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Travel Tips
1) Respect the Monarchy. This seems very obvious but it cannot be emphasized enough. The King of Thailand is revered by all citizens. An offense against the members of the royal family is considered as an assault n the monarchy. When the King or National Anthem is played you are expected to stand and be silent. Do not step on coins or paper money as all have the image of the King on them. 2) Respect the Temples, Buddha Images and the Monks. In fact, respect all religious buildings, including Christian, Jewish and Islam. You should not pose for pictures directly in front of a Buddha statue. Make sure to take off your shoes before entering a temple.
Women do not touch a Buddhist Monk. It is appropriate to ask to take a picture of a Monk before you take it. 3) Do not talk loud or get angry. When bargaining with merchants, it is much more effective if you keep a smile and do not raise your voice. Do not say insulting things about the merchandise and do not become defensive. Keep your heart calm. This is known as "chai jen" and will get you the best deals and help you out of most tense situations. If you become angry or irritated you will just alienate those that can and will help you the most.
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Comments, questions, additional information , and suggestions on articles in this newsletter may be posted on the Facebook page for Hand Held Trips to Thailand.
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Tours The prices for all tours are pretty much all inclusive. This means that from the time you are picked up at the airport until the time you are returned to the airport for transfer home, everything is included in the price you have paid for the tour. Things included are: 1) Accommodations in air conditioned rooms unless specifically mentioned in the daily itinerary such as the Flotel. 2) Meals included are stipulated in the daily itinerary, but as a minimum include all breakfasts. Some tours include all meals. 3) All in country transportation is included. This means all flights, boats, buses, trains, elephant, horse carriage, samlows, ox carts, etc. that are mentioned in the itinerary are included. 4) Entrance fees to all sites and venues are included. 5) Tips to Thai guides and drivers are paid. What are you responsible for? 1) International flight to and from Bangkok. 2) Drinks other than coffee or tea at meals. 3) Tips to bell hops. 4) Your own travel/medical insurance. 5) Laundry and personal expenses. 6) Meals other than those stipulated in the daily itinerary. |
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Prices
2012 Tour 1 (Jan. 8-21)
$3427.00 per person
2012 Tour 2 (Jan.29-Feb. 12)
$4088.00 per person
2012 Tour 3 (Late June-early July) Itinerary and price not yet set.
2012 Tour 4 ( November)
Christmas shopping tour Itinerary and price not yet set.
2012 Tour 5 (December)
Relaxing tour itinerary and price not yet set.
Prices are in United States dollars per person in half twin rooms. Single supplements vary and are printed on the web site. Please contact Lee@H2t3tours.com for additional information.
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Many changes have happened to H2T3 Tours since the last newsletter. First of all, the elephant logo has received U.S. Trademark protection status. It has been a long process but one I am happy to say has finally been accomplished. Secondly, I have become a member of OSSN a network of travel agencies and suppliers. This will make it much easier for local travel agencies to help me fill my tours. Because of family matters, it is highly unlikely that I will be escorting the one remaining tour for 2011. However, I have made arrangements for remarkable guides and drivers who will ensure that the tour will be done as if I am there. You can always check the web site for the projected dates. Also for complete information and the itinerary for any tour, go to the Tours page of the web site. If you click on the highlighted words of each tour it will take you to a brief itinerary. At the end of each brief itinerary is a second link that leads to the daily itinerary of each tour. This will give you a breakdown of what will be happening each day of the tour. Of course, each tour windsup doing more than is planned, but that is half the fun of going with small groups. With large tours one spends much of the time getting on and off busses; it is much easier and more enjoyable to travel with a group of eight to ten people. |
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Songkhla's City Pillar Shrine
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Songkhla City Pillar Shrine photo by Bill Shaw |
In the past it was common in Thailand to place a "city pillar" at an auspicious date and time to bring good fortune to the inhabitants of that city. The location of this city pillar typically became a revered site. Songkhla, located in south Thailand on the Gulf of Thailand, is no exception.
Located on Nang Ngam Road in the old town area of Songkhla is the "San Chao Por Lak Muang" or City Pillar Shrine. King Rama lll bestowed the city pillar made of the Ratchpreuk tree (Cassia fistula) and it was formally placed in a ceremony held on March 10, 1842.
This shrine and its associated courtyard in front has historically been the home of numerous festivities and ceremonies and also available for everyday use. Before the advent of television in Songkhla Chinese opera was common and although the younger generation did not necessarily understand Chinese they would go the shrine in the evening with parents or grandparents and watch the opera. Occasionally Chinese opera shows are still held, usually as a way of making merit or giving thanks for good fortune.
Nowadays there are three major festivals during the year held at the shrine. In late January or February, depending on
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A Chinese God photo by Bill Shaw |
the lunar calendar, is Chinese New Year. Families give offerings to their ancestors at home then place offerings to the gods at the City Pillar Shrine. After prayers the offerings are taken home. Usually there is a lion dance and parade.
Although the actual city pillar was dedicated on March 10 the anniversary of the shrine is celebrated in late June. This is a major event in the old town of Songkhla including a parade with representations of Chinese gods and the visit by a spirit medium representing the Chao Mae Kuan Im, the Goddess of Mercy. Also Songkhla takes this opportunity to close the street to vehicular traffic so it becomes a walking street. Residents make traditional sweets to sell. Usually the ceremonies and the walking street extend for an entire week.
Finally in late September or early October is the Harvest Moon festival. This is the time when the full moon appears largest in the night sky. This festival originated in China and it is a way of giving thanks for a bountiful harvest. Similarly it is a period when offerings are given at the shrine.
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Offerings for Harvest Moon Festival photo by Bill Shaw |
Visits to the Songkhla City Pillar Shrine are not limited to these three festivals. Commonly a bride and groom of Chinese ancestry will stop at the shrine to make offerings and ask for a happy and prosperous life together. Others who have realized success or good fortune will visit and similarly people undergoing difficulties will offer prayers and seek solace. To this day the Songkhla City Pillar Shrine is very much a part of daily life. Visitors to Bangkok can stop by the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine located on the east side of Sanam Luang grounds in the heart of the Ratanakosin area of Bangkok.
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Chinese Dancer photo by Bill Shaw |
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Thai roadways
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Bangkok traffic photo by Donna Porter |
Thailand has developed a great highway system that is maintained well and is constantly being further developed. This is not to say that it is completely without problems but it is better than many state and county highways in the U.S. Elevated highways have helped immensely in relieving the traffic in Bangkok. This is not to say that Bangkok traffic is not horrible and totally chaotic, but it has helped. I am a firm believer that half the vehicles in Bangkok are on the road at all times. One reason for this is because available parking is only sufficient for half the vehicles that clog the roads day and night.
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Farm truck photo by Lee Porter |
Four lane
divided highways are no longer found only in the central part of Thailand. Beautiful roads are to be found now in all regions with more being developed at all times. Of course the very remote areas of the Kingdom are reached by only two lane roads but even these are usually paved and well maintained. It seems that even the remotest of villages is now connected to a main highway by at least a dirt road; however, these unpaved roads are becoming more and more a thing of the past.
Highway construction and maintenance are controlled by two different departments in the Thai government and coordination of projects is not always a high priority. The Asian Highway Network is being developed and will pass through Thailand. Someday in the future one will be able to drive on a first class road from Singapore to Beijing or points in Europe. This seems to be a long way off but when one considers how much has been done in the last two decades; it really does seem like a possibility.
In the December newsletter I will offer my impressions and theories on driving in Thailand.
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Traffic upcountry photo By Donna Porter on tour 2011 |
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Wat Phra That Chom Kitti
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Chedi at Wat Phra That Chom Kitti Photo by Donna Porter |
Just a short distance to the northeast of the city of Chiang Saen is a small hill which has two different temples in a very limited amount of space. The temple of Wat Phra That Chom Kitti is likely the older of the two and is now being restored and brought back to some of its original grandeur. The temple was probably built sometime in the 10th century but no firm date has been established. Khmer influence can best be seen when one takes the steps up instead of driving up to the temple. There are at least 350 steps that must be climbed, but some people have counted many more. I really cannot tell you for sure how many steps there are since I did not count them the first time and have driven up every since.
One of the things of interest of this temple is the crooked chedi. The chedi is made of laterite and the spire is covered with bronze. Inside each of the niches of the chedi are very well preserved Lopburi (Sukhothai) style Buddhas.
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Chedi at Wat Phra That Chom Kitti photo by Donna Porter |
This particular temple is, in my estimation, one that I am very happy most guide books do not bother with. The setting is so beautiful and calm and hordes of tourists would not fit into the small hilltop. A few guide books and some internet sites do mention it but beware that most of these have pictures of Wat Chom Chang instead of Wat That Chom Kitti. In a later newsletter I will talk about Wat Chom Chang because it too is a wonderful temple to visit.
Wat Taht Chom Kitti has a relic of the Budda and was practically in ruins until fairly recently. It has been reconsecrated with a new viharn and named as a royal temple. When standing at the edge of the courtyard one can look down on many statues that have placed on the mountainside .
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This month I am starting a new side section on Travel Tips. I welcome any input from readers who are willing to share ideas and tips. General travel tips on things like packing, luggage, clothes, tips, visas, etc. would be very welcome. The only stipulation I ask is that if the tip is country specific that the country be in southeast Asia.
As always, I hope you enjoyed receiving this newsletter and you will continue to forward it to your friends and families. I would like the newsletter to be informative and not just a publicity flyer, so your input, questions and suggestions are most welcome. The wonderful article on Songkla's City Pillar Shrine was written by Bill and Wannee Shaw. Bill was a Peace Corps volunteer in my group and he and his wife, still live in Songkla. It is refreshing to have articles from the south of Thailand included in the newsletter. But, alas, I know so little about that region that I must rely on others for input. The offer to let other RPCV's (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers), Thai's or travelers to Thailand to share some of your stories and photos of this remarkable Kingdom is still extended.
My appreciation goes to all of you who forward this letter to others. It is one of the ways new readers are added. Each month a few more people sign up with your help. When you forward the newsletter, the recipient is not automatically added, but they must sign up for future issues.
If you are traveling to Bangkok next year for either the Rotary International or for the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps in Thailand, please keep me in mind. I would love to help you enjoy your trip just a little more by assisting you in adding a one or two day trip from Bangkok or to extend your trip with a custom tour designed just for you. |
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Sincerely,
Lee Porter
H2T3 Tours, LLC
P.O. Box 2114
Springfield, VA 22152
571-244-4363
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