Look up Chiang Mai province in a guide or on a map and you’ll see the same Thai place names cropping up over and over again: Doi this, Mae that and so on. So what do they all mean? Some you may well have already guessed at but here goes with a few of the … read the full post

If you’ve spent much time on the internet over the past decade, chances are, at some stage, you will have sat though one of the “Dancing Matt” videos on Youtube. American Matt Harding put together a short video of himself and his distinctive dance in a number of countries around the world in 2003 and … read the full post

At first glance, the southwest Thai island of Ko Libong may not seem like the greatest vacation spot. The coast is on the rocky side, and the golden sand beaches are grainier than some of the more popular nearby islands. Yet, for those willing to tread off the usual tourist track Libong offers a charming … read the full post

Amid the many pork soup stalls in Bangkok proper, real vegetarian food takes some serious scouting. But on Khao San Road, you don’t have to venture far to find some, for what Khao San Road lacks in authentic Thai culture, it makes up for in budget hotels and delicious vegetarian eats. The infamous road may … read the full post

The Thai name for the Shan people is Thai Yai, meaning great or big Thai. Indeed though possessing distinct cultural traits, a very separate history and inhabiting adjacent rather than overlapping regions, the Shan people are a part of the greater Tai* ethnic family — which also includes Lao, Tai Lu, Black Tai, White Tai … read the full post

If you’ve come to Thailand for the food (and let’s be honest: if you haven’t, you’ve made a mistake,) visits to local markets are key. Bangkok’s markets are varied — some gigantic, some tiny — but all are a cacophony of striving for the best food at the best price. Participation in this ritual is … read the full post

I like Christmas in Chiang Mai — most decent nearby getaways from here are either booked out ages ahead and/or charge ridiculous festive season supplements. There’s a crisp edge to the weather in Chiang Mai too which, without climbing Mount Fansipan, is about a festive season a feel as you’ll find in most of Southeast … read the full post

In Ko Samui’s Fisherman’s Village, you’ll find old Chinese shophouses that are well preserved, interspersed with tasteful modern buildings to create a real ‘Mediterranean meets the East’ vibe. With some good accommodation choices, delicious food and a range of shopping on offer, it’s a good little destination in its own right. Here’s a roundup of … read the full post

Movie theatres in Bangkok run the gamut from shining, multiple screen palaces of movie consumption to ageing-yet-still-grand examples of mid-sixties architecture. Dinner and a movie are among the most affordable of Bangkok entertainment, especially with all of the great street food available in the City of Angels. So where to eat and what to see? … read the full post

Bangkok can seem to be a world within itself; but although the British pubs and ice skating rinks may suggest otherwise, the capital city is, indeed, still in Thailand. Hoards of Westerners, known as “farang” in Thai, travel in and out of the city daily, and many have made Bangkok their permanent residence. Farangs are … read the full post