We previously explored the deeply layered meanings of mai pen rai and jai yen. Now it’s time for our last Thai phrase that comes in handy in the kingdom but is also not so easy to translate. Perhaps no single word captures the spirit of Thailand better than sabai. Though it’s most often translated as … read the full post

Bangkok’s Khao San Road area has a reputation for grungy budget digs and some of the most apathetic receptionists in Thailand. Rang Kha Mhin Homestay bucks this trend with spotless, reasonably priced rooms, organic food and a thoughtful, caring staff. Opened earlier this year, Rang Kha Mhin is a breath of fresh air in the … read the full post

Year-old Korbua House is one of a few midrange hotels to have recently materialised in Bangkok’s Samsen area, just north of Khao San Road. Tucked beside Khlong Lamphu canal, the hotel offers fully kitted out rooms with more charm than some of its larger new counterparts. For flashpackers seeking a comfortable stay in the city’s … read the full post

Ever since Buddhism arrived in Thailand, it has mingled with a complex, pre-existing tapestry of Hinduism, spirit worship, superstition and black magic. One aspect of these traditions is sak yant, or magical tattoos believed to grant health, protection, power, wealth and luck to those who receive them. The most famous place to get a sak yant tattoo … read the full post

Do you enjoy really good coffee? A robust cup of northern Thai Arabica is readily available all over Bangkok, but sometimes a taste of Guatemala, Kenya or Brazil is in order. Located off Sukhumvit Road, Kuppa is a high-end coffee shop and restaurant that offers an array of house-roasted gourmet beans from several continents. Throw … read the full post

We’ve delved into the subtleties of mai pen rai; the next phrase we think every traveller to Thailand should know, jai yen, literally translates as “cool heart“. Good to keep in mind during tense situations, it highlights Thai culture’s emphasis on staying cool and composed. In a deeper sense, jai yen can be a powerful … read the full post

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

Located across the road from Hualamphong rail station and on the doorstep of the same named subway stop, @Hua Lamphong Hostel offers spic-and-span dorms and private rooms with a fair amount of extras that we wouldn’t expect for the budget prices. It doesn’t win big style points, but for those seeking a modern and efficient … 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

On Chinatown’s most charmed street, a hand-painted sign hangs lopsided from a tree along the footpath that fronts an ancient wat. It leads us past the temple’s chedis and monks’ quarters, into a narrow alley where a couple of kids play with a shaggy dog. Here, tucked along the Chao Phraya River in a restored … read the full post