Seetanu beach is a quiet area on Ko Pha Ngan’s west coast, about a 10-minute drive along the beach road from Thong Sala. Surrounded by yoga and detox centres, it’s a popular place with yogis and others seeking a perhaps healthy change in their lives. The beach itself is long, and not so great for … read the full post

Bangkok’s Khao San Road area has a reputation for grungy budget digs and some of the most apathetic receptionists in Thailand. Rang Kha Mhin Homestay bucks this trend with spotless, reasonably priced rooms, organic food and a thoughtful, caring staff. Opened earlier this year, Rang Kha Mhin is a breath of fresh air in the … read the full post

Though Ko Samui has loads of great restaurants and very affordable food, if you’re a traveller who prefers to self-cater, perhaps because you’re travelling with young children or health or religious reasons make it preferable, it’s easy to do during your stay. Ko Samui is no longer the undeveloped backwater it once was; several supermarket chains are … read the full post

Year-old Korbua House is one of a few midrange hotels to have recently materialised in Bangkok’s Samsen area, just north of Khao San Road. Tucked beside Khlong Lamphu canal, the hotel offers fully kitted out rooms with more charm than some of its larger new counterparts. For flashpackers seeking a comfortable stay in the city’s … read the full post

If scuba isn’t your thing but you love the simplicity of snorkelling then free diving might just be for you. Free diving or breath-hold diving had been around for eons — it existed long, long before scuba. Traditionally it was a way of collecting sponge and fishing, but free diving has evolved into a competition sport … read the full post

Ever since Buddhism arrived in Thailand, it has mingled with a complex, pre-existing tapestry of Hinduism, spirit worship, superstition and black magic. One aspect of these traditions is sak yant, or magical tattoos believed to grant health, protection, power, wealth and luck to those who receive them. The most famous place to get a sak yant tattoo … read the full post

The Sanctuary is something of a Ko Pha Ngan institution, with guests coming from all over the world specifically for their yoga and detox programs. Located on a beach reached only by boat or four-wheel drive, it’s a testament to The Sanctuary’s reputation that consistently attracts the crowds. The multi-level beachfront restaurant greets arriving guests, … read the full post

The Samui Regatta is the island’s biggest sporting event and brings in competitors and spectators from around the world. The regatta forms the final event of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix, and it’s a lot of fun, even for non-sailors. This year, the festivities and races start on 25 May, and end on 1 June, … read the full post

Phuket Art Village is a creative community tucked away down a small lane in Nai Harn at the southern end of Phuket. Home to a diverse and growing collection of home studios and galleries, the village was built from the ground up by the artists themselves. The village is set on a small plot of … read the full post

Thannatee Boutique Hotel is one of the most interesting new spots we’ve looked at in a while in Chiang Mai city, or anywhere else for that matter. It boasts an excellent location and highly imaginative decor, and though firmly in the upper midrange, it’s good value for money and, we reckon, well worth a splash … read the full post