Battle for Preah Vihear resumes at The Hague

The final chapter of Thailand and Cambodia's 51-year battle for Preah Vihear temple...

Wikipedia:
Background Information on Preah Vihear temple

UNESCO:
World Heritage Listing and related information on Temple of Preah Vihear

International Court of Justice:
Protocols, hearings and documents on Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand)

Bangkok Post:
Local news in Thailand
International Court resumes temple hearing Monday
Cambodia, Thailand begin argument before ICJ on disputed area near Preah Vihear
Thailand 'stoked' border conflict
Thailand: Cambodia has an agenda
ICJ's verdict owed respect
Cambodia accused of lies
Thailand warns ICJ about temple map
Poll: People concerned on border war
No Conclusion over Preah Vihear

The Diplomat:
Preah Vihear temple: Redrawing Jungle lines

BBC:
Preah Vihear temple: UN court hears Thai-Cambodia disput

Next stop Khon Kaen

Recently I had the chance to make a stop over in Khon Kaen and spend one night in this beautiful town in the middle of Thailand's Northeast. Khon Kaen is located some 400 kilometres northeast of Bangkok in the middle of the Korat plateau. Khon Kaen is the regional Hub for Finance, Transportation and Education. The regional Silk trade as well as agriculture are important industries in this Isaan city.

Khon Kaen is one of Thailand's major cities under its National Economic and Social Plan. Khon Kaen is home to two important educational institutions: Rajamangala University and Khon Kaen University, which makes Khon Kaen the largest university town in the Northeast.

Khon Kaen Airport raised to international standards in 2005, with the opening of a new terminal. TG, Thai Airways International, operates for flights a day between Khon Kaen and Bangkok. Used to Suvarnnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Khon Kaen's airport appears to be sleepy and laid-back. Never the less, the service I experienced was of high quality and the airport is small but tidy. Two Black Canyon coffees, a few small shops and a tiny TG lounge make the time pass by quickly.

Khon Kaen city is nestled around the northeastern Highway known as Mithraphap Road ('Friendship Highway' or 'Highway 2'). This road road links Bangkok to the northeastern Isaan provinces and to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, which extends to Vientiane in Laos.

Greenleaf Hydrofarm & Restaurant
Greenleaf is located on the small road linking the city of Khon Kaen to its airport. The restaurant offers a great mix of healthy Thai and Western fusion food and seems to be quite famous among the locals. The selection ranges from typical Thai curries to Mexican tacos, healthy fresh salads and superb steaks. The steaks come in a local, US and Australian version and are prepared as per the cook book. Simply delicious.


Greenleaf Hydrofarm & Restaurant, 17 Airport Road, Khon Kaen, Thailand 40000, (043) 345-565, (086) 862-3423

Rachawadee Resort & Hotel
Close to the airport located is a small, but exquisite example of Thai hospitality: Rachawadee Resort & Hotel. The resort was build in 2007 by the Somjaiwong family who's dream was to bring an oasis of tranquility and fine dining for vacationers and business travelers to their hometown of Khon Kaen. The resort's keystone is its Kinaree Restaurant which has all the popular Isaan dishes and many original creations on offer. The family friendly Rachawadee Resort is situated in a nice and lush garden with swimming pool, close to the airport, ideally positioned to spend some relaxing days in this city.

Rachawadee Resort & Hotel, Khon Kaen Airport Road, Khon Kaen, Thailand 40000, (043) 468-222, info@rachawadeehotel.com

When the Golden Shower Tree blooms - Songkran is around the corner

The Golden Shower tree (cassia fistula) can be found everywhere in Laos and Thailand's northeastern provinces, also know as Isaan. The flowering tree is native to southern and southeastern Asia, from Sri Lanka through India to Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.
The golden shower tree is the national tree of Thailand, and its flower is Thailand's national flower. The yellow flowers symbolize Thai royalty. Thailand's biggest flora exhibition, the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, was named after the tree. In Thai the Golden Shower tree is called 'dok khoon' or 'ratchaphruek'.

The tree is also a popular ornamental plant and an herbal medicine.

The Golden Shower trees grows to 10-20 metres in size. Isaan's raod are often flanked with this fast growing tree. The flowers are 20-40 centimetres long and each yellow flower is 4-7 in diameter with five equaly sized petals and shape.

The fruit is a legume, 30–60 centimetres long and 1.5–2.5 centimetres broad, similar to a long bean. The fruit contains several seeds which are poisonous.

The Golden Shower tree has a strong and very durable wood.

In April the tree is flowering and turns with its bright yellow color Thais and Lao alike in a good mood - the local new year festival (Lao: Pii Mai, Thai: Songkran) is approaching. The water splashing event is held yearly on the 13th -16th of April.
Sawadee Pii Mai!

5th Thai-Lao bridge plan to be discussed

Plans for construction of a 5th Thai-Lao friendship bridge across the Mekong River, between Bue ng Kan province of Thailand and Paksane town of Bolikhamxay province if Laos, will be raised for discussion when Transport Minister Chadchat Suttipunt visits Laos on Feb 21.

5th Thai-Lao bridge plan to be discussed | Bangkok Post

Northeast Thailand given major tourism boost

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is collaborating with travel trade partners to promote the destination by organizing Amazing I-San Fair 2013.

Northeast Thailand given major tourism boost

Mekong River's ecology and its influence on livelihoods

Most small riverside communities along the Mekong River rely on mixed economy of agricultur and fisheries. These two subsistence activities dominate the  live along the river; and are directly linked to the Mekong's ecology.

Families and livelihoods along the river depend on the river and its resources. Families need the income and food generated through activities such as fisheries and gardening. For most people in the Mekong basin, livelihoods are complex, and often include a mixture of employment income, as well as subsistence farming or fishing activities such as growing food or fishing.

The activities undertaken by households vary seasonally. The Mekong River ecology, and in particular the seasonal flood-pulse and the dry season, determines how these activities vary throughout the year. At times rice-farming dominates the activities, while at other times, fishing is more important.

Nong Khai's Naga - a strong symbol and deity of the Mekong River

Guardian deity of the Mekong River and its people. Rooted in many legends and stories from the past, the Naga is still one of the most important symbols of the Lao and Isaan culture.

Lam Thakong Dam

Lam Takhong Dam was constructed in 1974 and is an embankment dam on the Lam Takhong River. 

The dam is situated between Pak Chona and Sikhiu districts in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Isaan.

The dam's purpose was to retain water for irrigation and water supply. After 2002 the stored water also serves as the reservoir for the Lam Takhong Pumped Storage Power Plant, the first plant one of this kind in Thailand.

Along the highway number 2 there are a few restaurants overlooking the dam. They offer typical Isaan food such as gai yang (BBQ chicken), somtam (papaya salad) and all sorts of fish.... of course served with khao nio (sticky rice).

Revered Buddha Phra Serm at Wat Pathumwanaram Rajaworavihara

Wat Pathumwanaram Rajaworavihara (Wat Srapathum ) is situated on Rama I Road in Bangkok, between the Central World Shopping Mall and the Siam Paragon Shopping Center. The Wat was build during the same time as the Srapathum Palace. King Rama IV ordered the construction of the temple as a gift for Queen Thepsirin.

Wat Pathumwanaram houses important Buddha images - the revered Phra Serm and Phra Saen.

Legends say that the three daughters of Setthathirath (*), the King of Lane Xang, commissioned three personal Buddha images. Theses images were believed to reflect the faces of the three daughters of the king. All of them were given names relating to the names of the three princesses, Phra Serm, Phra Souk and Phra Sai.

The three revered Buddha images were originally housed in Vientiane, Laos sleepy capital on the opposite Mekong Riverside, around 20 km of Nong Khai. However, around 200 years ago, the images were brought to Thailand during the invasion of Laos through the troupes of Rama III, King of Siam.

In a stormy night, Phra Souk fell in to the Mekong River while in transit to Nong Khai. The two surviving and remaining Buddha images were placed in Nong Khai's Wat Pho Chai and Wat Ho Klong. King Rama IV ordered, that the image of Phra Serm should be taken to Bangkok.

While Phra Sai was left at Wat Pho Chai in Nong Khai, Phra Serm was placed at Wat Pathumwanaram Rajaworavihara in  Bangkok. A visit to this most revered Buddha is rewarding and interesting alike. Wat Pathumwanaram Rajaworavihara is on the Rama I Road, near Siam Square...

More info: The story of Phra Sai, a much revered Buddha image in Nong Khai

* Setthathirath (Lao: ເສດຖາທິຣາດ; 1534–1572) is one of the greatest leaders and kings in Lao history. He successfully defended the kingdom of Lan Xang against the Burmese conquerors.

Setthathirath erected many Buddhist monuments in Laos and Isaan, including the famous Wat Xieng Thong in Luang Prabang and the Phra That Luang stupa in Vientiane.