Travel Bangkok | Krabi | Phuket | Phang Nga | Pattaya | Samui | Chiang Mai And Hotels In Thailand

Best of Thailand Travel Place

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:16:00 +0000

Best of Thailand Travel Place

Hotels In Bangkok, Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:35:00 +0000

Hotels In Bangkok, Thailand
You have decided to visit Asia for your next vacation and have decided to go to Bangkok, Thailand. Your flight is booked but you are still looking for a hotel. But, how do you decide which hotel to stay at?

Your decision should be based on what you plan to do while you are “Krung Thep”. Will you be spending most of your time sightseeing, shopping or enjoying the nightlife? You don’t want to waste valuable time in a Bangkok taxi inching along Sukhumvit Road.

Siam Square area is a good place to stay if you want to have some fun shopping. There are hundreds of small shops at street level and the Siam Center and the Siam Discovery shopping centers have many up-market brand label shops. On the top floor of Siam Discovery Center there is a cinema complex with some of the most comfortable seats to be found in the world. After a hard days shopping, relax and lie down as you watch a movie!

Another great shopping mall nearby is Mahboonkrong (MBK). It will take only 10 minutes to walk there from Siam Square and you will find literally hundreds of smaller shops and stalls, selling many goods at bargain prices. Electronics and clothes are the specialties here. Both of these areas are on the Skytrain routes and are easily accessible.

If you plan on seeing other parts of the country, taking ½ and full day trips, I suggest you book your hotel near the Bangkok Airport. Make sure that you stay near the new Bangkok Airport – Suvarnabhumi and not at Don Muang. Only stay in this area if you do plan to go to Bangkok proper. Bangkok Airport hotels are conveniently located and easy to get to from Suvarnabhumi.

If soaking up the Bangkok nightlife is your reason for visiting, there are a few different areas you can stay. If Patpong Road is your destination, stay either on Silom or Suriwongse Road. The Nana Entertainment Plaza is on Sukhumvit and Soi 4 (or Soi Nana) and there are a variety of hotels – everything from the JW Marriott to the Majestic Suites or the Dynasty. In the Soi Cowboy area, you can stay anywhere near Soi Asoke, Soi 22 or anywhere along Sukhumvit Road and just catch the Skytrain.

Probably, your hardest decision will be selecting your hotel since there are so many 4 and 5 start hotels in Bangkok. For the budget traveler, there are also cheap hotels in Bangkok. Some hotels that I recommend are: Windsor Suite Hotel Bangkok, Viengtai Hotel Bangkok, Radisson Hotel Bangkok, or the Amari Airport Hotel Bangkok. Another solution is to do a search for Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit in any search engine. Or visit my Thailand Link Directory.

Thailand Rock Climbing

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:25:00 +0000

Thailand Rock Climbing
Mention Thailand and images of beaches, elephants and Bangkok come to mind. Less known is the fact Thailand rock climbing is some of the best in the world.

Thailand Rock Climbing

Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand is bordered by Cambodia, Burma and Laos in the north and Malaysia in the south. The shape of the country is somewhat similar to Italy, and you’ll find similar differences between northern and southern Thailand that you do in Italy. For rock climbing enthusiasts, the south of Thailand is where the action is.

The rock formations in Thailand are almost universally limestone. The level of climbing can be as simple as bouldering or as challenging as tackling over vertical cliffs. This makes Thailand a popular rock climbing destination since it has a little something for everyone.

Krabi

Located on the southern section of the “tail” of Thailand, Krabi has a wide variety of rock climbing challenges. Most of the climbs in this area are of the pre-bolted sport route variety. There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of climbs with difficulty levels from beginner to multi-pitch knuckle crushers.

The beauty of climbing in Krabi is…well, the beauty. While you might have visions of jungles and mosquitoes when thinking of Thailand, Krabi is an area of a different sort. Most of the climbs have been set up on cliff faces on the beach. Being natural capitalists, the Thai’s have built hotels, bars and so on at these locations. As a result, you can literally climb a multi-pitch route for five hours, cool off with a swim and then have a beer. If there is such a thing as a rock climbing heaven, many feel Krabi is it.

Before you cash in your savings, keep in mind that Thailand is a seasonal vacation spot. If you go during the wet season, there is a good chance you’ll just end up sitting around drinking beer. While that isn’t too bad, you’ll go crazy looking at the climbs that are so close, but oh so far away.

Generally, you want to head to Thailand from late November through maybe April. The summer months tend to be both incredibly hot and wet. Make sure you pull up forecasts for the area before booking a trip.

Flying to Thailand is inexpensive, but flights are incredibly long with stopovers. Still, it is all worth it once you experience Thailand rock climbing.

Thai Food For Health

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:01:00 +0000

Thai Food For Health
It takes that first step. A Thai Food balanced diet is a Topic I enjoy telling people about fighting diet problems, weight control, heath in general, even allergy conditions like me. I will touch on this latter.

Natural health is about self discipline & responsibility for a better life. & with nutritional supplements, you will be able to achieve this level of healthy comfortable living .

Not bad for middle age. Natural health is about finding ways to be healthy. With natural health nutrition, like say, Thai Food , you get the extra benefit of giving your body all the best there's from nature, which is a great feeling, & reward when you experience the difference, & ask yourself, how come I did not do this along time ago. What an energy booster indeed.

there's plenty of products obtainable in the field of natural health . Pick up a book, surf online, educate yourself about the right foods for your health. I did, & cut my stress level by 50%; reduced my blood pressure down to 120/70, when under stress it was 150/95.

You will also find good nutrition leads to good health. I would get the typical one time a year cold, like most people. Now I might get a cold, over 2 year periods . That should say something for good healthy nutrition. I do not believe there's a magic pill or fix all solution, but this certainly made a great change for me, & established a constant platform for my overall health.

You will experience the old you & will be proud of the achievements you will have from taking care of yourself. Now, no promises, but my weight is stable at 180lbs, exactly the same as when I was 18 years, when body building. I was usually around 200lbs., under hi stress working conditions. i am not outlining a diet plan, in fact the things i am mentioning worked for me regarding health overall.

The drop in weight actually happened as a result of better eating habits, an alteration to things that helped, like the natural supplements, & Thai food in general, & reduction in obvious things that do not help. I knew with a stressful job, plenty of traveling, something had to be adjusted, or shifted a bit. I even cut coffee down to 2 cups a day, I did not require 6, come on that is crazy, what was I thinking ?

So one noticeable thing I enjoy, is the boost in energy for my age. It did take more than that, & i am going to give you a super important tip. Like anything, take small steps, & you will meet your goals. So here is the super tip that worked for me; basically get off the Dairy Products.

Tip number one, not only do I use natural supplements for plenty of reasons, here is a tip that jump started me : go try Thai food, at a local restaurant.

i've travelled to so plenty of countries; with all types of foods, & certainly the western foods are spreading everywhere. So from experience alone, think about my tips to you.

This is an experience that will jump start your health in general. The reason I say Thai food, is basically there's so plenty of types, you will find something you like, that is why Thai restaurants are so popular everywhere, world wide. & they have distinctive spices, & sauces that seem to plz plenty of people, offering old flavors, less saturated fats.

I did move to Thailand, so an expert in the foods section, & i've tried them all country wide. Believe me, you may have heard, how spicy Thai Food is, but actually there's in fact so plenty of things to choose from, you will find something healthy, natural, & satisfying in all aspects.

That was tip no one, go out & try it, you will be surprised. Typically you won't find cheese in Asian dishes, however you may find coconut, or sweet milk, & similar things to sort out when you order food.

A third , but important tip, something I do every morning, & what an energy booster, I drink 12 oz. of grape juice per day. It beats coffee, but I still like my morning cup, but the juice gives me a morning boost in my diet. Ok, that is tip no. two, basically try different things that work for you, that you enjoy, & watch out for the pizzas. Cutback on cheese, milk, ice cream. Select your food in moderate quantities.

I hope you found this as valuable information, based on my own personal experiences. Being middle age, time & health become more sensitive in life, & if you are truly out to improve you health, take a few tips for starters. A slight shift in your nutrition can improve your overall health. Get started today, its never to late!

Learning to Speak Thai

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:58:00 +0000

Learning to Speak Thai
Speak Easy Thai is a low-cost (about US$25) CD-ROM that helps solve this problem by presenting a picture and a sound file; all words are spoken by a native Thai speaker, so you hear the correct tone.

The main problem with learning to speak Thai is that the basis of the language is not European-based. English and the other Euro languages have Latin, Greek, Viking, etc., roots; Thai does not, so you have to memorize hundreds, if not thousands, of strange and unrelated sounds. This is difficult, unless you use some sort of memory trigger.

But when you see a picture of something and hear it spoken properly in Thai, your brain will find it much easier to remember the word because it seems to set up more associations (hypertext links, if you will) in your brain.

If you see a Thai word printed in a book, such as a travel guide, chances are you won't remember the word because there is nothing to hang your hat on.

It’s a fact that most people learn better visually and aurally than we do by basically reading and trying to memorize. This is, in fact, how children learn. we hear the words spoken by adults and other children, and repeat them. Young children learn to speak a language well before we can read.

Thai uses its own alphabet, than pictograms like Chinese, which makes it much easier to learn than Chinese. You have to get over the hump of reading the Thai characters. The alphabet contains the same letters as English, but we are drawn differently. For example, all the common consonants and vowels exist in Thai, but a Thai G (or P or M) does not look like an English G (or P or M).

Also, adjectives do not change form, you don’t have to worry about the sex of a noun because all nouns are neuter. Adjectives always follow the noun, without exception; you say "house big" than "big house".

But the best part of learning Thai is the grammar, believe it or not, because there is little to learn. there's no, absolutely NO verb conjugations, which will somebody who has ever tried to learn seven of the Latin-based languages like spanish, spanish, and french. Future tense is handled with "ja", meaning "will", or by adding an adverb of time, like "tomorrow". Past tense is handled by putting "already" at the end, or by adding an adverb of time, like "yesterday". For example, instead of saying, "I went to the market", you use the present tense ("go") but add "already" at the end, as in "I go market already". Easy peasy.

General plurals are done by doubling the noun: "house house" instead of "houses". Specific plurals use the same construction we use in English for groups, as in "The farmer has seven head of cattle". You can’t say "I have seven children" in Thai, you must say "I have child seven person"; "child" is the noun, "person" is the group word, also known as a "classifier".

Adverbs are easy , no variations. You can add emphasis by doubling the adverb: "He runs quickly quickly".

The most difficult part of learning Thai is that it is a tonal language. English uses tones on sentences. Compare these seven statements:

"You’re going to the party."
"You’re going to the party?"
"You’re going to the party!"

Thai uses tones on words, but not on sentences. For example, "seu-ah" spoken with a flat (mid-range) tone means "clothing"; "seu-ah" spoken with a rising tone means "tiger". So you must be careful to learn the correct tone for each word, otherwise you might be saying "my tiger is dirty" when what you meant is "my clothing is dirty". there is no doubt that this is the hardest part of learning Thai, and the only way to learn the correct tone is to listen to a native Thai speaker saying the word.

we all use the same English words, but the tone (flat, rising, falling, respectively) gives an entirely different meaning to each sentence.

Thai Meets West - Land of Smiles

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:54:00 +0000

Thai Meets West - Land of Smiles
Thai culture holds being polite above all else. Politeness is built into their very language. Not only do they have words that they use to be polite but they have a word, untranslatable into the English language, only used to be polite, and it is used frequently as they speak. This politeness transcends every part of their lives. You will notice that a automobile horn is only used to "politely" tell other drivers they're there and not to run into them. When at the bank or Movie Theater or grocery store the Thai people seem to automatically fall into an organized line, they call queues, categorized by your require. In the park most everyone runs in the same direction around the park (which is oddly counter clockwise). they do this because there's arrows pointing the proper direction of travel. Thailand is the "Land of Smiles", I believe because they're taught that smiling is an important part of being polite.

The people of Thailand are an interesting group. they hugely influenced by Chinese culture, being located to the south of China, so I am sure that some of the things I am going to describe are part of the greater "eastern" culture as well as the Thai culture. However, Thais have developed a unique blended culture of their own. You might wonder how this might affect your stay here in Thailand. If you are not in Thailand over a few days or a week you may not even notice, if you confine your visit to the widely known tourist areas where Thai Culture is a bit diluted by the visiting foreigners. However, i have been living among the Thai people and I find their culture endearing.

Also, Thai people are quiet, politely not disturbing people around them and if there is a loud person, which there is from time to time, they're given a knowing glare. The loud will know immediately they're being impolite but more often than not the loud person won't be Thai. This politeness even extends to their kids of all ages. While there is a general grumbling about the teenage Thai, I believe this a universal teenage thing and the teenager soon grow out of the rebellious non-politeness. Thai kids are very well behaved and I wish I could determine what methods the Thais employ to impart the politeness on to their kids because I am sure the rest of the world would like to know.

Their undeniable love and respect for their King and country seems ubiquitous, and probably is. they show it every day at 8 am and again at 6 pm by standing reverently as their national anthem is played throughout public areas in Thailand. I remember being in a mall, running where I could see a cool portion of the mall, when I realized I was the only one who WAS running. The Anthem was playing, and every in the mall has stopped where they were running and standing at attention. Prior to every movie played in a theater a short tribute to their King is played, everyone stands as a sign of respect. it is refreshing to be in a country where everyone has such a huge respect for their country leader.

So, if you only get the chance to take a short visit to Thailand, know that there's cool reasons for all the smiles...

Older Thais, and I understand older people in the east, are fortunate in that they're taken care of by their kids when they old to take care of themselves. This gives the elder generation a sense of security sorely lacking in the east and allows them to be more positive about their waning years.

Giant Swing , Bangkok Thailand Travel

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:25:00 +0000

Giant Swing , Bangkok Thailand Travel

The Giant Swing is located in front of Wat Suthat Thepwararam on Bamrung Mueang Road, Phra Nakhon District. This religious structure of Bangkok was originally constructed in 1784 & was proclaimed as the national historical site since 1949. With 21-metre height, painted in red color & the one-of-a-kind structure of wooden pillars it has become eight of the symbols of Bangkok.

History has it that in 1784 after the King Rama I had completed the settlement of Bangkok, they ordered the construction of Brahmin church & the Giant Swing on Bamrung Mueang Road, on the way to Dinso Road. Then, during the reign of King Rama V, it was relocated to Bamrung Mueang Road at its present location. there's been four major renovations of the Giant Swing. In 1920 during the reign of King Rama VI, Louis T. Leonowens, the wood trader donated teakwood of reconstruction of new Giant Swing. Then, in 1970, there was another renovation but the architectural style remained the same. The last reconstruction took place in 2006 using the golden teakwood from Phrae Province.

In the past, the Giant Swing was used in the Tri-Yampawai, the Brahmin religious ceremony. The rite was performed as to pay homage to Shiva God as to commemorate the God’s annual visit to the earth. The ceremony was finally cancelled in 1935 during the reign of King Rama VII.

Thailand Travel Tips and Customs

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:08:00 +0000

Thailand Travel Tips and Customs
After living in Bangkok for over a year i have learned lots of things about the Thai People that I wanted to share with other foreigners living or vacationing here should know. The first thing you've to accept is that eastern culture is different. The people in the east are less emotional & more polite & while they know westerners are different, they often are uncomfortable when they stray from their norms. The things I found to be important are listed below in order of importance:

1. Be Polite - Thai people hold being polite above all else. Their language has politeness built into it. If you follow what is considered “common courtesy” you will be fine.

2. Thai King - The Thai People Love their King, King Rama IX. seldom show any type of disrespect to him. The Thai people have a deep traditional reverence for the Royal relatives, & the visitor should also show respect for the King & the Queen, & the Royal kids. When attending a public event where a member of the Royal relatives is present, the best guide on how to behave is to watch the crowd & do as it does.

3. Safety - Stealth crimes, such as pick pocketing, are the most common problem so it is worth keeping a close eye on your belongings at all times & being aware of the people around you. Unprovoked violence against tourists are rare, but it pays to exercise common sense.

4. National Religion - Buddhism is Thailand’s national Religion with 95% of Thailand's population being Buddhist. All Buddha images are considered sacred & there's laws against removing these images for anything other that personal worship.

5. Buddhist Monks - it is forbidden for women to touch Buddhist Monks, this includes a woman handing something to a Monk, The items should be first given to a man, who hands the item to the monk.

6. Buddhist Temple - Wearing shoes around a temple is acceptable but they should be removed when entering their church (the area where the Buddha image is kept).

7. Be Quiet - Loud people are considered impolite. Speak softly & do not laugh loudly. Of coursework there's the common places such as bars that being loud is appropriate.

8. Food - Food in Thailand is customarily HOT, spicy HOT. For the westerner visiting foriegner, the best tip i can give them is how to ask to make the food less spicy. there's seven phrases to be used based on you preference: 1) "mai ped" - not spicy & 2) "ped nit noi" - a little bit spicy. But the food is awesome in Thailand, this tip should help you enjoy it even more.

9. Body Odor - Thai people seldom smell badly & they find it offensive if others do.

10. Crowds - if you go to areas in Thailand during Thai holiday's & celebrations, be prepared to encounter lots of people. To Western experience the volume of these areas can be incredible. Be prepared to be pushed & shoved & be aware that they mean no harm. Thai people

11. Watch where you walk - The side walks in Bangkok are uneven & full of obstacles, pay attention. Oh, also, the streets have lots of stray dogs; the dogs aren't aggressive but do leave landmines on the sidewalks.

12. Taxi drivers (enough said) - Most taxi drivers are fine. Generally, it is always better to use the metered taxis. Tuktuks are always more expensive & with Bangkok traffic you could be breathing in a lot of smog on the way. If you are going a significant distance negotiate… Also, the Taxis marked “We love farang, they speak English”, well most of them do not. they do have a radio that has a person that knows a little English.

13. Movie Theater - After the advertizing & right before the movie a tribute to the Thai King Comes on & everyone stands in respect.

14. Driving in Thailand - If you are a brave one & decide that you need drive yourself around Thailand, don't be worried, it really is not that bad. there's several things to understand. Drivers use the left side instead of the right, like in the US, & the roads tend to be narrower than in the US. So driving next to a bus or a truck can be a little intimidating.

Following these tips will permit you to have better understanding of the Thai people & more fun in your stay in Bangkok, allowing the locals to be more comfortable with you & give you a better understanding of how things function in Thailand.

The Best Travel Bangsaen in Chonburi

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Wed, 21 May 2008 13:36:00 +0000

The Best Travel Bangsaen in Chonburi

Bangsaen is a popular beach on the North Gulf Coast of Eastern Thailand, 89 km southeast of Bangkok, 13 km of Chonburi . Most famous for its resterant & hotel, it is also two of Thailand's best locations for all manner of sports & activities. Bangsaen is also able to offer an excellent range of eating choices & a wide variety of things to do & see.

Bangsaen beach long curving 2.5 km & Tall coconut beatiful .Now Bangsaen beach have many restaurants , Haremguna ,Seahouse,@ Home, Shomlom etc .They have live music folk band & live band .Now thai families & teenage looking for a trip, low budget holiday weekend & long weekend

Take Your Cheap Holiday Vacation In Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:57:00 +0000

Take Your Cheap Holiday Vacation In Thailand
The ancient architecture, authentic foods and beautiful beaches makes a cheap holiday vacation in Thailand a treasure. The people are fun, friendly and love to talk to tourists. They offer you knowledge, friendship and if you need to see some unusual attractions, they are willing to show you the way. When you plan your trip, you might want o stay in Chiang Mai for it beauty and exceptional culture events. You can see the city has grown to be a well-traveled area and tourist love the view of the some of the customs that are present around the area.

You will see the elephant camps, the beautifully crafted artworks and the ancient temples in the city. There are over three hundred temples to see and each one has its own beautiful architecture to see. If you plan to enter a temple, you should be prepared to remove your shoes. There are so many customs observed in Chiang Mai that has never changed over time. This is a cheap holiday vacation that no one forgets. The city is beautiful as well, it has become more popular than Bangkok. If you travel to Thailand when they are celebrating their New Year, you will see so many colors, customary headdresses and costumes that are traditional to the New Year celebration.

A cheap holiday to Thailand is exciting and when you find a package, which includes accommodations, transportation and airfare, you are finding a great deal. With all the attractions and things to do in Thailand, especially Chiang Mai, you do not have to spend a penny. You can go biking in the mountains, hiking on the beaches, sit, and watch the nightlife evolve around you. There is nowhere else around where you can experience this culture and live among the people.

Plan you cheap holiday vacation around the Thai New Year and join in the celebration that always offers to be an exceptional and memorable time for everyone. You can look online for some affordable packages, then just sit back, and enjoy the flight to a beautiful and enriching destination. Always remember to take along a digital camera or plenty of rolls of film, you will not want to miss anything.

Source : http://www.isnare.com/?aid=193130&ca=Travel

How To Enjoy Koh Tao In Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:53:00 +0000

How To Enjoy Koh Tao In Thailand
The three main things you need on Koh Tao apart from a good diving school, are somewhere to stay, somewhere to eat, and somewhere to party.

The first priority for anyone is getting a roof over your head, and you can if push comes to shove find accommodation at the pier when you arrive off one of the many ferries. You shouldn’t do this at peak times, because you might end up on the beach, or paying a lot more than you wanted to.

In terms of costings, you will find the following to be roughly correct as of early 2007.

400 Baht will get you a room right on the beach, for two people, per night, and for this you’ll get a fan, and a hole in the floor!!

If you want better, which means things like A/C and perhaps a fridge, you could pay up to 1200 Baht.

You could stay at Sairee beach, which is where the nightlife and action is, but be prepared to be disturbed by noise if you go to bed much before dawn!!

If you are a part animal, but like to sleep as well, then you can stay near Mae Haad beach, which is only five minutes walk away.

Chalok beach is quiet, and very nice too, but it will cost you around 50 Baht for a taxi to get to where the action is, but don’t hire a motor bike, because most of the injuries occur on bikes with drunk tourists in the dark, and negotiate your taxi fare before the journey.

In terms of food, then obviously there is a huge amount of Thai food available, it’s not expensive at all, and the seafood is great, and in abundance.

A lot of the fish is barbecued, and you can pay from 25 Baht for a simple breakfast through to 400 Baht for a decent meal out.

Barbecue fish is one of the local favourites.

Try the Thipimarn restaurant on the north of the island, it is a cut above some other restaurants, and it has the most wonderful view of the sunset.

When you want an evening in the bars, then check out a dive shop, and they will tell you where the action is that evening Please don’t go swimming after drinking, it is one of the main causes of death amongst visitors to Koh Tao.

Also remember that one of the diving safety tips you will read is avoiding dehydration, and that is exactly what over indulgence in alcohol causes.

Safety is a key issue on Koh Tao, so remember the advice on alcohol, and swimming after drinking, and finally be careful of the taxi drivers, they can turn nasty, so agree a price before boarding, and finally don’t hire, drive, or go as a passenger on a motorbike, especially in the dark.

Finally remember to pick up the free tourist magazine Ko Tao Info, which will give you what you need to know

Source : http://www.isnare.com/?aid=92936&ca=Travel

Hotels In Pattaya, Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:47:00 +0000

Hotels In Pattaya, Thailand
You have decided to visit Asia for your next vacation and have decided to go to Pattaya, Thailand. Your flight is booked but you are still looking for a hotel. But, how do you decide which hotel to stay at?

Your decision should be based on what you plan to do while you are Pattaya. Will you be spending most of your time sightseeing, shopping or enjoying the nightlife? Most likely you will be enjoying the nightlife and will want to be located in the heart of it.

There are three main areas in Pattaya – North, South, and Central and all three have their plusses and minuses. Getting a hotel in any of the three will boil down to a personal preference.

North Pattaya is in the Soi 2 area or even a little further North called Naklua. Most of the tourists here are from Europe and the nightlife is adequate but not spectacular. I rarely go to the Naklua area but I do enjoy the Soi 2 nightlife area.

South Pattaya is very good and includes the area around the infamous Walking Street. There are many hotels available from Soi 13 to Walking Street and also along the side streets between 2nd Road and Walking Street. Many are small pubs with a handful of rooms above the bar.

To me, Central Pattaya is where to stay. The location is perfect as I can walk or catch a baht bus to anywhere in a matter of minutes. Beach Road, 2nd Road or even down to Soi Buakhao are perfect locations as long as the hotel is between Central Road and Soi 13.

Most of the hotels in Pattaya are in the 2 – 4 star range with the occasional 5 star (Marriott) but a 2 – 4 star in Pattaya is definitely a cut above similar hotels in the states. I prefer the smaller, pub places that have a handful of rooms upstairs. Most are owned by a couple and really do their best to make your stay a great one.

Do your research, and look for a discount Pattaya hotel, and enjoy your stay in the Land of Smiles. It won’t be hard to find your Asian hotel in Pattaya at all.

Source: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=104257&ca=Travel

Phuket - Web Guide To Travel To Phuket Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:39:00 +0000

Phuket - Web Guide To Travel To Phuket Thailand
Phuket is Thailand's largest island, and is approximately the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on Thailand's Indian Ocean coast-line 867 kilometers south of Bangkok.
Phuket is an island connected by bridges to southern Thailand's Andaman Sea coast, in the Indian Ocean, lying between 7' 45 " and 8' 15" north latitude, and from 98' 15" to 98' 40" west longitude on the map. Thailand's largest island, Phuket is surrounded by 32 smaller islands that form part of the same administration, with a total area of 570 square kilometers. Measured at its widest point, Phuket is 21.3 kilometers; at its longest, 48.7 kilometers. It is bounded thus:

About 70 percent of Phuket is mountainous; a western range runs from north to south from which smaller branches derive. The highest peak is Mai Tao Sip Song, or Twelve Canes, at 529 meters, which lies within the boundaries of Tambon Patong, Kathu District (no roads go there yet). The remaining 30 percent of the island, mainly in the center and south, is formed by low plains. Streams include the Klong Bang Yai, Klong Ta Jin, Klong Ta Rua, and Klong Bang Rohng, none of which is large.

History of Phuket
Phuket Island has a long recorded history, and remanins dating back to A.D.1025 indicate that the island's present day name derives in meaning from the Tamil manikram, or crystal mountain. For most of history, however, it was known as Junk Ceylon, which, with variations, is the name found on old maps. The name is thought to have its roots in Ptolemy's Geographia, written by the Alexadrian geographer in the Third Century A.D. He mentioned that in making a trip from Suwannapum to the Malay Peninsula it was necessary to pass the cape of Jang Si Lang.
Phuket was a way station on the route between India and China where seafarers stopped to shelter. The island appears to have been part of the Shivite empire (called in Thai the Tam Porn Ling) that established itself on the Malay Peninsula during the first Millenium A.D. Later, as Muang Takua-Talang, it was part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahm empires. Governed as the eleventh in a constellation of twelve cities, Phuket's emblem, by which it was known to others in those largely pre-literate times, was the dog.

During the Sukothai Period Phuket was associated with Takua Pah in what is now Phang-nga Province, another area with vast tin reserves. The Dutch established a trading post during the Ayuthaya Period in the 16th Cent. The island's northern and central regions then were governed by the Thais, and the southern and western parts were given over to the tin trade, a concession in the hands of foreigners.

After Ayuthaya was sacked by the Burmese in 1767 there was a short interregnum in Thailand, ended by King Taksin, who drove out the Burmese and re-unified the country. The Burmese, however, were anxious to return to the offensive. They outfitted a fleet to raid the southern provinces, and carry off the populations to slavery in Burma. This led to Phuket's most memorable historic event. A passing sea captain, Francis Light, sent word that the Burmese were en route to attack. Forces in Phuket were assembled led by the two heroines, Kunying Jan, wife of Phuket's recently deceased governor, and her sister Mook. After a month's siege the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defense.

In recognition King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific Thao Thep Kasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty, by which she is known today. Her sister became Thao Sri Suntorn.

During the Nineteenth Century Chinese immigrants arrived in such numbers to work the tin mines that the ethnic character of the island's interior became predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements remained populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen.

In Rama V's reign, Phuket became the administration center of a group of tin mining provinces called Monton Phuket, and in 1933 with the change in government from absolute monarchy to a parliamentary system, the island was established as a province by itself.

Boundaries
On the North Is the Pak Prah Strait, spanned by two bridges running side-by-side, the older Sarasin Bridge, and the newer Thao Thep Krasatri Bridge.

On the South Is the Andaman Sea.
On the East Is Ao Phang-nga Bay (In the Jurisdiction mainly of Phang-nga Province).
On the West Is the Andaman Sea.

Climate
Phuket's weather conditions are dominated by monsoon winds that blow year round. It is therefore always and humid. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season begins in May and lasts till October, during which the monsoon blows from the southwest. The dry season is from November through April, when the monsoon comes from the northeast. Highest average temperatures, at 33.4 degrees Celsius, prevail during March. Lowest averages occur in January, when nightly lows dip to 22 degrees Celsius.

Transportation

By Car
Take Route 4 from Bangkok south. Along the way pass the provinces of Nakorn Pathom, Ratchburi, Petchburi, Prajuab-Kirikan, and at Chumporn go right to Ranong, From Ranong, go south through Kraburi and Kah-Perr districts to Phang-nga Province. In Phang-nga the road passes through Kuraburi, Takua Pa, and Takua Tung districts before reaching the town of Kok Kloy, just beyond which is the Tao Thep Krasatri Bridge and Phuket. Distance is 867 kilometers.

Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses leave the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok daily. For details call the individual bus companies: Borisat Kohn Sohng Jumkat Phuket Transport Co, Ltd., in Bangkok tel. (02) 4351200, or in Phuket (076) 211480

By Air
Details about flights to and from Phuket International Airport can be obtained from Thai Airway, in Bangkok Tel. (02) 2800070,2800080, or in Phuket (076) 211195, 212499, 212946 or from travel agents around the world. There are also many regular and chartered flights from other airlines.

By Sea
The Deep Sea Port (Port of Phuket) at Phuket is visited by both cargo and cruise ship from Thailand and from abroad. Contact your travel agent for information about the may different ships that stop at Phuket.

Souce: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=83094&ca=Travel

Thailand – The Land Of Smiles And Cheap Travel

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:03:00 +0000

Thailand – The Land Of Smiles And Cheap Travel
Thailand is known as the land of smiles, which is amazing considering the traffic jams in Bangkok. For budget travelers, Thailand simply can’t beat on price alone.

Thailand
Thailand is an odd mix of contrasts. It can be extremely stressful while trying to get around in Bangkok and gloriously relaxing while laying on practically any of the beaches that populate the coast of the country. Regardless of the situation, the Thais have a habit and custom or smiling regardless of what you ask or how you ask it.

Beaches
The beaches of Thailand need no introduction. Used as the setting for hundreds of movies, they come in a variety of styles. The beaches of Phuket and Phi Phi fall along the lines of traditional beach resort areas like you might find in a place such as Cancun, Mexico or Tamarindo, Costa Rica. On the other end of the scale, you can find more rustic beach areas in places like the island of Ko Chang where you’ll have a few beach bungalows, a couple of bars and one or two stores. If you’re looking for a little of both styles, just ask around.

Da North
Infatuated with the beach life, many people fail to head up country when in Thailand. This is a mistake as the north is the host to such locations as the city of Chang Mai, the Summer Palace of the King of Thailand and interesting little villages. For the outdoor enthusiasts, rafting, hiking and mountain biking are very popular and widely available.

Prices
If you’re on a budget, Thailand is a perfect travel destination. For some reason, flights to Thailand are particularly cheap with my recent flight on Korean Airlines running roughly $650 round trip. Once in country, your money will go a long, long way.

I think a note of caution is need at this point. Please beware. If you decide to take a trip to Thailand, you won’t want to come back to your native country. You will, however, definitely come back to Thailand!

Source: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=16991&ca=Travel

Travel To Krabi And Phi Phi Islands - Amazing Thailand Attractions

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:58:00 +0000

Travel To Krabi And Phi Phi Islands - Amazing Thailand Attractions
Krabi is a province of Thailand located in the southern area and has fantastic beaches along the shore plus many wonderful islands that you just can’t imagine how beautiful they are. Phi Phi Islands is one of the very famous spots in Krabi that travelers can’t miss.

About the weather in Krabi province, there are only two seasons in this region, which is different from other parts of Thailand. The summer season lasts from January to April, and the rainy season lasts from May to December. The temperature is between 16.9 and 37.3 degree Celsius throughout the year.

You can get to Krabi by car or by plane. If you drive there from Bangkok, you go along the highway number 4 through many provinces. The overall distance is approximately 946 kilometers. If you go to Krabi from Phuket, you can use highway number 402 connected to highway number 4 through Pangnga province and Krabi province. The total distance is approximately 185 kilometers. Also, the public transportation companies provide air-conditioned buses for people everyday from Bangkok and Phuket. If you decide to go there by plane from Bangkok airport, it takes about 1 hour and a half to Krabi province.

Diving at Krabi Sea is a very exciting activity that you can’t miss. Scuba diving is very popular there. Many diving service companies provide the travelers boat services from Phuket and Phi Phi Don Island. Some famous diving spots are around Phi Phi Islands and King Cruiser shipwreck. Around Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le Islands, there are many diving spots such as Nui beach, Maya beach, and sea caves. You may rent a small boat called Rue Hang Yao from Phi Phi Don Island to these spots. Bidah Islands and Ha Islands (Ha means five) are also popular diving spots.

Phi Phi Islands is one of the famous islands in Thailand located in Krabi province. The word “Phi Phi” comes from a tree named “Pi-a-pee.” In 1983, the government of Thailand announced that Phi Phi Islands became a member of Nopparatthara - Phi Phi Islands national park. This park includes six islands which are Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Le, Bidah Nok, Bidah Nai, Yung and Phai Islands. The distance between Krabi beach and Phi Phi Islands is approximately 42 kilometers.

Lanta Islands is one of the most amazing spots in Krabi. It is located in the far south of the province. In the past, villagers called this islands “Poo-Lao-Sa-Tak” which means the islands with long beaches. Some famous islands are Lanta Yai Islands, Ngai Island, Rok Nai Island and Rok Nok Island. There are a lot of resorts and hotels on the islands. You can go to Lanta Islands from Krabi beach or Phi Phi Islands.

Ao Nang is a place that has wonderful scenario with beautiful beaches such as Rai Le Beach, Tam Pra Nang Beach and Nam Mao Beach. These three beaches cannot be reached by car because they are surrounded by mountains. You can go there by boat from Ao Nang.

Source : http://www.isnare.com/?aid=227095&ca=Travel

Thailand Is Their Land: Travel To Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:41:00 +0000

Thailand Is Their Land: Travel To Thailand
The true magic you'll find when you travel to Thailand is its alluring authenticity. Thailand is the only Southeast Asian nation never to have been colonized by European powers; consequently, the still-standing and functioning monuments of the past attract visitors who admire thousands of years of history integrated into present day society. Even more appealing, Thailand offers the diversity of a society running in parallel: booming city life and leisurely beach escapes, thickly canopied jungles and white sand islands, indulgent cuisine, clubs and cocktails and the sanctuary of Buddhist lifestyle. Thailand has come of age as a traveler's dream destination, an affordable gateway to paradise with all the modern conveniences at your fingertips.

What's In a Name?
The Kingdom of Thailand was known as Siam until 1939, when a bloodless revolution instated a constitutional monarchy and the name was changed to literally mean “free” land. The original kingdom was founded in 1238, but largely influenced throughout history by China and India. Geographically, Thailand is surrounded by countries whose turbulent 20th century histories have defaulted tourism into its exotic but more accessible borders. For this reason, Thailand is also a wonderful home base from which to explore Cambodia and Laos to the east, Myanmar (Burma) to the west, and Malaysia to the south.

Wat You Waiting For?
Thailand is littered with just as many exciting cities as beautiful beaches. Where you might notice the imbalance is in the inconceivable number of temples, or wat. As the main center of the very north, Chiang Mai is a large, beautiful and historic city. A visit to the famous Night Bazaar or the nearby Wiang Kum Kam archeological ruins is certainly not enough to distract even the most oblivious from the more than 300 Buddhist temples that sprinkle the skyline with shiny gold, red and green hues. Make sure to visit Wat Chiang Mun, the city's (and possibly Thailand's) oldest temple, located within the old city walls and dating back to 1296. Heading south, do not miss Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, Thailand's two former capitals (the latter being the founding city) classified as World Heritage Sites filled with hundreds of beautifully maintained temples, statues and bustling human activity, all embedded within the lush green environs.

Bangkok is perched on the Gulf of Thailand, but this humming, vibrant and congested 24-hour capital city is a far cry from the resort cities and towns found east and south along Thailand's sub-tropical coastline. Thailand extends south into the Kra Isthmus, providing for extensive coastline and some of the most filmed beaches in the world. Phuket is the most famous resort island, but more rewarding is a trip to one of the smaller and less commercialized areas. Ko Tao is of particular interest for scuba divers, while Ko Pha Ngan has become famous among younger travelers for its regular full moon festivals held all night on the sparkling shores. Ko Phi Phi is far more breathtaking in person than even the camera angles of the film "The Beach" could do it justice.

Some rudimentary social customs aside, Thailand is an extremely easy going and welcoming travel experience. Everything from simple to luxurious is at your disposal, and all with a very fair price tag, not to mention an unbeatable combination of picturesque beaches, rainforested mountains, and an intense metropolitan culture. So really, what are you waiting for? Start planning to travel to Thailand today.

Article Source : http://www.isnare.com/?aid=57425&ca=Advice

The Secret Of Choosing A Nice Hotel In Phuket

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Sun, 11 May 2008 12:13:00 +0000

The Secret Of Choosing A Nice Hotel In Phuket
Phuket is Thailand's biggest island. The water itself may not be as breathtaking as Phi Phi or Similan island, but it's still beautiful. My suggestion is you stay at Phuket and then take a boat to Phi Phi, Similan or other smaller nearby islands for a snorkeling or diving trip.

Phuket Thailand becomes lively during the night -- with all the pubs, bars and restaurants opening until midnight or later. You can choose to stay at your Phuket hotel and have romantic dinner there. Or you can choose to take a stroll at Phuket's popular Patong beach for some night scene. Phuket has dozens of beaches. Each has tens, if not hundreds, of hotels. If you don't like a crowded beach with hundreds of restaurants and bars, stay away from Patong beach.

Looking to find a nice Phuket Thailand hotel that's just perfect for your budget? No problem. I'll recommend some nice hotels for you. Well, if you don't mind a very huge lagoon next to the beach and a very big resort hotel, then stay at the Laguna Phuket. Actually at the Laguna Phuket, there are five hotels (yes, it's that BIG -- Allamanda, Banyan Tree, Dusit Laguna, Laguna Beach, and Sheraton Grande Laguna). They're all beautiful and luxurious. So, expect to spend from $100 to over $300 a night, depending on the resort you choose.

And there's this secluded private hotel that I really --really-- love... The Chedi Phuket. For me, the price is just right too. It's a little over $100. But you'd be glad to pay a lot more than that for a hotel room this cozy. And let me tell you, the private beach right in front of the Chedi is a lot more beautiful than other beaches in Phuket too.

Most foreigners (especially Westerners) I know like to stay at Mom Tri's Boat House. I don't know why. I haven't stayed there, so I can't tell you. But I just know for a fact they 'really' like to stay there. The price is around $70. This Phuket resort hotel is designed by a well-known architect of Thailand. So 70 bucks a night is a steal.

Now if you're willing to stay off Phuket island, then I suggest you stay at the Racha on Racha island. It's only 20 minutes away from Phuket. It's a private and totally gorgeous resort island. The beach is white, sandy and just beautiful. The resort itself is beyond explanation. Plus, the price is just a few bucks over $100.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-secret-of-choosing-a-nice-hotel-in-phuket-2768.html

Phuket The Pearl Of The Andaman

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Sun, 11 May 2008 12:09:00 +0000

Phuket The Pearl Of The Andaman
Located 862 kilometers south of Bangkok is Phuket, Thailand's largest island, which is often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman, or the pearl of the South. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests contribute to making it the South's wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most popular island and province.
Nestled in the tropical zone off the west coast of the Southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean, the province covers an area of approximately 543 square kilometers (excluding small islets). It is estimated that Phuket Province covers an area of approximately 590 square kilometers if its 39 other small islands are included. The islands total length, from north to south, is estimated at 48.7 kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers wide.

Staying on the island is easy, as there are only two seasons in a year - the rainy season (May to October) and the hot season (November to April). The low season of Phuket is between September and October as they are the wettest months. The best period for a visit, is from November to February, when it is possible to see the clear blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at the crystal clear water while lying on powdery, palm-fringed beaches. Average temperatures ranges between 23 and 33 degree.

Thailand's property outlook continues to remain very healthy, especially in the luxury villa rental market according to international property analysts. There are many factors that are supporting the growth of the villa rental market, such as increasingly wealthy professionals from Hong Kong and Singapore taking advantage of luxury villas at very competitive rates globally, as well as increasing numbers of expatriates around Asia with a high disposable income. As Thailand is just a few hours away from 2 thirds of the global population there is a huge potential market to tap into.

There is an ever growing choice of luxury villas for rent throughout Thailand, however it is Phuket that offers some of the best properties for luxury vacations. Phuket also has the most developed infrastructure with excellent roads, hospitals, and all the amenities one could need. Developers are recognizing a trend in that guests no longer just want to sit by the beach all day every day and now villa developments are appearing around Marinas, near golf courses and mountains throughout the island offering unparalleled choice for the guest.

Phuket has an impressive portfolio of first class resorts and hotels and serves as the perfect home-base from which to explore the other provinces and islands in the region. The waters of Southern Thailand are internationally renowned for their vitality of marine life, striking coral reefs and high visibility. There are numerous dive companies conducting trips around the Phuket and Andaman seas, especially the Similan Islands. Most of these operators offer the full range of courses, in many different languages, affiliated to the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). Whether you are an absolute beginner or an experienced diver, the Southern bounty of sea life will make your dive an event never to be forgotten.

Another favorite pastime for travelers to Phuket is sailing. The Andaman region holds a treasure-trove of lagoons and bays perfect for sailing and stands as a gateway to prime sailing spots such as Langkawi, the Mergui Archipelago and the Similan Islands. Yachts and motor boats may be chartered from the Phuket Yacht Haven Marina or the Boat Lagoon for day trips, overnight excursions and live-aboard adventure tours. A number of companies also conduct accredited sailing and dive courses. Managers of luxurious villas often can arrange everything for you too making the vacation as enjoyable and stress free as possible.

Other activities include golf. Dotted throughout the Southern provinces are a number of golf courses of international standard. Phuket Island alone boasts four prestigious courses, Phang-Nga and Surat-Thani are also home to some stunning greens. There are some great choices of villa rentals around these golf courses catering to the die hard fans of the sport.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/phuket-the-pearl-of-the-andaman-181042.html

Thailand Vacation Series - Phuket Attractions

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Sun, 11 May 2008 12:03:00 +0000

Thailand Vacation Series - Phuket Attractions
Located approximately 862 kilometers south of Bangkok is Phuket, Thailand's largest island, which is often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman, or the pearl of the south. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests contribute to making it the South's wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most popular island and province.

Nestled in the tropical zone off the west coast of the southern part of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean, the province covers an area of approximately 543 square kilometers (excluding small islets). It is estimated that Phuket Province covers an area of approximately 590 square kilometers if its 39 other small islands are included. The islands total length, from north to south, is estimated at 48.7 kilometers and approximately 21.3 kilometers wide.

Phuket borders on Phang-nga Province to the north. The other 3 sides are encircled by the Andaman Sea the place where many of the best diving sites are located. The island is connected to Phang-nga Province by Sarasin Bridge and Thep Krasattri Bridge.

Staying on the island is easy, as there are only two seasons in a year - the rainy season (May to October) and the hot season (November to April). The low season of phuket is between September and October as they are the wettest months. The best period for a visit, is from November to February, when it is possible to see the clear blue sky, feel the fresh sea breeze and marvel at the crystal clear water while lying on powdery, palm-fringed beaches. Average temperatures ranges between 23?C and 33?C.

Phuket's topology is exceptional with 70 percent of its area covered with mountains which stretch from north to south and the remaining 30 percent being plains located in the central and eastern parts of the island. The island does not have any major rivers except for a total of 9 brooks and creeks.

Phuket is divided into 3 administrative counties namely Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Thalang and Amphoe Kathu.

Phuket has a lot more to offer its visitors other than its natural heritage sea, sand, sky, beach, forest, and world renowned diving sites. Sino-Portuguese architecture casts its spell delighting travelers to the city, while Phuket-style hospitality has never failed to impress visitors from all walks of life. In addition, accommodations ranging from world-class resorts to tropical-style bungalows have warmly catered to the different needs of travelers. For seafood lovers, there is a lot more to sample than just Phuket's famous lobster. Altogether, these characteristics have made Phuket a truly unique destination.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/thailand-vacation-series-phuket-attractions-238301.html

Phuket Thailand - The Worlds Premier Villa Destination

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:55:00 +0000

Phuket Thailand - The Worlds Premier Villa Destination
Phuket Villas are your perfect holiday home over the Andaman Sea. It embraces the new holiday style. Let us familiarize you to the new south-east Asian jewel. Blessed with white sandy beaches and azure clear water, Phuket is widely perceived as the new emerging beach tropical holiday destination.

Recent security issues in Bali have given it a distinct edge. If you are concerned about the security in Bali, Phuket is undoubtedly the next choice. Infrastructure, security and the dedication shown by the government in making it a holiday paradise provides significant impact apart from the natural attraction. Phuket offers anything you can imagine, from calm secluded beach to the most ferocious nightlife available on earth.

If you want to enjoy the island at your own pace, from the comfort of a private holiday home where you can choose between appreciating the sun on your private pool and deck overlooking the ocean at home and acknowledging what the rest of the island has to offer. We are providing you Phuket villas - private villas for holiday rental accommodation. Resting on sloping hill down to the beach, most Phuket villas enjoy compelling views over the Andaman Sea, from sunrise to sunset.

Most villas have Asian artifacts and antiques decorating them. The bedrooms in them have air conditioning, coded safes, a music system and a mini bar which includes drinks and snacks. The house consists of comprehensive PABX phone systems with private telephones to each room. Satellite television, DVD players and the local cable connection are supplied in all rooms. An in-depth collection of DVD's and CD's disk is equipped for the movie watching nights.

The pool area and main dining area is assorted with fully functional stereo system. These luxury mansions also have an Australian barbecue, spa massage bed, study and library. The house is given most importance as it is our home and therefore possesses a large collection of beautiful antiques and woodcarvings.

Almost every villa is suitable for larger groups and extended families. They are serviced by a full time, live-in staff which comprises of one cook and one housekeeper. Trained to expect your needs, they will take care of you with an infectious blend of Thai graciousness and charm. Some of them are supplied with an Estate Manager and front office team and can be accessed to answer questions, make reservations, and provide a unique level of truly personal service.

Generally, a holiday rental gives you more privacy, more room and more freedom to enjoy yourselves. The size of the rooms in these villas is a major attraction. When we are on holiday, we like to spread out just a little. For this there is no match for villas. The average size of a hotel room is about 30 sqm.

With holiday villas in Phuket you can rent a whole house with sizes ranging from 100 - 800 sqm. They also have a variety of amenities like private swimming pools, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis. If needed service staff such as maids, babysitters, cooks and chauffeurs can also be supplied. In short when you are in a Phuket villa you are in a home with all the modern luxuries to be home away from home.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/phuket-thailand-the-worlds-premier-villa-destination-395927.html

Trisara Phuket Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:51:00 +0000

Trisara Phuket Thailand
The Trisara Resort in Phuket is extraordinary in many ways, from the fact that it is such a short drive from the airport, and yet so quiet, peaceful, private, and beautiful.

The ocean view villa we stayed in was exceptionally spacious and private with incredible uninterrupted views over the ocean. It's the kind of place that makes you dream that this is your own private villa.
The actual accommodation has so many nice touches it would be impossible to include them all, sufficient to say, that everything you would expect from a five star deluxe resort is there in abundance, and much more besides. We could start with the indoor and outdoor showers, the furnishings are a beautiful blend of colours, with lots of dark wood. The bed was large, and very comfortable, with such fantastic fluffy pillows. I always think pillows are the real measure of the quality. It is the little touches like fresh flowers everywhere, even in the bathroom. The built in window seats and couches, the cleverly hidden large plasma TV, all part of the top quality workmanship that has gone into the construction and maintenance.

Outside the villa, it is completely private, with a gate at the entrance, and a large teak sundeck with table and chairs for eating, and four padded teak sunbeds. The infinity pool, is larger than your normal plunge pool, and totally private because of the greenery.

The food quite superb, both Thai and Western style. We were on a breakfast included package, and it was a terrific meal in itself, having got used to buffet breakfasts being the norm, it was a pleasant surprise to have it served up fresh from the kitchen. Be warned however that if you decide to take your included breakfast in your suite, then you would be charged at full rate, which seems a little mean.

At lunch and dinner, you can choose either the Thai or Western option, although it would be fair to say the Thai food was spicy hot and very authentic, not milder for those of us from the West. I personally like that.

You can get most of the food available with room service but it is more expensive, and wine as expected is expensive, because they kind of have a captive audience as there are no nearby restaurants

The overall service, and once again attention to detail are fantastic.

Small final thoughts are, you will never forget the sunset from the pool villa, and the beach is delightfully private with no hawkers, and very comfortable loungers, and naturally the high level of service continues there.

There is not a whole lot to do here except to relax, and unwind, so if that is your thing, there is nowhere better to be.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/trisara-phuket-thailand-118670.html

The History of Phuket, Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:44:00 +0000

The History of Phuket, Thailand
Phuket, also known as the 'Pearl of the South,' is the largest island in Thailand, spread across 570 sq km. Located in the sparkling as well as clear green water of the Andaman Sea, Phuket is about 890 km from Bangkok. With its dramatic scenery, stunning beaches, amazing coral reefs, and tropical sunshine, Phuket is truly an incredible destination. Apart from these, the island is also rich with its historical past.

Phuket boasts of a long recorded history filled with remarkable events. Throughout its interesting history, Phuket was inhabited by various ethnic tribes who molded their lives according to the place's environment.

The island got its present name from 'Manikram,' a Tamil word meaning 'Crystal Mountain.' But, for most of the part of the history, Phuket was known as Junk Ceylon, the evidence of which is its mention on old Portuguese sea maps. This has also been found mentioned in the book written by Claudius Ptolemy - a Greek geographer - in 157AD.

According to this book, Phuket is thought to have been once a cape, attached to the Thailand's mainland. Later, the peninsula was destroyed due to natural calamities, and as such, it got separated from the land. Further, this book states that, in order to travel to the Malaysian Peninsula, it was required to pass a cape, which according to Ptolemy was the Junk Ceylon, also known as Junk Ceylon. The cape was given a location between the latitudes of 6 N and 8 N, which is believed to be today's Phuket. History has it that the cape was visited by sea merchants from across the globe, since it provided great opportunities to relax and replenish.

The names of various dynasties have also been found mentioned in the recorded history of Phuket. During the 1st century AD, Malaya Peninsula was believed to be a part of the Shivite Empire. Later, the area was dominated by the empires of Srivichai and Siri Tahm. During this period, the region was well-known by its symbol - the dog. In the 13th century, Phuket came into the hands of the Thai power, during which it was a prominent as well as a flourishing city, with a treasure trove of natural pearls, ivory, gems, ambergris, caulk, hides, firewood, and spices.

During the 15th century, Phuket shot to fame as one of the leading tin mining producers of the region. Later, influenced by the rich assets of Phuket, the Dutch made this influential destination as their business region during the 16th century.

Apart from these, scores of merchants and traders from different parts of Europe began to flock to Phuket due to the growing importance of tin. As a result, the then king decided that the area should be governed by a European. Consequently, the place was governed by a French missionary, namely, Renee Charbonneau, between the periods 1681 and 1685. Shortly, the British also began to get attracted with the rich resources of Phuket, and as a result, the East India Company decided to choose Phuket as their base to administer the Malacca Straits. Accordingly, in order to scout the island, the British sent Captain Francis Light, who later married a girl from the island.

Perhaps most important event in the history of Phuket is the attack of the region by Burmese in 1785. However, the Burmese were defeated by the militants under the supervision of two legendary women, Kunying Jan and her sister, Mook. Today, they are famed as the heroines, and a monument has been built on the Thep Kassattri road, in commemoration of their decisive action.

As a result of the growing importance of tin, during the beginning of the 19th century, Chinese laborers began to flock to Phuket, whose strong influence can be still seen in the region. In 1876, a group of Chinese laborers, discontented with their salary and working conditions, began a bloody riot of theft and murder in the island. Then, the locals headed to Wat Chalong in order to get sheltered by two prominent monks. These two monks later convinced the laborers and eventually the place again gained its passivity. One can now find a temple dedicated to these monks in Wat Chalong.

In the 20th century, Phuket was stated a monthon, and was given control of areas such as Ranong, Krabi, Takua-Pah Phang Nga, Satun, and Trang. In 1933, Phuket gained provincial status, and since then, it has been administered by an Interior Ministry-appointed governor.

Phuket still continues its long tradition of welcoming foreigners. It is estimated that more than two million tourists visit here per year, attracted by its serene atmosphere, world-class attractions, and exciting nightlife.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-history-of-phuket-thailand-234002.html

Phuket Thailand - The Pearl Of Andaman

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:34:00 +0000

Phuket Thailand - The Pearl Of Andaman
Phuket, known as the pearl of Andaman Sea, is the biggest island of Thailand. It is a province located in the southern part of the country and has many fascinating attractions that lure people around the world to visit. Because of beautiful beaches and sea, wonderful nightlife and nice weather, Phuket becomes one of the top places in Thailand that travelers choose to go, and of course, when they once visit there, they cannot wait to be there again and again.

It is not hard to get to Phuket. If you choose to go there by car, there are almost 900 kilometers from Bangkok to Phuket to drive and may take 8-9 hours totally. However, most people choose to fly there which takes no more than 1 hour and a half from Bangkok and the air fare is not expensive. Thai Airways and other low-cost airlines can serve you with several flights a day from many destinations.

The Phuket airport is a bit far from the popular beaches and well-known hotels. After you reach the island by plane, you can find a lot of services which can take you to your hotel cheap and easily. These services include taxi cars, airport limousines, and service vans waiting you outside the airport. Hotels and other accommodations are not hard to find and mostly their prices are really cheap. You can find luxurious hotels along the popular beaches or some easy home-stays near the communities or department stores. As I mentioned, Phuket is one of the top tourist attractions in Thailand. Even though there are a very large number of hotels and lodgings in Phuket, I recommend you to book a hotel earlier if you go there in the festival time or public holiday period and you will not regret doing that definitely.

Some well-known beaches that you cannot miss are Patong beach, Karon beach and Kata beach. You cannot imagine how beautiful they are. Also, there are a lot of activities along the beaches, you may sunbathe or swim in the sea. If you like exciting activities, you can play parachute or rent a surfboard. You may book a boat tour to the near islands such as Khai islands, Phi Phi islands and Racha islands, and go diving. Tons of beautiful coral reefs and fish are waiting for you.

One of other activities that you can't definitely miss is watching sunset at Laem Prom Thep. This spot is named for the most beautiful sunset place in Thailand and you will believe it. If you like old buildings and nice architectures, you can also travel to the Phuket city which is located inside the island, a lot of good and tasty food is there. It is another good way for traveling in Phuket if you don't like crowded tourists.

Nightlife in Thailand is very famous especially in Phuket. You can find clubs, bars and restaurants everywhere. These are just parts of what Phuket is and you need to experience them by yourselves. You may not want to go back to your country forever.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/phuket-thailand-the-pearl-of-andaman-329320.html

Bangkok New Airport ,Thailand's Suvarnabhumi

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Sat, 03 May 2008 05:09:00 +0000

Bangkok New Airport ,Thailand's Suvarnabhumi

For most people coming through the new Bangkok airport for the first time, will see nothing that would be notable from any other new international airport that has been built in the last few years. Most new airports tend to be big box or tent like affairs, with little or no aesthetic appeal, and this one falls neatly into the pile of boring designs. Most of those who have been through the old Bangkok airport would prefer it to the new as it had a character all of its own. Wanting to keep the old airport is understandable as you know where everything is, like where you need to go to catch your favorite airline, as well as where and what the procedure is for getting your luggage, and the fastest way to get through customs and catch a taxi home, or to your favorite Bangkok Hotel, if you are a returning businessman or Thailand tourist.

If people have a problem with the new Bangkok airport it would be with the way that they have the taxi stand set up. In the past, you went out through the doors on the end of the customs area, past the money changers, then the limos, and out the doors and into the cue for a taxi. You would tell the expediters where you want to go to, and away you went, it was a very smooth and efficient process. The taxi stand at the new airport is downstairs and it is not marked, so the first time that you come through, you have to figure out that the price to get to town has not risen overnight to 800 baht, but that you are at the charter taxi stands, which are mainly there to fleece unsuspecting tourist I suspect. So, if you are reading this and you are going to be coming into Bangkok for the first time to the new airport, make note that you need to go down one level to catch the meter taxis from the baggage claims. When in Thailand always insist on the meter.

The good news is like a few of the best international cities in the world like Singapore, Chicago and San Francisco You will be able to get a mass transit train directly to the airport, this is suppose to happen soon and you can see the progress on your way into Bangkok as they extend the BTS line out. When this project is finished you will have access to the whole city, and you can get there quick regardless of the hour. On the last two trips from the airport to town, the fare all together was around 350 baht with the tolls and the airport taxi tax, a increase of 100 baht approximately, the time to a hotel on Suhkumvitt was just about the same, even though the distance increased.. If you are coming from or to Pattaya your travel time should decrease especially during the busy travel periods.

reference : http://ezinearticles.com/?Bangkok-New-Airport-,Thailands-Suvarnabhumi&id=380405

Pattaya Travels guide,Smile Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (youngdek) — Sat, 03 May 2008 04:51:00 +0000

Pattaya Travels guide,Smile Thailand
Pattaya (Thai: พัทยา, RTGS: Phatthaya) is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand (12°55′39″N, 100°52′31″ECoordinates: 12°55′39″N, 100°52′31″E), about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chon Buri.

Meaning the 'south-west monsoon wind" and correctly pronounced "Patti-yah" not "Patt-eye-yah" this lively destination located roughly 150 kilometres from Bangkok ranks as one of the most successful beach resorts in the world, with some 5.4 million visitors arriving in 2005. The city is chiefly infamous as a sex tourism destination. In fact, Pattaya is one of the most prostitution based economies of any city in the world in terms of sheer number of establishments, sex tourists, and regular sex workers.

Pattaya receives a large number of repeat visitors - professional people, families, and retired couples. Increasing numbers come from the former Soviet Union and East Asia.

The city of Pattaya is a self governing special municipal area which covers the whole tambon Nong Prue and Na Kluea and parts of Huai Yai and Nong Pla Lai. It is located in the heavily industrial Eastern Seaboard zone, along with Si Racha, Laem Chabang, and Chon Buri. However, it remains mostly a tourist city, with very light industry.

Pattaya is second only to Bangkok in high rise buildings, as many condos for foreign residents are built, and has a modest skyline. The city's economy benefits from its relative proximity to Bangkok.

Pattaya History
Pattaya was simply a small fishing village until it was discovered as a beach resort by Bangkok residents in the 1960s. Soon thereafter, American servicemen from all over Southeast Asia, including the United States Air Force base at U-Tapao in neighbouring Rayong province began using the area for "rest and recuperation" (R&R), causing a huge boom in prostitution. When the Americans left following the end of the Vietnam War, the city fell into a crisis. However, modern mass tourism, particularly single men looking for companionship, from Europe and America, brought a new lease of life to Pattaya.

The rapid growth of tourism brought about many negative consequences, such as pollution and petty crime. In 1976, the Pattaya City Act was passed by the Thai legislature, making Pattaya a self-administrating municipality governed by a Council-manager government. However, many argue that this administration system has drawbacks (for example, the mayor may disagree with the city manager). Critics have recommended abolishing the system.

In recent years the city has pushed hard to clean up its image, and family-focused entertainment is increasingly available; however, the core sex-industry has ensured that Pattaya retains its position as one of the world's most renowned party destinations. In 2005, more than 35,000 hotel rooms were available in Pattaya and it has seen a large increase in family tourism in recent years, thanks to efforts to present a more wholesome image. Despite these efforts, Pattaya's sex industry is the city's raison d' etre. Pattaya is an especially popular vacation destination for families from Russia, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Pattaya also has a large international expatriate population, especially British and Russian residents.