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Picture a Koh Samui afternoon. In the dim coolness of your room the only sound is that of the surf outside the windows and the gentle sound of your masseuse working on your back. The room is fragrant will lemongrass and other aromatic herbs and the sense of relaxation is absolute. You’re experiencing one of the wonders of Thailand – the traditional Thai massage and it feels heavenly.
You can have a stimulating massage or invigorating spa treatment anywhere in Thailand, but on the tropical isle of Koh Samui, it’s truly wonderful. If you want to make health the central focus of your holiday this is the perfect destination owing to the presence of the many residential fasting and health improvement centres. For those wanting a detox, there are fasting retreats with colonic irrigation, and you can study yoga and other eastern regimens. Plus you can find countless restaurants featuring organic menus.
It’s quite easy to get to Samui these days, you can travel by bus, boat, train or plane – up to you as the Thais say! Really it all depends on your budget and how much time you have. If you come by road or rail then you’ll also have to take the ferry so it can take up to a day to reach your destination. Flying is obviously the fastest method and the airport on the island has won awards for its design that blends in perfectly with the natural surroundings. Flights arrive here from all over including Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, domestic flights from Bangkok are regular with most of them operated by Bangkok Airways.
Train is a great way to travel around Thailand, comfortable and inexpensive. Leaving from Hualamphong Station in Bangkok you can book an air-conditioned compartment or fan depending on how comfortable you want to be. It works out cheaper to buy a ticket that includes train and ferry travel, you arrive in Surat Thani where there’s a bus waiting to take you to the ferry port of Donsak. There are also lots of coach companies travelling to Donsak and they work in the same way as getting the train whereby you buy a combination ticket to take you all the way to Samui. This is the cheapest method, and you can find VIP coaches that have air conditioning and are very comfortable. The ferry takes 1 ½ hours and leave every hour during the day.
There is no public transport system on Koh Samui so you have to rely on yellow taxis that work out quite expensive, or stand at the side of the road and you’ll soon get picked up by one of the open pick-up-style people carriers known as ‘song thiews’. However they don’t run in the evening so if you want to go farther afield then you are reliant on a taxi to get you there. You could always hire a car or jeep if you are confident enough to drive. There are usually motorbike taxis convenient for short distances and cheap, or hire one yourself to explore the island. Be very careful however as accidents are common on Thai roads.
Samui has kept up with the times and it’s common for hotels and restaurants to offer internet access these days so you won’t be cut off from the rest of the world! Just don’t expect the same speed as you might get at home, be patient and chill out, after all you are on holiday. Wireless hotspots are also more readily available and generally should be free of charge.
There are plenty of cash machines found around the island, particularly in the more touristy areas, or money changing services are also very common. Be aware that only the larger hotels and resorts will generally accept credit cards, if you are staying at a small family-owned bungalow and eating at cheap Thai restaurants you will need to make sure you have cash on you.
There are a few do’s and don’ts to mention although Thai people are generally tolerant and happy by nature, so as long as you are polite and considerate and remember you are in a foreign country then there shouldn’t be any problems. Thai people are modest by nature, so although it’s acceptable to be uncovered on the beach, in the evenings or in town remember to put some clothes on!
This respect is particularly important if you are visiting a temple. Make sure you cover up and don’t wear skimpy tops or bikinis! Many temples actually have sarongs on hand to lend out to inappropriately dressed farangs. Also if you are a woman then ensure you don’t touch a monk as he is going through a ‘purification’ ritual and this will cause a lot of consternation.
Take off your shoes if you happen to visit a Thai’s house, this also applies to some shops. You’ll see a pile of shoes at the entrance if this is the case so just follow suit. Finally, never show anger to a Thai as you will get nowhere. If a Thai person has to handle an uncomfortable situation they will simply slow down or even disappear for a while. The angrier you get the more they will resist the situation, keep calm and keep smiling and you’ll get what you want a lot faster. Check out Koh Samui Travel for a real-life adventure and a holiday that you will never forget.
Often forgotten or dismissed, the Northwestern region of Thailand provides ideal territory for those looking at alternative destinations away from the madding crowd. Partially due to relative inaccessibility and partially due to lack of marketing, the area certainly does have worthwhile tourist sites and offers much for the more adventurous traveller. This lack of exposure is to the advantage of all those making that little extra effort it takes to visit Mae Sot, Tak, Kampaeng Phet and the gateway to the region, Sukhothai.
The former capital is well-mapped and accredited, yet it is the position it holds as a starting point for the diversionary trip to the Northwest that captures interest. Historically, Sukothai boasts an integral position in the country’s progress both socially and physically and is the geographical and administrative divide between the North and Central plains of the country. It is nowadays located on an Asian Highway from Myanmar at Mae Sot (Tak province) in the west to Chong Mek, (Laos) in the east and along with nearby Pitsanulok, still dominates as a center of commerce, transportation and communication. The importance of its geographical position has been emphasized by Bangkok Airways’ choice of it as a major hub, connecting the ancient cities of the region: Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, Mandalay and Chiangmai.
However, most visitor’s reason for choosing Sukhothai as a stop is its well-preserved ruins and its historical position as the first Kingdom of Thais within the peninsula. Sukhothai was established in 1238, to decline some 140 years later with the establishment of Ayutthaya as the new capital of Thailand. The Thai alphabet, almost intact today, was invented here by King Ramkamhaeng.
None of this is visible on any visit to Sukhothai but what one can visualize is the establishment of a large focal city for the region and the number of sites are vast in number. The Sukhothai Historical Park and Si Satchanali National Park are the major attractions and if you are “templed out” or “ruined,” head for RamKanhaeng National Park, a superb alternative of high hills and steep cliffs with a host of diverse flora and fauna and many waterfalls within its 340 sq km.
There is plenty of information available upon arrival in Sukhothai, yet for those in search of something different special reference should be made to the two preserved celadon kiln centers. The Thuriang kiln in the north of the Sukhothai site and the Ban Ko Noi Celadon Kiln study centre, five km north of Si Satchanalai, depict celadon wares in perfect condition. The latter center has now excavated over 500 kilns.
The annual Loi Krathong festival in November is an awesome sight amongst the ruins, but book early.
Flights to Sukhothai with Bangkok Airways depart daily or Thai flights to Phitsanulok have regular departures. By rail, the recommended route is by Sprinter train to Phitsanulok, departing Bangkok at 0810 and arriving at 1300. Sukhothai is a 40-60 min transfer depending on your chosen mode of transport. Onward trains to the North can be taken at 1300, arriving at Chiangmai at 1900, or the overnight sleeper leaving around midnight to Chiangmai. Many see this as a cheap alternative to flying while enjoying the countryside en route and making a Sukhothai stop with little hassle or backtracking. The real bonus comes with making more than a Sukhothai stop and taking the side trip to Mae Sot and Kampaengphet, before continuing the journey to the north.
Kampaengphet could really be treated as an extension to a Sukhothai visit for its major attraction is again its ruins. Yet it also has parks that provide recreational relief, similar to the Ramkamhaeng park. The site is smaller than Sukhothai yet certainly more convenient being just five kms from town. A further bonus is that most of the preserved wats feature decor from both the Sukhothai and Ayuthhaya periods, something rarely seen. Annually in February, the town celebrates its World Heritage site status with the Nop Phra Len Phleng festival, featuring exhibitions, cultural and artistic performances.
The Khao Sanam wildlife sanctuary on the Tak highway and the year round waterfalls at Khlong Nam Lai and Khlong Lan are not only popular for their lack of visitors but also for a rare view of some not-so infiltrated hill tribe villages.
Mae Wong National Park is 79 kms north on the Umpang Road, but a great getaway with hotsprings, waterfalls and high-point lookouts across to Myanmar. Umpang itself has become the new destination for the soft adventure types. Trekking and rafting are the main attractions but there are numerous caves, waterfalls and nature trails to keep everyone happy. Photographers head for the Mae Sot-Tak-Mae Ramhat border route and on to Mae Sariang. Early morning mists and the mountainous topography provide great nature shots. Mon Krathing resort on the Mae Sariang Road is the best stopover point with glimpses of early morning deer amongst the mists quite a common occurrence. If you’re not venturing that far, then Doi Hua Mot just outside Umpang town is reasonable enough for lookout shots but get up early.
The city of Tak is located on the shores of the Bumhibol Dam, the largest in Thailand. Apart from its water source there are numerous recreational activities on the reservoir. The cruises to Amphoe Hot are popular and the upper reaches of the dammed Mae Ping River provide a scenic boat cruise, some 140 kms to Doi Tao in Chiangmai province. The scenic waterfalls in this hill region are too numerous to count but all have their own special attraction, not least of which is the 97-tiered Phra Charoen waterfall on the Mae Sot route 1090.
By modern vacation standards the areas mentioned and especially those closer to the border country are quite rural and almost off the beaten track.
Mae Sot now has good air connections with both Bangkok and Changmai and it is becoming a weekend retreat for the white water rafting adventurers as well as those in search of some clean forest air along the reaches of Mae Sot Hill.
Its border market with Myanmar makes it a focal point for bargain hunters and it is certainly more authentic than that found at the Mae Sai border crossing in Chiangrai province. For the short trippers, Mae Sot makes a good weekend getaway and the Imperial Mae Sot Hill Resort offers packages which include white water rafting excursions.
If all of this rural splendor seems unreachable, it almost is, but only by the standards set by such resorts as Phuket and Chiangmai. In today’s Thailand there are still unspoiled areas – there should be with 63 National Parks – but they take a little bit of effort to reach. Private or hire car is the most flexible, but combine a one way air ticket to/from Mae Sot and Pitsanulok or Sukhothai and the overland sectors of the trip do not look so daunting as at first they might. Overland bus routes between Tak/Mae Sot and Sukhothai are frequent and quite acceptable and a cheap way to travel from A to B. Outside of Mae Sot and Sukhothai (noticeably where the airports are), hotels only tend to reach 3 star standards, but for one night stopovers and short stays that is sufficient.
The Northwest, as we may loosely refer to the area, offers what Chiangmai was offering 20 years ago.
It is rural, there are hilltribes and some splendid hill country and a lack of insurgents, at least of the tourist variety. Sounds like an alternative traveller’s destination.
This question was posed in a recent blog in the UK’s Travel Mail amidst news that Visit Britain (Britain’s national tourism promotional agency) has become an official tourism partner for the new James Bond movie Quantum of Solace (which, by the way, I can’t wait to see).
With Bond being British and the films being hugely popular all over the world, Visit Britain are probably hoping that the film will inspire people to…well, visit Britain. Just like the Australian Tourist Board is hoping Baz Luhrmann’s epic film ‘Australia’ will encourage people to come to Oz.
It is said that the success of Crocodile Dundee and Aussie soap Neighbours were 2 of the main factors that drove UK tourists to Australia in the ‘80s.
There’s no doubt that seeing a country on the big screen definitely makes you think ‘that looks nice’ (The Amazing Race anyone?). But I don’t think any film or TV show has actually made me plan a trip. While I happily visited the Neighbours set in Melbourne (I’m from the UK, it’s expected of me!), it wasn’t the reason I booked my trip here in the first place.
Then again, I haven’t seen Lord of the Rings yet.
In 2007, Expedia surveyed 33,000 people in the UK about films that inspired them to start on a journey to the set locations. The top 10 were -
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – New Zealand.
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – St Vincent and the Grenadines
3. The Beach – Bangkok, Thailand
4. Ocean’s Eleven – Las Vegas, USA
5. Breakfast at Tiffany’s – NY, USA
6. The Sound of Music – Austria
7. Braveheart – Scotland, UK
8. Out Of Africa – Kenya
9. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom – India
10. The Talented Mr. Ripley – Italy
Hmm…I’m not sure about travelling but I do feel like popcorn…
Visitors to Thailand can take advantage of a feast of new offerings for 2007-08, including new restaurants, nightclubs, cafes, hotels and shopping centres.
Highlights of the 2007-08 tourist season include Breeze, a new alfresco fine-dining restaurant from Lebua on the 51st and 52nd floors of the sky-scraping State Tower in Bangkok, 70’s disco funk nightclub Superfly, a private sea plane service between islands surrounding Phuket in the Andaman Sea and the upscale Maze Cafe in Chiang Mai city.
Jungceylon, a vast new shopping and entertainment complex at Patong Beach, Phuket, is expected to attract hordes of holidaymakers, with more than 200 local and international brand shops, cinemas, a fully-equipped sports zone, night entertainment venues, restaurants and a Thai handicraft centre.
Thailand offers travellers high quality, value-for-money, products and services, while lesser-known resorts such as Koh Yao, Trang, Koh Chang, Koh Racha and Khao Lak are becoming increasingly popular, with a raft of new boutique offerings and must see attractions opening in 2007.
With something to offer all travellers, from sunshine, paradise beaches, spas and scuba diving, to shopping, trekking and festivals, Thailand is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations for year round travel.
If you are planning to fly over, Traveljigsaw offer great deals on rental cars at the airport. Boo konline to save up to 10%!
Business travel bookings among Australian companies are down 36% due to the rationalising of corporate travel during the global financial crisis and swine flu pandemic.
Tourism technology provider, Amadeus, reports that European destinations have been the worst hit (25%), followed by North America (22%) and the Asia-Pacific (12%).
But according to corporate travel management company, BCD Travel, Australian companies can cut corporate travel costs without cutting back so severely on corporate travel flights.
Companies could instead revise and enforce their corporate travel policies more tightly, introduce an online booking engine (OBE) with self-booking travel tools to ensure compliance among staff and set up better quality reporting to monitor their business travel.
The corporate travel agency also recommends taking best fares of the day for flights and transfers instead of locking in a deal with one carrier and car hire company in 2009.
One thing leads to another as the price wars begin…
At a time when companies across Australia are frantically cutting costs to offset the impact of the global financial crisis, business travel is getting cheaper as major airline carriers go head to head on popular corporate travel routes such as Sydney to Los Angeles.
Four carriers are now flying from Sydney to LA following Delta Airlines and V Australia’s entry into the trans-Pacific sector, with flights expected to go as low as $320 one way before tax, according to US analyst Rick Seaney of Fare Compare.
A Flight Centre survey shows international fares are more than $200 cheaper on average compared to five years ago. The Sydney to Los Angeles business travel route is now 41% cheaper than in 2004. Corporate travellers flying from Sydney to Bangkok are now flying for 29% less, according to the survey.
Airfares are now cheaper than ever before – providing much needed relief for organisations requiring staff to undertake regular corporate travel. However, current corporate travel fares are not sustainable for carriers and prices will likely rise, experts say.
Other developments: First aid kits for business travel?
Travel management company, BCD Travel, recommends first aid kits for corporate travellers flying abroad, particularly those business travellers flying to emerging market destinations such as South America and India.
The type of kit you need depends largely on your destination and your personal requirements, according to the corporate travel management company.
BCD Travel Sales Director, Stephen Finlay, suggests corporate travellers visit a specialised travel medicine clinic to seek advice on what to include in their light weight first aid kit.
Travel medicine specialist, Dr Trish Batchelor, who is based in Ho Chi Minh’s International SOS clinic, recently provided this advice to readers of her news.com.au online column:
“If you are sticking to major cities a basic kit will suffice, however, if you are intending to visit more remote or high altitude areas you should be more thoroughly prepared.
“A good kit should have essential first aid items including a thermometer, bandage, a variety of dressings, antiseptic and scissors. It should also cover common health problems faced by travellers such as diarrhoea and respiratory tract infections.
“Painkillers, cough and cold medication, rehydration solution, Imodium and an antibiotic for traveller’s diarrhoea (Noroxin is best) would constitute a basic kit.
“If you are venturing further off the beaten track you should add in a general antibiotic for skin and respiratory infections, an antibiotic for parasites and possibly treatment for altitude sickness (for parts of South America).”
Tour and Travel
Finding French Museums in Paris France .the France has numerous different French museums dotted all over the country, yet there are an incredible amount of different types of museums in Paris itself that you can visit when on your family holiday.
Rwanda, the land of one thousand hills and ‘hundreds attractions’ is an extraordinary place where serene scenery and placid people greet you at every juncture. Rwanda is safe and secure with an overwhelming renaissance of Rwandese national pride and cultural reconstruction. It is full of sights and delights, waiting to be explored. If Rwanda is on your travel list there is no better time to runaway to Rwanda…visit today you would want to stay!
Karon Resort in Phuket, Thailand!
At Centara Karon Resort Phuket, we have so much to offer, you will simply want to come back again and again.
Limousines are luxurious and it is a nice experience to hire a limousine as nowadays different limo providers are offering these cars at cheap rates. A limousine come with a nice ambience and using these cars for party and different social get-together has become a popular.
Mauritius is an ideal place for vacations. Mauritius easily figures amongst the top 10 vacation places in the world. Holidays in Mauritius can as well be inexpensive leaving you the choice to use your money with freedom. You can spend your holidays in Mauritius at affordable prices if you plan to make the trip with a limited budget.
A Guide To Choosing a place for a holiday : Choosing a place for a holiday has never been easy for avid travelers and vacationers. This is as true for a family vacation as is for a group vacation. Most of us want to make the most of our vacations because our free time is precious.
8-Tips for Packing and Traveling Lite : In this day and age of traveling echolalia, there are a few packing tactics to employ. To cut out an extra thirty to forty minutes at the arriving airport, start with packing small luggage. Since carry-ones can not exceed a linear dimension of 45 inches, you can escape the fiasco of the baggage terminal by simply packing and traveling light.
Living Requirements in Bangkok : If you are relocating to Thailand — or just thinking about it — you can’t afford to waste money on ineffective or nonproductive relocation and retirement ideas. Once you move to a foreign country, every dollar you spend has to do the work of ten.
Hire Car Online For Australia Holidays :
Discover Australia’s beautiful landscapes with your private car. Hiring car is the ideal way to enjoy your whole journey with full freedom. For successful journey with car rental in Australia you should keep some tips and safety points in your mind. Enjoy your holidays with personal 4 wheels and full flexibilities.
This article will detail some of the health concerns that travelers to Central America and Argentina should be aware of, and prepared for in advance.
Devotion with Golden Temple Tour Package : In Golden Temple Tour Package you get the opportunity to visit different places of Punjab, Delhi. Golden temple is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in India. Considered as the ultimate place of the Sikh faith, the Golden temple of Amritsar attracts large number of devotees every year. Sikh devotees, for whom the Golden Temple is a symbol of freedom and spiritual independence, visit the Temple from all over the world to offer prayers.
See the Sensuous Sculpture:
Khajuraho one of the ancient centre of the Chandela Dynasty in India. Khajuraho flourished from 950 to 1050 AD and is spectacular feat of architecture carved with the roughest of tools. Each temple has a large number of spires in ascending order representing man’s aspirations towards spiritual goals. They are famous tourist draw because they have the most sublime, sensuous and erotic sculptures and are romantically situated miles from anywhere in the dry and hot plains of Madhya Pradesh.
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Our 26m boat is Pattaya’s largest and most popular, with fresh hot meals, soft drinks, hotel pickup, showers, sun deck and more! At the Baiyoke Pattaya Hotel you are centrally convenient to the beach, to the largest shopping area and to the resorts exciting nightlife arena. Our hotel has all facilities that guarantee a quality accommodation while in Pattaya. Our hotel is a new quality 62 room budget Pattaya’s hotel with tropical garden and swimming pool. We seldom ate in the hotel, preferring to dine at small resturants around the resort and in the center of Pattaya. About 240 meters hight that you can see Pattaya view, hotel and bungalow accommodation are also available. Select a Pattaya hotel below to find usefull hotel information, check hotel rates and room availability. Travel Library always lists the real direct contact details for every Pattaya hotel including email, web site address, telephone and location address. This hotel has the best and most convenient location of all the luxury resorts in Pattaya. Book your Pattaya hotel stay safely, securely and without worries. Book your hotel in Pattaya before you leave home and save money! That Pattaya is not your average package destination was illustrated when I checked into the hotel.
The bar is located on Pattaya Beach Rd so it’s the ideal location to call in for afternoon drink or to spend your evening. But whatever the seedy side of Pattaya’s nightlife is like, the city is still one of Thailand’s more popular beach resort communities. With such beginnings, its hardly surprising that Pattaya quickly gained an image as one of Thailand’s seedier beach resorts. Today Pattaya is Thailand’s premier beach resort and attracts annually more than a million tourists from all over the world. Even in the very heart of Pattaya you will be able to find long stretches of clean and sandy beach. Today, Pattaya is Thailand’s premier beach resort and annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking tourists from all over the world. The resort has its own private beach, the only one in Pattaya, where one can explore the Island situated around the resort. It is located at the heart of Pattaya near the beach and next to best shopping boutiques and restaurant. The over-abundance of jet-skis and speedboats has contributed towards the pollution of the water along Pattaya Beach. There’s no doubt Pattaya Beach is a fun destination, but one that needs some consideration before a visit. We are situated within easy walking distance from the beach / seaes and the bustling shopping and nightlife in downtown Pattaya. For instance, as a beach wear some Russian women love those large adorned scarfs, sold all around Pattaya. People say that Pattaya Beach Road has a street life like no where else in the world, and it does.
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This is a personal site providing nightlife reviews and a snapshot of articles that illustrate life in Pattaya. More infornation about the nightlife in Pattaya, the best places to enjoy a party… Conveniently sited close to a great number of Pattaya shopping centers and tremendous nightlife entertainment complex. Nightlife Pattaya beer bars along the waterfront Pattaya is renowned for its nightlife, much of which revolves around its massive sex oriented industry. Although this is the part of Pattaya that has most accommodation available, the nature of the nightlife can put families off. Especially, Pattaya nightlife entertainment is the most favorite attraction one should not miss. When it comes to nightlife in Pattaya, the go-go bars and beer gardens dominate. Probably more has been written about Pattaya’s nightlife than any other place on the planet. Night life and entertainment Pattaya is famous for its nightlife and the bay is lined with lanes full of fun bars and friendly people.
Non-stop excitement in the sun, shopping, entertainment, sports and excellent night life, Pattaya is a true world class destination. For shopping, fashionable boutiques and ready-made garments are flocked in the main street of central and South Pattaya. Les grands magasins et autres bazars de Central Pattaya offrent une autre vision du shopping. Shopping Pattaya has some surprisingly fashionable boutiques and shops selling clothes, silk, coral and shells, paintings, handicrafts, gemstones, jewellry and souvenirs.
Thus you have your car hire in Pattaya for sure and you avoid troubles on arrival by not finding the hire car that suits your needs. Don´t wait for the final call to book your car hire in Pattaya! car hire country guide Thailand lloguer de cotxes pattaya, autonoleggio pattaya, autoverhuur pattaya Beneluxcar wants your Pattaya car hire experience to be as enjoyable as possible. For cheap car hire Pattaya, find and compare prices from leading car hire companies. Find lowest car rental rates and best discount deals for car rental Pattaya. Just ninety minutes by car from Bangkok, Pattaya allows you to shed your suit or the city stress and let your hair down.
In Pattayaland you will find every service imaginable starting from the traditional karaoke bars to the impressive dance clubs and strip clubs. These are just some of the hundreds of so called beer bars that litter the streets of downtown Pattaya. Many ex-pats own bars in Pattaya, where the prostitutes work (you have to pay the bar a fee to take the girls home). Some end up staying in Pattaya for years and becoming mamasans, or recruiters for the bars.
The whole reason I went with them was because I thought that it would be exciting to get sex for free in Pattaya. Gerd Cornelius and his porn ring harem were arrested for producing live internet sex shows in Pattaya. However, Pattaya is still home to many international resorts and is crowded primarily with sex tourists. But even for those who have no interest in hired sex, Pattaya is still a fascinating place. There is no shame in Pattaya, sex is not a vice here, it’s as normal as eating or sleeping. By night, Pattaya isn’t short of entertainment and is well known for its sex scene.
Watersports, off-beat museums, wildlife and amusement parks and extensive sports facilities, including 10 superb golf courses, have added to Pattaya’s fun and sun. There are several highly recommended golf courses to choose from in the Pattaya area. Then, indulge in breathtaking adventures on the water, below the waves, on the golf course, or among the exciting sites of Pattaya. Justly famous for its night-time party zone, Pattaya’s also has first class golf courses and surprisingly, lots of family attractions. (coming) Golf around Pattaya is pretty close to golfers heaven for high and low handicappers alike. Twenty or more international standard golf courses are within an hours drive of Pattaya. http://www.rabbitresort.com
HEART OF ASIA
One of the world’s most popular cuisines. Beautiful beaches and islands. Friendly, charming people. Warm weather all year round. Cheap prices for most things. Colourful, enchanting temples. An exotic culture preserved through the ages in a country that has never been colonised. Where are we talking about? Thailand, of course!
WHY THAILAND
You can travel to Thailand, if you want to experience lovely smiles and gentleness of Thai people and scenic & cultural treasures of Thai land. Thailand certainly is the “land of smiles,” which can make you smile, too. It’s really is enamoring and exotic country, known for its inviting people, culture, scenery, cuisine, and overall lifestyle.
A FREQUENT CHOICE IN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Located in the heart of Asia, Thailand has been captivating foreign visitors for decades. Previous visitors return year after year and as the word spreads, first-time visitors come flooding in. The number of foreign visitors to Thailand continues to increase and year after year, records are broken as international visitors flock to this fascinating country.
VACATIONS, MADE MEMORABLE ONES
Arguably the most exotic destination in South East Asia, Thailand offers travelers and holidaymakers a huge range of vacation possibilities. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a budget traveler wanting to explore a foreign land on a tight budget, or a well-heeled traveler who wants to be pampered and experience the very best, Thailand has something for you.It is still quite possible to find a pristine stretch of beautiful white sand beach that you can have all to yourself. Lazing away the days on a hammock under a palm tree on a mile long beach, without anyone else in sight,swaying in the breeze under a cloudless sky as the waves gently break against the soft white sand.Such an experience can still be had. Welcome to Thailand!
MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS
This page could largely be separated into two separate sections. The first part gives general information about travelling in Thailand while the second part goes into detail about some of the places to visit and some of my feelings about them and experiences there.
Bangkok
Phuket
Ko Samui
Ko Samet
Pattaya
Hua Hin
Isaan
Historic Places
Ko Chang
LEGAL LENGTH FOR YOUR STAY IN THAILAND
Visitors from most Western countries to Thailand get 30 days permission to enter Thailand upon arrival. This is not a visa per se. If you really like Thailand you can exit the country and re-enter immediately thus getting another 30 days. You cannot do this indefinitely and after spending 90 days in Thailand in a 180 day period you cannot return for 90 days, unless you apply for a visa at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of the country first. (There is more on the whole visa issue in the living and working section.) Holders of South Korean, Brazilian and Peruvian passports get 90 days permission. A lot of developing countries get permission to enter for a shorter period of time and visitors from some countries may have to apply in advance for a visa.You can apply in advance for a two month tourist visa which can actually be extended in the country for another 30 days at any Immigration office. The extension costs 1,900 baht.I believe that you may be able to get a multiple entry tourist visa although I personally believe that strictly for tourism purposes, three months is plenty.
LANDING IN THAILAND
Most people arriving in Thailand fly into Suwannaphum international airport in Bangkok. Your first time in Thailand, which may be your first time in Asia, can be more than a little confusing. You are more than likely jumping off the plane after a fairly lengthy trip and probably want to get to your hotel as soon as possible.
ACCOMMODATION
No matter what your budget, you can find something to suit. Thailand and indeed Bangkok has a huge range of places to stay. Whether you want the opulence of the Oriental Hotel, the filth of a Khao Sarn Road backpacker hole or somewhere in between, you will be able to find it in Bangkok. And right throughout Thailand, you will be able to find something to suit your needs, at least most of the time in most places.Bangkok’s top end hotels continue to rate extremely highly. The Oriental Hotel, The Dusit Thani, The Peninsula and The Shangri-La are often mentioned when you hear the top hotels in the world being talked about. These are five star hotels in every sense and should suit the most demanding of travelers Throughout Thailand, you have all of the big international hotel chains like Marriot, Sheraton, Regent, Hyatt represented. You also have some very good Thai hotel chains like Amari. And then you have got a lot of stand alone hotels. At the lower end of the range you have guesthouses. I gather that camping grounds are available in some places but having seen one snake show too many, I think I’ll give that one a miss, thank you.Of the beaches and islands in Thailand, the most popular spots like Pattaya, Phuket and Ko Samui are oozing with a variety of accommodation options. But this is not always the case at some of the more off the beaten track type places. It should come as no surprise that the further off the beaten track you get, generally the harder it is to find quality accommodation. Even in some of the islands the quality of accommodation is not always that good – and sometimes the prices, while cheap by international standards, can be expensive by local Thai standards. Places like Ko Samet and Ko Chang are classic examples where, in my personal opinion, accommodation prices really are higher than they should be.
Khao San Road
If you’re traveling on a budget then Khao San Road is actually extremely well located for anyone visiting Bangkok as it is walking distance to the river and the most interesting and historically significant parts of the city. The must see Grand Palace is about a mile or s away, easily walk able, even in Bangkok’s oppressive heat. Thailand is not an expensive country to travel through and if you are on a real budget, you can do just fine. Let’s look at the cost of accommodation in Bangkok first. A room in the top end hotels tends to go for 5,000 baht or more a night. The very best spots, like the Oriental may even go for twice this. As I mentioned earlier, hotels in Bangkok really are excellent and the top end places are just fabulous. My pick is the Sukhothai which has a wonderful combination of Thai style with modern convenience. It is worth just going for a wander through as it really is that nice! As Bangkok can be quite difficult to get around due to the dreadful traffic conditions and the fact that the skytrain and underground only cover a small part of the city, one needs to think carefully about the area where one chooses to stay. The most popular areas are Sukhumvit Road, Silom Road, the Siam Square / Pratunam area, Banglampoo and the river The prices of ccommodation in Phuket and Ko Samui are much the same as in Bangkok. These are now big international beach resorts with many fabulous places to stay and as such the prices reflect what people are prepared to pay for them. On the other hand, Pattaya and Chiang Mai both have high quality accommodation available at prices which simply do not exist – at least what you get for that money – in Bangkok. This is one reason to visit Pattaya and Chiang Mai – you get very good value for money on your accommodation.
GETTING AROUND THAILAND
TRAVEL BY AIR
Thai Airways is the main domestic airline and airfares for flights within Thailand are fairly reasonably priced, the schedules are good with lots of flights to the most popular destinations. Further, the planes are generally in good condition. Thai Airways flies to most parts of the country, but not quite all. The notable exception of where Thai does not fly is the tropical paradise of Ko Samui. There is only one airline which flies between Ko Samui and Bangkok and that is Bangkok Airways who I believe own the airport at Samui. The fare to fly from Bangkok to Ko Samui on Bangkok Airways is more expensive than the fare on Thai to fly from Bangkok to Phuket, something which many people question, with some feeling that Bangkok Airways really stings you when you fly between Bangkok and Ko Samui. Bangkok Airways also flies to some neighbouring countries as well as operating domestic flights within Thailand, but it is the route to Ko Samui for which they are most famous. Bangkok Airways has tried to reposition themselves and now markets themselves as Asia’s boutique carrier. .
TRAVEL BY CAR
Hiring cars or even a big bike is one way to get around Thailand. The quality of the roads in Thailand is generally pretty good. Car rental is fairly cheap in Thailand which is a little surprising given that the cost of buying a car in Thailand is much dearer than in the West. Generally, driving in provincial Thailand is easy, the drivers are less aggressive, there is much less traffic – and the further you get from Bangkok, the less traffic and congestion you find. However, wherever you go, signs are generally in Thai only. In a few places, and Pattaya is one exception, some road signs are in Thai. Fortunately street signs are in both Thai and English nationwide, something which I have been extremely impressed with. Petrol in Thailand is reasonably priced and as at March 2007, the price is around 26 baht a litre for the highest grade, 95 octane petrol.
HIGH-LOW SEASONS, THERE’S NONE SO SERIOUS DIVISIONS:
The tourist high season runs from around late November through to mid April. At certain times, particularly Christmas, New Year, the Chinese New Year and Songkran the most popular beaches and islands can be extremely busy to the point that getting accommodation can become a bit of a problem. Hotels and even some guesthouses hike their prices – and people are willing to pay it. So if you are travelling over any of these periods it pays to book well in advance. The Songkran period really marks the end of the tourism high season for the year. There are a number of other holidays throughout the year and on some of these holidays nightlife areas and bars and discos can be closed – and the sale of alcohol is outlawed. Some bars slip the boys in brown a bit of cash so they can remain open. Generally speaking it is the Buddhist holidays and December 5th, the birthday of HM The King.
Rent a Minivan & Chauffeur for Your Bangkok Tours
During your stay in Bangkok you will certainly want to visit the many sights & attractions that the city has to offer. The simplest, most convenient and comfortable way of sight seeing in Bangkok is to hire one of our chauffeur driven minivans for the day.
Our private, luxury, air-conditioned minivans are fully licensed & insured. On-board is a TV & DVD player and comfortable arm-chair style seating with a capacity to comfortably seat 8 people.
Why Rent A Minivan & Driver For Sight Seeing In Bangkok?
Private – The minivan is private to your group only avoiding the usual crowded tour busses which spend the first hour picking other guests up from various Bangkok hotels.
Comfort – Bangkok is hot and congested and there is no way of avoiding the traffic whilst in transit, so to have your own air-conditioned minivan with luxury seating and on-board entertainment makes the day’s sight seeing much more enjoyable and comfortable.
Speed – Your chauffeur and minivan will take you directly to each sight and will always remain close by in the car park waiting for your return. No pick up times or waiting – when you’re ready so are we.
Exclusive – The entire day is completely exclusive for your group to decide which sights and attractions to visit in Bangkok. You can tailor make your day to exactly what you want to see and where you want to go. We will give you suggestions & choices and help you plan your day exactly how you like, avoiding the typical multi-tour packages which subject you to times, places and no choices.
Cheaper – You are renting a chauffeur driven minivan for the day, not paying commissions through travel agencies. Therefore any entrance fees for attractions you pay yourself, cutting out the middle man. Any food and drinks you buy, you buy directly from the menu or shop – no fees, costs or prices are marked up by anyone. We do not charge per person, only one flat rate for the minivan whether there are 2 people or 10 people in your group.
Minivan / Minibus VIP Toyota Commuter (8 seats only) for rent with LCD 17 inch & DVD and surroundsystem
Rental fee in Bangkok THB 1,800.-
incl. professional driver excl. gasoline and expressway- parking fees
Rental fee outside Bangkok THB 1,950.-
incl. professional driver excl. gasoline and expressway- parking- fees
Also avaible for tours in and around Bangkok.
Which Are The Most Popular Bangkok Attractions?
Royal Grand Palace Reclining Buddha Chao Phraya River Damnernsaduak Floating Market Rose Garden Thai Cultural Show Crocodile Farm Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise Thai Boxing
The final day
The final day of my stay in Thailand came to an abrupt end actually, not only was I pleasantly surprised to find myself driven in a luxury limousine to the airport, but I was also escorted by simply the most beautiful Thai lady I had ever met. I hoped she was coming with me. To be honest, I wasnât quite sure where I was during my stay here in Bangkok, after being laid up in hospital for part of my holiday, then waking in a hotel room perhaps days or perhaps weeks later. It wasnât until I was actually on my way home that I realized the full gravity of the situation that had passed. After all, I could have been killed.
The people of Bangkok are not exactly famed for their safe driving practises. Tuks Tuks, taxis, family-straddled-mopeds and buses weave in and out like spiders in a thread of intricacy that only local Bangkokians themselves believe to be great driving skills. So to be involved in an accident here, especially when you had counted on hiring a car and driving for while should really come as no surprise to anyone. Precisely what had happened is anyoneâs guess. I remember leaving my hotel that morning on whichever date it was. I remember looking at hotel boutiques and I remember getting in to my hire-car and driving along the hotel and boutique areas of the Sukhumvit Road. But as far as
what happened after that, who knows. The police didnât, the other vehicle if there indeed was one, had fled the scene. No witnesses, so there we have it. My stay in the local hospital and my consequent return to the Tai-Pan hotel (I had previously been able to find and book into), were-as it turned out- very pleasant retreats from the bustle-bustle of the mad Bangkok streets. I had a most comfortable bed, delicious food and great views of Bangkok and the surrounding areas, including parks of lush green and birds in song and all the nature you could find. And although I was pretty much concussed and incapacitated with a broken arm and injured leg I was well enough to be escorted by the wonderful staff of the hotel for a stroll in the gardens or to the hotel boutiques and stores- a real find. As the days ran by here, I had the feeling I was on some strange journey of enlightenment that had been printed in the lines of some exotic novel of far eastern lands. I had no friends but didnât feel lonely, I had no urge to call anyone and let them know what had happened but felt no concern. I hadnât died and wasnât too seriously injured. And although the wave of my thoughts undulated up and down like a calm tsunami, I felt a sense of peace and tranquillity that I had never had in all my life. So as we drove slowly back to the airport, courtesy of the Tai-Pan, accompanied by this lovely lady I said âThere is one last thing Iâd like to doâ¦I havenât seen the Grand Palace yetâ. In fact Iâd seen nothing of Bangkok, so as we drove onwards towards the Grand Palace complex and surrounding Sunamluang Park Gardens I can honestly say contently I was glad Iâd come here, this was a holiday Iâd never forget.
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