Travel Album - Thailand



	Thailand

In the summer of 2025, we spent a month living in Thailand. One reason for this choice was to reduce Royceton's screen time by spending time away from home. Another reason is that it provided an opportunity for me to research for a future possible retirement in Thailand. I need to thank my friend AD who has migrated to Thailand and graciously offering his place at the River Condominium, which made our stay in Bangkok so comfortable and enjoyable.

This is Royceton's second visit to Thailand, and it’s likely the first one he will truly remember. During our trip, we explored several royal grand palaces and temples. These traditional Thai-style buildings were once the residence and sleeping quarters of kings, making them the most significant set of throne halls in the entire Grand Palace.

We are staying at the River Condominium, which features three outdoor swimming pools and two indoor ones. I love soaking up the sun daily and getting a tan!

This was the first time Royceton woke up at 5am to witness the sunrise. @Dolphin Bay Resort, Hua Hin.

View from the 18/F. Appreciating the oasis at the heart of Bangkok.

We swam 5 days a week. Definitely getting slimmer and a tan.

We took the boat daily across the Chao Phraya River to/from our place and metro station.

Infinity pool adjacent to the Chao Phraya River. We are beside the Peninsula Hotel and opposite of Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental.

The Chao Phraya River can connect us to the Royal quarters and Icon Siam Mall.

Attending art event at the River, covering painting and soap making.

Honestly, the River Condominium feels like an oasis amid the bustling energy of Bangkok. The patio features gardens and swimming pools, providing a perfect space for me to relax and unwind. I may really retire and reside at this building.

I am working from long distant home.

There are three gyms, yet I love this one looking over the river.

Royceton plays daily at the swimming pools and club house.

And he made a friend, Eden, @ 5/F.

Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan. Simply said, it is the Grand Temple beside the Grand Palace. We are off for a cultural exploration.

Here we are at the Grand Royal Palace. In 1782 the new King decided to move the capital city to the left bank of the Chao Phraya River.

Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat is a blend of Thai traditional architecture and a combination of 19th-century European styles.

The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. The king, his court, and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925.

King Rama IX, resided at the Chitralada Royal Villa and King Rama X resides at the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall. Now the Grand Palace is used for official events, and mainly a tourist attraction.

National Treasury Bureau houses the treasure of Thailand

Do I look like a Thai?

The Throne Hall is a royal audience chamber, for receiving foreign ambassadors and for conducting important state businesses and ceremonies.

Wat Pho. This is a group of four large stupas, each 42 metres high, are dedicated to the first four Chakri kings, which their ashes were located.

Wat Pho aka Temple of the Reclining Buddha, locates south of the Grand Palace. King Rama I rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site, and it became his main temple.

Rama IV placed some ashes of Rama I under the pedestal of the Buddha image so that the public may pay homage to both Rama I and the Buddha at the same time.

He is 15 m high and 46 m long. The soles of the feet inlaid with mother-of-pearl with 108 panels, displaying Buddhist symbols.

The temple is also considered as the first public university of Thailand, teaching students religion, science, and literature through murals and sculptures.

Khon Performance, an UNESCO intangible asset, is celebrated as one of Thailand’s most treasured classical art forms, combining dance, drama, music, and elaborate costumes.

The performance was not expressed through vocal tones. Instead, it employs bodily gestures and movements using the torso, hands, arms, legs, feet, shoulders, neck, face, and head to represent meaning.

Royceton was enrolled for a one-week summer camp at the British Club. So I can also enjoy the facilities.

The course is like USD40 a day, with tennis, swimming classes and other special events and activities.

Royceton becomes not afraid of water and plays cannon ball afterwards.

Royceton made a new friend from Germany.

We had our tea everyday trying British and Thai food.

The famous Erawan Shrine. Many pilgrims from all over the world pay a visit.

SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World.

Malls at Siam.

Our adjacent mall, ICON Siam.

My first laser tag game.

Charoen Krung Road. The first road in Bangkok.

Thanks AD for bringing me to Blue Elephant for an authentic Thai culinary experience.

The restaurant locates on the bustling Sathorn Road at a century-old colonial style Bangkok mansion.

A century old home of marine minister at Talat Noi. Right at the current Marine Department headquarters.

Today, Talat Noi is a cultural attraction. Houses and lanes are lathered with graffiti and artistic paintings.

The area has a long history predating the founding of Bangkok. The first ethnic group to settle here were the Portuguese, and built a Portuguese church in 1786.

Later, other ethnic groups came to live in Talat Noi, not only Chinese but also Vietnamese and Khmer. The area was Bangkok's first port, and was where immigrants landed.

A cafe in an abandoned industrial old building. Too bad Royceton can only try tea and not coffee.

Paul's Eatery right beside the River. It is our brunch destination serving simple meat and rice.

A local charcoal grill restaurant.

Royceton was happy to cook for us.

We visited the nurse where everything first began. Royceton is amongst the frontiers of the babies who were born here.

I expressed my gratitude to the lady who assisted in the process. It was reassuring to know that she is doing well and enjoying a happy life.

Hua Hin

We spent 4 days at the Dolphin Bay Resort in Sam Roi Yot where we mostly swam and relaxed, enjoying the beach and sunshine.

We got up at 5:50 am to catch the sunrise at 6:00 am. This was Royceton’s first sunrise experience. The island in the view looked like AD taking a well-deserved rest.

This resort was mainly occupied by European families.

I enjoyed getting a nice tan throughout the trip.

Snorkel. There were plenty little crabs making sand balls.

Long Lay Night Market on Saturday evenings right on the beach.

Mrigadayavan Palace. We visited the beach side palace of King Vajiravudh, Rama VI (1881-1925). He is definitely enjoying his life here.

At Khao Luang Cave, I want to thank AD for planning our visit at the perfect time of day, allowing us to enjoy the sunshine streaming in.

There are rumors suggesting that the King has a preference for men. The third floor of this beach residence features an enclosed bathroom. Some have alleged that the real power of the state resided with the young men in the King's inner circle.

The male circle formed the nucleus of the king’s social life. I appreciate the historians display the knowledge of king's men in the palace. The General's complex is also connected to the king's residence, while their wives residence are further away.

Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park. King Rama IV built this summer palace complex on a hill in Phetchaburi.

We explored the bedroom and living quarters of King Rama IV, imagining what life must have been like for a king.

The palace is located on top of a hill, and back then, there were neither water pipes nor electricity. The conditions were not as convenient as they are today.

The Three Coconut Palm Trees at Pak Nam Pran are a signature landmark of Hua Hin.