Bangkok Diaries » Things To Do in Bangkok

Bangkokhooker’s Fishing in Thailand: My favourite payponds

Bangkokhooker — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 15:05:26 +0000

Bangkokhooker’s Fishing in Thailand: My favourite payponds is a post from: Bangkok Diaries

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Hello everyone and welcome to my first Bangkok Diaries post.

I’m a Thai person who has spent a little bit of time studying abroad. When I got moved back to Thailand three years ago I decided to pick up my childhood hobby, fishing. Soon enough I found myself spending more time at fishing venues than at the bars. After realising that most of the information, regarding fishing in Thailand, was either in Thai or through some fishing tour company I decided to contribute my share to the international community who are interested in the angling arts by starting a blog.

Living in Thailand, I often hear many of my friends complain about the lack of things to do in the South East Asian City of Angels. Sooner or later people get sick of all the cheap booze, the dingy bar scene and the hustle and bustle of the urban jungle. Little did these friends of mine know that inside this concrete jungle of over 11 million inhabitants (or was it 9 million? I lose count) there is a thriving fishing industry. It started becoming even more clear to them when popular fishing TV shows, like River Monsters, started checking out Thailand’s fishing potential (speaking of fishing shows in Thailand here’s a quick run down).

The most popular places to go fishing in Bangkok are at pay ponds, artificial bodies of water filled with fish where anglers can pay a fee in order to have a go at catching them. You know, sort of like going to a “lounge” instead of trying your chances at a night club. Pay ponds can be the time-starved Bangkokian’s answer to the weekend outdoor activity. Rod rentals, fishing guides, restaurants and all sorts of creature comforts can be found at most fishing ponds meaning that that the avid angler would not have to invest in buying his/her own gear while there are facilities for the angler’s tag-alongs to enjoy because let’s face it, nothing kills the moment more than a whiny partner (unless you are Jackie Chan’s character from Rush Hour, that’d be funny).

Compiled here are some of the ponds that I have been frequenting including some basic details such as price, the type of fishing, target fish species, pond location and creature comfort ratings. As for google locations and further details, click on their respective links to check them out.

Pond name: Bungsamran.

Operating hours: They are never closed, NEVER.

Target species: Mekong giant catfish, striped catfish, Siamese giant carp and arapaima.

Fishing type: Bait fishing.

Location: Nawamin soi 42.

Contact: 02-734-9272, www.bungsamran.com.

Price: B400 for Thais or farangs with work permits, B1,000 for farangs without work permits. B20,000 for the arapaima fishing license.

Summary: The fish here are BIG and quite commonly break people’s rods. Anyone with some money can rock in and catch a monster fish with the help of a paid guide (B1,000). It would be the perfect bait fishing pond if they don’t have the evil racist double-pricing. An un-geared visitor without a working permit or fishing skills can be expected to pay around B3,000 for a great day of fishing.

Creature comforts: Simply the best of any pond. An internet cafe, convenience store, cafe, restaurant and very cheap massages (B120-180 per hour). You can even rent personal fishing bungalows (B800-5,000). Also toilets are clean. This is the perfect place to bring a non-fishing significant other.

Gear rental: Yes.

Pond name: Sukuna.

Operating hours: Open daily 10am-10pm.

Target species: striped catfish and Mekong giant catfish.

Fishing type: Bait fishing.

Location: Soi Mungkorn-Kandi Km. Soi entrance is located at 8 Theparak, Muang Samut Prakan. About 30km from downtown Bangkok.

Contact: 02-755-4433.

Price: B100 per rod on weekdays, B120 per rod on Saturdays, B150 per rod on Sundays and B60 after 6pm everyday.

Summary: Sukana is the poor man’s Bungsamran. Most of the fish here are the smaller striped catfish but those waiting to catch a Mekong giant will have a chance with a little more patience. Plus, the pond doesn’t discriminate in pricing. The people here can also mix your bait for you in their mixing machine free of charge.

Creature comforts: The pond has many little stone gazebos scattered across their lush grassy grounds making this quite the nice place to take someone on a date. The restaurant here is not bad and the toilets are clean.

Gear rental: yes.

Pond name: Amazon BKK

Operating hours: Open daily 6am-9pm.

Target species: Arapaima, red tail catfish and red tail/tiger hybrid catfish.

Fishing type: Lure and fly fishing.

Location: Ratchmontri road near Phutthamonthon sai 1.

Contact: 081-426-4203.

Price: B500 per rod for full day, B300 per rod for half day.

Summary: Here is an affordable pond where one can catch exotic fish species such as the arapaima and the red tail via artificial fishing without having to break the bank. The venue and is not too big and neither are the fish (arapaimas are about 50kg max but mostly around 5-10kg) but hey, it’s cheaper than Bungsamran’s B20,000 fee.

Creature comforts: Amazon’s setting is quite gorgeous. A lush green garden filled with a variety of plants surrounding several hand carved Bungalows, this place is quite fantastic to bring a date except for the toilets which aren’t that welcoming.

Gear rental: No.

Pond name: Pilot 111.

Operating hours: Open daily 6am-9pm.

Target species: Barramundi, giant snakehead, striped snakehead, spotted featherback and rock catfish.

Fishing type: Lure and fly fishing.

Location: Bangna-trad kilometre 39.5.

Contact: 086-316-8773.

Price: B500 per rod.

Summary: With eight different ponds and so many fish species divided into separate ponds as well as very little trees in the way this is easily the best lure and fly fishing pond at the moment.

Creature comforts: The facilities here are basic but very clean. The manicured lawns, the spotlessly clean restaurant and bathroom makes you feel like you’re at a golf club.

Gear rental: No.

Pond name: Texas Chuan Chom.

Operating hours: flexible, just call the owner.

Target species: Barramundi, giant snakehead, striped snakehead and rock catfish.

Fishing type: Lure fishing.

Location: Thanon Pracha Samran, Khlong sip song, Nong Chok.

Contact: Saek – 081-383-4151.

Price: B100 to fish in one pond and B200 to fish in all five ponds.

Summary: This humble little pond is run by a passionate lure fisherman who is obsessed with the Texas rig method of fishing. The striped snakehead pond is dedicated exclusively to this fishing method. This pond is for the serious angler and is exceptionally difficult but worth the challenge.

Creature comforts: They have a bamboo gazebo that sits on top of one of the ponds and they have a pretty good kitchen here. The bathroom needs a little work but it’s not the worst I’ve seen.

Gear rental: No, but the owner will lend you his and can sell you some rubber lures.

That’s it, I hope this can inspire some of you to pick up the wonderful art of fishing in this wonderful city. Until next we meet, fun times and tight lines!

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Hindu Temple in Bangkok: Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

thaistory — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:48:48 +0000

Hindu Temple in Bangkok: Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is a post from: Bangkok Diaries

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Sri Maha Mariamman Temple is one of the two most revered temples by Indians and Thai Indians who live in Bangkok.

The temple is located on Silom Road on the corner of Thanon Pan (opposite Silom Soi 20). It is anly a 15 minutes walk from the Chong Nongsi BTS Skytrain station.

Read a full presentation of Sri Maha Mariamman Temple here.

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Cornelis Hoek’s Exhibition in Bangkok

thaistory — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:13:23 +0000

Cornelis Hoek’s Exhibition in Bangkok is a post from: Bangkok Diaries

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Chiang Rai resident Cornelis Hoek, a Dutch visual artist, has brought to Bangkok his exhibition of paper-cut collages entitled “The World in Our Hands.” You can visit it between June 1 – 29, 2010 at Neilson Hays Library, downtown Bangkok.

Read the exhibition review here.

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Neilson Hays Library in Bangkok

thaistory — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:01:24 +0000

Neilson Hays Library in Bangkok is a post from: Bangkok Diaries

Thank you for reading Bangkok Diaries. If you have a post or a story you would like to share please send us your submissions.

Neilson Hays Library boasts a collection of 20,000 English language books, subscriptions to numerous newspapers and magazines (both local and international), a rotunda specially reserved for art exhibitions and a courtyard with a café gallery.

Click here for a library review.

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Author’s Day: Aaron Le Boutillier at KPIS

thaistory — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:12:59 +0000

Author’s Day: Aaron Le Boutillier at KPIS is a post from: Bangkok Diaries

Thank you for reading Bangkok Diaries. If you have a post or a story you would like to share please send us your submissions.

On behalf of Keera-Pat International School (KPIS), Bangkok, I would like to invite all booklovers to “Author’s Day,” an event which will take place on March 26, 2010 from 13:00 to 14:30.

KPIS is one of the emerging schools on the scene of quality international education in Thailand and thus we acknowledge the importance of connecting our body of students to the world around them.

To do so, we have decided this year to organize an interactive student-author meeting between Bangkok-based British author, Aaron Le Boutillier, author of And Then One Morning – A Personal Odyssey and several representative students from the KPIS Middle School and High School.

Aaron Le Boutillier is one of the 2004 tsunami survivors who, in his book And Then One Morning recollects his personal memories of the events he experienced on Koh Phi Phi before, during and after the tragic tsunami that also hit the shores of other countries throughout Southeast Asia.

During “Author’s Day” our students and guests will listen to a student read a few evocative segments from the book, followed by a keynote speech from the author himself. A panel of students will then ask Aaron Le Boutillier questions regarding the horrific events that he had been a part of. The author will also take questions from the audience. The event will end with a book signing session.

For those who wish to purchase the book, KPIS will arrange a special booth where And Then One Morning will be offered on sale. The price of one copy is 500 Baht. If you wish to read the book beforehand, something we highly recommend, then you can certainly buy the book at all leading English-language bookstores in Bangkok.

The event will take place in our state of the art auditorium which can accommodate hundreds of people.

Our school’s address is 58 Moo 9 (Soi Yooyen) Ramintra Road,
Bangkok 10220, Thailand. Phone: (+66) 2 943 7790 Fax: (+66) 2 943 8180. E-mail: kantisa.kae@keerapat.ac.th.

Are you a short story writer?
Why don’t you submit your best short story to the
New Asian Writing Short Story Anthology?

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Dasa Book Café is moving house today!

thaistory — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:07:29 +0000

Dasa Book Café is moving house today! is a post from: Bangkok Diaries

Thank you for reading Bangkok Diaries. If you have a post or a story you would like to share please send us your submissions.

Posted by Voicu Mihnea Simandan

Today, Dasa Book Café – my favourite second-hand bookstore in Bangkok – will move to a new building on Sukhumvit!

During the process of moving and rearranging everything they will be closed for several days starting today, Monday, August 24. They plan to re-open for business on Friday the 28^th, but if the move goes smoothly they may be open by Thursday afternoon.

The new location is situated only a few buildings away from the previous spot, on the same block of Sukhumvit, between Soi 26 and Soi 28. Walking east, past Soi 26, the shop is between Peterson Piano Gallery and Sabai Thai Massage.

Mail order service will resume on August 31. For customers with books to sell or exchange, they will be happy to look at them starting on August 28.

At present they have an inventory of over 14,000 books, and they plan to keep increasing the selection of books at the new location. The new store will have more bookshelves and display space, spread out over three floors.

Happy reading!

Voicu Mihnea Simandan is a Romanian writer, member of the Bangkok Writers Guild, who has been living and working in Thailand since 2002. He is the author of “The Ironman. A Play”, a book for children well-received in educational circles.

Are you a short story writer?
Why don’t you submit your best short story to the
New Asian Writing Short Story Anthology?

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Dasa Book Café – Bangkok’s favorite second-hand bookstore

thaistory — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:00:17 +0000

Dasa Book Café – Bangkok’s favorite second-hand bookstore is a post from: Bangkok Diaries

Thank you for reading Bangkok Diaries. If you have a post or a story you would like to share please send us your submissions.

Posted by Voicu Mihnea Simandan

New location

Bangkok is a good place to shop for books. Although there are many good bookstores that sell English-language books, my favourite second-hand bookstore is Dasa Book Café.

I know I’m not the only one who buys books at this friendly store, so, for those who haven’t found out yet, Dasa Book Café will be moving to a new location. But, don’t despair, the new location will be just a 5-minute walk from their current location. The bookshop will be moved only a few buildings down the street, on the same block. The new location will be closer to Soi 28, between the Peterson Piano Gallery and Sabai Thai Massage (see map below – click to enlarge).

The store phone number (02 661 2993) and e-mail address (info[at]dasabookcafe[dot]com and dasa[at]truemail[dot]co[dot]th) will remain the same. Parking will be available in Soi 26 (Bangchak Gas Station), Soi 28 (a dead-end soi) or at the Emporium Shopping Mall.

The current building has to be vacated by the first of September, so the store move will happen sometime in late August. The bookstore will be closed for only a day or two while moving books and shelves to the new location.

Shock sale

Meanwhile, Dasa Book Café is slashing the prices of books on the “Blowout” table outside the store. Normally, these books range from 29 to 99 baht, but until August 15 all books on that table and as well as in the boxes in the shop (ground floor and in the corner of the upstairs floor, near the window), will be only 19 baht each!

I’ve already taken advantage of this sale and spent a few hundred baht on some very good books. I urge you to do the same! The shop is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The bookshop offers more than 14,000 used books in many languages. A book list is available online for download at the “Dasa”base page. All titles are filed alphabetically thus making it easier to find what you want. All books in stock are available for browsing!

What’s in a name?

According to the bookstore’s website, “dāsa” came from the name of the late venerable Thai Buddhist monk called “Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu”.

“The word “dāsa” itself means “slave” or “servant”. It’s the word from an ancient language called “Pali” which is the language that Buddhist monks use in chanting and in their regular rituals or ceremonies. We chose this name because it conveys the meaning that all book lovers are “slave” in the sense that they can’t live without books or reading. The name also has a nice Asian touch to it and is also quite catchy,” confessed the people behind Dasa Book Café.

Buy it. Read it. Exchange it. Trade it. Sell it.

You can also take your own books to Dasa Book Café to exchange, trade or swap them for others you haven’t read. Not all books are taken and the prices depend on the book’s condition, its popularity, and the original suggested publisher’s list price. They don’t take books that are in bad shape, titles that they already have too many copies of, photocopied versions, or (in the case of fiction novels) hardcover titles.

If you want to sell the books that you have bought at Dasa Book Café, you receive 50% of the price you paid at Dasa as store credit. This credit can be used to but more books or, maybe, a coffee in the store. But, if the condition of the book you bought has deteriorated noticeably they will adjust the credit amount accordingly. If you don’t use your credit on the same day, you will receive a credit note for later use.

You can also sell some of the books you don’t fancy anymore on your bookshelves. Of course, it is possible that not all the books that you want to sell will be bought, but you have good chances. If you want to sell your books for cash, you will receive less value as opposed to exchanging them for store credit. Check with the sore beforehand if you have many books you would like to sell.

Mail delivery

In case you’re not from Bangkok, the bookstore can ship to any location in Thailand! All you need to do is e-mail the bookstore at info[at]dasabookcafe[dot]com with the list of books that you would like to order. For fast and accurate service, it is important to include details of the book in your e-mail (which you can just copy from the booklist). When you place your order indicate whether you would like the books shipped via regular Thai Post, or the faster (and more expensive) EMS express service.

The guys at Dasa will confirm your order by e-mail and give you the grand total. This amount (total cost of books plus shipping & handling) should be transferred to their bank account in Bangkok. The details will be given to you when you place your order. After they have confirmed the bank deposit, they will ship the books to you. All book orders are usually shipped the following business day, unless that day happens to fall on a national holiday or weekend. They do not take credit cards.

Exceptional books

Among the notable and rare titles about Buddhism, Thailand and Asia currently in stock, I find worthy to mention:

- Reginald Davis – The Royal Family of Thailand;
- Narada Maha Thera – The Buddha and His Teachings;
- Noel Wynyard – Durian: a Siamese Interlude;
- Maurice Percheron – Buddha and Buddhism;
- Bernard Llewellyn – With my Back to the East;
- Sue Arnold – A Burmese Legacy;
- W.A. Graham – Siam (Volume 1 & Volume 2); and
- Pimsai Amranand and William Warren – Gardening in Bangkok.

Happy reading!

Are you a short story writer?
Why don’t you submit your best short story to the
New Asian Writing Short Story Anthology?

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Bangkok Writers Guild: 1st meeting of 2009

thaistory — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:34:21 +0000

Bangkok Writers Guild: 1st meeting of 2009 is a post from: Bangkok Diaries

Thank you for reading Bangkok Diaries. If you have a post or a story you would like to share please send us your submissions.

Written by Voicu Mihnea Simandan

After quite a long break, the few remaining members of the Bangkok Writers Guild have finally decided on a day on which to meet and share their work. This date is Wednesday, July 15, 2009! The group will meet at Bourbon Street restaurant-bar (in the back room) at 7 pm, on Sukhumvit Soi 22. The location was previously known as Mambo Cabaret (and before that the Washington Theatre) – see map below (click to enlarge).

The following Bangkok-based writers have already confirmed their presence: Gary Dale Cearley, author of Thou Shall Not Bear False Witness: The Truth about Vatican and the Birth of Islam, C.Y. Gopinath, author of Travel with the Fish and Aaron Le Boutillier, author of And Then One Morning (and, of course, the undersigned).

Bangkok Writers Guild is an informal group of foreign writers from Thailand. The group was first started in 2007, but stopped its activity sometime towards the end of 2008. Let’s hope that the first meeting of 2009 will be followed by many others. If you’re a published author, an aspiring writer or just want to hang out with some cool guys, you’re most welcome to join us!

Are you a short story writer?
Why don’t you submit your best short story to the
New Asian Writing Short Story Anthology?

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Photos from the 2nd edition of Parin Archery Open Championship 2009

thaistory — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:46:34 +0000

Photos from the 2nd edition of Parin Archery Open Championship 2009 is a post from: Bangkok Diaries

Thank you for reading Bangkok Diaries. If you have a post or a story you would like to share please send us your submissions.

Photos and text by Voicu Mihnea Simandan

This post presents the winners and participants at the 2nd edition of Parin Archery Open Championship 2009, which was held at Hua Mark Archery Field in Bangkok on June 27, 2009. The envent was organised by Parin Archery.

The judge of the event was Parinroj Palasunthon (aka Ajarn Parin).

Recurve 1^st place: Prawit Soontornjirakran (Wit) – 223 points (handicap – 20)

Recurve 2^nd place: Chain Chukaew (Chain) – 215 points

Recurve 3^rd place: Nuttadanai Rungpraiwan (Nut) – 210 points

Compound: Narabodin Anutaraporn (Indy) – 106 points

The following archers also participated in the event:

- Mihnea Voicu Simandan – 194 points (handicap – 20)
- Benjamin Anutaraporn – 183 points
- Wanchai Anutaraporn – 158 points (handicap – 20)
- Chatchanmon Singmano – 106 points
- Porntip Rheansuwan – 79 points (handicap – 20)

This archery competition was a good opportunity for all the archers to prepare for Thailand Princess Cup Archery 2009 tournament.

If you are interested in archery contact Ajarn Parin at 081 4141 558 or through his website. You can also visit Ajarn Parin at Hua Mark Archery Field.

Voicu Mihnea Simandan is a Romanian expat who has been living and working in Thailand since 2002. He is the author of “The Ironman. A Play”, a book for children well-received in educational circles.

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Parin Archery Open Championship 2009 – 2nd edition

thaistory — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:05:20 +0000

Parin Archery Open Championship 2009 – 2nd edition is a post from: Bangkok Diaries

Thank you for reading Bangkok Diaries. If you have a post or a story you would like to share please send us your submissions.

Photos and text by Voicu Mihnea Simandan

The second edition of Parin Archery Open Championship 2009 was held Sunday, June 27, 2009. The event was located at the Hua Mark Archery Field, on the grounds of Hua Mark Sports Complex on Ramkhamhaeng Road in Bangkok. The championship was organized by Parin Archery Club, under the supervision of its president Parinroj Palasunthon (aka Ajarn Parin).

Nine archers took part in the event, all of them registered at Parin Archery Club. The event was open to all ages and disciplines (recurve and compound). The competition started at 10 am and lasted until a little after noon. The oldest archer was 54 years old while the youngest archer was only 8 years old. All participating archers shot at the 18-meter target.

Because of the huge age gap between the contestants, all adult archers (over 18 years of age) entered the competition with a 20-point handicap. To make it even more challenging, the young archers shot at the one-eyed target, while the adult archers shot at the three-eyed target, which is more difficult to shoot at.

After 10 rounds of 3 arrows each, the following archers were rewarded for their achievements:

Recurve (mixed):
1^st place: Prawit Soontornjirakran (Wit)
2^nd place: Chain Chukaew (Chain)
3^rd place: Nuttadanai Rungpraiwan (Nut)

Compound:
Narabodin Anutaraporn (Indy)

Although a few more archers participated in the first edition of Parin Archery Open Championship 2009, the June event was a very good opportunity for contestants to get the feel of a competition, all in preparation for the most important archery tournament of the year: Thailand Princess Cup Archery 2009.

If you are interested in archery contact Ajarn Parin at 081 4141 558 or through his website. You can also visit Ajarn Parin at Hua Mark Archery Field.

Voicu Mihnea Simandan is a Romanian writer who has been living and working in Thailand since 2002. He is the author of “The Ironman. A Play”, a book for children well-received in educational circles.

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