Nakhon Pathom

Food consumes all of my attention.

It happened, again, in the central Thai city of Nakhon Pathom, considered the birthplace of Buddhism in Thailand. It’s home to the imposing Phra Pathom Chedi, its ancient stupa billed one of the world’s tallest in the world, piercing the sky at 120-plus metres.

I use the word “imposing” figuratively – I never made it there myself because I was too busy making a return trip to Don Wai Floating Market. About a 45-minute drive out of Bangkok, every local and chef will tell you that Don Wai is worth your time.

Located behind Wat Don Wai, you need half a day at least to browse its stalls and then stay for lunch overlooking Tha Chin River. Eat it picnic style, at one of the small restaurants or aboard a riverboat. There is an overwhelming amount of food to eat and sample. Skip breakfast, arrive early (and hungry) and load up on snacks for the return journey in Bangkok traffic.