Hello, fellow Read me friends! Today is our turn to embark on a journey with the TAT's Social Volunteer Project. Fah and I are very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, with our destination being the Phrom Lok community. This time, we traveled by train, departing from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat at 7 pm and arriving at our destination around 11 am. The train was not delayed, and we even had the chance to enjoy some delicious Hat Yai fried chicken in the morning. It was amazing!


Prior to our journey, we coordinated with our elder sister, who manages the homestay and took care of us throughout our two-day, one-night stay in the Phrom Lok community. She arranged for Mr. Chan, a friendly local guide with extensive knowledge of the area, to pick us up at the train station at eleven o'clock. Mr. Chan's warm and approachable demeanor made us feel instantly at ease.

Before entering the community, Uncle Chan suggested we stop by the city pillar shrine to pay respects for good fortune. The architecture of the city pillar shrine is beautiful, with a clean white exterior, resembling the minimalist style popular today. After paying our respects, we visited the city wall, which Uncle Chan informed us dates back to the reign of King Rama V, making it a historical landmark that has stood the test of time.


A Culinary Adventure in Southern Thailand: Exploring the Delights of Khanom Jeen Muang Kon

The adage "an army marches on its stomach" rings true, especially when embarking on a culinary adventure. And what better way to fuel our exploration than with a delightful meal at Khanom Jeen Muang Kon, a renowned eatery in the heart of southern Thailand?

This bustling establishment, a favorite among locals and tourists alike, offers a vibrant atmosphere and an array of delectable dishes. The sheer number of patrons speaks volumes about the restaurant's popularity and the quality of its offerings.

"No need for long speeches, let's eat! This Khanom Jeen Muang Kon is truly delicious. Uncle Chan ordered half a kilo of Khanom Jeen with four different curries: coconut curry, jungle curry, chili paste, and crab curry. He also ordered Southern Yamsai and Satay. The best part of this restaurant is the vegetable platter. If you love vegetables, you'll be thrilled! The vegetables here are fresh and incredibly tasty."

"Prae really enjoyed the pickled vegetables that came with the rice noodles. They were perfectly pickled and delicious. However, I'm not a big fan of spicy food, so I enjoyed the rice salad with budu sauce more. The rice noodles with fish curry were also delicious, though. You could tell by how quickly the person next to me finished their plate."

Visiting the Sacred Temple of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Upon arriving in Nakhon Si Thammarat, a visit to the revered Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, affectionately known as Wat Mahathat by locals, is a must. This sacred temple holds immense significance for the city's residents, serving as a spiritual anchor and a symbol of their rich heritage.

The temple's centerpiece is the majestic Phra Borommathat Chedi, a towering stupa housing the sacred relics of Lord Buddha. Devotees practice the tradition of "ผ้าขึ้นธาตุ" (Pha Kuen Thaat), offering saffron robes to the stupa while making heartfelt wishes. This act is believed to bring blessings and the fulfillment of desires.

A visit to Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan is not only a pilgrimage but also a cultural immersion. The intricate architecture, vibrant murals, and serene atmosphere offer a glimpse into the profound faith and artistic traditions of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

After visiting several places before entering the community, it was time to continue our journey to meet my sister and the Phrom Lok community. We traveled for about 20 minutes and arrived at the Phrom Lok community. As if the heavens were on our side, or perhaps we brought the raindrops with us, it started to drizzle as soon as we arrived. My sister welcomed us with a variety of fruits, including mangosteen, rambutan, and durian. While other places offer welcome drinks, the Phrom Lok community offers welcome fruits.

Welcome Fruit allows us to pick fruits directly from the garden in front of the house. This is a treat for Fa, who loves to eat rambutans and mangosteens. When everyone found out that mangosteens and rambutans were her favorites, they almost took her to pick them from the trees to try.

In a conversation with my sister about the history of ecotourism in the Phromlok community, I learned that the aim is to provide income for local residents without harming the natural environment. This form of tourism promotes harmonious interaction with nature. While previously, foreign tourists were primarily brought in by tour agencies, there has been a recent increase in Thai tourists.

The local community organizes a 2-day, 1-night trip with activities such as visiting Phrom Lok Waterfall, walking through fruit orchards, making batik fabric, staying with local families, cycling through the village, swimming at Wang Pla Ngae, and visiting important temples like Phrom Lok Temple and Khao Khun Phom Temple. For international tourists, the trip also includes a visit to a local school to observe teaching methods and exchange language skills with students.

This time we were very lucky to stay with Ma Jit, the kind-hearted owner of the house who cooks delicious food! Just tell her what you want to eat and Ma Jit will do her best for us. When I saw the leaves in the boiled salt, I was very happy because it is my favorite. The next meal, Ma Jit showed me a basin and said that she had picked some leaves for me to prepare for stir-fried eggs with leaves. Wow, all levels of service, super impressed (I really love Ma Jit).


We rested for about 2-3 hours before Uncle Chan picked us up and took us to Wang Pla Ngae. The water was incredibly clear, so much so that I feel compelled to type a lot of "Ks". It was also refreshingly cool. We could see the fish, which were also incredibly abundant. Children and adults alike were playing in the water, jumping in with their inflatable rings, having a lot of fun. We couldn't resist joining them and wading into the stream ourselves.


After playing in the water at Wang Pla Ngae, we returned home for dinner. My mother prepared a delicious meal of yellow mangosteen curry with pork, coconut milk soup with bai liang leaves, omelet, and stir-fried vegetables. The yellow curry was particularly delicious. After dinner, we participated in a batik fabric activity, taught by my niece. We began by drawing a design with a pencil on a stretched fabric. We then waited for the moon candle to melt, and used a candle-writing tool to draw along the pencil lines. We used tissue paper to prevent the wax from dripping and to wipe the tool before drawing. After completing the drawing, we colored the fabric as desired.

As Disney fans, we decided to try our hand at some simple drawing, like the sun from Tangled. However, as we drew, it started to resemble a gypsy playing card cloth, which was quite confusing. Meanwhile, my friend Praew drew a hibiscus flower with a full leaf pattern. It took us almost an hour to finish coloring, and we had to wait for it to dry before applying a sealant and boiling it. Finally, after drying it in the sun, we had a complete batik fabric.

The night before, we went to the annual Gardeners' Day festival. It was like a temple fair, but grander. There were food stalls, clothes, and amusement park rides for children. There was also a stage show, a balloon toss, and a shooting gallery. We had a lot of fun and went home late to rest, preparing for the temple visit the next morning.

The next morning, my sister woke us up at around 5:30 am. We were both very sleepy, but we quickly washed our faces, brushed our teeth, and headed to Khao Khun Phom Temple. The locals believe that King Taksin the Great lived and died here, not executed as history records. The temple is located on a hill with a panoramic view, and the climb is quite steep, making it a good morning exercise.

After visiting Khao Khanapnom Temple, we stopped by Kiew Dim Sum restaurant for breakfast. The restaurant offers a variety of breakfast options, including congee, dim sum, and youtiao, as well as coffee and tea. My sister generously allowed us to order as much food as we wanted, and the table was soon overflowing with delicious dishes. She even bought sticky rice with fried chicken and grilled pork to add to the feast. It was a truly satisfying breakfast that left us feeling very full.

We went for a swim and waited for Uncle Chan and the two lady guides to take us to Phrom Lok Waterfall. I must say, the walk up was quite an adventure, but once we reached the top, it was definitely worth it. The waterfall was beautiful and the cool mist helped us cool down from the climb. Let's not talk too much, or we'll get a sore throat! 55 Just look at the pictures.



After a long and tiring climb, we took a break to admire the natural beauty surrounding us. The experience is truly one that you should have for yourself, but I can tell you that the stunning views and refreshing dip in the cool water are well worth the effort.

It's time to say goodbye. We both took a shower and changed our clothes. My sister took us to Thungsong Railway Station to wait for the train back home. This trip to Phromlok community may not have been full of exciting activities, but the happiness and peace of mind that the community people gave us made us truly happy. The natural atmosphere of both Wang Pla Kae and Phromlok Waterfall also made us feel that it was worth coming here. If you are wondering where to go during a long weekend, try adding Phromlok community to your list and come here. I guarantee you will leave with a smile. ☺

FAHPAWA
23 August 2018

#promlok community#nakhon si thammarat#homestay#thailand
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