ).

 

Kinda like the hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai night markets for a couple of nights but up north is done now and will be seeking alternative destinations for next time.

[KhunLA]

3 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Yeah, we did Golden Triangle back in 2016 and, as i said, this was a return trip mainly for the teenagers to experience.

Not too much at GT, more of a “ been there done that “ moment imho.

Chiang Rai with the compulsory White Temple and Wat Huay Pla Kang is worth a visit.

 

 

Visited Singha Park for the first time which was okay, kids liked it driving round in the golf cart ( especially as I gave them both a turn at driving !) but just some selfie opportunities and would have been more worth it if on a weekend when the balloons were there.

 

Visited a sheep farm called Australia which is new and quite small ( just a small hill really ) but cheap enough and some really cute Alpacas ( + a kid needing a haircut ! ).

 

Kinda like the hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai night markets for a couple of nights but up north is done now and will be seeking alternative destinations for next time.

Yea, same with GT, been there, don't that, nothing really new to see, I think.   Last time there, 2009, didn't do the slow ride, journey more important than destination, like we do now.

 

Seen the White Wat, want to peek at the Blue one.  Brother was there last week, and some nice snaps or.  Hit some nice viewpoint guesthouses along the way.  Saw a 'Micky Stotch' YT vid that peeked my interest for a revisit to the area.   Did CM a few times during covid & last year.

 

Passed up on CR when doing Nan area, so will peek at CR again soon.   Don't like being away from the house for more than 10-14 days, so will just be slow ride up to & back CR and GT.  Least time along the border towns.  Though haven't done much research yet.

[KhunLA]

On 2/16/2025 at 9:53 PM, KhunLA said:

 

 

After Krung Thep, an overnight pit stop at Samut Songkhram after a Chiro visit, then Kanchanaburi, to chill a bit, before some more chillin' at Kaeng Krachan.

 

 

On 2/19/2025 at 6:38 PM, KhunLA said:

 

 

Taking the scenic route, after a munch & shopping at Hua Hin.  Hit a nice surfside place at Sam Roi Yot for sweet tooth fix & coffee.