The state of Perak Darul Ridzuan (Perak, meaning 'Silver' in Malay) was once the epicenter of the global tin trade. While the tin market collapsed in the 1980s, ending the boom era, its relics remain, such as the Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredger No. 5, the last operational tin dredge in the region, which now serves as a museum.
Bangkok, the vibrant and sprawling capital of Thailand, is renowned for its dazzling contrasts between ancient tradition and modern dynamism. I finally visited Bangkok in September last year.
Just 80 kilometers north of the neon lights and gridlock of Bangkok lies a city frozen in time -Ayutthaya. It is is one of Thailand's most significant historical sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the flourishing capital of the Siamese Kingdom for 417 years, from 1350 until its destruction in 1767.