What’s it like to dive on Thailand’s Ko Tao? The island really does have something to offer every level of diver; many divers flock here for all sorts of levels of training, and also to just enjoy fun diving. Ko Tao is surrounded by dive sites — more than 20, in fact, with the furthest … read the full post

Any visitor to Chiang Mai, or for that matter pretty much anywhere in Northern Thailand, will be struck by the preponderance of coffee shops; they are simply everywhere and, a few international chains excepted, provide cheap and excellent quality coffee. Here’s a rundown on the local brew up here in the north. Coffee cultivation in … read the full post

Nathon on Ko Samui’s west coast is away from the main tourist drag catering more to locals than visitors. This means that prices are generally cheaper at both shops and restaurants, making it worth a daytrip for a bit of shopping and exploring if you can drag yourself away from the beach. And should you … read the full post

Nestled along the Mekong River in the distant reaches of northeastern Thailand (aka Isaan) Mukdahan is perhaps best known as the place to catch a bus to Savannakhet in Laos, or if coming from there, onwards to Thailand’s must-see destinations. Yet this provincial capital city of 50,000 is one of our favourite low-key Isaan cities, … read the full post

Travelling from Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village towards Mae Nam, near Peace Resort & Spa, you’ll see a modern strip of shops and coffee houses that are worth a poke around. Maissa’s Party Shop, painted bright pink, always shows a colourful and themed window display. As Ko Samui doesn’t have any malls as such, Maissa’s is one … read the full post

Generally speaking, Bangkok’s brightly coloured taxis are abundant, cheap and reliable, but we’ve heard one too many stories from travellers who were “taken for a ride” from Suvarnabhumi airport in more way than one. Here’s how a common taxi scam plays out, and how to avoid it. After passing immigration and collecting bags, travellers emerge … read the full post