Political crisis in Thailand

Thailand is currently in the midst of a political crisis. For the first time since 1992 large numbers of protestors have taken to the streets demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and political reform.

The political problems has been brewing for some time. However, reports in the foreign media lack background and analysis. A quick scann of ABC News and The Age from Australia reveals that the snap election and weekend protests have barely been reported. Admittedly there is plenty of other news to compete with including an attempted coup in The Philippines.

For the best coverage and analysis (in English) of what is happening in Thailand I recommend the following websites.

The Nation - English language daily newspaper. The Nation has carried some of the most fearless and critical reporting of Thai politics in recent times. It has constantly editorialised against Thaksin and his government.

Bangkok Post - Thailand's other major English language daily. Its coverage is perhaps slightly less detailed than that of The Nation, but it offers a good alternative point of view.

ThaiDay - English language daily published as an insert in the International Herald Tribune. Interestingly this paper is published by the Manager Group which is owned by Sondhi Limthongkul. Sondhi is the man who originally kickstarted the protest movement after his weekly TV talk show was taken off the air for being too critical of the government.

Asia Times - this online newspaper is also published by Sondhi. It often carries some good opinion pieces.

2Bangkok.com - news blog. Updated daily with photos and commentary.

Back to Krabi

View from bus window on the way to Krabi

After enjoying my trip to Krabi so much last weekend I went back there again to explore some more. On Sunday morning I took a long tail boat out on the Krabi River. The boat navigated through a narrow channel in the mangroves. I wondered how the boat would get out as it was impossible for it to turn around, but it eventually emerged back on to the open waters of the river.


The boat navigates through the mangrove forest

On the river there were a number of fish farms. I also went to see a cave. I don't even know the name of the cave. There must be multitudes of them around Krabi.


Fish farm on the Krabi River


Cave near Krabi

Following the "river cruise" I decided to go back to the Tiger Cave Temple for another visit. This time I didn't take the strenous walk to the top of the hill. I took the valley walk instead.


Buddha statue in the valley at Tiger Cave Temple

While there were no amazing views on this walk it took me through some beautiful rainforest. The huge buttressed roots of some of the trees were spectacular. There were also a few small caves to explore and I spied some monkeys high up in the trees.


Huge buttress roots of a tree in the valley

I shot a picture of this monkey in the main temple compound. You need to watch out for these creatures. If you don't give them food they will probably steal it from you!


Monkey at the Tiger Cave Temple

On my two visits two Krabi I haven't even been to any of the beaches or islands. I am not that interested in beaches I suppose. If I come back to Krabi again I will visit the beach, but there is more to Krabi (and the south of Thailand) than the beach.

Tiger Cave Temple

Krabi is something of a magnet for travellers in the south of Thailand. Most people are attracted to the nearby beaches and islands. The town is is compact and its setting on the banks of a river and surrounding mangroves and limestone karsts make it quite attractive.

My destination in Krabi was a little golden speck that could be spied atop a limestone karst about ten kilometres from town.


The hill top golden Buddha statue is just visible in the centre of the photo

The Tiger Cave Temple is at the base of a limestone karst. The cave temple itself is not very deep. It is more of an overhang, although a building has been constructed to extend the area.


Inside the Tiger Cave Temple

The grounds of the temple are busy with locals, foreign tourists, monks and maechee (Thai nuns that wear white robes). There is a large pagoda under construction, numerous buildings and a statue of Guan Yin.

All this was just an entree though. My real target was the top of the hill with its golden Buddha statue. A sign at the base of the hill duly informed me there were 1,237 steps to the top.


1,237 steps to reach the top

The first thing I encountered on the climb was monkeys. They seemed to congregate on the steps with the intent of stealing food from people trekking past. I wasn't carrying any food so they didn't bother me, but I still treated them with caution.

The other thing that deserved caution were the steps themselves. They were extremely steep in places and climbing them was pretty demanding.


The steps were extremely steep in places

I was reasonably fit from mountain biking, but my legs were still a little shaky when I reached the top about twenty minutes later.


Golden Buddha statue atop the hill at Tiger Cave Temple

The view of Krabi and the surrounding area made the climb well worth it. Looking towards Krabi town you could see the mouth of the river and the mangroves. In the other directions you could see the many beautiful limestone karsts.


View of Krabi from the top of the hill at Tiger Cave Temple