Author: Andy Burrows
With so many activities that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy, Krabi has framed itself as a laid-back resort destination where the emphasis falls on comfort and relaxation instead of on high-energy parties. The natural landscape is accentuated by limestone outcroppings known as karsts that pop up all over the countryside. With abundant plant life and beautiful coral reefs, there's plenty to explore while you're staying here.
Exploring the archipelago
One of the most remarkable ways to experience the limestone rock formations and spectacular beaches is to take a daytrip from one island to another. Many tour guides offer organised daytrips to the highlights of the archipelago, which are worth it and a chance to break away from the crowds of the mainland resort. For the more independent explorer, sea kayaks can be rented for trips out to some of the nearest small islands. A boat day trip to Phi Phi is a must too!
Than Bok Khoranie National Park
If you have a tent and would like a place to set up camp, consider heading out to Than Bok Khorani National Park, a secluded place with no concrete accommodation but an abundance of plant species culminating in a very picturesque pond surrounded by gardenias and apocynaceae. The park also boasts several limestone caves and some lovely mangrove forests. Many visit on a day trip from Phuket.
Rock climbing
Many rock climbing outfitters in Krabi also give lessons at various skill levels to help you improve your rock climbing abilities. The limestone cliffs and unique stone formations have helped Krabi carve out a global reputation among rock climbing circles. Ton Sai is the first stop for most climbers, as it’s the most frequented climbed spot in the area. Other climbing outings to more secluded areas are easily arranged with the help of climbing outfitters.
Koh Lanta Marine National Park
The sea gypsies, or Chai Leh, still live and work on the island of Koh Lanta—now a marine national park. For centuries they have practiced their own form of spirit worship and spoken their own distinct language. This island also has the region's standard fare of beautiful beaches, unique rock formations and stunning coral reefs for exploration. Some of the rainforest on this island is virtually untouched and remains protected. Visitors can rent bungalows and stay a while. It’s also connected to Phi Phi island by ferry.
Shell Fossil Cemetery
Thirty five million years ago, the site of Ban Laem Pho Cape was an enormous freshwater swamp that hosted millions of small snails. The remains of these creatures formed a fossilised composite that has grown almost 16 inches thick. This huge slab has become one of Krabi's most popular attractions and can be reached via a 10-mile drive from the town of Krabi.
Krabi nightlife
Ao Nang Beach resort area is the primary tourist hub of Krabi, with Krabi Town itself not offering a whole lot to out-of-towners except for a glimpse of everyday life for the locals. While not quite as exciting as Phuket, in the resort area you'll find bars and restaurants whose doors remain open past midnight, though you'll be hard-pressed to find any exhilarating parties or discotheques. Instead, this is a more family-oriented holiday spot with some nice restaurants and a relaxed, quiet atmosphere.
Scuba diving
The official diving season in Krabi is from November to Mach, though the conditions are hospitable all year round and divers are here at every time of the year. Snorkelling is also a great way to get a view of the coral reefs. Diving companies on the mainland can get you certified as a diver and will also arrange diving trips out to all of the best reefs in the surrounding area. The diving at Phi Phi is especially good.
Biking
Bikes can be rented in the Ao Nang resort area, and a cycling loop that heads out of town guides cyclist through the limestone rock formations that dot the landscape. The road curves through old villages and groves of coconut trees, and riders can stretch this spectacular route into as much as 15 or 20 miles of biking.
Railay Beach
Railay Beach may be the region's most unique coastal area, with its crescent shaped coastline that's cut off from the mainland by huge outcroppings of rock. Only accessible by boat, you can charter a vessel to drop you off for a daytrip to Phra Nang, a sacred enshrined cave, or for an overnight stay in one of the resorts that lay claim to these peaceful beaches. Even the beaches at Phuket don’t even compete!
Daytrip to Wat Tham Seua
Wat Tham Seua is the largest temple in Krabi, and its name means Tiger Cave Temple. It's literally tucked into the limestone cliffs of Ao Luk Thanu mountain range, and the Buddhist monks that live and worship here do so in the caves themselves. The highlight of this temple is 'Buddha's footprint', located at the summit of a 1,272-step climb, a point that affords wonderful views of the countryside spreading in every direction.
2007/08/31
Dining in Chiang Mai, Thailand vs. North America
Author: George Dowhan
Foreigners love their hamburgers, French fries, soft drinks and Thai's just have to have rice with every meal. But which would I prefer after living most of my life in Canada and now having retired to Chiang Mai, Thailand?
As with any large city there are an abundance of fine restaurants catering to different tastes and budgets. Chiang Mai is no different. Thai people love to eat. Restaurants are full of Thai's and foreigners enjoying all types of cuisine. Rather than deal with fine restaurants which we all dine at but not every day this article deals with the day to day dining of the Thai people here in Chiang Mai.
Popular restaurants in North America are Harvey's, McDonalds, and Burger King. Here we have the street vendors. The end result is a quickly prepared affordable meal.
The street vendors may sell fresh fruits such as pineapple, mango, watermelon, strawberries (locally grown), and more. Each fruit is cut up into small pieces and placed in a plastic bag and you are provided a long wooden stick with which to eat it. Cost is normally 10 baht which comes to about 25 cents U.S. and the fruits are kept cool and are delicious. Also vendors here sell fast foods and snacks. Get a meal of cooked rice, meat and veggies again placed in a plastic bag but this time wrapped tightly by an elastic band for about 20 baht or 50 cents U.S. Take your pick of a rice dish, or a noodle dish or a soup. Tasty and normally already prepared and wrapped and still warm or if you want to wait one minute they will take it out of the pot and put it into the bag while you wait. So a cooked meal and a tasty snack for a total of about 75 cents U.S. For many Thai's in Chiang Mai this is there most common meal. They then proceed to drive home, unwrap the elastic, put some rice in a bowl, place several cups of the table with a bottle of water and that is one of their meals.
We all love fast foods and we all want it to be affordable. That we have in common. What you will find different between here and there is the price, quality and service.
Price. The price of meals whether it be at restaurants, or street vendors is cheap compared to what we are used to. A filling meal can be had for less than a 1US dollar for a meal I described above which includes a bowl of rice, cooked meal from street vendor and fruit from street vendor. For only $2.50 U.S. you can dine out at an all you can eat full course buffet, desserts, coffee, tip and taxes included as well as a tip for the parking lot attendant The prices are low because the ingredients are locally grown and because the labor cost is inexpensive.
Quality. The quality of the food is much healthier here than back home. Back home KFC, McDonalds, and Harvey's are popular lunch and dinner restaurants. If you think you are thinking healthy foods there think again. Here you do not have the greasy French fries, Hamburgers stuffed full of ketchup, mustard, onions, mayo and more to hide the taste of the meat you are eating. Here you eat rice, fresh vegetables, fresh fish, drink water with the meals as opposed to a bucket sized plastic container packed full of ice and watered down sugar flavored soft drink.
Service. A teenager earning a few extra bucks in a fast food restaurant or an adult making a living out of working full time in a restaurant here. Which one would you expect to provide the best service? Nothing more needs to be said.
If you come to Chiang Mai do not go searching for restaurants that have what you normally eat. You may as well stay home and buy a video about Thailand, or watch a TV program about Thailand.
The foods here are tasty, healthy, and inexpensive.
The basic ingredient in all the meals is rice. Yes rice for breakfast too. I have never been one for rice. Potatoes was my staple. But here potatoes are pricey and although I admit to buying them and making potato soup and french fries it is the exception and not the rule.
As I have said before, the Thai's are known for making anything taste good.
So take fresh ingredients combine that with rice and special sauces which are the key to the taste and there you have it - Healthy, Tasty, and Inexpensive meals.
Top if off with locally grown fresh pineapple, watermelon, mango, strawberries or a dozen or more fruits and you have a meal you will enjoy and which is good for you.
The funny thing about foods is that whatever you really like is NO GOOD for you. What are your favorites? Cake, pies, French fries, hamburgers, ice-cream. Well they are not that good for you in terms of eating them regularly. What do you hate to eat? Broccoli, asparagus, spinach, brown rice, boiled chicken. Well these are good for you.
So if you come here to Thailand. do try several different types of Thai foods. You may find a soup that you just cannot get enough of, or a Thai dessert that you have no idea what it was and which you absolutely enjoyed, or fresh fish which is abundant here. Prawns, sea bass and more cooked up on a large plate will leave you wanting more.
I have eaten meals, snacks and fruits sold by small roadside food vendors and never experienced any problems. The ingredients are fresh, kept on ice if required and cooking areas cleaned regularly. So I see this as a safe, inexpensive way to buy snacks and meals. I would recommend that you carry a bottle of water which can be purchased at 7-11 for only 13 cents as you may get a bit dehydrated especially if you are doing a lot of walking and this if anything may be the cause of a quick jaunt to the rest room.
Are there things that I do not eat that Thai's eat? Yes there is a fruit called Durian, the Thai's just love it but it has such a foul odor that when I gave it a try I had to breathe through my mouth. Apart from the odor it has the texture of a pudding and is rich in flavor. What I did not have the courage to try and which I expect would be healthy to eat was the fried insects. I suppose that it is just a matter of getting used to the sight of them. Perhaps I could dine on both the fruit and insects regularly if I kept breathing through my nose and kept my eyes shut while I ate.
But you should try what we call Suki. It is a soup that you cook on your table in a pot with hot coals underneath. You decide on the ingredients such as chicken, beef, liver, fish and add them and take them out when they are cooked. Normally the meats go in first as they take longer to cook and then the vegetables. In about 5 minutes you have your soup. Two small bowls will accompany the meal. They are both made of hot peppers. One has the appearance of a green paste and the other a red paste. You can either dip your meat or fish into the paste or put a teaspoonful into your soup. The green paste is spicy, makes me perspire a bit and gives me a longing for a cold glass of water during I eat my soup. The red paste I do not touch and would not recommend you try it unless you are accustomed to eating it or you are Mexican. My girlfriend eats her Suki with the green paste and admits to making trips to the washroom during the middle of the night and not to brush here teeth. A filling meal for 4 people for about $3 U.S. and that includes taxes, tip, and bottled water with a bucket of ice.
Remember how earlier on I said that the Thai's have a reputation for making any food taste delicious. That is true. The KEY is the sauce. I do not know what ingredients go into the sauces but I do know that I was not a rice eater and now with I will be scraping the bottom of each bowl of food that is served to me. Normal white rice cooked in a rice cooker combined with fried vegetables and meat with the special sauce is simply delicious.
And if you want to know where I would eat given the choice now, a fast food restaurant there or a street vendor here? My reply would be a street vendor here. After the meal here I am filled up, the food is delicious, the fruits are fantastic and prices are so low and I feel fitter.
Want to learn more about Thai foods. Check out our Thai foods and recipes on our website.
www.retire-on-550-month.com
Foreigners love their hamburgers, French fries, soft drinks and Thai's just have to have rice with every meal. But which would I prefer after living most of my life in Canada and now having retired to Chiang Mai, Thailand?
As with any large city there are an abundance of fine restaurants catering to different tastes and budgets. Chiang Mai is no different. Thai people love to eat. Restaurants are full of Thai's and foreigners enjoying all types of cuisine. Rather than deal with fine restaurants which we all dine at but not every day this article deals with the day to day dining of the Thai people here in Chiang Mai.
Popular restaurants in North America are Harvey's, McDonalds, and Burger King. Here we have the street vendors. The end result is a quickly prepared affordable meal.
The street vendors may sell fresh fruits such as pineapple, mango, watermelon, strawberries (locally grown), and more. Each fruit is cut up into small pieces and placed in a plastic bag and you are provided a long wooden stick with which to eat it. Cost is normally 10 baht which comes to about 25 cents U.S. and the fruits are kept cool and are delicious. Also vendors here sell fast foods and snacks. Get a meal of cooked rice, meat and veggies again placed in a plastic bag but this time wrapped tightly by an elastic band for about 20 baht or 50 cents U.S. Take your pick of a rice dish, or a noodle dish or a soup. Tasty and normally already prepared and wrapped and still warm or if you want to wait one minute they will take it out of the pot and put it into the bag while you wait. So a cooked meal and a tasty snack for a total of about 75 cents U.S. For many Thai's in Chiang Mai this is there most common meal. They then proceed to drive home, unwrap the elastic, put some rice in a bowl, place several cups of the table with a bottle of water and that is one of their meals.
We all love fast foods and we all want it to be affordable. That we have in common. What you will find different between here and there is the price, quality and service.
Price. The price of meals whether it be at restaurants, or street vendors is cheap compared to what we are used to. A filling meal can be had for less than a 1US dollar for a meal I described above which includes a bowl of rice, cooked meal from street vendor and fruit from street vendor. For only $2.50 U.S. you can dine out at an all you can eat full course buffet, desserts, coffee, tip and taxes included as well as a tip for the parking lot attendant The prices are low because the ingredients are locally grown and because the labor cost is inexpensive.
Quality. The quality of the food is much healthier here than back home. Back home KFC, McDonalds, and Harvey's are popular lunch and dinner restaurants. If you think you are thinking healthy foods there think again. Here you do not have the greasy French fries, Hamburgers stuffed full of ketchup, mustard, onions, mayo and more to hide the taste of the meat you are eating. Here you eat rice, fresh vegetables, fresh fish, drink water with the meals as opposed to a bucket sized plastic container packed full of ice and watered down sugar flavored soft drink.
Service. A teenager earning a few extra bucks in a fast food restaurant or an adult making a living out of working full time in a restaurant here. Which one would you expect to provide the best service? Nothing more needs to be said.
If you come to Chiang Mai do not go searching for restaurants that have what you normally eat. You may as well stay home and buy a video about Thailand, or watch a TV program about Thailand.
The foods here are tasty, healthy, and inexpensive.
The basic ingredient in all the meals is rice. Yes rice for breakfast too. I have never been one for rice. Potatoes was my staple. But here potatoes are pricey and although I admit to buying them and making potato soup and french fries it is the exception and not the rule.
As I have said before, the Thai's are known for making anything taste good.
So take fresh ingredients combine that with rice and special sauces which are the key to the taste and there you have it - Healthy, Tasty, and Inexpensive meals.
Top if off with locally grown fresh pineapple, watermelon, mango, strawberries or a dozen or more fruits and you have a meal you will enjoy and which is good for you.
The funny thing about foods is that whatever you really like is NO GOOD for you. What are your favorites? Cake, pies, French fries, hamburgers, ice-cream. Well they are not that good for you in terms of eating them regularly. What do you hate to eat? Broccoli, asparagus, spinach, brown rice, boiled chicken. Well these are good for you.
So if you come here to Thailand. do try several different types of Thai foods. You may find a soup that you just cannot get enough of, or a Thai dessert that you have no idea what it was and which you absolutely enjoyed, or fresh fish which is abundant here. Prawns, sea bass and more cooked up on a large plate will leave you wanting more.
I have eaten meals, snacks and fruits sold by small roadside food vendors and never experienced any problems. The ingredients are fresh, kept on ice if required and cooking areas cleaned regularly. So I see this as a safe, inexpensive way to buy snacks and meals. I would recommend that you carry a bottle of water which can be purchased at 7-11 for only 13 cents as you may get a bit dehydrated especially if you are doing a lot of walking and this if anything may be the cause of a quick jaunt to the rest room.
Are there things that I do not eat that Thai's eat? Yes there is a fruit called Durian, the Thai's just love it but it has such a foul odor that when I gave it a try I had to breathe through my mouth. Apart from the odor it has the texture of a pudding and is rich in flavor. What I did not have the courage to try and which I expect would be healthy to eat was the fried insects. I suppose that it is just a matter of getting used to the sight of them. Perhaps I could dine on both the fruit and insects regularly if I kept breathing through my nose and kept my eyes shut while I ate.
But you should try what we call Suki. It is a soup that you cook on your table in a pot with hot coals underneath. You decide on the ingredients such as chicken, beef, liver, fish and add them and take them out when they are cooked. Normally the meats go in first as they take longer to cook and then the vegetables. In about 5 minutes you have your soup. Two small bowls will accompany the meal. They are both made of hot peppers. One has the appearance of a green paste and the other a red paste. You can either dip your meat or fish into the paste or put a teaspoonful into your soup. The green paste is spicy, makes me perspire a bit and gives me a longing for a cold glass of water during I eat my soup. The red paste I do not touch and would not recommend you try it unless you are accustomed to eating it or you are Mexican. My girlfriend eats her Suki with the green paste and admits to making trips to the washroom during the middle of the night and not to brush here teeth. A filling meal for 4 people for about $3 U.S. and that includes taxes, tip, and bottled water with a bucket of ice.
Remember how earlier on I said that the Thai's have a reputation for making any food taste delicious. That is true. The KEY is the sauce. I do not know what ingredients go into the sauces but I do know that I was not a rice eater and now with I will be scraping the bottom of each bowl of food that is served to me. Normal white rice cooked in a rice cooker combined with fried vegetables and meat with the special sauce is simply delicious.
And if you want to know where I would eat given the choice now, a fast food restaurant there or a street vendor here? My reply would be a street vendor here. After the meal here I am filled up, the food is delicious, the fruits are fantastic and prices are so low and I feel fitter.
Want to learn more about Thai foods. Check out our Thai foods and recipes on our website.
www.retire-on-550-month.com
2007/08/30
Why Thailand Is A Favorite Travel Destination in Asia
No wonder people love to travel to Thailand these days. It's hot. It's fun. And it's cheap. Everything here is cheap -- hotels, food, shopping -- you name it. A coconut costs 20 baht (that's around 50 cents -US). A bowl of noodle costs from 30 to 70 baht (depending on how nice the restaurant is).
Hotels in Thailand are cheap. They have hotels to suit any budget you have. If you're a backpacker and want to stay in Bangkok, Kaosan road is your ideal destination. It's dirt cheap. If you have deeper pocket, you can stay in a small hotel for $40. But if you have $100 or $200, go for a nicer hotel. It's all worth it. You can be sure that the service is second to none. When you leave Bangkok for the beach, you have the choice of cheap bungalows or prettier resorts. You can book a room in advance or you can just walk in. Feel free to a look around and pick the resort you like once you get there.
You'll have a great time in Thailand. Bangkok is the capital. And you shouldn't miss it for the world. Dress politely and take a taxi to the Grand Palace, Wat Pra Kaew ("Wat" means temple in Thai) and Wat Po. If your hotel is by the Chao Phraya river (the main river in Bangkok), book the hotel's cruise for dinner. Also, remember to spend a weekend in Bangkok. Put on your summer outfit and take a taxi to Jatujak weekend market (open on Saturdays and Sundays). They have everything here. And when I say everything, I mean it -- from clothing, accessories, Thai handicrafts, to furniture. The place is huge. Be there around 11, have lunch there, and enjoy your shopping till late afternoon. Make sure you have a lot of cash with you -- you'll love to buy everything you see. Here you have to bargain, and they only take cash. Your travel to Bangkok can't be complete without going to Jatujak.
I often feel sorry for tourists who travel to Thailand with a tour group. They don't get to see much. Getting around Bangkok is especially easy. In fact, you don't need to take a tour. You can get around the city by skytrain, taxi or tuktuk. And if you want to get a little sun-tanned, just fly to the south -- to Phuket island, Samui island, Phi Phi island, or Similan island. You don't even need a tour guide once you are at the beach!
Thai people are incredibly friendly and helpful. All you have to do is ask. Just ask for help, and they'll help you as much as they can. They can speak a little English. You'll have no problem. If you approach someone who can't speak English, you'll still have no problem. Use your common sense. Use your hands. Speak in chunks, not sentences. Say the name of the place you want to go. If they walk away, that doesn't mean they don't want to help you. It simply means they can't speak English at all. And they're too embarrassed about that. So, don't take it personally. Don't give up. Ask the next person you see. They'll help you out -- I bet you a Pad Thai on that!
When you travel in Thailand, you should have no problem if you just learn to ask for help. You see, most tourists rely on maps (which are pretty useless when you're in Thailand). They just stand there clueless with their maps while Thai people walk past by (wondering deep down if they can help you out...You see, most Thais are shy. They won't walk up to you asking if you need help. You need to initiate the conversation.)
www.tuk-tuk.net
Hotels in Thailand are cheap. They have hotels to suit any budget you have. If you're a backpacker and want to stay in Bangkok, Kaosan road is your ideal destination. It's dirt cheap. If you have deeper pocket, you can stay in a small hotel for $40. But if you have $100 or $200, go for a nicer hotel. It's all worth it. You can be sure that the service is second to none. When you leave Bangkok for the beach, you have the choice of cheap bungalows or prettier resorts. You can book a room in advance or you can just walk in. Feel free to a look around and pick the resort you like once you get there.
You'll have a great time in Thailand. Bangkok is the capital. And you shouldn't miss it for the world. Dress politely and take a taxi to the Grand Palace, Wat Pra Kaew ("Wat" means temple in Thai) and Wat Po. If your hotel is by the Chao Phraya river (the main river in Bangkok), book the hotel's cruise for dinner. Also, remember to spend a weekend in Bangkok. Put on your summer outfit and take a taxi to Jatujak weekend market (open on Saturdays and Sundays). They have everything here. And when I say everything, I mean it -- from clothing, accessories, Thai handicrafts, to furniture. The place is huge. Be there around 11, have lunch there, and enjoy your shopping till late afternoon. Make sure you have a lot of cash with you -- you'll love to buy everything you see. Here you have to bargain, and they only take cash. Your travel to Bangkok can't be complete without going to Jatujak.
I often feel sorry for tourists who travel to Thailand with a tour group. They don't get to see much. Getting around Bangkok is especially easy. In fact, you don't need to take a tour. You can get around the city by skytrain, taxi or tuktuk. And if you want to get a little sun-tanned, just fly to the south -- to Phuket island, Samui island, Phi Phi island, or Similan island. You don't even need a tour guide once you are at the beach!
Thai people are incredibly friendly and helpful. All you have to do is ask. Just ask for help, and they'll help you as much as they can. They can speak a little English. You'll have no problem. If you approach someone who can't speak English, you'll still have no problem. Use your common sense. Use your hands. Speak in chunks, not sentences. Say the name of the place you want to go. If they walk away, that doesn't mean they don't want to help you. It simply means they can't speak English at all. And they're too embarrassed about that. So, don't take it personally. Don't give up. Ask the next person you see. They'll help you out -- I bet you a Pad Thai on that!
When you travel in Thailand, you should have no problem if you just learn to ask for help. You see, most tourists rely on maps (which are pretty useless when you're in Thailand). They just stand there clueless with their maps while Thai people walk past by (wondering deep down if they can help you out...You see, most Thais are shy. They won't walk up to you asking if you need help. You need to initiate the conversation.)
www.tuk-tuk.net
Bankok - Thailand Hot Spots
BANKOK - SOME FACTS
If you visit any destination in South East Asia, it may be imperative that you pass through Bangkok. Bangkok has a strange nature of evoking extreme sense of likes and dislikes amongst visitors. A few seem to loathe it while many others swear that it is the most wonderful, fascinating and exciting places on earth. Actually, Bangkok tends to be what a particular visitor wants it to be. Bangkok is a picture post-card haven with beautiful pagodas, pagodas and some of the world's finest hotels. Bangkok's renowned for it's nightlife in the Orient with an opportunity to savor some of world's most unique cuisines. Bangkok is a favorite and best shopping destination in South East Asia.
Bangkok inhabitants are known as Thais and their friendly ways would flatter the snootiest traveler. Bangkok is all in all, a load of fun and games and a great way to enjoy a civilized vacation. Thailand's history emerges from the Bronze Age, whereas Bangkok, the capital is a young city founded in 1782. With a population of around 6 million, 50% of them are under 30. Bangkok lies on the banks of the river "Chao Phraya", a wonderful working waterway full of sampans, wide variety of boats and rice barges.
Bangkok is a beautiful mix of the old and the new, the modern and the ancient evident from its skyline that comprises of Buddhist temples (wats), luxury hotels, high-rise office buildings and shopping malls making it a kaleidoscope. Under the thin veneer of new found Western influence you will find that the Thais are not devoid of traditional values. The sights of ubiquitous street food sellers, monks on morning begging rounds and women stringing jasmine blossoms on thread near wats will display the cultural heritage of Thailand that is not lost in the arc lights of modernity.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS IN BANKOK
Bangkok is packed with more attractions per square mile than any other city in the world. Despite the crowds, the architecture and the attractions are worth the effort to travel and see. On the top of the list would be Wat Phra Khao and the Grand Palace for sightseeing for half a day. This can include the National Museum and the Wat Pho. Chinatown, Bangkok's major attractions has a unique traditional life untouched by modern civilization and could be fascinating. Historical sites like Rattanakosin Island (central point when Bangkok was founded) are also worth visiting. The main symbolic places of Bangkok are Wat Arun on the Chao Phraya River.
Cross the Chao Phraya to reach Thonburi and you can tour the klongs to appreciate the heritage and culture of the country of Thailand. The Vimanmek Palace, restored by Queen Sirikit, made of golden teak emphasizes the exquisite taste and oriental splendor of ancient Thai royal life.
TOURING AROUND BANKOK
The easier way to explore the country would be put up base in Bangkok and explore the region by using the interesting and unusual daytrips.
Ayutthaya & Bang Pa-In: This probably is the most popular day trip from Bangkok and takes you to visit the Ayutthaya (A-you-ta-ya), the previous and old capital of Thailand, about 50 miles north of Bangkok, the current capital. Ayutthaya has served as the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam for over 400 years. Travellers in the past have described the glittering palaces, temples and Buddhist images depicting it as one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. In an unfortunate event the Burmese burned the glories of this city in 1767. In Ayutthaya, you could hire a tuk tuk along with an English-speaking guide to take you around the celebrated temples (cost could be in the range of 250 bahts). You can also hire a long-tail boat for cruising the 12-mile Chao Phraya River trip that ends at the king's summer palace at Bang Pa-In (300 bahts).
Many such trips are available to be taken. Bangkok never ceases to amaze and so giving an approximate time frame of the trip becomes difficult. You could get there, relax, and see for yourself what Bangkok has to offer. May be you could go back when you have more time, or to see the rest of it. The magnetism of Bangkok is such that despite having been there many a time, travelers tend to come back.
To ensure your vacation recipe is complete, add in that special sprinkle of a Thailand vacation rental. Book Thailand Vacation Rentals matching your criteria. These vacation rentals are presented by their owners or managers.
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/bankok--thailand-hot-spots-47132.html
If you visit any destination in South East Asia, it may be imperative that you pass through Bangkok. Bangkok has a strange nature of evoking extreme sense of likes and dislikes amongst visitors. A few seem to loathe it while many others swear that it is the most wonderful, fascinating and exciting places on earth. Actually, Bangkok tends to be what a particular visitor wants it to be. Bangkok is a picture post-card haven with beautiful pagodas, pagodas and some of the world's finest hotels. Bangkok's renowned for it's nightlife in the Orient with an opportunity to savor some of world's most unique cuisines. Bangkok is a favorite and best shopping destination in South East Asia.
Bangkok inhabitants are known as Thais and their friendly ways would flatter the snootiest traveler. Bangkok is all in all, a load of fun and games and a great way to enjoy a civilized vacation. Thailand's history emerges from the Bronze Age, whereas Bangkok, the capital is a young city founded in 1782. With a population of around 6 million, 50% of them are under 30. Bangkok lies on the banks of the river "Chao Phraya", a wonderful working waterway full of sampans, wide variety of boats and rice barges.
Bangkok is a beautiful mix of the old and the new, the modern and the ancient evident from its skyline that comprises of Buddhist temples (wats), luxury hotels, high-rise office buildings and shopping malls making it a kaleidoscope. Under the thin veneer of new found Western influence you will find that the Thais are not devoid of traditional values. The sights of ubiquitous street food sellers, monks on morning begging rounds and women stringing jasmine blossoms on thread near wats will display the cultural heritage of Thailand that is not lost in the arc lights of modernity.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS IN BANKOK
Bangkok is packed with more attractions per square mile than any other city in the world. Despite the crowds, the architecture and the attractions are worth the effort to travel and see. On the top of the list would be Wat Phra Khao and the Grand Palace for sightseeing for half a day. This can include the National Museum and the Wat Pho. Chinatown, Bangkok's major attractions has a unique traditional life untouched by modern civilization and could be fascinating. Historical sites like Rattanakosin Island (central point when Bangkok was founded) are also worth visiting. The main symbolic places of Bangkok are Wat Arun on the Chao Phraya River.
Cross the Chao Phraya to reach Thonburi and you can tour the klongs to appreciate the heritage and culture of the country of Thailand. The Vimanmek Palace, restored by Queen Sirikit, made of golden teak emphasizes the exquisite taste and oriental splendor of ancient Thai royal life.
TOURING AROUND BANKOK
The easier way to explore the country would be put up base in Bangkok and explore the region by using the interesting and unusual daytrips.
Ayutthaya & Bang Pa-In: This probably is the most popular day trip from Bangkok and takes you to visit the Ayutthaya (A-you-ta-ya), the previous and old capital of Thailand, about 50 miles north of Bangkok, the current capital. Ayutthaya has served as the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam for over 400 years. Travellers in the past have described the glittering palaces, temples and Buddhist images depicting it as one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. In an unfortunate event the Burmese burned the glories of this city in 1767. In Ayutthaya, you could hire a tuk tuk along with an English-speaking guide to take you around the celebrated temples (cost could be in the range of 250 bahts). You can also hire a long-tail boat for cruising the 12-mile Chao Phraya River trip that ends at the king's summer palace at Bang Pa-In (300 bahts).
Many such trips are available to be taken. Bangkok never ceases to amaze and so giving an approximate time frame of the trip becomes difficult. You could get there, relax, and see for yourself what Bangkok has to offer. May be you could go back when you have more time, or to see the rest of it. The magnetism of Bangkok is such that despite having been there many a time, travelers tend to come back.
To ensure your vacation recipe is complete, add in that special sprinkle of a Thailand vacation rental. Book Thailand Vacation Rentals matching your criteria. These vacation rentals are presented by their owners or managers.
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/bankok--thailand-hot-spots-47132.html
2007/08/29
Weddings in Exotic Thailand, A Dream Coming True
The Kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia, making it a natural gateway to Indochina, Myanmar and Southern China. Its shape and geography divide into four natural regions; the mountains and forests of the North; the vast rice fields of the Central Plains; the semi-arid farm lands of the Northeast plateau; and the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula south.
Thailand constantly is winning awards for its tourism infrastructure, recently the Swedish travel publication, Travel News, presented the annual Grand Travel Award - the equivalent of the travel and tourism industry's 'Oscars' - for the fifteenth consecutive year.
Thailand is increasing in popularity as a wedding destination as people seek more exotic environments and are able to hold more lavish receptions at luxury accommodation. There is nothing quite as touching as to play a part in someone's wedding, and locations such as Koh Samui and Phuket offer stunning luxury villa rentals to accommodate such groups. Many villas are purposefully build to offer the best possible setting, secluded, romantic, and beautiful, surrounded by the deep blue ocean, and row after row of coconut palms.
Organizers can provide Christian, non-secular or Buddhist-style weddings, and each can be completely customized to ensure the most memorable day possible. Everything you need can you provided to make your wedding perfect, at only a fraction of the cost that you would pay in your home country. Nothing is quite as romantic as saying 'I do' on the beach, on a tropical island, under the shining sun and bright blue sky. You can share your special day with friends and loved ones or simply savor the moment just for yourselves. We can help make all your wedding dreams come true.
Luxury villas in Phuket and Samui can accommodate wedding parties of up to 85 people just within a villa, or they can cater for groups of up to 150 people if staying outside. If you are planning on having a large Koh Samui Wedding, please contact us in advance for more information about the special packages we offer.
Another advantage of having your wedding in Thailand is that the wedding and honeymoon are part of the same package. With hundreds of attractions throughout Thailand it is great opportunity to travel the country and to enjoy the time with family and friends.
Luxury villas catering to wedding groups are likely to expand into other areas of Thailand as infrastructure improves, Krabi is fast becoming the next fashionable destination for high end visitors and Koh Chang near the Cambodian border is also seeing a large increase in visitors who are more adventurous and want to experience different areas of the country.
Whatever destination a wedding couple chooses, they are sure to be offered great value for money and an amazing choice of Thai villas from any destination they choose. With the incredible diversity throughout Thailand guests are no doubt going to have the wedding of their dreams when staying in their luxury accommodation in the beautiful country of Thailand.
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/weddings-in-exotic-thailand-a-dream-coming-true-193247.html
2007/08/28
Live And Stay In Thailand With A Passport Holder
by Bradlley Mckoy
In a recent survey of the most traveled places in the world, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that made it to the top five, and very rightly so. Thousands of tourists from all over the world flock to the Kingdom all year round to frolic on the stunning beaches, explore the many mountains and rivers, and of course, take advantage of one of the world's most blatant sex industries.
Visits vary from a few days to a few years. Many visit on holiday and never leave, and understandably so. The country is gifted in more ways than one, the people are friendly with foreigners, and the cost of living is amongst the cheapest in the world. Indeed, there's a lot to be said about the mysticism of Thailand, how it reels you in with its beauty until you find yourself never wanting to leave and succumbing to its will.
Visa Runs
Barely a year ago, Thai immigration laws were relaxed and tourist-friendly. Though it varies for some countries, most foreign nationals are automatically given a 30-day grant to stay in the Kingdom upon entry. However, 30 days is grossly insufficient to explore the wonders of Thailand. Border runs were common and most foreign nationals can do as many as he or she chooses, the popular destinations being the neighboring countries of Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia. You simply needed to take a trip to the border, bearing your passport in its passport holder, and you get another 30 days.
With the ousting of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, however, immigration laws have since been tightened. Border runs are now limited to 2 instances, after which, a foreign national has to leave the country, passport holder and all, for at least 100 days. An alternative is getting a proper visa, which is a seemingly easy process that actually gets tedious as you go along.
Tourist Visas
For a fee, Thai consulates abroad provide tourist visas for foreign nationals seeking to stay in Thailand for a few months. If you are already in the Kingdom, you'll have to take a trip to a neighboring Asian country (or your own country) to get the tourist visa from a Thai Consulate.
It's a quick and painless procedure. Simply visit the consulate with your passport, safely stored in your passport holder, provide a couple of photographs, fill out a form, and pay the fee. You then get a 60-day tourist visa and you may apply for an extension of 30 days within the country.
Non-immigrant Visas
Non-immigrant visas are trickier. These are provided for foreign nationals seeking to stay in the Kingdom for a long period of time for employment, business, etc. Non-immigrant visas range from 90-day single entry passes to 1-year multiple entry passes. It's not as simple as walking into the consulate with your passport holder. You would need to be able to provide several documents, justifying your stay in the Kingdom.
For example, if you are an English teacher employed at a Thai school, you need to provide letters from the school declaring their intention to hire you, your school documents, criminal clearance records from your home country, and of course, your passport in your passport holder. As long as all documents are available, there should be no hitch in getting a non-immigrant visa.
There are more options to getting visas for extended stays in Thailand. However, the Thais are changing the rules quite frequently these days so nobody is really secure. It's important to keep on top of the latest Thai immigration news at all times. After all, you wouldn't want to leave the beautiful country in a hurry, passport holder and all.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=596331
In a recent survey of the most traveled places in the world, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that made it to the top five, and very rightly so. Thousands of tourists from all over the world flock to the Kingdom all year round to frolic on the stunning beaches, explore the many mountains and rivers, and of course, take advantage of one of the world's most blatant sex industries.
Visits vary from a few days to a few years. Many visit on holiday and never leave, and understandably so. The country is gifted in more ways than one, the people are friendly with foreigners, and the cost of living is amongst the cheapest in the world. Indeed, there's a lot to be said about the mysticism of Thailand, how it reels you in with its beauty until you find yourself never wanting to leave and succumbing to its will.
Visa Runs
Barely a year ago, Thai immigration laws were relaxed and tourist-friendly. Though it varies for some countries, most foreign nationals are automatically given a 30-day grant to stay in the Kingdom upon entry. However, 30 days is grossly insufficient to explore the wonders of Thailand. Border runs were common and most foreign nationals can do as many as he or she chooses, the popular destinations being the neighboring countries of Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia. You simply needed to take a trip to the border, bearing your passport in its passport holder, and you get another 30 days.
With the ousting of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, however, immigration laws have since been tightened. Border runs are now limited to 2 instances, after which, a foreign national has to leave the country, passport holder and all, for at least 100 days. An alternative is getting a proper visa, which is a seemingly easy process that actually gets tedious as you go along.
Tourist Visas
For a fee, Thai consulates abroad provide tourist visas for foreign nationals seeking to stay in Thailand for a few months. If you are already in the Kingdom, you'll have to take a trip to a neighboring Asian country (or your own country) to get the tourist visa from a Thai Consulate.
It's a quick and painless procedure. Simply visit the consulate with your passport, safely stored in your passport holder, provide a couple of photographs, fill out a form, and pay the fee. You then get a 60-day tourist visa and you may apply for an extension of 30 days within the country.
Non-immigrant Visas
Non-immigrant visas are trickier. These are provided for foreign nationals seeking to stay in the Kingdom for a long period of time for employment, business, etc. Non-immigrant visas range from 90-day single entry passes to 1-year multiple entry passes. It's not as simple as walking into the consulate with your passport holder. You would need to be able to provide several documents, justifying your stay in the Kingdom.
For example, if you are an English teacher employed at a Thai school, you need to provide letters from the school declaring their intention to hire you, your school documents, criminal clearance records from your home country, and of course, your passport in your passport holder. As long as all documents are available, there should be no hitch in getting a non-immigrant visa.
There are more options to getting visas for extended stays in Thailand. However, the Thais are changing the rules quite frequently these days so nobody is really secure. It's important to keep on top of the latest Thai immigration news at all times. After all, you wouldn't want to leave the beautiful country in a hurry, passport holder and all.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=596331
2007/08/27
Samui Lifestyle and Activities
By: Dan Wallace
Not that long ago Samui island was a favorite destination for adventure seeking sun worshippers. These seasoned travelers visited Samui long before it was in the guide books. Seaside bungalows were available for as little as 150 baht per night, and you could count on spending day after sunny day on the beach in near perfect tranquility. These visitors found there was an almost mesmerizingly restful and carefree feel to the island that often kept them here long after they intended to return home.
Those who have known and loved Samui Island since those early days may not agree about the current pace of development in some areas, but for the most part they do agree on one thing. The island retains its sleepy magic and Ko Samui is still a tropical paradise. These days' luxury Samui villas are popping up throughout the island and Ko Samui seems intent on catching up with its Andaman counterpart, Phuket in terms of development, infrastructure and the choice of Samui villas.
However, much of Samui Island, especially south coast, remains largely undeveloped. A day spent on a motorbike or in a jeep exploring this lush terrain is a day of sheer serendipity. With its spectacular and astonishingly diverse flora, and its dozy little neighborhoods peopled by some of the world's most amiable islanders, this kind of exploration is sure to provide the delights you imagined when you planned your holiday.
Short direct flights here now on Samui Island depart several times a day from Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. You can also arrive by train, bus and boat.
The most obvious thing to do while holidaying on Koh Samui is to laze on one of the beautiful beaches, and swim or paddle in the warm tropical waters, but you will probably want to do other things as well, and there are lots and lots to do. Some of the more popular activities include Snorkeling. Snorkellers can accompany their diving companions on scuba dive trips, take a tour organized for snorkellers, a trip arranged by local fishermen to one of the many surrounding islands, or just snorkel from the beaches and rock formations dotted around the Island. Either way, the beauty of the coral and fish that can be seen through your mask is great.
Windsurfing equipment is available for rent from several water sport centers around the island. Lessons are available for beginner adults and children. Prices start from 300 baht per hour for equipment rental and from 500 baht for a one hour individual lesson (equipment included). The conditions for windsurfing are great, with good offshore winds throughout the year.
Scuba Diving is also very popular and the Gulf of Thailand offers a huge variety of dive sites suitable for all levels of diver. So whether you want to blow your very first bubbles underwater or you're an experienced diver looking for something more challenging, there are plenty of options to choose from.
One of the things that makes Samui so appealing is the fact that you can still stop at a street cart for a 30 baht plate of Pad Thai or Fried Rice, while just around the corner a lavish buffet is being served on the beach. All the options are here, including several Thai vegetarian restaurants.
In recent years an international community of entrepreneur restaurateurs have brought to Samui the cuisines of Japan, Italy, Germany, India, Brazilian, Switzerland, France, Sweden and Mexico, among others. Good Western cuisine can now be found in almost every village on the island. Need a "back home" style snack or a fast-food fix? There are excellent bakeries, ice cream parlours, McDonalds is in Chaweng and Lamai along with other well known pizza outlets.
If you stay long enough for your digestive system to begin to get acclimatized, you might try eating at one of the outdoor evening markets that locals frequent. Here you will find some of Samui's most authentic (and spicy!) Thai food. The seating arrangements may be crude and the air filled with the noise of nearby locals relaxing after work with Karaoke, but the food will be hot, tasty and cheap.
Article Source: ABC Article Directory
Not that long ago Samui island was a favorite destination for adventure seeking sun worshippers. These seasoned travelers visited Samui long before it was in the guide books. Seaside bungalows were available for as little as 150 baht per night, and you could count on spending day after sunny day on the beach in near perfect tranquility. These visitors found there was an almost mesmerizingly restful and carefree feel to the island that often kept them here long after they intended to return home.
Those who have known and loved Samui Island since those early days may not agree about the current pace of development in some areas, but for the most part they do agree on one thing. The island retains its sleepy magic and Ko Samui is still a tropical paradise. These days' luxury Samui villas are popping up throughout the island and Ko Samui seems intent on catching up with its Andaman counterpart, Phuket in terms of development, infrastructure and the choice of Samui villas.
However, much of Samui Island, especially south coast, remains largely undeveloped. A day spent on a motorbike or in a jeep exploring this lush terrain is a day of sheer serendipity. With its spectacular and astonishingly diverse flora, and its dozy little neighborhoods peopled by some of the world's most amiable islanders, this kind of exploration is sure to provide the delights you imagined when you planned your holiday.
Short direct flights here now on Samui Island depart several times a day from Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. You can also arrive by train, bus and boat.
The most obvious thing to do while holidaying on Koh Samui is to laze on one of the beautiful beaches, and swim or paddle in the warm tropical waters, but you will probably want to do other things as well, and there are lots and lots to do. Some of the more popular activities include Snorkeling. Snorkellers can accompany their diving companions on scuba dive trips, take a tour organized for snorkellers, a trip arranged by local fishermen to one of the many surrounding islands, or just snorkel from the beaches and rock formations dotted around the Island. Either way, the beauty of the coral and fish that can be seen through your mask is great.
Windsurfing equipment is available for rent from several water sport centers around the island. Lessons are available for beginner adults and children. Prices start from 300 baht per hour for equipment rental and from 500 baht for a one hour individual lesson (equipment included). The conditions for windsurfing are great, with good offshore winds throughout the year.
Scuba Diving is also very popular and the Gulf of Thailand offers a huge variety of dive sites suitable for all levels of diver. So whether you want to blow your very first bubbles underwater or you're an experienced diver looking for something more challenging, there are plenty of options to choose from.
One of the things that makes Samui so appealing is the fact that you can still stop at a street cart for a 30 baht plate of Pad Thai or Fried Rice, while just around the corner a lavish buffet is being served on the beach. All the options are here, including several Thai vegetarian restaurants.
In recent years an international community of entrepreneur restaurateurs have brought to Samui the cuisines of Japan, Italy, Germany, India, Brazilian, Switzerland, France, Sweden and Mexico, among others. Good Western cuisine can now be found in almost every village on the island. Need a "back home" style snack or a fast-food fix? There are excellent bakeries, ice cream parlours, McDonalds is in Chaweng and Lamai along with other well known pizza outlets.
If you stay long enough for your digestive system to begin to get acclimatized, you might try eating at one of the outdoor evening markets that locals frequent. Here you will find some of Samui's most authentic (and spicy!) Thai food. The seating arrangements may be crude and the air filled with the noise of nearby locals relaxing after work with Karaoke, but the food will be hot, tasty and cheap.
Article Source: ABC Article Directory
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