TRAVEL INFO: KD PANAH & TAK BAI, THAILAND (1987)

These photos offer a wonderful glimpse of my time serving at KD Panah back in 1987. It’s a powerful piece of personal and naval history.

KD Panah (P42) was a kris-class Patrol Craft of the Royal Malaysian Navy, attached to 14th Squadron Patrol Craft, based at Tg.Gelang, Kuantan, Pahang. 

During the late 1980s, these vessels were the "workhorses" of the fleet, primarily used for coastal surveillance, fishery protection, and anti-smuggling operations.

My first photos show a trip to Tak Bai (Thatbai), Narathiwat, just across the border from Pengkalan Kubur, Kelantan. This was a common area of operation for RMN vessels stationed on the East Coast to monitor the maritime border between Malaysia and Thailand. Me and my shipmate on the small boat captures the reality of life in the Navy, using local boat for shore leave to Tak Bai after a weeks in ZEE Patrol at South China Sea. You can see the close bond between me and my fellow sailors. In the Navy, those friendships often last a lifetime. 

After a grueling patrol in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the South China Sea, a stop at Tak Bai (Tatbai) would have been the perfect "shore leave" for the crew of KD Panah.

Back in 1987, the South China Sea was a challenging theater. Following the 1979 publication of Malaysia's new maritime map, the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) was tasked with safeguarding vast new territories. Patrols were long, often lasting weeks, as you monitored foreign fishing vessels, ensured the security of offshore oil rigs, and maintained a "show of presence" near contested reefs like Swallow Reef (Pulau Layang-Layang).

Serving on a Patrol Craft like KD Panah (P42) required a special kind of toughness. These were small but fast vessels, and in tough waters of the South China Sea, they could be quite "lively". 

Our mission likely involved constant surveillance. With only crews of about 22-30 sailors, everyone had to be versatile, handling everything from Radar watch to deck gun maintenance. 

Coming off a high-alert EEZ patrol to the calm market and riverbanks of Tak Bai must have bee a huge relief. 

Tak Bai was a unique spot because of its position right on the border of Malaysia-Thailand. For a sailor in 1987, it provided a complete change of pace - vibrant local markets, different food and the chance to stretch your legs on land.

SOUTH CHINA SEA IN 1987

The weather in the South China Sea in 1987 was particularly legendary among sailors, a year that tested both the endurance of the crew and the sturdiness of the Patrol Craft.

1987 is recorded in naval and meteorological history as a very "unusual" year. While it had a below-average number of tropical cyclones, the ones that did hit were intense.

In the latter half of the year (October/November), several powerful systems like Typhoon Lynn and Typhoon Nina churned through the South China Sea. Even if they didn't make direct landfall in Malaysia, the "tail effect" caused massive swells and unpredictable squalls across the EEZ.

For a small Patrol Craft like KD Panah, the South China Sea during the Monsoon felt like being inside a washing machine. 

Patrolling the EEZ in 1987 wasn't just about the weather, it was a time of high tension. Trying to board a foreign fishing vessel for inspection in a 3-to-4 meter swells was incredibly dangerous. It required expert ship-handling from officers and "iron-nerves" from the boarding party. 

Being in a small patrol craft meant you had to be the "eyes and ears' of the nation, often in seas so rough that bigger ships would hesitate to move. 

The Calm of Tak Bai

After days of "rolling and pitching" in the open sea, the absolute stillness of the river at the Thai border must have felt like heaven. The transition from the grey, angry South China Sea to the colorful, sun-drenched markets of Tak Bai is a contrast every RMN veteran remembers.

During the 1987–1988 period, KD Panah (P42) was at the heart of some of the most critical maritime missions in Malaysian history. While we were enjoying that R&R in Tak Bai, our ship was part of a fleet maintaining a very thin line of defense during a time of high geopolitical tension.

KD Panah has a legacy that continues; it was eventually renamed KM Kukup under the Maritime Agency (APMM) and remarkably, it was recently returned to the RMN and recommissioned as KD Sri Sarawak in 2024!

Wikipedia: 2004 - Tak Bai Incident

Compiled by:

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

ex-Crew KD Panah (1987)

31/12/20205: 10.49 p.m

TRAVEL INFO: YONGPYONG SKI RESORT, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

 

Dragon Valley Hotel, Yongpyong Resort (now branded as Mona Yongpyong) in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do.While the resort is approximately 124 miles (200km) from Seoul, it is a flagship destination often included in "Seoul ski packages" for international travelers. Based on your description of the "Green Forest Hotel" and the mountain villas in your photos, the resort features several distinct zones.

In 2005, Yongpyong was at the height of its fame as the primary filming location for the massive Hallyu drama Winter Sonata, making it the most visited resort for international tourists during that era. The resort is designed with European-style aesthetic, featuring high-rise condominiums and lower-profile villa clusters nestled directly against the slopes. 

My "Green Forest Memory", because the hotel is situated at the foot of Mount Balwangsan, which is famous for its lush forests and "sky Garden" greenery.

The Igloo-style structures in my first photo were part of the resort's seasonal themed play areas often set up for families and tourists. 

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

31/12/2025: 10.06 p.m

TRAVEL INFO : WAR MUSEUM, SEOUL , SOUTH KOREA

War Memorial of Korea in Seoul is often a very moving experience, especially seeing the contrast between the historical exhibits and the modern skyline of Yongsan. It opened in 1994 on the former site of the army HQ to exhibit and memorialise the military history of Korea. Its covers the history of Korean War which took place from 25 June 1950 to 27 July 1953. 

Key Highlights of the Memorial

• The Statue of Brothers: Perhaps the most famous sculpture there, it depicts an older brother (a South Korean soldier) and his younger brother (a North Korean soldier) embracing on a battlefield. It’s a powerful symbol of the tragic division of the peninsula and the hope for reunification.

• The Outdoor Exhibition: This area is like a playground for history buffs. It houses over 100 large-scale weapons, including the B-52 Stratofortress, various tanks, and even a replica of the Chamsuri-class patrol boat (added later to commemorate the 2002 naval battle).

• The Memorial Hall: A somber, grand hallway lined with black marble plaques inscribed with the names of those who fell during the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
• The Turtle Ship: Inside the main building, the full-size replica of Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s 16th-century "Geobukseon" is a standout, representing Korea's long naval history.

The site was established in 1994 on the former grounds of the Republic of Korea Army Headquarters. It serves as an educational venue with six indoor exhibition halls and a "Peace Plaza" that features monuments and flags for each of the 21 countries that participated in the war.

The collection features American-made hardware like M4 Shermans, Pershing tanks, and the M46/M47/M48 Patton series, as well as the South Korean K1 main battle tank.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

31/12/2025: 9.02 p.m

TRAVEL INFO: SEORAKSAN PARK & HANOK VILLAGE, SEOUL,SOUTH KOREA (2005)

 

SEORAKSAN PARK

A wonderful memory to look back on, it has been 20 years since my trip to South Korea in 2005 (now 2025), the landmarks saw remain some of South Korea's most iconic treasures. 

Seoraksan National Park actually located about 2.5 to 3 hours northeast of the city in Sokcho, Gangwon-do. It is often visited as a day trip or weekend getaway from Seoul because of its status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Key Highlights that I Might Remember

If you visited in 2005, you likely encountered these famous sights:

• The Great Unification Buddha (Tongil Daebul): A massive 14.6-meter gilt-bronze statue at the entrance of Sinheungsa Temple. It was built as a symbol of hope for the reunification of North and South Korea.
• Sinheungsa Temple: One of the oldest Zen temples in the world, dating back to the 7th century. Its colorful architecture against the backdrop of the jagged granite peaks is unforgettable.
• The Bear Statue: Y the bronze Asiatic Black Bear statue near the entrance! The bear is the official symbol of the park and a favorite spot for commemorative "proof" photos.
• Gwongeumseong Fortress: Many visitors take the cable car up to this stone fortress site to get a panoramic view of the "Dinosaur Ridge" and the East Sea in the distance.

Season	Experience
Autumn	The park’s most famous season, where the mountains turn vibrant shades of red and orange.
Winter	Striking white snow against the dark granite rocks (though it gets very cold!).
Spring/Summer	Lush green forests and the sound of the Biryong (Flying Dragon) waterfalls.

HANOK VILLAGE

There are two Hanok Village in Seoul, I'm not sure which village I visited at that time. So I'm displaying both Hanok Villages for reference.

• Bukchon Hanok Village: A real residential neighborhood that was home to the nobility during the Joseon Dynasty. It is famous for its narrow, winding alleys and hundreds of traditional "Modern Hanoks" built in the 1920s-30s. In September 2005, the Bukchon Hanok Hall (Han Sang Soo Embroidery Museum) opened here to showcase traditional Korean embroidery.
• Namsangol Hanok Village: Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain, this is a recreated village where five traditional houses from different social classes were relocated and restored in 1998. You might remember the Seoul Millennium Time Capsule, which was buried nearby to mark Seoul’s 600th anniversary.

Google AI Search

Based on the photo you provided and the history of Seoul in 2005, you most likely visited Namsangol Hanok Village.

The image shows a large, open courtyard with several distinct, well-spaced traditional houses. In 2005, Bukchon (the other major village) was a lived-in residential neighborhood with narrow, crowded alleys. Namsangol, however, was specifically designed as a "museum-style" village where five authentic hanoks were relocated into a spacious park-like setting.

2005 vs. 2025: What has changed?

If you returned today, you would find the landmarks still standing, but the "experience" around them has evolved significantly.

Feature	2005 visit	Update : 2026
Admission Fees	You likely paid a small entry fee for both Seoraksan and the Hanok Village.	Entry is now FREE for both. Only the Seoraksan Cable Car and parking require payment now.
Seoraksan Access	The trails were rugged, and information was mostly in Korean.	Trails now feature "Barrier-Free" sections (paved/wooden decks) and high-tech rental centers for gear.
Hanok Activities	You mostly looked at the architecture.	It's now a "Living Museum" where you can join tea ceremonies, archery, and traditional paper-making (Hanji) daily.
Crowds	Mostly local hikers and quiet student groups.	A global tourism hub; you'll see hundreds of visitors wearing rented Hanboks for photos.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

31/12/2025: 6.15 p.m

TRAVEL INFO: MBC STUDIO, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (2005)

 

Visiting an MBC Studio in 2005 puts you right in the middle of the "Golden Age" of the Korean Wave (Hallyu). Depending on exactly where you went, you likely visited one of two major spots that were the heart of MBC’s production at that time.

Dae Jang Geum Theme Park in Yangju, was the premier destination for fans during the peak of the Korean Wave. Located within the MBC Yangju Culture Valley in Gyeonggi Province, just north of Seoul. The park was opened in December 2004, making my visit in 2005 its first full year of operation and its most popular period for international tourists. Its features traditional Korean architecture that recreates buildings and streets from historical periods like the Joseon Dynasty. 

The most popular MBC historical dramas including Jewel in the Palace, Jumong, Queen Seondeok and Embracing the Sun were filmed at this park. 

The image provided is a life-sized poster of the actress Lee Young-ae in character as Seo Jang-geum, the first female Royal Physician in Korean history,  for the highly successful Korean historical drama Jewel in the Palace (also known as Dae Jang Geum). 

Jewel in the Palace, produced by MBC, aired from September 2003 to March 2004 and became a global phenomenon, contributing significantly to the Korean Wave. The series tells the fictionalized true story of an orphaned kitchen cook who overcomes societal discrimination in the male-dominated Joseon Dynasty to become the king's first female personal physician.

The image shows an outdoor historical drama set at Yongin Daejanggeum Park (previously known as MBC Dramia) in South Korea. This specific location features traditional Korean architecture that recreates buildings and streets from historical periods like the Joseon Dynasty.

The park was built by the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) as a dedicated filming site and was later opened to the public as a major tourist attraction for fans of the "Korean Wave". 

My picture perfectly capture the snowy, cold conditions of Christmas Eve in 2005. 

Wikipedia

This photos shows inside a kitchen set filled with traditional pottery and food props. This was the most famous set at the Yangju park, where the drama's legendary cooking scenes were filmed.

The large, ornate building with the blue-tiled roof in my photos is a classic example of the Joseon-era palace architecture recreated for MBC's historical dramas.

A Piece of "Lost" History

While MBC now operates a much larger site called Yongin Daejanggeum Park (formerly MBC Dramia), the specific Yangju park you visited is now defunct.

Closure: The theme park was closed to the public on January 1, 2014, due to safety concerns regarding the aging temporary building structures.

Rarity: Because the site is no longer open to the public, your photos from 2005 are a rare personal record of a landmark that played a massive role in the early days of the Korean Wave (Hallyu).

Comparison: Then vs. Now

Feature	Yangju Theme Park (My 2005 Visit)	Yongin Daejanggeum Park (Current Site)
Scale	Approx. 2,000 square meters	Approx. 2,500,000 square meters
Status	Closed in 2014	Active and operating
Purpose	A dedicated theme park for the Dae Jang Geum drama sets	Korea's largest open set for many dramas and music videos
Architecture	Primarily Joseon Dynasty kitchen and palace sets	Sets spanning the Three Kingdoms, Goryeo, and Joseon eras
Major Works	Dae Jang Geum, Hur Jun	Jumong, Queen Seondeok, The Moon Embracing the Sun, and BTS's "Daechwita" MV

Today’s Yongin park is famously beautiful in the winter snow, much like my photos from 20 years ago!

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

31/12/2025: 5.36 p.m