Sep
30
2012
Thailand’s Isaan region has been occupied since at least 6,000 years ago, when hunter gatherer tribes first migrated over the Phetchabun ranges from central Thailand, archeological work at such sites as Ban Non Wat in the Mun Valley in Khorat, Nok Nok Tha in Khon Kaen and Udon’s Ban Chiang has shown. Fertile valleys such … read the full post
Sep
30
2012
In Chinatown’s maze of alleyways, overloaded vespas and tuk tuks vie for space with street food vendors, shoppers from around the world and old school human-powered pushcarts. Shopping here is a grittier and more crowded experience than, for example, Terminal 21, Asiatique or even Chatuchak, but there’s nothing like getting lost in Chinatown‘s colourful markets … read the full post
Sep
27
2012
The Big Buddha of Phuket is a gleaming white 45-metre-tall statue that sits atop the highest peak of the Nakkerd Hills in Ao Chalong. Visible from many places across the south of the island, the Big Buddha’s become one of the most popular attractions on Phuket since construction started on it in the early 2000s. … read the full post
Sep
27
2012
Le Beach Club, located along the 4169 Ring Road, just before Bang Po enters Nathon, has added a fresh breath to an area of Samui that was looking a little neglected. Several little beach bars have recently popped up along this road, so it’s worth heading this way, particularly at sunset hour. We weren’t quite … read the full post
Sep
24
2012
Right up there with ornate temples and spicy food, Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) is one of the first things that comes to mind when most think of Thailand. Catching a fight in the world’s Muay Thai capital — Bangkok — is considered a must-do for many visitors, and a good number of them head to … read the full post
Sep
23
2012
Covering some 160,000 square kilometres, the northeastern region of Thailand, I-san*, accounts for nearly a third of the kingdom’s surface area and includes 20 provinces with a total population of approximately 22 million. Geographically and still to a large extent culturally, I-san possesses a unique identity distinct from that of Central, Northern and Southern Thailand. … read the full post
Sep
21
2012
We have all done it. Far in the back of a cupboard lies a box of corny oh-my-word-what-was-I-thinking souvenirs from past holidays. Some things feel so right in the heat of the moment and we end up buying useless junk that is not a true reminder of our adventures away. Here’s a suggested list to … read the full post
Sep
21
2012
We’ve written before on Bangkok‘s riverside Asiatique shopping extravaganza, but on a recent visit to the city we had the opportunity to spend a late afternoon and evening wandering the alleys, sampling the snackies and soaking up the Chao Phraya scenery. All in all, it’s a bit of a gentrified Chatuchak market. The laneways are … read the full post
Sep
20
2012
If you look online, the only long-term accommodation options you’ll find on Thailand’s Ko Tao are very high-end villas at very high-end prices. This is not the case once you are here. Here’s our suggested plan of attack for finding somewhere to live once you do arrive. Most people who come here looking to stay … read the full post
Sep
19
2012
One of Bangkok’s best kept secrets, Khlong Bang Luang artist village on the Thonburi (west) side of the Chao Phraya inspires visitors with a relaxed, artsy canal-side atmosphere and daily shadow puppet shows. Yet the leafy alleyways surrounding the artist house are half of the draw, and a few of the neighbourhood’s fantastic noodle shops … read the full post