Travel Tips: Bangkok Flight Travelers

Bangkok is a beautiful city and Thailand’s capital. It is a much visited tourist place with millions of tourists thronging to this place throughout the year. If you are also planning to visit Bangkok, then, there are few things you should know that would help you have a memorable vacation. As for the appropriate visiting time, you can visit the city of Bangkok as per your preferences. Avoid going to Bangkok in April because of the extreme heat. From July till October because of heavy rains your trip can get affected. The ideal time to visit Bangkok is during December and August as the period sees major tourist influx and if you wish to avoid the heavy crowds you may go in May, June or September. Travel around Bangkok in the best of seasons and make the most out of your vacation. A little bit of guidance and research would surely make your way easier.

Another major concern while visiting any place for the first time is getting good food. The locals or the tourist guides would surely help you in getting to the best food joints. In Bangkok, you would find the best and tastiest cuisines of your choice. You would get an astounding variety of cuisines and gourmets in Bangkok. Check out the best food at various food joints at major place like 100 Th Ratchadamri well known for its Italian thai food, Arawy is best known for Thai vegetarian, Atlanta Coffee Shop for exotic Thai breakfast, Aw Taw Kaw Market and Baan Khanitha & Gallery for Thai specialties, Bed Supperclub for the best food from all over the world, Crepes & Co for exclusive French Creepier. While you are in Bangkok, you would not find any problem in getting the tastiest and best quality food as you would find many food joints and food vendors in the streets. Apart from the mentioned ones, you can also try out the tastiest Thai cuisine at the street vendors who offer a fine blend of taste that too in awesome prices.

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Thailand Travel 10 Tips

1. Koh Chang – Don’t stop at only Koh Chang because Koh Mak, Koh Kood and Islands surrounding Koh Chang also have more beautiful beaches and water.

2. Chiang Mai – Try to find hotels outside of the city such as on Hangdong – Samoeng and Samoeng – Sankamphaeng routes because there are better views and hotels along the mentioned route are less expensive than the hotel in the city with the same standard. The true nature of northern Thailand can also be experienced.

3. Phuket – Don’t pay too much attention to sea-view rooms because the limitation in space. The sea could not be seen directly from rooms in most hotels. The tourist should pay more attention to the standard of the hotel and the distance from the beach.

4. Koh Samui – If you have limited fund, the best way to travel to Koh Samui is by speed boat from Lomprayah Catamaran Company. Lomprayah offers less expensive service than taxi for hire and service provided by the hotel directly. Nevertheless, if you have no problem with fund, you should hire a taxi because this would create job for the locals.

5. Andaman Sea – Trang Sea is as beautiful and interesting as nearby provinces such as Krabi. The prominent tourist spots in Andaman Sea are Koh Libong, Koh Hai, etc.

6. Krabi – Although Railay beach in on the mainland, you still have to travel by boat from Ao Nang beach because it is surrounded by mountain and cannot get to by land transportation.

7. Pattaya – North Pattaya beach and Central Pattaya beach have many facilities but the true nature can be found at Koh Lan, which is 7.5 kilometer from Pattaya. You can get there in 45 minutes by regular boat and 15 minutes by speedboat.

8. Hua Hin – Hua Hin is a popular beach that is close to Bangkok but that does not mean that it is the most beautiful. Not far from Hua Hin, Pranburi beach is much quieter and more suitable for relaxation but the transportation may not be as convenience as at Hua Hin.

9. Koh Samet – You should contact travel agency or the hotel in order to find out which pier to get on the boat. Some hotels provide their own service. Don’t trust strangers because you might end up higher price.

10. Bangkok – Jatujak market has products from all over the country e.g. cloths, decoration, house hold items, souvenir, food, pet, etc.

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Koh Samui - Koh Phan Ngan Full Moon Party

You’ve heard the stories of Thailand’s globally renowned Koh Pha Ngan Full Moon Party and you’ve seen the pictures of the partiers welcoming the sun rise. What do you need to know to enjoy the now-legendary party? Read our low-down on full mooning Thai-style.

Koh Pha Ngan has long been notorious as the Thailand hedonistic island, suitable for only the most rampant part-goers. While this is quite far from the truth at most times of the year, come the full moon each month, thousands of revelers descend on the southern tip of the island for the country’s biggest all-night rave.

Easily accessible from neighbouring Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan attracts a mishmash of Thai and foreign travellers to its popular Full Moon parties. Some come in their worn hippy clothes which have been dragged across Southeast Asia to get here, while others have just recently stepped off the plane looking to add another notch to their party lists after Ibiza, Goa and other global party capitals.

Unless you have been organised enough to get yourself here well before the party starts, you will likely find yourself herded into the back of a pick-up truck-cum-taxi the moment you step off the boat at Thong Sala Pier. Party-fiends should hold on tight as they embark on the rollercoaster ride to Had Rin, the cape where all the action is. It’s like nothing else in Thailand.

The police presence en-route which has sprung up over the past few years makes it wise to refrain from carrying any illegal substances on your person; remember you’re in a country which advocates the death penalty. Long gone are the days when you could hitch a ride, spliff in mouth. The authorities here mean business and will have you banged up in no time at the slightest hint of monkey business.

Good accommodation can be a real hassle to find, but if all you are after is a dog-eared mattress in which to lay your head, there are dozens of budget bungalows on Koh Pha Ngan in addition to some more upscale choices. Get here late and you could find yourself walking to the western side of the cape to find a bed, a quieter yet unappealing overflow for hedonists.

You could opt for no accommodation at all - a genuine option for those hopping on a boat to Samui in the early hours – but don’t be surprised to find your party spirit waning in the early hours, when you might end up squabbling over a patch of shrubbery in which to catch forty winks.

Most of us heard of the Full Moon Party long before the release of the 2000 Hollywood blockbuster The Beach, but the movie helped to push the party to global status, with it now attracting even greater crowds. A far shout from its humble beginnings as a hippy get-together, the hard work has been taken out of reaching this not-so-underground rave, with little more effort involved than purchasing an all-inclusive bus-ferry ticket from Bangkok.

With it no longer being necessary to be an intrepid traveller to attend, is this still the party of the century? Well, you might not bump into Leonardo De Caprico, but most people manage to enjoy themselves.

“Great looking women, good music and plenty of booze”, says Pierre from Paris, summarising the event. “It’s Glastonbury meets Ibiza on a remote Thai island”, adds the 32-year-old web designer who was in his first trip to Thailand.

However, despite many rating the Full Moon Party as Asia’s hottest event, there are others that consider full mooning to be well past its sell-by date and prefer neighbouring Samui. Its former laid-back feel once attracted the liberal-minded, but the hippies have now been replaced by teams of Thai police who mingle with the crowds in search of law-breakers. The day-glow face paint, fire jugglers and bongo drums are still here, alongside the DJs and endless flow of Sangsom, but is the party vibe the same?

“The sight of passed-out revelers strewn across the beach at sun rise was not what I had in mind”, says 23-year-old Mandi from Sydney. “The music left a lot to be desired and so did the party clientele”, she adds.

Those who come expecting cutting-edge dance music may leave disappointed, with inexperienced bedroom DJs and reputable ones in equal numbers. Over intoxicated youngsters hyper on Red Bull gather to have a go at fire juggling and others feats, while pick-pockets ply their trade on unsuspecting ravers and unlocked bungalows. These days, modern full mooners need a whole new set of skills to survive a night at Had Rin, especially if night-tripping over from Samui.

Opportunities to meet weirdos are plentiful too, making it wise not to attempt to stroll back to your bungalow alone at night. Other dangers include the Gulf waters, where a tempting splash around could amount to a mouthful of urine, with the shallow waters quickly turn into a men’s urinal once the party gets rocking. In Thailand anything goes remember.

The partiers may be a generation on from the originals, but the spirit of having a good time is still alive and kicking. It may not be what you expected, but any hedonist would have a hard time having at least a little fun here. The only real way to really find out whether the Koh Pha Ngan full moon party is an epicures dream or worst nightmare is to join the event and see for yourself. What are you waiting for?

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Khao San road Bangkok

The famous Khao San Road is a fascinating kaleidoscope of people from around the world

For many backpackers and free-spirited budget travellers, the Khao San road is their first experience of Thailand – a decompression chamber between East and West from where you can arrange and find practically everything. Depending which way you look at it, this modest street is either a fascinating and exciting hub of tourist activity or a seething mass of overcommercialised hippiedom. Either way you can’t deny it’s one of the most popular and intriguing parts of Bangkok , a tourist attraction in its own right that attracts both foreigners and Thais.

The opening scenes of the now legendary backpacker movie the Beach, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, gets rolling here and although the swallowing of snake’s blood by locals isn’t entirely true, it certainly does have its seedy and mysterious side. And ever since the movie, Khao San road can’t live down its legendary status. Mostly however, it’s a convenient starting point for arranging your trip around Thailand with dozens of tour agents, internet cafes, guesthouses and bars, a few night clubs and plenty of shopping – hawking everything from pirated CDs to luggage, clothing, tattoos and more.

Khao San Road is a rather dizzying frenetic place today, but its roots go back to 1982 when it was a quiet residential street with houses owned by the city’s elite, those who could afford nice places a close distance away from the capital’s important Grand Palace area. The year 1982, was, on the Buddhist calendar, the auspicious 2525, and to celebrate this date, along with Bangkok ’s bicentennial, the Thai government launched a massive campaign to attract tourist dollars.

Khao San Road : Backpacker central
Khao San Road is also conveniently placed for visiting the most historic part of the city – Banglamphu and Rattanokoin Isle, where many of the best attractions are located. These include, Sanam Luang, and the Grand Palace/Wat Phra Kaew compound, The temple mount, Wat Po and the Dusit area with its exemplery Vimanmek teak palace. Access to the city’s waterways, a great way to get around, are close at the area’s Banglamphu pier. River boats to the Saphan Taksin pier will take you into the thriving Silom district of Bangkok.

Khao San Road Entertainment
Early bar-closings have seen some heads on Khao San Road hit the pillow earlier than in the past, however there is still a thriving and eclectic nightclub scene here to be enjoyed. Everyone from holdouts of the Bob Marley generation to female Thai university students come out to shake their collective booties at popular discos such as Lucy’s and Gulliver’s. Step into the latter and you’ll wonder if you ever left the West – that is until a six-foot tall transvestite in a tight dress tries his/her luck with you!

Khao San Road Shopping
Given that almost all of the vendors on Khao San Road speak at least some English, this is an excellent area to do some shopping and pick up some supplies. As elsewhere in a Thai-style market, almost no prices are fixed and you are free to indulge in bargaining to your heart’s content.

Khao San Road is an excellent place to shop for any number of items including clothes, hats, shoes, Thai handicrafts, beach wear, video games, CDs. Khao San Road also has the best selection of second-hand bookstores in Thailand , often with English speaking staff to help you track down a particular title.

Khao San Road Eating
Travelling tastebuds should find some comfort on the Khao San Road, with several guesthouses offering fare for foreigners, which at times may not live up to your expectations – sausage = hotdog. Still there are some tasty eats on offer on Khao San Road in particular delicious falafels made at an outdoor stall on the street, fresh fruit of various kinds on offer everywhere.

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Thailand's top tourist destinations by vote

After a widely publicised nomination process, the Bangkok Post has announced the shortlist in its nine month quest to find Thailand’s top nine destinations as voted by its readers.

Krabi is a clear favourite in the voting

More than thirty of Thailand’s favourite destinations are now vying for the final list which will be announced in February 2009, following a six month second round voting process. These finalists were selected by popular vote from scores of nominations made during the last three months. The final nine will be made by a panel of travel specialists based on second round public votes.

As featured on their website 9destinations.com, some of the tourists’ perennial favourites have taken an early lead. Not surprisingly Krabi, with its stunning Karst scenery, is currently tops, claiming more than 10 per cent of all votes. It’s followed closely by a locals’ favourite Kaeng Krachan National Park in Petchaburi, near Hua Hin.

Doi Inthanon peak has also reached lofty heights

Chiang Mai province’s Doi Inthanon is further back in third place, offering visitors the highest point in Thailand and some wonderful waterfalls. The North claims fourth spot at present too, with the popular bohemian town of Pai.

Koh Turatao, a pristine and seldom crowded island near the southern border comes in fifth in the early voting stages, and then it’s back North again to the remote and pretty mountain clad town of Mae Hong Son. Chiang Mai is weighing in once more at seventh with Doi Chang Dao, a striking massive described as the ‘last tooth of the Himalaya’.

The remaining two are in the Southern Provinces, comprising the popular uninhabited diving islands of the Similan archipelago, and Khao Sok National Park on the mainland between Khao Lak coast and Surat Thani.

The Grand Palace is an essential inclusion

Although the order is likely to change over the ensuing months there are some notable early exceptions such as Koh Chang, Doi Suithep temple in Chiang Mai, Samui and Pha Nga Bay. However, with most of the voting coming from within Thailand, particularly among locals, there has been a clear tendency to vote for some of the less touristy or obvious sites, especially getaway parks and natural beauty areas. Although Phuket town has been nominated, it’s crowded beaches have not, and the shortlist contains some names that are little known outside of Thailand, such as; Phu Soi Dao National Park, Phu Hin Rongkla National Park, Wat Phumin and Phanon Rung Historic Park.

The full list of short listed candidates for the Bangkok Post/Today’s Thailand 9 Destinations is (in no particular order):

Doi Inthanon National Park – Thailand’s highest peak, in Northern Thailand, with fabulous waterfalls and chilly weather.

Doi Luang Chiang Dao – one of the highest peaks in the country, just north of Chiang Mai with excellent cave systems.

Turatao Marine Park – a pristine and unspoilt Andaman island in Satun Province south of Krabi.

Krabi Sea and Islands – a tourist favourite near Phuket comprising of Phi Phi islands, Railay peninsula and other lovely islands and beaches.

Lam Klong Ngu National Park – cavernous caves and subterranean rivers to explore in the Kanchanaburi region.

Pha Taem National Park – noted for its prehistoric rock paintings and spectacular rainy season waterfalls, near the banks of the Mekhong.

Moo Ko Similan Marine Park – a lovely uninhabited chain of islands offshore from Khao Lak, great for diving.

Kaeng Krachan National Park – dramatic scenery on the Burma border near Hua Hin, a favourite with Bangkokians.

Khao Sok National Park – a tourist favourite midway between Phuket and Samui with striking inland karst topography set around a large reservoir.

Hala-Bala Wildlife Park – a premier bird watching venue in the trouble Southern provinces which has kept tourists away from this one since 2004.

Rattanakosin Isle – the historic section of Bangkok which includes the Grand Palace, Wat Po, National Museum, Temple Mount and many other of the capital’s attractions.

Khao Yai National Park – one of Asia’s finest and Thailand’s largest and oldest sanctuaries, northeast of Bangkok.

Si Satchanalai Historic Park – understated ruins of the Sukhothai era on the Ping river banks, near Sukhothai.

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall – a neo Baroque palace in the Dusit neighbourhood of Bangkok popular for official ceremonies.

Wat Phra That Lampang – one of the country’s most important and historic temples in this Northern town.

Mae Hong Son – possibly Thailand’s most remote town, a charming mountain enclave along the inaccessible northwest border.

Pai – also in Mae Hong Son, a popular backpacker destination and lately with Bangkokians looking to go hippie.

Phu Soi Dao National Park – a mist shrouded highland area on the Laos border noted for its wild flowers and waterfalls.

Sukhothai Historic Park – a must on all Thailand tours and a World Heritage site dating from Thailand’s golden era of the past in the 15th C.

Phanom Rung Historic Park – outstanding elevated Khmer ruins in the Northeast entered by 15 celestially planned gates.

Ayutthaya Historic Park – ancient Siam’s great seat of power before falling into ruin, a vast preserved city on an island of the Chao Praya, North of Bangkok.

Amphawa Community – responsible for the popular floating markets on the Klong river in Samut Songkham southeast of Bangkok.

Phu Kham Khao Dinosaur park – as the name suggests, a wonderful theme park for the whole family, on the Korat plateau.

Klong Suan 100 year old market – the floating market to get to if you’d rather not rub shoulders with loads of tourists, in ChaChoengSao province near Suvarnabhumi airport.

Phuket Town – grand old mansions away from the tourist beaches that suggest the original wealth and importance of the city.

Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao – Another Lampang temple on the list, this Burmese styled templed housed the famous Emerald Buddha for centuries. Great for cameras.

Wat Phumin – one of the country’s oldest temples, somewhat understated in the sleepy remote Northern province of Nan – the Thailand of yesteryear.

Phra Kradueng National Park – is in Loei, one of the kingdom’s lesser visited and more remote corners, lofty scenery near the Mekhong Northeast. It’s a gruelling hike to the top.

Phu Hin Rongkla National Park – unusual moonscape highland scenery in Phitsanulok, once the bastion of the Communist insurgency in the seventies.

Ancient City – Bangkok’s best kept secret, a wonderful theme park of Thailand’s most famous sites replicated and packaged into a convenient single day trip.

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