Thailand – Pim Never Stops

Travel through the air

May 12, 2025November 26, 2025Posted in Hobby, Holiday, Phuket, Pickleball, Sport, Thailand, travelLeave a comment

When people ask about my hobbies, I say golf, learning languages, and travel. I take these seriously to improve. My golf improvement is based on how many balls I lose each round and if native speakers understand me well, it shows my language skills have improved. For travel, if I spend less and have more fun, that means I’ve improved too!

Recently, I started playing Pickleball and really enjoy it. I play for 2-3 hours a day with my fun friends. I pick it up quickly because I used to play Table Tennis and Badminton, but I’m still not very skilled. I took lessons from two coaches. The first one taught me the basics for beginners, and the second one showed me some techniques. In total, I had 35 hours of lessons from both coaches, which isn’t a lot, so I definitely need more.

I started playing Pickleball 4 months ago and met many wonderful people. We shared laughs and joy that made the game more fun. I live in Phuket, Thailand, which is a small island. Not many Thai people play Pickleball here; most players are foreigners who reside here. About a month ago, Jason, one of the players in our community contacted me to see if I would like to be the captain of a Pickleball team for the first Pickleball Challenge in Phuket. I was surprised to hear that as we did not know each other for long, but I accepted the offer because I thought it would be fun! Moreover, it looks like Jason is trying to build a positive community and supports others in starting to play Pickleball. This is a great idea, and I always want to help others and make a difference. Let’s get fit and enjoy this rapidly growing sport.

We opened the challenge for player registration and around 50 players wanted to join. There were 4 teams, each with about 10 members, because some couldn’t make it. Each team captain then had to select their team members based on each player’s ranking in such a way that each team would be of an equal standard. Here are the 4 teams of the first Pickleball Challenge in Phuket.

The event was on 9th May 2025 at Shark Bites in Rawai, Phuket. Shark Bites has a swimming pool, bar and restaurant, and 2 pickleball courts. It offers a great atmosphere where you can enjoy food and drinks while your children swim and play. Although there are many pickleball courts in Phuket, I found this one to be the most relaxing and friendly.

Participants gather for the first Pickleball Challenge in Phuket, showcasing community spirit and enthusiasm for the sport.

The competition used rally scoring. Players need 15 points to win, with no deuce. Each rally begins with a serve. If the serving team’s points are even (0, 2, 4…), the right-side partner serves. If odd (1, 3, 5…), the left-side partner serves. Every rally earns a point, regardless of who served. We made it more enjoyable by playing singles as a group. Each player played 3 points until one reached 21 points to win.

Game on! Scorpion VS Kitchen Police

Let’s warm up a bit man, I’m not ready yet..Thomas

Kitchen Police give a warning ticket to Scorpion

The 4th substitute captain of Kitchen Police

Scorpion and Kitchen Police eagerly awaiting their turn.

The two Scorpions are preparing delicious food

Game on! Super Angels VS Dinking Buddies

The two captains of Super Angels and Dinking Buddies, Audy and Anna

The only one Angel who flies from Bangkok to join Super Angels, Ake

Jason showcasing focus and readiness on the court

The most dedicated player from Dinking Buddies, Philippe

Spectators enjoying the excitement of the first Pickleball Challenge, showcasing a vibrant community atmosphere.

Participants smiling and enjoying the camaraderie

Dinking Buddies celebrating victory at the first Pickleball Challenge in Phuket with the winning team and their trophy

The collection of Scorpion team and supporter photos.

Team Scorpion strategizing before the game starts

Orlan is trying to concentrate on the game, not on the girl from the Kitchen Police team!

Jennifer is capturing the action of everyone

Drinking is more fun than playing! My two Korean friends come to support

My two coaches, Yves and Ake. Without both of them I would not improve this much.

The event ended with laughter and joy. Our first Pickleball Challenge in Phuket was a success. Being captain of team Scorpion was really fun. I enjoyed working with all the captains and my team members, who all had different personalities, abilities, and ages, but we shared one thing in common: having fun!

I encourage everyone to try Pickleball because it’s a sport for all ages and easier to play than many other sports. For beginners, keep practicing, and if you want to improve, consider taking lessons from a professional coach. You’ll notice a big difference and have more fun as you improve. And for all players, be kind to each other, no matter how good you are at playing Pickleball. People will remember one thing, how you treat them, so treat everyone with respect and kindness. Life is fleeting, and our interactions define us.

Lastly, this may seem like a travel blog, but I want to share my experiences with pickleball. Playing pickleball is a new journey for me, similar to traveling to new places. I believe I will enjoy it and hope to help others enjoy the game as well.

Let’s see how my ball continue to travel through the air and where it might take me.

Hiking and road trip in Thailand

April 15, 2025April 15, 2025Posted in Hiking, Road trip, Thailand, travelTagged adventure, camping, Hiking, nature, travelLeave a comment

When you grow older, you often think about your past and miss those times. I wish I could go back to the old days and pause… even if just for a moment.

When I was 10 to 16 years old, I lived in a village on a mountain with my parents and little sister. I had the best time with them. Sadly, they are no longer with me, and I miss them very much. So, I planned to visit the village in December 2024 to remember the good times we had together. Going alone would make me too sad, so I invited two foreign friends to join me and enjoy this special place together.

Near the village, there’s a hiking spot called “Phu Soi Dao National Park,” standing 1,633 meters above sea level. Apart from visiting the village, hiking and camping overnight at the top would be the highlight of the trip. I enjoy hiking and camping, likely because I often hiked with my parents in the jungle when I lived in the village.

We planned to visit some places after Phu Soi Dao. Here is our 7-day itinerary. Since we live in Phuket, our trip started with a flight to Bangkok and stayed a night at this beautiful villa near Don Mueang Airport before hitting the road early the next morning. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/966602979501524641

I contacted my old friend in the village to let her know I’m visiting, and she prepared lunch & dinner and an evening activity for my two foreign friends. When I arrived in the village, I thought about my childhood, where life was simple. I lived with my parents and played with my little sister from morning till evening, without any worries. On weekends, I would explore the jungle with my friends and search for insects! And went into the canal to look for fish. I also met some old friends from school, and we talked a lot about the old days, reminding me of how wild I used to be.

Enjoying a meal with friends in the village.

Sharing a moment while trying local delicacies, showcasing their adventurous spirit!

A delicious plate of fried frogs served alongside a simple omelette and papaya salad, showcasing local cuisine!

A joyful with local children in the village, capturing the essence of community.

Enjoying a serene moment by the river in the village, reflecting on childhood memories.

A serene view of a tranquil stream surrounded by lush greenery, capturing the essence of nature’s beauty.

I visited the school I attended for 6 years. It seems small to me now, but it felt big when I was little. I couldn’t believe how much this school has taught me, things I don’t think I would have learned in a big city like Bangkok. I’m thankful for my time here and for the experiences that shaped who I am today. The evening ended with laughter, drinks, and joy.

In front of the school with my old friends.

Three young boys in jerseys sit together on a bench, watching a game on the school field, surrounded by the beautiful hills.

A vibrant outdoor sport event in the school.

Showing my classroom to my friend, reminiscing about my childhood of past days in the school.

Staying at this little cute resort near the village before heading to Phu Soi Dao the next morning.

The next morning, it was time for the highlight of the trip after last night’s feast. We packed our camping gear for one night at the top and headed to the base camp, where we registered and got a strong man to help carry our stuff. The process was quick and simple. Around 400 people were set to be our companies on top of the mountain, mostly Thai, coming from all over Thailand. So, we weren’t lonely on our way to the top.

Camping gear and backpacks ready for the hiking adventure at Phu Soi Dao National Park.

Preparing for an adventurous hike at the base camp, friends gather in a pickup truck, excited for our journey ahead.

Ready for an unforgettable hiking adventure!

The three strong women at the starting point of the Phu Soi Dao trail, ready for adventure on a 6.5 km journey.

The atmosphere of our 4-hour journey was enjoyable because we were fit and well-prepared. It wasn’t as hard as we had feared. I remembered feeling very tired during my previous visits as a teenager. Today, we saw about 400 people hiking and many of whom were younger than us but struggled and complained about being tired. Some were overweight and unprepared for the climb. I recommend that if you’re not ready, don’t attempt the hike just to see the views. It’s best to exercise for at least 1-3 months before coming. If you’re overweight, consider skipping the trip to avoid being a burden to others.

A serene view of a waterfall surrounded by lush greenery and rocky terrain, perfect for nature lovers and hikers.

Making our way up the rocky trail surrounded by lush greenery.

Enjoying a well-deserved snack while hiking.

Enjoying the breathtaking mountain views on the way to the top.

Finally we reached the top of 1,633 meters above sea level.

After unpacking and setting up the tent, we prepared our special meal: Korean BBQ pork. The delicious smell made the campers nearby quite jealous. It was the best Korean BBQ I’ve ever had. The cold weather made the hot food even better, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Sharing this meal with friends who know me well brings simple happiness as we eat and laugh together. After eating, we watched the sunset at the cliff. The sky was a beautiful orange and yellow. After a long day of travel, this view made all the tiredness go away. It’s a romantic spot for couples, but it can also lead to breakups once you leave!

Setting up the tent for an unforgettable camping experience.

Sunna is pouring wine for everyone! The camp is surrounded by tall pine trees and fellow campers.

Lily & Sunna enjoying a beautiful sunset while preparing a meal.

Serene sunset view at Phu Soi Dao National Park, surrounded by towering pine trees.

A serene sunset over the campsite at Phu Soi Dao National Park, surrounded by tall trees.

Enjoying a breathtaking sunset together.

A beautiful sunset view from the mountains, with silhouettes of trees framing the horizon.

Witnessing a breathtaking sunset, where we celebrate nature and cherished memories.

Starry night over the camping site, with tents and fellow campers enjoying the serenity of nature.

In the morning, Lili & Sunna made breakfast for us. We planned to cook Korean ramen, but since we weren’t very hungry, we just had coffee and the croissants we brought. I thanked my Chinese friend for bringing the camping gear, like a gas stove, grill pan, kettle, glasses, and plates. She was very organized and took on the role of chef because she believed eating was important more than anything! I acted as the team leader, managing the overall plan, booking a car rental and accommodations while my Korean friend were always help and do as requested. We were such a good team, Thai, Chinese and Korean!

Those two young boys from the village approached me and said hello while they worked on the top. I hardly recognized them since I left the village when they were little. Now they both have wives and children. It’s surprising that those little kids with runny noses are now starting families; time really flies.

After packing everything, we started to go down. We left the top at 8:30 AM to avoid the heat.

We enjoying the beautiful trail, embracing the spirit of adventure with smiles and energy.

Enjoying the last breathtaking views of the mountains.

Two friends enjoying a moment by the stream in the lush greenery of the jungle.

Enjoying a moment of joy during the way near a beautiful waterfall, embracing the spirit of adventure and friendship.

Lili is enjoying a refreshing coconut ice cream, showcasing the joy of simple pleasures.

Walking down the mountain in the morning felt great. It took us about 3 hours, which was quicker than the 4-hour ascent. After coming down from the mountain, we had to wait for our stuff for 3 hours, which delayed our trip to Chiang Khan. While waiting, I reflected on the journey, the experiences I had, and childhood memories. Friends and juniors greeted and helped me, along with elderly people who remembered me after nearly 30 years. I was deeply touched by their kindness. This village behind the mountain, filled with warmth, will always stay in my heart.

Thanks to Lili and Sunna, my travel companions, for helping me make this trip happen!

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Where to go in Thailand

August 11, 2019October 6, 2020Posted in Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket, Thailand, travel3 Comments

If you are visiting Thailand for the first time and still don’t know where to go, I will give you a big picture of Thailand and then you can decide what kind of places you prefer to visit.

1. The North – Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Nan (Mountains, nature, rural & cultural)

The north of Thailand is surrounded by mountains and it’s the only part of Thailand that has a winter season! Winter is Nov – Feb, when it’s very popular for Thai people to escape the heat from other parts of Thailand and enjoy the cool weather in the north. I don’t recommend to visit the north in the dry season from Mar-Apr when there could be agricultural fires that create a lot of smoke. This is a big problem in the north every year. You can be lucky but it would turn your trip to hell if you are not lucky enough!

Chiang Mai is the largest and most developed city in northern Thailand. Chiang Mai is steeped in history and culture; it was a former capital of the Kingdom of Lan Na. I’ve been to Chiang Mai 3 times and there are so many things to do and see in Chiang Mai. One of my favourites is Mae Kampong Village, a peaceful village in the middle of mountains. This village reminded me of my childhood. If you are interested in Thai rural lifestyle, you can stay overnight with residents in their homes. The best way to travel to Chiang Mai is by plane. However, it’s quite popular for backpackers to travel from Bangkok by train.

Chiang Rai is located a bit north of Chiang Mai, nearer Laos. There are many beautiful places to visit in Chiang Rai and one of my favourite is Wat Rong Kun, the most beautiful and unique white temple owned by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous Thai visual artist who designed, constructed, and opened it to visitors in 1997. If you followed the news of the national cave rescue in Thailand, you may want to visit Tham Luang cave where 12 young members of a Thai soccer team and their coach were trapped for 17 days from 23 June – 10 July 2018. Don’t visit during the wet season!

Mae Hong Son is located on the west of Chiang Mai and is a remote, mountainous province, bordering Burma. Refugee camps of displaced Burmese are located in Mae Hong Son. Mae Hong Son is a mix of culture and people from different backgrounds, e.g. Chinese, Kayan and Shan. Here are my 3 favourite places in Mae Hong Son;

Rak Thai Village, the village was settled by former Kuo Min Tang (Nationalist) fighters from Yunnan Province, China, after the Communist takeover of China. The population is about 800, mainly Chinese-born or Thai-born Chinese and much of the population speaks Mandarin Chinese. The village is beautiful with tea plantations and a beautiful lake in the middle of the village. I did not stay overnight when I visited but I will not miss it next time!

Long neck Karen Villages, Kayan people came to Thailand from Burma, when escaping war and violence in their country. They are famous for their women, who wear golden rings around their necks. From the time when they are 5 to their 21st birthday, each year one ring is added to their collection. At the end, their necks get so long. According to Karen people, the longer the neck the more beautiful the woman who wears them is. There are 3 Long neck Karen villages to visit in Mae Hong Son, one of them is Kayan village of Huay Sua Tao.

Pai was a quiet village inhabited by Shan people whose culture is influenced by Burma. Nowadays is well-known among backpackers for its relaxed atmosphere. The town is full of cheap guesthouses, souvenir shops and restaurants. If you want to go a bit luxury, I recommend you stay at Puri Pai Villa. There are many things to do in Pai, e.g. elephant camps, waterfalls and natural hot springs.

Visiting those 3 places would give you a tour of 3 different cultures and atmosphere.

Nan has become popular for Thai tourists recently as the 3 provinces above are well-known for international tourists, therefore locals try to explore new placesby going to Nan. Nan is a very rural province but is full of culture, many beautiful temples and natural beauty. I’ve been to Nan once a long time ago when I was living in Bangkok. We went hiking to 1,980m high Doi Phu Kha National Park during the rainy season and camped for a night. It was the most scary camping trip of my life as it rained heavily when we camped overnight on the top of the mountain. We had nowhere to hide from the heavy rain, only a tiny tin tent! If you enjoy hiking you also can’t miss the 2,120m high Phu Soi Dao National Park located in Phitsanulok province bordering Laos, which is my home province. I did it 2 times when I was teenager and enjoyed it very much.

2. The Middle; Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi (modern city, history & nature)

Bangkok is a modern city like many capital cities around the world and Bangkok is the best place to eat and shop in Thailand. I used to live in Bangkok for 8 years when I attended university and some years working. I visit Bangkok occasionally but I don’t think I can go back to live in this busy city anymore. However, it’s good to visit for a short time. After you do all the tourist attractions, e.g. the Grand Palace, Chao Phraya River Boat Tour, Thai boxing, Thai cooking class, etc., you may want to eat, drink, shop and relax. Here are my favourites;

Eating – If you are looking for an evening out to have western food and a nice bar to chill out after a long day, I would recommend Oskar Bistro in Sukhumvit 11 near BTS Nana. I’ve been there many times and I love the Passion Fruit Mojito! If Oskar Bistro is not what you are looking for then I would recommend Groove@CentralWorld, a selection of 14 international restaurants including Thai. I also recommend to eat at EmQuartier Food Court or Siam Paragon Food Court. These places have the best selection of Thai food. I usually have lunch and dinner there when I’m in the area; it’s simple and quick.
Drinking & get high! Don’t get me wrong; I mean go to the Moon Bar, a rooftop bar located on the 61st floor at Banyan Tree hotel to have very nice cocktails with the best view of Bangkok at night. This place has been my favourite for many years and I never get bored to come here. There are many nice rooftop bars in Bangkok but I think Moon Bar has the best 360 degree view over Bangkok.
Shopping – If you are looking for a colourful market at a reasonable price you can’t miss out to visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market. You will find everything here, all kinds of clothes, accessories, bags, shoes, books, house decor, furniture, souvenirs and much more! And many kinds of street food available is here. You should arrive no later than 9 am and, after shopping, have lunch before leaving. In the afternoon it becomes very hot and very busy. If a market is not your type of shopping you can go a bit up market by visiting high-end shopping malls – Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, IconSiam, Central World and Central Embassy. Those shopping malls are located in the city centre and all near each other. The great thing about those places is you are eating and shopping in air conditioning when the temperature outside is 30+ degrees!
Exercising – Many people come to Thailand to attend Thai boxing training. And if you’re looking for a jogging park, Lumpini Park could be your place if your boxing stadium is nearby. The park is popular for locals to do exercise in the morning and evening. You can also do aerobic dancing with an open class at 6-7 pm with all Thai people and free of charge.

Ayutthaya was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Siam (Thailand). It was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767 (Burmese-Siamese War 1765-1767) and it was the end of Ayutthaya Kingdom. Ayutthaya Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts tourists from around the world. If you want to learn a little bit about Ayutthaya by not getting bored from history books, you can watch the TV series called “Bupphesanniwat” (Love Destiny) that was very popular in Thailand and aired from February to April 2018. If you visiting Bangkok, the present capital of Thailand, then you should not miss a visit to the old capital, Ayuthaya. You can do a day trip to Ayutthaya if you stay in Bangkok.

Kanchanaburi is located on the west of Bangkok and it’s known for the Death Railway, built by the Empire of Japan in 1943 during World War II. I’ve been to Kanchanaburi 3 times and enjoyed it every times. A part from the history, Kanchanaburi is also well known as the city of waterfalls, e.g. Erawan Waterfall and Sai Yok Waterfall located in Sai Yok National Park. Another activity popular for Thai people from Bangkok is to stay on a floating house on Kwhae Noi River. I did that and very much enjoyed it. You may need to stay in Kanchanaburi minimum 2 nights if you plan to visit.

3. The South – Suratthani, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang (sea, sun, sand & islands). The South of Thailand is famous for beautiful beaches, islands and partying. The main destination is Phuket.

Surat Thani lies on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand and the famous islands are Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan, famous for its’ crazy full moon party. Another place you can’t miss to stay less than one night is Khao Sok National Park.

Phang Nga is located just north of Phuket and easy to do a day trip from Phuket, e.g. Phang Nga Marine National Park and Similan Islands. If you don’t want to stay in Phuket, Khao Lak is an option as it has beautiful beaches and less crowded with tourists. You land in Phuket airport and all the hotels in Khao Lak provide a pick up from the airport.

Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Phuket is the most developed city in the south. There is Phuket International Airport and high end facilities that attract visitors from nearby countries like Hong Kong and Singapore to enjoy a weekend in Phuket. Phuket has a lot of beautiful beaches and you can still find some culture here even though half of the island is tourist area but still half of the island is mixed between Thai, Chinese and Muslim. I have been living in Phuket since 2008 and still very much in love with this place.

Krabi is famous for beautiful islands and popular for diving and snorkelling. People who want to escape busier Phuket and who enjoy the sea and islands come to Krabi. The best known are Railay Beach, Phi Phi island and Koh Lanta.

Trang is more lay back than other provinces and more popular for Thai people as we like to escape international tourists. Trang has many beautiful islands, e.g. Koh Lipe and Koh Kradan.

I grew up in the north of Thailand, in a valley surrounded by mountains, a river and a small army camp. I used to pick mushrooms, bamboo shoots and insects in the forest with my parents at the weekend and many times I did not take a shower before going to the school because the water was too cold! When I look back nowadays, my childhood life was perfect. I was never hungry, my parents always provided food. My father was very tough with me and I did not like it but this made me become a stronger person. I’m glad that I was born in the mountain countryside and had an experience that city people would never have. Visiting some villages in the north of Thailand would enable you to see my childhood.

I went to Bangkok and lived there for 8 years for university and work. City life was not easy for me but I had great experience there. Bangkok has much more things to do and see than the other top four spots in Asia-Pacific like Seoul, Tokyo Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Moreover, the cost of traveling in Bangkok is much cheaper than those cities. It was probably one of the reasons that Bangkok was name the world’s most visited city for the 4th years in a row. (2016-2019).

I moved to Phuket, the paradise island in 2008 and I’m still very much in love with this place. One of the reasons that many foreigners choose to retire in Phuket is probably everyday feels like a holiday here! Phuket is my home and will be for the rest of my life.

If you don’t know where to start you can follow my foot steps of life by starting to travel from the north where I grew up in a rural mountain village and later visit Bangkok where I challenged my life in the capital for 8 years and end your holiday by visiting some paradise islands on the south of Thailand and visit me in Phuket! Minimum 10 days of travel would give you a taste of Thailand.

Hope this helps you to plan your wonderful holiday in Thailand.