Get out of the city

From now until Sunday, four provinces surrounding Bangkok are joining hands in the "River Of Life: Rattanakosin" fair, which is taking place at Wat Chin Wararam in Pathum Thani's Muang district, a short drive south of the city centre.

The event will showcase the diverse cultures that have coexisted in harmony for centuries in Bangkok's immediate neighbours, namely, the host Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan. There will be exhibitions, demonstrations, and traditional performances by people of Mon, Chinese and Muslim descent. Of course, stage entertainment, as well as local food and goods, will also be available in plenty to entertain fair-goers, daily from 10am-9pm.

The riverside temple that serves as the venue was built during the reign of King Rama II. It is one of several Mon temples along this part of the Chao Phraya. It's not far from Bangkok. If you drive northward out of the capital using the Udon Ratthaya (Bang Pa-in-Pak Kret) Expressway, exit at Si Saman and you can cross to the west side of the river where Wat Chin Wararam is located via either Nonthaburi Bridge or Pathum Thani 2 Bridge. The latter is closer to the temple but the former is closer to the Si Saman exit.

For more information, visit RiverofLife.Rattanakosin page on Facebook.

Wonderful winter

December is the time when the area north of Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima province, is blessed with cool weather. It's also the time when GranMonte Vineyard and Winery, one of the famous attractions in those parts, holds its "Winter In The Vineyard" campaign offering visitors not just the chance to learn about the process of winemaking, from grape cultivation onwards, but also enjoy tasty seasonal food. Then not long after the New Year, on Saturday, Jan 18, GranMonte will be holding its annual "Sparkling Harvest Festival" during which people can enjoy a grape-picking contest and several other activities.

For details, visit granmonte.com or the vineyard's Facebook page.