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Thailand Shopping

2008-11-12T08:57:00.000-08:00

Thailand Shopping
By : Oh Srichaphan

Thailand has been known as a shopper’s paradise for many years. From luxurious items such as jewelry, silk, designers’ clothing or accessories right down to the best of bargained goods. Fixed prices are the norm in shopping centers or department stores but at most other places like markets, street-stalls, etc., haggling is acceptable and expected. There’re no fixed rules when it comes to bargaining, generally you can get somewhere between 10-40% from the asking price. Depending on your skills and sometimes the shopkeeper’s mood. Being courteous with a sense of humor goes a long way when bargaining in Thailand, as Thais appreciate good manners. Being angry when bargaining will get you nowhere.

Another great thing about Thailand shopping is, even in Bangkok alone, the shopping is not limited to one or two shopping streets. There’re many areas throughout the city offering various choices and easy access. For example, Silom, Sukhumvit, Siam Square, Chatuchak weekend market or China Town. Many other cities outside of Bangkok also offer great shopping. Chiang Mai is ideal for traditional Thai handicrafts while Phuket is a great source for pearls and Pattaya has a wide selection of precious stones since it’s close to Chantaburi where numerous gems are found.

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Knowing Thailand

2008-11-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

Knowing Thailand
By : Pauline Go

Bordered by Laos and Cambodia in the east, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia in the South, and Andaman Sea and Myanmar to the west, lies the beautiful and scenic place, Thailand.

Originally, the country was known as Siam. If you have seen the famous movie, King and I, starring Yul Bryner as the king of Siam, you will be certainly having some idea about this beautiful place.

Thai means freedom and hence the name, Thailand. Thai also symbolizes the name of the city’s ethnic group. Thailand is well known for having the perfect blend of cultures of India and China. This influence has been possible due to its geographic location. The country is also proud of various indigenous cultures since the time of Ban Chiang culture.

Thailand has a rich historical background. Sukhothai, a buddhist kingdom was the first Thai state. It was established in 1238, after the fall of the Khmer empire. However, Sukhotai was soon overpowered by Ayutthaya, which was more powerful and larger than Sukhotai. It was founded in 1431. The next kingdom that rose to power after Ayutthaya was Thonburi, the capital of Thailand. It was the capital for only a short period of time.

Then came the era of Ratthanakosin leading later to the establishment of Bangkok as the capital of Thailand. Despite so many transitions, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian culture that was never affected or empowered by the European power. This was because Thailand had a series of efficient rulers during the period, 1800 who amply took advantage of the undercurrent or tension between British and the French.

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Kingdom Of Thailand

2008-11-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

Kingdom Of Thailand
By : Pauline Go

The Kingdom of Thailand is a very popular destination for tourists coming to southeast Asia, with over 10 million visitors per year sampling its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, outstanding hospitality and superb cuisine. We say ‘sampling’ because one short would not be enough to see or experience everything that Thailand has to offer. Thailand's cuisine is unique and is regarded by many people as one of the best in the world. What is on offer is so varied that you can literally have a different meal every day of the year. By far one of the key reasons Thailand is such an attraction to visitors is the Thai people themselves. Thailand is often called the “land of smiles”, because it is said that you can see more smiling people here than anywhere else in the world.

The country is made up of 76 provinces each divided into districts, sub-districts and villages. Bangkok is the capital city and centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. Phuket, "Pearl of the South" is Thailand's largest and best known island and has long been a favourite destination of visitors from around the world. Thai is one of the oldest languages in East and South-East Asia. It is a monosyllabic language which uses five tones (high, mid, low, rising, and falling tone) to alter the meaning of a single syllable. This makes it difficult to learn for most Westerners used to speaking non-tonal languages. The Thai script consists of 44 consonants and 48 vowels, and is of Sanskrit origin. It was introduced by King Rham Khamhaeng in 1283. There is no universal standard for transliterating Thai into English. For this reason, most language courses recommend that learners master the Thai alphabet.

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Windsurfing in Thailand

2008-11-05T08:53:00.000-08:00

Windsurfing in Thailand
By : Craig R Thompson

Windsurfing is gaining popularity in Thailand.

Thailand is not a super windy place. You wont see the amazing freestyle moves of Bonaire or the Gorge, nor will you see hot wave sailing action. With average wind strengths of 8- 18knots Windsurfers here are mainly using sails from 6.0M to 8.5M. In the worlds top locations a 6.0M sail is considered large.

So why do core windsurfers from all over the world choose to settle in Thailand?

As manufacturing costs in China increase, medium to large size companies are choosing to set up in Thailand where their specialized engineers and top level management are happy to move with their families.

Thailand's perpetually warm water and even warmer people. Low cost of living and very comfortable healthy lifestyle make the choice of leaving their homes utterly bearable.

Many classic Mediterranean retirement destinations are more expensive after the Euro's introduction. Thailand, with it's Idealic Beachside lifestyle is becoming a popular place to make those pension Pounds, early retirement Euros', and dwindling Dollars go further.

Grass roofed beach-side sail racks, make tedious equipment preparation unnecessary. Residents sit around in the shade, talking or simply admiring the parade of International beach goers.

As soon as the wind is good, they are on the water in minutes on the latest windsurfing gear, some of which is designed especially for the lighter wind conditions. On good days when the wind is over 15 knots , there are over 20 sails on the water in the best spots. While this number is tiny compared to the world's classic destinations where windsurfers number in the hundreds. It is double what you may have seen 3 years ago in Thailand.

Thai people are enjoying the sport in larger numbers also. A club in "Tabsai" near to Bang San University is hugely popular among Thai's who have regular camp outs and parties there on weekends.

On Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, The government and City sponsored Windsurfing Association of Thailand has been revived by a team of ex Thai windsurfing champions, coaches and local politician's. The benefit of this work has gone straight into the local community where kids, are training and competing in local and overseas competitions. It is heart warming to meet these youngsters who are polite, happy, self-reliant and who will grow up with a close connection to sport and the environment. Everyone is welcome to join the local windsurfing races. With up to 70 entries and many international guests, Thailand is producing high-level athletes, often from poor or broken families.

Pattaya City, about 2.5 hours drive SE from Bangkok, is notorious for it's red-light district and the people it attracts. However it is brimming with international restaurants, world-class hotels, inexpensive shopping and is still one of the greatest places to learn Windsurfing.

About 10 km south of Pattaya you will find 2 of the largest Water sports clubs in Thailand. This area is where the locals, expats,(foreigner's living in Thailand) and tourists come to take windsurfing lessons, play and relax.

Kite boarding or kite surfing has brought more people to learn about windsurfing also. While some experienced windsurfers like to do both sports, many family people prefer the safety, greater challenge and independence of windsurfing.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding a water-sport anyone can learn in a few minutes is growing quickly here. Used for sightseeing, cross-training on no-wind days, surfing or as a simple yet diverse sport that gives you great at-one with nature time in any conditions.

Windsurfing in Thailand is just another reason why people consider working or retiring early in one of the worlds most famous travel destinations.

Craig Thompson, born in England, raised in Australia, married to Thai National Windsurfing Champion. Has been living and breathing water-sports in Thailand since late 2003. For information about Windsurfing contact Craig and Amara at [mailto:am@windsurfing-thailand.com]am@windsurfing-thailand.com or visit http://iwindsurf.asia/

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Property in Thailand

2008-11-02T08:52:00.000-08:00

Property in Thailand
By : Les Calvert

One of the most picturesque countries of Asia, Thailand is a top-notch global tourist hotspot. Be it the coastal lifestyle or the mainland Thai locales, the entire country is full of amazing spots that allure you no end. Thailand's major USP is tourism and the government knows this fact and has always promoted it on a global scale.

The response from tourists flocking to the country has been overwhelming and they seem to return to Thailand in abundance year after year. Political uncertainty notwithstanding, tourists tend to flock to the country on a year round basis. Though the country is not quite open to full foreign ownership of Thai property, there is no dearth of investors' interest in the Thailand real estate.

The charm that is Thailand

The special Thai charm assumes much greater significance for the development of the entire Southeast Asia. The miles and miles of pristine sandy beaches, including the world famous Pattaya Beach, dotted with exquisite palms have a unique magical effect on the visitor, which makes it a favourite honeymoon destination for couples tying the knot!. Phuket and Koh Samui occupy the pride of place on the coastal regions Thailand.

Thai spa's are world famous for their soothing, calming, and relaxing effects on a tired body. This makes the country one of the best getaway spots in the world to relax the tired mind, body, and soul. The Buddhist monasteries make for a profound experience and worth visiting at least once during your stay. Being the major Thai religion, Buddhism is all-pervasive in the lifestyle of people here. And it's an open secret how much the Westerners are attracted towards Buddhism and the Buddhists.

Though not an absolute monarchy, yet Thailand has the longest reigning monarchy of the world since 1946. And this has been a constant cause of several coups in the country in the recent years. The country has also seen some of the worst natural disasters in recent times, like Tsunami, SARS, and Bird Flu. But all this has virtually zero effect on the minds of visitors in Thailand.

The capital Bangkok is just like any other advanced European city, with casinos, nightclubs, pubs, bars, cafes, restaurants, theatres, cocktail lounges, and massage parlours easily accessible. Thailand is also a haven for the shopping freaks with quality leather and electronic equipments available at much cheaper prices than Europe and the USA.

The regular flights to and from Thailands Airports connecting major European, American, Australian and Asian cities have spelled boom time for Thai tourism and economy.

Property Investment in Thailand

Unfortunately, Thai government is not so open when it comes to inviting global real estate players for developmental purposes. There is a bar on property investments by foreigners in the Thai real estate. As an individual, you cannot own any land, and even as a company, only the Thai partner is allowed to own land and that too with considerable amount of restrictions. The government is particularly strict in this regard post-2006 coup.

The freehold land might not be available for direct purchase by a foreign national, but you certainly can lease the property on a 30-years lease period. The foreign purchasers of condominiums may buy the freehold so long as total foreign ownership does not exceed 49% of the whole structure.

Investment in Thailands real estate should never be completed without soliciting the help of local expert adept in property transactions. This is because the Thai real estate industry is largely unregulated and you'll hardly find any regulations governing real estate transaction in the country. While a lawyer is not a necessity in completing the contract, if the documents are in Thai, it's better to hire either a good translator or a real estate expert.

The best property to invest in Thailand is the holiday resorts and other vacation property at prime tourist centres. A beautiful Thai villa can be yours for just £121K at ChiangMai, while a resort property is available for upwards of £50K. Condominiums in Pattaya are available at £30K onwards, while villas for sale in Phuket are heavily priced at a minimum of £480K.

These properties will ensure you get a commanding rental income throughout the year, and you can also enjoy an annual stay for a couple of weeks (or more!) in these accommodation sites.

It's better to research the country for an appropriate and legally acquirable property because tourism potential notwithstanding, there can be lots of crooks and goons on the prowl waiting for the gullible foreign investors. Make adequate inquiries and research about the individuals and property you are dealing with. The lax political and administrative will has resulted into several criminal elements making Thailand their den. However, if you approach the real estate transaction with due diligence, chances are you'd be able to strike a good and legitimate deal.

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Yoga in Thailand

2008-10-30T08:51:00.000-07:00

Yoga in Thailand
By : Edward Jones

For many years I have had an aching back and neck, I tried various therapies but no avail the problem continued. I started to try Yoga and after a few years slowly my pain dissolved, I tried for 1 hour a week which seemed sufficient for a while until I went to live in Thailand I noticed that the island I had moved on had so much Yoga going on and the people that I were meeting were quite dedicated to yoga, some of them practicing every day, Truthfully I thought it to be a little extreme.. Anyway I was influenced to step up my once a week practice to 2 or 3 times per week and after 1 month of practicing 3 times per week I felt considerably more energy flowing through my body and I found that I could actually sit up straight for longer than 5 minutes without having pain in my lower back.

Additional to Yoga a big help was stepping up to a more healthy diet, again I was surrounded by health freaks in the town which made it easy for me to adjust which made a change from being around pot smokers all the time.

I went for an iridology exam and also a blood reading and both came out with similar results, they were saying that I have been eating the wrong foods for my blood type, which is A+, so0 I started adjusting my diet to the foods and drinks that resonate with my blood type and now I can say that I generally have more energy and awareness. It is amazing how a few adjustments can make a difference, but you will actually find yourself craving the very things that are not good for you, so when people advise you to eat what you like and transmute it I don’t believe that’s beneficial, when you do this you are succumbing to your cravings.

The most amazing practice I have come across is Sun Yoga, which was taught to us in a workshop in Thailand by an amazing Yogi named Uma Sankar, you can check his site at www.sunyoga.info

He practices meditation by staring into the sun each day and claims that this fully nourishes oneself, he has not eaten or drank anything since 10 years, neither does he need sleep! When I have the chance I spend 30 minutes before sunset or after sunrise which is actually more beneficial as it is the fresh rising prana that you ingest.

Moving on from there another amazing practice is living on prana only, not even needing the sun, this practice was taught to us in Thailand to many of the Yoga students here by a lovely woman named Jasmuheen.
This involves slowly adjusting your diet to a raw food diet, then liquids only eventually moving onto prana. There are various meditations that are needed to re program the mind/body so that it does not have the need for food or drink anymore, such as visualizi8ng the kidneys being hydrated etc..

Yoga can be used for physical fitness or it can be used as a spiritual practice which aim is to unify all levels of being and connect with the divine.

Give it a try! And who knows you may move on to Sun Yoga or you may be inclined to live on prana and save the washing up!

My name is Edward Jones, I have been studying Yoga and Meditation for more than 7 years whilst traveling around the world being inspired by amazing teachers..

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Songkhran In Thailand

2008-10-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

Songkhran In Thailand
By : Pauline Go

Due to the influence of the western culture, almost all nations celebrate January 1 as New Year’s day, but each country has its own day of welcoming its New Year. Songkhran is a traditional New Year celebrated by the people of Thailand. Songkhran is celebrated from April 13 to 15 each year. People celebrate this day as a day of fun by throwing water on each other.

Songkhran is a festival of three days and celebrated on April 13, 14 and 15 . However, the Thai consider 15th as the most auspicious day and they celebrate it as New Year. The festival commences on April 13 with fireworks. People believe that burning firecrackers will help them drive away evil forces. They give utmost importance to cleaning on this particular day. They clean their houses, clothes, and all their belongings. People also take care of their personal appearances by having a head bath.

April 14 is considered as a day between old year and New Year, as this day does not belong to any year they consider it as an odd day. On this day people will not perform any sort rituals. They also advise their children not to quarrel with others.

On the 15th, people visit temples early in the morning. Later, they offer food to Buddhists monks. On this day all family members try to be together. The younger members of the family visit homes of elders to seek their blessings. The younger members also ask for forgiveness for the mistakes they have done. The elders forgive them by giving them their blessings and offer words of guidance. After this, people enjoy themselves by throwing water on each other. They also mix some color in the water and splash it on each other.

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Top 10 Travel Tips - These Are Travel Lover's Top 10 Travel Tips To Ensure a Great Vacation

2008-10-25T08:44:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Travel Tips - These Are Travel Lover's Top 10 Travel Tips To Ensure a Great Vacation
By : Joe Collinsworth

Traveling is such an enjoyable experience that we wish we could do it all the time. Unfortunately most of us only get a couple weeks a year (if we’re lucky) to take our vacations.

In order to ensure that those trips are the very best and everything we expect (unlike the many travel movies where there are nightmares around every corner), we want to provide our top 10 travel tips so your vacations are very memorable – in a good way of course.

Discount Florida Vacations Top 10 Travel Tips (these are in no particular order):

1. Plan early and book when a good deal fits your budget or smells right. There are more and more travel companies popping up everyday. Why? Because as the baby boomer generation gets older and once they boot their children out of the house, they are traveling more and more. Good deals are easy to find and there are many reputable companies that offer great rates and fares.

2. Know about your destination and the best times to travel. Remember when Chevy Chase takes the whole family cross country only to find out their favorite fun park is closed? Don’t let that happen to you. Know what is going on and when the best times to travel are. For example, most people know that March and April tend to be spring break times. Well, if you take your little ones to Panama City Florida during these months, chances are you are going to run into wild, college kids. Bummer for your children and you.

3. Take care of things at home. Making sure the family pet or the house is taken care of is important. You don’t want to come home to a disaster after you’ve had a wonderful vacation.

4. Budget wisely. Even if you don’t have a budget it is smart to take care of your money. Make sure that if the worst happened you still have funds to fall back on. If you are on a budget be smart and enjoy doing things on vacation that aren’t going to have you taking out a 2nd mortgage just to pay for everything.

5. Don’t forget your important documents. There is nothing more frustrating than forgetting something when you are hundreds or thousands of miles from home.

6. Plan things to do ahead of time. Again, get to know your area of choice to determine how
close you are to various activities and restaurants. There is nothing like landing a great deal on a hotel only to find out it is miles from anything or in a location that is not suitable for a great vacation. For example, a hotel that is so far away from the beach you need to catch a plane just to get there. Also, you want to make sure that everyone traveling with you will have fun! Again, in Vegas Vacation when the kids are too young to gamble, they have to come up with creative ways to have a good time (hence Nick Popagorgio).

7. Sign up for online newsletters and keep your ear to the ground about your destination of choice.

8. Read the fine print. This can really bite you in the behind on certain things like rentals and such.

9. Utilize a checklist and make sure everything is in order before and during the trip. From booking to packing to check in to relaxation, don’t forget anything.

10. Have fun and enjoy yourself. No matter what type of vacation you are going on, the goal is to not want to come back.

Those are our top 10 travel tips and we live by them each time we take a vacation. Hope you will too because we know your trip will be much more pleasurable.

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Budget Travel - 4 Bits of Travel Advice to Enjoy Budget Travel

2008-10-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

Budget Travel - 4 Bits of Travel Advice to Enjoy Budget Travel
By : Steve Schulman

Budget travel is an extraordinary way to see the world.

Chances are you'll mostly be on foot. So you'll see more of the place you're visiting than you would if you were taking a tour bus or a taxi. There's a good chance you'll also meet more people and get more in touch with the local culture.

You'll come away with real experiences rather than glimpses of a different way of life.

If this sounds like a fun way to enjoy discount vacations then budget travel could be the way to go for you.

There are a handful of things you can learn that will make traveling on a budget a lot easier for you.

Timing

If this is a last minute trip and it's the holidays, there's a really good chance that just about every flight and hotel room is full. However, there are always ways around this.

On certain days around the holidays the flights will be emptier.

If you can travel on these days you'll have a better chance of getting a seat on a plane. These days are:

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

New Years Eve

New Years Day

In general, though, it is best to travel off season.

Search the internet to find out when peak season is at your destination. Don't go then.

There are a lot of benefits for taking this route.

There won't be crowds.

Everything will be emptier.

Things will be cheaper.

You'll have a better opportunity of enjoying the scenery.

Make sure to pick an airline that offers daily flights rather than weekly ones.

These companies have much better rates.

Getting Through Bus and Train Journeys

If you're on a tighter budget you'll be taking a bus or a train instead of a plane because it's often much cheaper. This is the thing with budget travel. The downside is that traveling on a bus or a train can be uncomfortable. If you're in an underdeveloped country the roads are often gouged with potholes so it will be a bumpy ride at best.

The big plus is you'll see and experience things that most people who read glossy travel magazines miss. You'll enjoy the scenery in a way that would be impossible if you were on a plane.

If you're doing buses and trains, a great piece of travel advice is to bring earplugs or headphones. Anything to cut out the noise so you'll be able to get some sleep. Or if you just want to take a break from the noise of the vehicle for awhile.

It's really important to get a good seat.

If you're traveling by bus and can choose in advance, get one in the front. You'll have more leg room and the bumps in the road won't feel as bad as they do sitting in the back.

Here's a thought.

Budget travel sometimes means traveling at night. That could be a good thing because it will be quieter. And since these are discount vacations to begin with, you can also save on one night's accommodations.

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(c) Copyright - Steve Schulman. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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Travel For Free, Get Paid To Travel And Even Get Paid When Others Travel

2008-10-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

Travel For Free, Get Paid To Travel And Even Get Paid When Others Travel
By : Bill Young

Fall and Winter vacation time is coming fast! Did you know that you can travel for free and even get paid to have fun in the sun?

This is a unique opportunity! The travel industry is exploding as Baby Boomers retire in droves and head to the cruise ships, Caribbean resorts and European Spas in record numbers.

Learn how to put groups of friends, family, club members, etc together to travel to exotic places around the world, getting your tickets free while earning commission on your friend's tickets! You can even have your own private labeled travel website that will pay you handsomely every time someone books their travel on it, even if you are asleep, at home with the kids or even on vacation.

Read on to learn how you can cash in on this bonanza for very little money.We said you could even travel for free. How can that be? You can be invited by the owners of Luxurious Resorts, Spas, Cruise Ships around the world to stay at their facilities as their free guests!

These are called FAM(iliarization) trips. Owners are counting on travel professionals to brag about their luxurious vacations at fabulous resorts to your friends and family when they get back home. Word of mouth advertising, the best. A couple of examples: In November, 2006, one of my friends spent a week in Jamaica, Free! She stayed at top, beach front hotels as a guest of the Jamaica Tourist Board, with everything included, meals, transfers, excursions, etc. Special airfare price of $199 RT New York!Or, how about a 3 night stay in the Virgin Islands, courtesy of the USVI Tourist Board in September?

There is a cooking tour of Tuscany, Italy, coming up in September. 5 nights, all inclusive in a 600 year old farmhouse on 1,000 acre vineyard, all inclusive, including cooking lessons and wine tasting, $599!On April 18th, 2007, you could have boarded the QM2 in NY, for a 7 day, luxurious Transatlantic trip from New York to Merry Olde England for only $499!How would you like to be upgraded to 1st Class for free when you fly, business or pleasure?. Staying at a hotel? How about a suite for the price of a regular room? Or how about renting a Jeep and getting a Hummer for the same price?This is not some fantasy, these perks and more are offered every day to owners of travel agencies.

Now, you can be the CEO of one or an entire Network of Expedia-like, Internet Travel Agencies that will stream massive, passive income into your bank account 24/7 while you sleep. Earn $500 per month, or $500 per day, it is up to you!

American Express sells Internet Travel franchises for $10,000 each with a liquid reserve of $100,000 required.. Magic Johnson sells them for $5,000 each. One company, YTB Travel, can get you started in your own home based, Internet Travel Agency right now for less than $500. They are the fastest growing of the new breed of Internet Travel Agencies and are actively recruiting new, home based agents as well as looking for marketing people to sell them.

Good Luck!

Copyright 2007 Bill Young. Bill is a Personal Financial Consultant and owner of a travel business consisting of 10’s of networked travel websites, which generate a growing passive income each month. He maintains a site where you can check out those FAM trips he mentioned in his article: http://301url.com/clx He can also show you how to get money to start and promote your home based business every month from the government , once you start your new business through the generous tax breaks available to every home based business. Sign up for Bill's free course, How to Solve Your Money Problems at http://HowtoSolveYourMoneyProblems.Com or Call Bill directly for a free consultation: 877-291-3642

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Biking Travel Guides, Biking Travel Tips, Adventure Travel Guidesin Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia

2008-10-18T08:40:00.000-07:00

Biking Travel Guides, Biking Travel Tips, Adventure Travel Guidesin Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
By : Bobby Nguyen

Did it begin with the Buffalo Soldiers, a turn-of-the-century infantry who customized bicycles to carry gear over rough terrain? It was August 1896, the riders, black enlisted men and a white lieutenant, rode from Missoula, Montana, to Yellowstone and back, an arduous 800 miles. Their mission: to test the bicycle for military use in mountainous terrain.

Or was it the Velo Cross Club Parisian (VCCP) of France? Comprised of about 20 young bicyclists from the outskirts of Paris, who between 1951 and 1956, they developed a sport that was remarkably akin to present-day mountain biking. These riders juiced up their French 650-B bikes with an extraordinary degree of technical sophistication.

Maybe it was John Finley Scott who was probably the first mountain bike enthusiast in the United States. In 1953 he built what he called a “Woodsie Bike”, using a Schwinn World diamond frame, balloon tires, flat handlebars, derailleur gears, and cantilever brakes. John was more than twenty years ahead of his time, and while he remained an off-road cycling enthusiast, at the time there were not many others who shared his passion.

We believed that the inception of mountain biking needed to be a continuous series of events that connected with one another as opposed to an isolated incident. Another example, in the early 1970s there were a band of cyclists - The Cupertino Riders, AKA - the Morrow Dirt Club, from Cupertino California, 75 miles south of Marin, who were modifying their bikes. They were grafting thumb-shift-operated derailleurs and motorcycle lever-operated drum brakes to their klunkers to help them get up and down the south bay hills. They competed against some future hall-of-famers at a Marin County Cylcecross race in late 1974, where their technology was noticed. Then they disappeared.

We believe that the continuous history of the mountain bike is most evident in Northern California. There are a few areas that will claim to be the first mountain bike community, but every history book will lead you to Marin County. The origins of mountain biking were totally innocent. It came into being not as some faddist vision of profit-oriented marketing types, but rather as the product of true cycling enthusiasts trying to find something new to do on two wheels. These cyclists found through fun and competition that the old one-speed klunkers they were using could be improved with modern cycling technology. One thing led to another and mountain biking - “the sport” - was born. http://www.activetravelvietnam.com/adventures/biking/biking_tips.html

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Summer Vacation Travel – Travel Right and Travel Cheap

2008-10-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

Summer Vacation Travel – Travel Right and Travel Cheap
By : Alex Sys

Summer is almost upon us and more people are starting to plan their vacation. The trick here is how to get most enjoyable time and yet do it on a budget. Truth is it is quite possible to find summer vacations travel bargains if looking in right places and knowing what to ask for. Second most important part is actually deciding where you want to go. Getting a low priced vacation package or travel arrangements means nothing if you don’t enjoy yourself.

One of the most common things most of us do when start planning vacations – call a travel agent. Perhaps if you have money to pay for convenience it will be a good way to go but did you know that you can save anywhere between 15 to 25% by simply doing same thing online? Online travel booking becomes more and more intensive and in fact more people use it year after year. Smart shoppers know that by doing a simple research you can easily find exact same quality for a lot lower price! Let have a look at some of the reasons it might be a valuable option for you to book your next summer vacations.

Lower cost is a major factor due to lower expenses for Internet distribution model. After 9/11 travel industry took a big hit and finding a different, lower cost distribution channels became critical. After all for an airline or hotel it is a lot better to sell a ticket or book a room at lower price is lot better then not sell at all. Same model that used by WalMart is utilized – sell low but higher quantity and distribute inexpensively and efficiently. Internet is the place to it and should be a place for you to start looking. As more business participates in this distribution model you get an options to shop and compare and choose what fits your interests the most.

But no price can be justified unless you get out of your vacations exactly what you were looking for – relaxation and fun. There are as many ways to have fun as there are people and each one chooses what fits his personality the most.

Travel to an exotic place is one of the most popular and Caribbean travels one of the most popular in this respect. When it comes to vacation destinations that are all about having fun in the sun, nothing beats the Caribbean. Situated just to the south and east of Mexico and north and west of Venezuela, South America where the waters are clear and the sun is hot, a Caribbean travel vacation has something for everyone - whether you are one for water sports, hiking, swimming, diving, and just plain frolicking in its white sand beaches. Ah, but what if I told you that there’s a much better way to spend a vacation? What if I told you that you could go on a Caribbean travel vacation without having to spend a lot of your hard-earned money? And yet it a simple matter of knowing where and when. Details would be too numerous to provide in this short format but if you have an interest visit my site to learn more.

Disneyland vacations are another popular destination and for a good reason. There is always something to see or do at Disneyland, but Disneyland adds to this with nightly entertainment during the peak season, and weekend entertainment during the off-season. There is also special entertainment during special occasions, such as the Fourth of July and Christmas. Fantasmic is held twice each night during the peak season, and on weekends during the off-season. The show takes place on Tom Sawyer’s Island, and features many characters, music, and fireworks. For the best seating possible, purchase tickets for Fantasmic in advance, but note that free seating is also available, and is included in your Disneyland park admission price. Option are quite extensive as Disney specializes on providing a endless entertainment for your whole family.

Whatever option you choose, however you decide to spend your next vacations – doing research is crucial to your budget and nothing beats Internet in providing information. Right destination, good price, and insider knowledge on most popular vacation spots are a must to have the time of your life and still stay within budget. After all your next vacation planning shouldn’t involve a second mortgage on your house!

Alex publishes a [http://travel.free-secrets.org]Travel Bargains site where you can find all you need to plan your vacation.

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Discount Travel Tips - Travel Like a V.I.P. Without Having to Pay for Your Travel Agent's Lexus

2008-10-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

Discount Travel Tips - Travel Like a V.I.P. Without Having to Pay for Your Travel Agent's Lexus
By : Jorge M Vega

Among the most unforgettable activities an entire family can enjoy together, with the added benefit of creating stronger bonds, is to go on a family vacation. Most families find that they have to put off this kind of adventure until they can save or find the money to pay for it. One way to get around this restriction is to research discount travel options; and, believe me, these are plentiful once you know what you are doing.

Here are two easy ways for a family on a budget to be sure they can always enjoy a yearly vacation together. First, scour the internet, or talk to their neighborhood travel agent to whom you've conveyed your requirements, to find the available discount travel deals which are being offered at prices that are significantly less than retail. The second option is, set up a vacation budget into which you save enough money for your family vacation throughout the year.

Nowadays, with the advent of the internet, it is easier than you can imagine to find those great deals for memorable family travel. In the last few years, with the help of the internet, families can now choose destinations, compare prices easily using the many travel services' search engines, and realize savings of hundreds, even thousands of dollars on their travel expenses. For any one looking for memorable, discounted travel opportunities, the internet is the place to look, period.

As discussed above, setting up a voluntary travel budget is highly recommended, particularly if you're interested in discount travel deals. By budgeting, you can effectively plan, organize and, with assurance and predictability, control your bottom line, making it easier to save up for the things which are most important to you and your family. You can, for example, set up a travel budget designed specifically for making your annual family vacation a reality. Depending on your finances, you can set aside as little as $20 a week, or whatever other amount you are comfortable with, in order to have enough money at the end of the year to cover all the expenses for your family vacation

Creating a travel budget, in the manner described, is essential if you want to always have enough money available for that, all important, family vacation. By sticking to your budget, you develop the kind of discipline that can allow you to save for any of the things you and your family would like to do most, including, but not limited to, your family vacations.

Would you like to know how to get Huge discounts on hotels, any time? How about, what days of the week have the cheapest prices on flights? A fantastic new discount travel solution for budget conscious travellers can give you this information, and more. Visit http://www.earnlarge.com/discounttravel

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Astral Travel and Ticketless Travel - Do You Need Travel Insurance?

2008-10-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

Astral Travel and Ticketless Travel - Do You Need Travel Insurance?
By : Jean Andrews

It won't be long before we can travel closer to the stars, thanks to Sir Richard Branson and his Virgin Galactic spaceships. However, astral travel or astral projection is a different matter entirely. You don't have to pony up the £100,000 or so astronomical price for a space flight with Virgin Galactic if you merely want to do a bit of astral travelling. Some people believe we are all capable of astral travel - leaving our bodies during sleep or meditation. Now there's a great idea - sign me up! I've tried to do it but so far haven't managed to wake up on a beach in Hawaii as was planned. Oh well. Wouldn't it be nice if we never again had to deal with airport parking, lost luggage, or security chaos and hassle! No packing to worry about - you could leave your luggage (emotional or otherwise) at home. Just have a nice mug of cocoa, go to bed, and wake up in your dream destination!

If you haven't been able to master the art of astral travel, out of body experiences, lucid dreaming, or time travel - then virtual travel may be the next best thing. Just log onto your computer and, like Captain Kirk on the USS Enterprise, fill in your own captain's log as you go. You can visit the exotic and interesting places you've always wanted to see - and for a fraction of the price. You could be at the Taj Mahal one minute and the Coliseum in Rome the next - and all without leaving your armchair and comfort of your own home.

Ticketless travel is becoming the new way to do things, as computers take over from the old labour-intensive paper ticketing - but you're still stuck with all the downsides of travel. With virtual travel, you don't have to worry about minor annoyances like getting your seat assignment or boarding pass, getting stuck in the screaming-baby section, or queuing for the only toilet that isn't bunged up.

Scientists may one day succeed with the perfect recipe that will enable us to teletransport - scramble our bodies and reassemble them in another location - just like the crew of the Enterprise. It could be useful for many reasons - just think about the possibilities...! Harry Potter had an Invisibility Cloak, which would be great for those times when you commit a social faux pas and wish the earth would open and swallow you up - or maybe when the taxman or auditor comes a callin'. Scientists are working on invisibility cloak technology - which could come in handy for politicians who feel compelled to make public apologies for their indiscretions - or the annoying ones who constantly dodge the tricky questions.

Some surgical patients have claimed to remember leaving their bodies whilst under anaesthesia during operations. Unfortunately, none of them have got any further than the ceiling or corner of the room - where they witness the gory goings-on involving their body. If only we could whistle for a celestial taxi from that corner in the ceiling and go off to an exotic beach. We could leave our swollen and bruised bodies to the painful recovery process in the care of professionals and return when all is well and functioning again. Sort of like taking the car in for a service and using a courtesy car to go off for lunch and a spot of shopping with a friend. Well, who knows what might be possible in the future. We didn't know electricity existed before someone discovered it - and it had been there all the time!

Not so long ago no one would have believed it possible for ordinary people (albeit those with plenty of cash) to climb aboard a rocket ship and blast themselves into zero gravity. Technology has raced ahead in the last few decades at breathtaking speed. Those lucky enough to be able to afford a trip with Virgin Galactic will have a taste of an 'out of body experience' of a kind - at least a few minutes of weightlessness - when they can forget that they are still trapped in their bodies.

We have a virtual world readily available at our fingertips these days with computer technology. Just a few taps on the keyboard and we can travel with Google Earth or observe the heavens with Google Sky. We can be virtual tourists on a virtual earth, have a virtual relationship, or stay at home in a virtual garden with our virtual pet!

Coming back to reality, if you have to make do with your annual earthly holiday in Spain and get there and back on the budget airlines then, hey, we shouldn't take for granted how easy air travel has become. Until we learn how to master astral travel - or Dr. Who-style time travel becomes a reality - we are stuck with the reality and annoyances of modern-day air travel. Maybe in our future we will need travel insurance to cover time warps. In the meantime, if getting to our dream destinations means crowded airports, delays and long queues - at least we have travel insurance to cover most mortal mishaps!

Jean Andrews is a freelance writer living in the UK. She regularly contributes articles for TIA Ltd who offer [http://www.travel-insurance.net]travel insurance that is out of this world at great prices online.

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Thailand Beaches - How to Discovering Hidden Beaches in Thailand

2008-10-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

Thailand Beaches - How to Discovering Hidden Beaches in Thailand
By : Brian Lawson

There are a million reasons to visit Thailand, such as the tropical rainforest's of the north, the Bridge over the River Kwai to the west in Kanchanaburi or the soft white sand of the beaches to the south to name a few. Many travelers who head south are searching for a perfect paradise, a place with deserted beaches fringed by green palm trees and soft white sand to bury their toes into. The reality however is they will end up on a beach just as packed with tourists as their flight was there.

In southern Thailand you can find many beaches. Some will be packed with tourists, jet skies and banana boat rides while others will be hidden paradise. Now if you want the jet skies and banana boats then things are easy but if you seek out that little corner of paradise then you need to do a little more work. Holiday planning should be the most essential part of any holiday and it should entail more than a visit to your local travel agent to pick up some brochures.

Here I have listed outlined 7 points that I belief help in finding those hidden beaches in Thailand.

7 Points To Great Holiday Research Decided on what type of holiday you want, beach, city or forest break. If you want a combination of these then do the following 6 steps for each destination.

Note down 5 phrases or words that come to mind when you think about your chosen destination.

Put these phrases into Google or any other search engine you may use and have a look at the first page results, then ignore them.

Move to page 2 and 3 and working your way down ignore hotel booking services and visit the web sites that seem like information pages and have some relevance to your searched term or phrase.

Look for locations on these web pages that maybe you have never heard about or read about and take a note of the name.

Search for this unknown location and take note of the number of pages with the term.

The location with the least number of pages should now be your focus for your next holiday destination.The Steps In Action:

Just in case you are not aware, I'm in love with Thailand beaches. When i think about them I get images of white sand, palm trees, blue waters, cool breeze and deserted beaches. I put these terms into my chosen search engine, Google for me, and here is what i find .

White sand Thailand returns 2.35 million results moving on to page 2 I ignore hotel booking service sites and see about half way down the page Amazing-Thailand.com - Tropicals Islands in Thailand a quick scan produces two possible locations, Koh Larn and Koh Turatao. The later returns 1,380 results and Koh Larn shows 55,400 pages. I now have my first holiday research place, Koh Turatao.

A word of warning about finding deserted beaches. These areas will often be far from any commercial outlets, medical centers or English speaking locals. This can be paradise when things go good but if the unthinkable happens and you take ill or get injured finding help can be a difficult task, just remember this before you head off into the unknown.

Finally, I would like to ask that in your research you do come across that perfect paradise then please keep it to yourself. There has been many paradise locations spoiled after someone has found it then wrote a post on some travel forums about their experience. Let others find hidden treasures, it really can make for the best possible holiday ever.

Brian is the author of [http://www.thailandscubatours.co.uk]Thailand Scuba Tours blog and provides information about how and when to [http://www.thailandscubatours.co.uk/category/thailand-locations]travel Thailand With some information of traveling with children and scuba diving in Thailand there should be something for everyone.

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Travel Thailand: A Farang Fashion Faux Pas

2008-10-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

Travel Thailand: A Farang Fashion Faux Pas
By : Jane Arnold

I arrived in Bankok in April, knowing it would be hot, but was knocked out by the average 106° weather. After a chaotic trip to my guesthouse, through the most amazing traffic, I collapsed on the bed in nothing but my birthday suit. Prior to arriving in Thailand, I had researched what to pack. I wanted to bring comfortable clothing, but also pieces that would be appropriate for the various wats or temples I planned to visit.

To Thais, being sabai jai means having a contented heart, referring to a calm disposition. Foreigners or farang are thought to behave in a contradictory manner, being easily frustrated and exhibiting a quick temper or jai rawn.
I promised myself that I would blend in to my new surroundings and maintain an inward tranquility so prized in the Land of Smiles.

On my second day in Bankok I was headed to the former Thai capital Ayutthaya and the Royal summer palace, Bang Pa-In. Forgetting all of my carefully selected couture, I threw on the coolest pieces I had. Dressed in a sleeveless tank and black cotton skirt that hit above my knee, off I went. That was the end of my inner and outer tranquility.

As soon as I stepped on the bus, I became acutely aware that I had forgotten the dress code, but it was too late. My seatmate was an impeccably dressed British woman who looked appalled by my very presence. She avoided conversation and eye contact with me, and we rode to Ayutthaya in silence.

Unable to fully enjoy the Buddha statues and architecture that spanned centuries, I was consumed by the thought that I was offending past and present Thais. I was especially distracted when all my bare bits were in the company of monks. Overheated, sweaty and blotchy red, we headed to our next stop, Bang Pa-In the colonial-style summer digs for the Royal Family. We were told that clothing would be provided to cover knees and shoulders if we weren’t dressed appropriately. I should have taken the offer. Instead I looked in my bag and grabbed a black sundress that I had stashed at the last minute. A frilly flamenco looking number, I looked ready for the stage than a stroll through a revered Thai attraction.

I was pleased with my find, and our Thai guide, always polite, said I looked fine. Off I went, and perhaps overly confident due to my modest attire, instead of opting for the covered golf carts, I joined the rest of the walking tour. I now understood how asphalt feels in the blistering sun. Trying to stay conscious, every so often I would sneak into a stream of water coming out of the sprinklers to keep the expertly manicure lawn looking green. How I envied that lawn.

Eventually I had to retreat from the walking tour and seek some shade. I looked up and saw two chic young Thai women in jeans and cardigans under a lovely umbrella. They were pointing and giggling. I must have looked a site, a large overheated, beet red woman in a formal black dress. I found out later that like Western culture, black is worn for funerals and can be considered bad luck. It was certainly bad luck for me.

I had become the traveler I vowed not to be, but now I knew better. The next day, wearing modest attire, I smugly hopped off the water taxi and headed for the gates of the Grand Palace complex. Unexpectedly, the clothing police directed me to a long line up of farang waiting to enter a small white building. On my turn a woman handed me a pair of socks. I put on the socks, slipped my sandals on and away I went. I walked toward the inner entrance of the Grand Palace but guards stopped me again, pointed at my feet, and gestured back the way I came. I wheeled around and was starting to get impatient, hot and frustrated. My jai rawn was showing up already, my second day in Thailand! As I trundled back in the hot sun, I watched smiling, perfectly poised Thai women dressed head to toe in warm looking clothing. I was so envious of their composure!

Back at the trailer, the attendants looked apologetic and handed me a pair of sport sandals. By the time I made it back to the entrance, I was sweating in the socks, long pants and modest shirt. After a few minutes I was again starting to overheat. I clicked a few photos and rushed towards the wrong exit. At first I thought I wouldn’t be let out, but when I kept exclaiming “mai sabai” the guards knew I wasn’t well and quickly let me pass. Embarrassed, I revived myself with ice cream and water.

Eventually, I began to adapt. Once I simply stopped to watch how Thais dealt with the heat, instead of trying to recall what I had read, I caught on to loose cotton clothing, and was much more savvy about sun exposure. In Thailand, the state of tranquility or sabai jai transcends physical appearances. It is intertwined with religion and philosophy, and to think I could attain something so intangible overnight was ridiculous. I needed to release the hold on what I thought I knew, in order to find my contented heart.

10 Ways to Beat the Heat in Thailand:

It’s hot in Thailand all year round, but if you’re affected by extreme heat here are some things to consider when visiting the Land of Smiles:

1. Although Songkran or Thai New Year is fun to experience, you may want to avoid Thailand in April. It’s the warmest time of year, with little escape from the blistering sun. I had to miss certain attractions in Bangkok because I simply couldn’t function in the extreme heat.

2. Keep hydrated. Buy lots of bottled water and be diligent about replenishing every hour.

3. Bring hydration packets with you. I met a woman from California who gave me this tip for my next trip to Thailand. You can pick up these packets at sports stores or drugstores and are usually used by athletes.

4. Make sure to bring loose, light colored clothing made from natural fibers like linen or cotton. Sport sandals are a must if you plan on visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok, as well as a few modest pieces to cover shoulders and knees.

5. As soon as you arrive, buy an umbrella to keep the sun off. They’re cheap and work well to keep you shaded. They look pretty too!

6. Stay near or on the water. The Chao Praya River in Bangkok, or escape to an island. It’s much cooler.

7. Avoid too much sun and wear sun block. If you do get a sunburn, try a first aid vitamin E ointment. It worked wonders on my burned shoulders.

8. Wear a hat if you don’t plan on using an umbrella.

9. Get up with the monks and do most of your sightseeing early in the morning.

10. Enjoy the spicy and delicious Thai food! The spice tends to make to salivate and perspire which cools you off and quenches your thirst.

Jane Arnold is a freelance writer and travel buff. She has spent time in Europe and North America, and most recently traveled to South East Asia. You can read more of her travel stories at http://www.girlyside.com/girlyside.html
The website is a girl's guide to health, beauty, love and leisure. Sign up for the free newsletter at http://www.girlyside.com/newsletter.html

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TEFL Certification In Thailand & Teaching English In Thailand With TEFL Jobs

2008-10-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

TEFL Certification In Thailand & Teaching English In Thailand With TEFL Jobs
By : Luke Fisher

There are a wide variety and number of TEFL courses in Thailand in locations to suit all tastes. Equally, teaching English in Thailand is well catered for due to the high number of TEFL jobs available. There is a high demand for English language knowledge and ability in this diverse and truly amazing country. Thailand is a central Asian country which enjoys a tropical climate with 3 seasons: hot and dry October through February, hot and humid with showers from March through May and wet and cool June to September. These seasons vary from the cooler north of Thailand to the hotter south. The average annual temperature is 28 C (83 F), ranging, in Bangkok, for example, from 30 C in April to 25 C in December.

The relaxed life style, friendly people and sense of tropical paradise, all make Thailand a very popular destination for teaching English. After completing a TEFL course in Thailand, TEFL jobs may appear to offer somewhat low salaries ranging from Bht 30,000 ($1000 USD) to Bht 60,000 ($2000 USD) per month, but the cost of living is relatively low. As a result, teaching English in Thailand provides the opportunity to live comfortably, save and travel.

One thing to remember is that as a teacher teaching English in Thailand, you will be going native and not paying 'Farang' (foreigner) prices for everything. Most people find that salaries are more than enough to support a very comfortable lifestyle, and that TEFL jobs teaching English in Thailand are a very positive life experience.

Thailand is a very popular location for teaching English and TEFL courses and it is important to remember to respect local concerns. Teachers teaching English in Thailand are respected members of society, and are expected to dress accordingly. It is, therefore, advisable that dress, when teaching or looking for TEFL jobs, includes either long trousers or a skirt below the knee, accompanied by long-sleeved shirt or blouse. Cut-off shorts and vests will neither win friends nor influence people. It does get very hot, so light-weight clothing is advisable. Simply show a little respect and this will be appreciated and reciprocated. As with many Asian countries the saving of face is extremely important, being rude or in-polite is seriously frowned upon.

The whole approach to TEFL courses in Thailand and teaching English in Thailand is dictated by your anticipated length of stay, and this will be reflected in your approach to visas. TEFL courses in Thailand can be completed on a tourist visa or a student visa. Teaching English in Thailand and TEFL jobs in Thailand in general require a Non-B visa which is renewable every twelve months. As well as this, teachers of English will need a teacher's license. Employers help provide both the visa and the license. In order to be eligible TEFL job applicants would have to of successfully completed a TEFL course in Thailand or prior to arrival in another location.

Major cities for TEFL jobs teaching English in Thailand include Bangkok, Chang Mai, Udon Thani, Phuket and Hat Yai. Bangkok offers great nightlife, but at the cost of pollution, congestion and higher living costs, although salaries tend to be higher here. Mountainous Chang Mai and Udon Thani in the North of Thailand are proving popular, especially for those seeking the real Thailand and the unique experience that comes with it. The island of Phuket is developing rapidly and is very popular for TEFL courses in Thailand and teaching English. With development comes a strong and varied TEFL job market in the public, private and tourism sectors. Phuket also retains a great sense of tropical paradise regardless of the development.

TEFL courses in Thailand are offered in Phuket, Ban Phe and Chiang Mai as well as several other locations. Searching on the net will provide a wide choice of TEFL course provider. Two things to consider are that the course provider is properly accredited and examined by the Thai Ministry of Education and that the provider has good TEFL job support services and that this element is included as part of the TEFL course.

For those seeking TEFL jobs teaching English in Thailand in advance of arrival, companies such as Anglo-Pacific Consultancy, Bell Associated Schools and EF English First, which has several centres in Thailand, are all worth checking out. It is perfectly possible to get jobs on the spot in most cities. It is simply a matter of checking out the local English language press, trying to make a few contacts, and making the rounds of the universities, schools and English language colleges. You will need a copy of your TEFL certificate, and increasingly in Thailand, a university degree is also a requisite.

As with any TEFL job teaching English in Thailand you should complete some research. You should enquire with your employer about class sizes, teaching materials, preparation time, time for staff meetings, and expected length of contract. In some cases you will be making up the whole curriculum for your students and in others working within a very rigid framework.

Most people find teaching English in Thailand a wonderful experience and teaching Thai people a great pleasure. A fortune is not there to be earned, but a great sense of worth and accomplishment is there to be realized. There are a wide variety of TEFL courses in Thailand to choose from leading to TEFL jobs and an opportunity live, work and travel in one of the world's most amazing countries.

TEFL International offers [http://www.teflcourse.net/tefl-courses-locations/thailand/]TEFL courses in Thailand in three locations: Phuket, Chiang Mai and Ban Phe. TEFL International provides [http://www.teflcourse.net/tefl-jobs/]TEFL jobs and [http://www.teflcourse.net/tefl-jobs/countryjob_list.php?country=Thailand]TEFL Jobs in Thailand opportunities. Teach, travel, live and work in Thailand.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luke_Fisher
http://EzineArticles.com/?TEFL-Certification-In-Thailand-and-Teaching-English-In-Thailand-With-TEFL-Jobs&id=1148110

Phuket - Web Guide to Travel to Phuket Thailand

2008-09-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

Phuket - Web Guide to Travel to Phuket Thailand
By : Chna Phoondee

Phuket is Thailand's largest island, and is approximately the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on Thailand's Indian Ocean coast-line 867 kilometers south of Bangkok.

Phuket is an island connected by bridges to southern Thailand's Andaman Sea coast, in the Indian Ocean, lying between 7' 45 " and 8' 15" north latitude, and from 98' 15" to 98' 40" west longitude on the map. Thailand's largest island, Phuket is surrounded by 32 smaller islands that form part of the same administration, with a total area of 570 square kilometers. Measured at its widest point, Phuket is 21.3 kilometers; at its longest, 48.7 kilometers. It is bounded thus:

About 70 percent of Phuket is mountainous; a western range runs from north to south from which smaller branches derive. The highest peak is Mai Tao Sip Song, or Twelve Canes, at 529 meters, which lies within the boundaries of Tambon Patong, Kathu District (no roads go there yet). The remaining 30 percent of the island, mainly in the center and south, is formed by low plains. Streams include the Klong Bang Yai, Klong Ta Jin, Klong Ta Rua, and Klong Bang Rohng, none of which is large.

History of Phuket

Phuket Island has a long recorded history, and remanins dating back to A.D.1025 indicate that the island's present day name derives in meaning from the Tamil manikram, or crystal mountain. For most of history, however, it was known as Junk Ceylon, which, with variations, is the name found on old maps. The name is thought to have its roots in Ptolemy's Geographia, written by the Alexadrian geographer in the Third Century A.D. He mentioned that in making a trip from Suwannapum to the Malay Peninsula it was necessary to pass the cape of Jang Si Lang.

Phuket was a way station on the route between India and China where seafarers stopped to shelter. The island appears to have been part of the Shivite empire (called in Thai the Tam Porn Ling) that established itself on the Malay Peninsula during the first Millenium A.D. Later, as Muang Takua-Talang, it was part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahm empires. Governed as the eleventh in a constellation of twelve cities, Phuket's emblem, by which it was known to others in those largely pre-literate times, was the dog.

During the Sukothai Period Phuket was associated with Takua Pah in what is now Phang-nga Province, another area with vast tin reserves. The Dutch established a trading post during the Ayuthaya Period in the 16th Cent. The island's northern and central regions then were governed by the Thais, and the southern and western parts were given over to the tin trade, a concession in the hands of foreigners.

After Ayuthaya was sacked by the Burmese in 1767 there was a short interregnum in Thailand, ended by King Taksin, who drove out the Burmese and re-unified the country. The Burmese, however, were anxious to return to the offensive. They outfitted a fleet to raid the southern provinces, and carry off the populations to slavery in Burma. This led to Phuket's most memorable historic event. A passing sea captain, Francis Light, sent word that the Burmese were en route to attack. Forces in Phuket were assembled led by the two heroines, Kunying Jan, wife of Phuket's recently deceased governor, and her sister Mook. After a month's siege the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defense.

In recognition King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific Thao Thep Kasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty, by which she is known today. Her sister became Thao Sri Suntorn.

During the Nineteenth Century Chinese immigrants arrived in such numbers to work the tin mines that the ethnic character of the island's interior became predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements remained populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen.

In Rama V's reign, Phuket became the administration center of a group of tin mining provinces called Monton Phuket, and in 1933 with the change in government from absolute monarchy to a parliamentary system, the island was established as a province by itself.

Boundaries

On the North Is the Pak Prah Strait, spanned by two bridges running side-by-side, the older Sarasin Bridge, and the newer Thao Thep Krasatri Bridge.
On the South Is the Andaman Sea.
On the East Is Ao Phang-nga Bay (In the Jurisdiction mainly of Phang-nga Province).
On the West Is the Andaman Sea.

Climate

Phuket's weather conditions are dominated by monsoon winds that blow year round. It is therefore always and humid. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season begins in May and lasts till October, during which the monsoon blows from the southwest. The dry season is from November through April, when the monsoon comes from the northeast. Highest average temperatures, at 33.4 degrees Celsius, prevail during March. Lowest averages occur in January, when nightly lows dip to 22 degrees Celsius.

Transportation

By Car

Take Route 4 from Bangkok south. Along the way pass the provinces of Nakorn Pathom, Ratchburi, Petchburi, Prajuab-Kirikan, and at Chumporn go right to Ranong, From Ranong, go south through Kraburi and Kah-Perr districts to Phang-nga Province. In Phang-nga the road passes through Kuraburi, Takua Pa, and Takua Tung districts before reaching the town of Kok Kloy, just beyond which is the Tao Thep Krasatri Bridge and Phuket. Distance is 867 kilometers.

Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses leave the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok daily. For details call the individual bus companies: Borisat Kohn Sohng Jumkat Phuket Transport Co, Ltd., in Bangkok tel. (02) 4351200, or in Phuket (076) 211480

By Air

Details about flights to and from Phuket International Airport can be obtained from Thai Airway, in Bangkok Tel. (02) 2800070,2800080, or in Phuket (076) 211195, 212499, 212946 or from travel agents around the world. There are also many regular and chartered flights from other airlines.

By Sea

The Deep Sea Port (Port of Phuket) at Phuket is visited by both cargo and cruise ship from Thailand and from abroad. Contact your travel agent for information about the may different ships that stop at Phuket.

More detail http://www.gosouththai.com/phuket/e-index.asp

Chan Phoondee

Web Director http://www.GoSouthThai.com

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Thailand Festivals - The Best Time Visit Thailand And Enjoy Their Famous Festivals

2008-09-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

Thailand Festivals - The Best Time Visit Thailand And Enjoy Their Famous Festivals
By : Aaron James

Thailand is abundant with festivals and quite honestly there is no time of year when you cannot find a festival to enjoy, however here are some of the more popular festivals around Thailand throughout the year.

Beginning the year, the month of January offers the Chiang Mai Winter Fair in Chiang Mai and the River of Kings Festival in Bangkok. The Chiang Mai winter fair offers booths, music, competitions, and even beauty pageants, while the River of Kings festival is a bit more formal with a theatrical production describing the history of Thailand.

February continues the year by offering the Chiang Mai Flower Festival complete with flower covered parade floats and the Bangkok China Town Festival which celebrates the Chinese New Year.

As the peak season begins to wind down, March brings about the Asean Barred Ground Dove Festival where dove owners from around the country gather in Khwan Muang Park, in Yala Province to display their doves and compete for prizes.

April celebrates the Thai New year with the Pattaya Festival, followed by the Songkran Festival which also takes place nationwide but is particularly colorful in Khao San Road, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai.

May is a particularly celebratory month with the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok which celebrates the beginning of the rice planning season and the Visakha Bucha, a religious celebration of Buddha celebrated nationwide and the Yasothon Rocket Festival which awards the most explosive rockets. It's an eye and ear opening festival sure to please both young and old alike.

July brings about the well known Candle Festival in Tung Sri Muang, Muang District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. Visitors will find tall, beautiful, candles displayed and presented to local temples.

August celebrates the nationwide Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

September is the world famous Phuket Vegetarian Festival (famous for the gory displays of people impaled by a variety of objects and not for the faint of heart) and the significantly less gory Phichit Boat Races along the Nan River.

October celebrates the Wax Castle Festival celebrated nationwide but is particularly spectacular in Sakon Nakhon, the Chon Buri Buffalo Races, and the Illuminated Boat Procession Festival along the Mekong River.

November begins the peak travel season by being another celebratory month with the Loy Krathong celebrated Nationwide, the Surin Elephant Roundup, the River Kwai bridge week in Kanchanaburi, and the Phimai Festival.

December ends the year with a nationwide celebration of the King’s birthday and the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.

Festivals in Thailand are planned on the lunar calendar. Check for the exact dates of each festival before you make your hotel reservations and travel plans.

The author is an Asia based frequent traveler and runs a number of travel and Thailand related websites including [http://www.reservethaihotels.com]Thailand Hotel Reservations, and [http://www.cheapflights2thailand.com]Cheap Flights to Thailand.

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Travel to Ayutthaya Kingdom, Thailand - Insider Tip To See The Most At The Least Cost

2008-09-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

Travel to Ayutthaya Kingdom, Thailand - Insider Tip To See The Most At The Least Cost
By : Koh YS

Exotic destinations are plentiful in Asia, and where you have a keen sense of history, and wish to observe a glimpse of the glorious and mystique eras of the past, nothing can be more exciting and informative than the notable ruins of the Ayutthaya kingdom of Thailand.

Thailand, the great land of smiles holds more than great food and sunshine, and perhaps this destination called Ayutthaya is the best kept secret about Thailand.

We are not talking about the beautiful beaches that normally describe Thailand, or the night spots of bawdy entertaintment that hogs the beach scene, not even the exotic meals where you can eat various insects and bugs including crickets, worms and roaches!

We are talking about the notable ruins of the Ayutthaya Kingdom of Thailand.

When I first heard of the Ayutthaya kingdom, this question just struck me: " Aren't these almost similar to the Angkor Wat of Kampuchea?"

Be prepared to be surprised!

Having visited the famous Angkor Wat, the Ayutthaya kingdom greatly surprises with its difference.

Set at the conjunction of the Lopburi, Pasak and Chao Phraya Rivers, the beautiful ancient city of Ayutthaya, was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong and was Thailand's capital for 417 years, of what was then known as Siam.

Over the next 417 years it was ruled by 33 kings of different dynasties and repelled 23 Burmese invasions, before the Burmese finally succeeded in razing it to the ground.

The most important place to visit is the BUDDHA HEAD at Wat Mahatat.

Just in case you do not know, against a backdrop of temples that stood the test of time and the ravages of the weather, the Buddha Head wat or temple has a most intriguing facet of nature intervowing with the partial statue of the Enlightened One - The Buddha.

Why is this place a must to visit?

Here you can see many headless buddha statutes and one particular shrine where a the famous Boddhis tree, with roots seeking to spread over a wall of slate, and mostly exposed yet firmly entrenched, as if telling us a story of peace and stability against a world of uncertainties, interwoving its roots to cover a statutue of the revered Buddha, seeking to leave uncovered the face of the Enlightened One.

What a spectacular sight!

The uncovered face of the Great Buddha radiates a feeling of tremendous peace and warmth, of tranquility and of purpose.

It is a sense of inner calmness that smoothens the unrest within the inner chambers of the heart, so that irregardless of your religion, you will instantly recognises the holiness of the moment, the reverence of the Buddha...and you will leave the place carrying the same sense of wonder and awe that will linger with you forever.

Now, as this is the best kept secret of visiting Thailand, how did I squeeze the most out of a tight budget in terms of money and time to see the most of the Ayutthaya Kingdom?

First, plan your tour. Get a map of the Ayutthaya kingdom and write down your destinations you would like to visit.

Secondly, the first priority is to visit Wat Mahatat - the Buddha Head. This will allow you more time to enjoy the sights and scenes of this great kingdom as you bask in the glorious ruins.

Thirdly,engage the services of your local cab driver. You can get a very decent package that you personally designed. Give him your destinations, and he will fix with you the entire package tour price.

And as a bonus, my local cab driver spoke only a smattering of English. So he took along his college-going daughter to provide the interpretation and who acted as an honorary guide. Be prepared to pay her entrance fee if you do get a guide, but then most sites do not require an interpreter to be along with you.

Now, if you ever think of visiting Thailand, just remember that apart from the beaches, the night live, the entertaintment scence, the good food and the shopping at Paragon Mall, there is a best kept secret, and that is the notable ruins of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. You must not miss this when you travel to Thailand.

YS Koh works hard and believes in making travel and sightseeing a priority in her quest to learn more of the world. With extensive experience in capturing special moments on her camera, she has established the website " Visit The Notable Ruins of The Ayutthaya Kingdom, Thailand" at [http://www.ayutthaya.best-travelogue.info/]http://www.ayutthaya.best-travelogue.info where you can see the Buddha Head, refer to maps and lesser known tourist information that will make your visit a truly memorable one.

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Travel to Krabi and Phi Phi Islands - Amazing Thailand Attractions

2008-09-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

Travel to Krabi and Phi Phi Islands - Amazing Thailand Attractions
By : Siripong T

Krabi is a province of Thailand located in the southern area and has fantastic beaches along the shore plus many wonderful islands. You just can't imagine how beautiful they are. Phi Phi Islands is one of the very famous spots in Krabi that travelers can't miss.

About the weather in Krabi province, there are only two seasons in this region, which is different from other parts of Thailand. The summer season lasts from January to April, and the rainy season lasts from May to December. The temperature is between 16.9 and 37.3 degree Celsius throughout the year.

You can get to Krabi by car or by plane. If you drive there from Bangkok, you go along the highway number 4 through many provinces. The overall distance is approximately 946 kilometers. If you go to Krabi from Phuket, you can use highway number 402 connected to highway number 4 through Pangnga province and Krabi province. The total distance is approximately 185 kilometers. Also, the public transportation companies provide air-conditioned buses for people everyday from Bangkok and Phuket. If you decide to go there by plane from Bangkok airport, it takes about 1 hour and a half to Krabi province.

Diving at Krabi Sea is a very exciting activity that you can't miss. Scuba diving is very popular there. Many diving service companies provide the travelers boat services from Phuket and Phi Phi Don Island. Some famous diving spots are around Phi Phi Islands and King Cruiser shipwreck. Around Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le Islands, there are many diving spots such as Nui beach, Maya beach, and sea caves. You may rent a small boat called Rue Hang Yao from Phi Phi Don Island to these spots. Bidah Islands and Ha Islands (Ha means five) are also popular diving spots.

Phi Phi Islands is one of the famous islands in Thailand located in Krabi province. The word "Phi Phi" comes from a tree named "Pi-a-pee." In 1983, the government of Thailand announced that Phi Phi Islands became a member of Nopparatthara - Phi Phi Islands national park. This park includes six islands which are Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Bidah Nok, Bidah Nai, Yung and Phai Islands. The distance between Krabi beach and Phi Phi Islands is approximately 42 kilometers.

Lanta Islands is one of the most amazing spots in Krabi. It is located in the far south of the province. In the past, villagers called this islands "Poo-Lao-Sa-Tak" which means the islands with long beaches. Some famous islands are Lanta Yai Islands, Ngai Island, Rok Nai Island and Rok Nok Island. There are a lot of resorts and hotels on the islands. You can go to Lanta Islands from Krabi beach or Phi Phi Islands.

Ao Nang is a place that has wonderful scenario with beautiful beaches such as Rai Le Beach, Tam Pra Nang Beach and Nam Mao Beach. These three beaches cannot be reached by car because they are surrounded by mountains. You can go there by boat from Ao Nang.

You can read more about Krabi at my web blog; http://travel-krabi.blogspot.com

The author owns a webblog about traveling in Thailand, listed below

Chiang Mai - http://travel-chiangmai-thailand.blogspot.com

Samui and Pa-ngan Islands - http://samui-pangan.blogspot.com

Please visit!

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Thailand Golf Packages and Thailand Hotels Reservation

2008-09-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

Thailand Golf Packages and Thailand Hotels Reservation
By : Andy Cheng

Thailand is a popular golf paradise and home to many world class designed golf courses. There are many reasons for golf lovers to golf in Thailand... such as the many challenging and exciting golf course, the reasonable playing fee, the excellent club-house, beautiful course lay-out and the cheerful atmosphere with the charming caddies. Thailand is the best golfing holiday destination in Asia and the Far East.

Popular golfing destinations within Thailand such as Bangkok, Cha-am, Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi, Khao Yai, Pattaya, Phuket and Rayong offers excellent golfing experience with more than 200 golf courses to choose from. There are more than 100 international standard golf courses throughout Thailand and it makes Thailand one of the best golfing destination in the world. Reasonably priced green fees as well as caddies' fee makes Thailand the most popular golfing destination in the Far East and Asia.

We specializes in planning and arranging the best golfing holidays Thailand, home to some of the world's best golf courses. Our customers come to us because they seek professional expertise and one-stop convenience for Thailand golf holidays. We offer value-for-money services as all our golfing holidays are specially packaged with you in mind. With us hosting your golfing holidays, your only worry is the next shot!

Golf vacations for golfers by golfers... http://www.cuegolf.com

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What You Need to Know About Thailand Travel

2008-09-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

What You Need to Know About Thailand Travel
By : Mansi Aggarwal

Thailand is one of those destinations, which is forever teeming with tourists. The country holds an exclusive position in the hearts of all vacationers for the place has much more to offer than anyone can expect. Thailand lies in the South East Asia region and can be taken to be the land of Buddha. Almost all the Buddha devotees desire to visit this country once in their lifetime. This is due to the fact that Thailand has some of the unique and exquisite Buddha temples where perfect tranquility prevails.

A Concise Review of a Seemingly Interminable Place

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is worth visiting spot. This sacred temple has Buddha statue that is 65 centimeter elevated and is entirely made of jasper quartz or jade. While the jade goes back to 15th century, the murals on the walls of the compound can be traced back to 18th century. The visitors can take a look at The Royal Thai Decorations and the Coin Pavilion. All in all the sanctity of the temple speaks through itself and the ambiance is enough to enchant the visitors.

Along with Temple of Emerald Buddha, several other grand Buddha temples can be seen once you move into the city of Bangkok. Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand has proved its worth across the globe. This metropolis has everything to offer to its visitors. From wonderful museums to thrilling nightlife, Bangkok has it all. The bustling city owns the largest South East Asian museum called The National Museum. National Museum has a gathering of various things like Thai art from old to contemporary, musical instruments, weapons, woodcarving, ceramics, clothing and sacred Buddha images.

Visitors that come to Bangkok never miss the opportunity to encounter Vinmanmek Teak Mansion that is supposed to be the largest teak building in the world. The Royal Elephant Museum and Dusuit Zoo are perfect places to have some learning with fun.
The Wat Pho temple near the temple of Emerald Buddha in Bangkok is perhaps the oldest and the largest of all Buddha temples there. The Wat Pho temple is known for its 46 meter long statue of reclining Buddha and the largest collection of Buddhas in the country. A refreshing massage therapy is done at this place that too attracts a lot of people.

Finally when it comes to shopping, Bangkok has it all. There are ample of markets here that will serve you with all the things of your necessity. The Chatuchak Market or The Weekend Market (that is open on Saturdays and sundaes only), the Pak Khlong market and markets in Chinatown and Phahurat district are particularly quite famous.

The Thonburi region resting on the west bank of river Thonburi has always gathered attention due to different reasons. The Taksin Monument that has a statue of Thailand’s eminent king Taksin which is a delight to watch. The Royal Barges Museum that has a fantastic collection of boats, the outstanding one being the king’s personal barge –The Golden Swan is definitely a pull in Thonburi.

Buddhist stupas area centre of attraction at Ayuthaya, a city that lies to the north of Bangkok. The oldest and largest temple here is the Wat Phra Si Sanphet, another famous temple is Wat No Phra Meru that has a green stone Buddha statue inside. The Ayuthaya and the Chantharakasen are the two significant national museums. The Lopburi and the Kanchanaburi town in the Central Thailand region is a host to a lot many tourists every year.

In the Southeastern Thailand region is situated the Ko Chang National Park that is crammed by people due to the various activities like elephant riding, diving, snorkeling etc. and also to enjoy the wildlife in this area. The Rayong Province has a set of exotic beaches along with the Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park that has striking limestone mountains, caves, cliffs and waterfalls including impressive wildlife. Pattaya is another eventful beach spot located 150 kilometers away from Bangkok.

The Northern Thailand is bedecked by the Lamphun Province that has numerous historical temples, Doi Khun Tan National Park, the Lampang Province that grounds the Wat Phra That Lampang Luang temple which is considered to be one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand and there is also the famous Thai Elephant Conservation Center which provides acre for sick elephants, animal shows and tourist exhibits from time to time. The Sukhothai Province is important for its Ramkhamhaeng National Park.

The Isan Region of Northeastern Thailand has the renowned Khao Yai National Park, which is a home for innumerable wild animals and the Phanom Rung Historical Park.

Few places at the Thailand’s Southern Coasts like Phetchaburi city, the Southern Gulf Region (known for marine life and water sports) and the Andaman Coast are everlastingly meant for vacationing in Thailand.

Mansi aggarwal writes about thailand travel topics. Learn more at [http://www.thailandvacationhelp.com]http://www.thailandvacationhelp.com.

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Thailand Do's and Don'ts - Staying Out of Trouble in Thailand

2008-09-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

Thailand Do's and Don'ts - Staying Out of Trouble in Thailand
By : Aaron James

Every country and region has their own cultural differences that make trips to foreign lands that much more exciting. Indeed while finding out about and enjoying the differences in other cultures can be one of the great experiences of traveling, there are some things about Thailand that you may like to know before you go, to avoid any unnecessary cultural goofs, or in the worst case, jail-time.

Respect the Royal Family.

This had got to be one of the most important rules in Thailand. The king in Thailand is highly respected and loved by all of the Thai people and any disrespect toward the king or any member of the royal family will not only deeply offend the Thais, it can also land you in jail. Lese Majeste is a crime that is still on the books in Thailand, and people still get prosecuted for it. Also many people do not know that the Lese Majeste laws in Thailand actually apply to all royal families around the world; so theoretically, you could get arrested for expressing disrespectful opinions about Queen Elizabeth II or Belgium's King Albert II. Thais can even find seemingly innocuous questions like "why is the king so revered in Thailand?" as offensive, so it is probably best not to talk about the royal family at all in Thailand.

Disrespecting the King is not confined to words. If you go to the movies in Thailand, the Royal anthem is played before every movie and all patrons must stand up during it. If you don't stand and quietly observe this show of respect, you will find yourself the target of the ire of other patrons and may even be reported to the police. Also, images of the king must also be respected. As the king's image appears on all Thai currency, be sure to treat this with respect. For example, if you drop a coin and it rolls away, do not stamp on it with your foot to stop it rolling any further, this is considered disrespectful as is folding paper money in a way as to make the king's face smile or frown, which I personally found out the hard way is not funny in Thailand.

Physicality

In Thailand the head is considered the highest part of the body, both figuratively and literally. You should never touch the head of other people, even children. If you do touch someone's head, even slightly, you should apologize. Conversely, the foot is the lowest part of the body and considered dirty. You should never use your foot to point out objects, or even worse, people, as this is considered very rude. Also take care never to step over other people, for example if they have their legs outstretched on the floor. It is better manners to walk around people than to step over them.

Public displays of affection are frowned upon in Thailand and most people will be embarrassed to witness people kissing or hugging in public.

Also, while the beautiful beaches may make you want to soak up as much sun as possible, topless sunbathing is looked down upon in Thailand and is not appropriate.

Buddhism

Nearly 95% of Thais are Buddhists and temples are an integral part of the quintessential Thailand sightseeing itinerary.

When planning on visiting a Buddhist temple, you should dress appropriately, meaning no open-toed shoes. Legs and shoulders should be covered, so no shorts or tank tops. Shoes are allowed on the grounds of the temple, but not inside where the Buddha image is kept. Also keep in mind the point made above about pointing with your feet. If you are sitting inside a temple, take care so that the soles of your feet never point towards the statue or image of Buddha.

Buddhist monks cannot come into physical contact with women or sit next to them on public transport. A woman cannot hand anything directly to a Buddhist monk. If a woman wishes to give something to a monk, the correct procedure is to hand it to a man who will hand it to the monk. However if the woman feels that she must give the item to the monk directly, he can spread out a piece of saffron robe or handkerchief, and she can place the item on top of this.

Respect

Thai culture places a lot of importance on respect for the aged. While dealing with older people, it is best to be as respectful as possible. This is a good thing to keep in mind if you are haggling with a merchant or speaking with a tuk tuk driver. Your respectful tone will not only save you "face", an important concept in Thailand, but it may even be rewarded in the price you finally agree upon.

A quick way to lose "face" and the respect of Thai people is to lose your temper in public, or worse yet, shout at someone in public. Thais a re very uncomfortable with public displays of anger and consider it very uncouth. Getting angry at someone in Thailand is very unlikely to help you get your way, and in fact merely hardens the other party's stance and any sympathy you may have had from surrounding people is likely to evaporate quickly. Best to keep your cool and a smile on your face.

Disciplining your children or arguing with your spouse in public are also included in this category of no-nos.

Scams

Be careful of overly friendly strangers who approach you in the street and offer to show you around town. A common scam is for a well dressed person to approach you as you are heading towards a temple and tell you that unfortunately the temple is closed that day and offer to show you to another one, or to show you a good gem store. Don't go with these people! The gem store ruse is also common among tuk tuk drivers. They often say that they can show you some good gem stores, and that they can receive coupons for gasoline for bringing you to the store. They will then say that they will not receive their coupons if you do not buy anything and try to guilt you into buying something. Any gem store that participates in such activity is highly unlikely to sell you genuine stones. Unsuspecting tourists are often told that they can resell the gems at a partner store in their home country for high profits, only to discover that the stones are practically worthless once they get back home. Don't be fooled by the lovely smiles on the beautiful young ladies in the stores!

Taxis

When hailing a taxi, hold your arm up with your palm facing downwards and make a beckoning motion with your fingers, kind of like a "shoo" go away" motion in reverse.

Also by law all taxis must turn on the meter when they carry a fare. Some drivers may sometimes try to strike a deal with you off the meter before you leave. This will never be in your favor, and as stated above is against the law. If the driver hasn't started the meter when you depart, kindly remind him by saying "metaa na kap" if you are a man and "metaa na kaa" if you are a woman.

Finally

Do try to learn some of the local language, even if it is just simple greetings and numbers. Your holiday will be that much more enjoyable when the locals see you putting in an effort to speak their language. You will receive a much warmer reception by the already famously friendly Thais that you will be very happy that you put in the effort to learn.

The author is an Asia based frequent traveler and runs a number of travel and Thailand related websites including [http://www.reservethaihotels.com]Thailand Hotel Reservations A self-confessed hotel freak, he plans on staying in and reviewing as many [http://www.reservethaihotels.com]Bangkok hotels as possible.

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Thailand - The Land of Smiles and Cheap Travel

2008-09-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

Thailand - The Land of Smiles and Cheap Travel
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo]Richard Chapo

Thailand is known as the land of smiles, which is amazing considering the traffic jams in Bangkok. For budget travelers, Thailand simply can’t beat on price alone.

Thailand

Thailand is an odd mix of contrasts. It can be extremely stressful while trying to get around in Bangkok and gloriously relaxing while laying on practically any of the beaches that populate the coast of the country. Regardless of the situation, the Thais have a habit and custom or smiling regardless of what you ask or how you ask it.

Beaches

The beaches of Thailand need no introduction. Used as the setting for hundreds of movies, they come in a variety of styles. The beaches of Phuket and Phi Phi fall along the lines of traditional beach resort areas like you might find in a place such as Cancun, Mexico or Tamarindo, Costa Rica. On the other end of the scale, you can find more rustic beach areas in places like the island of Ko Chang where you’ll have a few beach bungalows, a couple of bars and one or two stores. If you’re looking for a little of both styles, just ask around.

Da North

Infatuated with the beach life, many people fail to head up country when in Thailand. This is a mistake as the north is the host to such locations as the city of Chang Mai, the Summer Palace of the King of Thailand and interesting little villages. For the outdoor enthusiasts, rafting, hiking and mountain biking are very popular and widely available.

Prices

If you’re on a budget, Thailand is a perfect travel destination. For some reason, flights to Thailand are particularly cheap with my recent flight on Korean Airlines running roughly $650 round trip. Once in country, your money will go a long, long way.

I think a note of caution is need at this point. Please beware. If you decide to take a trip to Thailand, you won’t want to come back to your native country. You will, however, definitely come back to Thailand!

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of [http://www.nomadjournals.com/travel_accessories_journal.cfm]travel journals. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about [http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com/thailand_travel]Thailand travel and [http://www.nomadjournaltrips.com/travel_journals_travelogues]Adventure Travel.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo
http://EzineArticles.com/?Thailand---The-Land-of-Smiles-and-Cheap-Travel&id=88390

Travel And Enjoy The Cuisine In Asia (Thailand)

2008-09-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

Travel And Enjoy The Cuisine In Asia (Thailand)
By : Orson Johnson

Thai food has become the world’s most popular cuisines. It is highly regarded as culinary forms throughout the world. Influenced by Indian and Chinese cookery skills, Thai cuisine has combined those arts and created the uniqueness of its own. Like all local and national foods, the Thai cuisine exposes a great deal about the country.

Thai cuisine is known for its spicy, sour, sweet, salty and bitter flavors. Thai food is popular in many Western countries especially in Australia, New Zealand, some European countries including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Each Thai restaurant has its own specialties.

Some of the most-preferred dishes of Thailand are Kai Ho Bai Toei, Thotman Plakrai or Thotman Kung, Fish or shrimp fritters; Yam or Thai salad, Tomyam (hot and sour soup); curry and namprik with fish vegetables the sweets famous in Thailand are salim, thapthim krop, lotchunng, khanom chan, coconut-cream gelatine, thong yot, foi thong etc.

Thai Curry – There are four main curries in Thai cuisine including green, red, yellow and massaman. The curry pastes made from herbs and spices are the heart of all Thai curries. Its main ingredients are chili, garlic, shallot, galangal, coriander root and krachai.
Titbits – These can be appetizers, accompaniments, side dishes or snacks. They comprise satay, spring rolls, puffed rice cakes with herbed topping.
Thai Noodles – Thailand is also famous for its fragrant stir-fried noodle dishes. Most Thai noodle recipes call for rice noodles rather than those made with wheat or egg, although these can also be found in Thai cooking. Some of the popular Thai noodle dishes are Pad See-U, Land-Da Noodle, Pad Thai, Pad Woon Sen, and Pad Kee-Mow.

Salads – Thai salads are an important part of Thailand’s foods. Thai salads are sour, sweet and salty. It is prepared from fish sauce, lime juice and a dash of sugar. Fresh herbs like marsh mint, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and cilantro are used for garnishing. Enjoy different salads varieties in Thailand including Som tam, Larb, Namtok, Yam, Thai Grilled Chicken Salad, Rose Petal Salad, Tossed Green Salad with Cashews, Pineapple Salad with Cucumber, Peanuts, & Fresh Herbs and much more.

Thai Meat Dishes – Thai cuisine is incomplete without having Thai meat dishes. Some of the popular meat dishes are Chicken Curry, Gaeng Gari Gai, Green Bean Curry, Masaman Curry with Beef, Pineapple Prawn Curry, Ginger Chicken, Laab Gai, Spicy Chicken with Thai Basil etc.

Thai Soups – These are really tangy. Some of the best varieties of Thai soups are Tom Yum Gung, Tom Kha Gai, Authentic Thai Coconut Soup, Cindy's Thai Hot and Sour Soup, Duck Legs in Green Curry, Spicy Chicken Thai Noodle Soup and Hot-and-Sour Prawn Soup with Lemon Grass.

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for apartments, bed and breakfasts, [http://www.holiday-velvet.com/ko-samui]Bangkok vacation apartments hotels and [http://www.holiday-velvet.com/ko-samui]Bangkok holiday accommodation

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Travel-And-Enjoy-The-Cuisine-In-Asia-(Thailand)&id=634783

Using Thailand As Your Travel Hub in Southeast Asia

2008-09-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

Using Thailand As Your Travel Hub in Southeast Asia
By : John Grimes

Sooner or later, you have to visit Southeast Asia if you enjoy seeing the world. There are simply too many unique landmarks and fascinating cultural aspect to not do so. When you go, you may find getting about a bit difficult, so focus on Thailand as your hub.

Asia is a fascinating area that has to be seen to be believed. From the spires of Angkor Wat to the lightening shows off the coast of Sihanoukville in Cambodia, there is something for everyone. To top the area off as a top destination, a currency problem in the late 1990s has resulted in Southeast Asia being a very cheap trip. Yes, even with the dollar being beaten up.

There is only one hang up when it comes to traveling in this area. Simply put, it is difficult to get from here to there. The quality, size and frequency of the transportation systems in the countries varies fairly dramatically. Consider the contrast between two countries sharing a long border - Thailand and Cambodia.

Thailand has its act together. There is plenty of bus, tram and train service in the bustling city of Bangkok. You can also take overnight trains from the city to most destinations in the country. If you have a few bucks to spare, you can usually fly from the city to larger destination in the country, such as Chang Mai, for $40 to $80. When you are ready to head to another country in the region, international flights out of Bangkok are also plentiful and cheap.

Cambodia is in sharp contrast to Thailand. For the most part, the use of the term "roads" is debatable. Things are rough. Much of the northern area of the country is very difficult to access. In fact, one of the more popular ways to get around the country when possible is by ferry. It is highly recommended that you use this mode of transportation when heading to Angkor Wat or your kidneys and back will be an absolute mess. Flying around Cambodia domestically is nearly impossible and international flights are infrequent and really expensive.

Lest you think I am unfairly criticizing Cambodia, it should be noted there is a distinct reason for the infrastructure problems in the country. The Khmer Rouge, of course. This group led by Pol Pot tried to revert the country to an agricultural society. Besides killing nearly a third of the population, the infrastructure took a beating.

This contrast may seem extreme, but it can be found in other countries. Laos is wonderful, but very rural. Indonesia is cheaper than even Cambodia and Thailand, but travel within the country can be physically tough. The contrast go on and on.

Should you travel to Southeast Asia, you are going to need a place to make your base. Thailand is an excellent choice based on my trips to the region. It is very inexpensive, yet the infrastructure is excellent. It simply makes a great place to launch any exploration of the region.

John Grimes writes about travel topics for AllTerrainco.com - makers of [http://www.allterrainco.com]natural products for traveling such as insect repellent to keep the mosquitoes off of you while in Southeast Asia.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Grimes
http://EzineArticles.com/?Using-Thailand-As-Your-Travel-Hub-in-Southeast-Asia&id=991524

Thai Girls And Thailand Travel in 5 Easy Steps

2008-08-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

Thai Girls And Thailand Travel in 5 Easy Steps
By : Martin Hurley

If you've hit an age where meeting attractive younger (than you) girls or women seems to be a wicked challenge, maybe it's time to consider opening your mind to new horizons. Yes I'm talking about Thai girls and Thai women here. And doing it from a guy who has lived in Thailand for the best part of four years.

But before we meet the perfect Thai girl, why Thailand? Maybe it's the attention. It's hard not to be taken by people who seem to be always smiling, welcoming and friendly. And with a great 'not too serious about anything much' attitude and the Thai Buddhist qualities, well, it's all quite compelling.

Anyway, Thailand is a world in itself, so be prepared to be amazed and have all your normal 'logical' thinking replaced with ongoing illogical and strange behavior. In other words, Thailand is a completely weird place. Just remember that when you travel to a foreign country, after you get there, you become the foreigner...

Amongst all its differences, the pleasures are true and fascinating. There's no doubt Thailand is a crazy world. But strangely enough, it seems to hang together well. And the proof is in the pudding... having thrown myself into this lifestyle, I now feel somewhat 'apprehensive' about having to travel to a Western country and meet Western people. Why would I feel that way?

Maybe because I've been immersed in smiling, polite Thai people who always welcomed me and wanted to know about me. Maybe because I've been surrounded by Thai food that is always so important everywhere you go. Food that... "shows how we delicately care about feelings of people." And then there's the Thai girls...

Let's talk about Thai girls and the Thai world through these 5 simple steps:

Step one: Go to http://yourthaigirl.com and read the downloadable ebook, (and while you're there sign up to the Thai Girl, Thai Life newsletter). In this ebook you'll learn all about Thai culture, lifestyle, and of course, Thai girls.

You get savvy on what to do, what not to do, when to do it, and where to go and do it. You'll know what it all means, and the ebook will give you the 'inside picture' to the world of Thailand.

Step two: Book your ticket to Thailand as soon as you can. When you arrive, prepare for the slam... the heat... an invisible hammer that hits you with its mighty force... rushes to greet you with the power of a thousand simmering angels...

And yet, before you know it, you'll be slipping down the long passageways inside the cool air conditioned airport. Get your bags, your bearings, your Thai girl book and prepare for your biggest journey. (Hey, Thailand is not as hot as you think :-)

Step three: Get out and meet and greet people. Prepare your name card, your few words of Thai, a nice hotel or resort with a funny name, and your best clothes. In this country, it pays to look good. Thai's like to be clean, fresh, and attractive. No kidding.

Step four: Just be you. Expect lots of questions. The Thai's want to learn English... speak English with you. You'll have a great, precious, remarkable time. Be adventurous. Be a tourist. Learn new things. Travel on the sky train.

Step five: That's it, all done. Remember though to keep light-hearted. The Thai's like to have fun, not be 'too serious' and will appreciate it if you show respect to the things that are important to them. The key word is enjoyment. Have fun.

Actually, there's really nothing to it. It's so easy (once you're here!) The main thing is to keep your calm, appreciate the beauty of Thai girls, seek out quality relationships, and let me know how it all goes, okay.

Copyright © 2007 Martin Hurley

Martin Hurley opens the 'unseen' doors to the world of meeting Thai girls and the Thai lifestyle at [http://yourthaigirl.com]http://yourthaigirl.com. If you ever thought it was difficult meeting women, you're in for a big surprise. His downloadable book will show you just how easy it really is... And make sure to read the ten most dangerous mistakes you could be making with any woman too... Discover all about [http://yourthaigirl.com/datingsecrets.html]Thai Girls And Dating Secrets here.

If you do use this article please send me an email telling me where I can take a look at it. Thanks.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Hurley http://EzineArticles.com/?Thai-Girls-And-Thailand-Travel-in-5-Easy-Steps&id=450388

Phuket Island - Popular Travel Destination in Thailand

2008-08-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

Phuket Island - Popular Travel Destination in Thailand
By : James Bukovsky

Phuket has grown into one of the premier holiday destinations in South East Asia and is one of the busiest travel destinations of Thailand. It has replaced Bali as the most popular holiday island in the region.

What makes Phuket island such a great travel destination?

Phuket is first of all an inexpensive holiday destination. Phuket hotels, resorts and guesthouses can be found in all price categories and ratings and prices are considerably cheaper then what one would encounter in Europe or America.

Dining in restaurants or buying drinks in bars or clubs on Phuket is also less expensive then what most tourists are used to paying back in their home countries.

Phuket Beaches

The palm tree lined beaches of Phuket Island are of course world famous due to its crystal white sand and clear water of the Andaman Sea. Some of the nicest and most popular beaches found on Phuket Island are the beaches at Patong, Kamala, Karon, Kata and Nai Harn.

Phuket Nightlife

The Phuket nightlife is another reason why many tourists visit Phuket each year on holiday. Many tourists seem to keep coming back each year for especially the nightlife and bars of Phuket.

Most Phuket island nightlife venues can be found in Patong beach along the well known Soi Bangla. A number of large clubs are located along Bangla road in Patong including the very popular Tiger disco and the new Seduction Disco.

You can also find along Bangla road and the many small streets leading into Soi Bangla hundreds of beer bars. Each beer bar has a number of beautiful Thai ladies working for them who there to please the clients.

Phuket Shopping

Going shopping in Phuket in the past was not one of the most interesting activities for tourists due to the lack of a good variety of shops and products. Most of the shops sold the same tailor made clothing, bootleg movies and software and fake designer clothing.

Over the last few years however, a number of large shopping malls have opened on Phuket housing well known international retailers, unique local boutiques as well as international restaurant outlets such as Outback steakhouse and Burger King.

If you are going to visit Phuket for a holiday then please make sure to visit the brand new Phuket Junkceylon mall in Patong or the Central Carnival Mall along the Phuket by-pass road.

James is currently living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for a great [http://www.clubbamboo.com/]Phuket hotel then do consider staying at Club Bamboo Resort. Read more about Phuket in his [http://www.phuketlist.com/]Phuket Guide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bukovsky http://EzineArticles.com/?Phuket-Island---Popular-Travel-Destination-in-Thailand&id=577247

Frugal Travel Tips For Bangkok, Thailand

2008-08-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

Frugal Travel Tips For Bangkok, Thailand
By : Kimber Chin

With the currency exchange, it is difficult not to find frugal attractions in Bangkok, Thailand. However, there are a few tips to make travel dollars stretch even further and to better the travel experience.

The Grand Palace And The Temple Of The Emerald Buddha

Yes, there is an entrance fee (200 Baht, roughly $6 U.S.) but this sight is a must see for any visitor to Bangkok. It hosts a range of Thai architecture.

Temples and other national monuments have a strict dress code. No shorts, sleeveless tops, or risqué dress. This is true of most religious places the world over but in Thailand, travelers should also not wear open heeled sandals (there must be a strap behind the heel).

Thai Customs

Which leads to some Thai customs that savvy travelers observe.

Shorts are considered appropriate only for children and the lower class.

The head is considered sacred (closest to the heavens) so do not touch. Actually try not to touch the locals at all.

Feet are also to be treated with care. To point your feet at a person is considered a grave insult and to sit with soles exposed extremely rude (especially in religious places). Sit with feet tucked under the body.

No public displays of affection. Keep that for the privacy of your room.

As with most countries, but especially Thailand, do not criticize the local government or monarchy.

This may seem like a lot of rules but most apply to almost every country a traveler is a guest in.
Also the Thai people are extremely polite so they are unlikely to express their disapproval.

Chatuchak Park Weekend Market

This is where frugal travelers buy their souvenirs. With over 15,000 stalls (pick up a free map at information kiosks), there is plenty to choose from. This is a place to haggle. Never take the first offer. Also be very wary of fakes (fake antiques, fake jewelry, etc) and of pickpockets (keep some small bills in an easily accessible pocket and hide the wallet away).

What to buy? Almost anything, especially handicrafts. My mother is an elephant lover and Thailand, with reverence of the animal, was the ideal place to pick up teak carvings (be careful of wood drying and cracking when you return home).

Wat Pho (Temple Of The Reclining Buddha)

With another very, very inexpensive entrance fee (20 Baht), Wat Pho is the largest and oldest Buddhist Temple in Bangkok. The highlight is, of course, the 46 meter long, gold covered Reclining Buddha. However, the buildings and I found the orchids were also noteworthy.

Bangkok is a bargain hunters paradise. Attractions, dining and shopping is inexpensive.

For more frugal travel tips on Bangkok or other cities, visit http://www.freephotooftheday.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimber_Chin http://EzineArticles.com/?Frugal-Travel-Tips-For-Bangkok,-Thailand&id=700690

Thailand - A Cheap Travel Destination That Delivers

2008-08-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

Thailand - A Cheap Travel Destination That Delivers
By : Richard Chapo

Fuel prices are up and the economy is down this year. That makes getting the most bang out of your travel buck important. Thailand represents a fascinating and excellent travel destination that is also an incredible deal.

Known as the land of smiles, Thailand is one of those truly unique Southeast Asian countries that boogle the mind. From the warm beaches of the southern coast to the mountain palace of the King in Chang Mai in the north, there is a lot to see and do. Best of all, you can do it all for one of the lowest travel costs in the world.

In the late 1990s, the Asian economies were absolutely crushed over a one year period. Part and parcel to this disaster was the loss of currency value. Much like the dollar is falling now, the Thai "Baht" suffered. Instead of a down period, however, it fell like a rock dropped from a plane and hasn't really come back.

Put simply, this currency issue has made Thailand a cheap, cheap place. Your biggest expense will be the flight. It can run $650 round trip at a minimum. It should also be noted that the flight is very long if you are coming from North America. A flight from Los Angeles can easily take 24 hours or more.

Once in Thailand, the good news is you'll be getting a lot for your dollar. Yes, even now. You can always go nuts in any location, but I'll assume you are going to be reasonable. A good, fresh meal will set you back $2 to $5 and be a lot less if you avoid the touristy areas.

There is one meal item that is expensive - beer. You can expect to pay $2 to $3 per bottle. It isn't outrageous, but it seems like it after you are conditioned to the cheap food.

Getting around is also incredibly cheap. Trains are popular, but also packed. One of the secrets of Thailand is the domestic airline industry. Simply put, it is excellent and cheap. I've splurged on flights from Bangkok to Chang Mai in the north of the country and spend a whopping $38 for a one way ticket. Traveling on trains is great, but you also lose a lot of time. Cheap domestic flights are a good way to avoid this.

Thailand is definitely a great destination for those that want to maximize their experience on a minimum of expense. There are the usual high priced tourist areas, but even a small effort to avoid them can result in a trip that is cheaper than you could ever imagine.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of [http://www.nomadjournals.com]writing journals to record your travels in.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo http://EzineArticles.com/?Thailand---A-Cheap-Travel-Destination-That-Delivers&id=1013463

The Best Time to Travel to Thailand

2008-08-20T22:11:00.000-07:00

The Best Time to Travel to Thailand
By : Chris Sanderson

Probably the most common question any foreigner living in Thailand will hear from people planning to visit the Kingdom is "When is the best time to come to Thailand"...not an easy question to answer without knowing "why" a person wants to come to Thailand.

There are basically three seasons in Thailand (though of late the cold season seems to have gone missing), the seasons are, The Hot, The Wet and The Cold. Cold being a rather subjective description though, the shots of emergency blankets being handed out in the northern provinces when it drops to a chilly 10 degrees...that's 10 degrees Celsius. So what does each season offer.

The Hot

March to June : The hottest month is April when even the geckos stay inside and most expats look outside at lunch time and decide to not eat rather than melt on the walk to a food stall. The Hot season is beach season, if that's your thing then this is the time to come to Thailand, guaranteed sun sun sun all day long day after day. For Trekkers you might find this to be a tad hot to go trudging up hills unless mounted on an elephant, sun stroke and dehydration are high up on the list of things to beware of. Bangkok turns into a molten vat of pollution as the winds die and the smog just hangs around choking up the oxygen. Hotels are at their most expensive during the hot season and weekends will see many of the mid range ones fully booked.

The Wet

July to November : The change over from hot to wet is the worst time to be in Thailand regardless of what you're into. It's Hot, it's wet and the humidity is ruthless. You'll be desperate to take three showers a day at a minimum...living in a shower for a month might not be a bad plan. If you can imagine living in a sauna for a month then you get the right picture of Thailand at the start of the wet season...unless you're in Bangkok, then get in a sauna and pipe your car exhaust into the sauna to get the right idea...hmmm yummy. Then thankfully the skies really open up, the wind blows and things freshen up . Rain is pretty much a guaranteed feature on a daily basis and usually kicks off in the afternoon, sometimes lasting all night, Floods are common along with power cuts. So why come to Thailand now...the cost.... hotels are empty, tourists are away, it's a great time to see Thailand with fewer tourists than usual and get the best prices as even the Thai people stay home at the weekends.

The Cold

December to February : Thailand freezes over, snow falls from the sky and ice-skating is the nations most popular sport...well if you watched the TV or the Thai people running around dressed in winter jackets, boots, gloves and scarves you may start to think it's true.. in Bangkok it can drop to a bone chilling 15 degrees Celsius at night, and up north it has on occasions dropped down to 2 degrees, the south gets off much lighter and you can escape with a body warmer and a bobble hat. Thailand again is swarming with tourists who have come to take advantage of the cool weather to do see Thailand without burning up. This is the best time of the year to actually "see" Thailand, you'll enjoy seeing the sights and touring the cities and trekking will be at its best. Again prices will be up and hotels fairly full.

So in a nutshell the best time to come to Thailand is the time that suits what you want to do, Trekkers and Tanners will have different needs, those looking for bargains will have different needs. Just add that there are occasional down pours even in the hottest parts of the year and even the wet season can be dry for a week or more.....but leave your skis at home...there will be no snow.....guaranteed.

Article can be used with permission of Chris Sanderson as long as the signature and in place links are left unchanged. Chris Sanderson is an [http://www.amwso.com]Affiliate Marketing Manager based in Bangkok Thailand with [http://www.amwso.com]AMWSO.com and the owner of [http://www.xaap.com]Xaap.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Sanderson http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Best-Time-to-Travel-to-Thailand&id=42096

Chumphon island in Thailand

2008-08-20T19:01:00.001-07:00

Chumphon

Chumphon is a sea coast city parallel to the Gulf of Thailand. It is the gateway to other southern provinces. Along more than 200 kilometres of Chumphons seashore, there are many beautiful and picturesque beaches. Still maintaining the natural beauty, the province is best for those who seek relaxation in the natural and uniquely quiet atmosphere.

Historical documents state that Chumphon was continuously the locations of many communities since the pre-historic period, especially in the area near Tha Taphao River banks. Chumphon was also one of the leading trading centers of Siam (former name of Thailand).

Due to being the frontier city, the name Chumphon is believed to derive from Chumnumphon, which means the accumulation of forces. Whenever there were movements from the army, the soldiers would gather their forces here at this province.

The other source believed that it should be derived from a local plant named Maduea Chumphon due to its richness in this area. Therefore, naturally, this plant has become a symbol of the logo of Chumphon Province.

Chumphon is administratively divided into 8 Amphoe: Mueang Chumphon, Lang Suan, Sawi, Tha Sae, Lamae, Phato, Pathio, and Thung Tako.

Uthai Thani is an island located of Thailand

2008-08-19T18:54:00.001-07:00

Uthai Thani

Uthai Thani is a province abundant in natural resources, such as forests and wildlife. “Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve” here was proclaimed a Nautral World Heritage Site on 13 December 1991. The reserve has jungles, forests, plains, many streams, and most importantly, a number of rare and endangered animals.

Due to the verdant nature of the area, Uthai Thani is a province with unspoiled natural tourist destinations that are of interest to tourist everywhere.

Furthermore, visitors can see the different lifestyles of locals, such as the life of raft residents on Sakae Krang River, a waterway that aided the birth of the province and which has been a lifeline for its people since ancient times. It is also where provincial trading has flourished. Life revolving around the river eventually grew from a community into the major province that it is today.

The most striking indication of the bond between the people and the river since the old days is that in 1906, when King Rama V visited northern provinces and stayed in Sakae Krang village, the monk Phra Khru Uthai Tham Nithet (Chan) built 2 twin rafts to receive the king. This clearly showed the importance of the river and the lifestyle of the people living off it in that period.

In addition, at the end of the Buddhist Lent, Buddhists from all directions congregate in the province for a major merit-making tradition called Tak Bat Thewo at the foot of Khao Sakae Krang at Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri. This festival has been held in Uthai Thani since ancient times.

Uthai Thani is located in the lower part of northern Thailand. Most of the province consists of forests and high mountains. It has a total area of 6,730 square kilometres. It is divided in to 8 Amphoe (districts), as follows: Amphoe Muang Uthai Thani, Amphoe Lan Sak, Amphoe Nong Kha Yang, Amphoe Nong Chang, Amphoe Thap Than, Amphoe Ban Rai, Amphoe Sawang Arom and Amphoe Huai Khot

Suphan Buri in Thailand

2008-08-19T18:47:00.001-07:00

Suphan Buri

Just a hundred kilometres away from Bangkok, Suphan Buri is an ancient town rich in natural and historical heritage. The province was once an important border town involving battles and important wars during the period of the Ayutthaya kingdom. So, today, travelling around the province is like drifting through historical novels. Historical evidence leads you to travel to the past such as Don Chedi Monument, Wat Khao Khuen whose abbot played a significant role in Thai history, U Thong National Museum, etc. Furthermore, various natural wonders such as Phu Toei National Park, Bueng Chawak Aquarium, as well as the famous local-style cake Sali Suphan always impress visitors.

Suphan Buri occupies a total area of 5,358 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 10 districts (Amphoes); Muang Suphan Buri, Doem Bang Nang Buat, Bang Pla Ma, Si Prachan, Song Phi Nong, Sam Chuk, U Thong, Don Chedi, Dan Chang and Nong Ya Sai.

Sing Buri in Thailand

2008-08-19T18:42:00.001-07:00

Sing Buri

Sing Buri is 142 kms. north of Bangkok on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It was established in the year 1895 during the reign of King Rama V through a consolidation of three small riverside towns including Sing Buri, In Buri, and Phrom Buri. The province currently occupies an area of 822 square kilometres and is divided into six districts (Amphoes): Muang Sing Buri, In Buri, Bang Rachan, Khai Bang Rachan, Phrom Buri and Tha Chang.

Saraburi is an island located of Thailand

2008-08-19T18:39:00.001-07:00

Saraburi

Saraburi, the province of historical sites, the holy footprint, the beauty of nature, and famous food, is located some 108 kilometres from Bangkok. Travelling to and around Saraburi could be made in one day. The province is administratively divided into 13 districts: Muang Saraburi, Nong Saeng, Sao Hai, Ban Mo, Phra Phutthabat, Nong Don, Kaeng Khoi, Muak Lek, Wang Muang, Wihan Daeng, Nong Khae, Don Phut, and Chaloem Phra Kiat.

Samut Songkhram is an island located of Thailand

2008-08-19T18:36:00.001-07:00

Samut Songkhram

Samut Songkhram is the province of fertile land, of plants and food grains, the production source of vegetables and fruits, as well as a vast variety of seafood products. It is also an interesting historical source for the early Rattanakosin period.

Samut Songkhram is an ancient province with a long history. Originally, it is believed that this province was once a part of Ratchaburi province, and called Suan Nork at that time. Then, towards the end of the Ayutthaya period going on to the Thonburi period, it was separated from Ratchaburi province and was called Mueang Mae Klong.

Samut Songkhram is located 72 Kilometres from Bangkok, occupies an area of 416 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 3 districts: Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Amphawa, and Amphoe Bang Khonthi

Samut Sakhon is an island located of Thailand

2008-08-19T18:34:00.001-07:00

Samut Sakhon

Samut Sakhon was formerly called Tha Chin probably because, in the old days, it had been a trading port dealing with a vast number of Chinese junks. In 1548, a town named Sakhon Buri was established at the mouth of the Tha Chin River. It was a centre for recruiting troops from various seaside towns. The name of the town was changed into "Mahachai" when Khlong (canal) Mahachai was dug in 1704 to join the Tha Chin River at the town. Later, the town was renamed Samut Sakhon by King Rama IV but it is still popularly called "Mahachai" by the villagers.

Samut Sakhon is located 30 kms. from Bangkok. The province occupies a total area of 872 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 3 districts: Muang Samut Sakhon, Krathum Baen, and Ban Phaeo. It is a major fishing port and also the biggest producer of brine salt.

Samut Prakan is an island located of Thailand

2008-08-19T17:25:00.001-07:00

Samut Prakan

Samut Prakan, also known as Pak Nam, is located 29 kilometres south of Bangkok, around the area where the Chao Phraya River flows into the Gulf of Thailand. It is a town of the Ayutthaya period. Samut Prakan is home to countless historical and cultural sites. It occupies an area of 1,004 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 5 districts (Amphoes) and 1 sub-district (Ging Amphoe); Amphoe Muang Samut Prakan, Amphoe Phra Pradaeng, Amphoe Bang Phli, Amphoe Bang Bo, Amphoe Phra Sumut Chedi, and Ging Amphoe Bang Sao Thong.

Phitsanulok is an island located of Thailand

2008-08-19T17:21:00.001-07:00

Phitsanulok

Covering some 105,815 square kilometers, Phitsanulok is 377 kilometers north of Bangkok. It borders Uttaradit Province on the North, Phichit Province on the South, Loei and Phetchabun Provinces on the East, and Kamphaeng Phet and Sukhothai Provinces on the West. Situated on a strategic location dividing Thailands Central and Northern regions, and connecting to the Northeastern region, Phitsanulok is undeniably an important hub and an ideal base for travelers wishing to explore the lower North and western Northeast. Phitsanulok, however, is not just a stopover for tourists, but is a province with promising tourism opportunities.

Phitsanulok City spans the banks of Maenam Nan and has Maenam Kwae Noi running through it. Therefore, it is locally known and historically referred to as Song Kwae City (song means two and kwae means a river). Most of Phitsanulok's terrain is flatlands, with one third of the area being mountain ranges on the north and the east. Its unique natural endowments including natural parks and waterfalls make a trip to Phitsanulok worthwhile.

Apart from its exceptional natural charisma, Phitsanulok provides visitors with an opportunity to explore notable chapters of Thailand's history. For example, remains of an ancient community dating back between 2,000-4,000 years, including old stone axes, was found here. In addition, the old temple of Wat Chula Mani, situated 5 kilometers south of the city, was built even before the Sukhothai Kingdom burst into power.

Phitsanulok prospered along with the powerful Sukhothai (1238-1378) and Ayutthaya (1350 1767) Kingdoms. In particular, it played a strategic role in the Ayutthaya era when it had become the Kingdoms royal capital for 25 years during the reign of King Borom Trailokanat.

Phitsanulok is also the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great (reigned 1590-1605) the legendary King who declared Ayutthayas independence from Burma in 1584. King Naresuan the Great is known for his victorious and honorable single hand combat on elephant back Yutthahatti against a Burmese Crown Prince. His heroic power and strong dedication to expelling the invaders from his motherland saved the country, and truly united the Kingdom which later was known as Siam and currently known as Thailand.

Phitsanulok was also a strategic location for other Ayutthaya Kings as it was a major center for military recruitment and a training camp when Ayutthaya waged wars with Burma.

Phichit island in Thailand

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Phichit

Situated in the Lower North some 345 kilometres from Bangkok, Pichit is accessible by both road and rail. Nurtured by two rivers, the Yom and the Nan running parallel to one another north to south, the land is agriculturally fertile. Once the site of an ancient town dating back almost a thousand years ago, Phichit has played in a major role in the history of both Sukhothai and Ayutthaya.

Known as the land of the crocodiles, it has been home to this ferocious reptile which has thrived in its waters. There are today several fresh-water crocodile farms. Phichit features in the Thai epic Krai Thong composed by King Rama II which tells of Chalawa

Phichit is administratively divided into the following districts: Muang, Pho Prathap Chang, Taphan hin, Bang Mun Nak, Pho Thale, Sam Ngam, Wang Sai Phun, Thap Khlo, Sak Lek, Dong Charoen, Bueng Na Rang and Wachirabarami

Phetchabun island in Thailand

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Phetchabun

346 kilometres from Bangkok, Phetchabun borders on three regions, the North, the Central and the Northeast. The central part of the province is on the Pa Sak river basin with mountain ranges running along both the western and eastern sectors. Because of the fertility of the land, Phetchabun has always been an agriculturally productive area. The very name of the province actually means the land of crops and foods.

Today, Phetchabun is a province with rich tourism potential. Its climate is pleasant due to the mountainous and forested areas and it has a history of richness and prosperity for more than 1,400 years. As and Sukhothai styles have been discovered.

Phetchabun is administratively divided into the following districts: Muang, Lom Sak, Lom Kao, Chon Daen, Nong Phai, Wichian Buri, Si Thep, Bueng Sam Phan, Wang Pong, Nam Nao and Khao Kho.

Pathum Thani Island in Thailand

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Pathum Thani

Pathum Thani is a neighbouring province of Bangkok. It is situated on the Chao Phraya basin with plenty of canals and orange plantations. Its original name is Mueang Sam Khok, which was founded during the Ayutthaya era. It was the settlement for the Mon people migrating from Mohtama (in Myanmar) over 350 years ago. In the year 1815 when King Rama II made a royal visit to this area, the inhabitants offered him plenty of lotus flowers which is the origin of the present name.

The Pathum Thani Town is only 46 kms. from Bangkok. It occupies an area of 1,525 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 7 districts (Amphoes): Muang Pathum Thani, Lat Lum Kaeo, Sam Khok, Thanyaburi, Nong Suea, Khlong Luang, and Lam Luk Ka.

Nonthaburi island in Thailand

2008-08-19T16:52:00.002-07:00

Nonthaburi

Nonthaburi is over 400 years old, dating back to when Ayutthaya was the capital. The town was originally located at Tambon Ban Talat Khwan, a famous fruit orchard where the Chao Phraya River and various canals pass through.

King Prasat Thong ordered the digging of a canal as a shortcut from the south of Wat Thai Muang to Wat Khema because the old waterway flowed into Om River to Bang Yai then to Bang Kruai Canal next to Wat Chalo before ending in front of Wat Khema.

After the new shortcut was completed, the Chao Phraya River changed its flow into the new route that remains today. In 1665, King Narai the Great noticed that the new route gave enemies too much proximity to the capital. Therefore, he ordered that a fortress be built at the mouth of Om River and relocated Nonthaburi to this area. A city shrine still stands there.

Later during the reign of King Rama IV of the Rattanakosin period, he ordered the town moved to the mouth of Bang Su Canal in Ban Talat Khwan. King Rama V then had the provincial hall built there on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River. In 1928, the hall was moved to Ratchawitthayalai, Ban Bang Khwan, Tambon Bang Tanao Si. It is now the Training Division of the Ministry of Interior on Pracha Rat 1 Road, Amphoe Muang, on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. The building is of European architecture decorated with patterned woodwork. The Fine Arts Department has registered it as an historical site. The provincial hall is now on Rattanathibet Road.

Bangkok

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Bangkok

Bangkok was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri dynasty. It is now the country's spiritual, cultural, diplomatic, commercial and educational hub. It covers an area of more than 1,500 square kilometres, and it is home to approximatlely ten million people or more than 10% of the country's population.
Over the last few decades, Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, has changed into a modern, exciting and sophisticated city. It offers to visitors not only the cosmopolitan amenities they would expect from other big cities, but also a unique treasure trove of cultural attractions. Thailand, in the heart of Southeast Asia, was never colonised and thus kept its unique culture and heritage intact. Bangkok offers visitors the opportunity to experience fascinating glimpse of Thailand's gentle culture amidst the bustle of a great and dynamic metropolis. This great city has had astounding success in combining the ancient and modern world.

For tourists, Bangkok has a feast of attractions to offer. The city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty and fascination, magnificent palaces, classical dance extravaganzas, numerous shopping centres and traditional ways of life, especially along the "Venice of the East" timeless canals and the Chao Phraya River of the "River of Kings" winding through the city. It is worth taking a trip along its waters before exploring further into different canals to take a glimpse of old Bangkok.

Nakhon Sawan in Thailand

2008-08-19T16:50:00.001-07:00

Nakhon Sawan

Nakhon Sawan Province, also known as Pak Nam Pho is where the rivers of Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan converge and form the Chao Phraya River, the most important waterway of Thailand.

Nakhon Sawan is in the lower northern part of the country between the North and the Central Region. It is regarded as the doorway to the North and it is the hub of transportation in the Lower North.

Nakhon Pathom in Thailand

2008-08-19T16:47:00.001-07:00

Nakhon Pathom

Nakhon Pathom is a small province located just 56 Kms. from Bangkok. The province features an ancient religious structure called “Phra Pathom Chedi”, the first religious landmark that signified the influx of Buddhism into Thailand. Nakhon Pathom is also renowned for its abundant fruits varieties and famous dishes.

Formerly situated by the sea, the city prospered during the Dvaravati civilisation. According to archaeological findings, Nakhon Pathom was the first city to possess influences of Buddhism and Indian civilisations. From the Phra Pathom Chedi and other remains discovered in the city area, it is believed that the city was a centre of civilisation in that era. People of different races settled in Nakhon Pathom. However, a change in the course of the river caused a draught that forced the people to migrate and settle on the banks of river, and these communities developed into towns. The new town was called “Nakhon Chaisi” or “Sirichai”, leaving Nakhon Pathom deserted for hundreds of years until the reign of King Rama IV. While His Majesty was in monk hood, he travelled to Nakhon Pathom and found the Phra Pathom Chedi that he regarded to be the largest pagoda of all.

When King Rama IV ascended to the throne, he commanded that a bell shaped Chedi be built to cover the former Chedi. The surrounding area was also renovated and improved. He also commanded that a water canal be dug to facilitate commuting, which was called Chedi Bucha canal. During the reign of King Rama V, the construction of railways to the south began, at that time Nakhon Pathom was still a heavily forested area. King Rama V also commanded that the town be relocated from Tambon Thana, Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi, to the Phra Pathom Chedi area as it used to be. Nakhon Pathom has been there ever since.

During the reign of King Rama VI, a palace was built at Tambon Sanam Chan as a temporary residence on his travels and many roads were constructed. A large bridge was also built over the Chedi Bucha canal, which His Majesty named “Saphan Charoensattha”. Later, he commanded that the name of Nakhon Chaisi be changed to Nakhon Pathom, but the name of the prefecture was still called “Nakhon Chaisi” until the reign of King Rama VII when the calling of the prefecture was ended. Nakhon Chaisi is now one of the districts in Nakhon Pathom.

Nakhon Pathom covers an area of 2,168 square kilometres or 542,081.6 acres. It is divided into 7 administrative districts or Amphoe, they are: Amphoe Muang Nakhon Pathom, Amphoe Buddhamonthon, Amphoe Sam Phran, Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi, Amphoe Bang Len, Amphoe Kamphaeng Saen, and Amphoe Don Toom. Most of the areas are plains with no mountainous land, plateau are found in the west east of Amphoe Muang and Amphoe Kamphaeng Saen. The plains along the Tha Cheen River (Nakhon Chaisi River) are the location of Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi, Amphoe Sam Phran, and Amphoe Bang Len. These fertile lands provide agricultural area for people, thus most of the residents earn their living from agriculture; plantations, farming, growing food crops, and fruit orchards. Moreover, Nakhon Pathom is well known for pomelo, some call the Nakhon Pathom the sweet pomelo town.

Nakhon Nayok in Thailand

2008-08-19T16:42:00.001-07:00

Nakhon Nayok

Nakhon Nayok is a destination which is often taken for granted by many tourists. The fact that it is located just 106 kilometers from Bangkok and its attractions may be visited as a day trip makes it just a stop over spot for travelers. But this is not always the case. Nakhon Nayok is famous for its refreshing natural beauty including waterfalls and parks, renowned historical sites, soft adventure activities, and its variety of fruits.

Nakhon Nayok is one of Thailand's central provinces. Covering some 2,130 square kilometres, it borders Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima Provinces on the north, Prachin Buri Province on the east, Chachoengsao Province on the south and Pathum Thani Province on the west.

The northern part of Nakhon Nayok is located in the Dong Phaya Yen mountain range an area covered by the Khao Yai National Park. Yod Khao Kiew, its highest peak, is 1,292 meters above sea level. The central part of the province is on a contrary, a rather flat river plain formed by the Maenam Nakhon Nayok. The southern part of the province has relatively unfertile acidic soil.

The provincial seal says a lot about Nakhon Nayok. It is a picture of a circle indicating the unity of Nakhon Nayok people. An elephant raising an ear of rice in the circle represents fertile forests with numerous elephants. An ear of rice refers to farming which is fruitful. The background with a pile of straw, trees and clouds depicts fertility and the natural beauty of the province.

Nakhon Nayok is a province with a history of over 900 years. It was believed to have been established in the Dvaravati period as indicated by some remains found in Ban Dong Lakhon, a village to the south of the town. During the Ayutthaya period and the reign of King U-Thong, the town which was an eastern garrison was only a forested but infertile highland called Ban Na (village of the rice field). Jungle fever, unfruitful and unproductive agriculture forced the settlers to migrate elsewhere. It was not until the King granted an exemption of paddy field tax that people began to move in and settle down as a community. It was then named Muang Nayok which literally means the town that the paddy tax was lifted.

In 1894, under the royal command of King Rama V, Nakhon Nayok was designated as part of Prachin Buri province. Eventually, it became a province in its own right.

Lop Buri in Thailand

2008-08-19T16:34:00.001-07:00

Lop Buri

A province in the central region of Thailand, Lop Buri Province is located approximately 154 kilometers north of Bangkok. Covering an area of 6,199 square kilometers, the province is situated on the western end of the Khorat Plateau. It borders Chaiyaphum and Nakhon Ratchasima Provinces on the east, Phetchabun and Nakhon Sawan Provinces on the north, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya and Saraburi Provinces on the South. Lop Buri Province is one of several provinces in central Thailand where many significant historical artifacts and prehistoric settlements have been discovered.

Formerly known as Lawo, Lop Buri had for centuries been ruled by several Kingdoms. The remains of Lop Buri, dating over 1,200 years attests to the strategic significance of Lop Buri to many rulers. These relics, ranging from the Bronze Age to the Ratanakosin period, have made Lop Buri a blend of east and west and ancient and modern, revealing the citys turbulent and alluring history and a glimpse of Thailands extraordinary past.

The Past

Lop Buri was first developed into a major town during the Dvaravati Kingdom (6th 11th centuries). Most historians believed the first settlers of the town were the Lawa (an ethnic group related to the Mons) which is the reason for naming the town Lawo. In 10th century, the town came under absolute sovereignty of the Khmers who made it one of their oldest provincial capitals. The Khmer Mahayana Buddhism style was a major influence on the towns architecture and was later commonly referred to as Lop Buri Style. Remains of KhmerHindu architectural motifs found in the city include the Shivas Shrine (Prang Khaek), San Phra Kan, Phra Prang Sam Yot, and Wat Phra Si Mahathat.

It was in the late 13th century when the Thais, who migrated from the North, fought against the Khmers and declared their independence. Since then, Lop Buri has been ruled by Thai Kings.

Lop Buri first became known when King U-Tong, who established the Ayutthaya Kingdom, sent his son, Ramesuan the Crown Prince, to govern the city. The Prince commanded the building of moats, city walls and battlement towers.

Lop Buri reached its height in 1664 when King Narai the Great of Ayutthaya named Lop Buri the Kingdoms second capital, which came after a threat of invasion from Hollanders. King Narai the Great rebuilt Lop Buri with the help of French architects and ruled the Kingdom from there, instead of Ayutthaya., Thus the citys architecture mostly reflected a mixture of Thai and Western styles, which can be seen today in the remains of the Royal Palace, the Royal Reception House etc.

Lop Buri gradually faded from the political scene with the death of King Narai the Great. It, however, made a comeback approximately 200 years later when King Rama IV of the Ratanakosin Era decided to restore the city. He also commanded the restoration of the old Palace and named it Phra Narai Ratchaniwet (Narai Ratchaniwet Palace) in honor of King Narai the Great.

After Thailands democratic revolution, Marshall Poh Pibulsongkram rebuilt a military camp near the citys railroad, therefore, dividing the city into the old (ancient) and new zone.

The Present

Today, Lop Buri is administratively divided into 11 Amphoes (Districts) including Muang, Ban Mi, Chai Badan, Khok Charoen, Khok Samrong, Phatthana Nikhom, Tha Luang, Tha Wung, Sa Bot, Lam Sonthi and Nong Muang.

Apart from historical attractions, Lop Buri provides opportunities for nature lovers to visit its famous Sap langka Wildlife Sanctuary in the north.

Another special landmark of Lop Buri is monkeys. To tourists, the city is known as the land of monkeys. To the people of Lop Buri, the monkeys are descendants of Hanuman who, according to the Ramayana, built Lop Buri as his kingdom. The food offerings in San Phra Kan drew the monkeys from nearby forests. These mischievous monkeys have taken over several attractions such as San Phra Kan and Phra Prang Sam Yot. A big feast for the monkeys on the last Sunday of November is held annually at Phra Prang Sam Yot and is one of the most attractive and most talked about tourist events in Thailand.

Kamphaeng Phet

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Kamphaeng Phet

Geographically located in the Lower North on the bank of the Ping River, Kamphaeng Phet is 358 kilometres from Bangkok. To its East are riverine flatlands while the western areas are made up of high mountains lush with fertile forests where a number of national parks have been established.

Areas along the river bank at present-day Mueang district used to host several ancient towns which had played a major role as strategic front-line frontiers since Sukhothai was the kingdom's capital down through the times of Ayutthaya and early Rattanakosin (Bangkok) eras. In fact, the name Kamphaeng Phet actually means as strong as walls or forts make of diamonds.

Kamphaeng Phet covers an area of 8,607 square kilometres. It is divided administratively into 9 districts, namely, Mueang Kampheang Phet, Phran Kratai, Khlong Khlung, Khanu Woralaksauri, Sai Ngam, Lan Krabue, Khlong Lan, Sai Thong Watthana and Pang Sila Thong and 2 sub-districts, Bueng Samakkhi and Kosamphi Nakhon.

Thailand Travel Tips and Customs

2008-08-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

Thailand Travel Tips and Customs
By : Christopher Snyder

After living in Bangkok for over a year I have learned many things about the Thai People that I wanted to share with other foreigners living or vacationing here should know. The first thing you have to accept is that eastern culture is different. The people in the east are less emotional and more polite and while they know westerners are different, they often are uncomfortable when we stray from their norms. The things I found to be important are listed below in order of importance:

Be Polite - Thai people hold being polite above all else. Their very language has politeness built into it. If you follow what is considered "common courtesy" you will be fine.

Thai King - The Thai People Love their King, King Rama IX. Never show any type of disrespect to him. The Thai people have a deep traditional reverence for the Royal Family, and the visitor should also show respect for the King and the Queen, and the Royal Children. When attending a public event where a member of the Royal Family is present, the best guide on how to behave is to watch the crowd and do as it does.

Safety - Stealth crimes, such as pick pocketing, are the most common problem so it's worth keeping a close eye on your belongings at all times and being aware of the people around you. Unprovoked violence against tourists are very rare, but it pays to exercise common sense.

National Religion - Buddhism is Thailand's national Religion with nearly 95% of Thailand's population being Buddhist. All Buddha images are considered sacred and there are laws against removing these images for anything other that personal worship.

Buddhist Monks - It is forbidden for women to touch Buddhist Monks, this includes a woman handing something to a Monk, The items should be first given to a man, who hands the item to the monk.

Buddhist Temple - Wearing shoes around a temple is acceptable but they should be removed when entering their church (the area where the Buddha image is kept).

Be Quiet - Loud people are considered impolite. Speak softly and do not laugh loudly. Of course there are the common places such as bars that being loud is appropriate.

Food - Food in Thailand is customarily HOT, spicy HOT. For the westerner visiting foriegner, the best tip i can give them is how to ask to make the food less spicy. There are two phrases to be used based on you preference: 1) "mai ped" - not spicy and 2) "ped nit noi" - a little bit spicy. But the food is awesome in Thailand, this tip should help you enjoy it even more.

Body Odor - Thai people almost never smell badly and they find it offensive if others do.

Crowds - if you go to areas in Thailand during Thai holiday's and celebrations, be prepared to encounter many people. To Western experience the volume of these areas can be incredible. Be prepared to be pushed and shoved and be aware that they mean no harm. Thai people

Watch where you walk - The side walks in Bangkok are uneven and full of obstacles, pay attention. Oh, also, the streets have many stray dogs; the dogs are not aggressive but do leave landmines on the sidewalks.

Taxi drivers (enough said) - Most taxi drivers are fine. Generally, it is always better to use the metered taxis. Tuktuks are always more expensive and with Bangkok traffic you could be breathing in a lot of smog on the way. If you are going a significant distance negotiate... Also, the Taxis marked "We love farang, we speak English", well most of them do not. They do have a radio that has a person that knows a little English.

Movie Theater - After the advertising and right before the movie a tribute to the Thai King Comes on and everyone stands in respect.

Driving in Thailand - If you are a brave one and decide that you want drive yourself around Thailand, don't be too worried, it really isn't that bad. There are just several things to understand. Drivers use the left side instead of the right, like in the US, and the roads tend to be narrower than in the US. So driving next to a bus or a truck can be a little intimidating.

Following these tips will allow you to have better understanding of the Thai people and more fun in your stay in Bangkok, allowing the locals to be more comfortable with you and give you a better understanding of how things function in Thailand.

Please visit our [http://www.apllc-connect.com/travel/index.htm]Website for more ideas for traveling in Thailand.

Copyright 2008 Asia Products LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Christopher Snyder is the owner of Asia Products LLC and currently is living in Bangkok, Thailand managing an e-commerce store buying products to sell on http://www.asiaproductsllc.com He is documenting some of his more interesting travels in his Asia Travel Ideas website: http://www.apllc-connect.com/travel You can email him using "info@asiaproductsllc.com".

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Snyder http://EzineArticles.com/?Thailand-Travel-Tips-and-Customs&id=1001937

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

2008-08-17T16:22:00.001-07:00

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

The Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya or Ayutthaya in short, is one of Thailand's historical and majestic highlights. Serving as the Thai capital for 417 years (1350 1767: Kingdom of Ayutthaya), it was once glorified as one of the biggest cities in Southeast Asia. During the 17th century, most foreign visitors to Ayutthaya, traders or diplomats alike, claimed Ayutthaya to be the most illustrious and glittering city that they had ever visited. The map of Ayutthaya published in 1691 by Simon de la Loubere in Du Royaume De Siam is proof of such recognition.

The Kingdom of Ayutthaya reached its apex in terms of sovereignty, military might, wealth, culture, and international commerce in the 16th century when the Kingdoms territory was extended far beyond present-day Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Ayutthaya even had diplomatic relations with Louis XIV of France and was courted by Dutch, Portuguese, English, Chinese and Japanese merchants.

Visitors can explore and appreciate Thai history in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, which is situated only 86 kilometers north of Bangkok. Visitors to Ayutthaya can marvel at its grandeur reflected through numerous magnificent structures and ruins concentrated in and around the city island surrounded by Maenam Chao Phraya, Maenam Pa Sak and Maenam Lopburi.

More importantly,Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, an extensive historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, has been included in UNESCO's World Heritage list since 13 December, 1991.

The Past

The Kingdom of Ayutthaya was built and developed in leaps and bounds. The ruins in Ayutthaya that survived the test of time embody both the glorious and ignominious stories of the Kingdom.

This ancient capital of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, founded in 1350 by King U-Thong, had thirty three kings of different dynasties and reached its peak in the middle of the18th century. A magnificent city with three palaces and over 400 magnificent temples on an island threaded by canals Ayutthaya was truly an impressive city that attracted both Europeans and Asians. After a 15-month siege the Kingdom of Ayutthaya was conquered and completely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. When King Taksin the Great finally liberated the Kingdom, a new dynasty was established and the capital was moved to Thonburi.

The seal of Ayutthaya depicts a conch on a pedestal tray placed in a small castle under a Mun tree. According to legend, King U-Thong, founder of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, discovered a beautiful conch buried in the ground being prepared for the establishment of the seat of his Kingdom. Consequently, he had a tiny castle built to house the shell. Hence, the provincial seal.

The Present

Today, there are but groups of crumbling ruins and rows of headless Buddhas where once an empire thrived. The temple compounds are still awe-inspiring even in disrepair and a visit here is memorable and a good beginning for those drawn to the relics of history.

The architecture of Ayutthaya is a fascinating mix of Khmer (ancient Cambodian style) and early Sukhothai style. Some cactus-shaped obelisks, called prangs, denote Khmer influence and look something like the famous towers of Angkor Wat. The more pointed stupas are ascribed to the Sukhothai influence. For new arrivals who had limited their visit to Bangkok, similarities may be noted with the riverside Wat Arun, an 18th-century structure that was built in the so-called Ayutthaya style, a melding of Sukhothai Buddhist influences and Hindu-inspired Khmer motifs.

Ayutthaya is administratively divided into 16 districts: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ban Phraek, Bang Ban, Bang Pahan, Bang Pa-in, Amphoe Bang Sai, Bang Sai, Lat Bua Luang, Maha Rat, Nakhon Luang, Phachi, Phak-Hai, Sena, Tha Rua, Uthai and Wang Noi.

Ang Thong Province

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Ang Thong, a province, which is luxurious of native handicraft like, molded court dolls, firebrick, and wickerwork. It is also the origination of Li Ke, the native folk song, hometown of Nai Dok and Nai Thongkaeo, the two heroes during Bang Rachan Battle. Ang Thong is also abundant with more than 200 clean, magnificent, and interesting temples, most appropriate for Thai chronological study.

Ang Thong, originally known as Mueang Wiset Chai Chan, is located on the Noi River and the low-lying land of Chao Phraya River. It is an essential frontier outpost of Ayutthaya when fighting with the Burmese. As appeared in several parts of Ayutthaya chronicles, especially, prior to the defeat of Ayutthaya in 1767, the Burmese encamped at Mueang Wiset Chai Chan to attack Ayutthaya causing Bang Rachan Battle, a noted event recorded in Thai history. Later during the Thonburi era, Mueang Wiset Chai Chan was moved to a new site on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River at Ban Bangkaeo and was named Ang Thong since its location was a fertile basin similar to a water and rice bowl of the country.

Ang Thong is a small province located at the lower part of central Thailand as large as 968 square kilometers. Topographically, almost all of the Ang Thong area is low plain with two important rivers crossing the province, i.e. Noi River and Chao Phraya River. Ang Thong is administratively divided into 7 Amphoes: Amphoe Mueang Ang Thong, Amphoe Wiset Chai Chan, Amphoe Sawaeng Ha, Amphoe Pa Mok, Amphoe Pho Thong, Amphoe Chaiyo, and Amphoe Samko. Borders are Sing Buri to the north, Ayutthaya to the south, Ayutthaya and Lop Buri to the east and Suphan Buri to the west.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provice

2008-08-17T15:19:00.000-07:00

Ayutthaya (full name Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thai: พระนครศรีอยุธยา, IPA: [aˡjutʰajaː]; also spelled "Ayudhya") city is the capital of Ayutthaya province in Thailand. The city was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong, who came here to escape a smallpox outbreak in Lop Buri, and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom, often referred to as the Ayutthaya kingdom or Siam. Ayutthaya was named after the city of Ayodhya in India, the birthplace of Rama in the Ramayana (Thai, Ramakien). In 1767 the city was destroyed by the Burmese army, and the ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthaya historical park, which is recognized internationally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was refounded a few kilometers to the east.

It is estimated that Ayutthaya around ca. 1600 had a population of ca. 300,000, and even 1,000,000 around 1700. In that era Ayutthaya belonged thus to the world's largest cities.

Wats (temples) in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provice

Ayutthaya is 76 kilometers north of Bangkok and boasts numerous magnificent ruins. Such ruins indicate that Ayutthaya was one of Indo - China's most prosperous cities. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya a Historical Park, a vast stretch of historical site in the heart of Ayutthaya city, has been included in UNESCO's list of world heritage since 13 December ,1991.

Ayutthaya covers 2,556 square kilometers, and is administratively divided into 16 districts (Amphoes). It is conveniently accessible due to good roads and a short distance from Bangkok.

Distance from Ayutthaya city to its districts

Amphoe Tha Rua 60 kms.
Amphoe Nakhon Luang 20 kms.
Amphoe Ban Sai 45 kms.
Amphoe Bang Ban 10 kms.
Amphoe Bang Pa-In 17 kms.
Amphoe Bang Pa Han 13 kms.
Amphoe Phak Hai 29 kms.
Amphoe Pha Chi 35 kms.
Amphoe Lat Bua Luang 65 kms.
Amphoe Wang Noi 20 kms.
Amphoe Sena 20 kms.
Amphoe Bang Sai 34 kms.
Amphoe U-Thai 15 kms.
Amphoe Maharat 25 kms.
Amphoe Ban Phraek 53 kms.

Family Vacation in Paradise - Travel to Thailand

2008-08-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

Family Vacation in Paradise - Travel to Thailand
By : Duane Zimmerman

Thailand means land of the free. Freedom is an appropriate name for Thailand, because it is an open welcoming place. It may be the perfect spot to choose for a family vacation.

The sun almost always shines in Thailand. The climate only varies a few temperature degrees year round. May through October is the rainy season in Thailand, but the rainfall does not deter tourists.

As a matter of fact, Thailand's rainy season could be the best time of year to visit. One reason that this is true is due to the unlimited supply of cheap hotels and serviced apartments during the low tourist season in June, July and September. Most tourists want to visit Thailand during the winter months when the climate in their home country is a steady diet of cold, dreary weather, and so they take a vacation in the land of smiles.

Since the winter months draw large crowds of vacationers, come to Thailand during the rainy season and experience all the hospitality of the Thai people for half the price of a winter vacation.
Whether you enjoy adventure in the northern mountains or relaxing on southern beaches, the summer months are a great time to book a five star resort for a three star price.

Thailand is a wonderful place for a family vacation. You will find a wide variety of activities; or you could simply discover peace and relaxation, if sunning on the perfect sandy beach is appealing to you. There is a wide assortment of family-friendly events from which to choose. You can take your family for a swim; or there is rock climbing, elephant riding and cultural shows to see.

Bangkok offers a good family atmosphere. It is a big city and you can find fast food that will satisfy the hunger of youngsters. Simply eating a hamburger could be your child's idea of paradise.

Chiang Mai has mountains and hill tribes villages to visit. Make sure to drive to the top of Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand, and experience a cool climate in the middle of the tropics. There are many waterfalls to play in and birds to watch during your ascent to the top.

Are you looking for the ideal place for family fun? Then visit Thailand because it is surely paradise. Instead of a romantic get away with your spouse in January, why not take your whole family with you for less money in June?

Duane Zimmerman currently lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand with his family. He writes travel articles about Thailand. For more information visit http://www.thailandfamilyvacation.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Duane_Zimmerman http://EzineArticles.com/?Family-Vacation-in-Paradise---Travel-to-Thailand&id=956814

Travel Thailand: 5 Top Destinations

2008-08-15T22:06:00.000-07:00

Travel Thailand: 5 Top Destinations
By : Robert Thatcher

With several sights to see and surprises to offer, Thailand could be one of the best locations you should not miss to visit. Culture, beaches, people, and heritage sites are some of the things you can expect when you travel to Thailand.

Bangkok – Traveling Thailand wound not be complete without visiting Bangkok. As the nation’s capital with an estimated population of over 10 million (including the neighboring provinces), this city is by far the largest in the country. The city is divided into 50 districts or khet but for tourists and those who are new in the place, 6 divisions would be more useful. These are Ratchadaphisek in the northeast section of the city, Sukhamvit in the southeast, Silom in the south, Thonburi in the west, Rattanakosin in the central north, and Phahanyothin in the north. The whole Bangkok district would give you a diverse taste of culture, history, religion, modernity, and fast-phase life. You can actually witness how all these blend together to comprise the whole Bangkok package. Buddhist temples, historical museums, towering buildings, contemporary restaurants and hotels, shopping centers, canals and rivers, and food make Bangkok a one of a kind city in Southeast Asia.

Phuket – Down south, Phuket features magnificent beaches, tropical sunsets, white sands, blue seas, and breathtaking sceneries. No wonder it is the most popular vacation destination in Asia beating every beaches of the neighboring countries. It has several beaches like Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, and Surin Beach. The island showcases several water sports and activities including parasailing, jet-skiing, and scuba diving. By day, Phuket is alive with beachgoers and shoppers and by night, lights, sounds, and party people dominate the whole island.

Chiang Mai – The second largest city in Thailand with an estimated population of more than 200,000. This city located in the northern part of the country offers greener and quieter city. Chiang Mai’s tourism is becoming more and more popular and permanently settling at this city is very common. When you travel Thailand and visit Chiang Mai, you surely would want to see museums such as Hilltribe Research Institute Museum and the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center. With religion and history enriching the city, you can see several Buddhist temples such as Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Oo-Mong, Wat Phra Jao Mengrai, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, and Wat Chedi Luang. The oldest temple dates back in the 11th century. Chiang Mai features attractions such as Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February, Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival in January, The 2nd Orchid Fair also in January, and the Loi Krathong Festival usually falls in November.

Pattaya – Located 150 km. north of Bangkok, Pattaya is one of the most popular tourist destinations, which offers great beaches, beer and go-go bars, and a wide array of sport activities. Visit Pattaya when you travel Thailand is a must. Although it is the most overdeveloped part of the country in terms of tourism, prices in Pattaya still remains with reach. In fact, prices of foods, accommodation, and transportations are very affordable.

Krabi – In a small province of Krabi lies a small town with the same name. Paying a visit Krabi town when you travel Thailand is worth the time. Located south of Bangkok near Phuket and Phi Phi island, the town features great beaches along with high end hotels and not so expensive hotel that cater tourists of different classes.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides Thailand travel resources on [http://www.your-thailand-travel.info]http://www.your-thailand-travel.info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Thatcher http://EzineArticles.com/?Travel-Thailand:-5-Top-Destinations&id=162137

Travel Information For Thailand

2008-08-10T22:04:00.000-07:00

Travel Information For Thailand
By : Pauline Go

Thailand is the most popular destination in Southeast Asia. Millions of travelers from all over the world visit this beautiful country which is renowned for its hospitality, Buddhist temples and breathtaking natural beauty. Thailand has something to offer to everyone irrespective what your tastes are.

The best time to visit Thailand is from February to March when the weather is perfect and the time is ideal to have a wonderful beach holiday. July to November can be uncomfortable since the rainy season starts in July and goes on till November. During this period, the weather can be unpredictable and extremely humid and sticky.

The peak tourist seasons are August, November, December, February and March. Air tickets to Thailand in the peak season are extremely expensive and it is a good idea to book tickets well in advance so that you can avail cheap fares. The secondary peak months are in January and July.

For those who want to save on money, the best time to visit Thailand would be during the off peak months of April, May, June, September and October. You will not only save money on air fare but you will save money on accommodation. During off peak season, discounted rooms are widely available. Even in the peak season you can get a good deal if you avoid the regular tourist spots like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

Once you are in Thailand, all you need to do is relax and enjoy your holidays with the exotic Thai cuisine, the breathtaking natural beauty and the magnificently architectured temples.

Check Out More Articles: [http://www.thailandbuddy.com] Thailand Travel Information, [http://www.thailandbuddy.com/culture/index.html] Thai Culture And Customs Source , [http://www.thailandbuddy.com/thai-food/index.html] Thai Cooking School & Class ,

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pauline_Go http://EzineArticles.com/?Travel-Information-For-Thailand&id=460193

Travel Cheap to Thailand

2008-08-05T22:02:00.000-07:00

Travel Cheap to Thailand
By : Dani Alonso

Thailand is for many people one of the favorite destinations. And the reasons are pretty much obvious. Even if tourism has really grown during the recent years, Thailand still offers some pretty much unspoiled territories, precious beaches and an amazing cultural shock that you will probably prefer to miss your plane back home rather than coming back to your everyday's life. But to travel cheap to Thailand you really need to find out the right places or you will be abused as most tourists are.

Travel deals when it comes to flying there are many, as competence for Thailand is very high and in this case travel agencies are strongly fighting one with each other. This, in the end, lets us find some very good deals. The idea of the article is in a general way to encourage you to always look for this special offers in order to travel cheap to Thailand and to anywhere in the world, to never limit yourself to what you see on your first searches, but furthermore, and being aware that this is a limited time offer, I wanted to share with you for free one of my findings early this morning.

This offer is specially good for all Europeans, as departures are from London, and as I never get tired to say, you can reach London for 20 Euros the round trip with everything included with Ryanair. From there, with flights included and 14 nights in hotels in Thailand, you will get it for the price of 585 UK Pounds (813 Euros) I could kill myself for promoting offers like this for free, as I have no relationship with any travel agency at all, but certainly I am convinced that everybody should have the goal to help people, so here we are.

The way you can book in this case is not online, but online you will find a web-page that offers you the possibility to travel cheap to Thailand and a number in the UK that you can call to get more information. I haven't tried, but I imagine that you will be able to make the booking by telephone.

Together the possibility to travel cheap to Thailand, this guys have other interesting things specially related with traveling to Asia, but also many other offers to other regions, as flights to Auckland for 934 Euros, which is by far the best offer I have ever seen in the market from Europe to New Zealand. Also you can find 21 days campervan plus the flights to Auckland for just 1152 Euros. Again, is the best offer I have ever seen to get to the region. All this offers are generally valid until the 15th of June 2008, but if you wait for the beginning of January, the new offers for the summer and the first September discounted vacations will begin to appear.

They are also offering many possibilities to discover Africa, including some Safari packages, for relatively low prices. Africa is not my area of expertise, so I won't promise they have the cheapest option, but the numbers look pretty good compared to what I have seen up till now.

In any case, just feel free to take a look at their page and you will find out which offer adapts best to your needs if you are planning to travel Asia, Africa or the South Pacific from Europe.

You can write to me to know further details. My e-mail is in this web-page: [http://the-dream.ws/]Travel to Europe

To learn where I get 80% discounted hotels, you can check here: [http://free-hotels.blogspot.com/]Free Hotels

For general information on traveling around the world: [http://the-dream-trip.blogspot.com/]Travel Addicts

Dani Alonso

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dani_Alonso http://EzineArticles.com/?Travel-Cheap-to-Thailand&id=866371

Chainat

2008-07-31T15:59:00.000-07:00

Chainat

Chainat is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. The community was moved from the old site at Sankhaburi in the reign of King Rama IV. Chainat was an important town used several times as a base to confront the Burmese army. Every time, the Burmese were defeated, thus originating the name of Chainat which means a place of victory.

Chainat occupies an area of 2,469 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 6 districts: Amphoe Muang Chai Nat, Amphoe Hankha, Amphoe Manorom, Amphoe Sankhaburi, Amphoe Sapphaya, Amphoe Wat Sing, and 2 sub-districts: King Amphoe Nong Mamong and King Amphoe Noen Kham.

Thailand Travel Insurance

2008-07-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

Thailand Travel Insurance
By : T. Bull

You've booked your flight, made reservations at the hotel, got someone to bring in the mail and watch the dogs, what about the travel insurance? I know what you're thinking, "I'm only going for two weeks", "I'll be fine I'm in great shape", "other people get sick on vacation, not me", but what if you're wrong?

Thailand is known for being a bargain for westerners. Cheap clothes, food, hotels, entertainment, even the hospitals and clinics are cheap compared to the west and with some of the best doctors in the world. Contrary to what some people may believe Thailand has excellent health care. Even though Thailand is cheaper than the west in almost every category if you wind up in the hospital for a week or two it's still going to cost you and it will be more than you bargained for.

If you need some stitches or you pick up a bad case of pink eye then a clinic can patch you up easily and the cost will be minimal...around 700 Baht - 1200 Baht ($20-$30) and thats including all the medicine you'll need to take for whatever length of time. But if you have seriously problems and are admitted to a hospital then the bills start to rack up. Hospital room, medicine, diagnostics, and so on. Then you could be looking at 30,000 baht and up...you do the math.

Whereas travel insurance won't be much help for the minor ailments it will certainly be worth the cost if something major comes up. On average for a two week trip most travel insurance will cost you $20-$30 which isn't much in the grand scheme of things. That amount will usually cover major medical, flights to your home country if it's decided thats the best place for you, and most even have an added bonus that if you're hospitalized for a week or longer they will have a family member flown to you.

Travel insurance can also cover trip cancellations, lost luggage, and a change in travel plans depending on what options you choose. You may not have a great vacation if you get sick but if you have to pay for it out of pocket as well then it's sure to be a memorable trip and not for the right reasons.

I'm writing this because I came down with acute tonsillitis on my first trip to Thailand. Luckily a few trips to the clinic got me back into shape but it could have been bad and I wouldn't have been covered as I didn't even think about insurance.

The flight to Thailand is a long one if you live in the states (17 hours non stop from JFK International) Which will have you nice and dehydrated if you don't drink a lot of water. The temperature in Thailand is HOT which can and will dehydrate you further if you don't take care. Foreign food, foreign microbes, burning the candle at both ends, endless sight seeing, and a host of other things can and will come back to haunt you if you don't take care. Even if you do take care to prevent sickness there is always the unexpected and in Thailand that could be anything from an over amorous elephant, a motorcycle taxi running you over and a host of other things just waiting for you around the next corner.

You may have great insurance in your home country but in most cases they won't cover you overseas.

Find a good travel insurance and buy it for your trip no matter where you're going or for how long!

Born and raised in Baltimore Maryland I finally set out to discover the world in 2006. South East Asia has always been a beacon for me and Thailand its crowned jewel.

I write about my experiences in Thailand as well as the cultural aspects of being a foreigner in a foreign land. I blog daily about Thailand at: http://thailandlandofsmiles.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=T._Bull http://EzineArticles.com/?Thailand-Travel-Insurance&id=820058

Adventure Travel In Thailand

2008-07-25T21:57:00.000-07:00

Adventure Travel In Thailand
By : Alex A. Smith

If adrenaline is your thing then Thailand is a place where you can get your fix of adventure in graduated doses. Some would say that negotiating the Bangkok traffic on the way from the airport is adventure enough in itself, but if you want to put your experiences on a more organized footing there is no shortage of opportunity.

Most developed resort areas on the coast offer bungee jumping, para-gliding, Jet skiing and water skiing. So flinging yourself from great heights or being blasted in to the air or across water at great speed can be easily achieved.

Thailand also remains a veritable paradise for those who enjoy the world underwater, whether that’s diving, snorkeling or even submarining in Phuket.

It is also a country rich in wilderness areas of mountains, forests and waterfalls which makes trekking big business in the north of the country. The best season for trekking is between November and February when the weather is cool and the air is clear. Many operators in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Pai offer trekking tours. Often these will be run from guest houses and it’s worth asking around to find one that suits you. A trek usually lasts between three and five days and you will need good boots and a proper pack since the walking can be quite hard especially in the heat.

The guide will usually take you through ethnic villages of Lisu, Karen, Meo, Akha and Paduang. All these tribes are different in dress, language and culture and most migrated to the mountainous areas of Thailand, Laos and Vietnam within the last century from China. Also included in a trek will be some rafting and maybe some elephant riding.

If the gentle rafting on a trek is not adventurous enough for you, many operators offer the white water variety. Pai is the best place to go for this and the tours are run from mid June to January when the rainy season raises the height of the water levels.

When it comes to two wheeled travel Thailand offers some of the best touring and off road motorcycling in the world. The roads are excellent and pass through mountain scenery of breathtaking beauty. Infrastructure is good with plenty of guest houses and places to eat en route. You can either go on a tour or hire bikes on your own, Chiang Mai having by far the greatest variety on offer. It is important to be an experienced driver and this is doubly true for trail riding. Many operators run tours and to get the best from off-roading, or simply finding obscure routes, it is often better to go with a guide who knows the area.

For those who spurn engines then mountain biking is now really popular and there are many operators who run trips.
Whether on the lakes and rivers of the north or the Andaman Sea in the south Kayaking is available in most tourist friendly places where there is water. Tours are even run down the Mekong River. In the south Krabi and Phang Nga provinces offer spectacular scenery with luminous seas dotted with soaring limestone outcrops.

For those who want to get airborne there are a number of ways you can do it. Ballooning is offered both in Chiang Mai and Pattaya between October and March. The views in the North are better than on the coast.
Perhaps, whether it’s the sea, the mountains or the jungle, it is the wealth of natural beauty available in the national parks all over Thailand that make it so attractive to the outdoor enthusiast. From the heights of Doi Inthanon in the north to the maritime depths of Surin in the south there are 103 protected areas where you can enjoy an amazing variety of scenery and wildlife. Where ever you are in Thailand there is a wilderness of some sort near by.

Alex Smith maintains and manages the Cheap Thailand Travel website at http://www.cheapthaitravel.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_A._Smith http://EzineArticles.com/?Adventure-Travel-In-Thailand&id=765408

Scuba Diving In Thailand

2008-07-20T21:52:00.000-07:00

Scuba Diving In Thailand
By : Pauline Go

The diving possibilities in Thailand are nearly endless. Thailand is listed as one of the top ten sites for scuba diving and it is not surprising why when one sees the world class scuba diving sites, clean white sandy beaches and crystal clear water. In fact, Thailand is the perfect place for it.

This beautiful country is full of history and culture. The Thais are friendly and hospitable while accommodation possibilities vary from budget to luxurious. There over 50 scuba diving centers located in towns and islands along the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.

Thailand offers a varied diving environment which ranges from deep underwater mountains to sheer rock formations rising above the sea, from coral gardens located in shallow warm waters to undersea formations created by granite boulders; and from limestone walls plunging deep into the sea to numerous dark caverns.

Thailand is blessed with both hard and soft corals. While diving one can often see large pelagic fish, whale sharks, silver tip sharks and manta rays. Thailand's scuba diving sites never fail to impress the most seasoned diver with its variety and species of tropical fish.

Scuba diving in Thailand takes place all year round. However, the best time of the year for diving in Andaman Sea and other diving sites is from October to June. During this period, the sea is calm and one can travel quite far into the sea in boats to enjoy the unique diving experience that Thailand has to offer.

Diving usually takes place in three areas across Thailand. One is Pattaya, which is quite close to Bangkok; the second place is the islands off the Gulf of Thailand. This includes the islands of Ko Samui and Ko Tao. The last place popular with scuba divers is the west coast of Thailand. Here Phuket, Ko Phi Phi and Krabi offer the best experience in the Andaman Sea.

About Author:

Pauline Go is a professional writer for many website. She also writes other great articles like [http://www.thailandbuddy.com]Thailand Travel Information, [http://www.thailandbuddy.com/forum/index.php]Thailand Forum and [http://www.thailandbuddy.com/learning-thai-language/index.html]Negotiating Learn To Write Speak Thai.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pauline_Go http://EzineArticles.com/?Scuba-Diving-In-Thailand&id=911521

Budget Travel - Try Thailand Trains For Cheap Asia Travel

2008-07-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

Budget Travel - Try Thailand Trains For Cheap Asia Travel
By : Fred Tittle

I love Thailand trains and they give you a retro experience and they are more interactive than a plane as you can walk around do things like take a shower or go to the restaurant car. I know of only one plane where it is possible to take a shower and that is going to cost you a few bucks for the privilege on the Airbus A380 in first class.

You can take trains to the north almost to Myanmar or you can go into Malaysia if you are heading south, or you can get off and head to the holiday resorts near Phuket or the Gulf of Thailand beach resorts on the Thai Gulf coast.

When buying your tickets you want to have a bottom bunk and you want a car that is further back in the train, the further the better as you will be listing to the horn all night if you are at the front of the train. If you can afford first class and there are two of traveling then it is worth paying a little extra as you sleep better knowing that the door is locked and you trust everyone in the compartment. In 2nd class I always sleep with half an eye open even though I have never has a problem.

I figured out with sleeping on a boat that it is more comfortable sleeping in the direction of travel beam to stern as opposed to across the travel direction. It works out the same on a train as the Rocking side to side is reduced when you are sleeping with the direction of the train. There is more force stopping and starting then side to side so the first class is not better in that regard as far as sleeping is concerned. If there is a lot of rocking you are tense all night trying to keep your balance.

Things to bring to help stretch the budget with would your own coffee or tea which ever that you prefer. I buy Nescafe in the single serve packets, they last for ever and they take no space and it could not be easier to prepare. They are also a great deal at a touch over 3 baht a cup that works out to $0.20.

As they have hot water available on most trains in Asia I also purchase a cup of soup, I always get that in a plastic rather than a paper container so I can reuse it for the couple of packages of ramen noodles that I buy as well. It is 14 baht for the cup of soup and 6 baht for the ramen about $0.20.

I always make a point of stopping for some munchies before I get to the train station to save money there as well. I am partial to orange slices maybe for you it is gummy bears. You will want something to snack on the long ride. They normally have a food steward that comes around as soon as you leave Bangkok offering a set dinner and breakfast, 150 for the dinner, and 90 for the breakfast. I always try to take a pass on that although asking others they find it to be a nice meal. I do however go to the dinning car and grab a plate of whatever and feed my computer electricity. The dinning car is usually very entertaining at night as the locals all sit around and drink cheap beer and cheaper whiskey which they will ask you to join in as well which I am sure will result in a few laughs on your way on the train in Thailand.

Fred's new project http://www.CheapCharliesHotels.com/ where he reviews cheap hotels , budget guesthouses, discount accommodations and cheap international flights, but is really an excuse to go scuba diving on vacation more, Fred is in Phnom Penh Cambodia planning his next adventure travel tour. Keep up to date with Fred and to view some great pictures go to Cheap Charlies Hotels & Asia Cheapest Flights

Fred Tittle has lived and worked in holiday vacation resorts his entire life, from Lake Geneva's Playboy Club, as a rock jock for KSPN FM in Aspen Colorado, he became a PADI Pro Scuba Diver in Hawaii, diving on Maui, Kauai, Kona on the big island, and Waikiki on Oahu. He founded Eco Adventures South East Asia in Sihanoukville Cambodia. he still teaches SSI and PADI scuba diving courses and runs liveaboards in the gulf of Thailand and Asia adventure tours, http://www.ecosea.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fred_Tittle http://EzineArticles.com/?Budget-Travel---Try-Thailand-Trains-For-Cheap-Asia-Travel&id=1311071

Thailand Travel - 10 Interesting Facts About Thailand

2008-07-10T21:49:00.000-07:00

Thailand Travel - 10 Interesting Facts About Thailand
By : James Burrows

It's certainly the mesmeric land of Thais that attracts more visitants than any other country in the Southeast Asia. Thailand is the country known for beguiling scenic beauty, stunning beaches, impressing culture, commendable hospitality, fantastic temples, ruins & souvenirs of fabulous ancient kingdoms, gastronomic riches, and lovely, smiling, and welcoming people.

Thailand certainly the destination that appeals you, bewitches you, captivates you, enthralls you....! It's the place that makes you visit it again and again. It's the vacation destination that you dream of. Surely, you can find oodles of interesting things in Thailand, but here are the 10 most interesting facts about Thailand.

It is often nicknamed as the "Land Of Smiles," because of the perceived gentleness of its people. The country is really populated by smiling, inviting, and receiving people. Thais are really gentle, polite, soft spoken, friendly, and hospitable human beings.

Siam was the old name of Thailand. It was the official name of the country until 1949, when it was changed to Thailand by official proclamation. 'Thai' in the Thai language means 'freedom'. So, Thailand means "land of freedom" or "land of the free".

The Mon ruled over what is now known as Thailand. The area was also held by Khmer. The Mon Empire was a great Buddhist empire, and the empire had trading relations with Indians for centuries.

Thailand retains much of its original culture, because it is the only Southeast Asian nation that has never been colonized. Thai culture is kin to the Cambodian culture & religion, which was adopted by Thais in the 13th century, after the fall of the Khmer Kingdom.

King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, established Bangkok as the capital in 1782. Bhumibol Adulyadej, the current King of Thailand, is also a Chakri Dynasty ruler. He is also known as Rama IX. He is the longest serving monarch in the Thai history.

95% of the Thai people are Buddhists of the Theravada tradition. 4.6% of the people are Muslims. Malays are mainly concentrated on the southern tip of Thailand. 0.75% of the people are Christians, mainly Catholics. Sikhs & Hindus are tiny, but influential. The nation also has a small Jewish community.

Thailand is also known as the "Land of white Elephant." White elephants were highly esteemed and valued by the Thai Rulers. Elephants are still highly revered in Thailand. They are considered as the symbol of peace and prosperity.

Thais do not like someone touching them on head. They believe that soul, which is considered extremely sacred, resides in head. So, don't ever touch a Thai on the head, not even a Thai child.

Thailand is the 49th country area wise, with its total land area of 514,000 km² (198,000 sq mi). It is comparable to the size of France, and it is somewhat larger than the California State of the United States.

Thailand has 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which include Ban Chiang Archaeological Site near Udon Thani, Dong Phayayen - Khao Yai Forest Complex, Historic City of Ayutthaya & Associated Historic Towns, Historic Town of Sukhothai & Associated Historic Towns - including Kampang Phet and Si Satchanalai, and Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Author writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for Hotels, Villas, [http://www.holiday-velvet.com/phuket/ ]Holiday villas in Thailand, and [http://www.holiday-velvet.com/ ]Holiday villas worldwide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Burrows http://EzineArticles.com/?Thailand-Travel---10-Interesting-Facts-About-Thailand&id=891849

Thailand - An Extreme Travel Experience - Filipinos in Thailand

2008-07-05T21:41:00.000-07:00

Thailand - An Extreme Travel Experience - Filipinos in Thailand
By : Hedda Tan

When Bangkok residents and those in neighboring provinces like Ayutthaya, Hua Hin and Ratchaburi were gearing up for the hottest season in Thailand, 6 young, adventurous Pinoys set out from Manila to fulfill part of their goal – to tour the whole of South East Asia. Their destination? Thailand!

But little did they know it’s going to be more than just a taste of the spiciest meal they’ve ever had in their life, or that it’s going to be more than just a beach experience. Here is a story of six friends who came to Thailand for the first time. Their experiences have been so much more than they hoped and planned for, and how they did it would be something you could learn from if you yourself plans to travel Thailand.

Mark, Vangie, Hencel, Hil, Jeff and Sheryll thought they have done all the research they could lay their hands on to arm them with all that they needed for their Thailand trip. But although they did see parts of Thailand they expected,

nothing prepared them for the scorching, energy-draining heat Thailand is famous for especially in the months of March and April.

“Umaga pa lang, mainit na” (in the morning, it’s already hot), the group was saying. And that had an impact on their sight seeing plans. They wanted to do more and see more, but the heat was just too much so they had to catch up on some sleep their first couple of days to have the energy to tackle Bangkok streets thereafter.

Nonetheless, those first couple of days, they experienced the historical architecture of Ayutthaya – Thailand’s capital before the Thais moved it to Bangkok, also known as Krungthep in the local language. They also had a taste of Thailand waters and sand in tranquil Hua Hin, which is the King’s choice of residence for the summer season. Though they didn’t have a chance to bump into royalty while there, they were not the least disappointed. They had a chance to see and experience parts of Thailand other than Bangkok even though it’s only their first time to travel Thailand.

The morning after their travels in Ayutthaya and Hua Hin, we met the Pinoy travelers at Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), and took them to the ever famous Floating Market in Damnoen [http://www.siampinoy.com/thailand-travel/damnern-saduak-floating-market-and-rose-garden-2.html ] Saduak.

While having a picturesque moment watching the array of Thai fruits, food and crafts along what is known to some as the ‘Venice of the East’, the group had some regular Thai noodles (bam-i nam) and enjoyed sticky rice topped with ripe mango (kaw niew ma muang) and the cheap, yet very fresh fruits being sold along the khlong (canal). The sellers were cramped with their goods in narrow wooden boats. Not much time to haggle there for customers, lest the boat with the goods you have your eyes on gets swept by other boats.

And of course, the adventure wouldn’t be complete without the boat ride along the khlong (canal).

But the most unforgettable experiences the group had came in contrasts. Nearly at the end of their Thailand travels, the group visited the Grand Palace. There, they were awed by the intricacy of the Thais’ handiwork on the walls of the temples.

Literally everything spelled “majestic”, and they wondered whether the bright colors and the intricate work are true for all Buddhists or is it only in Thailand.

Apart from the grandiosity of the palaces and temples, the Thais’ reverence for their King also made a great impression on the group. To them, it’s amazing that despite the apparent modern technology in Thailand, people still have a deep respect for and that they still follow their King.

That same night, the group had an 180-degree turn when their travels took them to yet another infamous place to visit in Thailand – Patpong! There they saw another side of Bangkok that is equally amazing but in a totally different way. Though they had a forewarning that they might meet quite aggressive people who would try to convince them they have the best “pingpong” show that side of the city, nothing prepared them for the real experience.

“They really force you to buy their wares”, was one of the comments from the group. “Nakakatakot yung inaapproach ka nila tapos hindi ka nila talaga titigilan.Tsaka hindi ko ininom yung soda (when we watched the show), kasi natatakot ako kung ano yung nakalagay doon”

it’s scary when they approach you and they don’t easily let you go. And I didn’t drink the soda because it’s scary to think what could be in it), was yet another member’s memory of the group’s Patpong experience.

What was unexpected by the group was how the women who worked in Patpong reacted to their work situation: “Nakakagulat sa kanila, parang wala lang” (What was surprising was that it seemed like nothing to them). “In fact, nagtatawanan sila (they were laughing). Parang they don’t see it as work na; just something natural. They don’t see anything wrong about it”.

Before the group came for this trip, they heard many stories about Thailand. Surprisingly though, not much was told about Patpong. Many of the stories the group read in blogs and heard about Thailand were scary, but they’ve found out, they’re not all true. One of them says, just be practical. Have the common sense to take the same precautions sensible travelers would take in any country they visit for the first time.

The group also advises, “Do not limit yourself to Bangkok. Thailand is not beaches. Thailand is not Patpong. Thailand is not temples. Thailand is everything!”

And because of that, this group of 6 friends vows to come back. There is yet more to Thailand that they have not experienced. Next time, they would like to go south and explore the island beaches like Krabi and Phuket. They might also go north where the long-neck tribe and the like lives, and where the climate is so much more forgiving especially for travelers.

In the Philippines the group has also seen many beautiful places. And their Thailand experience has only enhanced whatever is good and beautiful about our country.

And that is one message they would like to convey to others back home: to go places beyond the 7,107 islands (or more) of the Philippines. The purpose is not to promote tourism in other countries, but for Pinoys to appreciate what is good about our own. And that is one message they would like to convey to others back home: to go places beyond the 7,107 islands (or more) of the Philippines. The purpose is not to promote tourism in other countries, but for Pinoys to appreciate what is good about our own. This way people will have a better understanding of what works in our country and what does not. From there, it would be easier to correct our mistakes because we will have tangible points of comparison.

As the group leaves Thailand with thought provoking memories, they have this to say to Siam Pinoy, “Thank you sa experience sa Thailand. Yung hospitality, hindi namin expected. Pumunta na kami sa ibang lugar na may kakilala pa kami (we’ve already gone to places where we even know people). But here, we don’t even know you, you don’t know us. Yet you spent time for us.”

For us in Siam Pinoy, it has been a pleasure. It’s not everyday we meet like-minded people. And for those adventurous spirits left back home who plan to unleash themselves in Thailand, here’s their piece of advice, “Prepare themselves. Keep an open mind. Ang Thailand, hindi mo right away mahal, e (you don’t get to love it right away). But it grows on you. And when they get here, respeto lang sa kultura nila” (just respect their culture).

The Venice of the East As the group of 6 friends go back to their different lives in Manila, they will always have their extreme experiences of Thailand to look back to. A part of them would remember the ‘cigarette-smoking’ and ‘pingpong’ ladies of the Thailand nightlife who sell entertainment of another kind.

Another part of the group would look back with awe and wonder at the nationalism of a people and the love they have for their King and country. And that national pride is the part of them, which gives rise to those majestic and intricately decorated temples and palaces Thailand is known for the world over. But for one thing, they are a more proud group of Filipino travelers, appreciating more what is Philippines after learning and experiencing what lies beyond our borders.

Hedda Joy Tady-Tan is an international School Teacher in Thailand.
She is also the Editor in Chief of SiamPinoy.com - The Filipino Expats Community in Thailand Online. http://www.siampinoy.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hedda_Tan http://EzineArticles.com/?Thailand---An-Extreme-Travel-Experience---Filipinos-in-Thailand&id=536886

The Kingdom of Thailand

2008-05-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

The Kingdom of Thailand
By : Michael Hoppe

Why are so many people fascinated from this kingdom? Maybe because it was never colonized by the Europeans and therefore remained original and unique without the dominating influence of European culture or language (colonialism). Speaking in geographical terms Thailand's surface area makes a large part of South East Asia. Its territory extends from the Himalaya foothill to the Malayan peninsula, also embracing the Golf of Thailand. If people see this on a map Thailand's territory often reminds them of an elephant's feature. Altogether Thailand has a surface are of about 513.000 square kilometers.

But surely it is not the elephant's shape on the map which influences so many people to travel to Thailand. The northern part of the kingdom is very hilly. There you have a very dry climate in summer and people who live there a very poor since agriculture is nearly impossible due to the lack of rain. But the central part and south east coast of Thailand are completely different. Here you have a humid climate because of the Golf of Thailand which surrounds this part of the country. The average temperature is about 18° Celsius.

When tourists decide to travel to Thailand they will not think about the seasons of the year but check how many rain there is for example from June to September when it's monsoon time. In the months before monsoon there are the highest temperatures of the year - quite often around 40° Celsius. So when you like cooler temperatures and not so many rain you should decide to travel between November and February.

Now what can you see in Thailand? It's a very colourful country. First of all you have the impressive capital Bangkok (the Thais call it Krung Trep) with its fascinating mixture of tradition and modernism. No problem to walk the streets of Bankgok and see a Buddhist monk talking with his mobile.

Michael lives in Hamburg.

Two of his websites: [http://www.slotsch.de/webpages/travel-and-leisure/index.html]slotsch.de and [http://travel-4.blogspot.com]travel-4.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Hoppe http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Kingdom-of-Thailand&id=527992

Thailand Airlines

2008-05-20T21:37:00.000-07:00

Thailand Airlines
By : Ian Pennington

Travelling is the most amusing means of getting away with redundant routines at home and office. Everybody loves to grasp some vacation in the form of tours and adventures. While tourism creates a big bulk in a nation's economy, recent developments in terms of transportation and hotel accommodation. To complement the growing tourism needs of tourists visiting Asia, Thailand airlines make every trip as safe and exciting as possible for the jetsetters.

Operational Thailand airlines include Thai Air Asia, SGA Airlines, PB Air, Thai Airways International, Orient Thai Airlines, Bangkok Airways and Nok Air. All are geared towards providing a hassle-free and safe sky travel. They offer passengers with the most convenient way of releasing airline tickets, boarding and unloading, baggage deposit services and tour assistance.

Thailand airlines deliver the high standards of flying tourists from all over the world. Thai Airways serve flights from Bangkok and Phuket to any point of destination cities in the US and Europe such as Los Angeles in California, Munich in Germany, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia, Rome in Italy, Paris in France, Madrid in Spain, London in the United Kingdom, Athens in Greece. Connecting flights via Doha in Qatar, Manila in Philippines and other Asian cities are also given as options.

Serving flights to and fro all continents of the world, Thailand airlines afford hospitality and high quality of services to every jetsetter. The eminent culture of congeniality is apparently seen in how the flight stewards reach out to their passengers. Because Bangkok is considered as the aviation hub of Asia, more flight schedules are opened by Thailand airlines to give the travelers wider choices to reach Thailand.

It is said that wherever Thailand airlines fly, the authenticity of Thai culture and heritage travels along with it. Cheap flights are now being offered online through international travel agencies. Online booking is the quickest and most convenient way to get your tickets at slashed rates. Lower than usual, air ticket prices are only enjoyed by those who link with Thailand's accredited travel companies.

Although Thai has its own native tongue, Thailand airlines are competitive in terms of employing competent flight attendants who have the ability to speak the universal language. They are carefully trained and equipped with strong verbal skills using English as the medium of interaction.

There are more than 70 destinations in 40 countries now that Thailand airlines are flying back and forth. This goes to say that Thailand is keeping up with the world tourism trend of vacationing not only during summer but all seasons of the year. Whether it is for business or amusement, travelers seek to fly to Thailand to discover its cultured means, English education progress and eco-tourism boost.

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about [http://discounttravelonline.info/thailand-airlines/]airlines, please visit [http://discounttravelonline.info/]Discount Travel Online for current articles and discussions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Pennington http://EzineArticles.com/?Thailand-Airlines&id=1388725

Bracing Thailand's Climate

2008-05-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

Bracing Thailand's Climate
By : Pauline Go

Are you planning to visit Thailand? Are you in a fix to trying to decide which time of the year is perfect to visit Thailand? You may have planned your itinerary or taken tips from your friends, internet or travel agent which places you should visit or what is the best cuisine. However, assessing the climate of any place before visiting is equally important. You need to know which is the best time to visit a place so that you can have the best of both the worlds, which means enjoying good food, rich heritage and the best of the weather at the same time.

Thailand has a tropical climate. It is usually sunny from February to May, with an average temperature of 34 degree celsius. This period is the hottest time of the year in Thailand. Monsoon arrives around the month of June. Plenty of rainfall coupled with sunshine is the typical climate in Thailand from June to October. The temperature is moderate and usually hovers around 29 degree celsius. November to January is the best time of the year with a temperature of 28 degree celsius. Compared to other parts, the northern and north eastern part of Thailand experiences cooler temperatures during evening and night time.

The southern part of Thailand enjoys a tropical rainforest climate. This part has the best climate throughout the year with an average temperature of 28 to 29 degree celsius.

Therefore, you can easily make out that you can have the best deal if you visit Thailand at any time between November to February. Also, if you visit South Thailand, you will experience better climates when compared to other regions of Thailand.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pauline_Go http://EzineArticles.com/?Bracing-Thailands-Climate&id=557781

How to Find the Tour Guide Job of Your Dreams

2008-05-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

How to Find the Tour Guide Job of Your Dreams
By : Chris Robertson

Have you always dreamed of traveling to interesting places and getting paid to do so? As a professional tour guide or tour director, this dream can become a reality. But how do you get started as a tour guide? How do you find travel jobs? Where is work available for this type of work? Below are some helpful tips to help you find the tour guide job of your dreams.

What is a Tour Guide?

Before seeking a job in this field, you should have a clear understanding of the job and its requirements. A tour guide is not merely someone who leads a group of people around at a particular site. They are highly skilled at what they do. They understand how to communicate and work with people. They know the rules and expect the group to follow those rules. Tour guides study hard to learn all they can about the site or attraction so they can answer questions along the way. They understand the importance of safety and are trained to handle emergencies when they arise.

Types of Tour Guide Jobs

Tour guide duties vary according to the type of job. There are adventure travel jobs where you'll go along with a group of travelers by bus or plane to adventurous places and remain with the group for the entire trip. With this type of job, you must study about many different sites and attractions in the destination area.

As a tour director for multi-day tours, you'll be responsible for managing arrangements and services as well as providing relevant information and commentary. You might become a tour director for African safaris, mountain hiking, winery tours, walking tours - whatever your desire.

So, whether you want to travel abroad or find a tour guide job or tour director job in your local area, there are plenty of opportunities.

Tour Guide Training

A smart first step in finding the travel job of your dreams is to take a tour training course. Training is available for tour guides, tour directors, and even professional tour management. With tour training, you'll learn about safety procedures for various travel methods and destinations. You'll also learn about working with suppliers, handling emergencies, documentation, delivering informative narration, and more.

Both tour guide training and tour director training will help you prepare to work with people, become a great speaker, get organized, and be able to act immediately when emergencies arise.

Online Tour Jobs

You can use online resources to find the tour guide job or tour director job that will fit your personality and desires. Determine the type of position you would like and where you would like to work. Do you want to travel to exotic places and return home on the weekends? Or, would you rather be a tour guide in your local area so you can be home at night with your family? Once you decide which job is right for you, search online using your criteria.

There is also online tour training offered through over 1,300 colleges worldwide. So, you won't even have to leave your home to learn these valuable skills.

No matter what your career goals, there's a travel job waiting for you!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular [http://www.majon.com]internet marketing companies on the web.
Learn more about [http://tourtraining.com]Tips to Find Tour Guide Jobs or Majon's [http://www.majon.com/directory/Travel]Travel directory

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Find-the-Tour-Guide-Job-of-Your-Dreams&id=526536

Thailand Travel Information

2008-05-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

Thailand Travel Information
By : Pauline Go

Million of people travel to Thailand every year. Many of them do not know what to expect, and they know very little about Thailand. However once they have been to Thailand, they will be sure to return. Thailand is an amazing country with marvelous excitement in every corner.
There are four natural regions in Thailand. The northern region is full of mountains and forests. Chaing Mai is a very popular tourist destination of this region. The central plain is very fertile. It is very suitable for agriculture. Many farmers produce rice in this area. Thailand has often been named,

“Rice Bowl of Asia”. Bangkok is the center of this region. It is also the capital of Thailand. The southern region is full of beautiful beaches and landscape. There are many minerals and ores to be found in this area.

Thailand is a humid and hot tropical country. Many Thai people like to joke that it has three seasons, hot, hotter, and hottest. The average temperature is about 23 to 35 Celsius.
Thai people have great love and respect for the king and the royal family. If you have a chance to visit Thailand, it is not wise t to disrespect the loyalty. Do no say anything bad about the monarchy. It is illegal, and you can be arrested.

Thailand is great place for vacation. Some of the very popular tourist cities are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Samui, and Pattaya.

It is a good idea to learn a little Thai, before you visit Thailand. Thai people admire people who can speak some Thai.

Check Out More Articles: [http://www.thailandbuddy.com]Thailand Cheap Flight, [http://www.thailandbuddy.com/escort-agency-thailand/index.html]escort agency Thailand , [http://www.thailandbuddy.com/real-estate-homes/House-Condominium-Sell-Bangkok-Real-Estate.html]Thailand Real Estate Advice ,

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pauline_Go http://EzineArticles.com/?Thailand-Travel-Information&id=419601

Thailand as a Tour Destination

2008-05-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

Thailand as a Tour Destination
By : Manoj Gursahani

Thinking of Thailand as a tour destination? Think exotic, oriental, majestic and more!

Thailand’s boundaries stretch to neighboring regions of Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian Ocean. The exciting Eastern city of Thailand offers immense scope for sea, air and road travel, dependent on a tourist’s budget. Its four main regions, namely North, Central Plain or the Chao Phraya River Basin, North East (Korat Plateau) and South Peninsula live up to the true meaning of ‘thai,’ literally meaning free and denoting the same in its multicultural diversity that happily coexists with its diverse inhabitants.

Agriculturally rich, with paddy fields dotted landscape that make room for heritage palaces and famous temples alike, modern Thailand comes as a pleasant surprise for the global traveler: natural beauty of many beaches and islands, innumerable shopping bargains and vibrant festivities of carnivals and shopping centers that offer wide variety in local foods and gourmet cuisine, exotic hill - tribe villages and ancient ruins all contribute to Thailand’s cosmopolitan air as a tour destination.

Thailand as a tour destination: its many exciting activities and pleasures.
Buddhism is the main religion in Thailand with the King of Thailand revered as the supreme monarch and also the patron of all religions embraced by the people. Thus, Thailand has religious tolerance woven into its social fabric and respects people of all races. This multiculturalism makes Thailand a hot favorite as a tour destination for the global traveler with add-on visits to nearby cities like Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth and other major southern Thai towns being part of an avid tourist’s list. Places of tourist interest in Thailand include Phuket, Koh Samui, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Chang and Koh Samet while provinces like Krabi, Koh Libong, Koh Hai provides great photographic memoirs of Thailand as a tour destination.

Manoj Gursahani is the Chairman of [http://www.travelmartindia.com ]India's first ecommerce travel portal- TravelMartIndia. Visit the blog for more [http://blog.travelmartindia.com ]travel related issues, travel tips and destinations

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Manoj_Gursahani http://EzineArticles.com/?Thailand-as-a-Tour-Destination&id=462534

Pattaya - enjoying the city’s bar and restaurant scene

2008-04-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

Pattaya - enjoying the city’s bar and restaurant scene
By: Andy Burrows

While in many of Thailand’s less commercially developed holiday centres visitors are happy to eat at the same places as the locals, Pattaya attracts holidaymakers who are often less ambitious and in search of some traces of familiarity where food and drink are concerned.

Fortunately, Pattaya has a wealth of venues that are tourist friendly including those owned by Thais keen to cash in on the steady influx of annual visitors and those owned by expats hoping to attract other expats and grab something of the tourist trade also.

Most hotels offer breakfast as part of the price of a room for the night and while they generally have facilities for providing lunch and dinner, many visitors are out and about during the daytime and will need to find somewhere on their travels that can satisfy their food needs.

There are plenty of venues open for lunch and visitors can choose from either Thai or western food. In the latter category, eateries that stand out include the Queen Victoria Inn on soi 6 with its fine selection of typically English fare and Pat’s restaurant on soi 3 offering similar grub. Between them, customers can expect to find fish and chips, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, shepherd's pie and ploughman's lunch up for grabs.

For fast food, Subway has a branch of its famous sandwich chain situated on Pattaya Klang road and offers its typical selection of Americanised fare, while the City Grill restaurant on Walking street covers all the usual bread and meat combinations such as hot dogs and hamburgers. For food of a similar ilk with that little bit extra, Bob's BBQ & Grill is sure to please with its ribs, burgers and steaks.

Dinner time sees a greater selection of eateries, with many restaurants restricting themselves to evening trade only. Thai food vendors begin to line the streets once the sun has set, dishing up cheap yet authentic Thai cuisine from their mobile food carts. It’s possible to eat for less than 50 baht at these places, although the roadside setting won’t win any awards for being romantic or serene.

To enjoy Thai food in a restaurant setting yet at a reasonable price, try Somsak on soi 1 or Baan Thai on Central road where traditional fare with an haute cuisine edge can be enjoyed at higher prices than the former. Dinner with entertainment can be found at Adam & Eve’s at Sabai Jai Village and PIC Kitchen on soi 5.

When it’s got to be something familiar or something that is not spicy, then its time to try one of Pattaya’s many international restaurants. Establishments in this category include those serving the cuisines of England, France, Belgium, Germany and Japan. For spicy food of a different nature, there are also Indian and Mexican eateries.

Italian food is popular in Pattaya, as anywhere else in the world, and Duilio's on Central road and Little Italy situated on the opposite side from Royal Garden Plaza are the among the best places to enjoy a plate of pasta or a pizza. For something from France, check out Au Bon Coin on soi 5 and Mon Ami Pierrot on Walking street; both delivering high quality, authentic French cuisine. Belgian food is best enjoyed at either Klein Vlaanderen on the Pattaya 2nd or Patrick's Belgian at the Diana Arcade.

Go Japanese at either Yamato on soi Yamato or at either of the city’s Daidomon branches (Big C and Royal Garden Plaza), with the former being the best option in terms of authenticity. For nan bread, samosas and milky curries, head to Sher E Punjab on Beach road or Ali Baba on Central road, while tacos and chili are sure to be found on the menus of Mexican establishments Blue Parrot on soi 2 and Tequila Reef on soi 7.

After dinner, a cool alcoholic beverage is appealing and Pattaya has plenty of drinking venues on offer. Unfortunately, the main drinking zone, situated around Walking street, has a reputation as a haven for sex tourists and the kind of establishments that cater to them. If this is not your scene, there are still bars in the same area where visitors can drink and socialise without this kind of distraction.

Falling into the aforementioned category are venues such as the Bamboo Bar and Kilkenny’s Irish pub on Walking street; Hard Rock Café, Hopf Brew House and Rosie O'Grady's on Beach road; and Shenanigans and the Queen Victoria Inn in the Pattaya 2nd road area.

Of course, there are some visitors who will want to avoid any chance of wandering into seedy areas and for them the safety of hotel bars is perhaps the best option. The big hotels all have their own bars, many of them attractively furnished and offering quality wines and spirits as opposed to locally brewed beverages.

The Sheraton in Pattaya Hill, All Seasons on Pattaya 2nd road, Marriot on Beach road and Royal Orchid Resort in North Pattaya are just some of the establishments with bar facilities. Customers need not be guests of the hotel to drink at these bars. It’s also worth considering that these hotels all have excellent in-house restaurants which are open to guests and non-guests alike. The standard of food is exceptionally high and both Thai and international cuisine are available. Non-residents should consider booking ahead, especially in high season.

Songkran in Best Travel Thailand

2008-04-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

Songkran Festival 2008's Announcement

The Great Songkran Day this year is falling on Sunday 13 April 2008, corresponding the Year of Mouse. Its symbolic is a Deva of water element nature, before B.E. 1370, intercalary month in Lunar Calendar and the extra day added in February every four years.

Songkran Queen is name Tungsatevee, wearing bangle and pomegranate flower, red dress, preferred wild fruit, the right hand holding Chakra and the left hand is holding a shell, sitting on the back of garuda.

The Great Songkran Day this year is falling on Sunday 13 April 2008 at 18.24hours. Changed from before B.E. 1370 on 14 April 2008 at 22.53.24 hours.

In this year, Sunday is the “Thongchai or Lucky Day”, Monday is “Athibordi Day”, Saturday is “Ubat or Bad Luck Day”, Wednesday is “Lokawinat or Destructive Day”. Since Songkran in this year is falling on Saturday, it shall inspire raining 400 ha (the word to call the shower of the rain) as divided as 40 ha in human world; 80 ha in the oceans; 120 ha in Himmabhan Forest; 160 ha in Chakkrawan Mountain. There were 6 Naga spraying water, the prediction about food is called “papa” the rice paddy in the farm shall be 1 part productive and 9 parts destroyed and there shall have appropriate water.

From the above announcement of Songkran if we compare with ancient prediction, it is noticeable that Sonkran in this year is falling on Saturday, it is said that there shall have lot of theft, severe sickness, and, as the first day of Aries is falling on Sunday, it is predicted that the rice shall be died, lot of foreigner entering the country, the senior shall be in worrisome. In Lanna concept it is predicted that there shall lack of rain, the plants shall be seriously destroyed by insets, serious fire, expensive goods, all are as worse as current prediction. For Songkran Queen named Mahthon Thevi is sound quite terrible since in addition to carrying Chakra and Trident but she also eat meat and bear water hyacinth above her ear, wear black sapphire. Some may feel unhappy after reading those above story but should we deeply consider that Songkran is falling on Saturday which in Astrology is considered as the great trouble day that full of bad luck but Saturday is the strong day, having “Naga-Prok” Style Buddha Image as the symbol of the day which can be interpreted that the Naga has spread their heads to protect all human beings from all bad luck and it is believed that this style of Buddha is full of sacred in mercy as from the legend, it was told that even the Naga also appeared from the water to protect the Buddha based on the power of his kindness. It is to directly indicate peoples to use mercy and merit in spending their life regardless in the family, social and national level. Chakra is the weapon of Narayana as used to get rid of troublesome of the world while Trident is the weapon of Siva the great holy who gives special blessings to peopled of good conduct. Black sapphire can make the wearer to have cool-mind, can prevent dangerous from ghost, brings strength, good luck and richness. It is noticeable that even Songkrang Queen is coming to the world at inappropriate time but her weapon and ornament indicate lucky meaning because they can be used to get rid of enemy. Regardless what is the prediction in the past or in presence, if we use the best care in living, then we shall be able to welcome “Songkran – Thai New Year” with happiness and confidence of the future.

Prediction about the Great Songkran Day, the first day of Aries and New Year Celebration Day.

In case of Songkran day is falling on Sunday, the plant shall give inappropriate productivity. In case of the first day of Aries is falling on Sunday, the rice shall be died, lot of foreigners entering the country, the senior shall be falling in worrisome. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Sunday, the King shall have great power to eliminate all enemies from all directions.
In case of Sonkran day is falling on Monday, the senior government officers and their ladies shall have great power. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Monday, there shall have sickness and expensive salt. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Monday, the queen and her lady-in-waiting shall be happy.
In case of Songkran day is falling on Tuesday, there shall have lot of thefts, serious sickness. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Tuesday, all fruits shall be expensive. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Tuesday, all civil servant shall be happy and overcome the enemies.
In case of Songkran day is falling on Wednesday, the senior government officers shall be admired from international. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Wednesday, all foods shall be expensive, the widowed woman shall loss her residence. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Wednesday, all psychologist shall be happy.
In case of Songkran day is falling on Thursday, the junior shall be loss his advantage to the senior and boss. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Thursday, fruits shall be expensive, the royal family shall be in worrisome. Should the New Year Celebration is falling on Thursday, all priests, nuns and Brahmins shall perform their good activities.
In case of Songkran day is falling on Friday, there shall be rich with food and plant, heavy rain, strong storm, peoples shall be suffered from eyes disease and sick. Should the first of day of Aries is falling on Friday, chili shall be expensive, birds are suffered from disease, danger to the wild animals, the widow shall be lucky. Should the New Year Celebration Day is falling on Friday, the merchant and head of household shall have good luck in their business and earn lot of profit.
In case of Songkran day is falling on Saturday, there shall have lot of thefts, serious sickness. Should the first day of Aries is falling on Saturday, foods shall be expensive, less rice product, expensive fruit, less water and fire in the center of the city, the nobleman shall be punished. Should the New Year Celebration Day if falling on Saturday, all soldiers shall win the enemies.

In addition, there are prediction of Lanna from other orthodox that if the Great Songkran Day is falling on Sunday, the Songkran Queen is Mrs. Paengsri, the affect is the rice in such year shall be very expensive, most peoples shall be suffered from diseases, enemy attack, rice and plant are destroyed by insects, uneven rains, the millionaire shall be lost, rubber tree is the great plant for other plants, the rice holy is remained at the bamboo tree.

On Monday, the Songkran Queen is Manora, in such year, there shall have lot of snakes, most peoples shall be suffered from diseases and most of bad luck, the rice holy is remained at Mai Dua Kliang.

On Tuesday, the Songkran Queen is Raksot Thevi, in such year there shall have good raining in the beginning and ending of the year but less raining in the middle of the year, destructive rice farm, less productivity of fruits, bad situation in the country, rice and plant are destroyed by insect, the rice holy is remained at Mai Oye Chang.

On Wednesday, the Songkran Queen is Mantha, in such year there shall have uneven rain, half productive and half destructive rice farm, expensive goods, bad luck for nobleman, the rice holy is remained at Mai Kram.

On Thursday, the Songkran Queen is Kanyathep, in such year there shall have regular rain according to the reason, the senior shall be in danger, lot of dead animal, the peoples are happily stay and good being while the nobleman and priest shall be in worrisome, the rice holy is remained at Bastard Teak.

On Friday, the Songkran Queen is Rintho, in such year there shall have good rain in the beginning of the year and lowered in the middle of the year, the plant and rice are destroyed, danger to the priest, the rice holy is remained at Mai Phuttha. On Saturday, the Songkran Queen is Sama Thevi, in such year there is lack of rain, the plants are destroyed by insect, great fire and expensive goods.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SONGKRAN: ORIGINS OF THE FESTIVAL & THE CULTURAL VALUES BEHIND SONGKRAN

2008-04-08T06:36:00.000-07:00

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SONGKRAN: ORIGINS OF THE FESTIVAL & THE CULTURAL VALUES BEHIND SONGKRAN

Songkran Day has been celebrated as New Year's Day in the Thai solar calendar since ancient times. The date coincides with the day the sun leaves Pisces and enters Aries, usually falling on April 13 of each year.

The word "Songkran" means a passage or course and refers to the position of the sun within the solar system. As the sun enters each of the houses of the zodiac constellation, a songkran cycle is completed. Over time, the use of the term has become more generic and Songkran is more commonly associated with the period when the sun enters Aries, in April. During this time, the sun is equidistant to the earth so there are an equal number of hours during the day and night, a phenomenon known as "mahasongkran" (the supreme cycle). This marks the beginning of the Thai new year.

Songkran is celebrated over a 3-day period.

APRIL 13 - WAN SANGKHAN LHONG
"Sangkarn Lhong day" marks the end of an era. Various activities are undertaken to "send off" the outgoing year. In the morning, merit-making rituals are performed and offerings are made to the Buddhist monks. Spring-cleaning and personal cleansing are also part of this "renewal" process. Later in the day, Buddha images are bathed with lustral water in a gesture of respect. The religious ceremonies include a procession of Buddha images through the city streets offering an opportunity for residents of the community to take part in the bathing rites. An annual "Miss Songkran" parade and floral floats are part of the popular festivities held to greet the Thai new year.

APRIL 14 - WAN NAO OR WAN DA
On April 14, the position of the sun is mid-way between Pisces and Aries. "Wan nao" or "Wan da" is a day of preparation as family members gather to help prepare offerings for the monks for the next morning. The afternoon is spent carrying sand into the 'wats' or temples. This is considered to be an auspicious day when everyone sports a happy face and avoids uttering words deemed inauspicious or bad-tempered. Merit-making continues in the morning with offerings being made to Buddhist monks. The world-famous Songkran water-splashing festive fun takes place all day helping revellers to beat the summer heat. In the evening, sand is brought to the temples for the building of sand stupas which are then decorated with colourful flags and flowers. The practice reflects an ancient belief that when an individuals walks away from a temple, particles of sand from the temple grounds are inadvertently carried away on one's shoes or sandals. The building of sand stupas for the temple is seen to be a practical way of replacing the sand lost and a merit-making act through which blessings are earned.

APRIL 15 - WAN PHYA WAN
April 15 marks the Thai New Year. This is the most important day of the Songkran New Year celebrations. It is a day traditionally spent making merit and performing charitable acts such as presenting offerings to the monks and listening to sermons, sprinkling holy water on Buddha images and monks, propping up the sacred Bo tree in the temple grounds, and calling on elders to receive their blessings.

A bathing ritual is observed in which lustral water is poured over respected elders in a gesture of respect and reverence. The seeking of their blessing or forgiveness for past wrong-doing is also implied. Additionally it is believed that through these acts of merit-making, loved ones, long-departed are endowed with blessings and good fortune. Last but not least comes the water-splashing ceremony and other festivities which is the most fun-filled part of the celebrations.

The religious ceremonies and folk rituals associated with Songkran are principally performed to bring good luck and prosperity. The rituals are also acts of gratitude and indebtedness undertaken in the memory of those who have passed on to another world.

The Songkran activities that take place in various locations around the kingdom are culturally unique and reflect local beliefs and practices. Each offers varying elements of interest.

LANNA THAI SONGKRAN FESTIVAL IN CHIANG MAI APRIL 13 - 15, 2007

Wat Phra Singh Voramahaviharn Temple
Tha Phae Gate
Provincial Governor's residence
Around the city moat and at various other locations throughout the city of Chiang Mai

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

Phra Buddha Sihing procession
Buddha images bathing ritual
Merit-making activities and presentation of offerings to Buddhist monks
Lanna Thai cultural performances
Folk games
Sand-stupa building contest
Songkran water-splashing

One of the best places to experience Songkran is in Chiang Mai, where it is celebrated on a grand scale with a flavour uniquely and entirely its own, attracting visitors from far and wide.

This year the festivities, scheduled for April 13-15, 2007, are centred around the Wat Phra Singh Voramahaviharn Temple, in the vicinity of the Tha Phae Gate, the Provincial Governor's residence and around the city moat.

Devout Buddhists visit the temple for merit-making and to listen to sermons. Lustral water is sprinkled on sacred Buddha images, such as the Phra Buddha Sihing image, and also poured over the hands of monks in a gesture of reverence. Donations are also made to the temple. Enjoy traditional Thai cultural performances held in the temple ground.

One of the highlights of the festival is the 'Songkran Beauty Queen Procession' that takes place on Songkran Day itself - April 13. Meanwhile, many other events leading up to the main attraction are spread over several days and it is here that the visitor gets to see various aspects of Chiang Mai, first hand, -- its culture, cuisine, arts and crafts, as well as the friendly people.

THE CULTURAL VALUES BEHIND SONGKRAN

The Cultural Values of the Songkran Festival are expressed through the various ceremonies and rituals. The meaningful aspects of Songkran are varied and culturally rich.

The first cultural value is "Thanksgiving" - The demonstration of gratitude and an expression of thanks to individuals who have have "done good" or shown goodwill and are worthy of respect and recognition.

Thanksgiving is demonstrated in ceremonial aspects of Songkran such as the bathing of Buddha statues with lustral water and the pouring of lustral water over the hands of elders and respected individuals, and other outward demonstration of respect.

The second cultural value is Loyalty to Ancestors. This is achieved through merit-making.

The third cultural value focuses on the an individual's sense of awareness of his/her responsibilities towards the family and home. It is demonstrated via the traditional custom of "spring cleaning".

The fourth value addresses the Value of Religion and highlights the well- defined roles and responsibilities of the "temples and monasteries" on the one hand and the community served by the religious institution.

Observance of this principle involves:

Community involvement in the spring-cleaning of temples
Meritmaking and offering food and alms to monks
The bathing of Buddha statues and monks
The construction of "chedis" or stupas and the decoration or beautification of temple surroundings

The fifth value is "Acts of kindness and generosity" towards others or Doing good for others".
This is demonstrated by the preparation, exchange and sharing of food and desserts by members of the community and the sprinkling of water on each other. This is a gesture of hospitality shown as individuals attempt to "cool" each other off in the intense summer heat.

The sixth value is the Spirit of Co-Operation and Community Spirit demonstrated through the enthusiastic participation of individuals of demonstrated through the enthusiastic participation of individuals of the community in Songkran festivities, sharing in the fun, spreading happiness and goodwill to all.

The morning of Songkran Day begins with merit-making according to local customs and traditions. Younger folks make their way to show their respect and seek the blessings of elders and individuals of seniority by making offerings. The ritual which accompanies this show of respect is highly elaborate. Deep respect and reverence is shown to the highest institution of the Kingdom - the monarchy and members of the royal family, learned individuals in particular those who are "teachers" the providers of knowledge to students and elders recognised for their worldly experience and wisdom.

This gesture of respect manifests itself in the form of a colourful and vibrant procession. This is Songkran and not a moment's "sanuk" is to be missed. Bright colours, song and dance and festive fun is the order of the day.

Once the ceremonial gesture of respect has been shown and the good-spirited water-throwing is over, everyone returns home to "freshen up" and prepare for the evening's celebrations which consists of various performances and forms of entertainment. Not to be missed is the "Ram Wong" Thai folk dance. The "Ram Wong" enables everyone to join in the fun.

Phuket Town

2008-04-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

Phuket Town is the provincial capital of Phuket Province.

Understand

Phuket Town (เมืองภูเก็ต Mueang Phuket) is the largest town in Phuket Province. It has a population of 63,000 and is the economic hub of the island. For the most part just an ordinary, scruffy provincial Thai town, it's hardly a major tourist attraction, but the Chinatown area is worth a quick look and there are some great Thai-style shopping opportunities too. Overall, accommodation and food in the town is cheaper than near the beaches, and can provide a refreshing change of pace.

Get in

Buses and songthaews connect Phuket Town to major beaches around the island, and start from Thanon Ranong at the Ranong market. The most popular service is the one to Patong Beach (20 baht, 45 minutes) which leaves every 30 minutes between 07:00 and 18:00. Fares to other beaches range from 15 to 30 baht. If you miss the last bus back a taxi will cost you at least 200 baht, easily more depending on your bargaining skills.
Phuket International Airport is 30 km to the north of Phuket Town, about 30 minutes by taxi (500 baht) or 45 minutes by shared minibus (100 baht).

Get around

Phuket Town is just a little too big to be covered comfortably on foot. There's little organised public transport as such, but motorbikes and four wheel tuk-tuks whizz about looking for fares.

See

Phuket Town's low-key attractions are mostly related to its colourful Chinese history and heritage, found in the Chinatown area on the north-western side of the city around Thanon Thalang.
-Jui Tui and Put Jaw Temples, corner of Thanon Ranong and Soi Phuthon (just west of the Ranong bus terminus). Put Jaw is the oldest Chinese Taoist temple in Phuket, first built over 200 years ago and dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy (Kwun Im), while the adjacent and connected Jui Tui is its larger, more modern annex. If you have a question that is puzzling you, ask it and throw the two red mango-shaped pieces in front of the altar in the air: if they land the same side up the answer is "no", while if they land on different sides the answer is "yes". Free entry but donations welcome.
-Sino-Portuguese Mansions, Thanon Krabi. Built by tin and rubber magnates in the late 19th century, these remain impressively huge even today.
-Wat Mongkol Nimit, Thanon Dibuk. A classical Thai-style temple with a soaring roof and lots of colourful glass tiling.
-Phuket Culture Museum, at Rajabhat University. It's free and very informative. Phuket's history is told in pictures and still scenes.

Do

Go shopping!

Buy

Shopping seems to be the main reason for visitors to come to Phuket Town. In addition to local markets and a slew of malls and departments stores, Chinatown's Thanon Thalang offers a large selection of boutiques and galleries retailing traditional handicrafts as well as antiques from the region. Phuket Night Bazaar is a large area, where you can get local stuff (though you might find the same things much cheaper at the Big C supermarket!).

Markets

-Ranong Market, Thanon Ranong, is the largest local market. A warren of stalls selling anything and everything, it can be a hot, sweaty and chaotic but an interesting experience if you've not been to one before.

Shopping malls

-Central Festival, Thanon Chaloem Phra Kiat - Phuket's branch of the Thai department store chain, also selling anything and everything but now in air-con comfort and a zero added to the price tag. It's still probably cheaper than the street markets at the beaches.
-SuperCheap claims to be the biggest and cheapest mall in Phuket, a cross between a Metro Market, Walmart, a Bazaar, and a normal local market for nearly everything from groceries to motorbike and car supplies and electronics. The best time to visit is in the evening. Take a small dinner in the nearby Thai restaurant (all you can eat for 69 baht - but when you leave something on the plate it costs 100 baht!) and afterwards join the Thai people at the market. SuperCheap is situated on the road to the airport, about 5 kms out of Phuket Town centre, just behind the Esso site. Open until midnight.

Eat

-Siam Bakery, 13 Thanon Yaowaraj (north of the Ranong traffic circle). French-run bakery offering pastries and drinks (~50 baht) in pleasant air-con surroundings.
-All You Can Eat, at Super Cheap, but you have to empty your plate -- otherwise it costs double. That's not a joke, but very useful in keeping guests eating things they really like to eat and not wasting food. If you order water with ice, the ice costs extra!
-Ruam Jai Restaurant, 215 Th Ranong, tel. 076-222821. Open: 6.00 - 16.00. A local run restaurant with friendly staff serving delicious all-vegetarian food. The prices are very reasonable, for example a plate of white/brown rice choosable with two or more dishes from the buffet of about 15 different courses is around 25-35b. Try also locally made fresh juices, 10b each. Popular among locals; it can be crowded around mealtimes. One of 3 vegetarian restaurants in very close proximity near the local bus terminal.
-Weekend market - numerous stalls sell a variety of meats, vegetables, noodles, fruits and sweets that can fill a stomach for a handful of baht.

Drink

-China House, 43 Thanon Yaowaraj. Chinese tea and other drinks in an impeccably tastefully restored shophouse that doubles as an art gallery. On the expensive side though, with drinks 50-100 baht.
-Coffee Max, on the roundabout where Thanon Ranong meets Thanon Yaowarat. Small, friendly coffee shop offering hot and cold coffee and tea drinks and a selection of pastries and cakes. Free wi-fi for customers.
-Michael's Bar, 12 Takua-Pa Road. Owned by a British expat, a friendly, low-key place to grab a few drinks at a reasonable price. Has wi-fi or a solitary PC for customer use, free for the first 20 minutes.
-Smile Cafe Newly opened cafe near the junction of Thanon Montri and Thanon Phang-Nga, run by a friendly young Thai couple who make a great ice-blended coffee or green tea.

Sleep

Budget

-Ban Nai Inn, 22/98 Luang Poh Cham Rd, Soi 1 A. Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel 076-214907-9, Fax 076-232276. Small guesthouse located directly behind the long distance bus terminal (walk past the motorbike taxi drivers). Rooms are basic but cheap, and include tv, refrigerator, A/C, separate shower and wardrobe with lockable drawer. Little English is spoken, suggesting that this is a destination more popular with Thai tourists.
-On On Hotel - 19 Th Phang-Nga, tel. 0 7621 1154; Old and a bit musty Sino-Portugese building with rich atmosphere, located almost in the center of the town. A small travel agency, laundry and cafe downstairs. Few scenes from the movie The Beach (2000) was shot here; check out room 38 for familiar views. Providing probably one of the cheapest accommodation of the island. Rooms from 180b to 400b. The cheapest rooms have shared bathrooms.
-Phuket Backpacker - Tel: +66-7625-6680. New (2005) establishment for western travellers, with sociable common room and kitchen facilities. It is located in the heart of Phuket town, next to the local food market on Ranong Road. Its central location allows easy trips -- via buses and taxis -- to Phuket's surrounding beaches and sights. There is also abundant shopping and dining in the area. Fan cooled rooms at the back are popular with cockroaches and mosquitos, so be prepared to share or fight for your space (and bring your own lock for the door). Free wi-fi, but the range does not extend to the outlying rooms.
-Phuket Cyberinn Hotel - Tel: +66-76220 100. Phuketcyberinn on Bangkok Rd. is located in the heart of Phuket Town. A 3-storey hotel is surrounded by many shops, street bazzars and wonderful old buildings. Easy to reach many spectacle beaches aound Phuket. It is just 30 minutes away from Phuket international airport.

Mid-range

- Metropole Phuket, 1 Soi Surin, Montri Road, ☎ +66 76 215-050, 214-020-9 (fax: +66 76 215-990), Large hotel, 5-10 minute walk from the main bus station and the market. May once have been an opulent choice, but it feels like a decision was made some decades ago to spend minimal effort on upkeep or cleaning of the hotel - at least the cheaper rooms and the "gym" are in desparate need of renovation! Wi-Fi 300 baht/day.

Getting Around in Pattaya

2008-04-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

By: lar

Once you have negotiated your taxi fare from Bangkok to Pattaya and have arrived in your hotel or resort, you will need to get around the city.

You have quite a few options. First, you can walk around most areas of Pattaya as the city is fairly compact. This serves a couple of purposes; it will give you some exercise and you will see things up close and personal.

The most common way for getting around Pattaya is the Baht bus. The Thai name is song thieaw (two axles) and they are all over Pattaya. Basically, they are a pick-up truck with some bench seating in back. They can hold about 12 people comfortably but I have seen as many as 20 in one Baht bus.

The fare is 5 Baht for a Thai and 10 for a Farang (foreigner). This will get you almost anywhere in the city. Keep in mind that this is using the Baht bus in the “normal” way. By that, I mean you just stand on the sidewalk and wave one over. The truck stops and you hop in the back. When you have reached your destination, you push the buzzer and he will pull over and stop. Pay your 10 Baht and keep moving. Always have exact change.

The other than normal way to hire a Baht bus is to negotiate a ride from point A to point B. This may be to go outside of Pattaya to do some sightseeing. You will have to use your best negotiation skills to get a decent price.

Another way to get around Pattaya especially if you are going off the beaten path is to hire a motorcycle taxi. A moto taxi can be found on almost every street corner. Most rides will be in the 20 to 40 Baht range and you will be placing your life in the hands of your driver. You will wear your flimsy plastic helmet and hold on for dead life. Moto taxis will use the sidewalk, drive the wrong way on one-way streets, and do whatever it takes to get you to where you are going in the shortest distance possible. Kiss he ground when you arrive.

You can also rent motorcycles, mopeds and ATVs all over Pattaya. Beware of scams involving you returning the bike back damaged. Check the bike with a fine tooth comb before you depart. Check prices at a few different places before you decide to rent. Remember, if you are from the USA, you will be driving on the other side of the road. Road signs, traffic lights and driving laws don’t apply unless you are a foreigner and a Thai cop needs an extra 200 Baht. Always wear a helmet and keep a good set of prayers handy.

For me, walking and using the Baht bus are all that is needed. I have been going to Pattaya for over 30 years and have never used the moto taxis. I usually walk to where I am going or take a Baht bus if it is hot or a little further than I want to walk. And, of course, I am a gentleman and always get a Baht bus if I have a lady with me.

The Baht buses circle Pattaya all day and night and it is not difficult to figure out the routes. The worst that can happen is you want to go straight and the Baht bus turns. Just get off, pay your 10 baht, and get on another. Mai pen rai – never mind.

Full Moon Party Thailand

2008-04-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

Full Moon Party is not just a normal party but monthly Haad Rin's dance music festival which is famous worldwide, with everything from drum and bass to full-on psy-trance. Paradise Bungalows, the site of the original Full Moon Party, consistently puts on the biggest show with inspired decor and a combination of superb resident and international guest DJs.
Worth looking out for is DJ A, who also holds residency at the Backyard, possibly the most famous after party venue in the world, starting at 11am as Haad Rin's beach shuts shop, licks its wounds and counts the casualties. The Backyard also puts on three cracking nights per week, each catering for the full spectrum of dance music heads in a totally refurbished, two-floor club with mind bending fluoro sculptures.
Full Moon Party in Thailand: There are about 10,000 to 20,000 people attending every month at this Koh Phangan beach party. It is of course known as the Full Moon Party. International and Thai DJ's are entertaining the party until the crowd go wild. Paint yourself in UV colours and let your body lose control. The DJ's play all kinds of music; techno, trance, goa, drum n' bass, dub, reggae, commercial hits, house etc. on about 15 sound systems along Haad Rin beach. There are also many small tables on the beach where you can sit down with your friends or meet new friends from all corners of the globe. You can order drinks and food from the restaurants and bars next to the Haad Rin Nok beach.
Full Moon Party is not just a normal party but monthly Haad Rin's dance music festival which is famous worldwide, with everything from drum and bass to full-on psy-trance. Paradise Bungalows, the site of the original Full Moon Party, consistently puts on the biggest show with inspired decor and a combination of superb resident and international guest DJs.
Fullmoon party is at the south-eastern part of the island at Haad Rin Beach, Koh Phangan, Suratthani, Thailand.
The regular boats are running 4 times per night from Bophut and Big Buddha Beach, Koh Samui (70 Baht). Speedboats are operating all night long. They can be booked at nearly every travel agency for 300-400 Baht per roundtrip.

Full Moon Party Schedule 2007 - 2008

Tuesday 22 January, 2008
Friday 22 February, 2008
Friday 21 March, 2008
Sunday 20 April, 2008
Tuesday 20 May, 2008
Thursday 19 June, 2008
Saturday 19 July, 2008
Saturday 16 August, 2008
Sunday 14 September, 2008
Tuesday 14 October, 2008
Wednesday 12 November, 2008
Friday 12 December, 2008

Budget Travel In Thailand: How to Travel in Thailand With Style and Without Bankruptcy

2008-03-30T21:39:00.000-07:00

Budget Travel In Thailand: How to Travel in Thailand With Style and Without Bankruptcy
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ella_Evans]Ella Evans

Thailand was my first tourist destination outside Europe and North America. Based on the sage advice of my Thailand-experienced friends, I was sure that this paradise vacation would be carried out on ridiculous costs. However, back home, I have found out too late, that during my little Thailand adventure I have spent almost the same amount of money as one of my regular surges to Europe. If only I knew that carefully planning your trip to Thailand can manifest itself in huge savings. The following list includes some solid advice that can help those novice Thailand visitors to save significant amounts of cash and still enjoy their vacation:

1. Season choice. Traveling in Thailand Islands during the low season can save you up to 25% of the accommodation costs (up to 25$ per bungalow per night if you choose high standard – not luxury - accommodation). Similar to many other world locations that are based operate seasonally; there is a significant price fluctuation across seasons. Not less important is that fact that the weather in Thailand is quite pleasant even during the low season. The temperatures’ difference between the “hot season” and the “peak season” is miniscule, and during the “wet season” one can experience only a mild occasional rain. Therefore, in Thailand one can lower accommodation costs by avoiding the peak season without paying the price of suffering from unbearable cold or coping with endless monsoon.

2. Transportation. Getting from Bangkok to your final destination in one of the Southern Islands by train or bus instead of by plane can save you up to 80$ each way. You can save a bundle if you arrive to Bangkok International Airport in the evening. In this case you save, besides the gap between relatively expensive airfare and train or bus ticket, the first night’s accommodation cost as well (40$ - 100$ per bungalow per night in high standard – not luxury - accommodation).

3. Food. In Western style countries, the more you pay for your dinner the better it is, so everyone can make a personal decision about getting an appropriate cost – benefit balance. In Thailand, and especially in the Southern Islands it is much simpler: in most cases, the cheaper the better. Expensive restaurants in Thailand Islands usually specialize on Western food that is neither authentic nor of superior taste; a standard dinner will cost you 10$ - 30$ in a restaurant of this kind. Alternatively, the dinner in a cheap restaurant with plastic chairs will cost you 3$ - 8$ and it is usually both tasty and authentic. My most disappointing Thai dinner was served in a fancy restaurant in Bangkok and had cost 120$ for a couple, whereas my best dinner was served in a cheap family restaurant in Koh Phangan. The owner - young mom named Mam – prepared the meal for us exactly as we wished it would be and charged us with measly 5-6$ per person.

4. Air Conditioning. The presence of air conditioning in your room can make a huge difference in accommodation rates. For example, the same room rates in the same resort can vary from 15$-30$ for a bungalow with a fan to 40$ - 100$ for an air-conditioned bungalow. Although choosing an air-conditioned room during the hot season (such as March – April) is crucial, if you visit Southern Thailand during the rainy season – a bungalow with a fan can both satisfy your needs and cut your expenses in more than a half.

5. Location choice. Similar to the principle held in most places in the world, the accommodation rates in Thailand Islands depend on your location choice. The bungalow in the central beach, close to the airport or seaport full of thriving nightlife will probably be twice as expensive as the same bungalow in a remote quiet beach. However, accessibility is an issue in the Thailand Islands, and the taxi fares and taxi boat fares operate under the same principal as the accommodation rates. So there is a rule you may adopt: if you are looking for social activities and busy nightlife– stay close to the airport or seaport; otherwise make a little effort and move after your arrival to a remote beach. You will save up to 60% on the accommodation rates this way.

6. Communication. It will probably not come as a complete shock, but the use of cellular phone from outside of Thailand could be extremely expensive. To save on communication costs you can either buy a local cellular phone with prepaid SIM card or use the Telephone & Internet centers services. Mind you that the cost of these services may vary. As usual, if you’re calling overseas from your resort’s office – it will be more expensive than using a call center in the town. The cheapest solution is probably giving your phone number to your friends or relatives overseas since every call center has a phone number that can be used for calling back.

7. Price negotiation. In tourist locations in Thailand negotiation is a necessity or a way of life. Likewise, in the less touristy islands and areas price bargaining is accepted as well. Just try it – in Thailand price negotiation isn’t considered an embarrassing behavior, so you have nothing to lose.

8. Psychology. Although, in Thailand everything is perceived to be cheaper than in your home country, don’t be fooled by the seemingly low prices and control your expenses. Buying an enormous amount of inexpensive things can really add up to a surprisingly large sum of money.

During my last visit to Thailand, I followed these guidelines with persistence and I was happy to disclose, that budget travel in Thailand can be more than just an economical issue, it can also be enjoyable. Interestingly enough, in Thailand, the less you spend – the closer you get to the local authentic experience.

Independent researcher, MA in anthropology, and travel enthusiast Ella Evans has spend more than a decade exploring Thailand focusing on the Southern Islands. The fruits of her labor can be found in the Koh Phangan Experience Website: a comprehensive travel guide to Koh Phangan, Thailand, which includes information articles, tips, advice and a message board. To visit Koh Phangan Experience Guide, click here: http://www.kohphangan.eternaltravel.net/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ella_Evans http://EzineArticles.com/?Budget-Travel-In-Thailand:-How-to-Travel-in-Thailand-With-Style-and-Without-Bankruptcy&id=290267

Thailand Travel - Beach on Thailand

2008-03-28T23:51:00.000-07:00

A beach, or strand, is a geological landform consisting of loose rock particles - such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, cobble - or even shell fragments, along the shoreline of a body of water. Beaches occur along coastal areas, where wave or current action deposits and reworks sediments, or at the margin of land along a lake or river subject to erosion caused by rainfall. Beaches are not necessarily found in conjunction with salt water, such as the ocean, in all instances. A seashore beach is merely one type of beach but it is the most commonly associated with the perception of the word "beach".

Thailand Beaches and Island plus other areas of the country. Ideas for places to visit and what to see and do all across Thailand. Thailand Beaches and Islands, also the charms of Northern Thailand and North East Thailand.

Islands on thailand

Colorful Water – Loi krathong Great Festival

2008-03-28T21:25:00.000-07:00

Colorful Water – Loi krathong Great Festival

“Loi Krathong” is traditionally performed on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, which usually falls on some day in November. The floating of a ‘Krathong' – a banana–leaf cup – is intended to float away ill fortune as well as to express apologies to Khongkha or Ganga, the River Goddess. Some believe that the ritual is meant to worship the Buddha's footprint on the bank of the Narmada River, while others say that it is to pay respect to Phra Uppakhut, one of the Lord Buddha's great disciples.

The Loi Krathong Festival is celebrated nationwide in Thailand, especially where there are rivers, canals or sources of water, with different unique characteristics.

This year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joint with Educational Institution and Thai Baot Association to present the Electric Float Procession from Taksin Bridge to Krungthon Bridge and the 12 lighten up buildings and historical sites along Chao Praya River during Loi Krathong Festival.

Nang Songkran

2008-03-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

According to the legend, the story has been involved with King Kabilaprom and Prince Thammaban. Born to a wealthy family, Prince Thammaban was very intelligent since he was only seven years old King Kabilaprom had asked him three questions with the conditions that if his answers were correct, King Kabilaprom was willing to sacrifice his head but if they were wrong, the Prince must do likewise.

And the questions focus on the good signs of a person at each period of the day from morning to noon until the evening.

To the surprise of the King, the Prince had answered the questions correctly. As per the good sign of a person in the morning is at the face, at the chest in the noon time and at the foot in the evening. The King then had to cut off his head as proposed. However, the King’s head had been so powerful that the whole world would be on fire if the head had touched the earth, that a serious drought would occurred and that all ocean water would dry up should it be thrown up in the sky or down in the ocean respectively. Evidently, the King had assigned his seven angel daughters to take turn carrying his head clockwise around Phra Sumane Mountain. And if Songkran Day ( April 13 ) falls on any day of the following, that year will be honoured by that Nang Songkran.

Sunday: “ Tungsatevee ’’
red dress, preferred wild fruit, discus in the right hand, shell in the left hand,
garuda as vehicle.

Monday: “ Korakatevee ”
yellow dress with pearl ornament, preferred butter oil, dagger in the right hand, walking cane in the left hand, tiger as vehicle.

Tuesday: “ Ragsotevee”
light red dress with agate ornament, preferred blood, trident in the right hand, arrow in the left hand, pig as vehicle.

Wednesday: “ Montatevee”
emerald green dress with cat’s eye ornament, preferred milk and butter, sharp iron in the right hand and walking cane in the left hand, donkey as vehicle.

Thursday: “ Kirineetevee”
greenish yellow dress with emerald ornament, preferred nuts and sesame seeds, elephant hook in the right hand, gun in the left hand, elephant as vehicle.

Friday: “ Kimitatevee”
white dress with topaz ornament, preferred banana, dagger in the right hand, Indian vina in the left hand, buffalo as vehicle.

Saturday: “ Mahotorntevee”
black dress with onyx ornament, preferred hog deer, discus in the right hand, trident in the left hand, peacock as vehicle.

Evidently, the prediction for the New Year will be made according to that particular day of the Nang Songkran. For example, if the preferred food of Miss Songkran are nuts and sesame seeds, it is predicted that the year will be productive, prosperous and healthy. And if the preferred food is blood, the prediction would go for a bloody year with all the quarrels. And if Miss Songkran prefers to carry gun, it is predicted that the weather would be full of thunderstorms, etc. Also, at the venue where the grand Songkran Festival is organized, a procession of the Miss Songkran is indispensable for the people to appreciate the festival.

Songkran Activities

2008-03-27T20:13:00.000-07:00

"Wan Chai"(the day of offering)
On this day, apart from preparing new dresses to wear, people will make desserts to offer to monks and to give to friends and relatives. This act of generosity is also a way to show off each family’s cooking skills.

Well-to-do families will make a large amount of desserts to give away to others. In the past it was not possible to buy desserts since everyone made their own. Nowadays, some Thais follow western traditions by buying and giving cakes to others, as it is more convenient to do so rather than cooking.

Offering food to monks
On the dawn of the first day of the incoming year, people will prepare the best varieties of food to offer to monks. They will also dress up in their best attire. After giving alms bowl to monks, monks will eat the offered food in a temple hall. People will go home after monks finish their meal.

Making sand pagodas
There is no specific date for making sand pagodas. It can be done on any days close to Songkran in temple grounds or on riverbank. People in Kamphaengphet province also make offerings to monks on riverbank. People in Nakhon Si Thammarat build their sand pagodas twice; first in a temple on the last day of the outgoing year, and then in the grounds of their houses on the first day of the incoming year. Sand used for building pagodas is often taken from riverbank.

Releasing birds and fish
This tradition began long time ago and it is normally done during the Songkran festival. Before the festival, the weather is usually very warm and there is not enough water in ponds and rivers for fish to dwell, as a result, people will go out to catch fish in dry ponds. Small fish which can not be eaten will be kept at home until Songkran when there is more water, and then they will be released back to their natural habitat. This tradition has evolved over time and is widely practiced nowadays. At present, in addition to fish, people also free birds as an act of merit-making.

“Bangsukun Atthi”
Apart from releasing birds and fish, there is also a ritual performed by monks to the relics of the dead in order to pass on merits to them. This ritual is known as “Bangsukun Atthi”. It will be performed once during the Songkran festival on any of the three days. In the past, Thais did not bring ashes of the dead back home, but the remains were buried under the Bodhi tree in a temple and monks would be invited to perform the ritual there.

This ritual is believed to be local and is not influenced by Indian traditions because the Indians usually discard ashes in water source, especially into the Ganges. In some areas in Thailand, people also perform a rite to worship guardian spirits of the village and town. In Central Thailand, household choirs such as gathering firewood and fetching water are prohibited during Songkran, and these choirs must be done beforehand.

“Song Nam, Rot Nam, and Sat Nam”
To bathe a Buddha image, people will first make an offering of flowers, candles, and incense sticks to the image. Then they will sprinkle lustral water signifying bathing onto the image as a gesture of respect. A procession of the Buddha image will be made prior to the bathing. After that people will also bathe a Buddhist monk, usually the chief monk, by pouring over him lustral water. The chief monk will change to the new robe offered to him by laymen, then he will give a sermon and bless people who attend these bathing rituals. Besides, people will also call on elders and respected ones to ask for their blessings.

After that, people will “play” by splashing water at one another. A feast in the temple grounds will follow. Traditional desserts will be served there.

The Songkran festival is very much related to water, since people believe that water splashing will induce abundant rainfalls in the incoming year. Water is also a symbol of fertility and is used to clean up bad things. As a result, water is used widely in different ceremonies and rites of passage.

Rod Nam Dam Hua
People in Northwest Thailand conduct the bathing ritual to the elders and respected ones on New Year’s day. Apart from flowers, candles, incense sticks, and new clothes, betel nuts, Acacia water, and traditional perfume are also part of the gifts presented. Betel nut is a symbol of respect and hospitality. In the old days, Acacia water was used as soap. Once the elders receive the gifts, they will sprinkle the Acacia water and the perfume on top of the youngs’ heads to give them blessings.

Nowadays, some people still bring their new clothes and personal belongings along with other ritual objects, such as banana, sugarcane, and jackfruit leaves, to the temple so that Buddhist monks can sprinkle them with holy water in order to purify the clothes. These clothes and objects will be kept untouched for days for auspiciousness.

Getting To Pattaya In 23 Easy Steps

2008-03-27T11:56:00.001-07:00

By: lar

Here is a step-by-step tip sheet on how to get to Pattaya.

1. Save your money all year for your vacation. Not counting airfare, budget for $150 US dollars per day.

2. Apply for and get your passport. Get a visa also if you are staying long term

3. Book your flight and hotel. You can do this online or with your favorite travel agent

4. Arrange for a ride to the airport. Get a buddy to take you or find a local airport taxi service.

5. Arrange for a taxi to pick you up in Bangkok. You can get recommendations from any Pattaya forum or bargain with the taxi mafia upon arrival.

6. Get to the airport three hours ahead of your flight. You don’t want to be late for your holiday and you never know how long the lines will be.

7. Check in and get your seat assignment and boarding pass. Ask nicely and you may be able to get an exit row seat.

8. Do your last minute shopping at the duty free shop. Booze, cigarettes, and perfume are tax free.

9. Get a bite to eat and hang out near your departure gate. Airline food sucks so it is better to eat before you go.

10. Surf the Internet and check email before you take off. Do whatever to kill time. Wireless access can usually be found near the first class lounges.

11. Board the plane and settle in for the long flight. Hopefully you got a decent seat.

12. Get your book, headphones, pen, snacks, gum and laptop ready. Get everything you will need before you take off so you don't have to dig through your carry-on.

13. Kill time at you layover airport with laptop and/or food. You can get another bite to eat or just walk around and stretch your legs. Hopefully the layover isn’t too long.

14. Board the final leg of your flight. Try to control your adrenaline and relax. You are almost there.

15. Get in a short nap. You want to be refreshed when you arrive. You will be struggling to adjust your body clock and will be fighting jet lag.

16. Land and deplane. Go to the bathroom before the plane lands. Once the door opens, do everything in your power to get out of the plane. Make a beeline to immigration.

17. Go directly to Immigration and get your passport stamped. Find the shortest line and have your passport and boarding pass stub ready.

18. Find your carousel and grab your luggage. Check the sign right after Immigration and get your bags.

19. Meet your driver. Fight the gauntlet and look for a sign with your name on it. If you haven’t booked in advance, the clipboard toting, taxi mafia will find you.

20. Sit back and pray you make it from Bangkok to Pattaya in one piece. Prepare yourself for controlled chaos on the roads and pray to Buddha that you arrive alive.

21. Arrive at your hotel and check in. Have your passport ready and fill out the little form and you are there.

22. Shower, change clothes and hit the streets. You can unpack later. It is time to go out and have some fun.

23. You are now in the Pattaya paradise. Enjoy yourself, be safe, and have a great holiday.