Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Hill Tribes, Poppy Culture and Ancient Khmers

Hill tribes, poppy culture and ancient Khmers Explore the exotic northern part of Thailand. The city of Chiang Mai used to be a capital in the kingdom Lanna. Its temples are different than in the rest of the country. Travel to the Golden Triangle, a land where Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. Also discover a drug manufacturing area during the Vietnam War that used to be full of poppy cultures and the eastern part of the country, where two of the most beautiful Khmer temples outside Cambodia stand. Then venture to Phanom Rung and Phimai and further to beautiful Thailand Koh Sa Met island. End the tour in the floating markets of Rachaburi Province and at the largest stupa in the entire country at Nankon Pathom.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzRyIzpTmpA&hl=en

Saturday, December 25, 2010

FULL MOON PARTY 10March2009@Thailand koh phangan

FULL MOON PARTY Thailand koh phangan Tuesday 10 March 2009 By VJ wakebecchi 〜DEMO MOVIE SEASON Ⅲ@FULL MOON PARTY2009〜 mixi.jp



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRyBvxxw71s&hl=en

Friday, December 24, 2010

Thailand Eco Adventure Trip Ideas

Thailand is known as an eco-adventure destination by travelers since the seventies, when backpackers came across the jungle trek tours in the north of the kingdom. Thailand provides now a huge variety of eco adventure recreations in all parts of the country.

Treks are most popular in northern Thailand due to the beauty of nature. Deep jungles, rivers and waterfalls, hot-springs, forested mountains and rice terrace fields are dream landscapes for travelers. The north is also rich in cultural diversity with ethnic tribe villages that travelers can experience during trekking. Thailand offers also several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries country wide where treks can be arranged.

Pai and Chiang Mai are the two destinations where a lot of the treks begin in northern Thailand. Plenty of travel agencies have treks for a duration from three days to one week. Each group is made from two to twelve trekkers and an English speaking local guide. German, French or Japanese speaking guides have to be booked in advance if needed. Overnights are arranged in hill tribe villages in home stays, mostly bamboo huts. Meals are cooked by the guides, with the help of travelers who want to learn cooking local food with Thai ingredients.

Umphang at the Burmese border near Mae Sot is also well-known for its waterfalls. Ti-Lo-Su is the largest waterfall in south-east Asia during the rainy season and offers a majestic scenery. Elephant riding can be arranged over two days, including one overnight in the jungle with the pachyderms. In the first part of the Wa river, rafting can be enjoyed in bamboo raft, while the second stage must be passed in inflatable boats in order to get to the Ti-Lo-Lee waterfall.

One amazing trip is a 3-day barge cruise between Bangkok and Ayuthaya where travelers experience stops along the bank of the river Chao Phraya to ride bicycles. That way, they can discover the rural villages with local factories, splendid temples and appetizing food markets. The visit of a school to meet Thai students in their classroom is a kind of experience too. The trip ends in Ayuthaya, former capital of Thailand from 1350 to 1767, where over four hundred temples and monasteries can be visited.

The south of Thailand has seen a growing number of visitors in the last twenty years, and has several national parks for eco-adventure trips. The exploration of Khao Sok, the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world, which is located at one hundred fifty kilometers from Surrathani, is not to be missed. The park has a wide wildlife with elephants, tigers, leopards, bears and gaurs in mountainous landscapes with limestone cliffs. Overnights are arranged in tree top houses and raft houses in the lake of Khao Sok.

From trekking and elephant-riding in Chiang Mai, bamboo rafting in Umphang, to bicycle rides up country and river cruises in Ayuthaya, Thailand has an eco-adventure tour for anyone who wants to enjoy sport activities in beautiful landscapes.




Michel Gerard is a freelance travel writer based in South-east Asia. Visit Reperages Thailand Travel's website for Thailand Travel Info and download their free ebook => http://www.travel.reperages-thailand.com/newsletter_ebook.html

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Places To Visit In Bangkok

Thailand is one of the most attractive places to visit in Southeast Asia. And why not? Endowed with sandy white beaches fringed by lush green vegetation, beautiful monasteries and temples, shiny and peaceful images of Buddha and the ever smiling natives, Thailand offers you the perfect gateway to luxurious and relaxing vacation. Aptly called the Land of Smiles, the people of Thailand are always generous and hospitable to the tourists.

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand is one of the most frequently visited places. However, if you are planning to visit Bangkok, the city of lights and the city of culture and tradition, you must make a list of the places that you plan to visit.

If you want to have a taste of the history of Thailand, then Grand Palace is one of the places that is worth a visit. It was the former residence of a royal family and consists several temples, houses, and government offices of the olden days.

Another interesting place to visit is the Erawan shrine. This was built during the year 1950 in the honor of Brahma and his elephant, Erawan. Various traditional dances are also held in the open air.

To feel the hustle-bustle of the shopping outlets, Thewet market is the perfect place to go. It is colorful and bustling with life and series of products like pottery, plants, flowers, and Thai cuisines.

To uplift your spiritual mood, you can visit the famous temples in Bangkok, Sri Mahamariamman Temple and Wat Pho. The former features intricate and delicate carvings and sculpting of Hindu deities on the walls while the latter is a 200 year old temple. Wat Pho is noted for the majestic gold plated reclining Buddha, which is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. It is also adorned with mother of pearl inlaid feet, which is three meters long.




Check Out More Articles:

Thailand Travel Information , Moving To Thailand , Phuket Trip Advisor,

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Traveling in Thailand

When on vacation, we all want to cut loose and relax to forget about our stressful lives and this is a good thing. Not only is this a good thing for you but it's a good thing for anyone looking to take advantage of you and possibly relieve you of your valuables.

As a traveler, whether you are going to Disney World or Thailand, you need to be aware of your surroundings. Whatever tourist destination you find yourself in you can bet there are people waiting there who make it their job to take advantage of you in your relaxed state. Don't take for granted the security of resorts.

As with any trip to any destination in the world you need to be aware of your surroundings, especially in tourist areas where you may be prey to an unsavory element. I covered the basics in 5 rules of not being a stupid tourist.In Thailand the real dangers may not be what you expect. Thailand, as any other place in the world, has it's fair share of crime and scam artists. While you are watching out for your valuables and personal safety it's pretty easy to ignore certain aspects of your trip that you might take for granted back home. Taking these aspects of your trip for granted could very well lead to an untimely death.

Crossing streets, crowded clubs, and road accidents take more lives annually in Thailand than any other activity including crime. Just in a few days last year there were over 226 road fatalities throughout Thailand and one club fire at Santika Pub that has left 86 people hospitalized and 59 people dead. Of the 59 deaths at the club 21 were foreigners.

Nightclubs are the first piece of this awareness trifecta. Some clubs can be quite large and pack the people in, if that's your thing then you should really take a walk around the club and check it out. Make sure you know where the exits are and if possible make sure they aren't locked. Last year a club in Pattaya caught fire just before opening resulting in a fair number of staff dying. The fire marshal determined it to be an electrical fire and found chains locked on the secondary exits to keep people from entering for free. This New Years Eve saw a fire at the Santika Pub caused by fireworks lit off inside as part of the celebration that hit the foam acoustical treatment on the ceiling.

Small clubs deserve just as much awareness as they are usually dark and exits hidden. A lot of the fires that do happen in Thailand are electrical. The electrical in most of these places is substandard at best, criminal at worst. Club fires aren't a daily event in Thailand but they do happen, and when they happen there are usually deaths involved. Go to the clubs and have a great time if that's what you're about. Just be safe and scope out the places you find yourself in, it may just save you.

Driving in Thailand

As with any other travel destination in the world you can rent cars, trucks and motorcycles in Thailand. The best tip I can give you is DON'T. Everyone I have ever met in Thailand from expat to the two week vacationer that has driven in Thailand has been in an accident. It's not a matter of if you will be involved in an accident, but when.

Some have been minor scrapes but others have required surgery and long hospital stays. Last year a Thai woman on her way home from work one night in Pattaya riding her motorcycle fell into a pit in the road that was 6 feet deep and 4 feet wide. The contractor working on the road didn't think a barricade was necessary.

Sometimes accidents are related to bad road conditions but more often than not road accidents in Thailand, from rural areas to the big cities, can be chalked up to bad driving. Motorcycles weave in and out of traffic as fast as they can and cars defend their space with a passion. My second trip to Thailand I saw two motorcycle accidents in one night. The first accident a motorcycle taxi cut in front of a baht bust that decided to drive right over him. The second accident a motorcycle crashed into the rear of a Mercedes at high speed. My last trip when I was coming back from Mukdahan to the bus station in Pattaya we passed a motorcycle torn to pieces in the road with an obvious dead rider 100 feet away.

One taxi ride from the airport to Pattaya my driver could not decide which lane he wanted to drive in so he decided to split the difference and drive between lanes and cars for a half a mile or so. I think the falang screaming in the back of his taxi unnerved him so he stopped.

Traffic is so bad in Bangkok that it's not unusual to see a motorcycle taxi jump the curb and take to the sidewalk. Driving is more of a sport in Thailand and a blood sport at that. The bad Asian driver may be a cliche stereotype but when it comes to Thai drivers there's more truth than fiction to that sentiment.

If that doesn't give you pause to reconsider driving while in the Kingdom then consider the the following two articles:

In 1999 a study was done by G D Jacobs and Amy Aeron-Thomas called A REVIEW OF GLOBAL ROAD ACCIDENT FATALITIES. It broke down road related fatalities by region with Asia comprising a full 44% of all road fatalities world wide. It should come as no surprise then that Thailand has been the leader in road accidents world wide for some time. In 2004 it was estimated that Thailand had an accident rate of 6.6 accidents per 10,000 drivers, in comparison all of Europe was at only 1.8 accidents per 10,000 drivers.

Pichai TANEERANANON and Opas SOMCHAINUEK did a study on bus crashes in Thailand called BUS CRASH SITUATION IN THAILAND: CASE STUDIES. The sheer number of bus crashes and fatalities yearly in Thailand is staggering.

If you just have to drive in Thailand then make sure you have an international drivers license or a Thai drivers license and insurance. If you are involved in an accident most likely you'll be seen as the person at fault and even if you are not there will be fines to pay.

Public transportation is the the alternative and for the most part will be fine. I've been on motorcycle taxi's, taken tour buses up country and used taxis. I haven't had a problem yet but I know the odds are against me. With drivers working sometimes 12 -16 hour days it's hard to know what kind of ride you will get. As Elvis Costello would say "Accidents will happen" but if you keep your wits about you and stay aware of your surroundings then there's a good chance you can avoid being in one.

Walking on Thailand's Streets

I've been out walking the streets of Bangkok by myself at four in the morning and never once feared for my personal safety, although I was very aware of my surroundings. I can't say the same for crossing streets in Thailand. Pedestrians are pretty much seen as targets and pedestrians in crosswalks are the bullseye.

Trust me drivers won't slow down for you crossing the road, if anything they'll just honk the horn to remind you of your imminent demise if you should trip. Add in bad lighting, alcohol or both on either side of this equation and you have a recipe for disaster.

While Bangkok has many pedestrian bridges the same can't be said of other popular destinations such as Pattaya where 2cnd road plays out much like the old video game frogger. 2cnd road in Pattaya as well as beach road have a very long stretch without any traffic signals and at night the lighting is sketchy at best in some places.

A study of pedestrian accidents was done in Kohn Kaen province which has a population of 150,000 in 2002. As part of the study they gathered information on pedestrian involved accidents between the years 1998-2000. In 2000 there were over 4400 pedestrians injured or killed on Thailand roads with an estimated 65,000 traffic related injuries and deaths. A Study On Accidents and Investigation of Pedestrian's Unsafe Conditions in Kohn Kaen.

When crossing any streets in Thailand take your time and judge car distances and speed as best you can even streets with low traffic, because by the time they hit you it's too late and from some accidents I've seen there might not be much left to identify.

As always, no matter where you are in the world make sure you are aware of your surroundings and be in control of yourself at all times and you should be just fine.




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

I write about my experiences in Thailand as well as the cultural aspects of being a foreigner in a foreign land. My blog Thailand, Land of smiles is full of stories and thousands of photos from my journeys throughout Thailand. I blog about Thailand Daily at http://thailandlandofsmiles.com.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Thaïlande 2009 (Thailand)

Clip vidéo de notre voyage en Thaïlande du 21 janvier au 12 février 2009 Visite de Phuket (Patong, Koh Phi Phi, James bond island), Koh Samui, Kanchanaburi (rivière kwai, éléphants, temple des tigres, cascades d' Erawan, petit train...), Ayutthaya et Bangkok. Pour plus d' informations voir mon carnet de voyage : www.vacanceo.com un forum sur la Thaïlande : www.kanchanaburi-thailande-forum.c.la River kwai elephant village www.river-kwai-elephant-village.c.la



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91ju-okD-zY&hl=en

Monday, December 20, 2010

TRAVEL MAKEUP KIT for AIRPLANE CARRY-ON

On The Go Again...long-haul trip required wearing many different hats! Make-Up storage that is ready for use at your convenience is priceless! Use bubble-wrap packed around fragile shadows/blush and velvet or fabric around your precious brushes!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dViSJ2aiz4&hl=en

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Thailand Holidays Offer Something for Everyone

Thailand is known for its spectacular scenery, hospitality, historical monuments and traditions that go back thousands of years. A visit to this fascinating country will leave you wanting repeat Thailand holidays.

Thailand has something to offer everyone. North Thailand offers trekking, hiking, hill tribes and ethnic groups with colorful dress and unique customs and culture. The East of Thailand has incredible islands and beaches ("The Beach" was filmed here) and water sports including para-gliding and snorkelling.

South Thailand offers even more spectacular beaches (including Phuket and Koh Samui), waterfalls, water sports such as snorkelling, kayaking and beach parties that go on for three days. In West Thailand you can see elephants, tiger temples and the famous "bridge over the river Kwai." Central Thailand offers the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, with extravagant night-life, plazas, shopping malls and 1000 year old temples.

The climate in Thailand is mostly tropical, with a mean annual temperature of 28° C. It is usually very hot in the Central Plains and South but cooler in the North, such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai where visitors to the Kingdom can cool off. If you prefer a cooler period to visit the best time is November to March when the days are mostly dry and the humidity lower, although the island Koh Samui is best visited from June to September.

Thailand´s rich culture has been influenced by Cambodia, Laos, China, Burma and from the rest of Southeast Asia. Thailand's national religion is Theravada Buddhism and has become central to modern Thai identity. The Buddhist religious lifestyle in Thailand has remained almost unchanged for centuries and many Thais honor and respect it. This way of life can be seen daily from the floating markets, to the meditation and religious ceremonies. The peaceful and calm nature of the Thais means you will receive the warmest of welcomes and be left wanting many more Thailand holidays.

Thailand is very accommodating for UK citizens. It takes approximately fifteen hours on a direct flight from The UK. Many Thais speak English with main road signs in English and Thai. You do not need inoculations for your Thailand holidays, however precautions against hepatitis, malaria and typhoid are recommended if you are traveling to Northern Thailand or near to the borders of the Mekhong regions. Currency exchange rates are favorable and prices are cheap, with a very nice meal in a romantic setting costing around eight to ten pounds for two people.

Thailand is known as "The Land of Smiles." For your next holiday, kick back and relax on one of the many beautiful, warm beaches Thailand has to offer.




Are you looking for great deals for Thailand holidays? Be sure to visit my site to find out more about renting Thailand villas on your next trip.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Friday, December 17, 2010

Introduction to Chantaburi, Thailand

Introduction to Chantaburi, Thailand ------------------------------------------------------------ ThaMai Farm and Homestay If you are looking for a place, away from bustling cities and crowded beaches, where nature welcomes you with scenting flowers and the songs of crickets, then you are welcome in our Tha Mai Farm and Homestay. We have five houses for rent, comfortably equipped with air-conditioning, fridge and TV. Your English-speaking host, Nui, and his staff will see to all your needs. Location: - Tha Mai Farm and Homestay is located just 1 km outside of Tha Mai town, 8 km from Chantaburi, 10 km from the beach and 220 km from Bangkok. - The houses are spread over a dreamlike garden with a large variety of trees, shrubs and flowers. Big ponds contain over one thousand fancy carps. Fascinating birds are regular guests at the ponds. Near the children's playground is a large chicken run. Houses and prices: We offer five houses for rent, all designed completely different, but equally luxurious: - A romantic floating house; - A wooden tree house, overlooking the water; - A stone house with a large outdoor-living area; - A two-storied house with a charming private balcony; - A wooden double dwelling on stilts with a terrace on the water. Depending on the size of the house, the rent ranges from Thai Baht 1.500-4.500 per day. For a stay of one week or longer, we charge special discounts. Please contact us for details of arrangements. Facilities: - Sheets, towels and house ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjZQeE9atY4&hl=en

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Teaching English in Uttaradit, Thailand

First impressions of Thailand. I Hope anyone who is considering taking an ESL job in Thailand finds this useful.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlAcMZt05XM&hl=en

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Beautiful Orchids Show in the Rose Garden - Thailand

The Rose Garden -- Thailand Orchid show during November 30th to December 5th 2007. There are many beautiful and hard to find Orchids in this show. Some of the Orchids are very hard to find even for the Thai people. You can find other information about this place from this link. www.rosegardenriverside.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilJ2upu_iHk&hl=en

Monday, December 13, 2010

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Interview with Tim and Pania Lee

Joey and Jon interview Tim and Pania, a systems specialist and a teacher living and working in Thailand for some 9 years now. Tim and Pania loved their time in Thailand, but will be moving soon to England. We wish them the best and hope they visit often!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca6W7nf9--A&hl=en

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

South India Travel Doc - Part 01

South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of area. South India lies in the peninsular Deccan Plateau and is bounded by the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal in the west, south and east respectively. The geography of the region is diverse, encompassing two mountain ranges — the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats and a plateau heartland. Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra and Kaveri rivers are important non-perennial sources of water. Inhabitants of South India are referred to as South Indians. A majority of South Indians speak one of the five Dravidian languages — Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Tulu. During its history, a number of dynastic kingdoms ruled over parts of South India whose invasions across southern and southeastern Asia impacted the history and cultures of modern nation-states such as Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The region was colonised by Britain and gradually incorporated into the British Empire. After experiencing fluctuations in the decades immediately after Indian independence, the economies of South Indian states have registered higher than national average decadal growth over the past three decades. While South Indian states have improved in some socio-economic metrices, economic disparity, illiteracy and poverty continue to affect the region much like the rest of the country ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBmhqesMqfI&hl=en

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Bangsaen Thailand Speed Festival 2009 - Wednesday Paddock views

Today the high point of the Thai motor racing calendar gets underway with the final round of the Super Car Thailand series, the Bangsaen Thailand Speed Festival 2009. After back-to-back rounds at Bira, the seaside resort wraps up in style the country's premier race series with a five day street-racing extravaganza that while headlined by the Super Car, Super 1500, Super 2000 and Super Commonrail (pick-up) competitors that make up the usual Super Car Thailand bill includes a plethora of other categories including Japanese and European classics, Minis, ladies races and one-makers from brands such as Toyota and Honda. It's bursting at the seams and the country's racing world is here in force. Bangsaen Thailand Speed Festival is talked about with wide eyes: crazy racing on crazy streets so I'm looking forward to immersing myself in the whole experience. The opening action kicks off today with a packed timetable of free practice sessions starting at nine in the morning sharp and continuing until almost six o'clock. I have forgone this though and travel down from Bangkok in the late afternoon. The route is the smooth swish of the BTS to busy Victory Monument and then a chaotic search for the right minibus, all are identical white and with no English language letters or numbers on show and with all leaving from a variety of points it's a lottery to get to the right place. Anyway the right bus is found at the third time of asking and we squeeze on (suitcases aren't catered for so ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-07mTdrUko&hl=en

Monday, December 6, 2010

Budget Travel In Thailand: How to Travel in Thailand With Style and Without Bankruptcy

Thailand was my first tourist destination outside Europe and North America. Based on the sage advice of my Thailand-experienced friends, I was sure that this paradise vacation would be carried out on ridiculous costs. However, back home, I have found out too late, that during my little Thailand adventure I have spent almost the same amount of money as one of my regular surges to Europe. If only I knew that carefully planning your trip to Thailand can manifest itself in huge savings. The following list includes some solid advice that can help those novice Thailand visitors to save significant amounts of cash and still enjoy their vacation:

1. Season choice. Traveling in Thailand Islands during the low season can save you up to 25% of the accommodation costs (up to 25$ per bungalow per night if you choose high standard - not luxury - accommodation). Similar to many other world locations that are based operate seasonally; there is a significant price fluctuation across seasons. Not less important is that fact that the weather in Thailand is quite pleasant even during the low season. The temperatures' difference between the "hot season" and the "peak season" is miniscule, and during the "wet season" one can experience only a mild occasional rain. Therefore, in Thailand one can lower accommodation costs by avoiding the peak season without paying the price of suffering from unbearable cold or coping with endless monsoon.

2. Transportation. Getting from Bangkok to your final destination in one of the Southern Islands by train or bus instead of by plane can save you up to 80$ each way. You can save a bundle if you arrive to Bangkok International Airport in the evening. In this case you save, besides the gap between relatively expensive airfare and train or bus ticket, the first night's accommodation cost as well (40$ - 100$ per bungalow per night in high standard - not luxury - accommodation).

3. Food. In Western style countries, the more you pay for your dinner the better it is, so everyone can make a personal decision about getting an appropriate cost - benefit balance. In Thailand, and especially in the Southern Islands it is much simpler: in most cases, the cheaper the better. Expensive restaurants in Thailand Islands usually specialize on Western food that is neither authentic nor of superior taste; a standard dinner will cost you 10$ - 30$ in a restaurant of this kind. Alternatively, the dinner in a cheap restaurant with plastic chairs will cost you 3$ - 8$ and it is usually both tasty and authentic. My most disappointing Thai dinner was served in a fancy restaurant in Bangkok and had cost 120$ for a couple, whereas my best dinner was served in a cheap family restaurant in Koh Phangan. The owner - young mom named Mam - prepared the meal for us exactly as we wished it would be and charged us with measly 5-6$ per person.

4. Air Conditioning. The presence of air conditioning in your room can make a huge difference in accommodation rates. For example, the same room rates in the same resort can vary from 15$-30$ for a bungalow with a fan to 40$ - 100$ for an air-conditioned bungalow. Although choosing an air-conditioned room during the hot season (such as March - April) is crucial, if you visit Southern Thailand during the rainy season - a bungalow with a fan can both satisfy your needs and cut your expenses in more than a half.

5. Location choice. Similar to the principle held in most places in the world, the accommodation rates in Thailand Islands depend on your location choice. The bungalow in the central beach, close to the airport or seaport full of thriving nightlife will probably be twice as expensive as the same bungalow in a remote quiet beach. However, accessibility is an issue in the Thailand Islands, and the taxi fares and taxi boat fares operate under the same principal as the accommodation rates. So there is a rule you may adopt: if you are looking for social activities and busy nightlife- stay close to the airport or seaport; otherwise make a little effort and move after your arrival to a remote beach. You will save up to 60% on the accommodation rates this way.

6. Communication. It will probably not come as a complete shock, but the use of cellular phone from outside of Thailand could be extremely expensive. To save on communication costs you can either buy a local cellular phone with prepaid SIM card or use the Telephone & Internet centers services. Mind you that the cost of these services may vary. As usual, if you're calling overseas from your resort's office - it will be more expensive than using a call center in the town. The cheapest solution is probably giving your phone number to your friends or relatives overseas since every call center has a phone number that can be used for calling back.

7. Price negotiation. In tourist locations in Thailand negotiation is a necessity or a way of life. Likewise, in the less touristy islands and areas price bargaining is accepted as well. Just try it - in Thailand price negotiation isn't considered an embarrassing behavior, so you have nothing to lose.

8. Psychology. Although, in Thailand everything is perceived to be cheaper than in your home country, don't be fooled by the seemingly low prices and control your expenses. Buying an enormous amount of inexpensive things can really add up to a surprisingly large sum of money.

During my last visit to Thailand, I followed these guidelines with persistence and I was happy to disclose, that budget travel in Thailand can be more than just an economical issue, it can also be enjoyable. Interestingly enough, in Thailand, the less you spend - the closer you get to the local authentic experience.




Independent researcher, MA in anthropology, and travel enthusiast Ella Evans has spend more than a decade exploring Thailand focusing on the Southern Islands. The fruits of her labor can be found in the Koh Phangan Experience Website: a comprehensive travel guide to Koh Phangan, Thailand, which includes information articles, tips, advice and a message board. To visit Koh Phangan Experience Guide, click here: http://www.kohphangan.eternaltravel.net/

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Top Tourist Destinations in Asia - Thailand, Bangkok and Singapore

Asia the largest sub-continent is now becoming the most demanding holidaying destination. In this continent there are many fascinating destinations which are worth visiting and exploring. But it is very hard to visit all the destinations, so it is worth to explore the top tourists' destinations of Asia i.e. Thailand, Bangkok and Singapore. These are some of the must and most visited travel destinations in Asia by tourists, honeymoon couples, nature lovers, holiday makers and world trotters from all the corner of the globe.

Thailand often referred as the land of smiles has amazing attractions of nature as well as man made, heritage and culture beauty, modern towering sky-scrappers, etc. Beside these its amazing traveling destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, Chaing Mai, Krabi, Koh Samui, etc. All these place are amazingly beautiful and offer tourists with enjoyable and memorable vacations. Bangkok is usually a transit but enjoying few days in this place is worth. Visit to Chatuchak weekend market, The King's Palace and temples including Wat Pho and the temple of Dawn. These beautiful places are the most and must visit attraction on tours to Bangkok.

Singapore an island destination has host of tourists' attractions which are worth visiting and exploring. Its astonishing attractions like China Town, Jurong Bird Park, Kampong Glam, Singapore Science Center, Little India, Kusu Island, Hawa Par Villa, Santosa Island, Singapore Discovery center, Carlesberg sky tower, butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, etc are some of the most beautiful and tempting attractions worth visiting attractions on your Thailand Singapore tour.

Beside all, these destinations are also known for offering unlimited fun, vibrant life, wonderful shopping experience and many others. Enjoy shopping in the bustling malls or try unique and mouthwatering cuisines in exotic resorts or give the night time in a reputed bar - all these happening events will surely make your tours incredible and cherish able. If you are interested in adventure tourism, you can feel the excitement enjoying several water adventure activities like Para sailing, scuba diving, swimming, boating, angling, etc. These water fun and adventure activities will truly offers wonderful experience of touring in these destinations which will offer you memorable memories to relish for lifetime.

Well there are many other attractions which also deserve the attention of tourists. Several tour packages are made available by the tour operators according to destinations like Singapore tour or tours in Bangkok or Thailand Tour or combined of two or more destinations. Book one travel package according to your choice and enjoy your holidays in any these destinations in a delightful and memorable way.




The Author is an online Marketer. He loves to write articles and Blogs. He has written thousands of articles over internet. He loves to write about Thaliland Singapore tour, Thailand Malaysia tour etc. For more information visit to http://www.thailandtourpackage.net

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Backpacking

South Australia Known as the Opal capital of the world, this mining town is located 850 kilometers north of the south Australian capital city and is regarded as a backpackers paradise. Ireland Due to its relaxed culture, old and established historic traditions and, of course, its love of Guinness, Ireland is renowned for being a favorite with travelers. Egypt With camels, the Sphinx, the Nile and the pyramids Egypt is a country full of wonderful things to explore. Chernobyl While it seems like an unlikely backpacking destination, the natural charms of Ukraine are slowly shining once again, despite the tragedy of Chernobyl. NSW, Australia Australia is an incredibly cosmopolitan country whose sheer size offers backpackers years worth of travel. New Zealand New Zealand is an excellent backpacking or budget travel destination either as part of a larger Australia based tour or on its own. Thailand Over recent years Thailand has positioned itself as the backpackers gem of south-east Asia offering everything from crowded markets and bazaars to ancient temples, to busy nightlife and some of the best scenery in the region.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnDVQkjlpWs&hl=en

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Kite Surfing Holidays to Thailand

Kite Surfing is a relatively new sport that is seeing the numbers of people getting interested in it rocketing. At the end of 1999 it was estimated that only 1,000 people actually participated in this extreme sport. By 2005 however there were 100,000 kite surfers around the globe.

Although founded in Hawaii and France Kite Surfers like wave surfers travel the world looking for better and more exciting places to surf with their kite. Thailand has been a favourite destination for yachtsmen and windsurfers for many years due to its prevailing winds at certain times of the year.

With average wind strengths of 15-20 knots during the northerly monsoon and 12-14 knots in the southerly monsoon Thailand is not a super windy place but it is a super place to have a holiday in. For many hard core kite surfers these 'light' winds would not be enough for them to travel to Thailand but for a family looking for a holiday to Thailand to enjoy some water activities then its ideal.

These light winds are ideal for gentle kite surfing so has been ideal for the beginners who can learn to control the kites in a more gentle breeze. This has lead to an explosion of Kite Surfing Schools in Thailand.

Unlike other water activities, like scuba diving, kite surfing sees a lot of Thai people getting involved in the sport. Many of the instructors that teach you kite surfing will be Thai nationals and the companies who rent you the gear will be owned by Thai people; this adds to your holiday and lets you get closer to the wonderful people of this country.

Best Places to Kite Surf in Thailand

You will find kite surfing Schools in all the major holiday destinations such as Koh Samui, Hua Hin, Phuket, Pattaya and Chumphon but it is the schools around Pattaya and Hua Hin that have the best beaches to teach from. This doesn't mean that the other places don't have wonderful white sand beaches fringe with tropical palm trees. What it means is that these locations have the best winds just off shore and the beaches here are not as busy in some locations.

Best Time To Holiday in Thailand for Kite Surfing

Koh Samui is best between November and the end of February, perfect for the beginner and intermediate.

Pattay and the surround coast is best between September and March again, perfect for the beginner and intermediate.

Hua Hin is a little more complicated; between November and January the north easterly monsoons provides the strongest winds in the morning. Between February and mid May its best to plan your kite surfing for the afternoons.

Phuket island has it easy when it comes to kite surfing seasons. From November to March the Northeasterly winds provide a gently breeze, then from March to October the wind is blowing from the West increases slightly.

Chumpon sees the best winds during the north easterly monsoons during November to January but like Hua Hin the winds remain strong enough in the afternoons from February to mid May.

From this you can easily see that a holiday to Thailand at any time of the year can be combined with kite surfing. Obviously any holiday between May and October will no doubt save you some money as this is the 'Green' season, but you do risk less than perfect weather during this time.




Brian is the author of few blogs about scuba diving, Kite Surfing Gear and loves go on holidays to Thailand with his family when every he can. With so many holidays to Thailand the blog is jammed full of information of traveling with children, scuba diving and general stories about Thailand.