The dark secret of elephant tourism
The land of smiles is no doubt a heaven for unsuspecting tourists who yearn for an inexpensive retreat. In this digital age, who wouldn’t want to document their novelty experience of riding an elephant? After all, you’d think elephants in Thailand lived in luxury, being the sacred national symbol. However, many fail to realize that domestic elephants aren’t as revered as they were thought to be in Thailand. In reality, these majestic animals are reduced to livestock – no different from cattle. They are exploited to serve as cash cows and used to fuel the tourism trade. Our trip to Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand enlightened us on what captive elephants experience and their road to sanctuary.
This lucrative industry thrives on the ignorance of tourists; many of whom are oblivious to the horrors captive elephants are forced to endure. Unfortunately, in the eyes of the trainers, these sentient beings are only viewed as a vehicle to rake in the big bucks. In order make a killing, trainers will force captive wild elephants to go through a process called the Phajaan.
The Phajaan refers to the brutal process of controlling an elephant by shattering both their spirit and their will to live. These elephants are tortured relentlessly, beaten into submission and manipulated until they can no longer be of use to their trainers. It only stops when the elephants surrender their freedom by always remaining meek and submissive to their handlers
The barbaric process begins when calves are forcefully taken from their herd. Any adult elephants that try to defend their little ones would be killed. After witnessing the deaths of their loved ones, the captive calves are often tethered in tiny pens, beaten into submission and starved until they are too weak to resist. At times, food will be placed right in front of them and every time a calf reaches its trunk out, a punishment will follow. Trainers will then employ a variety of torture instruments including sticks, bull hooks, electric devices, clubs and even sleep deprivation. The torture does not stop there. These calves will then be abused in their most sensitive areas, bringing excruciating pain to the calves’ head, mouth, ears and shoulders. This unimaginable abuse can last for days or even months until the elephant dissociates into an empty shell; surrendering to their abusers. Not all calves who undergo this cruel treatment come out alive because those who fail to yield are tortured beyond the capacity of physical tolerance. When an elephant has given up on all hope, they will let out a distinct cry and only then will the trainers know that the elephant has “broken”.
At the final stage of the Phajaan,  an elephant handler, also known as the mahout, is the very first person to give the captive elephants adequate food and water.  Mahouts do not participate in the torture of the animals and would only appear after an elephant has been “broken”. The elephants are once again emotionally manipulated to believe that the worst is over and this act of “kindness” from the mahout will lead the calves to think of them as their saviors. These highly intelligent mammals may have been “broken”, but it’s still in their nature to thrive on social bonds, often turning to their Mahouts as their “trusted connection”.
While most Mahouts seek to only exploit these animals, there are some mahouts who genuinely love and treat their elephants as family.
Mahouts often conceal the ugly truth of their activities; fooling the public with the picture-perfect portraits of an elephant family. Little do tourists know that the calves are not actually born in captivity, living alongside their mothers but rather intentionally placed with surrogate mothers as their biological mothers have not survived till this stage. These elephants are then forced to carry out unnatural, demeaning tricks like painting, circus acts and giving rides to tourists. When female elephants are of age, they will then be forced to breed specifically for the tourist industry. The moment male elephants become too frail to entertain the public, their meat is sold and their tusks are used for ivory trade. The detrimental effects of such practices form emotional and physical scars embedded in their memories forever.
Our trip to  Wildlife Friends Foundation (WFFT) taught us valuable life lessons we wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. We would like to thank Lily and Tess, as well as WFFT’s staff and volunteers for devoting their time to give these animals a brighter future. During our time at WFFT, we were honoured to meet Pai Lin, as well as Pin’s family and will always keep their stories in our hearts.
Pai Lin’s StoryÂ
Pai Lin was rescued from a trekking camp 10 years ago in 2007 and she is the oldest elephant in WFFT. Can you guess her age? This charming lady is actually  67 years old! Pai Lin has undergone the Phajaan and she feels much more comfortable with humans than with her own kind, which is uncharacteristic of wild elephants. She does not know how to socialize with other elephants mainly due to her dark past in trekking camps (whenever an elephant tries to interact with another, they would be punished severely). Thus, whenever she encounters other elephants, Pai Lin will usually run  from them to avoid  any interaction.
 Pai Lin’s body was also riddled with scars from the abuse she had sustained over the years.
- Her leathery skin shows signs of  depigmentation around her eyes, nose, ears and shoulders. Elephants aren’t allowed to dust themselves in captivity even though they need it as a natural sun repellent because tourists would rather ride on a clean elephant. Thus she was forced to endure searing sun burns and skin damage.
- Her flaccid ear was shredded badly, by a bull hook used by her previous owner.
- Pai Lin was also missing a toe which was most likely detached by electrocution or a sharp tool.
- There was a deep indentation in her spine. Although elephants may look tough,  they cannot withstand the weight of a single person as their spine would begin to cave in due to the pressure on their backs. In trekking camps, up to 2 to 6 people ride them each time as their trainers are always eager to  make the most money out of every opportunity. This causes them excruciating pain that they will not be allowed to show.
Hearing her story is one thing but seeing Pai Lin in real life – it really resonated with us how strong she is to be able to survive all these years of torment.
Little Pin and her FamilyÂ
The biggest herd in WFFT is Little Pin’s warm family. Together with Pun(her biological mother) and her 2 adopted aunties La Ong Dao and Keaw Petch it’s playtime everyday for this jolly calf. Pin is about 2 and half years old and has been here for 2 years ever since she came in with her mum. La Ong Dao is the matriarch of the herd and while she may not be related to Pin, her strong maternal affection radiates whenever the baby is near her. Close by is Keaw Petch, another one of Pin’s adopted aunts who came from the same trekking camp as La Ong Dao. Pin’s mum, Pun, was unfortunately found in a trekking camp where she was used as a breeding elephant. 2 babies, prior to Pin were taken from Pun and sold into the  entertainment industry.
Elephants are animals with very strong maternal instincts and they thrive on social ties. For a mother to lose her calves and to be aware of the nightmare they would soon  have to go through when they were taken from her would cause any mother to be devastated.
Pun’s aberrant bobbing motion suggests a sign of psychosis. Having lost 2 babies and having undergone the phajaan, the trauma she had experienced takes a lasting effect on her. At times, Pun will lift one of her legs while swaying back and forth. This stereotypical behaviour is not normal in wild elephants and it may have originated form the social isolation and painful past she was forced to endure in her younger days.
Thankfully, they are all leading much better lives now. The new enclosure for Pin’s herd was completed in February and that means that the herd will have more access to the open lake and forested patches. No doubt, her aunties and mum will help Pin in her developing growth, showing her the ropes on how to live life to the fullest.
   Photo Gallery
What can you do to help?
- Support movements that create awareness for the conservation and protection of habitats and wildlife
- Make a visit to a wildlife reserve to learn more about these amazing animals.
- Refrain from feeding street elephants and going on elephant rides
- Do not support any initiatives that promote elephant exploitation.
                       Happy International Elephant Day!Â
   12.8.2017
Macaron Recipe
Need a quick pick me up on a dull day? Macarons are delectable treats that will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth!
Do you know the difference between a macaron and macaroon? Macarons are meringue based pastries while macaroons are actually coconut based. If you wish to find out how to bake macarons, we have a video down below.
What you’ll need
100g Icing sugar
100g Ground almonds
2 Egg whites
A pinch of salt
150g of Unsalted butter
75g of Icing sugar
Any flavouring of your choice(for the filling)
These pastries are really sweet so don’t forget to drink more water!
International Tiger Day
In celebration of International Tiger Day, we’ve created an artwork using tea leaves, salt and pepper. With less than 3200 tigers left in the wild, these magnificent animals are disappearing fast due to extensive poaching and the loss of natural habitats.
Pangolin Artwork using Pistachio shells
Pangolins are the most heavily trafficked mammals around the world. Peculiar isn’t it? With an armoured shell resembling dragon scales, you’d think pangolins were formidable creatures.Â
Their keratin scales, an evolutionary marvel to combat predatory advances stand defenceless against mankind. Marketed as a be-all and end-all of Chinese Medicine, pangolin scales have no medicinal value and yet remains as a target to fuel baseless beliefs. While pangolin meat is consumed as bush meat in Africa, this holds contrary in China and Vietnam where pangolin meat is considered a delicacy. These shy solitary animals are poached extensively in Asia and Africa, with a pangolin death occurring every 5 minutes.
Picture a room with  10 people. What are the chances of someone in that room not knowing what a Giant Panda is? The odds are pretty low, now try asking if anyone hasn’t seen images or heard of the pangolin. Perhaps because the panda appears to be furry, cuddly and possess a mellow demeanour but despite efforts to rescue pangolins, the public still knows little about the scaly creature.
Inspired by the versatility of the pistachio shells, from diy projects to generating bio gas and bio-oil, it sets us thinking about what goes into the trash bin. Thus, we decided to recycle them!
Ghost Nets of The Ocean
Mankind has stopped at nothing to pillage what Mother Earth has to offer. Unfortunately, human greed has an insatiable appetite for marine life. From over consumption of Blue Fin Tuna to Marine Turtles, Asia alone consumes two-thirds of the global fish catch. It’s also a known fact that Singapore is one of the largest consumers of shark fins. We speak of ocean conservation but in this bourgeois society, who would have time for such matters?
The truth is … we never really value what we have until it’s gone. More often than not, we take things for granted because we always think that the consequences would only take effect after our time.
We constantly find ourselves ruminating on the negativity  human influence has on the environment. Perhaps, we should adopt a more positive approach to the subject. Speaking of which, there is an ongoing exhibition in the Asian Civilizations Museum: Ghost Nets of The Ocean where ocean waste is recycled by indigenous and non-indigenous artists from Erub Arts on Darnley Island, Torres Strait, Australia to get their message across.
Through the use of woven sculptures made from ocean waste such as abandoned fish nets and plastics, artists from Erub Island aim to raise awareness for ocean conservation. The sea also holds the key to the livelihood of people around the world and this green project elucidates the bond people share with the ocean.
Over 700 million people depend on fishing as their bread and butter in response to the increasing human population and its demand for seafood. The higher demand would give rise to bigger nets in order to reap more profits. However, not all marine life caught are the intentional catch of the day. Bycatch occurs because nets also confine everything larger than the net mesh. When this happens, the more marine animals attempt to free themselves, the more entangled they will be in the traps.
16 June may commemorate World Sea Turtle Day but are you aware that every year, the incidental capture of sea turtles can go up to 47 million? Sea turtles are also at risk when they find ghost nets or plastics drifting in the ocean as such materials can often be mistaken for food. Whenever a sea turtle is entangled in a ghost net , they become more vulnerable to predators due to the impaired physical mobility it imposes.
In order to reduce this phenomenon, fishermen have modified their fishing gear to ensure that fewer non-targeted species are caught. This way, bycatch mortalities would be significantly reduced. These modifications are also often economical and easy to implement making it a sustainable solution across many countries. As a collective community, beach clean-ups are also carried out to reduce litter that may be hazardous to marine life. It may take a long time to turn things around but every little effort that goes into ocean conservation counts!
Ever wondered where our seafood comes from?
Can you guess where our latest impromptu escapade led us to?
Last Saturday, while the rest of Singapore fell into a deep slumber, we went to our usual haunt for supper. Greedy as we were, we overate and knew for sure we would not be able to fall back to sleep. That’s when a crazy idea popped into our minds. Why don’t we travel to Jurong to find out where fishmongers get the catch of the day?
We questioned our spontaneity as we hopped into the cab at 1 AM. What were we doing at such an ungodly hour, you might ask. Well, we wanted to see for ourselves how Jurong Fishery Port operates!
Nowadays, we are so accustomed to buying our weekly groceries from supermarkets we have no idea where the food we purchase really comes from. Maybe it’s time to step out of our comfort zone, by recognizing the efforts put into food production and reducing food wastage. After all, you’re sure to learn a thing or two by observing how the seafood supply chain operates. Don’t take our word for it, go see it for yourself!
*Do note that you can head up the stairs to the overhead connector for a panoramic view of the wet market. Remember to bring your Identification Card as you will need it for entry into the port. Make sure to head down between 1 AM to 3:30 AM as most of the activity takes place during those hours. Lastly, do wear proper footwear as the floor can be slippery!*
Till next time!
Mango Sticky Rice
Mango Sticky Rice or ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง, is one of Thailand’s traditional desserts. The sweet glutinous rice, accompanied with refreshing mangoes, is the perfect boost on a hot day!
Craving for it? Why not make it yourself?
Have you ever wondered how salt is produced?
Do you know where salt  comes from? Salt is often taken for granted because we view it as a cheap commodity in our lives. It is a seasoning that is so readily available we can get it from any supermarket.
You’ve probably seen pictures of salt cones in newspapers or perhaps National Geographic articles but do you know where salt comes from? Surprisingly, not many people do!
Procuring salt is a long and arduous proposition, heavily dependent on the location. As you may have guessed, one of the methods employed to obtain salt is by the evaporation sea water. That’s why we were headed for Huahin! Known for it’s fancy beaches and laid-back lifestyle, Huahin is the place to go if you desire a seaside escapade. Not to mention, it’s beaches provide salt farmers with the opportunity to extract this essential mineral from large water bodies.
How to get there
The car ride from Bangkok to Hua Hin takes about 3 hours but fret not! There are food establishments along the highway and plenty of restrooms so your bladder does not have to withstand the test of time. Alternatively,  there is an option of taking a  4 to 5 hour train ride from Hua Lamphong railway station in Bangkok to Hua Hin railway station.
For this trip, we booked a cab with  the Hua Hin Cab company and we were rather impressed with their services as they were patient when responding to our concerns. Our initial fears included having a driver who was not well versed in the English language because this could escalate to serious miscommunication as we certainly could not speak in their native tongue. Thankfully, we were assured that their drivers were able to converse in basic English, ridding us of the fear that we would be stranded in a foreign land. For those wondering, the cost of commute from Bangkok to Hua Hin would be 1900 THB where each pit stop at an attraction would cost an additional 300 THB.Â
In order to beat the traffic, we requested to be picked up in the wee hours of the morning. Can you guess what time it was? 5 AM! That’s the price you have to pay if you want to catch the sunrise. We did have some trouble waking up because it was just way too early. Driven to exhaustion, we constantly dozed off in the cab. Looking back, it was no easy feat either for Mr Peter,  our driver.
We did however rediscover the allure of Bangkok’s streets. We were mesmerized by the glow from the streetlamps, the empty pathways-revealing its worn down crevices and the rare tranquility of the bustling city.
Salt Pan
*Please note that visits to salt pans are not open to the public. Our lovely driver spoke to the salt farmer and interceded on our behalf for entry into the salt pan. If you’re planning to venture into the salt farms, make sure you’re ready for your shoes to get dirty!*
Many thanks to Mr Peter and the salt farmer!
Mr Peter
Salt farmer
The fairy floss skies mirrored against their reflections made waking up early worth it. By the time we reached the salt farms, it was close to 6.10AM. You could easily spend hours gazing at the passing birds and immerse in the tranquility of it all.
The best time to visit the salt pans would be the dry season, which runs from the month of March through June. The salt farmers control pipes that pump in saltwater filling the salt pans; and with careful monitoring, the salt water is left to evaporate revealing salt crystals.Â
These salt farms are separated into primary and secondary basins. The first saltern acts as the concentrating pond from which seawater is pumped into. As for the secondary basin, it is too concentrated and salty to support any wildlife. That’s where the salt is crystallized into tiny cubes. We actually found a dead crustacean in the middle of a salt pan and we’re guessing it couldn’t survive living in such briny waters.
It could take days for the water to evaporate naturally  from the vast salt pans. While I didn’t get to see workers raking salt into little piles, I was rewarded with the sunrise emerging from the fluffy clouds. You don’t always get to see such breathtaking ombré hues everywhere you go!
Do you know that regular table salt is mined from salt deposits that are present in the rocky under layers of the Earth’s surface? These salt deposits are what’s left of old waterways that have dried up. The rock salt could be extracted using dynamites or hydraulic mining where copious amounts of water is pumped below the Earth’s surface to dissolve the salt and pumped back up to be evaporated. Salt that has been extracted via dynamites tend to retain their mineral content and are not free from impurities. On the other hand, salt produced from hydraulic mining is purified and striped of its minerals and contaminants and treated with anti-caking substances and iodine. While this method is more economical and yields higher returns, it is said that sea salt is superior in taste.
A quick walk along the rows of soil revealed lots of finds.
We were also informed that the green shrubbery nestled alongside the salt pans were edible and tasted delectable in soups. However, the red ones were deemed as poisonous. It’s amazing that these plants are able to survive in such conditions despite the salinity of the water being so high!
The minerals present in sea salt adds to the flavor and color of the salt just like how the Himalayan sea salt is pink rather than white. Although sea salt seems to be a better flavor enhancer than table salt, it does come at a heftier price tag so I would still stick to the table salt as the nutritional value is pretty much the same. However, if you do want to give it a go and happen to have enough luggage space, why not buy a bag of salt to try for yourself? Â
Thanks for reading this entry…till next time!
24 hours in Bangkok
Our recent trip to Bangkok was definitely an eye-opener. From eating bugs in Chatuchak Market to taking  a Muay Thai class and finally calling it a day at Talad Neon at 12AM, it was a non-stop journey we would never forget!
Warning:super lengthy post up ahead!
Taking a Muay Thai Class
Muay Thai or the “Art of Eight Limbs” is often perceived as one of Thailand’s most distinctive martial arts form. The 8 limbs-or strikes were thought to have originated from the Sukhothai Era: spanning from the 12th century – 14th century.
People usually dismiss Muay Thai as a savage and ruthless sport as movies often depict bloody scenes and broken bones. The art form – just like any other concept, should not be deemed cancerous for it relies entirely on the purpose in which it is used for. In our opinion, Muay Thai is a humble sport that requires years of hard work from fighters to build strength and tenacity.
Did you know that even in Thailand, professional fighters may find it difficult to survive? Muay Thai may be their bread and butter but the income generated isn’t substantial. Many Muay Thai practitioners start training before they are even 8 years of age, competing amongst many like themselves. Some even go through grueling training in gyms away from their families in hopes of winning prize money by working their way to the top.
What were you doing at that age? It really puts everything into perspective doesn’t it?
We visited Mankong Phranai Muay Thai, located at:
0120 23/1 ซà¸à¸¢ สาธร 1 Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
It’s a popular Muay Thai training ground for aficionados and amateurs alike. We came to know of this Muay Thai gym online while searching for things to do in Bangkok and took to Facebook messenger to contact the staff at the gym. Luxurious holidays may be amazing but you don’t learn much if you always stay within your comfort zone.
Getting there should have been as simple as snapping your fingers but we took 15 mins to find it because we didn’t know our way around the meandering streets. Originally, we had no idea what to expect and were a little intimidated. We had tried a Muay Thai class back in our home country so we thought we were going to be just fine. However, the level of intensity in Thailand was unlike any other. There was already a group of people training when we arrived and they all looked like seasoned fighters. While the training grounds were a little smaller than what we anticipated, it was very welcoming and clean. Bangkok is notorious for it’s relentless weather and thankfully there were fans to facilitate ventilation. Without further ado, let us share our experience at the gym!
After introducing ourselves, we were instructed to complete a 10 minute jump rope workout followed by 10 rounds of continuous sprints. As we were only used to jumping rope in short spurs, we were greatly challenged. The usual 3 minute jump rope session dragged on to 10 and it felt like an eternity of torture. Trust me, when you’re that tired your mind starts to wonder why you even started in the first place 😄 By the end of the warm up we were so exhausted we couldn’t believe it was just the beginning.
However, the fun had just begun when our instructors helped us with our hand wraps. They wound the hand wraps taut, after securing the thumb in place, they went round the knuckles. The purpose of the hand wraps is to protect against serious injury to the knuckles and prevent chaffing between the skin and the boxing gloves. Even though the instructors knew basic English, there was a bit of a language barrier and at times, we were unable to make out what the instructors were saying. Where language fails to convey a message, body gestures take over. They never once got frustrated when we did not understand what they were saying and they resorted to demonstrating the routine; given that English wasn’t their first language, we deeply appreciated their patience and effort.
We started off using the punching bags, delivering side kicks, launching uppercuts and elbow jabs. It was non-stop cardio and each cardio session lasted for a minute. At times, we were  paired up with others – one person on each side of the punching bag and we were instructed to punch the bag continuously with full force. At first, it may seem like good fun but after the  first 2 cardio sessions our minds started to blank out and we eyed the clock; eager for the session to end. When you engage in such an activity, do expect to get bruises and muscle aches. After all, if you aren’t overwhelmed by fatigue or your body isn’t riddled with black and blue spots, you aren’t pushing yourself hard enough.
Some useful tips :
- Your feet have to be a little wider than your shoulder width. This is to ensure that you have the right balance when you strike a punch or kick your opponent.
- When you form a fist, make sure the top of your wrist and fist is  in a straight line. If you direct your fist in the wrong angle the risk of  sustaining injuries will be higher.
- When delivering a punch, keep your toes pointed toward your opponent. (I made the mistake of having my feet to the side) Try to keep your back heel elevated. This will help you to have better focus and to deliver a stronger blow.
- As you strike a blow, make sure your whole body moves forward and that your shoulders align with your wrist in one swift motion.
- Try to bend your knees a little so as to allow for slag when receiving blows.
As you can see, the instructors demonstrated how to throw a proper side jab and stressed the importance of the intensity in each blow. Being aware of your technique and stamina was extremely crucial. Each round lasts for 3 minutes during an actual fight and an instant of delayed reaction could very well cost you your life. That being said, we wish we could say we nailed it but that was hardly the case. We were really drained from all that activity causing our punches and energy levels to stagger. Each time we slowed down, the instructors encouraged us to press on. We had to keep reminding ourselves that persistence was the key to success and oh, boy. It wasn’t easy. When our punches went from hypnotic drum beats to soft  “plops” on the pads, our instructors knew it was time for a break.
Some useful tips:
- When you launch a side kick, your whole torso has to turn and go with the flow. It must also be above the hip level (aim for your opponent’s ribs)
- The arm on the same side in which you use your leg to kick has to withdraw so as not to get in the way.
- When kicking, allow your body to be limp, build up momentum and straighten your leg at the last moment (It should look like a 90° angle.)
- Your shin and hamstrings are going to ache but it will be worth it.
Each water break lasted for approximately 5 minutes where we could rest at the seats alongside the arena. Refreshments and energy drinks were also available and I’m convinced that one of the best feelings in the world would be taking the first swig of a  cold isotonic drink while overlooking the other fighters.
All in all, even though the training session was very strenuous, we really enjoyed ourselves and would encourage you to take up a Muay Thai class no matter which country you are currently residing  in. After all, what matters most is seeing that your hard work pays off when you slowly improve in technique and skill after each training session😉
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Chatuchak is a must-visit for every tourist in Thailand. The sheer size of the market made us wonder if we could really complete it in such a short amount of time. Just think of an outdoor mega mall where you can shop till you drop!
There’s so much to see in Chatuchak it’s hard to condense all that into one blog entry. We decided to provide you with a photo gallery because a picture speaks a thousand words. We took close to 500 photos in total and what you see here is only a fraction of what Chatuchak has to offer.
Click on each picture to find out more!
Welcome to our Chatuchak entry !
A shop selling aroma oils. Did you know your olfactory system is hugely responsible for emotions and act as memory triggers?
Glass hermit crabs!Aren’t they cute?
Wall decals.
They look like eggs from afar but they are actually mochis.
In Chatuchak, they don’t use regular mannequins.We found this in a character shop selling themed and cartoon shirts.
It was pretty crowded the day we went.
For the aesthetics~
ANYFRIDAY is a popular drink store.
Dystopian zombie apocalypse building.
Iron-ons!
I have no idea if that is real or not but it did seem pretty realistic.
Channeling the good vibes~
Power source
These horses were made out of wood and they were at least 2 meters in height.
Other glass figurines.
Character pants!
There are fairy lights everywhere.
This cloud looks like a dragon, doesn’t it?
Alligator skins.We weren’t allowed to take photos so we had to do so discreetly.
I think that’s supposed to be ET but it kind of looks like a sloth tbh.
Western influence?
…If you don’t see it at first , look closer.
A legitimate crocodile head. We had to take this photo discreetly too.
Colourful parasol for shade.
Beautiful sunset.
ET with a peanut brand.
They sell grilled baby octopodes too!
For all animal skin shops we weren’t allowed to take photos.That’s an actual stuffed crocodile.
Ice cream!
ANYFRIDAY once again.I loved their designs and the multi-coloured aesthetics but didn’t really like their drinks though.
Pencil boxes at a super cheap price!
I don’t know what’s that but it was steam punk and it looked cool.
Cool ice cream flavours huh?
…
There are toilets there in case you should need one.
More western influence.
There was a shop which sold plants too !
So cute and original huh?I wouldn’t want it to chase me in my nightmares though.
Beautiful marine glass figurines
Shops start to close at sunset.If you love the nightlife, there will be pubs open.
Pretty, isn’t it?
An albino skinned alligator
Like something out of a fairytale.
Looking to decorate your room?
They sell wind chimes too
Hand made book covers.
I think those are deer antlers.
Pretty shop.
These sculptures were actually very tall and they were all made of wood.
Illegalwildlie trade has been banned in Chatuchak.
Cheap cheap.Come buy.
Power source.
There are many entrances to Chatuchak.This is one of them
Cute designs for pouches!
…
Beautiful lights.
Remember to hydrate!
Grilled squids.
Cute.
Another cute one.
Plants.
Cheap cheap.Come buy.
An overhead bridge.
There was a luxury shop selling all sorts of things and they even sold taxidermy !Cool yet creepy.
That’s a snake.
A fox.
A lion?!
Parrots.
I think that’s a crane.
If you’re a foodie like us, you’ll absolutely adore this food mania!
We were thrilled because the food were affordable and pleasing to the palate. If you are going for a healthier option, there are plenty of stalls selling fruits and refreshing juices. If you have to watch what you eat due to religious reasons, be sure to make an inquiry before you buy it!
We actually expected to buy bags of clothes but we ended up spending all our money on food; stopping every few stalls to try what they had to offer. What you see here is about 1/4 of what we actually bought in total. If you’re headed for Chatuchak, it would be advisable to wear a cap to shield yourself from the sweltering heat.
ANYFRIDAY-a popular flavoured drink store where you can choose the designs of the bag you take your drink in.Ours was Baymax!
Sugared jam bun.
Chocolate coated yam ice cream!
Pork bites!
Watermelon drink.
Mango sticky rice!
Yes, we ate bugs.
Close up of the cricket.
Second round of ice cream!
The coconut was so huge we had some problems holding it because it was bulky and heavy.
Coconut ice cream!You can choose your own toppings too!
We didn’t edit this photo at all .We took it against the sky which was super clear without any clouds at all.
Thai milk tea!
Pad thai in a restaurant.
Last but not least, after hovering around the stall for 5 minutes,we finally plucked up the courage to try bugs. The funny thing is that we find creepy crawlies repulsive and we would never have imagined eating them.
There are times in your life where you have to tell yourself to “JUST DO IT.” This is one of them! That’s because the more you think, the worse it becomes and your fear grows.
We wanted to persuade the vendor to sell us 2 bugs but he laughed at us and said they were sold by the bag. Eventually, we settled on getting a few of each bug species as opposed to a whole bag of just one bug. We didn’t ask what they were because we felt that it was better not to know. Ignorance sure is bliss!
It all boils down to the moment when you can finally compose yourself. Just toss the bug in your mouth and start chewing! Wash it down with beer if you must. I started off with this larvae looking bug and surprisingly, it didn’t taste as bad as I thought it would be. Of course, it all depends on the individual’s comfort levels.
Personally, I would advise first timers to start off with the larvae looking bugs as they taste like savoury chips. I know it sounds really weird and some of you may still be really grossed out, but once you’ve tried one, the aversion dissipates. The larvae tasted like salty burnt mushroom chips.
I didn’t really enjoy the cricket/grasshopper and beetle. I can’t really tell what they are because they had been roasted and they were of various hues of brown. They had a sharp minty taste but they tasted a little nutty. I guess that’s because for the 2 species, they were cooked with less flavouring, thus preserving their original taste. It was definitely an experience we would try again!
Erawan Museum
There’s just something about stained glasses that lures me in like a bug to the light. I Â just knew I had to pay a visit to Erawan Musuem. The intricacies of the structure was enough to put me in a reverie; from the carvings of the pillars to the stairways and walls, the amount of detail was breathtaking. There is still a price discrimination on tourists and I was originally a little daunted by the high admission price of 400 THB. Â I was prepared for disappointment because I felt that the museum was a little out of the way and thought that it was just another overrated tourist attraction. Much to my surprise, this museum was a manifestation of religious plurality unlike any other. After venturing into the museum, it’s safe to say that the experience did exceed my expectations and I would definitely go back one day.
Keep this with you as you’ll need it to enter the museum after you’re done changing.
Mythological Elephant .
Get your tickets here!The prcie of 400THB includes the rental of an audio guide with a deposit of 1000THB.
An enchanted garden surrounds the brick red Erawan Museum and you can easily spend 2 hours there. They feature sculptures of celestial beings and even mermaid elephants! Based on the Buddhist belief, Erawan Museum represents 3 realms of existence-the underworld, the human realm and the celestial realm. In addition, the winding staircases in the human realm were embellished with ornate fragments of porcelain bits. Please be reminded not to take pictures of the Buddha sculptures encased in glass in the celestial realm! Visitors may also be directed to a changing room where free robes are provided for visitors that may not be appropriately dressed.
Click on the images to expand it!
It’s no doubt that the museum is a beautiful place to introspect with educational information of religious fusion. With Hindu, Christian and Buddhist influences; in a world where humans sew discord due to their differences, this museum reunites them in religious harmony.
TALAD NEON DOWNTOWN NIGHT MARKET
Talad Neon is the newest night market in Bangkok and we felt that some late night shopping and supper would be good to end off the night. This hipster night market caters to the younger generation, providing visitors with Instagrammable backgrounds and live music performances. Talad Neon also offers carnival games so you can try your hand at winning prizes!
Click on the pictures below to expand it !
Friendly vendor
Character chocolates!
Just like any other night market, Talad Neon sells food, clothes, bags and accessories too. There are seats around the entire market so visitors can rest their weary legs. It’s hard to get lost in this market because it’s just so organized! As Talad Neon is operated by the younger generation, there was no language barrier because they could speak English. That’s one obstacle gone! I would say that the food standard there was relatively good and worth the price.As you can see from the pictures, the vendors were willing to take photos.They were very friendly and took the time to explain their products to us.
Even at this market, we preferred to eat rather than buy products and we landed ourselves in a chocolate store.It wasn’t just any ordinary chocolate store, it sold themed chocolates at a super cheap price!From marvel icons, to DC superheroes and Japanese Sanrio characters,they provided a whole variety of sweet treats.If you’re a sweet tooth like us, you know which booth to go to😉
Having experienced Chatuchak, while Talad Neon is lacking a little in activity as compared to other night markets, it does have a promising future.
Our trip to Bangkok reminded us that you don’t need pricey materialistic possessions to be happy because when all is said and done,
Coletesze 