Tag Archives: Thai

Loi Krathong Festival 2017

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Experiencing the Loi Krathong Festival 2017 was amazing. I did not know that the Loi Krathong festival was going to on until a Thai friend of mine called me and asked me if I was going. I responded that I didn’t know what it was. She gave me a quick overview and said that we would go later.
Loi Krathong starts off as the promise to make an offering to the river Gods. “Loi” is the Thai word for River. Your offering to the Gods is floated on the river in what is called a “Krathong”.

What Is a Krathong?

A Krathong is an 6 to 10 inch “pod” made from banana leaves and bread. They are decorated elaborately and are biodegradable. Part of the tradition was to add Thai Baht coins on the Krathong. Later it was realized that the fish were eating the coins and it was unhealthy for them. In recent years people are discouraged from adding materials that may make the fish sick.

Here is a picture of the Krathong that I bought. My neighbor had a whole table full of them in various shapes and sizes. My Krathong was made entirely out of bread. At first I didn’t think it was going to float, but it did.
My Krathong For Loi Krathong Festival 2017

Loi Krathong: A Temple Gathering

Loi Krathong creates a large gathering at the temples. At my local temple, Bang Phli Yay, the gathering of people was immense. There had to have been well over 5000 people there. Down the main entrance was a line of food vendors about a quarter of a kilometer long. Everything from potpourri to mini desserts to pictures of the King. Of which I had to buy some.
Line Of Vendors Leading To Temple Loi Krathong Festival

Make A Wish

I launched my Krathong and watched it sail down the river. What a great feeling! In a way I felt like a kid! As if all my worries and fears were on that Krathong. You can hear the excitement in my voice in this video.

The Good Luck Krathong

The next stopping point for people what is this massive Krathong. Loi Krathong Festival 2017 participants offer a clipping of hair or the fingernail. It is thought that offering in this way will bring good luck. Scissors and fingernail clippers are provided next to the Krathong. I offered up a thumbnail or two. 🙂
Large Krathong For Hair And Nail Clipping Offering

Beauty In The Buddha

I saw this image of the Buddha in the halls set up around the temple. Seeing these beautiful works of art is always a treat. You will notice more and more detail the closer you look. As a result I tend to stare at Buddha images for a long time. Call me a daydreamer 🙂
Loi Krathong Festival 2017 Buddha On River Boat

Entertainment Galore

Entertainment at Thai events is never lacking. As a matter of fact I can’t recall a single event that I have been to in Thailand that the entertainment stunk. Given that, Loi Krathong was no different. Small art displays as well as a full stage with music and dancing.

Stage At Loi Krathong Festival

Smoking Dragons

The highlight was a dragon was accompanied by a rhythmic beat of the drums and cymbals, came through the crowd. Everyone took out their cameras to get a quick video, as did I.

The dragon, breathing sparklers and smoke over everyone, even stopped to take selfies with people from the crowd.

Smoke Breathing Dragon Taking Pictures With Crowd Loi Krathong Festival 2017

In closing The Loi Krathong Festival 2017 was yet another amazing experience in Thailand. If you are in Thailand on the first full moon of November be sure to participate. Any local Temple or beside any riverbank you can float your Krathong.

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My Favorite Meals: Took Lae Dee

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Here is another one of my favorite meals: Took Lae Dee! The quick explanation is they are a 24 hour restaurant INSIDE of a grocery store. That means they have NEVER been out of ANYTHING! Wow!!

Took Lae Dee means “Cheap and Good” in Thai. They hold true to that statement. They have an extensive menu with a mixture of foods from around the world. Anything from Papaya Salad to bacon, chances are Took Lae Dee has something to satisfy you.

My Go To … The American Breakfast

My “Go To” is the American Breakfast. Two eggs, two toast slices, coffee, juice with your choice of bacon, ham or sausage. All that for 79 Baht! I end up getting a double order every time I go. Because I eat so much the waitress normally looks at me funny. Because…you know…’Merca…

Breakfast At Took Lae Dee Restaurant FoodLand Thailand

So it’s Cheap … but is it Good?

For an American style breakfast in Thailand, it’s not bad at all. The bacon is actually some of the best I’ve had here. It holds more true to American style bacon than the ham slices restaurants normally call bacon. Definitely better quality bacon than Dennys or IHOP.

The jelly is good quality too. They have Strawberry, Grape and Orange Marmalade jellies that they bring out in small dishes. I’m not sure if the jelly at Took Law Dee is homemade but it is definitely fresh.

Nice silverware too! Budget restaurants usually have cheap silverware that bends easily. Not at Took Lae Dee! I’ve been to some fancier restaurants that have the same quality silverware. The silverware is such good quality they put their name on every piece. Haha!! Restaurant pilfering is prohibited!

Silverware At Took Lae Dee Name Stamped On Handles

There is a large bar between the kitchen and the Dining room. You can sit at the bar if you like but I usually opt for a table. It is cool to watch them cook your food right there. Sometimes you get to see the huge flames fly up from the sizzling woks … pretty exciting 🙂

When you are finished eating you pay at the front. There is a cash register at the end of the large bar. Tipping is optional, as always. Took Lae Dee puts out a box to encourage tipping though.

The best part about Took Lae Dee is not that it’s cheap or good. The best part is it is surrounded by Foodland and several other vendors at Foodland you are surrounded by all kinds of fresh pastries, all kinds of cooking needs and even the Thai lottery. All things combined it is always a fun trip to Took Lae Dee.

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Hospital Visits And Medical Treatment In Thailand

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Having access to medical care in Thailand it’s not a problem. One of my concern was how would I get medical treatment should I need it. Lucky for you I have had the Hospital Visits And Medical Treatment In Thailand experience already. I’ll outline here how easy it is to get great quality medical treatment in Thailand.

Welcome To Thailand … Try Our Medical Care

After arriving in Thailand I came down with an ear infection. After trying a couple of rounds of amoxicillin pills from the pharmacist I was ready to see a doctor. It was a Saturday night when I decided to go to the hospital. Having a good friend here in Thailand, I was able to get a ride to Thai Nakarin Hospital. Thai Nakarin Hospital is quite large and they have an international section. Depending on what language you speak you get a liaison to lead you through the hospital and filling out any needed paperwork. Thai Nakarin hospital is split up into different divisions. After you meet with the liaison for in processing they will then take you to the correct division of the hospital for you.

A Hospital With Specialists!

Each of the divisions of Thai Nakarin Hospital contains specialists for that field of medicine. There are no “General Practitioners”. In my case I went to the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat specialists. When you get to the division of the hospital a team of medical staff will take your vitals. Once they have your blood pressure temperature weight etc. you sit down and wait for the Doctor. Depending on time of day you may wait longer. In my case the wait was only 15 minutes.

The Doctor Speaks English

Once I got into the doctors office I was relieved to learn that he spoke English. After greeting me he checked my ears and make the diagnosis of an ear infection. He took the time to explain to me how to take care of the issue and wrote me a proper prescription. I booked a follow up appointment for two weeks after my initial visit to the hospital.

To The Pharmacy, Another Division Of Thai Nakarin Hospital

When the examination was complete I was then able to make my way to the pharmacy. Thai Nakarin Hospital has a pharmacy right there on site just steps away from the hospital divisions. When you arrive at the pharmacy they automatically know what prescriptions to get for you. Once they have the prescriptions you pay for your doctors visit. In my case the doctors visit cost ฿2100 Baht.

Follow Up Visit

When I came back for my follow up visit two weeks later it was much of the same expedient, pretty well organized service. In Thailand you do not get a set appointment time you get an appointment range. In my case I was able to arrive anytime between 1 PM and 7 PM on Saturday afternoon. I got to the hospital at approximately 3 PM and my wait was only 10 to 15 minutes. The doctor quickly check my ears again and gave me instructions on continuing self-care. He also wrote me an extra prescription to have on hand in case I started experiencing problems in the future. I made my way to the pharmacy and cashier. This time for the prescription it was ฿1252 Baht. You have to admit that’s not too bad for a doctors visit!

Thai Nakarin Hospital Food Is No Joke

Making my way out of the hospital I noticed a delicious looking croissant sandwich go by. I decided I couldn’t hold back and went searching for the source. There was this great little booth there with a wide variety of sandwiches cakes and coffee’s. I did get the croissant sandwich along with the delicious slice of cake. Not only a great hospital visit but a lovely lunch as well.

5 Things To Expect At A Thai Hospital

So in short the top five things that you can expect from visiting a Thai hospital.
1.) If you are in the city chances are if the hospital will have a translator.
2.) Inner city Thai hospitals have divisions of specialists rather than general practitioners.
3.) Thai hospitals have prescription counters located in the hospital.
4.) Thai hospitals in the city have much of the same modern equipment that you find in the United States.
5.) Chances are you’ll find a delicious lunch!

If you take away nothing else from this article and video know that you will have outstanding hospital visits and medical treatment in Thailand. For some the medical care here in Thailand will be better than you receive in America. Rejoice and retire easy!

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Getting Prescription Glasses In Thailand

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Moving to Thailand came with many considerations. One of them being getting prescription glasses in Thailand. This is what prompted me to make this blog post about where and how to get prescription glasses in Thailand.

For me, not having my glasses is not an option. I wouldn’t say that I’m legally blind without my glasses, but everything is definitely very very fuzzy. The lenses in my glasses are also very thick at the outside edges. Without the new modern lightweight style lenses in my glasses tend to be very heavy on my nose as well. If you wear corrective glasses then you to understand that I have a pair of glasses weighing on your nose all day can sometimes lead to breathing problems and even headaches.

Glasses Pre Or Post Move To Thailand?

Realizing that I needed glasses pretty quickly I shopped around for new glasses in the United States before I left for Thailand. As I shopped around to different optometrists I realize that even with my insurance glasses were still going to be a few hundred dollars. Knowing that I could use that few extra hundred dollars other places with the upcoming move to Thailand I opted to take a gamble and try and get new glasses when I arrived. I am happy that I did take that risk. Buying glasses in Thailand turned out to be much more cost-effective. To get an ultra light weight frame along with lightweight prescription lenses was 2500 baht. That equates to about $75 US.

No Brand Needed

While these frames are not a designer name brand, they are just as high quality as any glasses that I have purchased in the past with designer labels. If you are reading this I’m assuming that you wear vision corrective glasses and you know full well of the grossly overpriced designer frames that you find it at any optometrist. As people who wear glasses we all understand that it only takes maybe two dollars worth of material to manufacture eyeglass frames. The question is where does all the rest of that profit go? But that is another topic entirely.

An Optometrist In A Market?!

Turns out there was an optometrist in a local market by my house. In his little stall he has all of the same state of the art equipment that you would find at any optometrist in the United States. The tiny booth boasts about 400 different styles of eyeglass frames. Included in the 2500 Baht price is the eye exam. All of the testing is done right there on site to gather your correct prescription. Once the optometrist has your prescription he then fits the glasses right there on the spot. He marks the correct location of your pupil to ensure that the prescription lenses will be installed properly. Once he has all of the measurements complete he then sends the frames that you chose to the lab. There is a 24 hour turnaround time to have your lenses fully installed. The next evening you can go back to the market and pick up your glasses. Upon pickup the optometrist checks the measurements one last time and does some additional test to be sure that the prescription is correct.

So Now You See …

In closing I have to say that I am impressed. The same service I have been paying hundreds of dollars for in America is available at a local market in Thailand. At a fraction of the price!! All of the same equipment and care was used in making my prescription glasses. The quality of the frames is better than I expected especially with them being lightweight. this is just one more reason why you shouldn’t fear packing up your stuff and moving to Thailand.

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Songkran Roughly Explained

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Let’s talk about Songkran.
In Thailand there is a holiday called Songkran. Songkran is the nationwide celebration of the changing seasons from rainy to dry in Thailand. YouTube depicts Songkran in one kind of light the reality of Songkran is completely different. As you travel away from central Bangkok to the suburbs you’ll find people laughing and spraying water at people passing by.
What is the main attraction to Songkran?
Thai people are already generally laid-back and happy but when they are on a holiday they are an absolute riot! If you are planning on traveling to Thailand between April 10 and April 20 roughly and planning on doing regular tourist stuff you may be disappointed. Many of the local attractions close so that type people can go and celebrate the Songkran holiday which last three days. This year, 2017, Songkran will be on April 13, 14th and 15th however because the holiday falls on a weekend it will be held over till the following Monday extending the holiday to April 18. During this time many shops and tourist attractions might be closed or have a limited staff available. Good thing for me though because I like to party with the locals! 150191709

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