Tag Archive | bangkok

The Top Cities And Towns To Visit In Thailand

Apr22

thailandThailand is one of the most interesting and diverse countries in Asia, and with regions ranging from low lying river valleys to high mountainous areas, it is a great place to visit.  The majority of places to be found in Thailand are actually quite small, with only eleven cities with a population of over a hundred thousand people.  As a city, Bangkok dominates the rest of the country, but this is not to say that the rest of Thailand isn’t worth a visit, with many fascinating places to be found across the country.

 Bangkok

As the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is the only real city in the country to have a true metropolis style district of skyscrapers, yet the city still has a number of parks and green areas around the city.  One of the real experiences for people visiting the city is that it is one of the few places in the world which has a true water bus network, and a trip on one of these during rush hour is certainly an experience.  Bangkok is also particularly famous for its vibrant nightlife, with a series of nightclubs and venues to be found throughout the city, particularly in the popular tourist areas.

Bangkok is also well known for its exceptional Buddhist temples and the wonderfully ornate GrandPalace.  Although the palace is still in use for ceremonial purposes, it now boasts a museum and is largely open to visitors.

Phuket

The city of Phuket is the largest city on the island that shares the same name, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.  The coastal city is within easy reach of many beautiful beaches and natural forests, and enjoys consistently warm weather throughout the year.  However, it is also known for its tropical monsoon climate that means the best period to visit the city is between December and April when the chances of being caught in the significant rainstorms are reduced.

The city did suffer from the effects of a Tsunami in 2004, but the hotels and tourism facilities in the city have all been restored.

Chiang Mai

The city of Chiang Mai is the most important city in the north of the country, and is set in a mountainous region that has some truly beautiful areas.  With over 300 Buddhist temples and religious buildings to be found throughout the city, there is a wealth of sightseeing to be done with Wat Chiang Man being a particularly popular site with visitors.

With so many high mountains surrounding the city, it is natural that many visitors to Chiang Mai do so to enjoy the surrounding countryside, with the DoiInthanonNational Park an important destination.  There are also many organized trekking groups that take visitors out into the wilds around the city and guiding them on visits to some of the hill tribes that still live largely untouched by modern civilization.

Buri Ram

Although Buri Ram is by itself quite a small town, it is the nearby PhanomRungHistoricalPark that makes it of great interest to visitors.  The exquisite temple at Phanom Rung was built during the period when the area was a part of the Khmer empire, and is located near an extinct volcano.  The large temple building has been significantly restored, and was a Hindu shrine dedicated to the god Shiva.

Udon Thani

Another city that owes its inclusion to its vicinity to an important historical site is Udon Thani.  The city itself does boast a number of interesting Buddhist temples, but it is the nearby archaeological site of Ban Chiang that gives it real significance.  The Bronze Age settlement was discovered in the 1960s, and some of the best discoveries of Bronze Age pottery were found at the site.  Many of these are on display at the BanChiangNationalMuseum, and include some particularly attractive pottery bearing distinctive swirl designs.

Travelling To Thailand

Jun19

thailand temple sunset

It is essential to carry items that may be necessary to make your stay at any tourist destination comfortable and interesting. You may be aware of certain precautions such as using sun block or insect repellant when you plan to visit Thailand. However, there are some things that you may not be aware of and you should ensure that you plan to take them when you set off for your holiday. It is always advisable to learn more about the place that you intend to visit before you reach there and be prepared to ensure that you have a great vacation.

Book your airline tickets well in advance to avoid any disappointment.  You can check with various travel agents for cheap flights to Thailand and take the best option available. Thailand enjoys a warm climate throughout the year except in the north where you need to wear a jacket when you are up in the mountains. It is not necessary to carry warm or heavy clothing. The clothes you carry should be light so that they dry out easily and you can wear them again. You can also have your clothes washed for about 30 to 50 Baht per kilo if you wish so there is no need to carry too much clothing.

Be wary when you carry chocolate to snack on in Thailand from Europe, UK or USA. These chocolates melt with the heat and will become messy unless you plan to eat them up quickly or place them in a fridge to ensure that it does not melt. You can easily purchase chocolate in any mini market or supermarket as most of it comes from Australia.

Here is a list of things that you may not even think of carrying which are necessary for your trip.

It is important to understand that you will be facing tropical weather in any part of Thailand, regardless of whether you are in Chiang Mai which is a tropical island in the north or if you are in Bangkok. If you decide to book a room at the tropical Hua Hin hotel remember to bring a pair of small binoculars to enjoy viewing the dolphins as they swim off the coast of Hua Hin or to look at the Water Monitor Lizards that swim in the Chao Phraya River or even the Crested Eagles that generally hover over the mountains of Chiang Mai. Butterflies can also be viewed in myriads of colors as they glide through the various places such as tree tops or up above.

Ensure that you carry some plastic “flip flops” that are inexpensive and practical for wearing in hot weather.  In Australia, these types of foot wear are referred as “thongs.”They are easy to wear and do not damage easily and since it is customary to take off shoes when entering rooms, it is very convenient foot wear. They are light and can be worn when you go for a swim or when shopping.

 

beach in thailand

Thailand is referred to as the orchid capital of the world and you will notice them all over the place. Make sure you carry a pocket guide that will explain the various types of orchids available in Thailand that range from the Slipper Orchids which are exorbitantly priced to rare Bee Orchids.

Travel Tips for Bangkok

Mar28

Bangkok is an increasingly popular tourist destination in Thailand and it has reason for this. Not only is it referred to as Venice of the East, but it has lots of different scents and smells and it is completely different from any country you will ever visit. Bangkok is big, bold and beautiful.

Last year I reluctantly decided to travel to Bangkok. It had never been a destination which appealed to me, but I ended up going with a friend. Yes, there is a lot of noise, pollution and I did feel a bit unsafe at times. However, there is a magical side to Bangkok that I fell in love with. I had never been to Asia and now that I have tried it, I want to travel more.

Bangkok has all the great tourist attractions you would expect to see…..lush gardens, temples, shrines and all in the middle of an urban jungle. All I can say is go. But here are some of my dos and don’ts.

Do……….

  • book your flights in advance

Bangkok is a popular destination so make sure you get your airline tickets in advance to avoid paying high fares. Airlines such as British Airways and Delta Air Lines operate to the main airport serving the city – Suvarnabhumi Airport.

  • travel between November and March

If you want to experience the best weather for sightseeing, travel to Bangkok between November and March. However, this is the high-season, so hotels may be more expensive.

  • get vaccinations before you go

Make sure you visit your doctor (I would recommend at least 3 months before you travel) just in case you need to get a vaccination before you travel. I got the Hepatitis A jab.

Don’t……….

  • travel alone

Perhaps not many people will agree with me. But I would recommend that females don’t travel alone in Bangkok, especially at night. They say that Bangkok is a safe city. Keep your wits about you and be careful…remember that tourists are easy targets.

  • show public affection

Make sure you respect customs in this country…for example, it is offensive to show affection to your loved one or even a friend in public in Thailand. You should also have respect for sacred places and don’t be too noisy.

Flights to Thailand

Sep22

flights to thailand

Thailand has fast become one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Backpackers flock to Bangkok; honeymooners retreat to Phuket and nature seekers head to Chiang Mai. Its paradise islands, luxury resorts, charming capital and natural beauty are its most appealing assets. Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia, and for a reason. You can find almost anything here: thick jungle as green as can be, crystal blue beaches that feel more like a warm bath than a swim in the ocean and food that can curl your nose hairs while tap dancing across your taste buds. Exotic, yet safe; cheap, yet equipped with every modern amenity you need, there is something for every interest and every price bracket, from beach front backpacker bungalows to some of the best luxury hotels in the world.

And despite the heavy flow of tourism, Thailand retains its quintessential Thainess, with a culture and history all its own and a carefree people famed for their smiles and their fun-seeking sanuk lifestyle. Many travelers come to Thailand and extend their stay well beyond their original plans and others never find a reason to leave. Whatever your cup of tea is, they know how to make it in Thailand. These features, along with the rising popularity of this country as a holiday destination mean that finding cheap flights to Thailand is not always easy.

It goes without saying that booking in advance increases the chances of finding cheap flights. However, doing a simple price check on search and comparison websites is another good way of getting bargain flights. The main airlines which operate flights from worldwide destinations to Thailand are Delta Airlines, Thai Airways International, Jet Airways and Emirates. To help you decide which airline to fly with, check out airline reviews. Search for customer feedback on airlines, airports and hotels so that you can find out about other travellers’ experiences and it will help you pick the right travel deals. Life is easy with the internet.

My Thai Adventure

Jul3

chiangmaiI took a two week group tour of Thailand which took us all over the mainland as well as to beaches and a couple of islands. As it was my first trip to Asia, I thought traveling by tour was a great way to be introduced to the continent. I wasn’t quite brave enough to travel completely solo, so I decided to travel via group and have the added bonus of leaving all the planning to the tour company.

I flew into Bangkok solo, and arrived in the early afternoon Thai time. The tour didn’t officially start until later that night so I had a few hours to experience the city on my own after checking into the hotel. After wandering the streets for a bit, I had to meet up with the tour group and get acquainted with my fellow travelers. We all went out to eat together to get to know each other better. I had my first traditional Thai meal of Pad Thai which became my staple during the rest of my travels. After dinner, we headed out to see what Bangkok’s nightlife had to offer. We discovered a sidewalk beer garden which I had never even heard of before, and then went out to a proper night club. A night out proved to be the easiest and best way to bond with my new friends.

One of the first stops on my trip was to Bangkok’s incredible Royal Palace of Chiang Mai. It’s set on 61 acres and is full of beautiful buildings and multi-colored murals. I found the information on the Royal family and the Thai beliefs incredibly interesting. Next, we visited the Emerald Buddha Temple. It also had fantastic architecture and murals, and interesting history.

I enjoyed the klongs of Bangkok. The city has a series of canals that it is built around and we were able to take a tour of them on a typical Thai boat. It gave us a great view of the city from the water. The backwater canals also allowed me to see everyday Thai life as we went past many houses and buildings, and viewed locals going about their days. Also while in Bangkok, I was able to spend some quality time shopping for unique souvenirs. Siam Square was also great for shopping for higher-end clothing and other items. I ended up buying quite a lot of stuff.

My favorite part of the Thailand trip was Chiang-Mai. Chiang-Mai’s old quarter is surrounded by a moat and ancient walls and is so pretty and old-world. I loved just wandering around the city. We also got to experience the night bazaar which was huge and incredibly busy. The Wat Phra That temple was my favorite part of Chiang-Mai. The temple itself is situated atop the tallest mountain overlooking the city. As part of the tour, we got to listen to the pilgrims ringing the bells, and even got to take part in Buddhist rituals. It was a very unique experience.

The beaches of Thailand provided a completely different aspect to the trip as I was able to relax and lie on the gorgeous beaches and soak in the beautiful surroundings. My Thailand experience was incredible and I can’t wait to go back.

Touring Bangkok’s Temples

Jul11

reclining buddha

I travel to Thailand and visited Bangkok back in February and although most of what I’d heard about Thai tourism before dealt with its seedy underbelly, I found Bangkok to be a beautiful city. Part of the purpose of my trip was to visit the city’s temple complexes of Wat Pho and Wat Arun the architecture of which I had admired for years.

Similar in architecture to the Cambodian Angkor Wat, these temple complexes were some of the highlights of my trip. I visited Wat Pho on the second day of my trip. It’s located in the central district (Phra Nakhon district) of Bangkok where I planned a fully day of sight seeing. The complex is divided into two walled compounds. One of these holds the Reclining Buddha and the other is a working Buddhist monastery.

The Reclining Buddha that I just mentioned is one of the largest Buddha images in the world and I can honestly say that I’d never seen anything like it. The body is covered in gold plate and the soles of its feet are covered in mother of pearl on which is etched 108 Buddhist scenes. The rest of the temple is home to more than a thousand smaller images of Buddha.

Overall, it was fairly overwhelming to my Western sensibilities but I really enjoyed seeing it in person. If you’re going to visit the temple you should be aware that there is a dress code (no shorts for example) and a small admission fee. Strangely, the temple complex is also home to a school of massage and traditional medicine. The school’s hours are similar to the temple’s and it’s possible to purchase massages while there.

I spent a good 90 minutes at Wat Pho and the rest of my day was spent touring adjacent sites in the Phra Nakhon district. The next day, I toured Wat Arun on the bank of the Chao Phraya. It’s located one district over from Wat Pho in Bangkok Yai and if there hadn’t been so much to do and see around Wat Pho I could have seen both in the same day.

Of the two temples, Wat Arun was far more impressive. It’s dominated by an ornate central tower and incorporates a lot of Hindu and Chinese figures in its design. It was very different from Wat Pho (except in the fact that it too charged a small admissions fee) and while I found the Buddha at Wat Pho to be interesting, the architecture at Wat Arun was visually stunning.

I toured it by myself but there were clearly organized tours of Bangkok that stopped there. Of course, there’s more to see than just the tower because, like Wat Pho, Wat Arun is a functional monastery with a collection of ponds and small buildings scattered throughout the complex.

I enjoyed Bangkok but the trip wouldn’t have been nearly as memorable without the temples. I’d recommend them to anyone visiting Thailand.