Travel like the wind : Suchart Choolee
Just as the wind never ceases, the journey never truly ends. It is a forward movement to discover new things, learn the stories along the way, and let the spirit soar freely. If a journey were to be compared to a force of nature, nothing could rival the flow of water, especially the “Ping River of yesteryear”—the lifeline that has nourished the Lanna civilization for a thousand years.
In the past, a journey along the Ping River was an adventure demanding both courage and destiny. The swift currents flowing through hundreds of “treacherous rapids” served as a crucial test for all travelers. A story inscribed in the pages of history, and still echoing in legend, is the voyage of the heroine of Hariphunchai, “Queen Chamadevi.” It is told that she “traveled by boat” from the city of Lavo (Lopburi) up the Ping River to establish her kingdom. That journey was an epic, reflecting the endurance and the importance of this river as a historic route.
As time passed, the once-furious river was embraced and tamed by a vision of development. The pivotal moment was the “construction of the Bhumibol Dam,” Thailand’s first multi-purpose concrete arch dam, built to hold the fierce Ping River within the embrace of the mountains. The rapids that once posed a great obstacle now lie submerged beneath the water, creating a vast and expansive reservoir. The journey, once fraught with danger, has transformed into a scenic and tranquil cruise. The Bhumibol Dam has not only provided stability in energy and irrigation but has also opened the door to a new dimension of travel, where the beauty of nature and the stories of the past seamlessly overlap.
A journey on this river is not merely about sightseeing; it is a pilgrimage following a path of faith. This area is home to “Wat Phra Borommathat” (Wat Phra Borommathat Ban Tak, Tak Province), a revered sanctuary of great local importance. It is believed that Queen Chamadevi herself sponsored its restoration during her passage. This temple thus serves as a spiritual anchor, connecting people to the river and its long history.
The travel route, changing over time like the wind, retains its core essence: the quest to connect oneself with nature and the surrounding world. Therefore, “Travel like the wind” is not merely about moving swiftly and without purpose. It is about allowing oneself to drift on the currents of time, experiencing both the ferocity of the past and the tranquility of the present, and learning that every change brings new opportunities and perspectives. For a true journey is about letting the spirit absorb the stories along the way… just like the wind that never ceases.
Tourism Agencies
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT): https://www.tourismthailand.org/
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) (Bhumibol Dam): https://www.egat.co.th/
- Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) (Area around the dam): https://portal.dnp.go.th/
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