Wat Phra Si Sanphet

* Wat Phra Si Sanphet (Sri Sanphet Rd) is the largest temple in Ayutthaya, known for its row of chedis (Thai-style stupas). Housed within the grounds of the former royal palace, the wat was used only for royal religious ceremonies. It once housed a 16-meter Buddha covered with 340 kg of gold, but the Burmese set fire to the statue to melt the gold and destroyed the temple in the process.

Used as a residential palace, it became a monastery in the reign of King Ramathibodi I. When King Borom Trai Lokanat commanded new living quarters built, this residential palace was given to be a temple area, thus originating Wat Phra Si Sanphet : The royal chapel does not have any monks and novice inhabitants. It is open everyday from 8.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m

Entrance fee of 30 baht.

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Wat Borom Phuttharam

situated inside Rajabhat University Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, the north-facing temple was built some time during 1688–1703 during the reign of King Phetracha on his former residence area near the main gate of the southern city wall. Its location and area plan was confined to be in the north-south direction by ancient communication routes; namely, Khlong Cha Krai Noi in the east and a royal pathway known as Thanon Maha Ratthaya or Thanon Pa Tong in the west. Unlike other temples, the King had all buildings roofed with yellow glazed tiles and the temple became known as “Wat Krabueang Khlueap” or the “glazed tile temple”. The construction took 2 years and the temple underwent a major renovation in the reign of King Borommakot, who had 3 pairs of door panels decorated with fine mother-of-pearl inlays. One pair of them is currently at Ho Phra Monthian Tham inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the second is at Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple), and the third was turned into cabinets and is now exhibited at the Bangkok National Museum.

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Discover Bangkok's History and Tourism

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and the first point of call for most international flights and the center for domestic travel. Over 11 million people live or work here and so it is large and congested. Accordingly the choice of hotel and its location can be important. Bangkok itself has numerous tourist attractions and these are detailed in the links on the left. The principal tourist sites in Bangkok include, The Grand Palace, Wat Phrao Kaeo [ the Temple of the Emerald Buddha ], the National Musum Bangkok, Wat Arun, Wat Suthat, Wat Pho, China town, the Chao Phraya River, the Dusit District and Vimanmek Mansion, Jim Thompson Museum, and Suan Pakkad Palace Museum. Bangkok is also in the center of various tourist places of interest available on one day or several days excursions. These include, Lop Buri, The Summer Palace, Ayutthaya, the Burma railway on the Kwai River at Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin and the South West Coast and Pattaya and the South East Coast. These are also detailed in the links on the left. For those travelling around Bangkok the summary below explains the history and hence reason for the layout of the city, the location and reason for the Canals and the functions of the River.

In 1557 King Thamaracha of Ayutthaya allowed Bangkok to be the port of entry for the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Later King Narai had French technicians build the Wichaiyen and Wichaiprasit Forts on the east and west banks of the River. They were called the Bangkok Forts. Between the Forts was a large chain hanging beneath the River to prevent unauthorized boat entry into and exit from Siam.

Previously in 1542 a canal was dug from the mouth of Bangkoknoi Canal to Bangkok Yai Canal for convenience of transportation at the time. The Chao Phraya River then changed course and the short cut canal became the River and the original river became the Canal.

After the Burmese sacked Siam and Ayutthaya in 1767, General Taksin selected Thon Buri [ on the west bank ] as the new capital for Siam, as it was an important port of entry and was well fortified. In 1773 King Taksin ordered the renovation of the City and named it Krung Thonburi.

Until 1767 Ayutthaya was the Capital of Siam and an international trade centre. At the same time Rattanakosin [ the area on the opposite east River bank ] was since 1557, a port of entry for the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It was called Bank Kok . Bangkok became the new centre of the Siamese Kingdom. Its story has 4 periods. The first is the story of Taksin and the First Kingdom at Thon Buri on the west side of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

Next is the period of construction of Rattanakosin from 1782 to 1851 from the reign of Rama 1 to the end of the reign of Rama 3 [ the Era of National Peace ]. The period 1851 to 1932 is referred to as the Reformation Era before which changes in the system of government took place, and then there was the Democratic Era from 1932 from the reign of King Rama 6 until the present day.

To understand the design of Bangkok, the locations of its monuments, the River and the Canals, one needs to understand the history. To understand the design of its art and monuments one needs to appreciate mythological, religious and ethnic influences.

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Tourism And Improving Political Situation Contributing To Better Outlook For Thai Property

Analysts have been able to directly relate the two together, proposing that the position of Thailand at the top of the tourism charts for Southeast Asia is directly related to the fact that investors in the Thai property market are regularly receiving returns exceeding 15 per cent per year on their initial investments.

In fact, many of the leading experts on the Thai property market have said as much. One of the leading experts commented that the government's commitment to better tourism in Thailand by 10 per cent per year and the general improvement and resurgence of projects in the property sector have both resulted in a very positive impact on prices within the property markets of the country.

While the high tourism has always been something that has assisted to drive the Thai property market, the positive effect of government is not something that the sector has always been accustomed to. In fact, the setbacks in the property markets of Thailand, when they have occurred, have been directly linked with buyer uncertainty because of the political instability or the perceived instability within the government of the country.

However, it seems as if that is not going to be a hiccup with the current administration, as the establishment of the new government is anticipated to proceed without incident. At the same time, the strategies of the new government for economic growth and tourism are expected to be in place by the middle of the year.

According to most of the analysts, if that is a reality the real estate sector of the economy could begin to see the advantages of that in hard number form as early as the third quarter of this year. That would lead to a boom in property prices and it would probably also result in a large influx of foreign investment dollars into the property markets across the country of Thailand.

There has been a strong urge from the people in the property sector to the newly-elected democratic government to be more generous towards foreign property investors. Thailand going back to democracy after a 15 month military rule has already had a positive impact on the property market. There have been a notable number of deals completing during the high season in Phuket as well as more visitors to the sole agency projects. The newly elected government has begun to take initiatives toward a more open and favorable policy for foreign property investors. The new government has already taken away the 30% capital control which is thought to support bringing back foreign investments.

The issuing of the new tax incentive package is also an attractive move for the property market. This is anticipated to fuel market sentiments on both the demand and supply side. Property Transfer fee will be decreased from 2% to 0.01% and Specific Business Tax for property transactions will be decreased from 3% to 0.1%. Reliability in the market could be improved further by longer lease terms, stretching from the current 30 years to 90 years. The beginning of business lending to foreign property investors should also be considered by the government. Policies like these would enable Thailand to keep pace with its emerging neighbors, Vietnam and Malaysia, relating to property purchase terms. It is expected that there will a more encouraging outlook for the Thai property market in 2008 than in 2007.

The Treasury Department's recent land value appraisal displayed that land values in Phuket have rose by an average 160 per cent over the past four years, with Samui prices following closely. The steady rise in land prices on Thailand's coast points to the confidence in the market and its long term prospects. There is no doubt that Thailand's property market is continuously flourishing. Foreign investors will have a good time investing in Thailand from now onwards. If you are ready to forget the unfriendly past of Thailand and show renewed faith, you are set to benefit. If somebody says, tourism and political situation looking good for investments in Thailand do not be surprised at all as that is as true as the daylight.

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Thai History - the Ayudhaya Period

Thai History – The Ayutthaya Period


King Ramathibodi I’s name literally means ‘Rama at the Bhodi tree’ and pays homage to the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment and was freed from attachment to impermanent phenomena. After he founded Ayutthaya in 1350 by the building of a canal across a bend in the Chao Phraya river, the city quickly became the capital of his kingdom, which grew in importance when in 1378 the king of Sukhothai was forced to swear allegiance.

Ayutthaya was originally named ‘Ayodhya’ after the mythical kingdom of the Gods portrayed in the Ramayana epic, which was adopted and then adapted from the Indian original with the help of Ceylonese monks during the Sukhothai period. It is no coincidence that the present King of Thailand, HRH King Bhumibol is also known as HRH King Rama IX, as spiritually Thailand has been hugely influenced by the Ramayana ever since. The Thai version of the epic differs from the Indian in that the Thai version has a happy ending, whereas the Indian original did not: it is maybe no surprise that the happiest people on the planet felt that a sad ending to the epic equated with a sad conclusion on the ultimate meaning of life, which did not reflect their views.

Queen Phra Si Suriyothai was the consort of King King Phra Mahachakkraphat. Only 7 months after he was crowned as King in 1548, his rule was challenged by yet another of the seemingly never-ending Burmese invasions, which led to a battle near Kanchanaburi’s Three Pagoda Pass. Unusually for a woman Queen Phra Si Suriyothai had had a little military training and begged the King to be allowed to accompany him, along with their two adult children, one of whom she wanted to be the mahout for her war elephant. The king at first refused, but eventually gave in to her pleas that she loved him so much that her life would be worthless if any harm were to befall him. Queen Phra Si Suriyothai stayed close to the king in the thick of the fighting. The warriors between the King and Phrachao Prae, a ferocious and deadly Burmese warrior, fell. The Queen could see that the King was in mortal danger from the Burmese champion and rode her elephant between them, lunging with her lance at the Burmese, who easily parried her thrust and then killed her with a single blow of his sword across her neck and chest. The Burmese champion could not however defend himself against the Thai King and Queen simultaneously, so could then be impaled by the King on his lance.

In 1569 the Burmese captured, on the first of two occasions, Ayutthaya. Sixteen years later they were on the brink of making the Thais into a vassal state when, in 1585, into the fray stepped King Naresuan, who fought tenaciously against ever-larger Burmese armies until finally defeating them in 1593. In the final battle Naresuan, according to the official chronicles, challenged the Burmese commander-in-chief to a dual. After a long and exhausting fight the Burmese commander had the upper hand and, after getting his elephant into an advantageous position behind Naresuan’s shoulder, lunged with his lance for the coup-de-grace. Unfortunately for him he underestimated the skill and courage of the Thai King who, after reeling backwards, just managed to dodge the blow but, in doing so, almost fell out of his saddle. The Thai king, committing himself to a desperate do-or-die attack, left his defences wide open. Without trying to regain his seat, he grabbed the back of his saddle with one hand and, with the weapon in his other hand, he lunged at the Burmese general. Luckily for him his aim was true and his sword buried itself in the Burmese’s chest, thus ending the war, evicting the Burmese from Ayutthaya and earning the Thai king the sobriquet ‘the Great’ for his achievement.

Visitors may have noticed that the spelling of ‘Ayutthaya’ is the least standardised of all Thai city names - it is also known as Ayotaya, Ayothaya, Ayudhya, Ayutaya, Ayuthaya and Ayuttaya. The cause of the confusion is that, after his defeat of the Burmese, King Naresuan the Great changed his capital’s name to ‘Ayutthaya’, meaning ‘the undefeatable city’. This was to prove to be an unfortunate misnomer as, almost two hundred years later in 1767, the Burmese again invaded, laid siege to the city and, at the twenty-fourth attempt, sacked it and destroyed the dynasty.

After the conquest the city was thoroughly looted and then burned, which still rankles many Thais today, who are bitter at the Burmese for pillaging or destroying all of this architectural treasure trove’s precious objects, in a ransack that was so comprehensive that the city had to be abandoned afterwards. It is pointless to point out to embittered Thais that their own kingdoms did at least their fair share of burning and pillaging. This bitterness towards Burma can on occasion have dire personal consequences for individual Burmese refugees in Thailand, who are mostly illegal immigrants and are therefore vulnerable to abuse by the unscrupulous.

The city’s golden period, between the mid-seventeenth century and its demise, was literally golden. Tons of the metal were used to gild hundreds of temples and religious artifacts, resulting in a city which at first sight stunned the many Western and Far Eastern visitors into awed silence. European traders and diplomats unanimously described Ayutthata in its hey-day as more splendid and opulent than anywhere else they had ever seen, and made contemporary London look like an impoverished village by comparison.

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Traditional Thai Architecture & Antiquities at the Suan Pakkad Palace

Once the home of Princess Chumphot, the Suan Pakkad Palace is situated on Si Ayutthaya Road, near the Phayathai intersection. Princess Chumbhot was one of the prominent art collectors in Thailand. Here, there are five traditionally built Thai houses that oversee a well maintained beautiful park, and display a huge collection of Thai antiquities.

These houses were first constructed in 1952 by Prince and Princess Chumphot of Nagor Svarga. Some of the exhibits are from the ancestors of Prince Chumphot and are over a few centuries ancient. The Lacquer pavilion is located on the southern end of the park, while the Ban-Chiang and Marsi galleries are on the Chumphot Pantip collection of pre-historic items.

Formerly, the Lacquer pavilion was located in the Ban Kling temple, and dates to the seventeenth century. It was shifted by Prince Chumphot after obtaining a formal approval from the abbot.

The exterior is sculptured beautifully in wood, while the interior walls are made with gold over black lacquer. There are various drawings and paintings inside that display the different events related to Lord Buddha, and also from the Hindu classic Ramayana. There are also many pictures that give an idea about the contemporary Thai life in those times, and some show the early foreign travelers to Ayudha. This is a unique part of the collection making the Suan Pakkad Palace exclusive among all others in Thailand.

The famous Marsi Gallery is situated on the second floor of the Chumphot Pantin center for arts. The gallery derives its name from Marsi Paribatra, the daughter of Prince and Princess Chumphot of Nagor Svarga. It was originally created with the purpose of furtherance of art activities and for holding exhibits for artists throughout the year.

The park surrounding the Suan Pakkad Palace is exquisitely beautiful with colorful flower beds, and the Baiyoke tower can be clearly seen from the garden; this is the tallest structure in Thailand. The Suan Pakkad Palace can be visited on most days and is easily accessible from Sukhumvit, Bangkok.

Bangkok has many comfortable and convenient accommodation options with the aim of catering to a wider tourist market, so if you are looking for a bit of both worlds, you have an ideal option with Somerset Lake Point Bangkok Serviced Apartments. With excellent services and facilities, this Bangkok serviced apartment offers relaxing and comfortable accommodation for anyone.

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Phra Nang, Krabi Province, Thailand

Phra Nang, Krabi Province, Thailand

After a month away, I was surprised to see the face of Hat Ton Sai had changed significantly. Two new restaurants had sprung up where there had previously been only wreckage, travelers were beginning to return, a brand new concrete and glass tourist information booth was finished being rebuilt, and a host of new lights and decorations adorned the beachfront bars. Even the Freedom Bar had a new look to it, although they were still playing the same Bob Marley tracks as they were the day we left. Rai Leh and Phra Nang were obviously enjoying the influx of beach-goers as well. Numerous locals were able to re-open their shops and return to selling food, clothing, and jewelry on the beach.

Upon first arriving on Ton Sai three weeks after the tsunami, it was uplifting to hear the stories of how the climbers did not partake in the mass exodus after the destruction, but instead stayed to help. Many of those who were here on December 26th and who witnessed the devastation firsthand, pitched in to help clean the beaches and salvage what they could recover from the damage. It quickly became apparent however, that there was only so much the foreigners could do. More than one climber observed that it was obvious that some of the beachfront businesses had financial backing from elsewhere and were being quickly rebuilt, while many of the local operations had lost everything and had no means of recovering. It had reached the point where the Thais had to do things on their own.

"What were we going to do? It's not like we could just go and rebuild their businesses for them?" said one climber who had escaped the wave by climbing a ladder on Ton Sai wall--next to the Freedom Bar--to gain the safety of a small ledge from which other climbs began. Climbers were offering to help, but several of the locals had simply given up and needed time to sort their lives out.

Thank you banner
Thank-you banner
By the time we arrived, life had returned to some semblance of normality. Less than twenty lives were lost on the Phra Nang peninsula (an area including Ton Sai, Rai Leh, and Phra Nang beach), mostly fishermen and a few kayakers out at sea at the time. The families of the fishermen were being cared for by the community and the general feeling around the area was one of wanting to move on. This normally would have been the busy season of the year and the locals were struggling to recover during a massive drop in tourist traffic. My girlfriend and I had arrived with grand plans of being able to help out and make a difference, but were frustrated that it seemed as though there was nothing we could do.

We soon learned that the best way for us to help was simply being there. The Thais continued with their usual humor and playfulness, and seemed incredibly happy to receive nothing more than our business. No one was looking for a handout; they simply wanted to earn the means to get things back to normal.

Once we left Krabi and continued on our travels we began to hear stories of how other areas were faring after the tsunami. We should not have been surprised to hear that along with all the good that was happening, came more than a few horror stories. The newspapers wrote of land encroachment by large resorts 'rebuilding' in places they had previously not been allowed. Locals who had lost everything were also not being allowed to return to the land they had previously occupied because they had no proof of ownership (*See note at bottom of page). Families who lost loved ones received no financial compensation because the bodies were never recovered and their stories of loss were not believed. There was even a case of a man from the UK who was arrested and charged "with malicious communication and causing a public nuisance" [Source: BBC] for sending hoax emails to relatives of people missing following the tsunami. It seems he thought it a great joke to tell these people that their loved ones were dead.

Stories were told about encounters with organizations like the Red Cross who refused to send aid to various small communities and villages. Places, coincidentally, which saw little or no tourism. Don't worry though; Phuket has been completely rebuilt and the hotels are back to charging several hundred dollars per night.

I was told of one couple, he an engineer and she a nurse, whose offers to help went unnoticed. These people had specific skills which were needed, were offering to pay their own way, and asked nothing in return, yet had still not received a positive response regarding their numerous requests to help.

Floating Bait Box
Floating Bait Box
Thai government has also thrown up some roadblocks for those wishing to help. It is their policy that volunteer work is still work, and therefore requires volunteers to apply for a work visa. Many of the aid organizations were sending volunteers away and only looking for those willing to make a long term commitment and who have specific skills. There are valid reasons for this though. Despite how the world media (especially North American) has been portraying it, Thailand suffered relatively minor damage when compared to Sri Lanka and parts of Sumatra. Those areas where aid is being concentrated are recovering quickly and well into the process of recuperating from what material damage was done.

Despite the obstacles, and in spite of the negative actions of some corporations and individuals, there are still plenty of people out there donating their time and money to families, hospitals, orphanages, and small villages off the beaten path. While formal aid is being focused on centers of tourism, many foreigners are digging deeper and giving where it is really needed. With any luck, the renewal on Ton Sai is being reflected in numerous places in Southeast Asia and every day will bring a bit of hope to those still lacking.

*Note: There is much debate about this due to the fact that places like the island of Phi Phi had become rather unsightly. Some say that Thailand has fairly generous squatter's rights and, to use Ko Phi Phi again, some places were overwhelmed by Thais who squeezed in a small business where they could. Many argue that the Thai government is doing a good thing by attempting to not allow these areas to become as congested and 'touristy' as they once were.

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Krabi Islands getting wired

Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited on behalf of Thailand's Provincial Electericity Authority (PEA) will be laying 33kV submarine cable to Koh Siboya, Koh Pu, Koh Phi Phi, Railey Bay, and Koh Lanta. The cable will be delivered in October 2008 and will be installed by ITD's Marine Department.
For this project, World Leader in Cable Manufacture, Nexans shall supply over 33.3 km, in two lengths, of XLPE insulated, lead sheathed, copper conductor 3-core 33 kV submarine cable, with an integrated fibre optic element. A single 3.8 km length of cable, with a cross-section of 120 mm2, will be used for the Raile Bay crossing.
The remainder of the cable, with a cross-section of 185 mm2, will be used to create three power links between the islands of Koh Pu, Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Siboya - total approximate length of 27 km, as well as the 2.5 km Koh Lanta island interconnection.
This will put an end to the power limitations on the Islands and with the increase in tourism and the residential property market the PEA anticipates additional power capacity will continue to grow by 10 to 15 per cent per annum.
Earlier plans to lay underground cables have been scrapped due to worries of damage to coral reefs on the route however in the new contract, suppliers have been required specifically to avoid any contact with reefs.

The plans will for the first time bring reliable stable power to Railey Bay, Koh Jum and Koh Siboya where at present generators can provide only a limited service. For Koh Jum and Koh Siboya, the integrated fibre optic cables will bring phone lines and fast internet connections for the first time really opening up the potential for tourism but particularly for high end villa construction.

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About Province Krabi and surrounding area

Krabi is considered to be one of the most attractive regions of Thailand.
Krabi province has it all and it offers you the most diverse natural beauty, starting from dozen of islands in the Andaman Sea complete with stretches of soft coral sand and surrounded by crystalline waters home of colorful coral reefs.


But Krabi's varied and fascinating province has much more than sea and sand: towering rocky cliffs, caves harboring Buddhist temples, waterfalls, seemingly endless plantations of rubber and oil palm trees, lush and green national parks home to different species of fauna and flora, verdant mangrove forests and inlets are winding their way under soaring cliffs. Countless natural attractions abound, amongst them a shell cemetery, millions of years old. This all has come to symbolize Krabi: the province and surrounding area is considered to be one of the most beautiful parts of the world.
But just listen to the futuristic and political speeches at the Krabi Town.


Tourism industry development in Krabi province wants to emphasize on qualitative rather than quantitative tourism without environmental impacts, and to facilitate an efficient tourist transport network. Facilities and a sense of confidence with regards to safety are important too. Keep security high, and regulate transport services such as longtail-boats and taxis, and have them managed by qualified personnel to cater for tourism. Krabi main marine tourist attractions are the Phi Phi Islands, some world popular diving areas such as the Koh Lanta archipelago, the natural settings of Ao Nang Beach and surrounding area, the Railay peninsula and Talae Wah sandy straight. Furthermore, places of natural beauties such as the Hot springs and Emerald Pool in Klong Thom district continue to attract high numbers of visitors…


Krabi is the place of all-year-round stunning attractions, which include lush jungles and foggy hills home to a high number of extraordinary plants. There are numerous canals with waters as blue as an emerald, like at the Tha Pom site. Krabi also offers visits to an anemone fishery, to the Center of Study for the wildflower ‘Lady Slipper’, and an array of culinary places offering local food and fresh seafood for al tastes. During the period between May and October, the so called Green Season, the air is clean and fresh. Tourist numbers falls in this period and there is more opportunity for tourists to travel on a budget. Krabi in Green Season is definitely a haven for travelers without advanced reservation. It is a fact that many Thai people have never visited Krabi in their lives. I would like to invite them to visit just once and to fall in love with Krabi, the emerald province, your paradise on earth.

All this will increase the property and real estate business in the future. The economics in Krabi are booming and already a lot of land is for sale. More and more foreign investors believe in the economics of new projects in Krabi. Already some are settled and others are growing. Also a lot of particular people are buying a second residence and are already enjoying the charming environment of Krabi.
We believe in the great vision of a wonderful place named Krabi.

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Krabi - Perfect destination for holidayers

Krabi is a hub of white sandy beaches, coral reefs, mesmerizing Islands, and forests with caves and waterfalls. These astonishing attractions make you witness a different world which exists far away from a feverish atmosphere. Water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving can be enjoyed at its beaches. During night, the whole ambience changes and takes a glaring appearance. Furthermore, your stay is beautified by Krabi Hotels which offer elegant accommodations and modern services. Not only this, there style of hospitality also enamors the travelers.

Located on the west coast of Southern Thailand, Krabi is considered as one of the most favourable tourist destinations of the world. Krabi covers a 4708 sq km area and is blessed with the natural glory of white sandy beaches, coral reefs, mesmerizing Islands, and forests with caves and waterfalls. It makes you enter an exotic world which exists away from a noisy and hectic atmosphere. Taking out time from a busy schedule and spending precious moments with family at this amazing spot is definitely a great pleasure. Furthermore, your enjoyment is enhanced by Krabi Hotels which offer modern accommodations.

Amari Vogue Resort, Golden Beach Resort, Buri Tara Resort, Rawi Warin Resort Spa, and Sofitel Phokeethra are some of the leading hotels in Krabi. Budget travelers as well as visitors with great requirements can easily find an apposite hotel. Most of the hotels in Krabi are nested at beachfront locations. Also, they make available an entire set of amenities including restaurant, swimming pool, and Spa. Not only this, guests can also fully avail the services like laundry, parking, travel information, shuttle service, front desk, and many more.

Krabi offers various sightseeing places like Wat Tham Suea, Wat Sai Thai, Krabi Horticultural Centre, Hin Daeng, Tham Lot, Wat Khlong Thom Museum, Tham Chao Le, Tham Sadet, Koh Talu, Railay beach, Ao Nang beach, Koh Lanta Marine National Park, Fossil Shell beach, Koh Phi Phi Natural Park, Than Bokkharani National Park, Nopharat Thara Beach, and Shell Cemetery. These attractions portray the ongoing world of enchantment that never comes to a stand still.

Apart from this, Krabi beaches are very popular among adventurers for offering exciting activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and many more. Not only this, trekking and hiking are also available there. For leisure, you can just relax in the stilling zone at beach while feeling the warmth of sun. Meanwhile, gladsome moments can be cherished with friends or family. Around the beaches, Spa facilities are also available where you can take cool Thai massage treatments.

Well, dining and shopping have their own fun at the beaches. Various stores selling antiques, gems, clothings, furniture, neilloware, Orchids, pewter ware, and silk items, are set there. While, restaurants, bars, cafes, and bistros are lit during dusk which makes the whole atmosphere dazzling. Sala Thai, Ko Tung, Last Fisherman Bar, Seafood street, Lo Spuntino, The Irish Rover Pub, Night Market, Gecko House, and Crazy Pub are some of the spots where a vibrant nightlife can be enjoyed.

Make a suitable hotel choice through AsiaRooms offering reservation of various Krabi Hotels at best prices.

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Have an easy life in a luxurious resort at Nang Bay, Krabi!

Located approximately 814 kilometers from Bangkok is Krabi Province, one of most attractive destinations in southern Thailand. Encompassing an area of 4,708 square kilometers, the western border of Krabi is the Andaman Sea, the northern borders are Surat Thani and Phang-nga Provinces, the southern borders are Trang Province and the Andaman Sea and the eastern borders are Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang Provinces. Krabi is an ideal getaway destination teeming with natural attractions including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small islands and verdant forests with caves and waterfalls.

Krabi's topography is mostly mountains and highlands separated by plains in some parts. Flowing through Krabi City to the Andaman Sea at Pak Nam Sub-district is Maenam Krabi which is 5 kilometers in length. In addition, there are several canals originating from the province's highest mountain range, Khao Phanom Bencha including Khlong Pakasai, Khlong Krabi Yai and Khlong Krabi Noi. Lush mangrove forests line the canals and the banks of Maenam Krabi particularly before it empties into the Andaman Sea. The provinces sandy soil conditions are suitable for growing various agricultural products, particularly rubber trees, palms, coconuts, cashew nuts and coffee.

Due to the influence of the tropical monsoon, there are only two seasons in Krabi; the hot season from January to April and the rainy season from May to December. Temperatures range between 17 C and 37 C.

Krabi is administratively divided into 8 Amphoes (Districts): Amphoe Mueang, Khao Phanom, Khlong Thom, Plai Phraya, Ko Lanta, Ao Luek, Lam Thap, and Nuea Khlong. The provinces jurisdiction covers not only in-land districts and sub-districts, but also extends to more than 130 large and small islands including the world famous Phi Phi Islands.

In addition, Krabi is the location of two world class beaches Ao Nang and Hat Rai Le which offer numerous diving trips, restaurants, shops etc. Additional attractions in the province are stunning limestone cliffs and rock formations which make it a heaven for rock climbers and a National Park located approximately 40 kilometers outside of town with lakes, caves and spectacular natural scenery.

During the beginning of the year, beaches are the popular places for traveling purpose. Many hotels and resorts located near the Andaman Sea and badly affected by Tsunami have been recovering. They have been made over and opened for tourists in many areas of tourist spots since the last December. At Nang Bay, Meung District, Kravi, a 5-star luxurious resort also opened for tourists who want to have an easy life.

The Central Krabi Bay Resort is the resort located on a hill surrounded by limestone mountains at the back and sea waves of Phai Plong Bay at the front.

The resort provides 30 houses with 3 floors and 6 bedrooms for each. There are two kinds of rooms you can choose; one-bed deluxe rooms and two-bed deluxe rooms. As for one-bed deluxe rooms, a king-sized bed is provided for all 125 rooms. Some rooms have a spa terrace and private jagucci. In 58 two-bed deluxe rooms, two king-sized beds are provided for each family. In each house, the upward stair is separated from the downward stair. And all rooms can be opened and connected each other freely.

In October 2005, the resort opened 9 new villas including one-bedroom villas and two-bedroom villas. Some villas also have private swimming pools. Terraces mixed together the eating part and the lounge are designed for each 72-square-meter room. All bathrooms are constructed to have a large size and separate from toilets.

A wide range of facilities is prompted to serve tourists. For example, the Lotus Court Restaurant serves 3 meals a day on the beach (seafood and Thai food for dinner). Delicious Japanese food is served for dinner at Haki. You will also be fascinated while listening to music among undersea surroundings at the Deep Blue Lounge and having fun at On the Rocks Bar and Grill on the beach and swimming pool.

Various recreation activities are provided for adventurers, sport lovers, health and beauty lovers, working lovers, and kids. For example, you can join sailing, diving, windsurf and other water sports. Jagucci whirlpool bath is served at a peaceful corner above the frontbeach swimming pool. This corner provides you an air of waterfalls in a tropical garden and on the beach in the same time.
You will be more enchanted by a small pool with an aquarium where you can swim to see the undersea world and by a full range of spa and beauty services at the Fitness Suite Centara Spa. There are also a library with lounges, seminar and meeting rooms, dining halls for 25-200 people and kids clubs for kids.

At Nang Bay, customer services officers are always ready to take care of tourists. Tennis courts and spa services are provided for tourists to relax and exercise. The resort also provide water and land transportation services between Nang Bay and the resorts for tourists. Ships are of service to tourists between Nang Bay and the resort every hour during 7a.m. -11.30 p.m. So you can visit nearby areas conveniently.

As for the trip, you can get a bus or a plane from Bangkok to Krabi. It is easier to travel by a plane because besides Thai Airways, Air Asia’s Bangkok-Krabi-Bagkok flights are provided for tourists.

The luxurious and convenient resort on the beach in Krabi like this is not hard to find in Thailand.

For more information about Central Krabi Bay Resort, Krabi, contact 02-9772222 ext. 4444 or revncgh@chr.co.th

For reservation, contact www.centralhotelsresorts.com (10,950 - 75,000 baht of accommodations fees)

Translated By Tassama Damdaeng

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Krabi

Scandinavian Restaurant & Guest House, Cafeé Europa was opend in 1990 and have been in business since with the same owner all 14 years, so it is a stable business. It is the only Scandinavian Restaurant in Krabi. The restaurant has a good reputation among the local Thais and Expats living here and is mentioned in a lot of guidebooks fix. Lonely Planet, Loose Guide (the biggest in Germany), Politikens Guide (biggest guide in Denmark), Vagabond (Sweden’s most popular guide), French guides, Japanese guides etc. The restaurant does only European food, best steaks in town, open sandwiches, cheeses and good European style bread. These have been our idea from the beginning only to do European food because then the customers know what they can get/expect and we don’t have to compete with the Thai restaurants and don’t take their business too.

The restaurant has 32 seats and a small bar. Possible to have more tables in the evening. We also have 6 guest rooms for rent, all with fan and shared toilet. The building is 3 stories, (in the center of town) in good condition with newly renovated kitchen. We, own it freehold, so there is no rent or lease. We have 2 work permits for the place and are a registered company.

That’s what we call Chinese bookkeeping, one official and one for private use. So the audited result is not so important for us. The turnover last year was about 2.8 mill baht with a net profit of 1.2 mill baht when everything was paid. We also have net income from our Canoe tour, which we expect to be between 2-300.000 baht for the coming season.

Krabi is booming, we will get an international airport next year in may and expect a lot more business in our low season, which is from may to October. Cafée Europa is “our child” and we hope a new owner will run the business the same way, to keep the good atmosphere/reputation we have build up. We are asking 6.5 mill baht for the business that includes building & company with business from the first day.

Property Summary
Business Type Restaurants/Cafes
Region Southern Thailand
Location Krabi
Bedrooms -
Bathrooms -
Garages -
Building Area -
Land Area -

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Loy Krathong Festival in Chiangmai

Undoubtedly the biggest and most colorful festival of the year in Thailand is Loy Kratong or Yi Peng, as it is known in Chiang Mai and the north. It is held on the night of the full moon of the twelfth lunar month and usually falls in November.

At this time of year the tide in most rivers is highest and the moon is brightest, creating a romantic ideal setting - especially for lovers. The Thai people see it as the best time for celebration on such a beautiful night.

floating krathong or YipengChiang Mai is one of the prime sites to celebrate the Loy Kratong festival. During the celebration, the largest Kratongs are decorated floats and carried on trucks in procession. The colorfully lit floats form a long glittering parade as they make their ways to the Ping River. Meanwhile, up above thousands of 'khom loy' (floating lanterns) drift into the night sky. These large balloon-like lanterns are released at temples and sometimes from private homes in the hope that misfortune flies away with them.

Loy Kratong is probably the most picturesque and most beautiful of Thai celebrations. 'Loy' literally means 'to float' and 'Kratong' refers to the lotus-shape vessel that can float on water. Originally, the kratong was made of banana leaves or the layers of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. A kratong contains food, betel nuts, flowers, joss sticks, candle and coins. The making of a kratong is much more creative these days as many more materials have been applied in making a kratong.

Loy Kratong near a riverThe Loy Kratong ritual is simple one. One needs only to light the candles and the joss sticks, make one's wishes and let it float away with the current of a river or a canal. On that day, thousands of people will gather besides the canals and rivers. With Kratong in hands, they light the candle, put some coins in the kratong and silently make a wish and finally carefully place their kratongs in the water and release them to the current. They watch intently as the float drifts silently downstream, hoping that the candle will not go out. Its flame is said to signify longevity, fulfillment of wishes and release from sins. Altogether it is considered a romantic night for couples and lovers, many of them would make a wish to bless their love affairs as they float their Kratong on the river.

In Chiang Mai the Ping River becomes a sea of glittering floating lights, fireworks are let off everywhere, particularly along the river banks and there is a parade each night although the Chiang Mai streets.

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Loy Krathong in Thailand

On the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, the tide in the rivers is highest and the moon at its brightest, creating a romantic setting ideal for lovers. The Thai people choose this day to hold the 'Loy Kratong' festival, or the 'festival of light.' Loy Kratong is one of the two most recognized festivals in the country.

Loy Kratong is probably the most picturesque and beautiful of all Thai celebrations. 'Loy' literally means 'to float,' while 'kratong' refers to the lotus-shaped receptacle which can float on the water. Originally, the kratong was made of banana leaves or the layers of the trunk of a banana tree or a spider lily plant. A kratong contains food, betel nuts, flowers, joss sticks, candle and coins. The making of a kratong is much more creative these days as many more materials are available.

leaving kratong to float away riversThe Loy Kratong ritual is a simple one. One needs only to light the candles and the joss sticks, make one's wishes and let it float away with the current of a river or a canal.

On that day, thousands of people will gather beside the canals and rivers. With kratong in hands, they light the candle, put some coins in the kratong and silently make a wish, and carefully place their kratongs in the water and release them to the current.

They watch intently as the float drifts silently downstream, hoping that the candle will not go out. Its flame is said to signify longevity, fulfillment of wishes and release from sins. Altogether it is considered a romantic night for couples or lovers. Couples who make a wish together on Loy Kratong are thought to stay together in the future.

Origins
Thai lifestyle near riverDifferent legends surround the origins of Loy Kratong. The most popular version is it was an expression of gratitude to the goddess of water 'Phra Mae Kongka' for having extensively used, and sometimes polluted, the water from the rivers and canals. It is also in part a thanksgiving for her bounty in providing water for the livelihood of the people.

Some believe the festival originates from Buddhism. They say the offering of flowers, candles and joss-sticks is a tribute of respect to the footprint of the Lord Buddha on the sandy beach of the Narmaha River in India, as well as to the great Serpent and dwellers of the underwater world, after the Lord Buddha's visit to their watery realm. It is possible that this is derived from a Hindu festival that pays tribute to the god Vishnu, who meditates at the center of the ocean.

Others believe that the floral kratong is offered to the pagoda containing the Lord Buddha's topknot, which was cut off at his self-ordination and is now in heaven. Another explanation is that it is a way to pay respect to one's ancestors.

Loy Kratong Festival - Nang NoppamasWhatever the true origin, the practice of Loy Kratong first began in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai in the 13th century. A young queen named Nang Noppamas was believed to be the one who made a small boat laden with candles and incense and floated it down the river. The name Nang Noppamas has been associated with Loy Kratong ever since.

Today, Loy Kratong offers a unique occasion to celebrate. It's a good time for people to make wishes and look to the future as they float their floral offerings along the waterways.

Where to celebrate
Although celebrated nationwide, Loy Kratong is particularly delightful in the provinces of Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok.

As the place of origin of the festival, Sukhothai rightly remains the focal point of the celebrations. The festival comes with a spectacular light-and-sound show held in the ancient and traditional setting of the Sukhothai historical park.

floating lanterns at Chiang MaiChiang Mai is another prime site to celebrate Loy Kratong. The festival is known in northern dialect as 'Yi Peng.' The largest kratongs are decorated floats, paraded through the town on trucks. The colorfully lit floats form a long glittering parade as they make their way to the river.

Meanwhile, up above thousands of 'khom loy' (floating lanterns) drift into the night sky. These large balloon-like lanterns are released at temples and sometimes from private homes in the hope that misfortune flies away with them.

The Chao Phraya River is one of the main waterways to celebrate the Loy Kratong festival. In Bangkok, riverside hotels organize special celebrations for their guests. In some hotels, swimming pools are turned into a temporary river for the Loy Kratong celebration.

Environmental Issues
Although Loy Kratong is an old Thai tradition, celebrated continuously since ancient times, the use of modern foam materials to make the kratong has taken its toll on the environment.

Today, instead of synthetic foams, natural materials such as the original banana leaves or even bread have been used to make the floats. In addition, kratong are increasingly being released in small canals or swimming pools to prevent pollution in the rivers. In this way, the old tradition can still be preserved while our rivers and waterways remain in pristine condition for future generations.

Loykrathong's lyrics
November full moon shines,
Loi Krathong, Loi Krathong,
and the water's high
in the river and local klong,

Loi Loi Krathong,
Loi Loi Krathong,
Loi Krathong is here and everybody's full of cheer,

We're together at the klong,
We're together at the klong,

Each one with this krathong,
As we push away we pray,
We can see a better day.

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The Vividly Colorful Thai Religious Festival, Loi Krathong

Loi Krathong is a Thai festival celebrated to honor Buddha - Siddharth Gautama, as well as the Thai Water Goddess – Phra Mae Khongkha. During the Loi Krathong festival, people build a ‘Krathong’ - A small raft, the diameter of which measures about a hand span. This raft is decorated with banana leaves folded in various shapes, flowers, incense sticks and candles. These rafts are then floated (Loi – to float) on a river. The festival is celebrated on a full moon night of the 12th month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar. Today, instead of banana leaves, many people (esp. large government offices) create huge, elaborate rafts with styrofoam and other synthetic materials.



The floating of rafts symbolizes letting go of grudges and anger in order to start life anew. The candle on the raft is to venerate the Buddha. Most people will also add their finger nails or hair to the raft, symbolizing letting go of personal vices. People believe that floating a Krathong will bring them good luck. Apart from raft floating, the Loi Krathong celebrations also include fireworks, Krathong contests as well as beauty contests, known as ‘Noppamas Queen Contests’ in the memory of Noppamas, a consort of the Sukothai King Loethai, who initiated the tradition of Loi Krathong.



This same tradition is followed under a different name in Chiang Mai – here it is known as “Yi Peng” Along with Krathongs, people here also float hot-air lanterns called Khom Fai on the water. These resemble giant fluorescent jellyfish floating through sky and are believed to help locals rid themselves of troubles. Sometimes people use these lanterns to decorate their houses as well



Historically, according to the writings of His Majesty King Rama IV in 1863, the Loi Krathong festival was adapted by Thai Buddhists from the Brahmanic Indian festival of ‘Deepavali’ during which Indians float lanterns on the Ganges to honor the river Goddess.



Loi Krathong is a festival combining many cultural, religious and traditional aspects of Thai beliefs and if you enjoy such festivals and celebrations, you will have a wonderful time in Bangkok. Make sure you reserve your Bangkok service apartment in advance, as these accommodations are excellent whether you are traveling alone or with others.

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Loi Krathong Sai Festival

Loi Krathong Sai Festival
Date : 8 - 12 November 2008
Venue : Banks of Ping River,Tak

Highlights :
An exceptional opportunity for you to experience the atmosphere of joining the Krathong Sai (floating coconut-shell krathong in line) contest, in order to win His Majesty the King’s trophy. Other remarkable activities will include the floating lanterns of the Royal Family, the procession of the Royal Krathong and lantern, the illumination of Krathong Sai, light and sound presentation, fireworks, water curtain presentation in “The Legend of Krathong Sai”, the longest Krathong Sai, local cultural shows, food and OTOP products.
On Saturday 8th November 2008 at 18.00 hr.
The Parades of invitation His Majesty the Royal lamps, Royal Krathong, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Cup, and 15 teams of Krathong Sai parades. Opening ceremony of competition on Floating Krathong Sai with A Thousand lights at Mae Ping River Centre Stage.
On Sunday 9 - Wednesday 12 November 2008
Compitition on floating Krathong Sai with a thousand lights to be awarded His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Cup 4 teams each night.

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CHIANGMAI

Experiencing the merging of the past into the present in Chiang Mai where locals are proud of the city’s 700-year history. Its rich traditional heritage and unique culture is a perfect foundation for the development of the city. Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to find in the heart of the city centuries-old chedis and temples next to modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. The original city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat with vestiges of the fortified wall and its four main gates offering prime access to the old town.

For years, tourists have mistaken Chiang Mai as the northern junction and the base from which they can explore other provinces. The phrase "a day in Chiang Mai is enough to see things around" was common. Today, tourists are surprised by the fact that there is always something new to discover Chiang Mai. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes coupled with breathtaking scenery makes Chiang Mai one of Asia’s most attractive tourist destinations. Two weeks in Chiang Mai may not be long enough for serious travelers.

The old city of Chiang Mai with its fascinating indigenous cultural identity such as diverse dialects, cuisine, architecture, traditional values, festivals, handicrafts and classical dances is a prime location in its own right. In addition, the presence of hill tribes and their wealth of unique cultures enhance Chiang Mai’s distinctive diversity.

Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine natural resources of mountains (dois), waterfalls, and other nature-based tourist attractions. At the same time, Chiang Mai residents are warm, gracious and congenial providing authentic hospitality making visits memorable and meaningful. Moreover, visitors from all walks of life can collect handicrafts of silk, silver and wood produced locally as timeless souvenirs. Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists can enjoy themselves to the fullest.


The Past

Chiang Mai literally means new city and has retained the name despite having celebrated its 700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai founded the city as the capital of the Lanna (A Million Rice Fields) Kingdom on Thursday, 12th April 1296 during the same period of time as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom. King Meng Rai the Great conferred with his friends, King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Phayao before choosing the site where the capital of the Lanna Kingdom was to be founded.

From then, Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, it was also the centre of Buddhism in northern Thailand. King Meng Rai himself was very religious and founded many of the city’s temples, which are still important today.

At the height of its power, the Lanna Kingdom extended its territory far into Burma and Laos, and southwards to Kamphaeng Phet a province above Sukhothai.

The Burmese conquered the Lanna Kingdom in 1556 ending the dynasty founded by King Meng Rai that lasted over 250 years. As Burma had occupied Chiang Mai for nearly 200 years, Burmese architectural influences are visible in many temples. At the end of the 18th century, King Taksin the Great regrouped the Thais in the south and finally drove the Burmese out with the help of King Kawila of Lampang thereby regaining Thai independence from Burma. Chiang Mai was then governed by a succession of princes who ruled the north as a Siamese protectorate under the Chakri dynasty. In the late 19th century, King Rama V appointed a high commissioner in Chiang Mai and it was only in 1939 that Chiang Mai finally came under the direct control of the central government in Bangkok the same time the country was renamed Thailand.

In the past, Chiang Mai was only accessible by river and elephants. More convenient access was achieved only when the railway line was completed in the late 1920’s. Moreover, the first motor vehicle driven directly from Bangkok arrived in Chiang Mai in 1932. Such isolation was more favorable to Chiang Mai as it helped to nurture and preserve the unique Lanna culture.
When we look at Chiang Mai today, it is the economic, cultural and communications hub of northern Thailand complete with excellent infrastructure, good roads, by passes and road tunnels, and reliable communications infrastructure.

The Setting

Chiang Mai, with an altitude of approximately 310 meters above sea level, is situated approximately 700 kilometers from Bangkok on the Mae Ping River basin. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, the city covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometers and is the country’s second largest province. Chiang Mai borders Myanmar on the north, Lamphun and Tak Provinces on the south, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun Provinces on the east and Mae Hong Son Province on the west. The terrain is mainly comprised of jungles and mountains, which are home to the hill tribes. In addition, wildlife and exotic flora may be found in the national parks.

Most of Chiang Mai’s mountains are oriented from north to south. Together they create a multitude of streams and tributaries including Mae Chaem, Mae Ngat and Mae Klang. One of Chiang Mai’s distinctive features is Doi Inthanon, Thailands highest peak, which is 2,575 meters above sea level. In addition, the province boasts flat, fertile valleys, which spread along the banks of the largest and most important river in Chiang Mai Mae Nam Ping (Ping River) which originates from the Chiang Dao mountain range.

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White-water Rafting in Chiang Mai – Northern Thailand

We’d come donw from the hippie town of Pai. After days of heavy rains and stormy conditions, the weather finally breaks and the intense sun can be felt once again. We're travelling in a Landrover alongside the Mae Tang River, fighting through deep ruts and muddy conditions that were caused by a storm. The gorge to our left drops away dramatically and we finally get out first glimpse of the raging waters. I'm hoping my partner, who was reluctant to come on the trip, won't be deterred by the sight of the ferocious river.

Jason, our guide, thankfully reassures us that he never rafts an angry river. He stops and points to some rocks by the river's edge. “See this boulder here”, he points out, “when this is above the water level, it’s safe to raft this river”. The rain from the recent typhoon has inundated the valley and there is forest debris strewn all along the river banks. We weren’t sure whether to raft here or in Pai. Fortunately, he is internationally trained and qualified in water rescue so we take his word for it.

We reach our camp at the charming village of Sop Kai, where the river is slower due to the flat nature of the land. The jungle birds are singing, the water is glistening and everybody is in a more jovial mood. We are given some coffee and snacks and left to relax for a while in this peaceful, sleepy community. Few tourists make it here to enjoy the wonderful scenery. His camp was much like the laid back atmosphere in Pai a few days back.

Before we get too comfortable, we are kitted out with paddles, helmets and buoyancy aids. We are given a comprehensive safety briefing, and told that the guides will be in control of the rafts and that we must follow their orders. We practice our strokes on a quiet section of the river. “Forward paddle! Back paddle! Lean left! Right! Get down!” he screams as we try our best to appear competent.

Our minds are put at ease when some of the staff are dispatched to the more dangerous parts of the river, in anticipation of the raft capsizing. We also have kayakers that will stay with us to rescue anyone who falls in.

Before we knew it, the guides launch us into the main current of the river and the camp disappears from view. It’s too late to go back and we focus intently on the rapids ahead. My heart rate increases as the thunderous sound of water gets closer and closer. I let out a scream as we are thrown into the grade four rapid, anxiously trying to stay balanced as the raft accelerates. My adrenalin pumps and we are thrown around, but it’s not long until the raft emerges into a calmer section.

We continued, riding over some smaller and less-intimidating rapids until our guide said “okay, everybody ready?” A large collection of storm debris has divided the upcoming rapid and the right hand side looks extremely dangerous. “Lean left! Left, left, left!” he shouts as we desperately try to avoid being swept into the menacing waters. People start to panic until the survival instinct takes over and we haul ourselves towards the easier looking section. Miraculously, we somehow make it and our panic turns to laughter as we exit the section with relief and cheers.

After a deserved lunch break when we relax and swap stories, we proceed onto the toughest section of our journey. The next rapid is a grade five, the hardest, and it looks more like a waterfall. We approach it with trepidation, knowing that there is no way back and only one way through it. As we hurl over the top, I catch a glimpse of the safety team on the bank and I sense that we may not make this one unscathed.

The raft hits the bottom and immediately flips over, tossing everyone into the water. Panic reigns once again as I’m pushed underwater by the power of the rapids. I desperately try to remember the safety advice I was given earlier in the day. Fighting it is forlorn and I wait for what seems like an eternity until I’m washed out farther downstream and able to swim to the safety of the bank.

We are able to regroup and rescue the rafts, safe in the knowledge that we survived the mighty Mae Tang River. A celebratory photograph is all that is left of my most exciting day in Thailand.

There is also rafting in Pai, down the Pai river to Mae Hong Son, but this one I think is more exciting.

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Driving in Chiang Mai, Thailand. - Can I, should I?

Having had my Driver's License for 47 years now and having driven manual transmissions and automatics from Volkswagen bugs, to Corvettes, to Nissan 300 ZX Turbo's to more refined Lincoln luxury cars you would think that I could drive anywhere in the world.

My driving record is excellent. No accidents and no points off in the last 6 years and that qualifies me for the best rating and the best insurance rate in Canada. An experienced driver with the best driving record.

Coming to Chiang Mai, Thailand and renting a car to see the sites and get around town should be a breeze you would expect. Well anyone who thinks so is dead wrong.

Driving here has to be seen to be believed. Do not try it unless you know someone here who has educated you as to What to Watch Out For.

Here is my list:

The lines on the roads do not mean a thing here. You can drive on them, you can drive on the side of them, but do not expect drivers to drive between them. Why? Because on the left side of the road you will find motorbikes so cars move over knowing that this is the preferred route of the motorbikes. That is one reason. Another is that both red taxi's (converted pick up trucks used as taxis) and tuk tuk's (three wheeled motorcycles used as taxis) move over from the fast lane to the middle of the two lanes in an attempt to pick up more passengers and yet not lose out on positioning in a fast lane of traffic.
Traffic signals do not mean a thing here. Vehicles can jump the green and make a turn against the flow of traffic if they are hmmm. the first, second, third or even the fourth vehicles in line at a red light as you want to cross an intersection with the light just having turned green. Expect vehicles to run the red if it just turned red hmmm. what one, two, or perhaps three seconds ago.
Watch out for the 3 wheeled bicycles. These are normally driven by slim men in their sixties who have doing this for years. This may have been a fashionable and popular means of transportation 50 years ago or so but now it is a danger out on the roads as they move along at 4 mph on streets full of cars and motorcycles, all of which are in a hurry to go somewhere.
Watch out for vendors pushing their carts at 2 mph down the street on the left hand side of the road.
Watch out for dogs who lay on the road and refuse to move or move reluctantly as the last second.
If you are keeping up with the flow of traffic on a fast moving road at 45 mph in bumper to bumper traffic EXPECT someone to tailgate your vehicle. Oh maybe 10 ft from your rear bumper or perhaps 5 ft. from your bumper. Nice, polite, quiet people that they are Thai's when they get behind the steering wheel change they make a transition from Mr. Hyde to Dr. Jekyll.
In my opinion most drivers here only have the mandatory basic insurance which is almost useless should they have an accident. So they try to be careful and not hit other cars by driving 3 ft away from vehicles on their passenger side. Either they cannot judge the distance as they are inexperienced drivers or they are extremely careful, either way they will drive down the street using part of your lane forcing you out of your lane.
Overtaking can be done regardless of whether you do it by passing the vehicle in front of you on the left or right side. So if you drive down the road EXPECT to see a vehicle coming straight for you in your lane passing a slower vehicle. They will pass and expect you to slow down or move out of your lane as they are going somewhere in a hurry.
Overtaking another vehicle will happen by vehicles going uphill and not seeing what is ahead of them, overtaking will occur on turns and the drivers not seeing what is ahead of them, overtaking will occur whenever and wherever.
Pedestrians crossing with the traffic light green DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY, vehicles go first and you should cross when you it is safe to do so.

Now having said all of that you may be thinking to yourself, Is this guy trying to scare me, is he trying to be funny, does he not want me to drive in Chiang Mai? The answer to these questions is:
I want you to know what you will be facing should you decide to drive here. I want you not to injure yourself or someone else thinking you can go ahead and rent/drive a vehicle without having driven here before or without some advice.

When I first arrived and saw the traffic I thought that I would never be able to drive here. Well now I do drive here. I know what to watch out for and drivers running greens or red lights does not surprise me or anger me. I merely expect it.

The Thai drivers here have probably not had any formal driving instruction, they may not have any decent insurance coverage, and they may be pushy when it comes to driving as they may be in a hurry to earn money so that they can feed their family. So nothing against them, I try to understand their driving habits and adjust mine accordingly. No matter how they drive they are happy go lucky, cheerful, hard working people and I love them.

If you are interested in learning more about living here, moving here, Thai foods, about Thailand and Chiang Mai visit our website.

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Dining in Chiang Mai, Thailand vs. North America

Foreigners love their hamburgers, French fries, soft drinks and Thai's just have to have rice with every meal. But which would I prefer after living most of my life in Canada and now having retired to Chiang Mai, Thailand?

As with any large city there are an abundance of fine restaurants catering to different tastes and budgets. Chiang Mai is no different. Thai people love to eat. Restaurants are full of Thai's and foreigners enjoying all types of cuisine. Rather than deal with fine restaurants which we all dine at but not every day this article deals with the day to day dining of the Thai people here in Chiang Mai.

Popular restaurants in North America are Harvey's, McDonalds, and Burger King. Here we have the street vendors. The end result is a quickly prepared affordable meal.

The street vendors may sell fresh fruits such as pineapple, mango, watermelon, strawberries (locally grown), and more. Each fruit is cut up into small pieces and placed in a plastic bag and you are provided a long wooden stick with which to eat it. Cost is normally 10 baht which comes to about 25 cents U.S. and the fruits are kept cool and are delicious. Also vendors here sell fast foods and snacks. Get a meal of cooked rice, meat and veggies again placed in a plastic bag but this time wrapped tightly by an elastic band for about 20 baht or 50 cents U.S. Take your pick of a rice dish, or a noodle dish or a soup. Tasty and normally already prepared and wrapped and still warm or if you want to wait one minute they will take it out of the pot and put it into the bag while you wait. So a cooked meal and a tasty snack for a total of about 75 cents U.S. For many Thai's in Chiang Mai this is there most common meal. They then proceed to drive home, unwrap the elastic, put some rice in a bowl, place several cups of the table with a bottle of water and that is one of their meals.

We all love fast foods and we all want it to be affordable. That we have in common. What you will find different between here and there is the price, quality and service.

Price. The price of meals whether it be at restaurants, or street vendors is cheap compared to what we are used to. A filling meal can be had for less than a 1US dollar for a meal I described above which includes a bowl of rice, cooked meal from street vendor and fruit from street vendor. For only $2.50 U.S. you can dine out at an all you can eat full course buffet, desserts, coffee, tip and taxes included as well as a tip for the parking lot attendant The prices are low because the ingredients are locally grown and because the labor cost is inexpensive.
Quality. The quality of the food is much healthier here than back home. Back home KFC, McDonalds, and Harvey's are popular lunch and dinner restaurants. If you think you are thinking healthy foods there think again. Here you do not have the greasy French fries, Hamburgers stuffed full of ketchup, mustard, onions, mayo and more to hide the taste of the meat you are eating. Here you eat rice, fresh vegetables, fresh fish, drink water with the meals as opposed to a bucket sized plastic container packed full of ice and watered down sugar flavored soft drink.
Service. A teenager earning a few extra bucks in a fast food restaurant or an adult making a living out of working full time in a restaurant here. Which one would you expect to provide the best service? Nothing more needs to be said.

If you come to Chiang Mai do not go searching for restaurants that have what you normally eat. You may as well stay home and buy a video about Thailand, or watch a TV program about Thailand.

The foods here are tasty, healthy, and inexpensive.

The basic ingredient in all the meals is rice. Yes rice for breakfast too. I have never been one for rice. Potatoes was my staple. But here potatoes are pricey and although I admit to buying them and making potato soup and french fries it is the exception and not the rule.

As I have said before, the Thai's are known for making anything taste good.

So take fresh ingredients combine that with rice and special sauces which are the key to the taste and there you have it - Healthy, Tasty, and Inexpensive meals.

Top if off with locally grown fresh pineapple, watermelon, mango, strawberries or a dozen or more fruits and you have a meal you will enjoy and which is good for you.

The funny thing about foods is that whatever you really like is NO GOOD for you. What are your favorites? Cake, pies, French fries, hamburgers, ice-cream. Well they are not that good for you in terms of eating them regularly. What do you hate to eat? Broccoli, asparagus, spinach, brown rice, boiled chicken. Well these are good for you.

So if you come here to Thailand. do try several different types of Thai foods. You may find a soup that you just cannot get enough of, or a Thai dessert that you have no idea what it was and which you absolutely enjoyed, or fresh fish which is abundant here. Prawns, sea bass and more cooked up on a large plate will leave you wanting more.

I have eaten meals, snacks and fruits sold by small roadside food vendors and never experienced any problems. The ingredients are fresh, kept on ice if required and cooking areas cleaned regularly. So I see this as a safe, inexpensive way to buy snacks and meals. I would recommend that you carry a bottle of water which can be purchased at 7-11 for only 13 cents as you may get a bit dehydrated especially if you are doing a lot of walking and this if anything may be the cause of a quick jaunt to the rest room.

Are there things that I do not eat that Thai's eat? Yes there is a fruit called Durian, the Thai's just love it but it has such a foul odor that when I gave it a try I had to breathe through my mouth. Apart from the odor it has the texture of a pudding and is rich in flavor. What I did not have the courage to try and which I expect would be healthy to eat was the fried insects. I suppose that it is just a matter of getting used to the sight of them. Perhaps I could dine on both the fruit and insects regularly if I kept breathing through my nose and kept my eyes shut while I ate.

But you should try what we call Suki. It is a soup that you cook on your table in a pot with hot coals underneath. You decide on the ingredients such as chicken, beef, liver, fish and add them and take them out when they are cooked. Normally the meats go in first as they take longer to cook and then the vegetables. In about 5 minutes you have your soup. Two small bowls will accompany the meal. They are both made of hot peppers. One has the appearance of a green paste and the other a red paste. You can either dip your meat or fish into the paste or put a teaspoonful into your soup. The green paste is spicy, makes me perspire a bit and gives me a longing for a cold glass of water during I eat my soup. The red paste I do not touch and would not recommend you try it unless you are accustomed to eating it or you are Mexican. My girlfriend eats her Suki with the green paste and admits to making trips to the washroom during the middle of the night and not to brush here teeth. A filling meal for 4 people for about $3 U.S. and that includes taxes, tip, and bottled water with a bucket of ice.

Remember how earlier on I said that the Thai's have a reputation for making any food taste delicious. That is true. The KEY is the sauce. I do not know what ingredients go into the sauces but I do know that I was not a rice eater and now with I will be scraping the bottom of each bowl of food that is served to me. Normal white rice cooked in a rice cooker combined with fried vegetables and meat with the special sauce is simply delicious.

And if you want to know where I would eat given the choice now, a fast food restaurant there or a street vendor here? My reply would be a street vendor here. After the meal here I am filled up, the food is delicious, the fruits are fantastic and prices are so low and I feel fitter.

Want to learn more about Thai foods. Check out our Thai foods and recipes on our website.

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Chiang Mai-thailand's Second City

Chiang Mai, 761 by rail, approximately 700 kilometers by road north of Bangkok, with an area of 20,107 square kilometers, is Thailand's second largest city and capital of the northern region. It is an entity unto itself. Chaing Mai counts among its attractions a famous night market, great hill tribe villages nearby and a host of world-class accommodation at less than Bangkok prices. It also has, alas, a reputation for world-class pollutions. The city, like Bangkok earlier is undergoing great strain as it strives to grow in both stature and size. That however does not seem to deter tourists and a veritable army of experts who prefer to call it home.

We all know that Chiang Mai is the city that travellers both Thai and foreign value highly for its charm, extraordinary sites, and people. Also, the reputation for craftsmanship has made Chiang Mai become the centre for exports in the North of Thailand. These are the reasons that visitors are impelled to come here again and again. Therefore, information is always the priority for tourists.

Chiang Mai, 700km northwest of Bangkok, is Thailands second city and the gateway to northern Thailand. There are over 300 temples and monasteries in Chiang Mai, almost as many Bangkok, and the city has a long tradition for arts and crafts.

Once described as one of the loveliest cities imaginable Chiang Mai still retains a certain flavour of the past with its moated old city, ancient wats and leafy back streets. Chiang Mais oldest temple is Wat Chiang Man which dates back to 1296 and is known for its two Buddha images, one made of the stone and the other made from crystal.

Almost as old, Wat Phra Singh in the centre of town contains a 1,500 year old Buddha image and another wat, Wat Chedi Luang, holds the ruins of a huge chedi or stupa that collapsed in an earthquake in 1545.

The Chiang Mai National Museum, just to the north of the city centre, houses an extensive collection of Buddha images and northern Thai handicrafts. Another museum that is worth a visit especially for those preparing to go trekking is the Tribal Museum which houses a good display of hill tribe textiles, jewellery, musical instruments, weapons and other artefacts

Around 15km east of Chiang Mai is Bo Sang, also known as the Umbrella Village, where handmade paper umbrellas and many other hill tribe handicrafts are sold. Another popular excursion from Chiang Mai is a visit to the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre where attractions include elephant rides, elephant bathing and an exhibition on the importance of the elephant in Thai history and culture.

Chiang Mai has a distinct international atmosphere with many foreign businesses and organizations locating in the city over the past decade due to her excellent infrastructure with international direct flight connections to all countries in the region including China, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, Cambodia and Taiwan.

Shopping is great, be it for handicrafts, clothes or luxury items. Everything can be found at great prices in stores ranging from small family run shops to world class luxury outlets and shopping malls.

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