Monday, 1 December 2025 Almost abandoned temple near Suan Prung Gate It seemed to be time for a haircut, so after a strength-training session with Ning at Pump Fitness, I walked to Suan Prung Gate. The Samlaan Barber I see is a very short distance inside the gate. Wat Phuak Hong, The Temple of Swans, is what I call a small, local temple, seldom visited by tourists and primarily for the people living nearby. I […]
Monday, 5 December 2025 Another forgotten temple, standalone chedi north of Chiang Mai North of the old walled city of Chiang Mai, on the road leading north from Chang Phuak Gate lies the remains of Wat Pan Sat. This little‑known temple dates back to the 14th century, a time when the Mengrai Kingdom flourished across Lanna (northern Thailand). All that remains of Wat Pan Sat today is the chedi, a classic Lanna‑style stupa. Its square base rises into […]
Monday, 5 December 2025 Recent views and sights around Chiang Mai Getting around Chiang Mai for me means walking, at least most of the time. If it is too hot in the afternoon or where I want to go is too far, I get a motorbike taxi. But much of the time I am walking. So I see familiar and new things around town. And sometimes I pull out my phone and take a photo. […]
Friday, 28 November 2025 Return to Wat Pan Tao across the street Wat Pan Tao Directly beside the famous Wat Chedi Luang on on Prapokkloa Road is Wat Pan Tao (sometimes spelled Wat Phan Tao), a very old temple in Chiang Mai. It was originally founded in the 14th century as a living quarters for the monks of Wat Chedi Luang. The name Wat Pan Tao is said to translate to “temple of 1000 kilns” […]
Friday 28 November 2025 Return to Wat Chedi Luang across the street There are about 30,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand. Of those, 34 are listed as “Royal Temples,” divided into classes: 1 in Special Class, 19 First Class, 6 Second Class, and 9 Third Class. The special Class temple is Wat Phra Kaew in the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Of those 34 temples, only 3 are in Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh (first class), Wat […]
Tuesday, 25 November 2025 Returning to walk the Hai Ya District of Chiang Mai The Hai Ya district of Chiang Mai lies south of the old walled city. This is an area where many silversmiths settled and still work. Since the cold I have had is easing, and the day is warm but not hot, I went for a walk to the Hai Ya district. Part of my motivation was to see the progress on […]
Sunday, 23 November 2025 Photo excursion to Rock n’ River in the Doi Saket District It seems that many Thai people are pretty taken with TikTok, one of the latest social media crazes. They love taking many photos of themselves posing in interesting or picturesque places. And my friend Mukda is no exception. She works and manages her shop all year, so when friends (like me) come to town, she wants to go on excursions […]
Saturday, 22 November 2025 Grandiose, elaborate temple in rural Chiang Mai Province Note: This is a long post with many photos of this elaborate, ornate temple. Wat Sri Don Moon History Wat Sri Don Moon is in the rural Saraphi district of southern Chiang Mai Province. The temple has something of an interesting history. Not more dramatic than many temples in northern Thailand, but a history with some ups and downs. There is no evidence […]
Monday, November 17, 2025 Around the Moat 3: North and East I am starting to walk east along the north side of the moat. And, like at the southwest corner, a little of the wall is still intact, seen at the far right of the photo. Wat Lok Molee It looks to be a long walk, but each side of the moat is only about 1.5 kilometers (just under a mile). Less than half way […]
Monday, November 17, 2025 Walk Around the Moat 2: West I am now at the southwest corner of the moat, starting the walk north along the west side. A photo looking north as I start walking northward. A little of the wall remains here, seen on the right of the photo. Over time, a road inside the wall evolved. The city outside the moat had grown up to the moat. Because there was a need, […]
Monday, November 17, 2025 Walk Around the Moat 1: East and South I am back in Chiang Mai for my 13th winter here. I arrived on Sunday, November 16, after leaving Bangkok without any emergency hospital visits, unlike last year. I am writing this entry on Wednesday. In my past 12 winters in Chiang Mai, I experienced exactly one day of rain…not 0, not 2 or more, but only one. Today is the third day […]
Saturday, November 5, 2025 Wat Benchamabophit, The Marble Temple Wat Benchamabophit, formally known as Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram, is one of the best-known and renowned religious landmarks in Bangkok. And it is a major tourist attraction. The temple is known for its refined architectural composition in the ornate style associated with temples of Bangkok. The central-Thailand style includes high gables, multi-tiered roofs, and elaborate finials. The Marble Temple combines traditional Thai aesthetics with European influences introduced […]
James the Intrepid Pilgrim 