Nestled to the north of old Thonburi along the Chak Phra canal, the Thaling Chan floating market is a convenient choice for those who want to see (and taste) a canal-side Thai market without straying too far from Bangkok. It may not be the best, biggest, or most ‘authentic’ floating market around, but it certainly … read the full post

Of all the abundant flowers that burst with colour year-round in Thailand, none can match the delicate beauty of orchids. Located just outside Bangkok, Air Orchid Farm is perhaps the best place in the kingdom to experience the many types of orchids in all their splendid glory. Encompassing some 25,000 distinctive species of orchid, the … read the full post

Most of the Chao Phraya riverfront in Bangkok is packed with upscale hotels and condos, dilapidated shacks, industrial shipyards and the odd parking lot. While plenty of restaurants offer patio seating along the river, most are too expensive for those on a tight backpacker budget. Few and far between as they may be, Bangkok does … read the full post

Set in a leafy locale out in Thonburi‘s western reaches, Khlong Lat Mayom boasts a colourful atmosphere and some outstanding food in a market that’s popular among locals but little known to tourists. Like the markets at Bang Nam Phueng and Bang Khla, just to name a couple, Khlong Lat Mayom sprang up only in … read the full post

What do you get when you take a picturesque river setting and add friendly locals on row boats serving a plethora of fantastic, traditional Thai food? On a recent day trip to Bang Khla floating market east of Bangkok we found the definitive answer: a lot of very happy people. Like most of Thailand’s modern … read the full post

Tis the season to be jolly, or if you are in Thailand, hang out by the beaches, trek alongside elephants, or stand under a waterfall. Thailand, a Buddhist country, may not have a traditional white Christmas, but there are plenty of easy-to-get-to getaways just outside of Bangkok for fun in the sand. If you’re looking … read the full post

You have some time to kill before a big trip, or a weekend to spare. You want to stay near Bangkok but get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Ko Samet is in no way an overseas destination island — that is, if you’re travelling to Thailand for the first time and … read the full post

Ayutthaya was once one of the richest cities in the world and the capital of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. It was sacked by the Burmese in 1767, bringing down both the city and the kingdom. It’s estimated that its population was more than 300,000 by the early 1600s, and grew to almost a million inhabitants … read the full post

For most travellers coming to Thailand, beaches are part of the allure. Scores of incredible islands and beaches wait to be explored all over the region, but a couple of spots not too far from Bangkok are perfect for those looking to get out of town for a few days. Hua Hin One of the oldest … read the full post

Sometimes you need to get out of Bangkok for a minute, to some place that is a bit quieter, and preferably cooler. Mahachai is a port town about 45 kilometres southwest of Bangkok. It squats on a bend of the Chao Phraya river as it heads out into the Gulf of Thailand, divided up into … read the full post