About Thailand : travel story,cheap hotels,festival in Thailand

Top 10 Budget Hotels in Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:45:00 +0000

Top 10 Budget Hotels in Bangkok

1.lbis Siam
Near Pratunam Market, near a BTS station – Ibis Siam’s spot on Rajaprarop Road is as convenient as it is bustling. The 179 rooms are clean and contemporary. Breakfast is served till midday. And a passion for up-to-date technology is embodied by free Wi-fi. A few minutes walk, to Rangnam Road, reveals a glut of good restaurants, a cinema and Santiphap Park.

2.Unico Leela
Smart, smiling staff work the bright, cream-marbled lobby. Chandeliers abound in an opulent restaurant. A swimming pool sits out back, yards from a bubbling Jacuzzi. And the warm exotic rooms are as they should be – well-equipped, uncluttered, eye-pleasing. In spite of its nifty but noisy location on Sukhumvit Soi 3, Unico Leela is dapper indeed.

3.Baiyoke Boutique Hotel
Looming in the shadow of the city’s tallest building, this urbane boutique is proof that the budget hotel can be bold and brash. Its slick white lobby has flourishes of glowing orange. Dark, chic rooms bristle with flat screen TVs and hip modern art. And the fast and furious Pratunam shopping area is on your doorstep. The most ultra-modern of our Budget Top 10.

4.Take a Nap
What happens when you combine 30 basic rooms, a location near Silom and eye-catching pop-art? ‘Take a Nap’, Bangkok’s trailblazing boutique inn, is what happens. Each room and dorm sports a funky one-off wall design, styles ranging from hyper-real evocations of the Grand Palace to kitsch depictions of fairytale forests. Flamboyant and functional.

5.Viengtai Hotel
On Soi Rambuttri, a charismatic road parallel to Khao San Road, this veteran is near the city’s historical sites. What its patrons seem to relish most, though, is its 200 spacious rooms, swimming pool and air of elegance being yards from the famous backpacker strip. Want to experience the area’s unruliness but not feel smothered by it? Viengtai Hotel is perfect.

6.Woraburi Sukhumvit
Its oriental open-air lobby is warm and welcoming – an embodiment of Woraburi Sukhumvit’s affable character. It continues, with the 123 rooms with mod-cons, the charming terraced restaurant, the stylish swimming pool. Oh, and lets not forget the complimentary tuk-tuk service. All this on Sukhumvit’s salacious Soi 4 – what is Bangkok coming to?

7.Hotel de Moc
Within the old city, this family-run establishment offers the perfect base for temple or Khao San Road fans. A free tuk-tuk runs to the backpacker neighborhood until 21:00, and classics like the Grand Palace are only slightly further. Fantastic. And that’s before you even consider the hotel itself: 100 plush rooms with private balcony, a swimming pool, Chinese restaurant and spa. Swoon.

8.Queen Garden
Need a place to crash after a rough landing? Flying out first thing? For in and out-going Suvarnabhumi airport travellers who don’t want to stray far, this is your ticket. It sits next to a sleepy river, with views onto a nearby Buddhist temple. Rooms are cheerful and facilities include a restaurant/bar with pool table. Location, though, is its true calling card.

9.Lub D
Raw industrial chic – exposed steel and brushed concrete – fills this trendy hostel in Silom. The result is funky and comfy: super clean dorms with big beds and private lockers, twin rooms with bunk beds, double rooms with en-suites. Free public Internet, a café and a cozy TV area heighten the appeal of this amiable alternative to the traditional backpacker dive.

10.Bhiman Inn
With its fort-like exterior and softly lit terrace restaurant, there is something quite Arabian about Bhiman Inn. With its spot on Phra Arthit Road, a trendy little street next to the river and minutes walk from Khao San Road, there is also something quite brilliant about it. Rooms are clean and roomy, and there’s a small swimming pool out back.

credit: bangkok.com

Top 10 Useful Bangkok Tips

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:48:00 +0000

You know the sort. “Don’t talk to strangers’”, “look both ways when crossing the road”, “always wear clean underwear”. When you’re starting out in life – or a new city – there are a whole heap of tips it pays to remember. Written in a manner that aims to enlighten, not spoon feed, here are our top 10 useful tips for mastering this exciting, but potentially aggravating metropolis. Are we up to the task? Yes, we believe so. We aren’t wise old sages with long straggly beards, but we do know Bangkok.

1.Buy a good map
Bangkok can be confusing. The shifting street names, the winding river, the expressways to who-knows-where, the lack of clearly distinguishable neighborhoods. Sometimes it all seems like the work of a sadistic urban planner, one who derives particular pleasure from thwarting tourists. The solution? Arm yourself with a decent map with street names in English and Thai. If Bangkok is a mean-spirited labyrinth, consider this your faithful compass.

2.Barter, but nicely
The first rule of Bangkok shopping: if there’s no barcode or set price, get haggling. It’s expected. However, instead of adopting a confrontational “give me it for this price, now!” attitude, try the gracious, smiley “what’s your best price, my friend?” approach. Why? If not because you’re polite, then do it because a smile here goes further than a sneer. Aim to chip anything from 10-40% off the quoted price. And by all means, walk away if the price is disagreeable – more often than not you’ll be called back for last ditch negotiations!

3.Drink lots of water
This tip, of course, applies even to the Antarctic. But packing a supply of the wet stuff in Bangkok’s sticky, stifling heat is even more crucial to your well-being. Our unscientific rule of thumb: drink more than you sweat. Fortunately you are never more than a few paving stones from a drinks vendor. Always make sure bottled water is sealed. For a change, take your chosen tipple modern Thai-style, in a small plastic bag with handle and straw. Its quirky but, as you’ll find when rummaging around markets, also convenient.

4.Beware Scammers
It begins with a polite stranger: “the Grand Palace is closed this afternoon”. You thank them and tell them where you’re from. Then, before you’ve even had a chance to shake their hand, you’re gripping the sides of a tuk-tuk as it whizzes towards temples your guidebook has never heard of, and (drum roll) pushy gem stores. The morale of this all-to-common scam? Savour contact with the locals but, please please, beware the shysters. The general, but by no means universal, rule of thumb: a Thai who approaches you in the street is after more than a chat.

5.Try an organized Tour
A tour reaches the parts that other ways of seeing Bangkok cannot. Yes, pounding the streets with just a trusty Lonely Planet in hand, does appeal to the intrepid in us. And, admittedly, a road trip around Bangkok’s bordering provinces does demonstrate a plucky buccaneering spirit. But ask yourself: are you here to enjoy Bangkok or what? A tour is inexpensive and easily arranged (just book and show up). No logistical headaches, no getting lost, just a wonderful day out that peels back another exciting layer of The Big Mango.

6.Plan ahead
Unlike Rome or Paris, Bangkok is not an eminently walkable city. Rather, making the most of this daunting sprawl of crowds, commerce and culture takes planning… Work out what you want to see, where they are (refer to ‘Buy a Good Map’), then work out a logical route. Taxis are likely to be unavoidable, as is a bit of footwork, but wherever possible use our favourites: the waterways, underground and Skytrain. Sight-wise, don’t bite off more than you can chew – Bangkok’s flavours are best savoured slowly.

7.Use BTS & MRT habitually
There are smoke-belching tuk-tuks, hair-raising motorbikes and thrilling canal boats. But when it comes to getting around, the Skytrain and underground are easily your most agreeable option. How did Bangkok ever manage without them? The first soars above traffic, as if sent from above, while the latter whizzes, mole-like, beneath it. Both offer arctic air-conditioning and are in our opinion the best inventions since the wheel – not least because they’re much quicker. Get yourself a day or week pass and hop aboard.

8.Taxi Tips
Bangkok specialises in world-class traffic jams, so taxi rides are risky. However, follow these tips and your journey needn’t be temper-fraying: (1) Avoid rush hour. (2) Insist your driver switch his meter on. If he refuses, get out and find another – they’re usually plentiful. (3) Finally, make sure you leave nothing behind. There’s nothing worse than watching your gaily-coloured taxi whiz off into Bangkok’s haze, carrying with it your valuables.

9.Carry a photocopy of passport
Whether it be an impromptu demand from a local policeman or a request from security at one of the city’s swanky nightspots, carrying ID is a must in Thailand. The fact that you are 25 but look like you’re pushing 40 doesn’t matter – proving who you are is a day-to-day formality, something the Thais are finicky about. Instead of dragging your passport around with you, and with it the constant fear of losing it, take a photocopy.

10.Carry a Hotel card with Thai directions
It’s simple. It isn’t rocket science. But this ingenious device, little more than a piece of card with your hotel’s address written on it in Thai, will save endless how-do-we-get-home headaches. Flash it beneath the eyes of your chosen driver and watch how his shrugs of utter incomprehension instantly change to reassuring nods. Brilliant.

credit:bangkok.com

Top 10 Leisure Activities in Bangkok

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 03:26:00 +0000

Since Bangkok is choc'a'bloc of places to see and things to do, choosing an activity to fill your day can be a daunting task. Handpicked by the city’s connoisseurs, here are our Bangkok Top Ten Leisure Activities to get you started. From a picnic at Dusit Zoo to people watching at Khao San Road, the list encompasses every definition of a leisure activity. Pick and vote for your favourite!

1.Picnic at Dusit Zoo
A classic favourite among the locals, not only does Dusit Zoo provide home to some 1,600 animals, it’s also a great ground for picnic and other family activities. Ideal for a family day out, the zoo features well-maintained landscaped gardens and beautiful flowers. A delicious variety of food is also available at the park’s cafeteria if you happen to forget your basket. Covering a total area of 188,800 square metres, the zoo is also in close proximity to some of the city’s attractions like the Throne Hall and the Statue of King Rama V.

2.Bowling
Bangkok’s shopping malls seem to have a penchant for three things, movie theatres, karaoke and bowling alleys – all of which are usually found bundled together under some franchised Cineplex. Movie theatres and karaoke aside, bowling provides a light form of exercise as well as hours of competitive fun. With sophisticated venues complete with strobe lights, glow-in-the-dark pins, balls and lanes, in-house DJ, not to mention food and drinks, bowling in Bangkok is a fun-filled leisure activity suitable for people of all ages.

3.Yoga in the Park
Known to provide a deep sense of relaxation for the body and mind, yoga is an effective antidote to the stress brought on by the hectic lifestyle Bangkok dwellers face on a day-to-day basis. Although there are several yoga studios offering a wide spectrum of practices in the city, to maximally benefit from it, ditch the stuffy studio and head to the nearest park where you can inhale fresh air while doing a series of ‘Sun Salutation’ poses under the actual sun. If you’re a newbie, it’s best to do it under the supervision of a guru at Lumpini Park (sessions available at a nominal fee in the park’s Palm Trees area from 18:00 to 19:30).

4.Thai Cooking Class
If you’re a die-hard Thai food fan, why not learn how to cook it while you’re in Bangkok? Cooking classes are offered throughout the city, especially in hotels and cooking schools. Classes normally last half a day and will introduce you to basic preparations, types of ingredients and in some, a visit to the local market is also included. You’d be surprised how simple the seemingly complicated dishes like ‘tom yum goong’ (hot and sour shrimp soup) and ‘gaeng kiew wan gai’ (green chicken curry) actually are to prepare.

5.Afternoon Tea
This long cherished tradition of sipping proper English afternoon tea and nibbling on bite-sized tipples has made its way to Bangkok’s leading hotels. Authentic scones, clotted cream, finger sandwiches, pastries along with fascinating Chao Phraya River scenery (at Riverside hotels) make for a wonderful tonic for fatigued sightseers. If you’re looking to ward off that nagging afternoon hunger, this is a not-to-be-missed and elegant experience.

6.River Cruises
Get up close and personal with Bangkok’s splendid landmarks like the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) while cruising along the majestic ‘River of Kings’. Feel the cool breeze in your face while exploring riverside lifestyles and a network of ‘khlongs’ (canals), either on a swift long-tailed boat or tranquil converted rice barge. Trips to the city’s neighbouring provinces like Nonthaburi and Ayuthaya are also available.

7.Thai Massage
It’s hard not to mention Thai massage when it comes to leisure activities. Available pretty much everywhere from streets to five-star hotels, this ancient form of body kneading – said to date back over 2,500 years to the time of Buddha – is quite similar to yoga in terms of physical and mental benefits. The only difference between the two, however, is all required for Thai massage is to lie down and breathe while having some of your 27,000 ‘sen’ (energy lines) loosened by an adept hand – talk about true leisure!

8.Deities Walking Tour
Not only is Ratchaprasong known for its ample offering of hotels and shopping malls, it is also home to six unique shrines – all linked to Hindu traditions. If you have about 30 minutes to spare and would like to see a curious contrast between a superstitious and modern Bangkok, take this leisurely Deities Walking Tour, a downloadable podcast tour that guides you to all six shrines located in what’s dubbed ‘Bangkok’s Shopping Street’. Complete with brief history, directions and tavelling tips, this walking tour commences at the highly revered Erawan Shrine before finishing at the Ganesh Shrine.

9.People Watching
With millions of visitors from all over the world each year, Bangkok inevitably makes for an ideal place to ‘people watch’. And where could be more interesting to do so than famous backpacker melting pot, Khao San Road? Immortalised in the Hollywood blockbuster ‘The Beach’, this former rice-trading centre is where the locals and foreign travellers collide head-on, resulting in a mishmash of fascinating cultural diversity and a wide spectrum of human antics. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a seat, get a drink and enjoy the show!

10.Cycling in Koh Kret
One of Bangkok’s most charming hidden secrets, Koh Kret, a former refuge for the Mon tribes for over 200 years, is an idyllic islet located in the Chao Phraya River boasting amiable locals, and a well-preserved gentile way of life. With no car traffic on the island, it’s both safe and fun to explore on bicycle. Pedal along the scenic routes shrouded in lush green leaves with traces of Mon culture and architecture peeping through. There are also ample opportunities to shop for handmade pottery, earthenware, lovely home decorative items and delicious local specialties like deep-fried flowers and chilled rice in aromatic water.

credit.bangkok.com

Top 10 Shopping Experiences

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 03:01:00 +0000

The variety of shopping experiences in Bangkok goes far beyond a stroll in a mall or a morning spent browsing a market. Shopping in Bangkok is a day-and-night activity that runs parallel with the best in the West, while also giving a flavour of the cultural uniqueness of the East. Work your way through these ten entirely different experiences, and you’ll soon come to realize why Bangkok is such a famous shopping hub. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite!

1.The Market Experience(Chatichak)

The market of all markets, Chatuchak Weekend Market is the ultimate. You will be amazed by its sprawling size, but perhaps even more so by the unbelievable variety of wares. Stumble across anything from vinyl records, beads, suits of armor to a live seahorse! Haggling is allowed; in fact, it is encouraged. Just do so politely. Possibly the most exhilarating, chaotic and lively shopping experience that can be had anywhere in the world.

2.The Shopping Mall Experience
In a city blessed with some of the world’s most sumptuous malls, how do you choose? Do you want bargains galore? Go to MBK. After the biggest and most trendy? CentralWorld is your ticket. How about classy? Make your way to The Emporium. Of course, if glamour makes you go wobbly at the knees, you will already have found Siam Paragon – the epitome of high-class Bangkok.

3.After-Dark Shopping Experience
In most cities nighttime means closing time. Not so, here in Bangkok. Come dusk, Khao San Road teems with unkempt travel wear. And Patpong Market’s tarpaulin covered stalls – each brimming with counterfeits or exotica - don’t even kick into life until the area’s office workers are tucked up in bed. Just two examples, among several, of Bangkok’s love affair with the after-dark shop.

4.Funky Shopping
This is an excursion all of its own for the young at heart. If modish describes your style, ZEN will blow you away! ZEN, proclaiming itself to be the ‘largest lifestyle trend megastore’ takes up a big section of the very big CentralWorld, consisting of six floors of urban youth orientated delights. Also in the category of funky, places like Manga, Q Concept and Fly Now on the ground floor of Centralworld, turn shopping into a multi-dimensional experience.

5.Thai Crafts
For the most comprehensive overview of traditional Thai crafts, OTOP is an excellent starting point. Here you can appreciate the spirit, effort and pride that go into the making of these products, coming to you from all the corners of Thailand. Other places to pick up quality handicrafts in Bangkok are the Narayana Phand Pavillion and Chitralada shops.

6.The Department Store Experience
Imagine a place full of quality items, both imported and domestic; a place where shop-hopping is obsolete, and every ilk – fashionista, bargain hunter, or house-wife – is catered for. Nice isn’t it? Well in Bangkok they are called department stores. Open-plan, and spread over many gleaming floors, these retail realms offer the opposite of street commerce – they’re calm and whisper quiet. They’re also not shy about price slashing.

7.The Chinatown Experience
There is something oddly kitsch, charming and nostalgic about Bangkok’s Chinatown. Walking through the many little streets you might find yourself in a market, a shophouse-lined backstreet or a crowded space jam-packed with hawkers of every ilk. Along with many gold shops, you’ll also find sacks of roasted chestnuts, sequins, feather boas, eccentric virility boosters and martial art weapons.

8. Pantip Plaza
An aspiring techno-geek? Then Pantip Plaza is your heaven on earth. Looking for a new mobile, notebook or the latest gadget? That’s right, Pantip. Packed from floor to ceiling with stalls and shops selling all kinds of computer and electronic paraphernalia, make sure to allow enough time to explore this bustling, indoor IT mall.

9.Flower & Fresh Produce Market
Among the many fresh produce markets in Bangkok, the jewel without a doubt is the Pak Khlong Talad Flower Market. The colours, fragrances of jasmine and the sight of garland weavers busily at work makes for a dazzling sensory experience. Prepare yourself for a really late-night experience, but one worth staying up for.

10.Antiques & Collectibles
There is a huge market for reproductions in Bangkok, which can be a collector’s nightmare. If the real thing is what you’re after, you will be interested in OP Place, next to the Oriental Hotel. A historical landmark in its own right, the contents are simply to die for. Close by is the Rivercity complex, equally well-known for prized collectibles.

credit:bangkok.com

Top 10 Best Bangkok Tours

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 02:29:00 +0000

1.Bangkok City & Temple Tour with Grand Palace
Bangkok has hundreds of temples, each with thousands of reflective surfaces that dazzle. So what makes this temple-orientated tour the number one? Is it because it introduces you to three of Bangkok’s most dazzling, Wat Trimitr, Wat Po and Wat Benjabophit?

Well, only partly. It also takes you to Thailand’s foremost religious site, The Grand Palace; wowing at the Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew, a tiny green jade icon that, though only 18 inches tall, towers above all others in its holiness. Everyone should, no, MUST experience it.

2.Ayutthaya Tour by River Sun Cruise
Some tours are jam-packed full of facts, sights and history – so much, in fact, you barely have a moment to yourself. This day trip to Ayutthaya, Siam’s war-ravaged former capital, sails straight in at number two because it has plenty of substance but doesn’t test your staying power.

A morning spent exploring temple ruins is followed by an afternoon on board a luxury cruiser. The hard work well and truly over, all that’s left to do is laze happily on deck, only the memories, river breezes and Bangkok’s bristling skyline for company. Wonderful.

3.Manohra Dinner Cruise
Bangkok has plenty of dinner cruises. But only Manohra has the three ‘R’s: the river, the romance, and, most uniquely, a 50-year-old rice barge. Made of delicate restored teak wood, it’s easily one of the most distinctive boats plying the water, and hands-down the best for a one-of-a-kind supper.

Guests glide up-river, past seminal city sights like Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. No windows, no air-conditioning, just the cooling breeze and a candlelit table spread with an appetizing selection of classic Thai dishes, all beautifully arranged and presented.

4.Bangkok Floating Market
Ok, so the Floating Market is hardly authentic. It’s a cultural show, staged so tourists can see how Thais used to buy and sell fresh produce at river markets. However, for its colours and chaos alone it remains a sight no one should miss.

Small thin canals teem with longboats piled high with fresh produce, each one jockeying for position, and paddled by a lady ready to stop and bargain at a moment’s notice. This visual vibrancy, as well as its popularity and iconic status, helped it barge effortlessly into our number four spot.

5.River Kwai Tours
There’s more to the River Kwai than elegiac WWII sights. And this tour around Kanchanaburi, a lush unspoilt province bordering Burma, proves it. Visits to the Death Railway, the Bridge over the River Kwai and the memorial museum, are tastefully juxtaposed with thrilling doses of back-to-nature: undulating mountains, rugged landscapes, as well as activities like elephant rides and tiger temples.

Very few tours manage such a gratifying combo, both thought-provoking and adventurous - a well deserved winner of our number five spot.

6.Siam Niramit
Packing all the splendour of the Land of Smiles into an 80-minute stage show is no easy task. But Siam Niramit succeeds – and spectacularly. How so? Try the world’s biggest stage, a cast of hundreds, and bags of Thai finesse. For these joy-bringing efforts, we happily award it sixth place.

The first act describes how Siam became a cross-roads where civilizations met, the second how karma binds the Thai people, the last how religious ceremony earns Thais merit in this life. Spellbinding stuff.

7.Khlong Tour

Bangkok’s ‘khlongs’ (canals) aren’t mere remnants of the past. Many are still functioning transport arteries that play a significant role in city life. Rather than the noise and smell of central Bangkok’s famous Khlong Saen Saeb, this morning tour focuses on the more scenic waterways of Thonburi.

A long-tailed speedboat glides you past floating kitchens, mobile shops and all kinds of colourful river scenery, before stopping at the enchanting Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun). The trip ends with the Royal Barges Museum; for most, the impressions last a lot longer.

8. Bai Pai Cooking School
Ever wished you could cook your favourite authentic Thai dish at home? Our eighth favourite tour equips you with the know-how to do just that. At the Bai Pai Cooking School, qualified Thai chefs impart their culinary wisdom in an easily digestible fashion.

Classes are hands-on and never more than ten people. Instructors emphasise the importance of seasonality, fresh ingredients and presentation. Pad Thai? Your favourite curry? These are the dishes you perfect and get to devour. No wonder everyone leaves smiling.

9.Jim Thompson House
One for silk, antiques and culture lovers. Jim Thompson, an American ex-military officer, almost single-handedly revived the craft of Thai silk-weaving. But he disappeared mysteriously in 1967, leaving behind not only a flourishing industry, but also some lovingly restored teak houses.

This popular tour begins amidst his collection of rare Asian art and antiques, before you are then whisked to nearby Suan Pakkad Palace, a complex of impressive teak houses once belonging to Princess Chumbot. A tour guide explains the mysteries of what is an enriching excursion.

10.Floating Market Cycling Tour
A cycle tour is the best way to explore corners of Bangkok that most tourists never know exists, let alone discover. With little more than the clank of your bicycle gears, a cool breeze and the waves of locals for company, there’s nothing jaded or cynical about a two-wheeled adventure.

Take our tenth top tour, for example. After the floating market, you peddle past fruit orchards, old temples and ancient army garrisons, heading further back in history and culture with each forward turn of the wheel. Where most tours our somewhat limiting, this one is a true revelation.

credit:bangkok.com

VAT Refund for Tourists in Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 02:13:00 +0000

Who can claim VAT refunds?

A VAT refund can be claimed by any non-Thai
visitor who has not been in Thailand for more than
180 days in calendar year, and who is not a crew
member of an airline; and departs Thailand by
air carrier from an international airport.

How to claim a VAT refund

1. VAT refund only applies to goods taken out of
Thailand within 60 days from the date of purchase.

2. The goods must be purchased from stores
displaying the "VAT REFUND FOR TOURISTS" sign.

3. On any day, goods purchased at a participating
store must not be less than 2,000 baht and the
total amount of goods purchased, including VAT,
must not be less than 5,000 baht.

4. At each store ask the sales assistant to
complete 2 VAT refund forms (P.P.10) and
attach the original tax invoice to the forms.

5. Before departure, present your purchases to
Customs and Revenue officers for inspection in
order to obtain VAT refund at the departure
lounge after check-in and passport control.

6. In case the VAT refund exceeds 10,000 baht,
you can either present your claim to the Customs
and Revenue officers at the VAT Refund Office
or drop it in the box at the Refund Counter or
mail it from your home back to the Revenue
Department of Thailand.

How will the refund be paid?

You can choose to receive your refund by :

Refund amount not exceeding 10,000 baht,
receive cash in Thai baht, draft, or credit to credit
card account.
Refund amount exceeding 10,000 baht,
receive refund in draft, or credit to credit card
account.

The following fees apply to refund requests :

For cash refund, a fee of 100 baht.
For draft refund, a fee of 100 baht plus draft issuing
fee at the rate charged by banks and postage fees.
For credit to credit card account refund, a fee of 100
baht plus money transfer fee at the rate charged by banks.

Top 10 Bangkok Hotels near the Skytrain

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:36:00 +0000

Top 10 Bangkok Hotels near the Skytrain

Before 1999, Bangkok was synonymous with traffic and its byproduct, stress. But then something called the Skytrain – a raised, blissfully air-conditioned monorail snaking its way around the city – whizzed on to the transport scene. The traffic didn’t disappear – but it got better, much better. The following hotels are the cr?me de la cr?me of those lucky enough or wealthy enough to be close to it. Some require a few minutes walk, a few only a few paces, but we’ve been careful to ensure that all are here not merely by virtue of their position. The balance between price, flair, facilities, service and Skytrain-friendliness is what makes these gems gleam.

1.Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit The rich woods, marble and Thai silks. The 24-hour business centre with modern amenities like wireless Internet. The 420 scintillating rooms, sophisticated fine-dining and drop-dead gorgeous spa. Gracious staff. Not to mention a fantastic location on Sukhumvit Road, including a direct walkway to the skytrain. This is, hands down, among the best hotels in Asia.

2. Asia Hotel Everything from the 650 well-appointed rooms to the restaurants and gleaming lobby oozes classical elegance. But what guests love most about this populist favourite is being only one stop from Siam Square. That and the fact that if rooms were any closer to BTS Ratchatewi station you could literally roll out of bed and into an awaiting skytrain.

3. InterContinental Bangkok

Polished, worldly, professional, technologically astute – the Intercontinental is like the modern business executives who love staying here. For them, or those just wanting a luxury stay within strolling distance of upscale shopping malls and the Skytrain, this is the perfect package, all wrapped up in a swish coating of curved steel and glass.

4. Novotel Bangkok on Siam SquareWhether you’re here for business, nightlife or shopping, the Novotel excels at debatably the three most important factors in hotel decision-making - location, location and location. The coolest boutiques, the busiest shopping malls and the most central Skytrain station - Siam Square - surround this four-star blend of luxury rooms, restaurants, bars and superb hospitality.

5. Holiday Inn Bangkok

Is the Holiday Inn the shoppers’ dream hotel? This high-luxury, medium-cost urban hideaway sits in the shadow of some of Bangkok’s mall elite – CentralWorld, Gaysorn, Erawan Plaza. Had enough commercial commotion? Retreat to the entertainment, dining or pampering facilities. Or, even better, board a Skytrain at nearby Childom station for new city flavours.

6. The Westin Grande Sukhumvit This five-star is, simply put, rather grand. Alongside an absorbing ultra-modern look and a long list of extras (including the divine ‘Heavenly Bed’ and a ravishing spa), this service-obsessed hotel is only one minutes walk from BTS Asok Station. Whether in Bangkok for all-out business or a bout of unfettered leisure, or both, few can match it.

7. Dusit Thani BangkokWhen it opened back in 1970, The Dusit Thani was a landmark. And today, when it has 517 sumptuous rooms and suites, distinctive Thai motifs, eight signature restaurants, Devarana Spa and a Skytrain (and MRT) station up its sleeve? Put simply, it’s better. With each passing year this five-star is even more the earthly manifestation of its namesake – ‘a town in heaven’.

8. S15 Sukhumvit Hotel

With its chocolate and hazelnut browns against muted granite, marble, mirror and metal, it’s easy to mistake S15 for a showroom for the latest interior trends. But it’s more than that. Located in hyper lower Sukhumvit, this boutique marries its sexy post-modern looks with of-the-minute functionality and easy Skytrain connectivity. Frankly, we love it.

9. Pathumwan Princess

Abutting every bargain hunter’s favourite mall, MBK, this four-star hideaway is a big hit with the shoppers. Bring the family – beyond the 462 guest rooms there are some great facilities including a 9,000-square metre fitness centre, swimming pool and restaurants. The Skytrain station, just around the corner, is the icing on this sumptuous, yet inexpensive accommodation cake.

10. The Landmark Bangkok

After 20 years, The Landmark continues to enthrall with its competitive rates and compelling looks. Recently renovated, it packs in exotic rooms, sleek business facilities, a large fitness centre, charismatic pavilion swimming area and no less than nine international restaurants. Perhaps its biggest asset, though, is its location in front of BTS Nana Skytrain station – hectic yet helpful.

credit:bangkok.com

Top 10 Thai Food

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:17:00 +0000

Thailand’s food needs little introduction .From San Francisco to Sukhothai, its profusion of exotic flavours and fragrances make it among the most coveted of international cuisines. As a walk through Bangkok forcefully reminds, these flavours and fragrances are seemingly inexhaustible. However, whether it be juicy pieces of grilled pork on a stick or a fiery bowl of ‘Tom Yum’ soup, we all have to start somewhere. And what better place than our carefully selected Top 10 of Thai Food, which spans everything from staple backpacker favourites to Thai classics. Once you’ve tried them all, please vote for the one that really thrilled your taste buds...

1.Tom Yum Goong(Spicy Shrimp Soup)

The quintessential Thai aroma! A bold, refreshing blend of fragrant lemongrass, chilli, galangal, lime leaves, shallots, lime juice and fish sauce shapes this classic soup, giving it its legendary herbal kick. Succulent fresh prawns and straw mushrooms lend it body. A versatile dish that can fit within virtually any meal, the distinctive smell reminds you of exotic perfume, while it's invigorating sour-spicy-hot taste just screams 'Thailand'!

2.Pad Thai (Thai style Fried Noodles)

From Cape Town to Khao San Road, the default international Thai dish! Dropped in a searing hot wok, fistfuls of small, thin or wide noodles (you choose) do a steamy minute-long dance alongside crunchy beansprouts, onion and egg, before disembarking for the nearest plate. A truly interactive eating experience, half its fun (and flavour) lies in then using a quartet of accompanying condiments - fish sauce, sugar, chilli powder and finely ground peanuts - to wake it from its slumbers.

3.Gaeng Daeng (Red Curry)

Made with morsels of meat, red curry paste, smooth coconut milk and topped off with a sprinkling of finely sliced kaffir lime leaves, this rich, aromatic curry always gets those taste buds tingling. At its best when the meat is stunningly tender, it could be likened to a beautiful woman: it's mild, sweet and delicately fragrant. And like all true love affairs, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

4.Kai Med Ma Muang (Chicken with Cashew Nuts)

Pardon the pun, but tourists go nuts for this stir fried dish. Perhaps it's the wildly contrasting textures of a dish that saut's chicken alongside roasted cashews, sweet soy sauce, onions, chilies, pepper, carrot and mushrooms. Perhaps it's the sweetening dash of honey that appeals. Do you really care? The important thing is that this dish works: it's simple but scrumptious, a little bit tame and yet still totally Thai

5.Som Tum (Spicy Green Papaya Salad)
Hailing from the Northeast state of Isaan, this outlandish dish is both great divider - some can't get enough of its bite, some can't handle it - and greatly distinctive. Garlic, chilies, green beans, cherry tomatoes and shredded raw papaya get dramatically pulverized in a pestle and mortar, so releasing a rounded sweet-sour-spicy flavour that's not easily forgotten. Regional variations throw peanuts, dry shrimp or salted crab into the mix, the latter having a gut-cleansing talent that catches many newcomers by surprise!

6.Khao Pad (Fried Rice)
Fried rice, egg, onion, a few herbs - nothing more, nothing less. A popular lunch dish served typically with a wedge of lime and slices of cucumber, the secret of this unpretentious dish lies in its simplicity. The concept is this: you're the one devouring it, so you dress it. To do so, Thais use everything from prawns, crab or chicken to basil, chili and left-over vegetables, in the process turning an unremarkable pauper into a gastronomic prince!

7.Tom Kha Kai (Chicken in Coconut Soup)
A mild, tamer twist on Tom Yum, this iconic soup infuses fiery chilies, thinly sliced young galangal, crushed shallots, stalks of lemongrass and tender strips of chicken. However unlike its more watery cousin, lashings of coconut milk soften its spicy blow. Topped off with fresh lime leaves, it's a sweet-smelling concoction, both creamy and compelling.

8.Pak Boong (Morning Glory)
Found all across South-East Asia, the leafy plant with hollow green stems and thin fragile leaves forms the main component of this super easy favourite. Cloves of garlic and birds eye chilies join it in a wok alongside oyster sauce, fish sauce and black fermented bean. A few lazy stirs, until the leaves are shrunk and soft, and it�s done! The result is an alluring favourite with an unobtrusive flavour, a staple for those who love their Thai food but not spice induced sweats.

9.Gaeng Keow Wan Kai (Green Chicken Curry)

Morsels of fresh chicken. Cherry-sized eggplants. Tender bamboo shoots. Sprigs of Coriander. Generous handfuls of sweet basil. These humble elements form the body of this seminal curry. But how does it get so gloriously green you ask? Oh, that'll be the spoons of green curry paste that's stirred furiously into hot creamy coconut milk. Sounds unexciting? Sure, but it's not. Served alongside a bowl of fragrant Thai rice, Gaeng Keow Kan Gai is the extreme opposite.

10.Yam Nua (Spicy Beef Salad)
If there was such a thing as a 'Salad Hall of Fame', Thailand's zesty own breed, or 'yam' as they are known here, would surely take pride of place. Unconvinced? Experience the fresh, fiery thrill of yam nua - with its sprightly mix of onion, coriander, spearmint, lime, dried chili and tender strips of beef - and you won't be. It perfectly embodies the invigorating in-the-mouth-thrill of all Thai salads, the yummy-ness of yam.

credit bangkok.com

Economy of Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:07:00 +0000

Thailand is an emerging economy. After enjoying the world's highest growth rate from 1985 to 1996 - averaging 9.4% annually - increased pressure on Thailand's currency, the baht, in 1997, the year in which the economy contracted by 1.9% led to a crisis that uncovered financial sector weaknesses and forced the Chavalit Yongchaiyudh administration to float the currency, however, Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was forced to resign after his cabinet came under fire for its slow response to the crisis. The Baht was pegged at 25 to the US dollar from 1978 to 1997, however, the baht reached its lowest point of 56 to the US dollar in January 1998 and the economy contracted by 10.8% that year. This collapse prompted the Asian financial crisis.

Thailand's economy started to recover in 1999, expanding 4.2% and 4.4% in 2000, largely due to strong exports. Growth (2.2%) was dampened by the softening of the global economy in 2001, but picked up in the subsequent years due to strong growth in Asia, a relatively weak baht encouraging exports and increasing domestic spending as a result of several mega projects and incentives of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, known as Thaksinomics. Growth in 2002, 2003 and 2004 was 5-7% annually. Growth in 2005, 2006 and 2007 hovered around 4-5% Due both to the weakening of the US dollar and an increasingly strong Thai currency, by March 2008, the dollar was hovering around the 33 baht mark.

Thailand exports an increasing value of over $105 billion worth of goods and services annually.Major exports include rice, textiles and footwear, fishery products, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances. Thailand is the world’s no.1 exporter of rice, exporting more than 6.5 million tons of milled rice annually. Rice is the most important crop in the country. Thailand has the highest percent of arable land, 27.25%, of any nation in the Greater Mekong Subregion.About 55% of the available land area is used for rice production.
Substantial industries include electric appliances, components, computer parts and automobiles, while tourism contributes about 5% to Thailand's GDP.

Home to Thailand's largest fresh seafood markets, Samut Sakhon has a few other attractions to offer the weekend tourist

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:44:00 +0000

Home to Thailand's largest fresh seafood markets, Samut Sakhon has a few other attractions to offer the weekend tourist

One of the Phan Thai Norasingh shrines

A seaport that 140 years ago was a base for the British operators of the country's largest sugar factory, Samut Sakhon is now known for its salt farms, seafood factories and hardworking Burmese labourers.

Yet the province really owes its fame to just one man, Phan Thai Norasingh, a royal oarsman. In 1704, while trying to manoeuvre the royal barge, the Ekachai, through a 90-degree turn on the Khok Kham canal, Norasingh collided with a large tree.

The king, Phra Chao Sua, who was onboard for a private fishing trip to the mouth of Tha Chin river, did not complain as no one was hurt. But putting the king's life on the line was punishable by death, so the oarsman proposed his own execution on the spot.

Impressed with his honesty, the monarch refused. But Norasingh insisted upon an actual beheading, so the king complied and had a shrine built in his honour on the river's bank. He also ordered the digging of a new canal - Khlong Mahachai - to eliminate the sharp bends of Khok Kham.

Just 36 kilometres from Bangkok's southern suburbs, Samut Sakhon - still known to many by its old name of Mahachai - is not usually considered a must-see destination, though it's long been popular with seafood lovers in search of gourmet dinners at reasonable prices.

With factories everywhere, a haphazard network of poorly maintained roads and a city that's grown without proper planning, Samut Sakhon is chaos at its most animated, so do take a map.

Shrines to the legendary oarsman can be found in several different spots, making it difficult to identify the original, so most interested visitors end up going to them all. Many locals point to the wooden shrine at Wat Khok Kham, one of the oldest temples in the area, which also sports the remnants of an old hardwood boat salvaged from the canal. While the temple is by one of the sharpest bends in the canal, there's no proof that this is where the accident happened.

Across the canal another spirit shrine to the oarsman beckons. And 10 km further on, near Wat San Phan Thai Norasingh, is the third and most popular.

When you're tired of chasing down the oarsman, Tha Chalom pier is a good place to chill. From Bangkok, follow Highway 35 and cross the Tha Chin river. Not far from the bridge, you'll see a Caltex petrol station on the left and next to it, the road leading to the pier and the Maha Chai Natural Mangrove Centre.

The two-lane road is poorly maintained and the going is slow, especially at weekends, when markets spring up around the temples. Carry on past Wat Chong Lom and head for the Clock Tower roundabout. Find somewhere to park and walk to the pier, taking time to admire the old houses and the magnificent view across the river.

While the drive from Tha Chalom to the mangrove centre is not a pleasant one, the journey is worth it. Take the same road, turn left at Wat Chonglom and drive along the road that runs beside the river (see map). A few minutes later, you will find yourself in another land, with signs in Burmese and pedestrians clad in sarongs, their faces smeared with yellow talcum powder.

Spare a thought for these Burmese labourers, many of them illegal, who've spend months at sea on Thai fishing trawlers or long hours toiling for less than Bt100 a day in seafood factories. On both sides of the road are rows of shabby three-storey concrete houses occupied by the labourers. The shantytown becomes denser and denser before finally thinning out into a scattering of fishing villages set against the vast ocean.

The road comes to an end at the mangrove centre, which backs on to a lush mangrove forest that seems to stretch on forever. It's not particularly scenic but it speaks volumes about the ecological state of Samut Sakhon.

As I stop the car at the end of the road, the motorcyclist who's been following me for the last few kilometres approaches. At first, I think he's going to ask if we need directions but it turns out he wants money to buy petrol. Perhaps not many tourists pass through this area. And in this rundown fishing community, anyone who seems lost is fair game.

To be on the safe side, don't set out to find the mangrove centre late in the afternoon. If night falls, you could have a different kind of adventure on your hands.

If you go...

GETTING THERE

Samut Sakhon is well served by Highway 35, which crosses the Tha Chin river when it reaches the town. Take road 3242 off the highway to get to the oarsman's shrine. Then turn left into road 3423, which runs straight for a couple of kilometres before following the course of Klong Pittayalongkorn. Turn left at Wat Sahakorn Kositara, continue past Ban San Dap School to Wat Khok Kham and the nearby Phan Thai Norasingh's shrine. Khok Kham canal is a stone's throw from the temple. Across the bridge is another shrine. Travel in the opposite direction on the same road for 10 kilometres, and you will see Wat San Phan Thai Norasingh and the major shrine to the oarsman.

For Tha Chalom pier and Maha Chai Natural Mangrove Centre, take Highway 35, then cross the bridge over the Tha Chin river. Turn left at the Caltex petrol station and continue along the road to the Clock Tower roundabout.

For the Mangrove Centre, follow the road back towards town, turning left at Wat Chong Lom and running parallel with the rivers past Wat Bang Ya Phraek, the slums housing the Burmese workers and fishing villagers. The mangrove centre is at the end of the road next to the mangrove forest on shore.

Where to stay

Le Chalet Resort

Tel: (02) 633 8067

Price range: Bt1,000-Bt1,500

Grace Inn

Tel: (081) 213 7249

Price range: Bt90-Bt3,000

New Friend Hotel

Tel: (034) 423 453-4

Price range: Bt370-Bt400

Mosman Inn

Tel: (034) 830210-2

Price range: Bt390-Bt650

Where to eat

Muang district

Duang Dao Restaurant

Tambol Nakhok

Tel: (081) 942 0583, Charin Nilpetra

Suan Aharn Rim Naam

Derm Bang Road, Tambol Mahachai

Tel: (034) 425 710

Tha Rue Pattakarn

Setthakij 1 Road, Mahachai Pier

Tel: (034) 411 084

New Rot Tip

Soi Seeyake Super, Setthakij 1 Road

Tel: (034) 411 900

By Manote Tripathi
The Nation

Sukhothai's Silver Lining

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:34:00 +0000

A holiday-time magnet every spring and autumn, the old capital has charms to cherish all year round

Ironically enough, we arrive at dusk in Sukhothai - long known as "the Dawn of Happiness". It's been an easy half-day's drive from Bangkok, 460 kilometres in all.

The ancient city is home to two impressive historical parks, two national parks, countless temples and museums and pretty craft villages. But the tourist brochures might be setting up first-time visitors for disappointment: The town centre is lined with old concrete shophouses rather than wondrous pagodas.

Most visitors to Sukhothai prefer to spend the night in town, where there's a range of accommodation and amenities. I remember staying at Lotus Village almost a decade ago and head there to see if one of its lovely, Thai-style teak houses with a veranda is available.

Lotus Village was almost empty on my first visit. This time it's looking its age but it's busy with foreign travellers lazing in the restaurant and lobby. The place is fully booked.

Good for them, I think. At least this quiet old town has a fully booked guesthouse to be proud of. There are still a few more places nearby to check for rooms.

The rates are in the "incredible" category. If you're spending a week or more you can easily find a place for Bt150 a night, clean enough and with an attached bathroom.

The owner of TR Guesthouse on Pravet Nakhon Road says competition is keen, with many new places appearing in the past few years - at a faster pace than the number of visitors is rising.

Sukhothai is a popular destination for Thais twice a year - for Songkran and Loy Krathong. The rest of the year it belongs to foreign visitors.

The Sukhothai Historical Park is 12 kilometres from the town centre and can be reached by local bus in 15 minutes, or you can rent a motorcycle or bicycle. Most guesthouses lease bicycles for Bt60 a day, but if you take the bus to the park, you can rent a pair of wheels for Bt20.

The park is officially open from 8.20am to 4.30pm, but those who know best get there at 6am and enjoy a sunrise stroll, and the tourist centre says there's no problem lingering around until 6pm on weekdays and until 9pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. That's when all the temples are illuminated.

The historical park is a vast collection of royal palaces, sacred temples, crumbling walls, moats, gates, dams, ditches, ponds, canals and an interesting dyke-control system. The largest temple, Wat Mahathat, has a main pagoda in the shape of a lotus bud.

Wat Traphang Thong is probably the most photographed site, sitting in the middle of a large pond where Loy Krathong is celebrated each year. The edge of the pond nearer to Wat Sasi is ideal for watching the sun set.

The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum houses gifts from a former abbot of Wat Ratchathani and art objects unearthed in Sukhothai and nearby provinces.

The local bus also takes visitors to Sri Satchanalai Historical Park, quite remote by the Yom River in Sri Satchanalai district. The site was once called Muang Chaliang, and here the ruins of 134 monuments have been unearthed.

As well as bicycles for rent, you can ride around in cars and open-sided trams.

Wat Chang Lom has a huge, bell-shaped pagoda supported by 39 elephants, with the four at the cardinal points elaborately decorated. Follow the paths up to the hilltops - both Khao Phanom Phloeng and Khao Suwan Khiri have temples at their summits.

At Baan Koh Noi, four kilometres from Sri Satchanalai, almost 500 kilns have been excavated. They're on display with the ceramics they produced long ago. Further up the riverside is Baan Pa Yang, where another 21 kilns were found.

In little Sri Satchanalai town are many textile shops, the oldest of which is calledSathon and offers an extensive collection of Had Siaw cloth and a Gold Textiles Museum.

The people of Baan Had Siaw, originally from northern Laos, are called Thai Phuan, and they've long been skilled in weaving and working with gold and silver.

Nearer to the airport in Sawankhalok district, Bangkok Airways has opened the Sukhothai Heritage hotel, which boasts an orchid farm and fields where rice is organically grown.

It's evidently another attempt to keep the tourists coming to Sukhothai, not that the charming old capital needs any help.

Lazy days in Rayong

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:33:00 +0000

Cruise along the coastline and be amazed at the lovely - and usually empty - beaches. But go soon - the developers are catching on

Rayong is only two hours from Bangkok, and that includes a few pit stops. Once there, you have a 100-kilometre coastline full of weekenders trying to decide on the best spot to settle amid the cool breezes off the gulf.

Join in the decision-making, and don't forget Samet and Mun islands waiting out in the water.

For years Rayong's accommodations have been showing their age, and the swarms of Thai beach-goers never seemed to mind, but a handful of new developments have sprung up recently.

Driving from Bangkok, the mainland beaches start in Ban Chang district, 35km from the town of Rayong. Pala and Payoon beaches are popular, but the sands at Mae Ramphung, 11km outside the town, are even busier.

First-time visitors are sure to be surprised by the cleanliness of this 10km stretch, but keep in mind that part of it lies within Khao Lamya-Mu Koh Samet National Park.

There's only one drawback, as noted by Noom, who's exploring the area with his family from Bangkok. There's no place to spend the night.

"With the main road running parallel to the sea, you can't find a single hotel by the beach at Mae Ramphung," he says.

So Noom will carry on to Laem Mae Phim beach, or take a boat to Koh Samet, where he can spend his holiday right on the shore.

Ban Kon Ao has long been a fishing village and certainly has that aroma about it, but it can't beat the bustling Ban Pae market, full of dried seafood. It's a vibrant place, packed with souvenirs, and an ideal spot to grab some barbecued squid on a stick with chilli dip.

Ban Pae is best known as the ferry dock for Koh Samet; tourists head to Koh Kudi for the day from here, too.

Ban Pae is also home to the Rayong Aquarium, and has its own broad beach - Suan Son - with a long line of splendid casuarina trees, picture-perfect with Samet as a backdrop. They line both sides of the road towards Laem Mae Phim.

The seafood market at Suan Son is lively in the morning, when the fishing boats return with their catches - crabs, mussels, oyster, squid, prawns and lobsters heaved onto the docks in buckets.

People come all day long to shop, but the best stuff is gone by mid-morning. What you do have at any time of the day is the charming ritual of the fishermen - their boats perched on cartwheels on the shore - reloading their nets.

There's a lot of new construction now in the Laem Mae Phim area. The building work on a few large condominiums is underway right by the beach.

Laem Mae Phim remains popular among Thai tourists with its many bungalows for rent, all crowded on weekends but virtually abandoned on weekdays. Few restaurants open on weekdays and some of the bungalows' kitchens close, so you need to drive elsewhere when you're hungry.

Laem Mae Phim is also the jumping-off point for the three Mun Islands - Koh Mun Nai, Koh Mun Klang and Koh Mun Nok. It takes about 50 minutes to reach them.

And finally, Bangkokians who didn't get enough Songkran fun will find the water-splashing Wan Lai festival taking place today in Pattaya, and more New Year celebrations at Mab Ta Put in Rayong on Monday.

Here's a map

From Bangkok, take Sukhumvit Road and Bang Na-Trat Road to Ban Bung district, or drive to Chon Buri, Sri Racha or Pattaya to get to Rayong's Muang district.

From Ban Bung, follow the Ban Bung-Klaeng Road - Route 344 - via Wang Chan district to Klaeng district.

Stay here

The Kantary Bay Hotel and Serviced Apartments is a decent chain outlet and a favourite with expatriates and executives working in the East. Visit www.KantaryGroup.com.

The Novotel Coralia Rim Pae has hotel rooms on the beachfront and bungalows across the road. It's at www.Novotel.com.

The Ohana Resort is a

10-room hotel on Mae Rampheung Beach. See www.Ohana-Resort.com.

The Rayong Resort is a full-scale hotel fronted by its own private beach. Log on to www.RayongResort.com.

The Villa Bali Resort is a small, peaceful Balinese-style hotel near Laem Mae Phim. It's off the beach, but has good facilities and its own dive centre. See http://Villa-Bali.net.

The Baan Siri on Sea at www.BaanSiri.com is a well-run resort right by the Laem Mae Phim beach, great for families.

The Samed Club @ Noina Bay, part of the Samed Resorts Group, is a comfortable retreat on Noi Na Beach on Koh Samet. Visit www.SamedResorts.com.

The Lima Bella Resort on Sai Kaew Beach is a new sister resort to the Limacoco Resort on Ao Prao. It has a pool in a tropical garden. Find it at www.LimaBella.com.

The Bari Lamai is a new resort on Laem Mae Phim Road near Suan Son. All rooms here have a sea view. Click to www.BariLamai.com.

Eat here

Pad Thai Khun Krai, famous for its phad thai, is on Pae Klaeng Kram Road.

Ao Kai Seafood by Kai Bay near Laem Mae Phim has fresh fish and shellfish.

Tamnan Pa has a glowing reputation for its jungle-style decor and selection of good Thai food.

Paya, right by Mae Rampheung Beach, is popular for its fresh seafood.

by

Vipasai Niyamabha

Shopping up a storm in Pattaya

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:32:00 +0000

The city with a sinful reputation has innocent pleasures to offer too.

Pattaya's nightlife offers much more than the beachside beer bars, with new, cool upscale bars like Mantra, 5 Supperclub and Latitude, and the chic shopping mall The Avenue adding vibrancy to this bouncy town.

But for sheer variety, it's hard to beat the town's biggest night bazaar, a popular weekend hangout for tourists and locals alike. Located on Thepprasit Road in central Pattaya, Thepprasit Market seems to be a miniature version of Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market. But a walk around this one-kilometre strip will reveal things you won't find elsewhere.

Hundreds of vendors showcase an astonishing range of merchandise and traditional food. Stylish fashion products at reasonable prices include watches, colourful slippers, sunglasses, shorts, Tshirts, handbags, jeans and accessories.

Those with a passion for retro trends should stop by the Otop fashion stall run by designer Paa Ladda Intawong. Or keep your eyes peeled for the outlets selling used sneakers - Bt120 to Bt150. Elsewhere, "preloved" bigbrand fashions start at Bt40.

Auto enthusiasts can find spare parts, including gleaming customised exhaust pipes and mag wheels.

Pet shops abound, too, displaying cute puppies, rabbits, birds, fish and guinea pigs, while gardening enthusiasts have an area of stalls selling trees, flowers and tools to keep them busy.

And when hunger strikes, you're never more than a few steps from a hot and tasty treat.

XTRA

Indulge yourself here

Thepprasit Market

Thepprasit Road, Central Pattaya

Friday to Sunday, 5 to 11pm

Pattarawadee Saengmanee

In love with Lanna

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:25:00 +0000

With plenty of low-cost flights available, popping up to Chiang Mai for a 48-hour break makes perfect sense

With great street food, a vibrant nightlife, superb temples and a range of outdoor activities, the charming capital of Northern Thailand makes for a great escape. Here are some tips on how to spend the ultimate weekend.

Friday, 4pm: Arrive in Chiang Mai and head for the Rachamankha, (053) 904 111.

This small boutique hotel is located just behind Wat Phra Singh, and its design pays testament to Lanna arts and culture. The low-rise complex follows the tradition of an ancient Chinese courtyard, with an open space surrounded by lovely rooms and gardens. The tiled roofs, whitewashed walls and golden parasols are inspired by Wat Phra That Lampang Luang in Lampang province.

7pm: Travel from Thapae Gate to Nong Hoi neighbourhood, and sample the local dining scene at Lung Rad Kai Ob Fang restaurant. This is uncle Rad's joint, a friendly beer garden and popular place to hang after work. Relax with a beer at a rustic wooden table under a thatched roof sampling such Lanna delights as sai ua (pork sausage), larb khom (bitter spiced mince) and om (bitter soup). Not to be missed is the house special, straw-roasted herbal chicken with a spicy dip.

9pm: It's Friday night, and Chiang Mai is brimming with pubs and bars. If you're in the mood to dance, try the Riverside Pub & Restaurant, (053) 243 239, beside the Ping River. This is a spacious venue with a fine selection of food and drinks and good live music from 10pm, so the dance floor is usually writhing with beautiful people. If it's too crowded for you, head to Mandalay, (053) 208 395-8, a dance club with a wild streak.

Midnight: After sweating it out on the dance floor, you need to fill up before hitting the sack. Down a narrow lane beside Wat Saen Fang is a food stall known locally as Daeng Pak Ma (Daeng "the Bad Mouth"), a reference to its moody owner. Ignore the name, though. The stall serves excellent soft-boiled rice and tasty accompaniments. Personal favourites are the fried morning glory, and the salted egg with fried vegetables.

Saturday, 6am: You can't say you've been to Chiang Mai unless you've witnessed the hurly-burly of a market. Head to the markets at Kad Luang, Chiang Mai Gate and Ton Lamyai, find a nice coffee stall, and watch the city spring to life.

9am: Chiang Mai City Museum (www.ChiangMaiCityMuseum.org), a short walk from Wat Phra Singh, takes you on a historic journey

back to the city's origins. The

renovated town hall exhibits

artefacts that date from pre-historic times to Classic Lanna, from stone caves to golden teak-wood mansions. It's open daily, except Mondays.

Noon: Time for lunch, and Rachamankha is a great place to eat. Porcelain from the Ming Dynasty on antique Chinese tables give an elegant air to the restaurant, but do check out the airy and leafy courtyard, where you can also wine and dine. Enjoy a glass of chilled champagne and savour a selection of authentic Lanna and Shan dishes.

3pm: On the east bank of the Ping River, southeast of municipal Chiang Mai, is the ancient town of Wiang Kum Kam. Established by King Meng Rai in the 13th century as a centre of Lanna, the ancient town was flooded, buried, and considered a "lost city" for centuries. The Fine Arts Department excavated it in the 1980s, and the ruins are well worth a visit. Take a tuk-tuk (Bt150) from Thapae Gate to Wiang Kum Kam or better still, rent a bicycle (Bt20) at the Visitor Centre.

5pm: Black Canyon, a coffee shop next door to Thapae Gate, is the best place to have a beer - or a coffee - and watch the world go by. The restaurant has a counter on the terrace outside its air-conditioned room, and the best seats are those facing the high wall of Thapae Gate, from where you can view an ever-changing scene of tuk-tuk drivers, street hawkers and backpackers.

7pm: If you've had enough sai ua sausage, nam-prik num (green chilli dip) and hung le curry, why not try the foie gras and fillet steak at Le Crystal? This riverside French restaurant also has an impressive wine list.

10pm: Your trip to Chiang Mai wouldn't be complete without shopping, whether for woodcarvings, hilltribe clothes, paintings or silverwork. These and much more can be found all over the city until late at night.

Sunday, 9am:

After a bowl of rice congee and Chinese buns at Santi Restaurant at Chang Phuak Gate, it's time to visit the temples inside Chiang Mai's old town. Wat Chiang Man, Wat Saen Fang, Wat Phantao and Wat Phra Singh stand side by side, and they're peaceful in the morning. Again, your best mode of transportation is bicycle.

Noon: Head to the corner of Singharat and Rachadamnoen Roads, and have lunch at Baan Laansa. Converted from an old wooden house, the pleasant guesthouse serves great fusion and Northern food. You'll love the shady garden and easy-going ambience. Since it's Sunday the Rachadamnoen Road will be car-free, so take the opportunity to finish up your shopping before heading back to the Rachamankha.

4pm: Fly out of Chiang Mai.

Phoowadon Duangmeejavascript:void(0)
Publish Post

The Nation

Siam Sawasdee hotel Price : 630 THB/20 US

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 10:45:00 +0000

Siam Sawasdee Hotel in Pattaya is one of the most popular hotels in Pattaya in Thailand to put up a stay. Coming here you will never find dearth of Hotels in Pattaya in Thailand. Designed to offer complete comfort and opulence to the guests the hotel offers generous amount of facilities and services. The Location of Siam Sawasdee Hotel in Pattaya is at the focal point of the Pattaya beach. Situated at the hub of the city, Siam Sawasdee Hotel in Pattaya offers an easy access to the internationally famous shopping destinations, restaurants, local attractions and nightlife. Convenient location and other world class facilities make this hotel a perfect destination for all types of types of travelers.

Accommodation in Siam Sawasdee Hotel in Pattaya

Siam Sawasdee Hotel in Pattaya boasts of wide range of accommodation. The hotel comprises 206 well appointed comfortable and spacious guestrooms and luxurious suites. These rooms are exquisitely decorated and are stylishly furnished with all modern amenities. You can choose from a host of rooms offered by the hotel. The rooms ensure you complete privacy and a relaxed getaway experience. The Room Facilities at Siam Sawasdee Hotel in Pattaya includes individually controlled air conditioner, satellite television, work desk, iron, refrigerator, safe deposit box, telephone and private bathrooms.

Dining in Siam Sawasdee Hotel in Pattaya

Siam Sawasdee Hotel in Pattaya offers excellent dining options. To revitalize your taste buds you can step into the onsite restaurants. Rustled up by master chefs these restaurants offer culinary delights. Coming here you can feast on some delectable Thai, Oriental and International cuisines. The foods served in the restaurants are of excellent quality. The warm and cozy atmosphere of the restaurants is sure to sweep you off your feet. The hotel also features cafes where you can relax with some tasty snacks and refreshing drinks. The hotel also features a pool bar refreshments.
Fitness and Recreation in Siam Sawasdee Hotel in Pattaya

For complete relaxation you can take a refreshing dip into the swimming pool. The sun deck chairs are placed at the sides of the pool. The romantic lobby is sure to steal your heart away. During your stay you can also visit various places of interest near the hotel.

Other Hotel Amenities and Services at Siam Sawasdee Hotel in Pattaya

In addition to all these facilities the hotel also offers other Hotel Amenities and Services at Siam Sawasdee Hotel in Pattaya including internet connection, laundry, baby sitting, currency exchange, car parking, room services, front desk, safe deposit box and reception to mention some of them. The check in time is 12:00 noon and the check out time in 12:00 noon. Coming to this hotel you can definitely spend a quality time.

You can also choose from host of other Hotels in Thailand to put up a stay.

Grand Jomtien Palace hotel Price: 933 THB/29 US

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 10:43:00 +0000

Known for its elegant design and fabulous location near the Jomtien Beach, the Grand Jomtien Palace Hotel in Pattaya is a luxury hotel where travelers will find the comfort and the convenience of their homes at reasonable rates. It is one of the top three star hotels in Pattaya in Thailand and definitely one of the best that you can find in the city. The recreation facilities, the dining options or even the business facilities offered by this fabulous hotel are of international standards and suitable for a holiday of great comfort and luxury.

Location of Grand Jomtien Palace Hotel in Pattaya

The Grand Jomtien Palace Hotel in Pattaya is positioned near the Jomtien Beach. The area where the hotel is situated is very calm and peaceful and thus is ideal for a romantic and a leisure holiday. You can enjoy the view of the tranquil sea from the windows of the rooms of this hotel. The beach is the biggest attraction of this place. Tourists can spend time sunbathing in the beach or embark on a number of water sports like surfing, sailing and others. Transportation is easily available from the place where the hotel is located. Many of the shops and restaurants are located within easy reach of the hotel's location. The superb location of this hotel makes it one of the most sought after hotels in Thailand.

Room Facilities at Grand Jomtien Palace Hotel in Pattaya

The Grand Jomtien Palace Hotel in Pattaya has a total of 260 guestrooms spread across its 14 floors. The rooms are huge and offer a marvelous view of the beach area. They are well decorated and are furnished in the most opulent manner. The different kinds of rooms that are available in this hotel include Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Junior Suites and Jomtien Suites. All the rooms have attached bathrooms equipped with all the modern amenities. The various room facilities that one can find over here include satellite television, IDD telephone, mini bar and radio. The rooms are air-conditioned also. Hotel Amenities and Services at Grand Jomtien Palace Hotel in Pattaya

Your stay in the Grand Jomtien Palace Hotel in Pattaya is made all the more comfortable by virtue of the international standard hotel amenities. The hotel has conference rooms and a business center to cater to the need of the business travelers. The extensive dining options available treat you to a host of mouth-watering gourmet delights and exotic drinks. The various services that are available in this hotel include baby-sitting services, laundry services, parking facility, concierge services, room service, reception desk, currency exchange counter and others.

The Grand Jomtien Palace Hotel in Pattaya thus takes all the steps that are necessary to makes your holidays an all round good experience, and thus help you to enjoy your holidays to the fullest.

Samui Plaza hotel Price : 684 THB/21 US

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 10:36:00 +0000

Dotted with a plethora of beaches, Koh Samui Island in Thailand is a perfect destination where you can enjoy an idyllic holiday. You can take the pleasure of watching sunset from the beach or can visit the various local attractions. Though there are many Hotels in Koh Samui Island in Thailand, Samui Plaza Hotel in Koh Samui Island is definitely one of the best. It is suitable for both business and leisure travelers. This property is a subsidiary of the Resotel group and was established in February 2004.

The convenient Location of Samui Plaza Hotel in Koh Samui Island enables the tourists to pay a visit to the various places of interest nearby. These places are Angthong National Marine Park, Namuang Waterfall and Khunaram. The hotel is situated close to the Chaweng Beach, one of the popular beaches of Koh Samui. The location of the accommodation is known as the center of commerce, shopping and entertainment.

The marvelous Room Facilities at Samui Plaza Hotel in Koh Samui Island ensure that you have a luxurious and comfortable stay in Koh Samui Island. Accommodation at Samui Plaza Hotel in Koh Samui Island includes a number of Superior and Standard rooms that are elegantly adorned with lovely interiors. Each of these air-conditioned quarters is a cocoon of comfort and has all possible amenities.

The outstanding Hotel Amenities and Services at Samui Plaza Hotel in Koh Samui Island make the hotel well-suited for a cozy stay. The hotel is aided with the latest business amenities that will help business professionals to meet their corporate needs. Be at the coffee shop in the hotel to sip a cup of hot coffee and taste some yummy sancks. The eatery here serves Asian and continental delicacies. That apart, Samui Plaza Hotel in Koh Samui Island provides other facilities like laundry service, 24 hours safe deposit locker, car rental facility, security deposit box and tour desk.

Due to its care for its guest this accommodation is one of the finest Hotels in Thailand.

Areca Lodge hotel Price : 1,271 THB/39 US

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:40:00 +0000

There are several tourists visiting Pattaya all year long. Pattaya's main attractions are its fantastic beaches. Pattaya Beach is situated along the central city in close proximity to shopping centers, hotels and bars. The over-abundance of jet-skis and speedboats has contributed to the pollution of the water along Pattaya Beach. The section of beach from Central Road (Pattaya Klang) south to the harbor is adjacent to the core of Pattaya's abundant nightlife area, hence it is less family-oriented than the North Pattaya, Na Klua and Jomtien beaches. There are There are a number of are multitudes of Hotels in Pattaya in Thailand that provide the guests with comfortable numerous accommodation options along with a host of excellent services. Areca Lodge Hotel in Pattaya is one of the best hotels of the city and has attained a great degree of popularity among the tourists.

Location of Areca Lodge Hotel in Pattaya

Areca Lodge Hotel in Pattaya has a very convenient location and that can be reached by anyone from any corner of the city with with utter ease. The Areca Lodge Hotel in Pattaya is within walking distance from to the city's beach and shopping malls. Situated in the heart of the city,the hotel can be reached from U Tapao airport in 45 minutes by car. The hotel is well connected to all the bus routes in the city. is located in the heart of the city. One can reach the hotel within approximately 45 minutes in a car from the U Tapao Airport. The travelers can also board on buses to reach the hotel.

Room Facilities at Areca Lodge Hotel in Pattaya

Areca Lodge Hotel in Pattaya offer a large range services that would totally satiate the guests and keep them asking for more. The Areca Lodge Hotel in Pattaya include the services of a TV equipped with cable or satellite connections, an air conditioning system that would provide the guests with immense comfort, a mini bar, a telephone, a hairdryer, a radio, mini bar, facility of watching in room movies, non smoking guest rooms and an Internet connection as well.

Hotel Amenities and Services at Areca Lodge Hotel in Pattaya

Areca Lodge Hotel in Pattaya features a very wide range of services that would surely facilitate the guests to have a wonderful stay. There is a cafe and a fine chain of restaurants at The Areca Lodge Hotel in Pattaya also include a café and a fine chain of restaurants presenting serving exotic culinary delights for its guests.
The hotel amenities at the Areca Lodge Hotel in Pattaya include excellent meeting facilities, business center as a part of their business facilities. The hotel also numerous facilities for recreational like sauna, a gym and swimming pool. facilities. includes a as a part of their Other facilities at Areca Lodge Hotel in Pattaya include a beauty salon, ticketing office and a baby sitting services as a part of their miscellaneous services.

All the Hotels in Thailand provide warm fantastic hospitality and a host of services that would attract more and more tourists every year.

Sandy Resort hotel Price : 697 THB/22 US

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:33:00 +0000

For many years, visitors love to pay a visit to Ko Samui for its golden sandy beaches, sand, green coconut palms, clear blue crystal water and other exotic landscapes. Large number of travelers visits Ko Samui all throughout the year. To cope up with this huge influx of tourists many hotels and resorts have come up in Ko Samui. One of the popular celebrated 4 star hotels of Ko Samui is the Sandy Resort in Ko Samui. Both business travelers as well as normal holiday goers love to visit Sandy Resort in Ko Samui. The location of Sandy Resort in Ko Samui is one of the prime reasons for the popularity of this deluxe hotel.

The location of Sandy Resort in Ko Samui provides the visitors easy access to some of the popular tourist spots of Ko Samui. Sandy Resort in Ko Samui is located in Bophut Beach. The Sandy Resort in Ko Samui is the ideal location to have some relaxation after hectic schedule of daily life. From this hotel you can pay a visit to some of the neighboring islands of Ko Samui. These islands are popular for its exotic locations and wonderful landscapes. One of the popular islands which is located near the hotel is Koh Phangan.

The visitors can take a boat or ferry to reach the island. This island is also the ideal spot for scuba diving, wind surfing and other popular adventurous water sports. Moreover, the hotel is also located near some of the popular restaurants and nightclubs of Ko Samui. The restaurants serve Thai, Chinese as well as other delicious cuisines to customers. The restaurants offer casual sitting arrangements which offer you the scope to dine your favorite cuisines in a relaxed and comfortable manner. Moreover, the nightclubs located near the hotel are popular for its heart throbbing music. You can find many youngsters in their latest fashionable clothes in these nightclubs. Sandy Resort in Ko Samui which is the ideal spot for relaxation can be easily reached by any means of private and public transport.

The location of Sandy Resort in Ko Samui is superb.

First House hotel Price : 1,069 THB/33 US

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:30:00 +0000

The First House Hotel in Ko Samui is one of the most prominent hotels of Ko Samui. To provide complete comfort and luxury to the visitors this hotel offers generous amount of amenities and services to satisfy the needs of the guests. To meet the needs of the guests the First House Hotel in Ko Samui offers a number of room facilities, hotel facilities, dining facilities and recreational facilities. The Location of First House Hotel in Ko Samui is on the biggest island of the Gulf of Siam called Koh Samui. It is at the head of the Chaweng Beach. Some important landmark near the hotel includes international clinic, post office and a market. You can conveniently access the hotel from the Samui International Airport. Attracted by the beauty of the island it is visited by more and more tourist every year.

ACCOMMODATION IN FIRST HOUSE HOTEL IN KO SAMUI

The First House Hotel at Ko Samui has a total of 69 rooms including 4 family rooms, 5 grand deluxe rooms, 36 deluxe rooms and 24 standard rooms. These rooms are ideally placed by the amazing white sand beaches and the sea. The rooms are elegantly furnished and are tastefully decorated for the ultimate satisfaction of the guests. Generous amount of Room Facilities at First House Hotel in Ko Samui are provided to the guests to meet the needs of the visitors. The room facilities include cable television, IDD Telephone, mini bar, air conditioning, windows, in room safe, internet and hot water facilities to mention a few of them.

DINING IN FIRST HOUSE HOTEL IN KO SAMUI

You can experience a romantic dining at the pool side of the hotel. The restaurant of First House Hotel of Ko Samui serves traditional Chinese, European, Thai and Sea food.

FITNESS AND RECREATION AT FIRST HOUSE HOTEL IN KO SAMUI

You can spend a quality time while staying in First House Hotel in Ko Samui. You can relax yourself in the swimming pool and even take the advantage of the leisure facilities like Jacuzzi and massage. For recreation and relaxation this hotel features all these leisure facilities for the convenience of the guests.

OTHER FACILITIES AND SERVICES IN FIRST HOUSE HOTEL IN KO SAMUI

Hotel Amenities and Services at First House Hotel in Ko Samui make the stay in the hotel more comfortable and pleasant one. Designed to provide ultimate luxury and comfort the hotel features airport shuttle, car hire, laundry, safe deposit box, wake up call, mail service and money exchange.

Baiyoke Suite hotel Price : 1,354 THB/42 US

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:26:00 +0000

There are several hotels in the beautiful city of Bangkok that accommodate the large flow of tourists into the city. The Baiyoke Suite Hotel Bangkok in Bangkok proudly stands as one of the best hotels in the city and aims to give its guests an excellent time. The hotel includes various facilities and amenities to provide the optimum comfort to its guests.

The Baiyoke Suite Hotel Bangkok in Bangkok is a superior hotel that provides fabulous views of the city and provides comfort and luxury to its guests. The hotel is located in the heart of the city and is adjacent to three large department stores and other wholesale shops that sell a variety of goods. There are excellent rooms in the hotel that are well furnished and quite big as well. All the rooms are provided with modern amenities and facilities so as to provide extreme comfort to its guests. The rooms are all suite rooms and the guests have the facility of one bed room and a living room. There is a total area of 55 square meters in each suite.

The Baiyoke Suite Hotel Bangkok in Bangkok has several room facilities aimed at satisfying the guests and provide them with a good stay. There is the facility of air conditioning in all the rooms. There is a color TV with cable connections, a refrigerator with a fully stocked mini bar, local and IDD telephone and an individual safe deposit box. There is also a radio equipped with an alarm. Other room amenities provided by the Baiyoke Suite Hotel Bangkok in Bangkok include a smoke detector, sprinkle system and emergency alarms that are there to avoid any mishaps. There are 110 or 220v of bathroom outlets as well.

There are excellent hotel amenities and services provided by the Baiyoke Suite Hotel Bangkok in Bangkok. These include a variety of dining options, shopping arcade, a massage parlor and a beauty salon. There is a swimming pool provided by the hotel for the guests to relax. Sauna, business center, snooker, fax and photo copying features are also provided by the Baiyoke Suite Hotel Bangkok in Bangkok. There are Internet connections, conference rooms, a round the clock reception facility, indoor parking features and currency exchange options.

Golden Beach Cha Am Hotel Price : 1,139 THB/35 US

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:20:00 +0000

Golden Beach Cha Am Hotel in Cha Am is a towering 20-storey structure located right on the beaches of the town. One of the premium 3 Star Hotels in Cha Am in Thailand, the Golden Beach offers international standard services including easy access to numerous recreational areas such as beaches and an 18-holes golf course nearby. Room Facilities at Golden Beach Cha Am Hotel in Cha Am ensure that the guests have a relaxing stay amidst lavish comforts.

The Location of Golden Beach Cha Am Hotel in Cha Am is just 2 hours drive from Bangkok and 25 minutes from Hua Hin city. Some of the famous tourist destinations here are Pranakorn Khiri, Bhudasaiyart Temple, Kaoluang Cave and Haad Chao Samran, among many others.

Room Facilities at Golden Beach Cha Am Hotel in Cha Am provide you superior rooms, junior suites, one bedroom suites, and two bedroom suites. Every room is sea facing with private balconies. Amenities offered in each of the rooms at Golden Beach Cha Am Hotel in Cha Am include individual controlled air-conditioning, mini-bar, private bathroom, TV with satellite channels, hairdryer, and safe deposit box.

Hotel Amenities and Services at Golden Beach Cha Am Hotel in Cha Am includes 24-hour open coffee shop, serving visitors with oddly timed schedules. It also serves you daily fresh bakery. You can relax in the pool with a cocktail or your favorite drink from the pool bar. Room service is available 24 hours a day. A swimming pool and an exercise room are present, to the delight of fitness enthusiasts. You can relax and loosen up in the sauna and whirlpool. Internet service is available.

A Plaza offers you scope to spend your free time. Also included in the facilities offered by Golden Beach Cha Am Hotel in Cha Am are laundry service, medical service on call, and airport transfer. A tailor shop is present in the shopping plaza. There is a massage parlor, a spa, and a beauty salon also in this deluxe hotel. There are 4 conference rooms at Golden Beach Cha Am Hotel in Cha Am, all equipped with the latest audio-visual and meeting facilities.

A stay at Golden Beach Cha Am Hotel in Cha Am, amidst the serene and soothing surroundings, is the perfect way to spend a relaxing vacation, offering you opportunities to relax and revitalize.

Long Beach hotel Cha AmPrice : 1,237 THB/38 US

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:17:00 +0000

The Long Beach in Cha Am Hotel is the largest amongst the 3 Star hotels in Cha Am in Thailand. Situated at the northern end of Cha Am beach town, this deluxe hotel is a splendid place to spend your holidays. Offering top grade amenities and services, this hotel has all the ingredients that are necessary for a vacation of comfort and luxury.

Location of Long Beach in Cha Am Hotel

The Long Beach in Cha Am hotel is located on the Cha Am Beach road. The hotel faces the Gulf of Thailand between Hua Hin and Phetchaburi which offers soothing view. The hotel is situated at a distance of 160 kilometers from Bangkok. Travelers love to stay in this hotel because of its calm and quiet atmosphere.

Room Facilities at Long Beach in Cha Am Hotel

The Long Beach in Cha Am Hotel has 193 well furnished rooms where you can spend your holidays in a relaxed manner. The various amenities that one can find in the rooms of this hotel include cable television, mini bar, hair dryers and IDD telephone. Each of the rooms feature: en-suite or private bathrooms that are clean and well maintained. You will definitely feel at home the moment you step inside the air conditioned rooms of this hotel.

Hotel amenities and services at Long Beach in Cha Am Hotel

The amenities and services that are offered by Long Beach in Cha Am Hotel include baby-sitting service, currency exchange counter, conference facilities, laundry services, room service, swimming pool, gymnasium and business center that cater to the need of the different kinds of travelers.

So, come and spend some glorious days amidst top-class luxuries in Long Beach in Cha Am Hotel.

Tropical Garden Lounge hotel Price: 600 THB/19 US

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:06:00 +0000

Sawasdee in Thailand
We are pleased to welcome you on Koh Samui, the tropical island paradise in southern Thailand. Beautiful, white sandy beaches with palm trees, the turquoise sea and delicious Thai food awaits you.

The Tropical Garden Lounge Hotel & Resort is situated in Mae Nam on Koh Samui in the middle of a beautiful, tropical garden setting. All our 35 Bungalows are surrounded by palm trees and exotic bush situated around our new swimming pool.

The resort is only about 15 minutes driving from the international Airport and 20 minutes from the ferry port.

Our own Restaurant “Hot-Stone” offers international and local dishes as well as our speciality, the hot stone, which you are only able to enjoy here on Samui.
The bar is open everyday till late.

Soon we will offer you sun loungers and an own beach restaurant with snacks and drinks for you to enjoy.

Our pool bar offers cool drinks, soft drinks and beer as well as snacks during the day. The pool bar is open daily from 10.00 until 18.00 hrs.

For the perfect start, we offer a tropical buffet breakfast in our Restaurant. For all our late riser breakfast will be available until noon. For refreshments during the day and invigorating cocktails in the evening the welcome lounge is the right place to be.

Patong Beach Lodge Hotel Phuket Price : 684 THB/ 21 US

noreply@blogger.com (abeam) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:56:00 +0000

Patong Beach Lodge Hotel Phuket

Phuket is one of the most charming beach cities in Thailand. It is one of the most visited tourist city too. It will not be wrong to say that it is one of the most loved and preferred tourist destinations of the world. The charm and the ravishing beauty of the city seem to win over many tourists who happen to visit this exotic place. Phuket - the island city of Thailand never fails to entice people with its warmth and beauty. Tourists on a sojourn to this beautiful city would definitely prefer to have an equally beautiful hotel to make their stay more memorable. Patong Beach Lodge Hotel Phuket is one of those hotels which make you feel very much at home and offers you all that you need to have to make your vacation an enjoyable one.

Patong Beach Lodge Hotel Phuket is an enchanting retreat for all the guests who choose to put up at this small, pleasant hotel. It is well equipped with all the amenities with a rich ambience of a full resort.

Patong Beach Lodge Hotel Phuket in Phuket is located in main tourist center, Patong. It is easily accessible from the airport. It is located at a very short distance from the beach Shopping and entertainment district.

The rooms in Patong Beach Lodge Hotel Phuket at Phuket are pleasantly furnished and come well equipped with all the modern comforts and conveniences to ensure a pleasurable stay of the guests. The room facilities cover all the basic amenities like satellite television, mini-bar, coffee making machine, local and IDD telephone.

Patong Beach Lodge Hotel Phuket also offers decent hotel amenities and the staff is quite friendly and helpful. You can also relax and unwind by the swimming pool of the hotel offered by the hotel authorities. The hotel also features a business center and a restaurant.

Patong Beach Lodge Hotel Phuket is a simple standard hotel that has all the basic facilities required to ensure a comfortable stay. So make all your reservations to enjoy a fun filled vacation at this hotel of Phuket.