Phra Kreuang: Thai protective amulets (page 2 of 4)

😇popularity of singers and its duration..........

I’ll answer you in Thai to give you the Thai mindset on this... Thais follow singers who constantly change their style, even their instruments like microphones or guitars, and switch up their topics.

The rhythms. That do-do-do thing always stays the same—let’s put it this way: he hasn’t been banned, but he’s LESS popular because he doesn’t change anything about his songs.

Loso in Thailand is a bit like Johnny Hallyday in France—he did it all with drugs and booze but found his way back, and all of it was live with the Thai public. Yes, even during his rough patches, his troubles were televised, as was his comeback, complete with his millions of baht. He changed his songs and guitar but kept his black sunglasses—he’s still the favorite star of Thais today, a bit like Johnny in France.

I spent quite a few evenings with Loso back in my day at Ratchada German Beer Hall—there wasn’t even internet or YouTube yet...

To stay on top in Thailand, you’ve got to constantly change your look or do something out of the ordinary—especially not do the same thing, because the Thai public gets bored *very* quickly😏. Thais change colors every day.

The other popular guy in Thailand is me, MARIO, the double MARIO—you know him????

😏I’m the most popular farang dad in Thailand with my name MARIO (Jeff is my first name in the novel *Jeff molto*). Every day you hear Mario on TV; there’s even a commercial where a Thai woman calls me like all the girls: Maa-ri ooooo.

https://youtu.be/oL9fKwZ3WCw

🙂

Songkhla-Ko Yo(r) (3 nights):

Accommodation in Airbnb (2 nights, 20 €/night) + Mantra Resort (1 night, 600 THB/night). Transport: Nathon/Koh Samui to Songkhla by ferry to Donsak Pier + minivan (5h30 duration, 250 THB each, booked at the Nathon bus terminal)

Songkhla City:

I loooove how tourism is approached and developed in this city, where the rich Sino-European historical heritage is showcased (without sterilization) and its traditional activities (fishing, trade...) are maintained. Tourism (mainly Malaysian and Thai) is "digested"—it doesn’t put the city under a glass bell. To start, a visit to the Tourism Authority to get a city map. Just a stone’s throw away, the Crafts House shop sells regional handicrafts (textiles, basketry...) with a smile and explanations—excellent quality. Further on, the historic birthplace of the 16th Prime Minister (photo 1) and the small but interesting National Museum of Songkhla (photo 2), the big day market, the fishing and deep-sea ports (photo 11).

The Old Town (very well signposted) is particularly pleasant to explore on foot. Its streets, "just as they are," are a feast for the eyes for those who love the patina of time, with a soft, artsy atmosphere: the house facades (photos 3 & 4), the Chinese City Pillar Shrine (photo 5), the Old Mosque Masjid Asasul Islam (photo 6), the Jetty Buddaraksa & Saksiphithak (photo 7), the artisanal ice cream vendors (photo 8—Ong Ice Cream Shop opposite the City Pillar), charming homestays (Baan Nai Nakhon Boutique Hotel...), artists' workshops (photo 9), trendy cafés (Blue Smile Café, Café Station 66...), the Songkhla Towards World Heritage Gate (old dock), the Songkhla Art Mill Center (temporary photo exhibition: *Venezia in Singora*), and of course, the cool urban murals (photo 10).

On the city’s outskirts, the vast fishing parks of Songkhla Lake (gorgeous in the morning and evening light), the beautiful Samila Beach with its popular seafood restaurants in a row (tried and approved—the Monthathip Seafood Restaurant), and the lively Chalathat Beach with its big bars.

😎

🙂

Ko(h) Yo(r):

Wow, another little gem! Facing Songkhla City. We visited by rented scooter through our adorable Thai host (no computer or passport required). First stop, at the entrance of the small peninsula (connected to Songkhla by the Tinsulanonda Bridge) with its mountainous landscape: Wat Laem Pho (photo1). We continued along the coastal road lined with charming old houses (photo2) and stopped at a bird singing competition (photo3). We saw stunning stilt-house displays (photo4), some of which advertised homestays (noted photo5). There was also a 200-year-old temple that was absolutely breathtaking (photos6&7), attractive cafés and restaurants (photo8), and a viewpoint (photo9).... What a blast this tour was!! Everywhere we felt the warmth, simplicity, and the *sanuk* spirit of Thai families enjoying their time.

(Now other islands on the lake above are catching our eye, Mak & Nang Kham... 😎)

photo1😉

🙂

Stainless Steel Pagoda / Hat Yai:

This temple had been stuck in the back of my mind for ages—I just had to find the right spot. We made it by minivan from downtown Songkhla + tuk-tuk (1.5-hour trip), arriving around 5 PM to admire it perched on its remote hill, bathed in natural light and then lit up at night, sparkling like a thousand stars and chiming in the breeze with a thousand tiny bells: magical, dreamy, and one-of-a-kind!! (photos)

Back down to earth at Songkhla City’s Walking Street for food, shopping, and Thai-style fun (photo8)

@to be continued, final stop: Mae Nam/Koh Samui 😎

🙂

Mae Nam/ Koh Samui (15 days):

We connected directly from our Lyon-BKK Suvarnabhumi flight with Bangkok Airways (domestic flight duration: 1 hour). Just 15 short minutes in line at Suvarnabhumi Immigration.

We spent our first nights in Moo1 ("old" Mae Nam), second line from the sea, where we’re welcomed and treated like loyal guests (for 25 years now), at 500 THB per night. For our last four nights in Mae Nam, we’ll move to the panoramic and recently renovated Seaview Restaurant & Hotel (listed at 890 THB per night). It’s worth noting that regulars like us are shocked by the prices now being asked for a seaside room—minimum 1,200–1,500 THB, even when negotiated. With almost constant construction of luxury resorts or villas next door—unpredictable completion times—we’re out! 😛 The beach is pretty spotless at this time of year; the polluted rivers are naturally "closed off" by sand carried in by the sea. For beach cleaners who want to join forces: Trash Heroes of Koh Samui (see FB).

A must-visit Thai restaurant on the walking street: Mayom Garden Food and Drinks. The walking street is slowly losing its farang food tables: goodbye to the Japanese Kobori, the Korean Gaon, the French Chez François, and Chicken Farm Rôtisserie... It’s no surprise that tourist traffic in Mae Nam is really struggling outside of February—just 4–6 weeks to make a living for the year. The "tourism players" are looking pretty glum...

We tried and weren’t super impressed by the afternoon tea at the Four Seasons near Nathon (poor value for money, despite pleasant service and a "chic" setting).

If it weren’t for our expat friend living in Mae Nam, we’d have ditched Koh Samui a long time ago. What’s more, with new expat rules that clearly aim to "sanitize" the Kingdom’s , our buddy—like many of his peers (not just French)—is seriously considering leaving the country...

Anyway, regarding the Calendar of Festivals in the Land of Smiles in September, after mentioning the Vegetarian Festival earlier in the thread, I’ll remind you of the celebrations: -Asanhabucha & Khao Phansa: https://cmdecidela.com/2019/07/15/asanhabucha-khao-phansa-2019-lentree-dans-le-careme-bouddhiste-qui-nen-est-pas-un/

and Ganpati (Ganesh): https://cmdecidela.com/2019/09/06/festival-ganpati-2019-pikanet-le-culte-du-dieu-elephant-a-la-sauce-siamoise/

Also on Koh Samui, the Samui Festival (photo2).

To wrap up this trip report, a few personal experiences:

-Transport: * Minivans: We used them 4 times, including 3 medium-distance trips. Steady max speed of 80 km/h, smooth driving—I approve this travel option. * Scooter rental: Twice, and they didn’t ask for a driver’s license or passport either time. * Train: Two trips, almost on time.

-Cigarettes: No problem!

-Sleep budget: On average, under 20 € for a double room with hot water, AC, kettle & fridge, and a good location (view, etc.). Half the places we chose on the spot.

-Food: While the recipes delight tourists’ taste buds, what about the quality of the ingredients?!! (Not to mention MSG, added sugar...) 🤪

-September rain test: Our previous 30 days in Thailand in Feb–March 2018 "cured" us of ever going back during peak tourist season. Back then, we asked our friends there the fatal question: to enjoy the Gulf of Siam (the Samui Archipelago and the mainland coast up to BKK)? Unanimous answer: September! Well, after this September 2019 trip, we barely approve 😎: air and water temperatures are perfect (not too hot), tourist crowds are very manageable, locals are more relaxed and available, cultural agenda...

Chok dee! Thailand.

Khrap/Thank you for reading! 😎

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InO1-QYsnnc

Sânouk3😎

Hey

Waited for the Maenam episode. Lived there for three years (moo 5).

Well, anyway...

Hasta la vida!

++

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InO1-QYsnnc

Sânouk3😎

Nice! Island... Samui at Lamaï, I think.

Kpg at Than Sadet!

++

A meet-up with Sânouk30 is like a lucky charm, Looking for the details, there’s plenty to travel-travels

🙂

To wrap up the topic of amulets, just one more, not very big but one that, for 30 years, has been making the youth (and the not-so-young) vibe Phongsit Khampi "Music for Life" (Phleng phuea chiwit)

Impact Arena: https://youtu.be/LXV3XdT8ZTI

:)

Cultural difference detail: Screenshot from the "Pony Pony" music video for our future travelers—one of the worst attitudes to have here

Sawasdee! Pa ObeOne,

Khrap for sharing! I didn’t quite get it all... the music LoL but the lyrics sound sooo romantic. A story about a ladyboy in a red shirt from Khao Lak who falls for a lady in a yellow shirt from Chantaburi, but there’s a tuk-tuk driver strike and they can’t meet up. They’re all melancholic, but in the end, the Wi-Fi comes back, and they can Skype and send each other tons of love stickers while the tuk-tuk drivers win their fight against the new taxi meter law. Did I get the lyrics right?🤪

Later, folks—including gentleman Nato.

Sânouk3😎

🙂

In the rich tapestry of Thai customs and traditions: https://objectifthailande.com/bouddhisme-et-symbolisme-les-huit-bouddhas-de-la-semaine/

Happy reading!

Sânouk3😎

S🙂wasdee!

@ Curious/adventurous foodies:

http://www.gavroche-thailande.com/actualites/culture/110918-thailande-gastronomie-des-insectes-dans-vos-assiettes-oui-mais-avec-raffinement

(On the owl site: https://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d13545578-Reviews-Insects_in_the_Backyard-Bangkok.html)

Bon appétit! 😛

Sânouk3😎.

S🙂awasdee!

Phew, music & party? DJ Sânouk3😉 is thinking of you:

https://lepetitjournal.com/bangkok/10-must-attend-music-festivals-in-thailand-this-winter-268690

A quick look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-Go5h5qt4U

Catch you in the buzz, Sânouk3😎

S🙂wasdee!

An encounter at "Siammet", between His Holiness Pope Francis and the Supreme Patriarch of Thai Buddhism, in Bangkok on the bright day of November 21, 2019:

http://www.gavroche-thailande.com/actualites/societe/110975-tha-lande-religion-le-patriarche-supreme-du-bouddhisme-thailandais-re-oit-le-pape-fran-ois

&

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su7e-JaDqgs

Peace among men.

Sânouk3😎.

S🙂wasdee!

I love the idea, check this out: https://lepetitjournal.com/bangkok/lart-lgbt-asiatique-sexpose-bangkok-pour-ouvrir-les-esprits-269334

Sânouk3😎, sooo Siamese & sooo pink.

S🙂wasdee! Dear VFollowers,

Into museums? (Oh yes!!! There are some in P.D.S. and not just in BKK!) The Muse Pass might be for you 😉:

https://lepetitjournal.com/bangkok/le-muse-pass-un-sesame-pour-visiter-plus-de-64-musees-en-thailande-271409

While you're at it, check this out—a little something for the road:

https://lepetitjournal.com/bangkok/bangkok-ville-parmi-les-plus-creatives-au-monde-263105

Stay tuned!

Sânouk3😎, happy traveler.

I hope you’ll be better understood than Chôkdâne was....😉😉😉

Khrap, Daisyone, thanks for your concern for chkdâne, but don’t worry about him—negative and insignificant things go in one ear and out the other, jaja 😛

(Looks like Daisytwo isn’t exactly a genius either—she’ll slip up and give herself away eventually, lol)

Apologies to my followers for this schizo off-topic 😉 that overshadows Daisyone’s Amuse Pass.

Sânouk3😎.

🙂 We don't stop progress (here in Northern Thailand): now it's trumpeting glamping:

http://golem13.fr/thailande-dormir-milieu-elephants-bulles/

Enjoy!

Sânouk3😎, in his bubble.