Bangkok to Koh Chang 2

an idea of heaven...only on a bad cam. enjoy



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oil8VQgOHYc&hl=en

Terry Fox Run, Thailand by Asiatravel.com

For Bookings: www.asiatravel.com For More Video: book.asiatravel.com Terrance Stanley "Terry" Fox, CC (July 28, 1958 June 28, 1981) was a Canadian humanitarian, athlete, and cancer treatment activist. He became famous for the Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research, which Fox ran with one prosthetic leg. He is considered one of Canada's greatest heroes and is celebrated internationally every September as people participate in the Terry Fox Run, the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research. In 2004, Terry Fox was voted 2nd place on The Greatest Canadian. Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to Rolly and Betty Fox. He was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia and then moved to the family home on Morrill Street in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, with his older brother Fred[1], his younger brother Darrell, and his sister Judith. [edit] Sports Four things were evident about him; first, he loved sports of all kinds - soccer, rugby union, baseball, and diving. Second, he was not tall; hence he had to work harder than the bigger kids. Third, he was extremely competitive. Lastly, he had a huge amount of determination. Fox's father, Rolly Fox, recalls that his son was very competitive in everything from board games to table hockey.[2] Rolly notes that "if you were better than him at the start, he'd keep playing until he was better than you...It didn't matter what it was, he hated to lose."[3] In junior high school, Fox ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga-jsoliEzw&hl=en

Chalong Bay pier, back to Karon Beach # 5

Chalong Bay pier, back to Karon Princess Hotel, Phuket, Thailand *from Racha Yai island dive site with West Coast Divers.05/05/08



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4XnSVU-v-w&hl=en

Thailand's World

Thailand is a modern democratic Nation in Central South East Asia. '' Thai '' is the Tai word for '' free ''. The '' Thai '' identity was formed in the late 13 th C at Sukhothai and is not to be confused with '' Tai '' the name of the ethnic groups of people who migrated from Yunnan in the 12th & 13th Centuries. The character of the Thai Nation today and of its people can only be appreciated by exploring its 2000 years of recorded history and the cultures of the various peoples who live here. Thailand's natural landscape includes tropical wet evergreen forests in Southern Thailand to temperate deciduous forests in North Thailand and we explore these in the Thailand National Parks. Thailand art architecture and decorative objects need to be considered with regard to the influences of religion, mythological beliefs and regional artistic styles. Thailand is so large and diverse we detail all about Thailand in separate regions, North or Northern Thailand, South or Southern Thailand, Central Thailand and North East Thailand [ I 'san ].

North Thailand Travel & Places Of Interest

The Thailand Government defines North Thailand as consisting of both [ 1 ] the 84,000 square kilometres comprising 8 provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Lampang, Lamphun, Phrae and Mae Hong Son, which area originally comprised the Lan Na principalities detailed in the North Thailand History link [ the Upper North ], and [ 2 ] the 86,000 square kilometres of the Lower North, comprising the provinces of Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Sukhothai, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit Phitsanulok and Phetchabun, which area originally comprised the Kingdoms of Sukhothai and later the northern parts of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, Thon Buri and Bangkok Kingdoms.

The Differences Between The Upper North Thailand And The Lower North Thailand

One discernable difference between the Upper and Lower North Thailand is topography. Upper North Thailand is characterised by long valleys generally running north south. The climate has three seasons, hot [ April to May ] cool and rain [ July to September ]. Approximately 72% of the area is mountainous, 21% upland and 8% lowland. The lowland is cultivated by the Tai people to produce wet rice.

Lower North Thailand has 45% of its total land mass less than 150 metres above sea level and is thus similar to Thailand's Central region. However the two mountain extensions of the Upper North, [ 1 ] Thanon Thang Chai Range to the west and, [ 2 ] Petchabun Range to the east attract an extension of swidden hill tribe communities as in the Upper North, all part of the exodus from China of these ethnic minorities over the past hundreds of years. The geographic differences in topography need to be appreciated as the ethnic, sociological and cultural differences are essentially between lowlanders and highlanders [ Hill tribes ]. These classifications and detailed explanations are discussed in North Thailand People .

About Central Thailand

Central Thailand is situated on the central plains of the Chao Phraya River and the Meklong River valley. The first substantial civilisation here was that of the Mon people and during the 6th - 9th C its Buddhist Kingdom was referred to in chinese records and on silver coins as '' Dvaravati ''. Influences from India when merged with Mon characteristics formed the basis of religion, art, architecture and public administration.

About South Thailand

South Thailand comprises the Southern Peninsula with the Andaman Sea to the West and the Gulf of Siam to the East. It is a mountainous region and the Phuket Mountain Range is the most important on the West from Chumphon to Krabi and to the East is the Nakhon Si Thammarat Mountain Range from Surat Thani to Satun. Between these ranges are the plains and limestone hills and to the South the Sannkalakhiri Mountains which divide Malaysia and Thailand.

Thailand has in excess of 138 wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks. The major locations are listed in the opposite links and we detail 20 National Parks and eco tourism locations. Thailand is home to over 15,000 species of vascular plants and 16,000 species of animals

Thailand travel and tourism to Thailand places of interest is not a matter of a few choices as is the case with many Asia destinations. Thailand is large and diverse with a large selection of travel and holiday options. In 2005 over 14 million tourists visited Thailand and their range of interests varied.

James Andrew is of the writers at Thailand's World. To know more about Thailand, you can check out http://www.thailandsworld.com for more info.

The Five Most Costly Mistakes You Can Make on Your Trip to the Thailand Islands : How to Avoid Them

Southern Thailand islands also known as the "Paradise" Islands are among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. More than 12,000,000 tourists have visited Thailand in 2005, and the majority of them had left the Bangkok International Airport immediately after their arrival and headed straight to the Southern Islands. Some of the visitors were fascinated by the stories of people who were caught in the charms of the unforgettable ambience of the islands, some of them were taken by images they saw on the web, while others were convinced as per the words of their travel agent that the Thai Islands were indeed the ultimate tourist destination that fits every taste, age, budget and personality type. This can partly explain the massive flow of honeymooners, backpackers, families-on-vacation, partygoers, divers and many others to the Thai Islands every year.

However, the inexperienced Thailand traveler may be unconscious to the fact that a satisfying vacation is not a surefire thing even in a place nick named Island Paradise. In order to be successful, enjoyable and fulfilling, your vacation must be thoroughly planned. Unfamiliar destinations often hide little unknown secrets, which hold the enormous potential to make the desired positive change in your vacation.

This article will discuss the biggest mistakes you can make prior and during your visit to the Thai Islands. Adhering to or ignoring the five amendments below can literally make or break your vacation in the Southern Thailand Islands.

1. Mistake 1: choosing your vacation island spontaneously. Web pictures of tropical islands often make them look almost identical. The inexperienced traveler is likely to assume that no matter where you go in Southern Thailand Islands - you will bump into the same picturesque beach with white sands, turquoise water and a single coconut tree. Falling into the illusion of images while choosing your vacation island out of pure impulse can be a very disappointing experience in case the final destination island does not meet your needs, your personality or expectations at all. To avoid this mistake, define your preferences before hand, make a dedicated research prior to choosing your destination by gathering the relevant information using guidebooks in addition to using the Internet. As you choose the island that fits your needs, pay close attention to the following points:

a. The level of tourist development. Some travelers like their islands loaded with tourist facilities (i. e. Phuket, Koh Samui), whereas others prefer the classic touch "old school" isolated touch (i. e. Koh Phangan, Khao Lak).

b. Nightlife - Phuket, Koh Samui and at lesser extent Krabi offer a thriving nightlife, whereas Koh Phi Phi and Koh Tao are quiet and drowsy.

c. Diving sites - Koh Phi Phi and Koh Tao offer the best diving sites in Southern Thailand.

d. The prevalent level of accommodation. Phuket and Koh Phi Phi offer a immense variety of luxury hotels, while Koh Phangan and Koh Tao offer mostly basic (not necessary low standard) accommodation.

2. Mistake 2: Assuming that a great vacation can be carried out at a very low budget. Some travelers tend to wrongly assume, that Thailand being a country with developing economy will provide everything including a high standard hospitalization in ridiculously cheap prices. This is partially right, since the local tourism industry suggests an inexpensive travel opportunities to backpackers. However, the spoiled tourist who is used to savor on luxury westernized accommodation will find out the hard way that in order to meet his or her traveling expectations the expenses are appropriate to what is offered. To avoid this mistake and eliminate serious deviations from the planned budget - make your research to learn about price gaps in Southern Thailand Islands. For instance, one should know that staying in some islands (i. e. Koh Phi Phi) is expected to be more expensive, while staying in other islands (i. e. Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) can be significantly cheaper. To avoid any disappointments related to over expenses, I recommend adhering to the following guidelines:

a. Avoid planning a budget on the basis of someone else's estimations, especially if that person visited the Thai Islands many years ago; spent the vacation in another island than the one you chose; much younger than yourself/ or prefers a different life standard.

b. Make an informed decision regarding the desired level of accommodation. The basic accommodation that includes a clean air-conditioned room and western style bathroom can be booked on relatively low, albeit not ridiculous, price. Contrary to that, a luxury accommodation (that kind of accommodation is quite common in Phuket and Koh Samui) may be almost as expensive as the hotels in your neighboring country.

c. Although checking the room rates is possible using the Internet - the prices of meals should be carefully checked as well. Don't assume that no matter where you eat - the meal will be cheap. During my first visit to Thailand, I was very surprised to receive a check of the same value as in my home country. Now I know, that the Southern Thailand Islands offer a myriad of western style restaurants with western style prices. Therefore, before you enter a well-designed restaurant - check the menu and make clear budget estimation.

3. Mistake 3: choosing your vacation beach spontaneously. This is similar to mistake number one - but probably easier to correct, because checking other beaches on the destination is easier logistically and cheaper than checking other islands. However, the "wrong" beach choice can make you feel that you haven't exploited the full potential of your vacation, or that you have wasted significant part of it. For instance, during my first visit in Koh Phangan I found out two days before the end of my vacation, that my "perfect" beach is located on the other side of the island. The following tips can help you avoid a similar situation:

a. The most developed and crowdie beaches on most islands are located in proximity to the airport (in case there is an airport in your island) or to one of the main seaports.

b. In case you prefer the above type of beaches - be aware of the fact that some of them, especially in Koh Samui and Phuket, are not family friendly.

c. The old school quiet and picturesque beaches are always on the other side of the island. If the "old school" beach is what you are looking for - don't give up even if the way to Thailand was long and exhausting, and try to make a small effort to cross the island on your way to the opposite side; it will be well worth your while.

4. Mistake 4: insisting on Westernized food. Some of us tend to worry about experimenting with an unfamiliar food. The Thai tourist industry is aware of this fact; therefore the supply of Western style restaurants in Southern Thailand Islands is huge. Having said that, limiting yourself to these restaurants could be a huge mistake, since the prices for western cuisine are much higher compared to the ones in authentic local restaurants; and even worse- you miss out on one of the most important experiences of the Thai culture - the superior Thai cuisine, probably one of the best in the world. To avoid this mistake, don't hesitate entering small restaurants with ridiculously neglected interior design, plastic maps and un-plastered walls. These restaurants' owners are probably the worst marketers - but usually are superior cooks. Your meal in one of these restaurants will often be unbelievably cheap, tasty and mostly made of fresh sizzling ingredients. You will fantasize about these meals long after you have left the island.

5. Mistake 5: To take your big business suitcase to an island that could be only accessed by sea. A big suitcase is of course very convenient [in Europe]: using it, you can pack everything you need; it can be carried easily thanks to those little wheels; and it makes you look very representative. However, taking a big suitcase to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao is not something I would recommend. The platforms in the piers are extremely narrow and occasionally unstable. So if you're really lucky - your big suitcase will be safe. If you're a little bit less lucky - it can fall into the water. If you ran out of luck - you can fall into the water together with your suitcase. I seriously think a back bag would be your best bet. Just for the record, the huge suitcase that was taken by yours truly to her first trip to Koh Phangan was left somewhere in the jungle to frighten local monkeys.

So, on the next time the idea of heading the Thailand Islands crosses your mind, as tempting as it may be, try not to succumb to rumors and fascinating imagery. A thorough research and planning ahead may take some time and effort on your side, but it will be more than worth your while.

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://kohphangan.eternaltravel.net/

Travel Insurance For Thailand - Land of Smiles and Unrest

Each year, tens of thousands of Australians travel to Thailand, which is known as the land of smiles. There are plenty of positives for tourists in Thailand - it has an amazingly warm and stable climate, the unique regional economy means that our dollar can buy much more in Thailand, the locals are generally friendly, and tourism is one of the backbones of the country. However, there is also plenty to be cautious of in Thailand. Threats that don't exist at home, from bird flu to frequent and violent government demonstrations mean that travel insurance is a must for the region. We look at the considerations for travel insurance holders going to Thailand.

Terrorism threats

Some travel insurance policies will cover the costs of a change of plans for terrorist threats, and some will not. Some will only cover you if the suspicion has been confirmed by the local police authorities, and may require you to provide proof of this when you make a travel insurance claim. Australian consulates have received a number of terrorist threats for Thai regions, including ones relating to popular tourist spots.

Government demonstrations

These are more prevalent in some areas of Thailand than in others. Your travel insurance may cover you for any medical emergencies incurred by public anti-government demonstrations, and could also cover you for loss of personal belongings, or needing to change your travel plans due to demonstrations arising in Thailand if they started after you had bought your insurance. Usually comprehensive travel insurance will be cover all of these instances.

What travel insurance can't cover

There are daily reports of bombings and violence in parts of Thailand bordering Malaysia, due to terrorist activity. More than 3,400 people have been killed in the Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla provinces since January 2004. Travel insurance will not bring your life back if you lose it.

Insurance will usually not cover you for expenses incurred as a result of breaking the law - and in Thailand seemingly innocuous activities can be illegal. The possession of very small quantities of soft drugs can result in lengthy jail sentences, and defacing images of the monarch can result in sentences up to 15 years. This would include destroying bank notes with the king's image on them.

Bird flu

The World Health Organisation has confirmed that there have been human deaths from bird flu in Thailand. You don't necessarily have to eat raw chicken, handle bird droppings or touch a dead bird to get the disease, either. Improperly cooked meat from roadside stalls can be a source of bird flu, or you may pick up the bacteria form another person who has been in contact with infected birds. insurance will be a necessity if you contract bird flu, not only for the medical treatment but because you will usually be required to leave Thailand as soon as possible.

Activity-related risks

Diving and snorkeling are common in Thailand, and stings from jellyfish, rays and octopuses can be fatal. If you are some regions of Thailand, the expensive but very necessary Japanese encephalitis vaccination is recommended. Divers should also be aware of decompression facilities nearby their dive sites. Make sure you familiarize yourself with local customs - touching the top of someone's head, and showing the soles of your feet, are taboo activities in Thailand.

Save money on your travel insurance today. For a free quote, visit Travel Insurance.

Bangkok Thailand Travel Guide www.TravelGuide.TV

www.travelguide.tv Bangkok Thailand Travel Guide - Find the best travel information on Bangkok Thailand with this travel and tourism guide video from www.TravelGuide.TV. We recommend all the best places to visit during your vacation trip to Bangkok Thailand. We have 9 other videos on Bangkok Thailand withinformation on Tourist Attractions, Sightseeing Tours, Museums, Nightlife, Hotels, Transport, Shopping, Restaurants etc If you would like to add this or all our travel videos to your website for FREE please go here - www.travelguide.tv We have over 500 Travel Videos that you can use for FREE on your website. You can embed videos from just one city or all cities in one player. www.TravelGuide.TV



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8r1F_0NtY4&hl=en