Pan Yok Khrua Tour Koh Samui Talui Ko Taen, 6-8 April 2018

Pan Yok Khrua Tour Koh Samui Talui Ko Taen, 6-8 April 2018

The 'Pan Yok Khrua Tour Koh Samui Talui Ko Taen, 6-8 April 2018' is a cycling event, organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The weekend of 6th to 8th April happens to be the Chakri day weekend, so a long weekend. 

Chakri day is officially known as 'King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great Day and Chakri Dynasty Memorial Day', Chakri Day commemorates the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty by Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) in 1782.

Cyclist of all ages are invited to participate in this event, 

 “The trip offers participants the chance to see Samui in a different way. Travelling around the island by bicycle allows for unique experiences while embracing an inclusive tourism approach that is part of our ‘Open to the New Shades’ marketing concept,” says Nongyao Jirundorn, director of TAT Koh Samui Office.

“As the name of the tour implies, ‘Pan Yok Khrua Tour Ko Samui Talui Ko Taen’ aims to encourage the entire family to enjoy cycling together while exploring the beautiful scenery and key attractions of Koh Samui and Koh Taen,” he adds.

Pan Yok Khrua Tour Koh Samui Talui Ko Taen, 6-8 April 2018

It's a three day even and up to 400 families can participate. The registration fee is Bt600 per person and is inclusive of a brand shirt and six meals. Although the fee doesn't cover accommodation, there will be space for tents available free-of-charge on Koh Taen.

The start of the program will be 6th April with registration and shirt collection at the Nathon pier between 4 and 7pm.

The next day, 7th April, will see the bicycle caravan set off along Provincial Highway 4169 and 4174 to It-viset Pier at Na Sai Bay. From here, everybody will travel by ferry to nearby Koh Taen, for the event’s opening ceremony and CSR activities. 

Hosted by Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui and the Chumphon Provincial Office of Natural Resources and the Environment, this will see participants helping to release marine life (saltwater clams, turtles and fish) back into the sea and cleaning up the mangrove forest area at the Tan Marina Bay Resort and Restaurant. 

The program also includes time for cycling and sightseeing through Koh Taen’s picturesque scenery, and dinner along with folk songs, storytelling and a lucky draw. Participants can choose whether to stay a night on Koh Taen, or return to Ko Samui to sleep.  

On Sunday, the program features more cycling and sightseeing, this time along Ko Samui’s scenic route with stops at key attractions including the Guan Yu Shrine, the White Jade Buddha image at Wat Samret, Wat Phra Chedi Laem So, Khao Le and Bang Kao Beaches. Following lunch, the group will cycle along a scenic tourist route back to Na Thon Pier for the conclusion of the trip.

Sounds like a very scenic trip and a great way to spend some quality family time over a long weekend.

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two. 

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned. 

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2017

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2017

It's been two years since I visited the Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2017, well, that was rather in 2015! This was the fifth time I was able to visit the event, after 2010, 2012, 2015, 2015 and this year.

If you have been following this blog, you may know that this is an annual event, happening all around the country and on Koh Samui it was last week. Each day of the week sees a different age group parading and participating in sport events.

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2017; The start of the parade for Plai Laem school

We were lucky enough that our two eldest children, were scheduled for the same day and our youngest doesn't have to participate. Yet! At least, that's how I see it. My wife may have a slightly different view on this event. If she would have the time, she would happily visit two or three days out of the five days the event is on!

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2017; The flags are waving

It can get hot at the Baan Namuang stadium and it can take a while before any action is happening at all, or before one of your children is finally allowed to march in the parade. A lot of waiting is involved. Luckily the weather was kind this year, without too much direct sunshine. The children in all their elaborate clothing may have a hard time staying cool.

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2017; It's a long wait before the action starts

The event is supposed to start at 8am but I still need to see that before I believe it. As usual, each time I visited, parking wasn't an easy option. The rather big parking lot near the stadium was packed to the rafters with motorbikes and cars. We did get our parking spot though and it was an enjoyable event this year. Partly due to the weather not being too hot and sunny!

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2017; More waiting is in place

Our oldest daughter had to sit on one of the stands and 'cheer', which none of the other kids, including our daughter, seemed to enjoy too much. There's no escaping though, participation is mandatory. Either in a sports event, like jumping, running and many other athletic disciplines or............. cheering and sitting at the stands all day long. Since our oldest daughter isn't too keen on the sports part, the stands it was. 

Our son was the bearer of a shield with the schools name on it, so he didn't have to sit on the stands. A 'political' choice, I suspect!

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2017; Back in black! Many groups were wearing black clothing, a hint to the passing away of HM King Bhumibol, less than a year ago? His picture was carried around much more than the current King X.

All in all, it was a pleasant event this year. WE could squeeze out for an hour or so, to enjoy a great lunch at Sweet Sisters Cafe, around the corner, before we went back and picked up our oldest daughter, who completed her stand duty shortly after 4pm.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit one of these events around the country, don't hesitate to do so. It's something different and you will be drenched in Thai culture, guaranteed off the beaten track!

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two. 

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned. 

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens. 

Camille

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2015

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2015

Today is already the first day of the Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2015. Tuesday the Anuban, the young kids aged four to seven had their day of showing off their skills and yesterday the first of three days for the 7 and older had their moments of glory!

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2015; A drum band in Navy style uniforms, waiting and doing their hair

Our oldest two children participate each year, although I don't always have time to go and see the event, due to work commitments. By now it's about my sixth Kila Amphur that I visit. It's held all over the country but each province may have different dates when it's organized.

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2015; Always showing the love for Thailand

Each year it's an early start for the make up to be put on, the hair to be styled and uniforms to be fitted. This year the alarm was set at 2am. By 7am we left the house just to get stuck in the yearly traffic jam but we were all ready to 'rock & roll' shortly after 8am.

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2015; Time to call Saul, whiplash victims are visiting the Kila Amphur. Sometimes the teachers come up with some very strange clothing styles, these girls necks were covered in white neck bands, almost making it look like they were whiplash victims

Our children were in slot seven of all schools, which is still good and means an early start and almost as important, a fairly early time to go back home again, around noon.

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2015; The Stasi (former East German secret police) was also there; A teacher, completely covered up for sun protection.

It was fun and due the unexpected sunny skies, it was hot! Plenty of schools lined up their best dresses and acts, and the acts mean the drum major shows. Our eldest daughter was in a combined 'pact' of three schools, her own Bophud school, together with the Plai Laem and Bang Rak schools.

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2015; Really, and what is this supposed to be?

After yesterdays parade, the 'games' started. Sporting events were scheduled for yesterday afternoon, today and tomorrow, mainly consisting of athletic competitions like track running, jumping and the like.

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2015; Part of the parade ground

Hope you enjoyed this blog, you can check older versions from 2010, 2012 or 2014 by clicking on the links.

Please do 'like' my Koh Samui blog Facebook page and enjoy the beaches around the island or in front of your hotel or resort and get some well deserved rest and a break. If you're done resting or need something else to do, there's plenty of things on offer on and around Koh Samui, you can go snorkeling or diving or take a dive course. You can also enjoy some of the trips I recommend, like a half day gourmet lunch and snorkeling trip at the Southern part of Koh Samui or a photography trip where you get to see the most photo genetic spots on the island or go for a drinks tasting tour if you like a tipple or two.

Contact me for more detailed information on any of the options mentioned.

If you like to donate to this blog, use this secure link PayPal.Me/CamilleLemmens.

Camille

Updated 22nd July 2017

Escapology in Lamai

Escapology in Lamai is an escape game which is located at the Beach Republic hotel in Lamai. We were invited last weekend and with a group of six we were locked up in a room, with the task to get out within 60 minutes. Easier said than done!

One of the banners outside of Escapology in Lamai premises at the Beach Republic

There are two games to choose from, the 'The Cuban Crisis', which we played and 'Shanghaied', a challenge we need to tackle and sort out soon! 

With 'The Cuban Crisis' a team is tasked with the urgent quest for clues from Cold War Soviet intelligence; during 'Shanghaied', solving puzzles earns coveted freedom from the clutches of the evil pressgang. Each of the adventure games is set in a series of themed rooms, with detailed puzzles, riddles and clues. 

You can play the game with 2 to 6 people and there's a minimum age of 7 years old.

The entrance

The games are a lot of fun and it was a lot more challenging than we expected. The staff is there to help in case you need it or request, but you are penalized with a time deduction in your game plan for each hint you receive. We needed two hints to get ourselves out of the rooms. Teamwork is of importance though and some clues are tricky but slowly and bit by bit hints and clues come together.

Our Escapology group

When clues start coming together, they will help you finding keys or lock combination numbers, only to find even more locks that need unlocking. Be warned though, some of the apparent clues may just be there for decoration use only, which can be misleading and add to the overall fun and confusion.

With staff, Khun Tat on the right and Khun Sugar on the left 

The locations is great and the staff was very nice and helpful, kudo's and thanks to them! The price is also good and it gives you an alternative to get away from the beach or 'another' shopping spree, let alone during a rainy day.

Visit their website fir more information about pricing and opening hours (from 10am with the last game starting at 7pm) and one great offer is a 50% discount when you have a Sunday brunch at the Beach Republic.

What are you waiting for, go on and join the fun and see if you can beat the record for getting out!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks! 

Camille

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2014

Yesterday saw this years version of the Kila Amphur on Koh Samui, After reports in 2009, 2010 and 2012, here's the low down for this year.

Drum majors getting ready for their parade

Last year our eldest daughter participated in the running event, this year she switched back to a more 'girly' activity and became a drum major.

Filed workers waiting for their turn

They were the first school to start the parade, which suited me just fine. My wife came down by car with a load of children, all dressed up for their parade. This years alarm went off at 2am!

Walking candy wrappers?

Since I still had lots of things to prepare for my departure to South Korea later today, I went by motorbike, which allowed to make an early exit back home. A wise move, the rest of the family didn't get back until 4pm!

The flag is always there, patriotism is big during these kind of events

Our son marched also in the parade, with his fellow classmates, depicting various ASEAN countries, he had been given a Thai traditional dress.

The actual kila, during this years event

It was fairly sunny and hot and a long day was lying ahead for everyone involved. The food and drunks vendors did good bunines during this week.

Waiting, it's going to be a long day

It's a big event, held ll over country during this time of year, not necessarily during the same week or weekends. A lot of practice time precedes every year the actual event and classes come virtually to a stand still, in order to practice the various moves, dances etc that are part of the event.

The music equipment is quite heavy and can easily be parked

Each school presents their moves in front of the local 'powers that are' and the parade just moves on very slowly. Everybody who had already completed their part, has to wait in the middle of the sports ground, where it can become very hot indeed.

The wait, you don't get to walk everyday on high heels

As in previous years, it was great to see my children in action, but after a short while I was also grateful and happy that I could leave again. Making pictures during the event is always fun though!

Busy roads around the sports park, loaded with parked cars, motorbikes and food stalls

Hope you enjoy this insight in local life in Thailand, more to come next year!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 3rd February, 2013

Today's weather;

Well, it's dark by now and we're just back home from a very long day that started at 5am with a wake up call and is now about to be finished at 8pm.

Today involved cleaning up in the Temple, collecting the ashes of my Mother in law, participating in a Temple ceremony, setting the urn in the 'Bot' of Wat Plai Laem, giving all the remaining ash to the ocean by boat, more cleaning up of the temple area where the funeral took place over the last 6 days, bringing a relative back to the other side of the island (it took an effort to stay awake at the wheel!) and paying bills, which took pretty much all afternoon.

The weather this morning around Koh Samui was cloudy but during the day some blue patches showed up with some sunbeams. Current temp at 7pm is 28.2C

Bringing the ashes to the bot

Yesterday was warm and fairly sunny with a max temp of 30.3C

The forecast shows the wind going up and down in strength and maybe a shower here and there over the next 7 days.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 2nd February, 2013

Today's weather;

It's going to be an emotional day for our family because this afternoon the cremation ceremony of my Mother in Law will be held at Wat Plai Laem.

It looks like a nice blue sky with some clouds in it is shaping up around Koh Samui and it could be warm today. The wind has dropped as well. Current temp at 7am is around 27.5C

My father in law with this three daughters at Wat Plai Laem

Yesterday was cloudy but dry almost all day long. Max temp reached around 28C

The foecast shows a bit of wind until Tuesday but nice clear skis from Wednesday onward.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Goodbye to January 2013

It's been a month with a few ups and downs.

First the weather though and I can say it was a good month with plenty of sunny days although there was a strong wind occasionally.

The ups included a PADI IDC on Koh Lanta with 10 candidates and since we're at PADI, I received a Certificate of Recognition for Excellence from PADI late on in the month from one of the candidates of the November 2012 PADI IDC on Malapascua in the Philippines.

Our daughter Julia turned 10 this month, which was a great event for us as well!

Funeral of my Mother in law at Wat Plai Laem

The down was the passing away of my Mother in law. A very good hearted woman who will be greatly missed by all of us in the family.

See you all next month.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 31st January, 2013

Today's weather;

It's still slightly windy around Koh Samui but the sky has plenty of blue to offer. Current temp at 7am is 27.7C

The funeral schedule of my Mother in law, as displayed in Wat Plai Laem

Yesterday saw a nice and dry day with plenty of sunshine around the island although there was some strong wind at times. Max temp reached 28.5C

The forecast is more or less unchanged, less wind over the weekend, slightly picking up of the wind after the weekend but Wednesday onward it's all good again. Occasionally we can have a shower.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Koh Samui, Thailand daily weather update; 30th January, 2013

Today's weather;

It's mostly cloudy with a few blue patches this morning around Koh Samui. Current temp at 7am is 27.4C

Mother in law's cooled down coffin at Wat Plai Laem

Yesterday saw a nice and dry day with plenty of sunshine and blue in the sky. Max temp reached 28.5C

The forecast shows no big change, the wind slows down over the weekend to slightly pick up afterwards, possibly with a shower here and there.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Khao Luang National Park and Karom Waterfall, Lan Saka

During our visit to Lan Saka, where I participated this morning in the 3rd Lan Saka mini marathon, organized by the local hospital, we also visited the Khao Luang National Park today, nearby Lan Saka.

The entrance to the park

The park is easily to find when you're leaving Lan Saka in a Southern direction. We stayed at the Loy Chalet hotel, but opposite the entrance on the main the road is the Khao Luang hotel which looks very promising (next to the river which allows tubing) and just before the actual entrance is a resort and inside the park you can also find accommodation. Plenty of choices are available.

As always in Thailand, dual pricing is the norm of the day

After showing the lady at the entrance proof that I pay taxes in Thailand and a short preach by her about having to show some sort of proof like a work permit or the like, I did pay the Thai entrance fee of 40.-THB and the children went for free! Strangely enough there was a 30,-THB car fee which is nowhere displayed!

The entrance to the Karome waterfall inside the park

The biggest attraction at the park must be the Karome waterfall. One of many in the area but surely the biggest and most spectacular one.

Level 4 of the waterfall

The waterfall has 19 levels but only 7 are accessible for the public. The levels have also names, with the last one, 'Naan Daat Fah' the most spectacular and it includes a big basin.

A steep view down

The park is very well maintained and clean and the park rangers seem to be doing a good job for which the entrance fee is well deserved and apparently used to better the park.

For instance; various toilets are build on the road leading up to the main waterfall level, an excellent service and not that typical for Thai national parks, from what I've seen so far.

Signage along the road, it's 'only' 600 meters to the main level!

All around the park is well maintained, as the picture of the signage above shows, the toilets proof and the it was tidy and clean. Hats off to the park rangers for taking care so well.

View along the way, very impressive and spectacular views are guaranteed!

The road leading up and down again

As already mentioned, all is very well maintained and the roads are well taken care of. Any fallen trees blocking the road are sawed in half and removed from the paths and the paths seem to be fairly new and in a good state. It made a safe impression on me which can not always be said of many places in Thailand.

The walk up is 'only' 600 meters but seems a lot longer but because the paths in the hill are shaded, it's not too bad and on a regular base some seating arrangements can be found for a well deserved rest or for taking the beautiful scenery and nature in.

The main waterfall; Naan Daat Fah

The walk up is well worth it, once you reach the final waterfall you are presented with a fantastic view of the fall and a big basin in front of it. There's a big shaded picnic or relaxing are with benches and a sala. Bring your own food and/or drinks though, there's nothing for sale this far up the hill.

The basin in front of the Naan Daat Fah waterfall, nice and cold but apparently not open for swimming

King Rama VI initials

In 1917, King Rama VI visited the park and carved his initials into the rock (right click on the picture and open in a new tab for a better view), another reason to make it all the way to the top!

A great time was had by all 4 of us, the children loved it and my wife enjoyed it also. If in this part of the world, it's well worth a stop and checking out or maybe even plan a trip here! The whole Lan Saka area is nice and worth checking out.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Kila Amphur Koh Samui 2012

Last year's Kila Amphur I missed due to work outside of Thailand but this year I was on the ball again! After a very early wake up call for our daughter at 3am, by 5.30am my alarm went off and by 7am we were well on our way to this years event.

In front of the main stand

The Kila Amphur sees all schools around the island participate in parades and sport event and stretches over several days. The parades for the 'kinder garden' schools started two days ago and Saturday is the final sports day.

The wheel of life is being carried around by one school

A very popular topic was the ASEAN theme this year and many schools opted for their students being dressed up with local clothes form ASEAN countries.

Pretty in pink

More schools opted for the more traditional Kila dress up, which includes 'drum major' and marching bands or depicting local folklore. See some drum major girls above. The variety in quality of dress up from school to school varies wildly. The above pictured dresses were among the top quality mark, at least in my opinion.

Old style Thai dress

Once you're on the field though, the long wait starts, school after school marches on to the ground and in front of the main stands, where a jury is positioned, all drum major groups give a performance, so it easily and quickly becomes a long day and long wait. On top of that it's either very hot or like this year, very clouded and when I had enough of the hanging around and ordered my clan back into the car, on our way home, it started to drizzle.

A marching band in scuba colors

Although we're in Thailand and food is widely available, it hardly raises over the junk food thresh hold and that wears thin after a while. All in all, I'm glad I went and saw my daughter parade on behalf of her school but it was high time to leave before noon. After a couple of hours being pounded by the same drum beat from various marching bands, a nice nap at home was something to look forward to!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Phun Phin run

Race day

Once more it was a race day, this morning the alarm went off at 4am in Surat Thani's Diamond Plaza hotel so I could get something to eat before we got in the car at 5am for the Phun Phin run.

The family together for teh Phun Phin race, promoting the Samui Hill Challenge this coming 2nd September

The kids and my wife ran a 3.5km fun run and I participated in a 13km run. My last training day was Tuesday, when I had a test run on the Hill Challenge route, today my muscles were still sore form that practice run! The first 5km were hard, after that I could pick up the pace a bit.

1st to 10th place for one of the young girls categories

As usual in the Thai races that I participated in so far, there were plenty of participants, a good 300 people were running the 13km run, I'm not sure how many participated in the fun run since they started after us but my wife thinks that were another 300 people.

I enjoy running the regional places in Thailand, slowly I start to recognize faces in the Southern races. This quote definitely comes to mind though;

Not all of us have running stories that include Olympic trials and world championship races. Most of us fight our running battles in community 10k runs, in marathons, or just in our daily workouts. But the lessons are the same.

- Adam Goucher & Tim Catalano

Next week it's off to Pattaya for the half marathon.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

A baby addition to the family

A baby addition to the family

Besides the new motorbike that has been added to our family on wheels, we also had a baby addition about two weeks ago. May I present to you; Kohn Puy

Kohn Puy

He or she is the baby of Tweety, our cat. We hope she/he will be strong, of the whole nest of cats, she's the only one that survived, so it already shows a bit of a fighting spirit!

The children called her kohn (short hair on arms and legs) Puy (soft, in this context).

Welcome to the family.

Camille

Children's day in Thailand

Children's day in Thailand

Although officially children's day is not until tomorrow in Thailand, pretty much all schools around the country celebrated the event today.

It's a fairly big deal around the country and various events are being organized like the Sattahip Sea tour on HTMS Chakri Naruebet for more than 1,000 children and families today.

The official slogan for this years Children day

Each child is supposed to bring a gift to school and the gifts are being mixed up all together and now each child will receive a gift from 'the pool' of gifts. Our daughter got candies, which unfortunately was the majority of gifts around at her school. Interesting in this regards to read about a warning against snack binge consumption.

Thai Airways even has a special child's menu available for 3 days.

The show is about to start at our son's school

It was a very busy day at our son's pre-school, with lots of parents watching their children perform in a dance with their classmates.

Monday the children are off since that will be Teacher day. How convenient!

Camille