A Petite Retreat To The Banks Of The Ping River

The Mighty Ping as it makes its way through the heart of Chiang Mai

We apologize  to our audience members who follow us only for our political commentary and give you a promise to return to the fray as soon as we arrive back in the land of milk and honey   We did put our toes back in the water for a few days to cover some of the Republican Primary shenanigans and quest for delegates in Florida but have decided to retreat for a day and bring you some enchanting scenes from a short day trip along the banks of the Ping River.  After this weeks Ping River trip we will be heading to Bangkok, Narita, Japan and then the formally great industrial city of Detroit.   But now for a few minutes enjoy the view from the Ping river of the farm land and rice fields and people who caress it's banks.

A few kilometers outside of the city we found a small paved private road that leads out to the banks of the Ping with a view of a luxurious estate on the opposite bank.  This property could be had at a very modest price.

There is only one problem with this dream.  Foreigners can't

 own property. I often think how that law would 

fly in America.






Thai citizens can own land in 

America but the favor isn't reciprocated.

Many small flower farms dot the land on the banks adjoining the Ping.

These yellow mums don't look like much out in the field.  Really not all that beautiful.

Ok so there is some beauty in the shear uniformity and pride of these simple statements of man's taming of nature.

Ah, but when you put them all together then you really have quite a bouquet!  I called these "Mum"s earlier but Thai's call them "Ben Sat Mas" flowers.

These tiny white little flowers young Thai girls are fond of adonring their hair with are called "Yip So".

Not much to see outside of "Wat See Ping Chai" but when the gates are open...

One of the many small unseen temples that can be
found on the back roads along the ping

An open gate to discovery

But beware the temple is guarded.

These are "Kaew Mang Korn" plants.  The are a kind of fruit that they train to grow up these posts and then as the lighter green arms grow out they are cut off and taken to market.  Very careful please...they are extremely thorny.

Can you guess what these young but someday
 majestic and highly valued trees are? 

This is a teak wood farm and these are strong young teak wood trees.  A teak wood tree will grow to a height of about 40 meters with a trunk from 1 to 2 meters in about50 to 60 years.  I think I'll have to miss this harvest but I'd like to think my son's would see it.

What are the economics of this kind of long term investment?  When you do realize your gain?

An as yet, unidentified variety of Palm.

Planting Rice next to the fertile banks of the Ping River in the shadow of Doi Suthep.

In Thailand life is good.  Thai people work hard for what they have.  They don't complain much and 48% of the population is not on government subsidies.  Oh but what fun it would be to start a boot camp for the 99% in America.

 Some of the smaller wild life that call the Ping River estuary home.

And finally we found and highly recommend this little botique hotel right on the banks of the Ping River only about 3 klicks from town.  It's called the Villa San Pea Seua.  You can read more about it here. 

 View from the river looking back at the hotel.

Some of the local rowing clubs working out on the river.

We end our little excursion with this shot of and umbrella farm and a reminder to keep those donations to Naam Bplah flowing.