# Kale: Exploring Thai Traditions in the Footsteps of Nirat Phetchaburi - Tham Rong Community #

A Glimpse into the Heart of a Mother: A Translation of a Thai Poem

The poem you provided, "Nirat Mueang Phet" by Sunthorn Phu, paints a vivid picture of a mother's unwavering love for her child. The scene unfolds with a troop of monkeys scrambling for scraps of food, mirroring the frantic scramble of humans trying to provide for their families. Amidst the chaos, a mother monkey clings fiercely to her young, refusing to let go even as she desperately searches for sustenance. This poignant image serves as a powerful reminder of the depth of a mother's love, transcending species and circumstances.

The poet's use of simple yet evocative language effectively conveys the raw emotion of the scene. The repetition of "น้อย" (small, young) emphasizes the vulnerability of the infant monkey, while the contrasting image of the mother's unwavering protectiveness creates a powerful emotional resonance. The final line, "กระไรเลยแลเห็นน่าเอ็นดู" (How could one not find this sight endearing?), invites the reader to share in the poet's admiration for the mother's unwavering devotion.

This excerpt from "Nirat Mueang Phet" offers a glimpse into the universal language of love and sacrifice that transcends cultural boundaries. The poem's simple yet profound message resonates with anyone who has witnessed the boundless love of a mother for her child.

Siam Smile brings you "Kate (Kateryna)" from the visiting team of Ukraine.

This trip, Kate will be traveling with Kanha. So excited~

As for the person on the right, if she looks this pretty, she must be from the home team. This is Kanha herself, lol 55555

We started our journey from Bangkok around 12:30 PM. Luckily, there was no traffic.

We only had half a day to explore today, so we considered it a travel day to settle in.

However, it started raining heavily on the way! 55555

I was worried that Kate would be disappointed, so I said, "It's the rainy season in Thailand right now."

Kate smiled sweetly and replied, "I know, and the rain is beautiful." Oh my god! Even more beautiful~

So we decided to stop by Khao Yoi to have some food // hoping the rain would stop.

Sheltering from the rain, Kanjana and Kate opted for rice with curry. Kate mentioned her love for rice with curry.

This is Kate's fourth visit to Thailand, and Thai food ranks high on her list of Asian cuisines.

In the picture, Kanjana enjoys steamed fish curry and recommends it to Kate.

Kate exclaimed that the steamed fish curry is in her top 3! Kanjana was proud, as it's her favorite dish.

Kate was surprised by the two-layered "khanom thuai" (steamed cup cake). The bottom layer is sweet pandan-flavored dough, topped with slightly salty coconut milk. It seems like an unlikely combination, but it's truly addictive!

Let's get moving! We've definitely overindulged today, so it's time to burn off some calories!

The rhythmic sounds of drums, cymbals, and gongs fill the air as we join in the lively "Thoeing Klong Yao" performance. The uncles, aunties, and older siblings were waiting to welcome us, which was a wonderful surprise!

We are deeply grateful for the warm and friendly welcome we received today.

Fun fact: I used to be a Klong Yao dancer! Well, not exactly a skilled one. I was more known for my hilarious mistakes that made my teachers cry. I just couldn't seem to remember the steps!

(* "Thoeing Klong Yao" or "Thoet Thoeng" is the name of a traditional Thai dance performance involving long drums.)

On the first day of our Unseen Thailand trip, we decided to immerse ourselves in authentic Thai culture by visiting a temple.

We chose Wat Tham Rong, an ancient temple dating back to the late Dvaravati period.

This sacred temple has been an important part of the Tham Rong community for centuries.

Wat Tham Rong: A True Cave Temple

Wat Tham Rong is a true cave temple, with a mountain exterior and a cave interior. Inside the cave, the main Buddha statue is a large image of the Buddha in the "pacifying the relatives" posture, known as "Luang Pho Dam".

The name "Luang Pho Dam" (Black Father) refers to the dark color of the statue. While the lower portion, from the feet to the waist, was carved directly from the cave wall, the upper portion, from the waist to the head, was carved from sandstone. To preserve the statue, the ancients used a special process involving boiled betel nut juice, which turned the statue black over time. Despite the black color, traces of the original white stone are still visible.

The use of betel nut juice to preserve the statue is a testament to the ingenuity of the ancients. It is a fascinating example of how traditional methods can be used to create lasting works of art.

To the left of Luang Pho Dam, and also on the right, there are carved images of the Buddha in the same posture as the one forbidding relatives, but these are much smaller. It seems that they were also treated with betel nut juice. This makes me think that Luang Pho Dam himself may have had a red skin in the past, perhaps similar in color to these smaller images.

She stood still in the same spot, not moving, while Kale just turned and looked around the cave.

You can see that there are many Buddha statues in various postures, all of which were installed

after the renovation several decades ago. It was a renovation and development project to preserve the temple

so that it remains a part of the Tham Rong community. Most importantly, it was done to make it more convenient for people to come and pay their respects.

Looking around, I tilted my head up. Inside the cave, the ceiling was very high, with a rocky opening.

There were holes and crevices, and in the crevices were bats. Bats, individual bats, mind you, flew past my face like whoosh!

// In the picture, circle all the bats. In short, they were sitting in a circle like a mortar, so many of them. 55555

"Grandpa In" is depicted sitting and holding a tobacco pipe below Luang Pho Dam.

Grandpa In is believed to be the guardian spirit of this cave. However, it is unknown whether he actually existed.

Currently, he is only a sacred legend that has been passed down through generations.

A short distance from Grandpa In, there is a cave entrance leading inside. It is not very deep, about ten steps.

Inside, there is also a Buddha statue.

Come, let's go pay our respects to the Buddha after Khun Na has taken you around.

Flowers, incense, candles, and gold leaf are available here. You can make merit by donating to the donation box as you wish.

Kanna was unsure if Kate had ever paid respects to a Thai Buddha before, but as a good host, she decided to teach her the proper way to do so.

She started by telling Kate to put the gold leaf sheets in her pocket, as they might fly away.

After lighting the incense and candles, Kanna told Kate, "You can now make a wish for anything you desire."

Kate smiled broadly upon hearing this and spent a moment earnestly making a wish.

May this trip be filled with joy and laughter, even though we're taking a break from work.

May our clients not bother us for ten days, but our wallets remain full. Amen.

After making a wish, insert the incense...

How to insert the incense so casually that it looks like you're not even aware of the camera? 55555 // Trust me ^^

After lighting the incense and placing the flowers, Kannika took the three gold leaf sheets she had received.

Kannika first demonstrated to Kate, placing the first sheet on the heart of one of the Buddha statues. The second sheet she placed on the hand of another statue. And the final sheet she placed on the head of the third statue.

With her own faith, Kannika explained, "Placing it on the heart will bring a good life and happiness. Placing it on the hand will give us the strength to do what we love. Placing it on the foot will give us the power to walk forward, or it could also mean success. And placing it on the head will give us the power to think creatively and have the wisdom to solve problems in life. You can choose to place it on the statue you like, any of them."

Kate listened to Kannika with interest and chose the Buddha statue she liked, which was different from Kannika's. Then she placed it according to Kannika's instructions. Kate seemed to enjoy it very much, and Kannika was very happy for her. She felt happy to have come together.

The right-hand corner has a fortune-telling booth, but I didn't try it today.

After paying respects and making offerings inside the temple, we turned to the left upon exiting. There, we were greeted by this magnificent sight: a towering mountain rising before us. The view was breathtaking!

Before you could even take another step, the friendly elderly couple offered you a glass of fresh palm sugar, a local specialty.

They assured you that it was pure palm sugar, and you were immediately hooked! It was incredibly sweet and fragrant, with a crystal-clear appearance.

The color resembled coconut water, and the sweetness was perfectly natural. The aroma of palm sugar was intoxicating, creating a delightful and refreshing experience.

You couldn't help but ask for more, but the couple playfully teased you, saying, "Go get it yourself!" They sure know how to keep you on your toes!

From the picture above, if we walk straight along the path, we will find a pavilion with a wrought iron gate with this pattern.

This is the pavilion where "Luang Pho Khao" is enshrined.

Sometimes, to be clear, the locals also call this place..."Wat Luang Pho Dam Luang Pho Khao".

Upon entering the door, you will find Luang Pho Khao, who was originally enshrined in a cave like Luang Pho Dam, but in a different cave. Later, Luang Pho Khao's cave collapsed, so the villagers helped to invite him out to be enshrined outside until the present day. The cave has been renovated and repaired. Originally, Luang Pho Khao was white, but after the renovation, the color was changed. Kanom asked the nun why it wasn't painted white like before. The nun said it was because his hand was broken. Kanom thought to herself that the new paint might be to better cover up the repairs.

For this trip, Kan Na intends to follow the trail of Nirat Mueang Phet, and here is a real-life illustration

of one of the golden verses from the Nirat. It is a verse that tells the story of Brother Ling, who saw the picture perfectly.

There are so many monkeys here! Their gestures are no different from the Nirat that Kan Na mentioned at the beginning.

But Kate is afraid of monkeys. Kate said she was bitten by a monkey, so the monkey probably doesn't like her either.

Oh, oh, oh, how cute. So Kan Na took a lot of pictures of monkeys, took them for Kate to keep as a souvenir of Thai monkeys.

Crossing the road to the opposite side from Luang Pho Dam's cave, you will find the chapel of Wat Tham Rong.

The spacious area is used for various activities, temple fairs, and auspicious events.

If there was a temple fair, Kanom would be thrilled. Kanom loves walking around temple fairs, especially playing the coconut shell game and shooting. Kanom is the best at it, you know!

Well, the best at standing alone because no one wants to play with her. Boo hoo!

This old church was renovated decades ago, around 1966.

The church is constructed from a mixture of earth, *shell lime*, and wood.

( * Shell lime: According to ancient records and archaeological assumptions, in the past, before the invention of modern cement, lime was made from a mixture of earth, water, crushed laterite, sugarcane juice for viscosity, and burnt oyster shells. )

The art around the real temple is very beautiful.

It is a beautiful old-fashioned look like a painting.

There is a prominent yellow color, contrasting with the white of the plaster and the blue color, although it may look faded, but it is still visible.

The carving is exquisite and unusual. This place is really unusual.

Kanna has never seen a temple with this kind of art before.

Looking back, the backdrop of this valuable art is the Rong Cave mountain. This mountain is not only magnificent but also incredibly abundant. The monkeys also live in the forest on this mountain.

Wherever she goes, Kana always looks up at the paintings on the gables.

And this church made Kana cry out, "Wow! That's a baby monkey!" and "There's a mango on the right side!"

Kana has never seen a gable with a pattern like this before. She asked P'Noi,

the person who brought her to see the temple. P'Noi explained that the carving is called "Himalayan Forest".

According to legend, the Himalayan Forest is a mountain range in the north of the Indian subcontinent.

Phra Nalak went there to practice asceticism as one of the great disciples, waiting for the enlightenment of the Buddha.

Therefore, this gable tells the story of the Himalayan Forest through carvings.

The church's entrance door is made of solid teak wood, intricately and beautifully carved.

Nothing, just taking a picture for fun. 5555

Next to the church, there is a school and a very large football field.

There are 3 mini-sized football players running around. Their faces look familiar.

After leaving the temple, we boarded the community tour bus of Tham Rong to take us into the community. Along the way, we saw the houses of the Tham Rong community residents on both sides of the road. The fences caught my eye. Every house had a fence made of trees, such as Cha Hak Kian, Acacia, and Tamarind. It's called an "edible fence." I love it! The whole community is green, shady, and comfortable. Plus, it's cool. It's a brilliant idea, so brilliant that you could pick it and eat it. Young tamarind leaves dipped in chili paste, oh my!

In less than 5 minutes, we arrived at our destination: "Baan Rai Sa Thone." This is where our homestay accommodation is located for this trip.

After walking about 20 meters, we came across a large Thai-style house called "Chomphu Thong Homestay".

At the entrance, a sign indicated that this house is a "Community Chef". Wow! That sounds impressive. Kate couldn't help but exclaim in awe.

This isn't just any chef in a restaurant. This is a chef for the entire community. You can imagine how meticulous they must be.

This is a guarantee sign from Local Chef Thailand

The owner of this house is called "Auntie Sai".

And of course, Auntie Sai is the talented chef who owns this cool sign.

Kanna is curious about the criteria and process for selecting community chefs.

Noi, the trip organizer, explains that in addition to cooking delicious local dishes,

chefs must use local ingredients

and create innovative new menus to demonstrate their skills.

Most importantly, they must use ingredients that are free of harmful chemicals. Wow, that's amazing!

Kan and Kate carried their luggage upstairs to the bedroom.

The bed and mosquito net were neatly arranged. Kate saw the mosquito net and smiled, exclaiming "Wow!"

Kate said, "It's like a princess's bedroom. I'm going to sleep like a princess tonight."

Kan laughed because she hadn't thought that far ahead. She just thought, "This is to keep the mosquitoes out." 555555

// But actually, there weren't any mosquitoes at all, but they put up the mosquito net anyway. Just to keep Kate company. ^^

There is a tea and coffee corner downstairs for your convenience.

There are cozy seating areas with Wi-Fi and a gentle breeze. It's so relaxing!

These homestays were originally houses belonging to local villagers. Those with extra space and unused bedrooms renovated them into charming homestays.

Currently, there are 8 homestays in the community. Backpackers, this is a must-visit! I'm sure you'll have a blast.

The local residents are friendly, humorous, fun to talk to, kind, and always smiling. It feels like home here!

As the rain continues to fall lightly, I have decided to stay indoors. While I am sitting here,

Aunt Sai is in the kitchen, cooking food with the aroma of curry spices filling the air. I wasn't hungry at first, but the smell has made me hungry.

Here comes the first dinner! Our local chef, Auntie Sai, has served us a full table.

The vegetables are homegrown, and the curry paste is freshly pounded. It's incredibly delicious and authentic.

Kate and Kanjana had seconds of rice. We ended the meal with coconut custard, crispy coconut cookies, and guava.

The guava is also homegrown in the garden. Kanjana ate so much guava that she's full. Kate loves the crispy coconut cookies. We sat there for a long time, unable to get up.

After a satisfying meal, Kate ran upstairs and soon returned with souvenirs from Ukraine.

She distributed them to everyone and also guided us through postcards of various landmarks in Ukraine.

The postcards were stunning, the locations were breathtaking, and Kate's narration was captivating. We were thoroughly engrossed in listening to her.

After chatting until almost nine o'clock, we parted ways to rest.

Because our itinerary for tomorrow is jam-packed, I'm going to bed now.

Good night, everyone. zzZ

Day 2

"When the sun sets and the wind blows gently, it is a delight to wander through the fields and paths.

Throughout the country, in every region and district, it seems as if the horizon is endless, except for the occasional palm tree.

The people here make a living from palm sugar, and they carry knives at their sides like soldiers.

They climb tall palm trees with ease, each carrying a container for collecting palm sap."

(Nirat Mueang Phet: Sunthorn Phu)

Waking up in the morning to the smell of food wafting from downstairs.

The homestay owner is a community chef, so the atmosphere is always tempting.

After showering and getting dressed, Kanya went downstairs to find a large breakfast spread.

They didn't expect Kanya to eat breakfast until lunch tomorrow, did they? 55555 It's too much!

After a quick breakfast, we ventured out to take photos and explore the surroundings of the homestay, which was located within the Tham Rong community. Many of the local residents came out to chat with us, making for a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

This passage describes a woman named "Auntie Tia" who sells "Tarn Soap," a facial soap produced in the Tham Rong community. Auntie Tia is known for her playful personality and is considered the community's ambassador. She has been taking care of the author and her friend Kate since their arrival. During a conversation, Auntie Tia reveals her love for Korean dramas and her impressive memory of the actors' names. The author is surprised by Auntie Tia's sharp memory, as she herself cannot recall the details of the dramas she has watched. Auntie Tia's youthful appearance, attributed to her use of Tarn Soap, leads the author to playfully call her "Araya" and "Patcharapa," famous Thai actresses. Auntie Tia responds by jokingly claiming that she should be called "Lisa," a popular Korean singer, due to her youthful appearance and love for Korean culture. This playful exchange results in everyone calling her "Lisa" for the rest of the day.

This person, "Uncle Tom," is very cool in real life! He is also very polite and eloquent. He is as calm and smart as a movie hero. Uncle Tom, did you eat Tik Jesdaporn? Spit it out! Uncle Tom has a shop selling old-fashioned tea and coffee at the entrance of our homestay. He has boiled eggs, butterfly pea tea, and all kinds of drinks. Order anything you want, Uncle Tom can handle it!

As we relaxed, we noticed a group of villagers cutting grass, trimming trees, and sweeping the streets. They were not hired workers, but members of the community who came out to help. Even the village headman was there, leading the way with a lawnmower. During a break, we had the opportunity to talk to them and learned that they were cleaning the area in preparation for the King's birthday celebration on July 28th. It is no wonder that this community was awarded the "Outstanding Community of the Year" award, as they are so united. Everyone is amazing!

It's time to hit the road! Today, Noi will take Kanya and Kate to see the palm sugar plantation.

Noi picks us up at the homestay in her car. On the way, we pass by the irrigation canal.

Noi stops by the side of the road, where there is a huge tree. Noi explains to us,

"This is a rubber tree. It's an ancient tree of Phetchaburi, so I wanted to show you."

In the past, the rubber from the rubber tree was used to make 'soot' by drilling a hole in the trunk

and slowly burning it with fire. Then, leaves were added as fuel to obtain soot from the rubber sap, which was used to light fires,

such as torches or lamps. It could also be used to seal leaks in boats, but it had to go through another process,

using soot as a raw material, which is called 'pitch' (rubber sap for sealing boat leaks).

Once the rubber tree has reached its full capacity, it can heal itself,

but it will leave scars as shown in the picture. These are cavities with burn marks.

However, the rubber tree is a protected plant, so it is forbidden to cut or fell it down. Therefore, at the Tham Rong community,

Kale had the opportunity to see rubber trees everywhere, and each tree was tall and magnificent, truly amazing!

After a brief stop at the rubber plantation, Noi took us to "Uncle Thanom's Palm Grove".

This famous palm grove in Phetchaburi is a well-known landmark in the Tham Rong community.

As Kanjana and Kate arrived, we looked around at the atmosphere.

Wow! There were palm trees everywhere, just like in the travelogue Kanjana had read.

Kale led Kate for a walk inside the garden, where they saw someone climbing a palm tree.

Aunt Lisa introduced them, saying that the climber was "Jaem," the son of Uncle Thanom, the owner of the garden.

Translation:

"…With their palm wine tools strapped to their sides like soldiers, Their long legs striding, climbing, soaring, Each carrying a palm wine container…"

Just like the illustrations in the Nirat Mueang Phet, P'Jaem was no different from the poem. His solemn demeanor, his strength, and his tools for working in the traditional way, Continuing the methods of the past. Kan was so excited to see it for herself. Exciting, yes, but deep down, she felt a sense of pride and admiration that she couldn't describe. P'Jaem was truly amazing.

Each palm tree presents a unique challenge for Jaem. Some require climbing to reach the flower bud, known as "nwadongwungtal".

Others demand scaling to cut the flower bunch, while some necessitate climbing to collect the sap.

( * "Nwadongwungtal" will be explained later when Jaem provides instruction.)

Shortly after, P'Jaem came down to greet us for a while. However, as the work was not yet finished,

P'Jaem told us to go for a walk first and he would come down to teach us about the sugar palm garden later.

And when P'Jaem allowed us to play...

We played together, just the two of us. No one else to play with. 55555

When Kate saw the sensitive plant, she touched it with her fingers and the leaves folded up. She wondered if there were any in Ukraine.

She played with it for a while, and every time she found one, she would sit down and play with it again. Oh my goodness!

Should I plant it at home, son? We're visiting a palm grove, and the palm trees are crying. 555555

After taking some photos, Jaem climbed different trees. When he reached this tree, Kana saw him tie a rope around his waist. Kana thought it was a safety measure for climbing the palm tree.

However, when he reached the top, Jaem untied the rope and tied it to the palm fruit cluster instead. He then slowly lowered himself down like a winch, revealing that he had climbed the palm tree with bare hands and feet.

At that moment, Kana's eyes widened as she watched Jaem work. It was both high and scary. When Kana climbed the tree, she only reached 3/4 of the height and her legs were still shaking.

The work is done, so Kanom Jeeb and Kate decided to try carrying the sugar palm tree back.

Oh my god! It's so heavy! But Kate seems to like it and is having fun. She wouldn't put it down even if I told her to. 5555

Kate said, "I'm exercising." What's with that attitude?

Next, we walked out of the garden zone and into the greenhouse. // Honestly, I'm not sure what to call this place.

Inside the greenhouse, there are tables displaying products made from palm fruit, such as fresh palm juice, palm sugar, fresh palm sugar, and palm cakes. There are also fresh guava and rose apples from the garden.

Here, Kanom and Kate had the opportunity to meet the real "Uncle Thanom".

Uncle Thanom, besides being the owner of the palm orchard and the super father of Jaem,

Uncle Thanom is also known as the "Palm Tree Sage". Isn't that cool?!

// Uncle Thanom said that the real deal is not wearing a shirt 55555

A group of tourists happened to visit today, so the uncle didn't have much time to talk to us.

However, Kanao was delighted for the uncle because the customers didn't just stop by to look or buy things.

Everyone was also interested in asking about the various methods of making things. Kanao believes that the uncle himself must be equally delighted

that everyone is interested in what he has been dedicated to doing for decades.

Stepping inside, you'll find a few aunties busy boiling fresh sugar palm sap and peeling the sugar palm fruit. I tried using the knife myself, but no luck! It was incredibly hard. 555555 Not only does the knife need to be extremely sharp, but the aunties also need to have very strong wrists. Applause!!

We sat in the shed for a while. Jaem, who had finished climbing the palm tree, came over to us. Jaem asked for a short break and then invited us and the interested tourists to listen to her explanation of how to tap the palm tree for sap and collect sugar.

The image shows a fresh elephant trunk that P'Jaem cut out to demonstrate the working method for us to see.

Jaem greeted the visitors with a smile before starting to explain and demonstrate the work for us to see.

Jaem said that when the palm tree is old enough to have a complete flower stalk, he will climb up to cut the flower stalk on the tree.

With a wooden tool called a "kab", made of hardwood, Jaem will climb to the top of the palm tree.

He will tuck one end of the kab into his waist, using a sarong to help secure the wood.

He will hold the other end with his hand and use the kab to cut the flower stalk by squeezing the wood against his waist.

On the first day of tapping, the flower stalks are still in clusters. Cut off the side stalks, leaving only the middle stalk.

The new flower stalk is still hard, so hold it in the middle with a tapping stick.

Squeeze firmly enough to warn the palm, "I'm going to tap you now, so be careful!"

Squeeze the entire stalk once... On the second day, do the same thing: go up and tap the flower stalk repeatedly.

For ten consecutive days, P'Jaem must repeatedly climb and descend the palm tree, squeezing the central water pipe of the flower stalk.

This squeezing not only refers to the pressure applied by P'Jaem's tool but also encompasses the natural process of the flower stalk itself.

P'Jaem explains that when the flower stalk is squeezed daily, its skin becomes resistant to the tool, thickening and hardening to withstand the pressure.

However, this expansion does not make the flower stalk fatter; instead, it expands inwards, encroaching on the space of the internal water pipe.

The continuous squeezing of the water pipe by the flower stalk's skin for ten days can cause damage to the pipe, allowing it to release sap.

Once the sap is released, the flower stalk is tied together, its mouth is cut off, and the stalks are bundled and placed in a bamboo tube to collect the sap that flows out.

Translation:

P'Jaem further explained that during the ten-day period, in addition to climbing to massage the palm, he also had to continuously remove the sugar palm flowers from the palm's trunk. Otherwise, after the trunk absorbs water, it will not release it, instead storing it to nourish the flowers. P'Jaem has personally observed and estimated that a single trunk can produce up to five hundred flowers. // It's no wonder he's the heir of Uncle Thanom, a true expert just like his father! Amazing!

Every morning, Mr. Jaem climbs the palm trees to install the sugar collection tubes, which he then removes in the evening.

These tubes contain bees, attracted by the sweet nectar. Each palm flower cluster can produce up to five liters of sugar per day.

However, after ten days of climbing and tapping the flower clusters, Mr. Jaem must cut the tip of the palm to open the sap flow. If he makes a mistake, all his effort is wasted.

Mr. Jaem recalls an instance when he made such a mistake. He wasn't sad, but rather angry. Just listening to his story is tiring.

After hearing Mr. Jaem's story and witnessing the arduous climb he undertakes, I can confidently say that I will never bargain with palm sugar vendors again. The effort involved in producing this sugar is truly backbreaking.

Before leaving, we took a group photo as a souvenir. Kanom bought fresh sugarcane juice to drink back at the homestay.

Kanom bought one bottle for you, Kate, but now she's going to fight you for it because she loves it so much. 5555555

After about ten minutes, Noi took us back from the palm grove.

Then she took us to the palm toy house.

When I walked in, I wasn't that impressed because I had seen it before.

When Aunt Lisa introduced Kanya to "Grandpa Phut and Grandma Bai", a couple in their eighties, Kanya was initially impressed. Grandpa didn't seem capable of making toys, you see.

But when Grandpa picked up the toy-making tools and pierced the hard palm leaves with his bare hands, his thick, wrinkled hands, which spoke of his advanced age, displayed remarkable strength and dexterity.

If it were Kanya or anyone else, they would have opted for a drill.

While waiting for her grandfather to finish making toys, Kan Na took some photos for fun.

She then came across "Nong Sa Prang", a celebrity doll from the famous drama "Thong Ek, the Herbal Doctor of Tha Cho Long".

She found out that the owner of this masterpiece is none other than her grandfather, Khun Ta Phut.

Screamingggggggggg!! I'm a fan, Khun Ta!

The kind-hearted grandfather sat down to chat with us before offering us the materials to make our own turtle dolls.

He patiently guided us through the process, and even though I wasn't very focused, I managed to create one!

The most fun part of the trip seems to be this one.

Not only did I have to make my own, but I also had to turn around and teach Kan Na how to do it. Oh my god!

Kan Na is the one who took me on this trip, so why is Kate teaching Kan Na instead? Waaaa~

After we finished making the little turtle, Grandpa said that we would leave it here for now because he

would have to sand and coat the little turtle first. Oh my god~ So touching~

Grandpa said that we should come back and pick it up before we go back to Bangkok. He will make it for us before we leave. // I'm going to cry!

These are the various inventions of my grandfather. Look at how strong they are.

Everything is made with bare hands, hot glue, and sawdust. But what's more important than any equipment

is the love and creativity of my eighty-three-year-old grandfather. Amazing!!

After finishing making the toys, it was lunchtime. We returned to the homestay for lunch.

Today, Aunt Sai prepared a very luxurious meal. The more you stay, the more extravagant the menu becomes. It's no wonder it's called the chef's house.

There should be a sign in front of the house that says..."This house will make you full." 55555555

In the afternoon, Noi took us to make another valuable toy, the "Thai kite".

About five minutes from the homestay, we arrived at the house of "Brother O", the owner of the most famous Thai kite in the Tham Rong community. As soon as we got out of the car, Kan Na and Kate stopped talking.

When they saw the sign "Thai Kite Conservation Learning Center" and a giant kite behind it, Kan Na and Kate were stunned. They stood there staring, speechless. 555555 How big can it be?

Before entering the house to watch P'Oh fly a kite, Kanha was captivated by this potted coconut bonsai.

Oh my! It's so beautiful. I want to take it home. It's like an ant, isn't it?

Upon entering, we encountered a kite as large as the Chula kite. P'Oh introduced us to the name "Dui Dui Kite".

The origin of the name comes from the sound the kite makes when it is in the sky, which sounds like "dui dui".

Then, O taught Kana and Kate about kites and told us about Thai kite competitions. O has been playing kites since he was a child and still enjoys it as an adult.

When O told us about kites, his voice, gestures, and eyes were filled with joy, similar to how children tell exciting stories with happy faces.

O's genuine passion made us excited too. We had fun and could visualize the stories. O's storytelling was like listening to a good talk show.

O picked up a kite on display and introduced it to us. The one in the wooden frame is called a "Chula kite".

It has slender legs, a narrow waist, and thin legs, a style called "Phra Lak Phra Ram".

Because of its narrow waist and elegant appearance, it is the protagonist. Moreover, when this type of kite flies in the sky,

it moves gracefully with the wind, slowly and steadily, not jerkily.

The next kite is also a Chula kite, but its legs are different. They are curved, which is why this type of kite is called "Thotsakan." The name comes from the fact that its curved legs resemble those of a giant (think of the giant characters in Khon, a traditional Thai masked dance drama).

This kite not only looks intimidating like a giant, but it also moves quickly in the sky, as if it has a bad temper like a giant.

According to P'Ob, the most impressive kite is called "Hanuman". When it flies in the sky, it moves just like a real monkey.

It's so agile and swift that you can't even tell what the kite actually looks like.

Kan Na translated P'Ob's explanation into English for Kate.

Kate then called it "The Flash", which perfectly captures its image. 55555

Next to her, a woman was sticking colorful paper flowers.

Kan Na watched her work, sticking each piece one by one, and asked how long it would take to finish a kite.

The woman replied, "If it's a small one like this, it takes three days. But if it's as big as a house, it can take months." Oh my god!!

After chatting and asking questions for a while, P'Oak decided to have some fun and invited us to try swinging the wooden sticks used to attach the duidui kites.

Since there were no actual kites for us to try, he asked us to swing the sticks ourselves as a demonstration to hear the sound.

After a short wait, Brother O prepared his equipment and came out to the lawn to play for us. He swung the wooden stick around, and the sound rang out: ~ Duidui~ ~ Duidui~ ~ Duidui~ ~ Duidui~ ~ Duidui~.

This made Kate stand there with wide eyes like a child. She loved it very much and couldn't stop praising it.

Kate wanted to try it too, and she was a natural. She learned quickly and remembered everything.

After seeing O do it once, Kate swung the hula hoop so hard that it made a loud "whoosh" sound as it went around her waist.

Finally, it's Kale's turn. Kale is the real deal, I'm telling you!!

As soon as I grabbed it, I was confused!! 5555555 How do I grab it? How do I swing it? I'm confused!

Kate and O had to come and teach me, and 80% of it was Kate teaching Kale! What a twist! 5555

At that moment, P'O saw that Kanha was about to sink into the ground, so he saved her life by introducing

another toy for us to see. That is the "wind turbine".

Kanha, who was still translating English for you, Kate, didn't know how to translate it, so she said

"Doraemon's bamboo helicopter". Kate heard it and immediately understood.

The older siblings who were there also laughed at Kanha's language skills, saying that she was very good at translating.

The point is that Kate still managed to understand. Oh~ My lady, my lord 555555

Wind Turbines: A Traditional Tool for Safety and Efficiency

This passage describes the traditional use of wind turbines in a rural community. The author highlights the importance of these turbines for safety and efficiency in daily life.

Key Points:

• Material and Size: The wind turbines are made of "takian" wood (possibly "tamarind") and come in various sizes, from small to very large (up to 5 meters long).
• Function: They serve as wind speed indicators, alerting people to strong winds that could be dangerous, especially for those working on tall palm trees.
• Design: The turbines are designed to rotate in winds of approximately 30 km/h.
• Construction: They are built based on experience and without specific manuals.
• Sound: The author vividly describes the loud, distinctive sound the turbines make when rotating in the wind.
• Anecdote: The author shares an amusing anecdote about the loud noise the turbines can generate, leading to a humorous situation with the author's wife.

Overall, the passage provides a fascinating glimpse into the ingenuity and practicality of traditional tools used in rural communities.

Opa and I played with all the toys in the house, so she invited us to make our own kites.

Kan and Kate tried making a pufferfish kite, which is another type of Thai kite.

Opa had already set up the bamboo frame, so Kan and Kate only had to stick on the colored paper they liked.

Kan chose red, Kate chose green, but who knew, just the job of sticking paper

Kan was fumbling around for a long time, Opa came to help and supervise, it was a bit of a close call. Wow~

After finishing the kite, Kate whispered to Kannika that she wanted to write her name in Thai on the kite.

Kannika then wrote the word "Kate" as an example, and Kate followed suit.

Kannika then asked Kate to write her real name in Ukrainian.

Kate obliged, and the result was this: both of them wrote awkwardly, with much laughter.

"Канаkaянис"

While making kites, Kanha was constantly teased that her kite wouldn't fly.

Because Kanha was making it in a confused way. 5555 After finishing, Brother O was very kind and took us to try flying the kites.

We came to the field of Wat Tham Rong School (which we visited yesterday). Today there was no wind at all.

Plus, it looked like it was going to rain again. But Brother O wouldn't let us down. He taught us how to fly kites for a long time.

And finally!! Kanha's kite proved the doubters wrong because it flew up high first. Wahahaha!!

As we were playing, a group of children came to watch. Khana loves children (hmm),

so she invited them to join us in playing. It would be more fun and less lonely with more people.

It turned out that...

Instead of flying a kite for the children to watch, it became "Little ones, teach me please." 555555

And the little ones are so amazing, just a little jerk and the kite flies up! What is it? I'm confused!

Kale ran until it was about to roll, but it still didn't fly. Oh no!

We played together for a long time until it started to drizzle. The children went home one by one.

But there were still 3 people left. Kate was fond of the children, so she told Kanai to give each child a doll.

We had 3 dolls in total: Kate's, O's, and Kanai's. The children were happy and smiled sweetly.

Then they ran off to play. Kanai and Kate couldn't describe how they felt at that moment.

Kate told Kanai, "The children are so cute," and she kept repeating those words.

Before leaving, the children came up to Kanai and asked, "Sister Kanai, will you come back here again?"

Wow! The question was so ordinary, but the feeling that arose was so special!!

Kanai answered the children without hesitation, "I'll be back, and I'll bring my friends with me."

And the children's reaction was, "Yeahhhh!!" They shouted like that. Oh my! I almost cried at that scene.

This photo is worthy of being the Photo of the day. Wait for me, my dear. I will be back again ^^

Upon returning home, Aunt Sai had already prepared dinner for us. Look at all the delicious food! How could I possibly lose weight

when I have to stay at the home of the community's top chef?

Translation:

After finishing dinner, I continued chatting with Kate. Aunt Lisa still hadn't gone home because she had to stay and help Aunt Sai sew the banana leaf cups for making Khanom Tan (palm sugar cake). So, I invited Kate to learn how to make the cups with me.

In the picture, it looks like I'm demonstrating for Kate. But the truth is… "Kate, why isn't the bottom of my cup even?" Plot twist, right?

Until the end of the day, Kate won every single competition. I almost cried! 😂

Around 9:30 pm, my body started to protest, telling me it was time for bed. I said "Good night" to Kate and slept soundly through the night. zzzZ

Day 3

"The cool breeze blows gently through the forest, Flowers bloom brightly on the trees. Some fall to the ground, fragrant and beautiful, While others are picked and admired. Bees buzz around, their sound like gongs, As they flit from flower to flower, Gathering pollen and spreading joy."

(Nirat Mueang Phet: Sunthorn Phu)

Early this morning, Noi picked up the palm sugar cakes from Pa Sai's house.

He had to travel to Bangkok. Kan and Kate had the opportunity to help make the palm sugar cakes.

After a sleepless night of folding betel leaves, Aunt Sai took pity on Bai Tong and decided to supervise the morning's kale harvest herself.

And this morning, the kale did not disappoint. The stitching was as beautiful as her face. Now she can finally talk with some confidence. 55555

Kate skillfully added the palm sugar filling and placed the dumplings in the steamer.

Her movements were so precise, it was as if she had been doing this since birth. I wanted to tell Kate,

sometimes you don't have to do everything. Have some consideration for the host, haha.

// Meanwhile, Kanjana sat there awkwardly, not daring to touch anything, fearing she would break it more than help. Oh dear.

After waiting for a while, Aunt Sai's palm sugar cake was finally cooked. As she opened the lid, Kana came to watch.

When the lid was opened, whoosh! The steam hit her face. 555555

// Who in their right mind would put their face near a stove? Oh dear!

She picked up a plate and put it aside. Kan and Kate tried it. Oh! It's delicious! It's very fragrant and soft.

The dough is firm, fluffy, and chewy. It has a sweet and soft taste. But because the two of us had just eaten chicken rice and were full,

(We ate while waiting for the dessert to be steamed, but we didn't take any pictures. At that time, we were probably busy talking to the client.)

The dessert we tried didn't seem like we could finish the whole piece. It wasn't a big piece, but we were really full.

Kan told Kate, "I'm full. I'm definitely not going to be able to finish this piece."

Kate replied with a smile, "Me too." Kan thought it would be funny to share the piece of dessert in her hand.

She fed it to Kate. Kate made a face like she couldn't swallow it. It was hard to spit it out. At that moment,

Kan laughed until tears came out of her eyes. Kate said, "That's not fair. We're both full, why are you making me eat it alone?"

And we sat there laughing. Kate then warned, "Don't feed me when I'm full again." 555555

Translation:

In the morning, Aunt Lisa and Tal, Aunt Noi's daughter, took Aunt Kan and Ms. Kate for a ride on a trailer. They volunteered to take them to see how curry paste is made, which is another product of the Tham Rong community. It was Ms. Kate's first time riding a trailer, and she enjoyed it. She even posted stories on Instagram throughout the ride.

The aroma of curry paste wafted through the air, tickling our noses and making us sneeze as we entered the kitchen. The aunts, uncles, and neighbors who were helping to prepare the meal greeted us warmly. We wandered around, taking photos and enjoying the lively atmosphere.

"Uncle Boon Yong," the village elder, invited us to try our hand at pounding the curry paste. Kanya offered to let Kate use the mortar and pestle, thinking she might not have had the opportunity before.

Kanya gave Kate some pointers, emphasizing that this time, she was the one teaching. After a while, the paste still wasn't smooth enough, so Kanya took over, using her expert mortar-and-pestle skills to quickly grind the chilies into a fine paste. Uncle Boon Yong praised Kanya's skill, and we couldn't help but agree. After three days of being here, this was the first time we felt like we were actually contributing something useful. We couldn't resist a little self-congratulation.

Our stay here was brief. Kate and Aunt Lisa each bought a couple of bags of curry paste.

We then went out for lunch.

Today, we decided to change things up and take Kate to a local Thai restaurant.

Kanjana told Kate, "You have to order here. What would you like to eat?"

Kate loves fried rice, so we ordered seafood fried rice for her. When the rice arrived,

her mother squeezed lime on it with practiced ease and then ate it all. ^^

Kanjana asked, "Is it delicious?" (in Thai)

Kate replied, "It's very delicious!" Her pronunciation is getting clearer every day. I wonder if the teacher is good-looking. Oops! I mean, the teacher is good at teaching. Haha!!

Since Noi wasn't around today, Tal had to take Kana and Kate out on a tour herself.

Tal is a skilled driver and took us on a scenic route around the mountains, where we saw monkeys and enjoyed the views. It felt like a city tour.

The abundance of monkeys is evident throughout the area.

The local community actively engages in reforestation efforts to provide a sustainable food source for the monkeys.

These efforts involve planting trees that bear fruits suitable for the monkeys' diet.

As an avid hiker, I aspire to participate in these reforestation initiatives.

The prospect of contributing to the well-being of the monkeys while enjoying the scenic beauty of the mountains is highly appealing.

#TeamMountains

Kanna asked Tal to stop the car whenever she wanted to take photos from different angles.

Kanna and Kate took many beautiful photos together.

What Kan Na likes most about this place is the preservation of its forests. Everywhere you look, there's greenery.

This is the inspiration behind one of the verses from the Nirat Mueang Phet that Kan Na chose to write.

Because no matter where you walk here, it's not hot. The shade of the trees provides cover all the way.

Sugar palm trees and rubber trees line the path, creating a beautiful scene. Plus, the people here are kind.

They greet you with a smile, which is the most lovely and memorable feeling for Kan Na.

Their words and tone are pleasant, and the local Phetchaburi language is easy to understand.

The more time you spend here, the more you fall in love with it. Kan Na truly wants everyone to visit this place at least once.

Then you'll know that Kan Na's storytelling... is the ultimate truth!!

After a long tour of the community with Tal and Kate, they returned home to rest.

In the afternoon, Kan Na and Kate planned to stay at home to recharge their batteries.

Aunt Sai, who was at home, was preparing the kitchen utensils to teach us how to cook a famous local dish.

That is "Palm Shoot Curry". I guess she was worried that we would be bored at home. How sweet of her!

It didn't take long for Kanha and Kate to finish making the palm sugar curry together. Then, Aunt Sai revealed that this was our dinner. At that moment, I thought to myself, "Will I be able to eat this?" 5555.

Boom!

Dinner time has arrived! Auntie Sai has prepared mango chili dip for us, and one of the dishes is...

Kanna and Kate's palm fruit curry! We also have stir-fried spinach and chicken galangal soup.

When Kanna saw the menu for today, she thought to herself, "If the palm fruit curry doesn't survive, at least we'll survive."

After much anticipation, Kanna and Kate emerged victorious in the "palm fruit curry" campaign.

And not only was it edible, but it was also delicious! Wow! // What a brag, right? 5555

Before going to bed to recharge for the night... I just want to say that "Lod Chong with Coconut Milk" is really delicious.

Day 4

This morning, the weather is cool and comfortable. Last night, Noi told me that today she will take Kanha and Kate to release crabs into the sea. I have only ever released fish before, so I am very excited to release crabs today. However, on the way, we saw villagers making salt. Noi stopped the car and let us get out to take a closer look.

The elders greeted and chatted with each other, and briefly discussed salt farming.

They explained that this is a salt-drying field, and the salt needs to be dried for ten days before it can be transported to the warehouse.

Following them to the warehouse, we were astonished to see a vast expanse of white, resembling a snowy landscape.

Kanna took a few photos but did not want to disturb the workers for too long. Let's move on.

After a short fifteen-minute drive, we arrived at Laem Phak Bia. This is the Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development Project, initiated by His Majesty the King.

At the entrance, there are shops selling local products, fresh produce, and affordable goods.

Then, Noi took Kana and Kate to the inside by car.

Aunt Lisa joined us for a car ride today. She's always so lovely.

As we ride the tram, we hear a Thai narration.

Kanna translates it into English for Kate.

This is a large-scale wastewater treatment facility.

It uses natural mechanisms, such as sunlight, wind, and plants, to purify the water.

Translation:

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

This experimental plot cultivates a wide variety of grasses, including various rice cultivars.

The Vetiver grass in this plot plays a role in releasing oxygen into the water through its roots, transforming polluted water into clean water. After 90 days, the grass is harvested.

Following the harvest, the grass is sent to a group of housewives who use it to make woven products.

This process offers numerous benefits.

The car dropped us off at a wooden bridge, which is a walkway to study the mangrove ecosystem.

The walkway is over 850 meters long and is surrounded by mangrove trees, including Rhizophora, Avicennia, and Sonneratia.

The sun is not hot, as the trees provide ample shade. However, the walk is quite long, so it is recommended to bring water with you.

While the sun is not hot, there is also no wind. It is advisable to bring water with you during the walk.

All the way, Kale only saw crabs. When she came across a live mudskipper, her eyes lit up. Kale was hungry. Wrong!! 555555

Kale had never seen it before, only heard its name. What kind of fish doesn't live in water and can run? Oh my god!!~

Mangroves serve as a natural water treatment system, filtering pollutants before they reach the sea.

This is why mangrove forests are often found along coastlines.

Crabs are everywhere. Wherever you walk and look, you will see them.

There are many species of crabs here, but I can't remember what they are.

There are signs along the way that tell you what animals live in the mangrove forest.

And when I walked to the end of the road, oh my god!! It reminded me of when I was learning Thai in first grade.

"Na mi ru ngu, na mi ru pu, Mani pa to ha pu" Did you ever chant that? 55555

There are so many crabs, like, so many crabs. I don't know how to describe it. It's a sight to behold.

The dots in the picture are all crabs. I'm amazed. I've never seen so many crabs gathered together.

Translation:

After taking photos until my heart's content, I decided to take a short break from the long walk.

While resting, I couldn't help but smile a little, knowing that there was a camera present. But I had to pretend I didn't know, so as not to blow my cover.

I accidentally did well, accidentally didn't stop, didn't get caught at all. // Please read this in P'Aem's voice, according to the whims of the gays. 5555

Leaving the mangrove forest at Laem Phak Bia, Noi took us to the highlight of the day.

Kanna had been waiting for this moment with bated breath. This was the "Crab Bank".

Over 80 plastic containers, each containing a single female crab for breeding purposes.

Oxygen supply is required as the containers lack natural air and light, unlike the marine environment.

Aunt Acharn, whom Noi calls "Elder", came to greet us.

She kindly taught us how to raise crabs.

The aunt said that the mother crabs from here are "egg-bearing crabs outside the shell", which were caught by fishermen in their nets.

They will select the ones with eggs like this and bring them to the crab bank for further care and breeding.

The size of the mother crabs ranges from small, medium to large. The amount of eggs they lay increases accordingly.

The largest one can lay up to 1 million crab eggs! Oh my god!

The eggs of the mother crabs come in various colors: orange, gray, and black. Each color indicates the stage of readiness for giving birth.

They are categorized as follows: newly laid eggs, eggs laid for some time, and eggs ready to give birth.

The aunt said that the dots in the water are crab eggs. They come from the eggs outside the shell, and the mother crab brushes the eggs out like this.

Every morning, an officer will come and check the tanks. If the mother crab has brushed the eggs, the mother crab will be separated from the tank immediately.

Because the mother crab will think that her own eggs are food. After separation, the water with crab eggs will be released into the sea.

The survival rate of the eggs is only 10% of the total number of eggs.

Here we are!! The bucket contains crab eggs. The kind aunt gave us each a bucket to release.

Releasing them is not difficult. Just pour the water directly into the sea, and the water will carry them away.

And this sea is "First Sand Beach".

The name of the beach is very cute and sounds precious. Noi told me that the reason for this name is because this is the first sandy beach.

The starting point is the coastal junction between Khlong Mud Beach, Samut Songkhram Province, and Sand Beach, Phetchaburi Province.

May all the crabs survive and grow into large, strong crabs. Fight on, little ones!

After releasing the crabs, my seniors told me that I must try the crabs in Phetchaburi, as they are the famous seafood of this place.

I was completely shocked because I had just released the crab eggs. I couldn't help but laugh. 55555

For our lunch by the sea, we ordered anything that didn't have crab. ^^

You Kate comforted me by saying, "We released thousands of crabs, and we only ate a few. It's okay."

Oh, my dear, I agree with you, but I still can't help but feel bad. 55555

After a satisfying lunch, Noi took us to the Sea Grapes Farm.

Noi is an excellent tour guide, taking us to unique and hard-to-find places.

Seaweed farms use rice fields as ponds and then fill them with seawater.

This is because sea grapes must be grown in saltwater.

The salinity of the water for growing seaweed should be around 20-30 ppt (parts per thousand).

A salinity refractometer is used to measure the salinity.

The Kind Farmer and His Seaweed Farm

The kind farmer welcomed us to explore his seaweed farm and even taught us how to cultivate seaweed. He explained that mature seaweed turns red and needs to be cut from the bunch to be used as a breeding stock, similar to rice planting. The seaweed is then planted in the muddy bottom of the saltwater, where it will naturally propagate. The seaweed in the blue barrels has been selected for sale and is being aerated to agitate the water and rinse the seaweed.

The uncle advised that when buying seaweed for consumption, it should not be refrigerated. If you intend to eat it, only rinse it with a small amount of clean water.

This is because seaweed cannot survive in fresh water. Additionally, during the rainy season, if it rains,

the water in the seaweed farm must also be changed. It's not easy, is it?

It's a beautiful day at the beach. Kate is excited to go swimming because she loves it and is a champion swimmer.

When she found out she was going to the beach, she was overjoyed. Unlike Kan Na,

who can't swim and floats like a puppy in the water. 55555

According to local lore, the name "Chao Samran Beach" originates from a visit by King Naresuan the Great and his brother, King Ekathotsarot.

The kings were said to be so captivated by the beauty of the beach that they named it "Chao Samran," which translates to "Place of Delight."

Playing in the water, smiling brightly.

In the evening, Noi told me that there was a temple fair at Wat Yai Suwannaram.

It was a cultural promotion event, so I took Kanha and Kate to the temple fair.

Let's go! The temple fair theme is here!

Kan Na was taking photos when Kate suddenly disappeared.

When she turned around, Kate was already at the fragrance shop, enjoying a traditional Thai massage.

Kate said that Thai massage may not be impressive for Thai people, but foreigners like her love it.

Well, I believe it now!

Oh, it's a familiar face! P'O also opened a shop at the event.

He's here to showcase his Thai kite-making skills live.

The event also features performances such as Lam Tad and Thai dance from the four regions.

Kale and Kate strolled along until they came across a shop selling woven flowers made from palm leaves.

Noi introduced them to "Nui," the president of the weaving group.

This product is an extension of the fact that Phetchaburi province has a large number of palm groves.

Out of amusement, Noi asked Kan to try it out and entrusted her to Nuie for guidance.

In this picture, we haven't even started teaching her yet, but we're already teasing each other. 55555 Kan has met her match.

Why are my eyes and hands not coordinated? Oh! The photographer brought snacks. 5555555

Kale, my child, you have to focus on your studies!

While Kan Na was weaving the crooked Pla Ta-pien, Khun Kate came out on top by weaving a crown!

Let's take a souvenir photo. All of P'Nui's work is beautiful.

Kanom really likes the garland. It caught my eye from the first time I saw it. Thank you very much, P'Nui.

For helping Kanom and Kate make cute toys. It's not difficult, but it's not easy either. It's fun.

I'll come back to bother you again later. 555555

Upon returning home, Kale noticed a pile of oranges and rushed over to inspect them.

Aunt Sai informed her that they were limes, not oranges! Imagine the shock if she had squeezed them into her tom yum soup – it would have been a hair-raising experience.

These are the fruits of Aunt Sai's own garden. They may be large, but they are completely free of any chemicals.

Next to the pile of lemons, Aunt Sai has prepared a set of alms for us.

We have to wake up early tomorrow morning to offer alms. Tonight, I'm going to rest.

Day 5

On the occasion of His Majesty King Rama X's birthday, Kan Na and Kate woke up early

to follow Aunt Sai to make merit and offer food to monks at the Tambon Administrative Organization (TAO) of Tham Rong community.

Aunt Sai had prepared the offerings for the monks the night before.

In the morning, she set up the table early. Many villagers came to the event.

This morning, the Tham Rong community was the liveliest it had ever been.

Buddhist monks led the chanting ceremony, and Kan explained the steps to Kate briefly.

While the monks were chanting, Kate followed Kan's lead and held her hands together in prayer.

Kan told Kate to make a wish when she lifted the food offering set and finished her prayer.

In front of the local administrative organization, there was a book for signing birthday wishes to the king. Kanacha invited Kate to write in it together.

When they opened the book, it was all in Thai. Kate, looking adorable, asked what everyone was writing.

Kanacha pointed out the first line for the real name, the next line for the address, and the last line for the signature.

For the address line, Kanacha told Kate to write only the word "Ukraine".

They wrote to join in wishing Happy Birthday to the king.

Around eight o'clock, after the chanting ceremony, more than thirty monks walked to receive alms.

They came from the front of Tham Rong temple. Villagers lined up to put food in their alms bowls, creating a beautiful scene along the way.

Soon, the monks arrived at Kan Na's house. Kan Na saw that the alms-giving set prepared by Aunt Sai was not enough.

So she told Kate to hold Kan Na's hand and put food in the alms bowls together. ^^

After the morning alms-giving ceremony, we returned home for breakfast.

Today, Aunt Sai made fried rice with Chinese sausage for us. The appearance and taste of the food were not quite in harmony.

The appearance looked good, but the taste was much better than the appearance. Why do you have to make everything delicious every meal, Aunt?

I'm going to roll back home now. 555555

Translation:

This is butterfly pea flower tea. Kale thought the color of the water was beautiful, so she couldn't help but take a picture of it.

Butterfly pea flowers from the fence in front of the house and hot water from a neighbor's kettle. Life is good! 55555

An army marches on its stomach, and here we are, full and ready to go.

Aunt Sai invited us to visit Aunt Lisa at her house, as Aunt Lisa visits Kanocha and Kate every day.

Kanocha also wanted to go out and play, so she didn't refuse. She took Kate's arm and said, "Let's go to Lisa's house." I wonder if Kate will know that Aunt Lisa's Thai name is Aunt Tiap by the time we return.

When we arrived, Aunt Lisa gave us her usual beautiful smile and invited Kanocha to walk around the garden.

Aunt Lisa's house has a large area that is perfect for running around. She has planted so many trees, more than anyone else in the community.

This is a cherry tree. It is full of fruit and the color is beautiful all over the tree.

The Palm Seedling Nursery

The woman led Kan into a corner, enclosed by corrugated metal sheets. Inside, a mound of damp rice husks rose about a meter high, surrounded by a multitude of palm seeds. This was the nursery for young palm seedlings.

Aunt Lisa stepped into the enclosure and pulled up a root, revealing its structure. It resembled a bean sprout, emerging from the palm seed and extending its roots downwards.

Aunt Lisa pulled up three or four roots to show them. The roots were very long, but Aunt Lisa said that if they were curled at the ends,

they should be discarded because they were at risk of not growing into a full-fledged tree.

Aunt Lisa showed off her work to Kanang by picking up the root that she had pulled up and that had confused Kanang earlier,

and cutting off the root bark to reveal the soft root inside.

The aunt explained that she cut the roots short to make it easier to insert them into the seedling bags.

She said that the roots wouldn't pierce the bottom of the bag. Before grabbing a hoe to till the soil, the aunt mentioned that any type of soil would be suitable for the palm trees to grow.

When she pulled the young palm tree roots out of the pile of rice husk, Kanao was already confused.

The aunt then demonstrated her X-Men-like strength by lifting the hoe. Where did she get such strength from?

After leaving Aunt Lisa's house, Noi took us to watch the buffalo racing game.

Buffalo racing is a traditional game of farmers who grow rice. During the rice-growing season, buffaloes are used to thresh rice.

However, after the harvest season, the rice fields are empty, so the villagers gather to have some fun.

Normally, when threshing rice, there is a large pole to which the buffalo's rope is attached, and the buffalo is made to walk in circles to trample the rice. This is called threshing rice.

But when it comes to buffalo racing, instead of walking, the buffaloes have to race against each other.

According to the rules, a team of 19 cows is called a "Phuang". A Phuang is a team of cows.

There are 19 cows in a Phuang, with the first cow tied to a beam called the "Vua Kan" and the last cow closing the outer circle.

This cow will be the runner. The competition method is that the home team's Phuang will tie the cow's rope to 18 poles.

The 19th cow will belong to the visiting team that comes to challenge. The way to fight is that

The visiting team must run the home team's Vua Kan cow to exhaustion first.

This game is usually played at night because the cows will not be hot. The winning team will always have a valuable prize.

For example, they can exchange cows or, in modern times, electrical appliances such as fans and TVs.

After the competition, if a cow is injured, it will be treated by taking it to the sea.

So cute! Look at the cow, it looks like it's having too much fun. A real water park for cows! 55555

After the bullfighting game, Noi took us for a short drive to the earthworm farm. Uncle and Aunty raise a lot of earthworms to make earthworm manure. Kanha had never seen so many earthworms together before. She was so excited that she just sat there and played. At this point, the group was broken up, and no one came near Kanha. What did I do wrong?

While playing, the uncle also taught me. He is so lovely! The uncle told me that...

First, we need to soak fresh cow dung in a concrete pond for seven days, covering the pond with a sheet of galvanized iron.

Then, open the lid of the pond and expose it to the sun for another three days to allow the water to evaporate from the cow dung.

Then, put it in a basin, three kilograms per basin, and add 2.5 kilograms of earthworms per basin.

Then it's time to raise the earthworms. The earthworms will eat the cow dung in the basin as food.

I was sitting there listening alone because Kate ran away to the chicken coop to play with the chickens.

What's so cute about chickens compared to earthworms? I'm confused??

Translation:

After waiting 15 to 30 days, the earthworm castings in the basin are estimated to be sufficient. The castings are then scooped and packed into bags for sale.

Uncle sells them very cheaply, considering the lengthy process. Each bag costs only 20 baht!

A Sweet Escape to Lumphini Park

Bidding farewell to our gracious hosts, Uncle and Auntie, and waving goodbye to our little earthworm friend, we embarked on another adventure with our energetic guide, Noi.

After a short drive, we arrived at "Lumphini Park," a verdant oasis in the heart of the bustling city.

Uncle Narong is the nephew of Uncle Thanom!!!

This is the sequel to the work of the palm garden. In the first part, we took you to learn how to collect fresh palm sap.

After going through those difficulties, each bottle of fresh palm sap will be sent here.

The uncle poured the palm sugar into a strainer, and when he poured it out, it was full of wood chips.

Kanae stood there in shock before the uncle explained that it was "mai payom," a natural preservative used in fresh palm sugar.

He emphasized that they don't use any chemicals at all, but Kanae talked too much.

The uncle must have been annoyed, so he gave her a piece of mai payom to play with. It tasted bitter and astringent, similar to Chinese medicine.

Once all the wood chips and bees were filtered out, we were left with fresh palm sugar in the pan. It was very clear and fragrant.

The process of starting a fire involves lighting dry palm stalks, which ignite quickly and intensely.

The mixture is then stirred and left to simmer for the desired amount of time. To produce fresh sugar for consumption as a beverage, it should be boiled for 100 minutes.

However, to produce palm sugar, it should be simmered for 120 minutes.

After two hours, the thick caramel appeared before our eyes, freshly lifted from the hot pan.

Then, use a wooden spoon to continuously stir the sugar to dissipate heat and allow the sugar to cool and solidify.

As the sugar cools down, switch to a wooden spoon and stir the edges (as shown in the picture). Stir continuously.

Until it becomes sticky and forms clumps, then we will have palm sugar to use in our kitchen for a long time.

Oh!! One pan of sugar is only 4 kilograms. It takes 3-4 hours to stir to get the sugar.

Made by hand and without any chemicals. This part 2 is as tough as part 1. Hohohoho!!!

This cohesive caramel-colored mass exudes a warm aroma, still retaining a pleasant heat.

With meticulous care, the uncle uses a wooden spatula to scrape the sugar. Each batch of sugar requires significant effort and hardship to produce. Once transformed into sugar, it must be preserved with the utmost respect, reflecting the dedication invested in its creation.

Generously, the uncle fills a box with this sugar for Kancha and Kate to take home as a gift.

It remains to be seen whether it will reach Kancha's mother's kitchen before Kancha succumbs to the temptation of a playful nibble along the way.

After all, its appearance, taste, aroma, and color are remarkably similar to caramel candies! 55555

Taking a break... when the body craves coffee, Noi brought us here.

Kate ordered a cappuccino with coconut milk and Kan ordered a cold cappuccino. Delicious! The coffee tastes great.

The shop is beautifully decorated and comfortable to sit in. Kan wandered around the shop taking pictures of everything because she wanted to capture every angle.

This is another shop that Kan has secretly added to her list. I will definitely visit again next time. Coffee lovers will love it.

Coffee wakes us up, but you, Kate, really excite Kale.

Suddenly, your mother wants to wear a Thai dress, Kale is panicking. 555555

Where can I find it? So Kale went to consult with Noi, the hero of Tham Rong.

Noi took us to borrow a dress to take pictures at a friend's shop.

The costume rental shop is located near Wat Yai Suwannaram.

We chose this location for Kate to take photos.

Huh! What! Where's Kan Na...uhhh...

Kale is here, hahahahahahaha

Kale knows herself best. When you get to the shop, just tell the owner, "I'd like a sarong, please."

And as you can see, she's a photographer who really connects with her models.

Like Princess Elsa and the naughty banana, right? 55555555

Kale, my son! You stand so still that everyone in the group feels their hearts skip a beat!

In the late afternoon, we visited another important figure in the Tham Rong community.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to see "Uncle Noi's Garden," owned by the "Sage of the Land" award recipient.

He was awarded this prestigious title on two occasions during the Royal Ploughing Ceremony, in 2016 and 2019.

In the picture, Uncle Noi is showing us an insect trap. He explained that "His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej taught us to use glue traps on yellow sheets, as insects are attracted to the color."

The text is in Thai and I can translate it to English for you. Here is the translation:

"Walking a little further, we entered the mixed garden. The uncle pointed to a sapodilla tree. I had never seen a sapodilla with a tail before. Uncle Noi said, "It has a tail because it is still young. When it grows up, its tail will disappear." I just realized that baby sapodillas are so cute. Oh my god!"

Uncle Noi demonstrates grafting. In the picture, a Shogun orange is growing on a lemon tree.

The lower tree is a lemon tree, and Uncle Noi has chosen an orange branch to graft onto it.

As a result, the original lemon tree will now produce oranges. Is this even possible? O_O!

And here is the durian tree. Uncle Noi grows durian, but because durian trees prefer a shady and slightly humid environment, Uncle Noi plants banana trees around them to provide shade for the durian trees. In the future, when the durian trees grow larger, the banana trees will need to be removed, which is easier than providing shade for the durian trees using other methods.

Before leaving, I said goodbye to Uncle. He then taught me how to use the bucket.

Uncle mixed detergent with water in the bucket and then turned on the light.

At night, insects will fall into the soapy water and eventually die.

I didn't understand why the bucket of water had to be placed here.

Uncle Noi said that it was placed in front of the garden to lure insects out of the garden.

In the late afternoon before returning home, Noi took Kanha and Kate to visit the "Fish Bank".

This is a narrow canal that was originally filled with water hyacinths. The villagers worked together to clean the pond and raise fish there. The reason for choosing this location near the bank is because there is a water gate.

The management of the Fish Bank here is not complicated. They simply conserve fish, raise fry, and let them grow until they are strong. Then, they open the water gate to release the fish into the natural canals. The villagers here enjoy fishing, and if they want to catch fish for food, they can do so, but only from this pond.

Ultimately, the purpose of the Fish Bank is to ensure the abundance of the community, living up to the saying "There are fish in the water and rice in the fields".

Kanom was playing with something and didn't notice. When she turned around, Kate was feeding a banana to a fish.

Kanom didn't type it wrong, and everyone else didn't read it wrong either. The fish really eats bananas. 5555

And it eats very fast. Kanom could only take a snapshot because she couldn't take a picture in time. It's too fast!!

Normally, I take photos with a blurred background and a clear foreground. This time, the whole photo is blurred. Please don't mind me. 555555

This is Ms. Wanpen, the owner and founder of this cool bank project.

This fish bank has various fish species, including tinfoil barbs, koi, snakeheads, and catfish.

The fish here eat bananas as a dessert and fish pellets as their main course.

Day 6

This morning, Kannika will be traveling back to Bangkok. She has been working hard and has been very busy.

This morning, Auntie Sai made rice porridge for Kannika and Kate to eat. While they were eating, Auntie Sai prepared some gifts for them to take back to Bangkok. Kannika did not know what the gifts were because the van that they had arranged to pick them up had already arrived. So, she was busy packing her bags and eating breakfast. Why did it have to end with worrying about eating?

The team had prepared graduation gowns as a surprise for the students. However, Kan Na surprised them even more by opening her LINE app and asking her friends if they had received their gowns. Kan Na was confused because she was unaware of the surprise. She asked the team what gowns they were talking about. The team then brought out the gowns, which they had been hiding for a long time. Kan Na was thrilled when she saw the gowns and exclaimed how cool they were. The project required a gown presentation ceremony. Kan Na, being mischievous, went ahead and put on her gown without knowing about the ceremony. The staff members were amused and let her do as she pleased. Kan Na apologized for her actions.

When my uncles, aunts, and neighbors found out that we were leaving, they came to see us off and we said our goodbyes for a while.

Then we took some photos together. Isn't it lovely? It feels like home.

If anyone is coming to visit here, don't worry about whether you'll be able to fit in with the community. With so many people like this,

I can guarantee with my pretty face that the Tham Rong community is the best.

The accommodation is good because they take care of you like family, and the food is good, you'll be full every meal. If you don't believe me, go back and read it again.

The activities are interesting and Amazine Thailand lives up to its name for every activity because in the past...

We only knew things superficially. We just wanted to drink fresh sugar cane juice by going to 7-11.

But when we came here, we learned everything from growing sugar palm seedlings with Aunt Lisa, collecting sugar with Brother Jaem,

boiling sugar with Uncle Narong, or making toys with bare hands from sugar palm trees with Grandpa Phut.

Or even the things we were familiar with as children, like Thai kites. We just thought they could fly!

But no, everything that is achieved requires both physical and mental strength, and patience.

Along with the skills and love for that thing. Here, everyone is a support system for each other, going around and around.

What was said to be difficult, here it has been shown that "difficult but can be done" and it is done well too. I'm so proud ^^

Translation:

The car moved forward after waving goodbye to everyone like a Miss Thailand contestant.

Suddenly, familiar faces appeared! The van pulled over to the side of the road, allowing Kan Na to greet Uncle Tom's group again (they had just said goodbye moments ago!).

Today, Uncle Tom and his friends were on their way to plant trees for the monkeys on the mountain (as Kan Na had mentioned before).

Unfortunately, Kan Na couldn't join them as she had work to clear in Bangkok.

She promised to join the team next time. See you then! #TeamMountain

// This time, it's really goodbye!

On their way back to Bangkok, Kanom and Kate stopped at a coffee shop because Kate wanted to have a coffee.

They chose "Natachom Cafe", a very famous shop with a beautiful view.

Kate is in Amazing Thailand, so she has to go all out!

This cafe offers both indoor and outdoor seating, but we didn't sit at all. The view was too beautiful! Kate went to order coffee while I walked around taking pictures. I pointed to a straw buffalo statue and told Kate it was a "unicorn." Kate gave me a look like… "Are you serious?" I'm sorry, was that joke not funny? I thought it was hilarious!

It is now the rice planting season, so we don't see many green fields.

But it is another beautiful view, naturally beautiful, beautiful according to the season, and cannot be seen in the city.

Kanna and Kate walked around here for a long time because the field was wide and they wanted to take pictures from every angle.

Kate enjoys drinking coffee with coconut milk (it's delicious, Kana should try it), but they don't sell it here.

Kate is a little disappointed, but she says the coffee tastes good and the view is beautiful. She's very happy!

Now that we're recharged, let's continue using our energy here at Khao Luang Cave.

Translation:

A Lament for the Neglected Cave

The reclining Buddha lies with outstretched feet, His body marred by the ravages of time. The walls are crumbling, threatening to collapse, Oh, how the villagers have neglected this sacred space!

The cavernous hall echoes with emptiness, Yet the towering stalactites and stalagmites inspire awe. Their layered formations create chambers and nooks, Resembling intricate calligraphy etched in stone.

From the ceiling, countless stalactites hang like tassels, Their glistening forms resembling a royal pendant. One wonders if such a magnificent sight could ever be replicated, To adorn the palace walls with nature's artistry.

Young men and women gather in the cave's heart, Drawn by the allure of its hidden chambers. A natural spring fills a basin in the center, Its water cascading down, forming a hardened stalagmite.

The surrounding rocks shimmer with a myriad of colors, Creating small alcoves adorned with ancient inscriptions. Memories resurface of a time spent here, lost in madness, Seeking solace in the fragrant embrace of the night-blooming jasmine.

The stone chambers evoke a sense of longing, Whispering echoes of poems recited long ago.

(Note: This translation is based on the provided text and aims to capture the essence of the original poem while maintaining a formal academic style. It does not include any additional information or analysis.)

Translation:

The number of concrete steps leading down to the Khao Luang Cave is unknown, but the walk inside is relatively short. The cave features stalactites and stalagmites, a high and airy chamber, good ventilation, and sunlight penetration. The cave walls are adorned with Buddha statues, with a total of 170 statues and 6 stupas currently housed within. The most significant statue is the Phra Phuttha Chaloem Phra Ong, which was commissioned by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) as a tribute to his father, King Mongkut (Rama IV).

Upon arrival, there will be staff to take care of the parking lot. If you bring a pickup truck, you will have to put your belongings in the car because the monkeys here are naughty and like to take things from the car.

And when we walk, don't hold anything that will attract the monkeys, or they might snatch it from your hand without you knowing. ^^

// But how did we get to talk about monkeys in Khana's cool pictures?

Here, Khana stood with her neck craned until she almost got a cramp. It wasn't easy to get this picture, lol. 555555

Emerging from the Tham Luang cave, he was panting and his legs were shaking from climbing up and down the stairs.

// As soon as I say "panting," you can probably guess my age, haha.

We continued our walk to the "Phetchaburi Old Town Riverside Market."

This is a vintage community, perfect for cool people. Kanom shouldn't come here.

Because Kanom is not cool, she's a hot girl, haha. // You're good at teasing~

We took a leisurely stroll and took many photos with Kate as we entered the alleyway at the head of the street.

We met this elderly gentleman, Mr. Sricakar, the owner of this ancient Thai house.

Noi introduced Kanjana and asked permission to enter the house of the old man.

The old man said that this house was built for 30,000 baht during the reign of King Rama V and has just been repaired.

Currently, it is worth 500,000 baht. The income that the old man receives comes from selling books.

Do you want to know the history of this handsome old man's ancient Thai house? Scroll down~

Have you finished reading? Let's move on. // Breaking all the rules of writing reviews.

Can you take pictures and read them yourself like this? 55555555

The picture frame contains a photo of your grandfather. When your aunt saw it, she couldn't stop saying "so handsome". Looking at your grandfather now, it's clear that he takes after his father.

This is one of the hundreds of awards that your grandfather has received. He was a writer, poet, and songwriter. If he were still young today, he would be as handsome as Nadech Kugimiya. 5555555

Continuing on to the old riverside market, Khana wanted to see the street art here. So she walked around looking for it, walking around in a daze. She walked without knowing what she would find, or if she would find anything at all. There weren't many people here, perhaps because there is no parking available as it is an old community. The roads cannot be expanded and there is no more space available, which is a major limitation for this market.

Wandering around, Kanom finally came across a wall that had been painted in a charming way. This added a playful touch to the old town community, making it more interesting. However, as she was walking alone, Kate and the others were having dinner, and Kanom wasn't hungry, so she didn't join them. Since she was alone, she didn't bring a tripod, so she could only take pictures of the blank wall, missing out on the opportunity to pose coolly.

Kanna thinks this is creative. At the moment when Kanna was about to take a picture, the lights were not turned on yet. But an aunt came to tap Kanna and told her to turn on the lights before taking the picture so that it would look beautiful. 5555555

// But Kanna is not good at taking pictures. This is the best she can do. Please forgive Kanna, aunt.

And that aunt is this aunt right here. Confused? 55555

Just kidding. This aunt's name is "Aunt Anong". She's an old-timer here.

The old lady sells a variety of items in her house, from beeswax to durian jam to rice cake baskets.

Coconut shell ladles, woven rattan baskets, wicker baskets, and even Benjarong porcelain.

It's a store with a very high stack, because I still can't find the link between the products.

// 555555 I'm just kidding.

The elderly woman recounted that in 2006, this area was still an old community with thatched roofs and galvanized iron walls. It was not as beautiful as it is today. However, a major fire broke out at that time. Afterwards, the villagers here worked together to rebuild this community, which has remained until the present day. The elderly woman also added that five years ago, there were still many people walking around, shopping, and buying things here. But now, the people have disappeared, and the market is very quiet and deserted. Therefore, various developments have been made, including street art. The elderly woman said that she hopes I will invite my friends to visit and walk around. The food here is delicious, the traditional Thai desserts are delicious, and the people are friendly. It is also a beautiful place to take pictures. Don't forget to add this place to your list.

Translation:

Kanna walked through the fresh market and came to the riverside. On the opposite bank, there is a "Wat Ko" temple.

This temple is famous for its ancient murals, which are very rare to see.

However, Kanna didn't go today, which is a pity because she didn't have much time.

She will come back again next time. For now, she will just leave a note here. 55555

And finally, Kanya's time to travel has come to an end.

For the entire 6-day community tour of Tham Rong, Kanya has shared everything with you.

In fact, the feedback Kanya has received from friends is that many people want to try traveling like Kanya.

Kanya is very happy to be a representative in telling the lovely and valuable stories of this place.

This trip was so much fun...and Kanya will definitely be back again.

"See you again, Tham Rong"

"Kана"

"Канаkaянис Уриттави"

**END CREDITS**

This morning, I didn't know what the truck was carrying as gifts.

When I arrived back in Bangkok, the driver unloaded the goods for me.

I was shocked! 55555555 A whole bunch of bananas, a whole garden of lemons,

fresh sugar, palm sugar, all kinds of sugar! 55555

There were also turtles from Grandpa Phut and commemorative coins from P'Noi.

Sugar palm dolls from P'Nui, and earthenware catfish from Uncle Tom.

There was so much, I was surprised. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you.

Thank you for your kindness and warm welcome. You took good care of me for the 6 days.

// P'Noi said that if I drive myself next time, there will be more gifts.

Next time, I will drive myself. I promise! 555555555

https://www.thailandvillageacademy.com/…/tham-rong-communi…/

Finally, thank you everyone for following my Tham Rong epic.

Please follow me on my many other trips! Bye-bye~

Love you all