Dr. Royol Chitradon presents draft of the "Water Resources Act" prepared by the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Water Resources to General Surin Pikulthong, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, as witnessed by Khun "Jupp", Parliament Secretariat.

Khun Chantra receives a parting souvenir from Mongolian former Deputy Prime Minister Ulaan.

Dr. Sumet, Sivaporn and Rochana toast Mr. Ganzorig and Madame and thank them for the meticulous arrangements and treatment for our Thai group's visit to Mongolia. All 19 of us experienced a wonderful trip to Mongolia. We basically took over Madame's new hotel attached to the Gobi Sauna as part of the Gobi Complex. We were able to see the Nadaam ceremonies. We visited and were received in Mr. Ganzorig's private ger from where we watched the most important Mongolian horse race of the year. We visited the important temples and monasteries in and around Ulaan Bataar. We stayed at one of the best Ger tourist camp. We lunched and dined at some of the best places in the city. We also shopped at the best places and we all loved the very fine quality of the Mongolian cashmere. Perhaps, we only regret that the horse riding should have been more extensive.

Dinner hosted by Dr. Sumet for the Ganzorigs and former Deputy Prime Minister Ulaan (waving his hand) at the dining room of the Mongolian Hotel.

Khun Karantarat and Dr. Sumet at the entrance of the Mongolian Hotel. She is wearing her new North Face hat.

Khun Anchalee and Dr. Sumet at Gachuurt Tourist Camp.

Dr. Sumet and Khun Thanom at Gachuurt Tourist Camp.

Dr. Sumet and Khun Anchalee load up on Russian caviar at US$3 per tin. It is Khun Anchalee's most favourite food.

North Face gang prepare for their next trip by buying up the whole supply of North Face jackets from the North Face Store in Ulaan Bataar.

Khun Pichai and Busaba pose with the Mongolian tribesman's family.

Whether riding in the Mercedes limousine or the tour bus, the ladies have to find a toilet somewhere behind a large rock or two.

Our host, Mr. Ganzorig, and Patrapa in traditional garb.

Dr. Sumet smokes a peace pipe with Mongolian tribesmen at the "13th Century Mongolia".

Rochana treats Khun Thanom's shinged hand with the Thai magical bees wax ointment while Khun Suthas tries to comfort his pain.

Khun Bundit tries to put out the fire in the stove after Khun Thanom burns his hand on the exhaust pipe.

Khun Chittra and Khun Chookiat prepare for bed in the ger.

Dr. Sumet dances the Gobi with Madame Ganzorig and her friends.

Khun Thanom and Voranuch dance to the loud music from the expensive audio system of the Mercedes Benz.

Voranuch and Mr. Ganzorig let it all hang out doing the Gobi!

Khun Chookiat rides his horse expertly, like the Lone Ranger.

Khun Karantarat gives Dr. Sumet an early morning massage after he wakes up from the ger. She is still wearing her masseuse outfit.

After horse riding, Dr. Sumet gets a massage from Khun Chittra and Rochana in the ger.

Rochana rides a Mongolian horse around the ger where we stayed.

Panoramic view of Mongolia's "Turtle Rock" in the distance taken from the monastery.

Gobi Sauna Complex

Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul leads Thai ladies contigent to the "Gobi Sauna", the newest health treatment establishment in Ulaan Bataar, Mongolia.

Mr. Ganzorig receives us in his ger and toasts us with "arak", the traditional fermented horse milk drink, prior to treating us with lunch. Afterwards, we watch the Nadaam horse race from the hill behind the ger. Note the medals Mr. Ganzorig has won from his horses hanging on the wall of the ger behind us. Today's race was the most important one with two year old horses running a 25 kilometer course.

Nadaam Horse Race in Mongolia

Our tour group pose with our hosts before the horse race.

Great Wall of China

Khun Chantra, Rochana and Paow at the 9th Watch Tower on the Great Wall. We took the cable car going up and down which was a lot easier than trying to walk the Wall. Our visit coincided with the Declaration of the Great Wall as one of the Seven Wonders of the World in the current century.

The Forbidden City

Family picturebefore entering the Forbidden City in Beijing, China.

Patrapa at the official opening of "Le Cordon Bleu" School for grand cuisine, presided by H.R.H. Princess Sirindhorn at the Dusit Thani Office building.
Bottom photo: Patrapa and Khunying Nitnoy Sonakul.

Khun Charoen and Khunying Wanna Sirivadhanaphakdi presents Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, Chairman of Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute, a check for Baht 1 million for the development and seminars on the proposed Law on Water Resources.

Peking Duck Scala Restaurant

Since we are going to Beijing this weekend, Pansiri decides to treat us to two roast Peking Ducks at the Scala Restaurant in Siam Square. The Peking Ducks were very delicious and probably the best in the world.
M.L. Kukrit Pramoj, former Thailand Prime Minister, once remarked upon his return to Thailand from his first state visit to China and Beijing, that the Peking Duck at Scala Restaurant was much more tasty than the ones he had at state dinners in Beijing.

Private pre-birthday party for M.R.Pridiyathorn, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, at Harvey's Restaurant.

Strawberry and whipped cream mille fleurs prepared by Harvey's Restaurant as M.R. Pridiyathorn's birthday cake.

My appetizer: Two fried eggs with truffle mushrooms, a specialty of Harvey's Resgtaurant Soi Thonglor. At Baht 1,080 this is quite a breakfast dish!