Travel to Thailand

by Robin Darch
Traveling around the world is still only a dream to many, but for those that have done it, their lives have been enriched by the experience. Different cultures, languages, and locations to us to appreciate the world in a new way. The world seems smaller once you travel around and the diversity of cultures makes you appreciate people in a new way.

If you haven't already done a lot of traveling, I suggest you save the money until you can. Life is way too short not to take the time to travel the world and appreciate its beauty. Meeting people from different countries gives you a whole new outlook on life and a new understanding about people in general.

In this article, I will tell you a few things about a wonderful place to visit . . . Thailand. They call Thailand "The Land of Smiles." The people there are great, always having a smile for everyone. They don't lose their temper or express bad behavior in public, because to do so causes "Loss of Face."

As I said before, one of the greatest things about traveling the world is meeting people with different cultures, different beliefs, and different attitudes towards life. In Thailand, the people do not believe in rudeness and brash behavior. They believe this is an embarrassment and it is not tolerated. Being from the US, I find that refreshing. Maybe we can learn from them.

Another great thing about traveling the world is the shopping. You will find shopping in different countries a great pleasure because you will find products that are not produced anywhere else. Each country has it's own unique products to offer you and in many countries the prices for these items is very low. Thailand is no different in this regard. The shops in Bangkok will keep you busy for days, so go prepared to shop.

There are a lot of alleys in Bangkok filled with shops, small cafes, and great Thai restaurants. They have a wholesale garment district called Wu Fen Pu, with more than a thousand clothing stores and shops that sell accessories, such as shoes, belts, purses, bags, and much more. Many of the items are hand made or locally produced and you won't believe how low the cost is for these items.

Another market to visit while you travel in Bangkok is Chatuchak. It's huge! You'll think you're in the Disneyland of shopping centers. It will take you a couple of days to browse all the shops at Chatuchak, but well worth it for all the bargains and unique products you will find there.

Another location for some great night shopping in Bangkok is the Shilin Night Market. They have a food section and another for shopping. There are more than one thousand stalls here and some of the best bargains you will find in Thailand.

You may not be allowed to shop on Fridays. That is when buyers from other stores go there to stock up on items for resale and business is focused on them. Just like here, if you plan to buy summer clothing, go in the fall and vice versa. Most shops in Bangkok are open to 11pm, so shopping in the late afternoon or evening is much better.

One of the most exciting parts of world travel is exploring and taking in the sights that are unique to each country. As you travel the world, the photographs you take at memorable sights will help you relive the memory of the great times you had in each country over and over again, so take plenty of film and your camera wherever you go.

Now let's talk about some of the sights you will want to see while traveling in Thailand. Ever see the movie, "Bridge Over The River Kwai, starring William Holden and Alec Guinness? I'm probably revealing my age by being familiar with this movie, but it was based on a true story and the actual bridge does exist.

A few hours by shuttle from Bangkok takes you to Kanchanaburi. That is where the actual Bridge over the river Kwai is located. Whether you have seen the movie or not, the sight of this bridge is impressive. It is one of the "must see" sights during your visit to Thailand. The river is beautiful and the fact that the bridge was built by prisoners of war makes the trip to the bridge worthwhile. The prisoners who built the bridge delayed it's construction long enough to save many lives. I suggest you watch the movie before your trip to Thailand, so you can fully appreciate the sight of the Bridge Over The River Kwai.

There are many "Wats" in Thailand. A wat is a Cambodian, Lao or Thai Hindu or Buddhist temple. They are considered a source for Buddhist spiritualism. Most of them are very beautiful and amazing feats of architecture built by hand out of love for Buddha. The architecture is even more amzing when you consider some of them were built many years ago by people who had very little to work with.

One such Wat is located in Ayutthaya City, the capital of Ayutthaya province in Thailand. The city was founded in 1350. The city was destroyed by Burmese troops in 1767 and the area where it was originally located is now called Ayutthaya Historical Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight. The city itself was rebuilt a few kilometers away.

Another is located in Sukhothai Historical Park. According to Wikipedia.com, this park covers the ruins of Sukhothai, a 14th century kingdom. This historical sight should be part of any itinerary for traveling in Thailand. The area has walls all the way around it and has gates on each side. The remains of the royal palace and 26 temples are inside these walls. The largest temple is called Wat Mahathat. Thousands visit the area every year to see the ruins of this once great city.

Many areas mentioned in this article can be easily toured by bicycle, an often overlooked form of transportation when traveling the world. Whenever you travel to another country, sitting in a car going from sight to sight sometimes cheats you out of truly appreciating the beauty of the country you are traveling in. Check out the country and the sights by bicycle where possible and I guarantee you won't regret it.

There are many other Wats to visit in Thailand. I suggest you choose as many as your stay will allow. If you visit some of them in the evening, you can even experience the chanting of the Buddhist Monks. A couple of other Wats of interest are Wat Chedi Luang, in Chiang Mai City, which was once the home of the emerald Buddha and Wat Phra Kaew & the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Wat Phra Kaew is now called the The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Legends hold that the statue originated in India, but it first surfaced in Chiang Rai, Thailand in 1434.

One thing you have to remember if you plan to visit the Wats in Thailand is that you must wear long pants. Shorts or dresses are not permitted while entering these temples.

If you like beaches, then you must visit Phuket, 70 minutes flying time from Bangkok. The waters of the Andaman Sea are green and beautiful and the beaches are very clean. It is Thailand's most popular beach and resort destination. They have popular resort hotels, Thai and seafood restaurants, water sports, Wats, forests, coral reefs, and mountains. The tropical setting makes for a great part of any visit to Thailand.

Speaking of mountains, a visit to Mae Hong Son Mountain Wat is a special cite you may want to add to your itinerary. Mae Hong Son is located on the summit of a mountain. You can walk or take a tuktuk (like a rickshaw) up to the Wat, itself. There is also an observatory that overlooks all of Mae Hong Son and the mountains of Myanmar behind it.

We hope we have added some useful information and ideas for your trip to Thailand.

http://www.travel-worldwide.net/

Guide to wining and dining on Koh Samui Thailand

by Andy Burrows
Some of the world's finest cuisines can be found in Southern Thailand, this has been made apparent by the amount of Thai restaurants that have sprung up throughout the globe over the last number of years. Koh Samui is no different; the people here are highly imaginative when it comes to selection and presentation of food. Whether it is a local street vendor or a top end restaurant you can be sure that you'll find something to suit any palate and budget. The food is always prepared with fresh ingredients. To continually improve the quality and standard of food and service, the Samui Culinary Circle (SCC) was set up, thus ensuring that over the last couple of years Samui has become a centre for culinary excellence, in addition to its beautiful beaches and friendly people. There are three main areas on Samui for restaurants and bars; with a further four more secluded areas to explore. The first and most popular area is Chaweng beach. Here you can find a huge range of options to choose from, including French, Japanese, Royal Thai and Italian cuisine, just to name a few.

All of these can be enjoyed on the beach under the stars, beneath a thatched roof or in cool air-conditioned comfort. In the south of the island you'll find Samui's second largest beach - Lamai beach. In general dining here is cheaper than Chaweng beach and is where you will find a plethora of small, family run Thai eateries. Although, there is still an eclectic mix of restaurants from European to Asian fusion, ensuring all tastes are catered for. Situated near the famous Big Budda, in the north of the island, is Bophut beach. This once predominately fishing area has given way to a range of restaurants and is now the culinary heart of Koh Samui. The quiet and picturesque setting makes it an ideal place for a romantic night out. The fisherman's village, which is considered by most to be one of the oldest areas on the island, is littered with wooden houses reminiscent of a by gone era that have been lovingly restored and now serve as shops and restaurants. Here you'll find French, Indian, Thai, Italian and seafood restaurants all of which are a stone's throw from the waterfront. One of Samui's quietest and most picturesque beaches is Maenam. The restaurants here will cater to every budget and offer food from around the world. The area is packed with street stalls where you can purchase a portion of Pad Thai and eat it on the beach for an inexpensive but memorable dining experience. Big Buddha beach has plenty of excellent Thai restaurants to choose from alongside international cuisine. Exceptional and inventive pub grub is available from funky cafés which are scattered throughout the area. For the more adventurous and those who enjoy heading off the well trodden tourist trail should make for the south-east and west coasts. As most of the island's fresh fish is caught just of these coastlines, seafood lovers will be in culinary paradise. Some of the restaurants here are so small they don't even have names but you are nearly always guaranteed a delicious meal and a warm Thai welcome. However, it's not only the welcome that is warm; the dishes are spicy enough to blow your socks off! Whatever your culinary taste you are sure to find it on Koh Samui and not only will you leave feeling satisfied and relaxed, you won't be lighter than when you arrived! Your eating experience here will probably be both culinary and culturally satisfying.


1stopsamui.com

Sailing from Phuket for a day

by Andy Burrows
The marine industry has shot up since the Thai government lowered boat import tax from 200 per cent down to 0 per cent. Sailors here will not want for spectacular scenery and sailing. The deep-blue water sailing of the Andaman Sea off the west coast is a joy for all yachties, while the east coast calm Phang Nga Bay offers year-round activity and spectacular, unique scenery.

Phuket's powdery-sanded west coast beaches and the dark, deep blue waters are famed the world over. The west coast also offers the highest concentration of entertainment and accommodation. However, all the marinas are on the southern and eastern coasts, which are sheltered all year round.

"The sailing here is incredible," says Bob Welders, a tourist from Australia, "I spend most of my time on the water and the rest eating the great seafood and partying in Patong - you can't beat Phuket."

Marinas are all the craze in Phuket and are popping up anywhere possible, to accommodate the rich influx of yachts from around the world. Many yachties are moving towards relocating their yachts from Europe or the Caribbean as mooring fees are much lower. The island is shaping itself as an international yachting and sailing centre.

Thus, you'll have no problems finding a daytrip sailing from Phuket. Phuket online tourist resource There are a range of charting companies as well as schools offering ASA and RYA certification. Those wanting to sail the Andaman for a day will probably head for the Similan Islands. This collection of nine incredible islands is located in a marine national park, which has kept them picture perfect. The Similans are a top diving destination and the sands above are no less stunning than the corals below.

The other option, and probably the best option during the green season, is to take your sailing to the east coast, to the waters of Phang Nga Bay. The islands and karst rock formations dotted all through the bay provide the most unique scenery in the world. Besides tying up and swimming to the uninhabited rocks and beaches, you can spend time exploring the 'haung' ('rooms' open to the sky and surrounded by rock, accessed by walking or wading through a cave entrance).

If you're looking for a restaurant, try sailing to Koh Yao Noi and visit The Paradise, where lunch is served in an open-air pavilion on the beach. Nearby Koh Yao Yai is the largest island in Phang Nga Bay and it takes roughly an hour to get there by sailboat.

You won't want to miss the Phi Phi Islands, just a few hours sail away. Phi Phi Don is the largest island and popular with a younger crowd for its diving, cute bungalows and extensive nightlife. The national park beaches of Phi Phi Leh, the location for the filming of the 1990s movie The Beach, have a pretty and relaxed atmosphere. Beyond Phi Phi is Krabi, which is reserved and much like Phuket was back in the 1980s.

Closer to Phuket, just 20kms away, lie the islands of Koh Racha Yai and Noi. These are both still undeveloped for the most part and Racha Yai offers accommodation. Phuket cruising guide There are two beaches on Racha Yai, one deep and one shallow - but both lovely. Koh Khai is just within sight of the eastern shore of Phuket and good for snorkelling.