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

We spotlighted a few of Bangkok’s best pizza joints back in October 2011, but that was before Pala Pizza Romana hit the scene just over a year ago. This casual, easy-to-reach restaurant brims with red, white and green goodness and has since become our go-to spot when an Italian craving needs quenching. While Bella Napoli … read the full post

Kopitiam by Wilai is a newish place but its retro design complete with vintage photos of the island’s past makes it feel like an old favourite in Phuket’s Old Town. The word kopitiam should be familiar to travellers around Southeast Asia, a Malay-Hokkien phrase that translates simply to “coffee shop”. It’s a fitting name for … read the full post

Despite being tucked right behind Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, Saranrom Royal Garden (aka Saranrom Park) is one of Bangkok’s most overlooked green spaces. This distinguished patch of trees, ponds, flowers and gazebos once hosted Thai royal gatherings. Now a public park, Saranrom is a pleasant and convenient spot for a morning stroll, a … read the full post

The slightly grubby and often congested stretch of road running between Chiang Mai’s Narawat Bridge and Tha Pae Gate, which goes by the name of Tha Pae Road, has always been firmly in the say light blue or at best purple set on Chiang Mai’s imaginary Monopoly board but these days, while not yet up … read the full post

Samui Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation has been improving the lives of Ko Samui’s animals for 13 years, and is a cause well worth supporting. Their main shelter is in Taling Ngam, where homeless animals are housed until a new home can be found for them, and where quarantined animals will go. A second, smaller … read the full post

If looking for a comfortable, quaint, classy and clean place to stay on a midrange budget in the heart of Bangkok’s historical district, Feung Nakorn Balcony is a fantastic choice. This medium size family-run hotel is a perfect example that the boozy backpacker scene of Khao San Road can be entirely avoided while still staying … read the full post

Ko Tao attracts more families each year and I would think that most parents, divers or not, might be surprised by what’s on offer diving wise for their little mermaids. Here’s a wrap on what kids can do and expect when it comes to scuba diving on the island. Clearly your children can enjoy snorkelling … read the full post

Bangkok is surely the most hedonistic of all cities in Southeast Asia, so you can be certain they’ll throw a great party to ring in 2013. Most of the biggest clubs have begun to unveil their New Year plans, with a general theme of “lots of DJs and drink promotions” to entice in the punters. … read the full post