Rob’s Thai Roving Report

I’m not sure what it is, but I have always been attracted to famous landmarks ever since I was a little boy. Towers, particularly, seem to excite me. Whether it was seeing Blackpool Tower as a child, my first sight of the Eiffel Tower, or going up Berlin's Fernsehturm and the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, I've remained fascinated by them. It was time to add Samut Prakan Tower to the list.

One of Bangkok’s many beauties is that there is no reason for anyone to be bored with so many activities catering for all tastes. And because of the quantity on offer, it is possible to arrange a day out within range of the capital that covers several places, as my day in and around Pak Nam proved. Best of all, they're close enough together to visit comfortably in a single day using Bangkok's excellent public transport system.

One of the most beautiful things about living in Thailand is discovering the many festivals celebrated throughout the country. While they are not always easy to discover, often in my case through my wife Taew informing me at relatively short notice, I think they are worth pursuing if you want to assimilate and get a true feeling for the place. It was certainly the case with Bun Phawet in March 2026.

When unrest on the Cambodian border forced us to abandon our New Year travel plans, we expected disappointment. Instead, it led to one of our most memorable family adventures in Thailand, complete with ancient Khmer ruins, lakeside fireworks, bustling markets and unexpected discoveries in Roi Et.