Hua Hin Travel: Plus Chaam & Pranburi
August 29, 2009 by admin
Filed under Restaurants
Hua hin is the biggest of the three towns and easily accessible at only three hours drive south of Bangkok. The town itself is laid back but by no means boring; good swimming beaches, water sports, golf courses, historical sites, national parks and shopping are all available to keep your days filled. There’s also some nightlife but not quite as over the top as Pattaya, making Hua Hin suitable for families and travelers in general. And it’s ideal for those who don’t want to make the long (and expensive) journey to Phukey or Koh Samui.
You don’t need to travel all the way to the south of Thailand to find wonderful tropical beaches and resort-style accommodations. With a short distance from Bangkok, the beachside town of Hua Hin, Chaam and Pranburi on the northwest coast of Thailand make an ideal short escape from Bangkok or are equally suited as longer tropical of holiday destinations. Cool weather year round makes Hua Hin, Cha-am and Pranburi more enjoyable than Bangkok. Now we’re in the middle of summer and while the temperatures in Bangkok and the North are near boiling the beaches here still average a pleasant 30 degrees Celsius during the daytime.
Once a sleepy fishing village, Hua Hin started to become better known in the 1920s when it was linked to Bangkok by rail. It developed into a popular retreat for the Royal family and, nowadays, the King himself resides at the summer palace there. (Due to its proximity to Bangkok and popularity with the Monarchy, many wealthier Bangkok Thais now have condominiums along this stretch of coast.)
Hua Hin literally means “rock head†but don’t let the name fool you a few smooth boulders are scattered along the beach but the seabed itself is all sand and safe for swimming. The town is developed but still compact making it easy to walk around, and it has retained its casual beachside feel. You’ll find all major amenities including accommodation to suit every budget, from cheapies in town to big name resort operations on the beach.
The famous Hua Hua hin Railway Hotel was built near the beach here in 1923. The magnificent two-storey colonial building has been beautifully restored and is now operated by Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort. To the north, the Hilton Hotel was the first high rise hotel in town, while Marriot Resort and Spa is located along the southern beach.
Down on the beach in front of the Hilton, deck chairs and umbrellas provide a place to relax and vendors sell all kinds of things from snacks to grilled prawn. Along the beach you can get a Thai massage or even ride a horse.
If you love seafood then you’ll love Hua Hin. There still fishermen operating from fishing Pier who land the catch of the day which is cooked to order and served fresh to your table at any of the waterfront seafood restaurants. You’ll never find seafood this fresh and at these low prices elsewhere. As well as seafood, plenty of international restaurants line the streets, some with live entertainment. There are also a few beer bars but the atmosphere here is pretty relaxed.
While the township can easily be explored on foot some of the other attractions will require transportation. A car is always handy, but those without have a choices of day excursions which take in all the major sights, including natural attractions like Khao Sam Roi Yot (Three Hundred Peaks) National Park with its magnificent views of the Gulf of Thailand and caves to explore. Just to the south of Hua Hin, Khao Takiab Temple is located on a rocky hill with good views of Ao Takiab (Chopsticks Bay) where more beaches and resorts are located. You can also visit other beaches along this coastiline. Waterfalls and the kids will enjoy Hua Hin Zoo.
The other two beaches are renowned; Pranburi is rather new to the scene. Located 30 kilometers south of Hua Hin, this stretch of sand used to be visited just as a day trip, but now has a number of boutique-style resort operations of its own. It’s much quieter than its northern neighbors, but still easily accessible to Hua Hin for those after a bit of action many of the resorts offer free transportation services to Hua Hin for this purpose.
How To Get To HuaHin:
From Suvanabhumi international Airport in Bangkok, You can take minivans and taxis to take you to Hua Hin, be careful for too expensive price. For those in a hurry, there are fights ran by SGA Airlines 3 times a day everyday. Minivans also operate from near Victory Monument BTS Station in Bangkok (Taxi fare to get to Victory Monument could be 250 baht), or air-conditioned buses leaves nearly every hour from the New Southern Bus Terminal to Cha-am, Hua Hin and Pranburi town.
When you get Hua Hin city you can get around easily by feet. However, many of the attractions outside of town will need some kind of transportation. There would be tuk tuks, motorcycle taxis, songthaews and taxis; you usually have to negotiate the rate before you get in, try to lower your fare as much as possible, driver always overcharge a tourists. Better plan your trip before you go out, otherwise you won’t make it on time due to Hua Hin has many attractions to visit.
Ideas for great vacations
August 28, 2009 by admin
Filed under Restaurants
Sailing in Cambodia and Thailand – Deserted Beaches and Aquamarine Seas
Travelling by road from Bangkok via the ferry from Laem Ngop to Dan Kao on Koh Chang, the second largest island in Thailand, we arrived at Thida’s base at Salak Phet where she was moored by the side of a seafood restaurant. Thida is a 44 feet yacht built in Pattaya, Thailand in 1986 which was to carry us on our journey through the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Thailand for the next 6 days. As the captain and assistants stowed our luggage and made final preparations for the voyage, we tucked into the as usual delicious Thai lunch, our appetites sharpened by the car journey but also whetted by the excitement and thrill of the impending cruise. Captain Ralf eventually joined us for a beer bearing the same name as the island Chang. A glance at the chart quickly reveals the origin of the name as the island is shaped like an elephant’s head, “chang” being the Thai word for elephant. We were drinking elephant beer on Elephant Island.
We discussed options for the impending cruise and, decisions made; we cast off at 8pm just as the full moon was rising over the mountain and picked our way across calm, silvery seas through the small islands that make up the Koh Chang archipelago. 4 hours of atmospheric, moonlit cruising under power later, we dropped the anchor and chain into black, shimmering waters of a very sheltered bay on the south western tip of Koh Kut The plan was to head for Koh Tang which was as far from home port that we would travel and then slowly work our way back to Koh Chang. This was the reason for the 4 hour trip to our anchorage and why we needed an early start in the morning.
Dawn broke around 6am and very soon afterwards the rattle of chain as the winch hauled up the anchor signalled our departure from our very scenic anchorage. We set a course of 155 degrees across the Gulf of Thailand to Koh Tang under steady throb of the Volvo Penta engine. The wind direction was south east prohibiting the use of sail as we had an estimated 14 hour journey at 6 knots to reach Koh Tang. The early morning cloud that was to be an almost daily feature gradually dissipated leaving behind a hot blue sky. Wind and wave height increased gradually slowing our speed and lengthening our journey until we decided that Koh Tang was becoming just a little beyond our comfortable reach for that day opting instead to raise sail and head East for Koh Rong. With jib and mainsail aloft, Thida steadied
Luxury Alliances in Thailand: 5 Star Hotels in Bangkok
August 28, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourist Attractions
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The simplest way to book a luxury hotel in Bangkok is selecting the official hotel websites of a particular hotel. Among the star rating hotels, 5 star hotels in Bangkok are the grand motels which are mostly preferred to stay by the luxury and elite class travelers. The guests of 5 star hotels in Bangkok include world famous celebrates, great politicians, famous wealthy businessmen, leaders, sportsman and great personalities.
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The impeccable service of the five star hotels in Bangkok attracts its visitors endlessly. Choose one of the most unique, elegant and exquisite grand comfortable hotel in Bangkok. It will be worthy enough if you make a search of such hotels in search engines. However, the names of some 5 Star Hotels In Bangkok can be mentioned here.
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The Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa is a luxury hotel which is located near the Chao Phraya River. You will definitely be pleased to see its elegantly decorated and well equipped rooms. Moreover, if you are business or leisure travelers then this resort have lots of facilities to offer to such visitors.
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The room facilities include air-conditioning, telephone, minibar, room safe, satellite TV, voice mail, Tea & Coffee making facilities, room service, In-House Movies, Internet connection, hairdryer, Non- smoking rooms etc. Further, there are also deluxe room facilities, hotel facilities, leisure facilities, family facilities and many more. Above all, the hotel has a large swimming pool as well.
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Bangkok the capital city of Thailand has large number of sumptuous motels. In fact, Thailand also offers lots of 5 star hotels to stay. For instance Anantara Hua Hin Resort and Spa is located on the western shores of the Gulf of Thailand.
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Among 5 Star Hotels In Thailand this five star alliance is really beautiful abode to stay. The rooms of this hotel include fitness center, fine dining nearby, meeting space, fine dining on site, banquets & meetings, Spa facility, high speed internet, outdoor swimming pool, etc. During your stay in Anantara Hua Hin Resort and Spa, you can take part into various activities such as horse riding, jogging and running, biking, shopping, playing volleyball, boating and strolling along the beach. So book Thailand Hotels and enjoy the tour.
The Massage Of Madame Ow-Ow: From A Broad Abroad In Thailand
August 27, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourist Attractions
I was introduced to a real stress-reliever while in Thailand; a most amazing practice, and one that all new expats come to love. It was the wonderful Thai massage. It is usually performed by strong young girls, however I did notice a few males in the trade. One hour of this relaxing massage and most women would be able to negotiate with a terrorist. What a warm and muscle-stimulating practice it is – for most people. I have a problem with pain. I admit it. I have no tolerance for pain and don’t try to hide it.
After a few trips to the massage parlors around town, I’d earned a reputation as Madame Ow-Ow. The tiny massage girls all seemed to be amazed that I could be so sensitive. As soon as I appeared in the waiting room, I’d hear the giggles start. Fine, giggle all you want – just don’t hurt my body. Like it or not, they had to use a little less muscle with me. One of the little power-houses literally left her fingerprints on my arms and legs in the form of purple circles. I warned her about my condition before she started on me; in fact, I showed her some old bruises that the last girl had left on my rump. She obviously had no clue why I was pointing to four round dots on my butt, but as was the norm in this land of smiles, she giggled and began leaving her own marks. Giggling I later learned, can also be the Thai way of hiding embarrassment. Bruises or no, I kept going back – possibly because it felt so good when they stopped. Okay, I admit it, I’m a masochist.
Seeing all the massage parlors in town brought back memories of an earlier visit to Thailand. I had to laugh as I remembered being introduced to the words: “Physical Massage.” It was in the 70s and we were expats living in Iran. My husband, feeling we had earned this treat just by living in that hotbed, had surprised us with a week of R&R at Pattaya Beach. On our first day there we decided to let the kids enjoy the pool while we read and soaked up the sun. We were half asleep when my youngest son, about ten years old at the time, came running up to us. “Dad! Can I have ten bucks?”
“Whaa for?” my half-asleep husband asked.
“That lady over there said to bring ten bucks and she’d give me a good massage.”
At these not so soft-spoken words, we both sat up – as well as most of the people around the pool – and looked in the direction my son pointed. And there she was, a beautiful Thai girl who looked to be no more than sixteen, standing in her shimmering red gown, leaning seductively against the massage parlor door, smiling the sweet Thai smile and motioning for my son to come to her.
“Uh, I think not, son,” I said.
“But, why?” he whined in his usual “you love her more than me” voice while pointing to his sister. “You give her money all the time. Can’t I just have ten bucks?”
Honey,” I whispered, “she’s not a nice lady. She’ll take your money and God knows what she’ll do to you. Besides, massages are for grown-ups. Wait until you’re older, then you can pay for it.”
“Paaaleeez,” he cried plaintively.
By now the male population around the pool was sitting upright, awaiting our decision.
“No! And that’s final,” said my husband in a not-so-final voice. This was not the answer my son wanted to hear. He was the kind of kid who never would accept the word “No” and could argue you to the ground until you cried “Uncle!”
“She said it was good for me,” he yelled in his outdoor voice. “How could she hurt me, Mom? Dad could go along with me to make sure I got my ten bucks’ worth.”
“No.” I said, this time in my outdoor voice. “No more talk of massages.” I turned to my husband for reinforcement, but he was busy putting a bookmark in his novel. “Go back to sleep,” I said, “you’re not going anywhere either.”
One of the best massages I found was in an old run-down home outside of town. The Hilton Hotel Spa it was not, but you soon overlooked the lack of fluff for the wonderful treatment you received. The house was over 100 years old, with cracked windows, torn curtains, sagging sills, patches of linoleum missing here and there, and a musty smell that permeated the whole environment. The interior walls in the center of the house had been removed and the space had been converted to a large dormitory-type room, with mats laid out side-by-side on the floor. Much to my discomfort, air conditioning (or air-con as the Thais say) was sadly absent in this old house. The AC phenomenon was introduced to Thailand with the advent of the farangs invading their land. The Thais don’t seem to feel the heat as the farangs do. When the temperature drops to eighty-five degrees, it might move them to put on a sweater.
Now, I could handle everything else in this place, but when the weather was at its worst, the massage room became one huge sauna and bordered on feral. I tried to get there early before it became too warm. Warm, as in 100 degrees F. The place lacked the niceties of Muzak and ambiance, but it was home to some wonderful girls.
The Blind Student Massage School, appropriately named, was home to young girls who were clinically blind, but who gave wonderful massages. The girls were mainly from poor villages where their parents were unable to get help for them. They were brought to Bangkok by Good Samaritans and schooled in the art of Thai massage. Once trained, they were sent to Pattaya and other towns to live with their benefactors, working to earn their keep. The Thai couple who owned this establishment gave the girls a home to live in, in exchange for their massage work and a small salary. They did very well on their tips and always thanked us profusely. We did wonder how they knew how much we tipped.
The routine went something like this: After check-in, you were given a towel and a pair of cotton PJs – designed to fit a ten-year-old – then escorted to individual vapor steam rooms the size of a small shower, with a bench seat for snoozing. After disrobing, you’d be saturated in wonderful mystical aromas of incense, eucalyptus steam and various other herbal delights. It took me five minutes of this heaven before I would doze off and dream I was Eve, lolling about the Garden in my birthday suit. When you’d yell “Uncle” they’d scoop you out of the shower, help you on with your PJs, and lead you to the massage room and the assigned mat on the floor. What joy! You were clean, warm, snugly, and then the fun began.
The girls would first try to identify you – a game they all played with giggles and excitement. They’d begin by running their sensitive little fingers over your face and downward. By the time they reached your legs they could identify you. Of course, with me, as soon as I uttered “Ow-Ow” I was caught, and had to listen to a chorus of giggles wafting through the room. I still think it was unfair; when they couldn’t immediately identify me, they’d give a pinch to hear my Ow-Ow.
After one hour of this heaven you were escorted to the co-ed shower room where you’d find the usual male opportunists – showering, changing clothes, urinating, or sitting and watching you do the same. At first it was difficult, but over time I would envision myself as Raquel Welsh – loin cloth and all – and didn’t feel quite as modest.
At this same establishment they offered haircuts, facials, manicures and pedicures – I asked for the sighted girls for these jobs -’all for less than ten dollars. If you came in for a wash, you were put on what looked like a hospital gurney and rolled to the shampoo bowl. The first time I experienced this I was a tad apprehensive. Okay, where’s the operating room? But it turned out to be another treat for the pampered farang. They had a very inventive way of preparing you for the shampoo by slipping one end of a rubber tray under your neck, while the other end drained into the shampoo bowl. Why don’t we have this technique stateside? What a simple concept: the water doesn’t drain down your neck, leaving a soggy blouse; no wet towels to deal with, and no concrete slab for your arthritic neck to balance on. You’re in a lying position and soon you’re fast asleep.
Along with these wonderful shampoos would come a head massage, neck and scalp massage, and anything else you wanted massaged. The shampoo was something all the expat ladies looked forward to; three washes, three rinses, and a twenty-minute head and neck massage.
Other pleasures to the senses were the trips that many of the ladies took to Bangkok for beauty treatments. The salon offered massages, hair and nail services, and pedicures. It was heaven to spend the day being pampered. If you were in a hurry it was the best place to go. To gain entrance you had to ring a buzzer, wherein the manager would greet you at the door and ask you three questions: (1) Are you in a hurry? (2) What services do you want? And (3) Whom would you like to have work on you? If the answer to number one was in the affirmative, the manager would assign as many girls to you as you had appendages; one girl for each hand for manicures, one girl for each foot for pedicures, one girl for cutting, curling and blow drying your hair. Watching all these girls working on me, I felt I was being prepared for a Thai barbecue.
It was marvelous if you needed to be in and out quickly, but made it quite difficult to read a book.
(Reprinted with permission from A Broad Abroad in Thailand by Dodie Cross).
The Marble Mall, for Shopping in Bangkok
August 26, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourist Attractions
The MBK mall or Mahboonkrong mall has become synonymous with shopping in Bangkok. Ask any Thai what is the best mall to visit in Bangkok? And they will no doubt answer MBK mall. When the mall was built in 1985 it was one of the largest shopping centers in Asia. The sheer size of the mall means that it has lots of shopping outlets which appeals to different segments of the population.
Today this gargantuan mall is made up of eight stories and is finished of with marble houses close to 2,500 shopping outlets, 150 food stalls and a cinema complex. Due to it’s sheer size the MBK mall has become a icon in Bangkok and is instantly recognizable. Since the mall is located in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping and entertainment district in Sukhumvit, it is usually a place that is much frequented by tourists. The mall is also popular among locals especially fashion conscious Thai school girls.
The mall has a daily visitor count of over 100,000 with about 30,000 of them being tourists. Bargaining is commonplace here, though it helps if you know some Thai, also be sure to choose the right shop. The mall is known for selling cheap electronic goods and mobile phones however it also has a variety of other goods on offer as well. The eight floors in the mall are loosely divided as follows:
1st – 3rd Floor: Clothes, Cosmetics, Shoes, Jewelries, Leather items, Accessories, Paintings, Photo studios, Hair Salons, etc. 4th Floor: Mobile phones and accessories, Communication equipments, Walkman, CD and MP3 players, Electronics. 5th Floor: International Food Court, Restaurants, Furniture. 6th Floor: Souvenir shops, Food center
7th – 8th Floor: Entertainment complex, containing 8 movie theatres, 28 bowling lanes, Karaoke options, and food and drinks.
The Tokyu department store which is a Japanese department store that sells household appliances is on the North wing of the fourth floor, this floor also has a direct link with the SkyTrain.
Hotels on Sukhumvit road offer unprecedented access to the shopping mall because if their geographical proximity as well as through the SkyTrain link. A number of Bangkok serviced apartments are found in these areas that are a viable option for long stay travelers.
Museum higlights of Bangkok
August 25, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourist Attractions
Kicking off your tour, start at the National Museum, home to the kingdom’s leading collection of local art and artefacts. Located not far from Wat Phra Kaew, or the Grand Palace, it was founded by King Rama V and displays the treasures bestowed on him by his father. These days, it houses a well arranged range of exhibits chronicling the development of Thai history, and descriptions in English are available.
Suan Pakkad Palace Museum, the former palace of Prince Chumbhot and his wife Mom Rajawongse Pantip, displays the important role royalty played and still plays in Thai everyday life. Converted into a museum in 1952, the eight houses, built in traditional Thai style, are linked by corridors, thus forming a single, unified structure. The highlight is the display of the ancient Ban Chiang collection which dates back to 3600 BC to 200 AD and puts Ban Chiang on par with other major ancient world civilisations.
More lively royal exhibits, this time water based, can be admired at the Royal Barge Museum. This is where the Royal Thai barges are stored when not being used in one of the elaborate ceremonies on the nearby Chao Phraya River. Visitors can get a glimpse of how the barges are used during one of these exciting events. Measuring up to 50 metres in length, the old style barges make for quite an impressive sight.
Back among the hustle and bustle of the central shopping malls and department stores is the tranquil oasis of Jim Thompson’s House, tucked away down a little lane alongside one of Bangkok’s few remaining canals. This old-style teak house was the former residence of Jim Thompson, who single handedly regenerated the Thai silk trade before later disappering in the Malysian Highlands under mysterious circumstances. Visitors can admire fine Asian art and artefacts and take a break in the coffee shop, set in the lush gardens.
More hair-raising history can be seen at the Bangkok Corrections Museum on Maha Chai road. This museum is housed in a former prison and gruesomely displays how the ancient penal system, based on retribution and sever punishment, was implemented. Life-sized wax figures can be seen upstairs in grisly execution scenes, while shopping fans will love the high quality furniture and handicrafts for sale in blocks 2 and 3, crafted by prisoners from prisons around Thailand.
Pirated goods are not only widely for sale on the streets and in the shopping centres of Bangkok. Now there’s a whole museum dedicated to the ingeniuty of modern-day counterfeiters. Established in 1989, the Museum of Counterfeit Goods exhibits pirated wares seized in raids, such as electronics, drugs, households appliances, car parts, clothing, leather goods and footwear.
Shopping at Night in Suan Lum
August 25, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourist Attractions
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The Suan Lum Night Bazaar is a open air market that is located in Bangkok’s Pathum Wan district, opposite the historic Lumphini Park at the junction where Sathorn Road and Rama IV meet. This Night Bazaar is best described as a spruced up flea market whose clientele ranges from posh locals shopping after work and casually dressed tourists looking for souvenirs and outdoor eateries.
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The market usually opens in the afternoon approximately around 3 pm and stays open until mid night, though a number of outlets open up much later. The Suan Lum night bazaar should not be taken as a paradigm for other open air markets in Thailand, in reality the Suan Lum Night Bazaar was developed with its central focus on tourists and rich Thais. Therefore the conditions of the shops, walkways and food outlets are infinitely better than what one would experience at any other Thai market.
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The covered walkways and the conveniently located eateries make shopping here enjoyable; also one does not have to endure the usual rowdy locals that are seen at many such bazaars. A number of small cafes and food outlets can be seen inside the bazaar, while many of them offer traditional Thai food, cuisine from countries like Italy, China, Mexico and Germany can also be enjoyed here. A large Beer Garden, concert area and a large food court are located on the other side of the market and offer a variety of entertainment. Live performers often play gigs here while the Joe Louis Puppet theatre and Bangkok Hall are also situated inside the bazaar.
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The 3,000 different retails stores inside the bazaar ply a multitude of items such as fruit, clothing, antiques, jewelry, electronics, paintings and sculptures. The bazaar is actually divided into different areas that sell specialized goods. The happening night clubs of Silom are also just short distance away, tourists looking for Bangkok hotel accommodation in this area can stay in at the President Solitaire, which is a Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel located close to the Suan Lum Night Bazaar.
Bangkok Serviced Apartments
August 25, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourist Attractions
If you are planning a trip to Bangkok you might want to consider staying in one of Bangkok’s fantastic serviced apartments. Bangkok services apartments are great for a nightly visit or an extended holiday or business trip.
Bangkok services apartments offer you plenty of amenities to choose from. There is no reason for you to feel that you are staying in a stark hotel room. With these apartments you can expect to feel right at home with daily maid service, broadband internet, lounges, and much more. The more luxurious Bangkok serviced apartments will offer you a gym where you can go to workout after a long day of sightseeing or sitting in business meetings. Just because you are away from home there is no reason for you to miss your daily exercise sessions.
You will also find that many Bangkok serviced apartments offer you office services that give you access to a secretarial pool and meeting rooms. Perhaps you need something typed up that one of the secretaries will be able to help you with. You will also have access to copy machines and fax machines if you need them.
Most Bangkok serviced apartments also offer you a swimming pool that you can enjoy during your stay. Nothing is quite as relaxing as a quick dip in the pool to cool off after a long day of sightseeing or working.
After your dip in the pool you will usually find an excellent restaurant within the complex or located nearby. Most Bangkok serviced apartments are situated within walking distance of shopping, entertainment, and eating. If you are not in the mood for something substantial to eat you might consider relaxing in the lounge for a quick snack and an enjoyable drink.
With Bangkok serviced apartments the only thing you have to do is relax and enjoy your stay. Everything you need will be catered to you. You will feel as though you are a pampered guest at a lush resort. The individual attention you receive will make your stay pleasant and enjoyable.
Mercure Pattaya
is located in the heart of Pattaya, a few minutes walk from the beach and next to the citys best shopping boutiques and restaurants. The hotel has 245 rooms, 4 restaurants, a jazz bar, meeting room facilities and a large freeform swimming pool. www.morethailand.com … morethailand.com travel thailand pattaya Mercure Pattaya hotels hotel
Backpacking In Thailand
August 22, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourist Attractions
Planning a trip to Thailand appeals to travelers of all shapes, sizes and budgets because it is quite easy to navigate about the different cities and main attractions. The travel is also inexpensive, leaving you with more money to explore the booming silk industry, as well as the delicious cuisine. Thai food melds a combination of mind, body and soul into their spicy and sweet balanced meals, offering some of the best dishes in the world.
Why Thailand is So Popular
When planning a backpacking trip to Thailand, you may have heard of what attracts tourists to the various areas about the country. In the North, trekking through the mountains is quite popular. More than 300 temples can be located in the beautiful natural surroundings of Chiang Mai. Top-notch quality and inexpensive stays can be found at every corner, offering flavorful food and interesting shopping outlets.
As a backpacker, you will find an abundance of places to stay at in the area, including Julie’s Guesthouse. At this establishment, you will be able to sign up for a couple of days trekking through the jungle that features lovely views and a first-hand look at how the locals thrive. To avoid getting hit by the monsoon rains, plan an adventure for this area between the months of October and April.
Central Thailand brings the allure of Bangkok, which overflows with shopping, addicting cuisine, palaces and temples. The Chao Phraya River provides a great scene to explore. Main attractions to consider include the Royal Palace, the Wats and Chinatown, as well as the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Notable festivals can be experienced in Ayuthaya, where scenic riverside gardens await in Sukhothai. The endless possibilities for exploration are mind-boggling. The islands of Southern Thailand bring you closer to white sands and warm waters. The largest of the bunch is called Phuket, where other notable selections include the Phi Phi Islands and the waterfalls of Krabi.
Nightlife
Many tourists enjoy the overall aspect of Thailand nightlife. This is one of the main reasons a large amount of travelers backpack throughout the country: nature, culture, food and fun. If it’s a good time you’re looking for, try the many go-go and beer bars in Pattaya, as well as Chaweng Beach (Ko Samui) that parties into the wee hours of the night. Koh Phangan is the site where thousands of locals and tourists gather to celebrate by the light of the full moon. It’s a world famous beach party that never seems to end, offered once every month. It is one of the best places to experience the food, drink and dance of Thailand island life in an event that literally rocks the senses.
The law of the land states that bars and nightclubs close at 2 in the morning when visiting Bangkok, but there is always somewhere to go, whether it’s just a delicious restaurant tucked away on a side street. The largest area to explore is called Patpong, which provides three streets to explore. For more information on the ins and outs of Thailand, check out the latest information posted on www.jeng-thailand.com.
