Khao Tao Lake

[Big Boy]

A nice touch, and something I don't see so much these days. They were preparing a food giveaway for the Covid needy. Very well organised with Hua Hin Tessebahn in control. In fact the most orderly food giveaway I've witnessed.

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[Big Boy]

We had a bit of a surprise as we drove into Khao Tao earlier this morning. Vehicles parked everywhere, and dozens of community volunteers + municipal workers really sprucing the place up before this evening's run and community singing to honour the passing of Rama IX.

As we were leaving, they had brought in the fire brigade to scrub the streets. The hosepipe they were using was brilliant. I'm not sure whether the holes were deliberate, but it was certainly giving a good drenching

[Big Boy]

The army were in town today. It appears this is a regular Fathers Day event.

As we got to the North shore of the lake this morning, there were dozens of soldiers (probably 100+) all stood to attention. Well, I was pushing Mrs BB in her wheelchair, and had our smallest dog on his lead. Our route was blocked, so I stood and waited patiently. The guy in charge noticed us, gave a few orders and the waves parted for us. As we walked through, it was like inspecting the guard .

After we had passed through and were walking along the West bank, we looked behind, and the soldiers were dispersing. When we got back to the East bank there were loads of soldiers cleaning everywhere. A glance across the to the West bank and we could see soldiers cleaning everywhere.

They were doing a fantastic job, cutting grass, sweeping the roads/footpaths and most importantly, IMHO, fishing debris from the lake. All in all, they were doing a fantastic job - well done the Thai Army.

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[Big Boy]

As most will see from above, one of my favourite pastimes is my daily walk around the lake admiring its vast quantity of Monitor Lizards. In recent weeks, we've seen loads of small terrapins like this guy, measuring up to maybe 6" across.

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This morning, we were especially lucky meeting what must have been the great, great, great granddaddy of Khao Tao's terrapins. This fella must have been at least 15" across and 18" to 24" nose to tail. A real beauty.

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It has got me wondering. The Khao Tao area is well known for it's connection with turtles, which I've never seen. Could they be talking about terrapins? Terrapin Bay just doesn't have the same attraction as Turtle Bay to me

[buksida]

Great to see them in the wild - amazed that the locals haven't netted the lake and thrown them in the pot.

[Big Boy]

For me, it's one of the attractions of the lake, it is so full of life. The lake's (Royal) stated purpose is to help to feed the local population, which it does very well. Commercial netters (trap baskets) moved in about a year ago, but the Tessebahn's own police (black uniforms) soon put a stop to that. I think whilst it is Hua Hin's jewel in the crown, the balance will continue to be maintained.

[hhinner]

As most will see from above, one of my favourite pastimes is my daily walk around the lake admiring its vast quantity of Monitor Lizards. In recent weeks, we've seen loads of small terrapins like this guy, measuring up to maybe 6" across.

IMG_3309.jpg

This morning, we were especially lucky meeting what must have been the great, great, great granddaddy of Khao Tao's terrapins. This fella must have been at least 15" across and 18" to 24" nose to tail. A real beauty.

IMG_3997.jpg

IMG_3996.jpg

IMG_3998.jpg

It has got me wondering. The Khao Tao area is well known for it's connection with turtles, which I've never seen. Could they be talking about terrapins? Terrapin Bay just doesn't have the same attraction as Turtle Bay to me

Turtle, tortoise, terrapin - all เต่า (tao).

[STEVE G]

The last time I was there a couple of months ago I also saw a large terrapin, almost as big as that one. I tried to get a picture but it didn't really work with the phone.

[Big Boy]

Turtle, tortoise, terrapin - all เต่า (tao).

Thank you.

[Nereus]

Turtle, tortoise, terrapin - all เต่า (tao).

Thais, as with most things, no doubt know best, but the three are not the same:

https://www.tortoiseowner.com/turtle-to ... sh%20water.

There are some good photos here:

https://africageographic.com/stories/wh ... terrapins/

[PeteC]

Try to go for your daily lake walk the morning of the 9th, BB. Interested to see how much junk is floating, and how organized they are in cleaning it up.

Hopefully most of the kratongs will be banana trunk stubs with organic decorations, and not foam/plastic.

[Big Boy]

Yes, I'm there most days. If you remember last year, they did a pretty good job. Not the next morning, but most are gone within a couple of days - the odd one remains for many months each year.

The Krathong clean-up is usually pretty efficient. It's the rest of the rubbish lining the banks of the lake that is of more concern this year.

[HHTel]

[handdrummer]

Yes, I'm there most days. If you remember last year, they did a pretty good job. Not the next morning, but most are gone within a couple of days - the odd one remains for many months each year.

The Krathong clean-up is usually pretty efficient. It's the rest of the rubbish lining the banks of the lake that is of more concern this year.

I wonder, why do people who so ardently claim to love their country, cover it in trash?

[Big Boy]

It has to be laziness, If I remember my camera tomorrow, I will photograph the trash as I go around the lake. I was looking today, some has been neatly tied inside plastic bags, but then just thrown into the undergrowth, It is shameful.

Of course, I might not find any trash tomorrow. I see cleaning teams have been moved in today to tart up the lake prior to Loy Krathong. However, while we were there today, there were plenty of bodies, but they all had their arses firmly planted on the ground. Hopefully, somebody in authority will turn up later, and put a shiny size 11 up each of those arses.