A Day Trip to Thailand.

The colours of the Thai flag and garlands decorating the shrine. Welcome to Little Thailand.

I sometimes feel my life revolves around fetching medicine for my husband. I had to go out and collect more eye drops for him today and since I am still using the pharmacy in Kowloon City, I decided it was time to take a look at Little Thailand before it goes.

I have mentioned before that Kowloon City is different from most areas of Hong Kong, as its buildings are lower, and they are like this because Kai Tak Airport was situated right next to this area.

Nowadays, the Kowloon City area is considered to be a bit rundown and is going to be redeveloped. Hopefully, it won't become yet another area of non-stop high-rises, but who knows.

Of course, redevelopment is often necessary, but it can also be sad. Kowloon City is home to Hong Kong's Thai community. There are signs of their restaurants and shops all over, but the main concentration is on Stone Wall Street

To get here take the MTR to Sung Wong Toi Station and walk to exit B3. When you exit the MTR, you will already be able to see some Thai restaurants and stores, but to get to the heart of Little Thailand, walk to the main road, Nga Tsim Wai Street, and turn right. You only need to walk about two streets further along and you could easily believe you have left Hong Kong behind and are wandering through the streets of Bang Kok.

Looking up Stonewall Street.

A nearby narrow lane.

I am going to show you the sights of Little Thailand here, but sadly what I cannot reproduce is the smell. I normally have toast for breakfast, but when I came to collect Peter's prescription, we had run out of bread, so I only had a coffee before heading out. I was wandering around Little Thailand a bit before lunch time and the restaurants were preparing their meals. The smell was delicious: garlic, onions, chilies, lemongrass, ginger, limes, coriander, sweet Thai basil, coconut. Absolutely heavenly. Pity I wasn't eating here. My stomach was certainly rumbling.

Typical restaurant entrance.

Thai restaurant with orchids.

Thai restaurant.

Menu outside a restaurant.

Menu outside a restaurant.

Entrance to Lemon Restaurant.

Entrance to Thai restaurant.

Pick your own seafood.

Dessert menu.

There are no grand sights in Little Thailand: no fancy temples, reclining golden Buddhas or saffron robed monks. There are just restaurants, gift shops, food and drink shops, Thai massage parlours and roadside shrines. From the greetings I could hear, I could tell this is a community. The residents here know each other. Many of their homes are crowded, hot and small. They spend a lot of time out on the streets. There is a sense of community.

Thai Goods store.

Thai Goods store.

Thai Goods store.

Thai Goods store.

Thai Goods store.

Thai Shop.

Friends.

Fresh fruit and vegetables.

Fruit and vegetables.

Vegetable Store.

Hanging packets of spices.

Product of Thailand boxes.

Dried food store.

Prawn crackers.

I was reading an article about the impending redevelopment. One of the Thai women interviewed lived in a tiny flat with her mother, daughter and grandchildren. Whenever it rained, the water came into their home. On the one hand, she dreams of more space and a home that does not leak. On the other hand, she fears she may not be able to afford to live somewhere else, but more than anything, she dreads the break up of the Thai community. Some districts of Hong Kong have been redeveloped more sensitively than others. I hope the government can take into account that the people here don't just want new homes, they also want to maintain their community. Keeping Little Thailand is good for Hong Kong as a whole, as it will add to the rich culture and diversity of the city. In addition, on a more selfish note, I want to be able to come here next time I fancy a Thai meal.

Maybe it is just because I have not travelled outside of Hong Kong since January 2020, but I felt excited to be here, like I was on an exotic holiday. When we came to Hong Kong at first, we used to visit Thailand regularly.

Here in Little Thailand, I loved the garlands, the little shrines, the colourful fruit and vegetables, the orchids, the packets of spices. It was all wonderful. I may drag Peter out here for a meal. I have eaten here in the past, though not often as before the completion of the Tuen Ma Line, it used to be tricky to get to.

Roadside shrine.

Roadside shrine.

Roadside shrine.

Roadside shrine.

I messed this up because someone startled me when I took it. I should have taken it again, but didn't realize I had sort of missed.

When I was finished with Little Thailand, I noticed there was a park across the road from it - Carpenter Road Park, so I went to take a look. I've been here before, but mainly up the other end.

Map of Carpenter Road Park.

Carpenter Road Park.

Carpenter Road Park.

Carpenter Road Park.

When I was leaving Carpenter Road Park the sky darkened and a storm rolled in.

Right next to Carpenter Road Park is my favourite Hong Kong Park - Kowloon Walled City Park. I have been here very recently, so I didn't take too many photos, but I couldn't resist having a quick walk around.

Kowloon Walled City Park Map.

Southern Gate of Kowloon Walled City Park.

Southern Gate.

Close up of flowers by the South Gate.

Kowloon Walled City Park near the South Entrance.

Model of walled city.

Broken tablet.

Kowloon Walled City Park Pavilion with Rickshaws.

Rickshaw.

Rickshaw.

Looking through the moon gate.

Another moon gate.

Yet another moon gate.

Wall Plaque.

Doorway and Bonsai.

Kowloon Walled City Park Pond..

Kowloon Walled City Park.

Kowloon Walled City Park.

Buildings amidst vegetation.

Kowloon Walled City Park.

Kowloon Walled City Park Art Gallery..

View over the walled city.

View over the walled city.

To my surprise I kept coming across bits I had not seen before on my previous visits, such as an area of rocks and tree roots that could have been straight out of Angkor Wat.

Trees and rocks.

Trees and rocks.

Trees and rocks.

If I have the chance, I think I will explore Kowloon City more before it falls victim to the wrecking ball. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit here.