Kumphawapi
Kumphawapi is an Amphoe (that would be considered a borough in the UK) in the greater Udon Thani Province known for its Red Lotus Lake, however for the people that live here it is home to a (small) town center that hosts a market where goods can be traded and farming goods, mobile phones, clothes etc can be purchased. Those in the rural areas very rarely make the 50km trip into the City of Udon Thani as many services such as town hall, transport office etc. can be found in nearby Kumphawapi. Monkey’s have made the local park their home and can even be seen prowling the streets. Many old Thai wood structures remain but are being left behind in favour of breezeblock, tin roof dwellings. Photographed is a sign for termite extermination, lead reason for the abandonment of the traditional Thai house. A stilted Thai home is an even rarer sight. The people of Kumpawaphi also make great use of the river that flows through the town, though the day I visited the catch had been no more than a few snails.