travel in thailand

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Phuket - Natures Own Amphitheater of Entertainment

Breathtaking scenery silhouetted with the most amazing tropical sunset- this is Phuket, home to Asia's most spectacular beaches. Phuket is Thailand's largest island sprawling with travelers round the year to to be a part of the fun-filled sandy beaches of the blue ocean. The most famous beach in Phuket is undeniably the Patong Beach, which is an ideal place to play during the day and exhaust yourself partying hard at night.

Centered around tourism, Phuket has left no stone unturned to amaze you with fun and adventure popping up at even the most unlikely of places. There are loads of other beaches as well which promise entertainment, but often preferred by individuals and families seeking a relaxing and serene environment.

It's not only the beaches which attract travelers, but there are other enticements as well which draw them to the travel paradise. Phuket waterfalls attract a lot of people who seek a cool and soothing place for a great dip and at the same time, want to top it up with a picnic! The waterfalls are mostly located in the surrounding tropical forests and require a bit of trekking which offers the chance to peek at the wildlife. The Khao Phra Thaeo National Park and the Sirinath National Park offer travelers with a heavy dose of adrenaline laced adventure which includes trekking, elephant safari, and canoing or rafting.

There are several viewpoints from where you can get a panoramic view of the tropical sunsets or sunrises, but for people who like to enjoy the beauty of nature in seclusion, it's best to go in the early morning. Phuket has its own share of history and a visit to the beautiful Wat Chalong Buddhist Temple gives you a glimpse of the life of the legendary Buddhist monk, Luang Poh Cham. The island of Phuket is full of adventure and it actually grabs the attention of the traveler who loves to let out that extra bit of sweat to discover the uncharted attractions of a place.

An extra yard from the sandy beaches of Phuket, lies the adventure of scuba diving, letting you discover the underwater life along the beautiful coral reefs. Jet-skiing and para-sailing are equally popular and offer the promise of a pure adrenaline rush. Another attraction of Phuket is the electrifying marvel of Muay Thai, locally known as Muay Thai, held in a specially built stadium on Soi Bangla.

Travelers can witness the pure passion of Thailand's historic sport amidst the cheers of the crowds and the strains of drums and trumpets accompanying the fight right from the beginning to end. For travelers who like to play it cool and clean, can go for the international standard golf courses in Phuket, each one of which offers a spectacular scenery which makes every moment cherished and makes you crave for more!

Anxious about where you can put up! Phuket hotels offers a wide range of accommodation options from budget to luxury stays. Nearly all the hotels in Phuket are in set in admirable locations and offer an easy access and getaway with the availability of taxis and rental cars, or even bikes to explore the island of Phuket.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Phuket - Natures Own Amphitheater of Entertainment
By Alexs Albert

The Krabi Beach - Top 7 Places You Must See And Do

Krabi lies southwest of Andaman coast in Thailand. When people talk about Krabi, they often refer to the entire province. Krabi province area includes the Phi Phi islands, Ao Nang resort area, Railay Beach peninsula, Koh Lanta and Krabi town. There are many day tours and sea activities you can do. In order to save you time, here are the top seven activities or places you must see or do when you are in Krabi Thailand.

1) Krabi Hot Spring

A visit to Krabi natural hot spring is a must. There are many hollowed-out 'bathtubs' which are caused by the running water from the thermal springs. You can experience the warm water massaging your back as you relax into one of the natural 'bathtubs'.

2) Emerald Pool

Krabi Emerald pool as its name suggest is also known as 'Crystal Pool' or 'Sra Morakot' in Thai. This is an rich-hued natural pool at the center of the forest, filled with glistening clear spring water. The radiant water turns greenish blue during the day and pale green in the evening. You will be utterly seduced by the intensity of the pool's turquoise colored water and take a cool refreshing swim.

3) Elephant trekking

This will be one of the exciting activities you must experience.The elephant ride will take you through rubber plantations, muddy trails, little streams and the journey last for one hour. There is a specially made sedan secured on top of every elephant and you will be high up above the ground and swaying to the rhythm of the elephant's foot steps. There are many tour operators that provide elephant trekking excursions and they treat their elephants well. You can easily find them in Ao Nang beach.

4) Krabi Crystal stream

Krabi Crystal stream is well known for its crystal clear water. Krabi crystal stream has a unique location where the seawater mix with freshwater during the high-tide period. The water is so clear that you can even see the bottom of the stream. You will definitely take a dip and have a cool, invigorating swim.

5) Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)

Wat Tham Sua temple resides on top of a 600 m high karst peak. Karst are vertical outcrops of limestone which can be as high as 800m. There is a steep climb up of 1237 steps to the view point but you will be rewarded with magnificent views of Krabi and a huge buddhist statue.

6) Krabi Hong Island Tour

Once you are in Ao Nang beach, you must take the Hong island day tour which consists of five island hopping. Hong island tour includes the tranquil Hong island lagoon where it is totally enclosed by majestic cliffs and thick mangrove trees. You can see the calm, translucent emerald water which is relatively shallow. Hong island is great for lazing around soft and white sandy beach and getting a nice tan. You can also hit the clear blue water for some swimming and snorkeling possibilities.

7) Krabi Sea Kayaking

Krabi provides the perfect environment for sea kayaking because Krabi's coastline consist of small coves and fascinating cave systems. You will explore interior lagoons and mysterious limestone caves which can only be accessed at low tide through sea kayaking. You will also experience open sea kayaking and see magnificent Krabi canyons and glide into sea caves.

Words does not fully describe the beauty of Krabi Emerald pool and Hong island lagoon.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

The Krabi Beach - Top 7 Places You Must See And Do
By Scott Knight

The Krabi Island Hopping - Which Islands You Must Definitely Visit

Krabi has the best natural scenery in all of Thailand with its stunning coastline and offshore islands. It is easy to hire a speedboat or longtail boat to enjoy a day of exciting island hopping.

Krabi boasts 132 islands under its jurisdiction and the large majority of these islands are deserted. Ao Nang beach in Krabi is a spring board to islands hopping tours. You can buy longtail boat tickets at Ao Nang beach for your island hopping tours.

The 'Four Islands' tour

The Four Island Tour consist of trips to local islands namely Chicken island, Poda island and Tub island. These islands makes picture perfect memories. You will also see the beautiful Phra Nang Bay on Railay peninsula. This beach is inaccessible by road as it is surrounded by limestone cliffs. Phra Nang Bay is considered to be one of the most beautiful beach in the world.

Hong Island

This is a five-island Hong Island tour, which visits four beautiful islands in a pristine part of the Tharnbok Khoranee National Marine Park. 'Hong' in Thai which translates to room in English. This "island of rooms" is a perfect escape away from Krabi mainland. There is also a slightly enclosed lagoon in the middle of Hong island which is tranquil and has turquoise water. Hong island is truly a desert island paradise renowned for its breath-taking beauty, shallow coral reefs and fine sandy beaches.

Phi Phi Islands

It is highly recommended to take one full day trip to the Phi Phi Islands from Ao Nang beach. Phi Phi Islands consist of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley which form part of the Hat Noppharat Thara - Koh Phi Phi National Park and is considered 'the jewels of the Andaman Sea'.

Phi Phi Islands are located south west of Krabi, these breathtakingly beautiful islands exhibit lovely coral gardens and deep reefs, perfect for diving and snorkeling. Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay were shooting locations for Leonardo Dicaprio's film "The Beach" movie. The journey takes only forty five minutes by speedboat and one hour by longtail boat from Ao Nang beach.

Words does not fully describe the beauty of Phi Phi islands and Hong island lagoon.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

The Krabi Island Hopping - Which Islands You Must Definitely Visit
By Scott Knight

Top reasons to visit Bangkok

Shopping

Bangkok is legendary for its retail opportunities - nowhere else can you find the same choice, quality and prices. There's more here to discover than the famous Khao San Road; from modern air-conditioned malls with the latest Prada and Gucci to the exciting night markets where traders bring their wares from all over the country. Barter for a great deal on handicrafts, textiles, gems, jewellery and furniture. Wandering around the local markets not only do you find great bargains but also gain an insight into the life and culture behind the high-rises in this bustling city.

Dining

In recent years Thai cuisine has grown in popularity in the West and a visit here confirms its place as one of the world's best. The diversity is amazing: spicy salads from the North East, the famous curries from the central plains and seafood from the South - Bangkok encompasses the country's best. You're never far from the enticing aromas from nearby restaurants or street-side noodle stands, Thais have a passion for food and you'll find it everywhere. The world's cuisine can be found here too, from French fine-dining to the freshest Japanese sushi, American steakhouses to Korean barbeque. It's the Thai food that's the major draw though and you can even join a cookery course to learn the secrets of the delicate balance of flavours in this most mouth-watering of cuisines

Nightlife

This is a city of contrasts and the nightlife here is justifiably famous. From notorious Patpong to genteel piano bars there really is something for everyone stretching far beyond the old naughty image and it's all relaxed, safe and enjoyable. Bangkok is fast becoming popular with the international in-crowd as ultra cool nightclubs vie for attention with excellent live music venues. You'll be astounded by the heady choice of things to do at night - in their continual search for sanuk (fun) the locals have made Bangkok the city that never sleeps.

Culture

Bangkok's culture clash is a major part of its charm. As you wander through a concrete thoroughfare alive with car horns and the shouts of street stall traders, you suddenly smell incense and chance upon a Thai temple, an oasis of tranquility and beauty. Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the Grand Palace must be seen for their soaring roofs, gleaming gilded spires and decorated pillars. The city has over 400 temples varying in architectural styles and some of Thailand's best and most unusual museums. The pace of this city is fast and furious, but take the opportunity to wander away from the main tourist areas and step into the 'soi' (backstreets) to see the quieter, more gentle side of life. The real Bangkok is all of this - a city where novice monks mingle with backpackers and ancient chedi sit next to modern hotels.

Sport

Thailand has many traditional and interesting sports like takraw, similar to volleyball but using any part of the body apart from the hands! It is perhaps Muay Thai or Thai kick-boxing that is most famous however and Bangkok boasts two of Asia's main stadia for the sport. This is one of the toughest martial arts and bouts include kicking, punching and displays of great agility. Successful competitors have trained from an early age and acquire cult status amongst the sport's followers. The bigger fights are generally held at weekends amid great excitement and mayhem and a visit to Bangkok is not complete without a ticket to an evening at Lumpini or Ratchadamnoen.

Live Music On Patpong : More Of The Same?

If as my Fuhrer suggests there is a plot to make the gogo bars of Patpong redundant by swamping the notorious acreage with live music venues instead, then the master plan is doomed to failure I’m afraid.
It’s true that there we now have the Muzzik Café, Radio City, the recently-added Twilo and the King’s Garden all offering live bands, but they are, it has to be said, very sad versions of the real thing. Live music should at the every least be LIVE as in ALIVE, to get the punters a-movin and a-groovin’, but the way things are now, you will need truck loads of speed or other uppers to get the thin crowds off their arses in the four venues we visited.

Let me qualify that sweeping indictment with the news that I too am a musician, so I am careful with any criticism when it comes to the output of the Brotherhood of Groove Merchants of which I am one. And to be fair, I am really having it out with the venues here rather than with the bands in Patpong, some of whom were actually not that bad.

But that’s the point – ‘not that bad’ doesn’t cut it at all!

We are talking about live entertainment in one of the most visited and most famous streets for entertainment in the world, and the bands should be nothing less than awesome and blinding and unmatched in Asia at the very least!

You can find any of the offending bars within walking distance of each other on Patpong 1 and they are all actually near neighbours with three of them at least owned and operated by the same company.

As you come down Patpong on your right you will see the latest addition to Susu’s empire – the rather oddly named Twilo Bar. It is a rather plastic looking, though comfortable and spacious enough bar with a broad stage and some very good sound equipment. Like one of the other three venues under the same management – Radio City – there is no music here until 10 pm which strikes me as kinda odd since the street is heaving with people from 7 pm. But Twilo was new and pretty and dead when we arrived at 9:30 pm. And of course, it was totally devoid of any custom too.

So we left and headed for Muzzik Café just a short block away on the same side of the street and there the seven-piece band ‘Geb And I’ were pounding out reggae, rock and pop hits to the satisfaction of a few customers at least. And very good this band was too, if not the best in town.

The Muzzik Café opened at the tail end of last century and has not changed a centimeter since. Here’s what one friend said about the place: “A different kind of venue…like a poor-man’s Hard Rock Cafe, it features deafening live bands, London prices and clingy freelancers.” Nor will you be impressed by the sand coloured, fibreglass and wrought iron interior with its corny detail, but it’s all very inoffensive and reasonably comfortable if you are just out to impress your recently-acquired partner from a nearby gogo bar. Two drinks will cost you three hundred baht and if you are enjoying your girl and the music you won’t care. You can sit outside, inside or at the bars facing into and out of the main room, and it packs in about 200 punters by the end of a busy night. But me and My Girl were on a mission, so drinks tucked away, we headed for the King’s Bar, literally around the corner on Patpong 2. Busy with music from nine, this place is staffed to handle hundreds although it may be a little over the top as the palce is not designed to hold hundreds. The King Band were in full swing when we arrived with Scorpion and tunes and more of the same culled from the charts of the past. Musical, tight and predictable but the two dozen or so punters already there were enjoying it and the place gets very busy the later it gets. However I can not prove how busy it was as the staff stopped me from taking pictures so we finished our Heinekens and left – me in a huff. And no comment.

So that left Radio City back towards the main drag on the right hand side going out towards Silom. There things were now underway but music here only started at 10 pm and the President Band were in full swing as we ordered our beers, roasted cashew nuts, chicken wings and spicy squid salad.

This is the first band I ever saw at Radio City as much as eight or nine years ago, and yes they still play much of the same material. Their Carlos Santana look-a-like guitarist plays great covers of Santana classics, they still do Deep Purple’s Smoke On the Water and throw in The Stones, Neil Young, Scorpions and of course The Eagles, and you know there will no musical surprises here. But that’s maybe what tourist-driven venues are expected to deliver. Competent bands playing predictable favourites well. I mean they cause no pain and I have to class it as harmless fun. The place was filling up as they got going and by eleven the Elvis impersonator was on and driving the international contingent of pissheads crazy.

Need I say more? We left soon after he got started at 11:30 pm and apparently he gets the boot when Tom Jones arrives at a half hour past midnight. So there is a god!

That meant we had to pass the Twilo Bar again on the way out of Patpong, so we stopped in for a beer to check out the band now on stage – complete with sequencer. Yes, and suddenly we had tunes from JLO, Puff Daddy, Eminem and others from the hip hop/rap scene from a very tight band of farang and Thai musicians known as The Chronics –and the manager insisted that was their name! The place was still empty as perhaps it just looks too nightclubbish for the girly part of town, but I dare say it filled up towards 2 am. It’s a youngsters’ hang out and the bar girls will love it as they can dance to all the latest hits too if they can persuade some punter to buy them out.

Its either that or head upstairs at Radio City where the Lucifer’s Disco is still going great guns and very well it should because it still looks great, has great music and there is room to dance and hang out too. Though it has to be said it is not the biggest disco in town.
Live Music On Patpong : More Of The Same?
by
bangkokgigguide

Patpong in Bangkok

Although Patpong Road is probably the most famous street in Bangkok, it is in fact two small streets - Patpong 1 and Patpong 2. Located between Silom Road and Surawongse Road, Patpong 1 and Patpong 2 run alongside each other and house more Go-Go bars than you could possibly imagine! These days, though, many people come to Patpong for good shopping rather than visiting bars.

The street stalls in the middle of the road offer just about everything you want � a really perfect place to pick up gifts for people back home. A word of warning: The Patpong street stalls take up a lot of road space leaving very little room for people to walk. If you have difficulty walking, or you are wheelchair bound, it might be best to avoid the Patpong area, or at least visit very early evening.

Patpong's ground-floor Go-Go bars are probably the best places to visit. Unless you are very sure of where you are going, try to avoid the second-floor bars. There are occasions when people have been seriously overcharged in some of these bars and although it�s a bit unfair on the properly managed establishments, avoiding the second-floor might mean avoiding unpleasantness. Small beers and spirits should cost in the region of 100 Baht.

How to get there: The nearest BTS Station is Saladaeng and the nearest MRT station is Silom. From both Saladaeng and Silom you need to walk down Silom Road away from Lumini Park. When you see a MacDonalds on your left, Patpong is on your right.

BASIC SAFETY RULES for travel

Search your destination; get as much information as possible about the places you plan to visit. Get yourself familiar with local customs and policy.

Tips

o Find travel insurance, if possible with the plan that provides direct, immediate payment to the medical provider.

o Before you depart, photocopy your documents and ticket so it would be easier to replace them if they are lost or stolen.

o Keep a low profile. Try to mingle in with the locals as best you can. Leave expensive jewels and precious valuables at home.

o Do not talk about your travel plans with others.

o Stay alert, particularly in high-risk countries.

o Do not expose your valuables (documents, money, jewels, etc.), keep them protected in the hotel.

o Carry only little quantity of cash.

o Wear a hidden money belt; keep your essential documents and money in it.

o Keep a copy of your passport in your money belt at all times.

o Every time you use your credit card, keep an eye on it until it returned to you. Check credit cards when they returned.

o Never leave your personal documents unattended.

o Admire local customs and regulations.

o Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money or purchase art or antiques.

o If you get into any difficulty, contact the nearest embassy.

o If you are unfamiliar with the local language, write down some key phrases in the local language.

o Memorize or write down a local emergency numbers.

o In case of theft, report immediately to Police and if you'll be making an insurance claim. Thefts of traveler's checks must be reported within 24 hours.

BASIC SAFETY RULES

Night Bazaar at Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s Night Bazaar is on Changklan Road, from the junction with Thapae road to the south, and is said to be the biggest in Thailand. The market is open everyday from sunset until midnight; the area’s mild climate year around transform the wandering between the stall into a very pleasant activity.

The bazaar has a romantic history. It originated when Yunnanese trading caravans used to stop near the Ping River along the ancient trade route between Simao (China) and Mawlamyaing (on Martaban Coast in Myanmar's Gulf). The clearest sight of this past is the Ban Ho community at the northeastern side of the bazaar. They are Chinese from Yunnan and were in contact with Lanna as caravan traders since old times. In 1887 a group of them settled in Chiang Mai and built the mosque Hidayatun as the center of their community

Being Chiang Mai the textile capital of the country, clothes of all types and brands are the main attraction; but a plethora of stalls sells every kind of souvenirs, handicrafts, knick-knacks and keepsakes. Bargaining hard is essential and a fun part of the experience. The bazaar can get overwhelmingly crowded, especially in the rainy season; then colorful plastic sheets protect the merchandise and create a colorful kaleidoscopic view of an unordered array of narrow, plastic alleys.

The modernization process of the city did not skip this area, and behind the shaky stalls are several arcades and shopping centers selling popular international brands. Starbucks Coffee and all the fast food franchises are well represented here as well, providing thus opportunities for air-conditioned breaks during the shopping spree. Adding to the souvenirs overflow, Starbucks offers a special Chiang Mai cup decorated in an attractive design; if buying it, the coffee to fill it is free.

Had Khanom – Mu Ko Thaletai Nation Park

At present, under the process of appointment as a national park, which shall cover part of the following local: Khlong Thong, Khlong Reng, Khao Ok, Khao Thong Not, Pa Khao Chai Son, Len Khlong Khanom, Khao Fee Hai, Khao Wang, Khao Krot, Chai Kram-Wat Pradu, Khao Hua Chang Forest and 8 islands namely, Ko Mut Tang, Ko Mut Kong, Ko Rap, Ko Hua Ta Khe, Ko Wang Nai, Ko Wang Nak, Ko Noi and Ko Ta Rai, all in Sichon and Khanom District, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, and Ko Samui District, Surat Thani.

Topography
Most of the area is covered with lush primary forest which is the originating point for many creeks, from which water is used by the locals for consumption and agricultural activities. Some of the areas are of limestone mountain and quite healthy mangrove forest.

Climate
Influence from the South-Westerly wind and North-Easterly wind results in rainfall almost all year round. However, there are 2 seasons altogether, which are summer (February – April) and rainy season (May – January).

Flora and Fauna
Forests in the area are:
Primary forests with valuable plants such as Intsia palembanica, Dipterocarpus sp., Ironwood, Sandoricum Koetjape and Indian Oak.
Mangrove forests with valuable plants such as Mangroves, Taboon and Thespesia populneoides.
Limestone Mountain also exists with plants such as Chanpah and Opuntia elatior.
Wildlife
Can be classified as follows:
Mammals – Sus scrofa (wild pig), Monkey, Semno, Squirrel, Menetes berdmorei (Indochinese ground squirred), Naemorhedus sumatraensis, Muntiacus muntjak, Ursus malayanus, Tiger, Barking deer, Gibbon and Malayan sun bear.
Birds – Spilornis cheela (Cnested), Treron curvirostra (Thick-Billed Pigeon), Copsychus saularis (Oreintal), shama, dove, cormorant, Nicobar pigeon, seagull, Egretta sacra (Pacific Reef-Egret) and Ducula aenea (Green Impevial)
Reptiles – consists of tortoise, snakes and chameleon.
Amphibians – different kinds of frogs, Bufo asper.
Other aquatic life – Channa striatus (Sepenthead), crab, shrimp, saltwater fish, brook carp and snakehead

Khanom Golden Beach Resort

The Khanom Golden Beach Hotel is located directly on Nadan-Beach, at the middle of the unspoiled Khanom Bay. The 10 kilometre-long Bay is the ideal place for Guests, who search for silence and relaxation in a warm climate. Long-time-vacationers will enjoy to stay in a tropical climate, while wintertime is at home.

Kanom Golden Beach Hotel offers direct access to the beach, the waves in Khanom Bay are mostly quiet, so that everyone can swim safely. To both sides, smaller resorts change with bungalows, fisher-cottages and some solid-built houses, embedded in palm-groves. The scenic picture is complemented by mountains and natural forest. Pink dolphins are sometimes seen fishing and playing in the bay, while the local fishers go out with their small boats almost daily to land fresh fish, shrimps and crab, which are a favourite in our restaurant.

The district of Khanom has approximately 25.000 inhabitants. The next village is called Si-Yaek, and about 1,5 km from Khanom Golden Hotel. It can be easily reached by foot, there is a small market with fresh fruit and vegetables, local restaurants and many small businesses, even 3 bank offices. Motorcycles and car taxi service is available almost everywhere. The small town of Khanom is another 3.5 kilomtres away and 5 km distant from the Khanom Golden Beach Resort. Both places are connected by a good road, there are administrative offices, a police-station, a post office and several banks. Small supermarkets offers everything for the local demand and the busy fishing port provides the excellent seafood from the Gulf of Siam that is served freshest in our restaurant.

Another 20 minutes on by car, Donsak Pier is reached, from where the ferries to the well-known island of Koh Samui are leaving. For tour guides, car rental, bicycles and air-conditioned chauffeur-driven minibus services, please ask at the reception desk.

Khanom Golden Beach Hotel features 70 spacious double rooms, with french or separate beds and 9 suites with 2 separated bedrooms and kitchen. The deluxe rooms are comfortably furnished, have a Thai-style balcony with the view to the sea, a refrigerator with minibar, a television set with satellite channels and an IDD telephone. You can choose between double bed or twin bed rooms. The bathrooms come with shower and hot water.

Junior Suites at Kanom Golden Beach Resort are conveniently equipped with a double and a single bed and overlook the beachside pool and Khanom Bay.

Khanom Golden Hotel has a spacious lobby to relax or to read books, 2 internet terminals for those who need to stay connected, a restaurant and breakfast room with extensive terrace, a swimmingpool with small pool bar, pool and towels free of use, sun chairs at the beach and showers.

Khanom Golden Beach Hotel
59/3 Moo 4, Nadan Beach, Khanom Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand 80210