As a roving travel writer focusing on the Thai islands, everyone says I have a dream job. And, well, they’re right. I get paid to spend my days in places that most people can only daydream about from their offices. My last work trip took me to Ko Lipe, Ko Kradan, and Ko Tarutao (to … read the full post

The vast majority of visitors and expats appreciate the delights of Thai cuisine (which incidentally can help with life’s trials and tribulations) but every now and then most people are going to fancy a change from street and market food. Now while Thais will happily eat rice at least three times a day (indeed the … read the full post

Thailand’s largest protected island, majestic Ko Tarutao of the Andaman Sea, spans some 150 square kilometres and has long been feared as a wild place where dangerous animals, treacherous ghosts, uncompromising pirates and escaped prisoners roam the thick and mountainous jungle. It’s no surprise, then, that the Malay word “tarutao” is translated as ancient, mystical … read the full post

It’s with a heavy heart that I admit I’m leaving Bangkok; life is pulling in other directions. People wonder why I love living here — it’s hot, chaotic, sometimes heart-breakingly cruel, but I’ve never been happier, or better fed. For me, being well fed apparently makes anything bearable. I respect a culture that in the … read the full post

We can’t have any pretensions at comprehensive Chiang Mai coverage without mentioning what is the city’s largest market: Worarot. Worarot refers to a entire downtown district of the city, spreading out on both sides of Chang Moi Road and covering an area roughly between Ratchawong, Tha Pae Road and the River. Worarot (or Warorot) market … read the full post

Following on from part 1 of getting around on Samui, which covered songthaews, motorbike taxis and taxis, in this post we look at renting your own scooter or motorbike, renting a car, and that old chestnut, walking. Scooters Automatic scooters are available for rent all over the island. Expect to pay from 120 to 250 … read the full post

If you’re searching for fine art, masterfully curated and periodically refreshed, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) is likely not for you. But if you define ‘fine’ as suitable for a lazy Bangkok weekend, the BACC is an ideal venue. The BACC does not demand much of your time or any of your money; … read the full post

Getting around on Ko Samui is easy, with several options available. Being an island, it is hard to get seriously lost. Keep in mind that there is a main Ring Road, known as the 4169, which as about 45km long, with two prominent linking loop roads: one in the north east (4171), joining Bang Rak, … read the full post

Wat Chedi Luang rivals Wat Phra Singh for the title of Chiang Mai’s most important and prestigious city temple. Though it comes a definite second for local visitors, the two temples are probably neck and neck in terms of foreigners, though for sheer size Wat Chedi Luang has no competition. The partially ruined chedi is … read the full post

Food, glorious food! Bangkok’s Rangnam neighbourhood is tucked between Phaholyothin and Ratchaprarop roads, close to the Victory Monument traffic circle (a major connection point for Bangkok‘s buses and public van services, as well as the BTS). It’s a neighbourhood that holds several hospitals, colleges and a lot of businesses, which mean only one thing to us: … read the full post