Love, Peace, Serenity | Life & Photography

Songkhla สงขลา
Thailand 2018

I must have been to Amazing Thailand 7 or 8 times already. A country dubbed as the travel hub of Southeast Asia, the ultimate destination for first time SEA backpackers. With its world-class beaches, famed temples, and delicious food, Thailand attracts millions of tourists from all over the world in a year.

Last February, I had the chance to visit the southern part of this beautiful country for the first time. It was exciting and at the same time surprising to finally see and experience how diverse Thailand can be.

Taj Mahal of Thailand located in Hat Yai.

In Thailand's southernmost provinces — Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and part of Songkhla and Chumphon, Muslims are the second largest religious group totalling up to 4% to 5% of the country's population. It dawned on me when the bus we took had its stop at a Halal restaurant. As passengers disembarked, most of our Muslim brothers and sisters headed to a dedicated facility to perform wudu الوضوء‎, a part of the ablutions before their prayers, which consists of washing the face and arms, wiping the head and washing their feet.

The trip down south gave me a lot of understanding and wisdom to know that a country like Thailand can be as diverse as it can be but still manage to maintain peace and harmony.

Dear Steemians, I hope the photo's visually entertaining to you all. In closing, I believe in the saying that, "Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life." — Buddha.

This is my photo entry for @juliank’s and @photocontests’ #goldenhourphotography challenge.