Thailand - Funny Signs

On road trips, one often encounter funny signs or signs one wonder why they were deemed necessary.
For example, in Ratchaburi, it is OK to bring your gun to a waterfall, but please don't shoot.

In Phattalung, deer are apparently not allowed to enter this forest.

 In Phang Nga, the local government provide a public swamp instead of a park for citizens and visitors.

In some instances, like below example from Cambodia, there is an issue with translation. The electricity factory referred to is actually a power plant.

Other examples from Cambodia are found in the creativity put into name giving of retail businesses and language schools. For example, 6-Eleven and K-Mart Burger are names of local mini-marts.

That reminded me of a burger chain in Kazakhstan that named itself King Burger and used colors & designs in its logo so that the similarity with Burger King was obvious. The burgers' taste was, however, pretty fatty and deplorable.

Phrae - Temples

Phrae has beautiful nature, but the province is also home to many interesting temples.

Chedi of Phra That Cho Hae

One of the most famous temples in Phrae is Wat Phra Thot Cho Hae, which originally was built in the 14th century. The chedi is 33 meters high and 10 x 10 or 11 x 11 meters at the base - size depends on which sign you read. The chedi was built in Chiang Saen and contains (pieces of) the Lord Buddha's hair and elbow bone.

The "Cho Hae" part of the temple's name comes from the "cho hae" cloth from ancient Mengbanaxi (today Xishuangbanna in Yunnan) that was used to wrap around the chedi as part of religious rites.

Don't mind the tigers, use the Mythical Lion Staircase

The temple is located on the top of a hill. One can ascend the hill by using the Mythical Lion Staircase, although the artists seem to be confused about which carnivore looks like what.

The Buddha statue near the chedi offers a very attractive photo opportunity and is a fine work of art.

At the foot of the hill, a statue of a reclining Buddha is unceremoniously hidden away in a rather inconspicuous structure. It deserves better.

Wat Chom Sawan

Wat Chom Sawan (located near the current city center) is a much newer temple. It is interesting because it is built in teak wood and built in hill-tribe (Thai Yai) style. It was built during 1900-1912. The interior is nicely engraved teak with colored glass to enhance the effect.

The Buddha image is heavily influenced by Burmese style, so Wat Chom Sawan is a wonderful mix of cultures and architectural styles.

The last temple from Phrae that I mention will - unfortunately - remain nameless. I forgot to note the name down. This temple was located about a dozen kilometers down a road the dead-ended in a valley north-east of the provincial capital. While the main temple structures were a the valley floor, near a picturesque stream, the chedi was located up at the end of several long stair cases. These stair cases were, however, devoid of any mythical lions.

Phrae - Mountains

Apart from Phae Muang Phi and temples, Phrae is of course famous in Thailand for its mountainous topography and cold winter nights. During the cold season, especially over the New Year holidays, many Thais from the central and coastal regions travel north to experience cold weather as temperatures can drop to around 10 degrees Centigrade. To them, it is a bliss to freeze a bit next to a mountain stream, so for resorts and hotels up north, the cold season is the high season.

Home Stay Mountain Style

I am not sure whether 1,000 meter peaks meet the international standard for mountains (or whether any such standard exists), but towards the borders with Uttaradit and Nan, Phrae has lush mountains with great views and plenty of waterfalls to explore.

Choeng Thong Waterfall

I have seen too many waterfalls to be excited about seeing one more or one less. I have a tendency to seek out the less-traveled roads although they often are not short cuts. In the mountains, there were several of these roads that went winding on forever without taking me anywhere.

Why should we get outta the way?