If it’s tradition you’re after for Christmas and you’ll be on Thailand’s Ko Samui, the island won’t let you down in the roast-with-gravy-and-all-the-trimmings department. Many of the resorts –and not only the high-end ones — include a compulsory gala dinner for Christmas Eve. If you’re paying for it, you may as well make the most … read the full post

Those unfamiliar with Bangkok’s nightlife may assume Bangkok has a monopoly on sleazy bars and not a whole lot else. But those who’ve spent a little more time — demonstrated some dedication, even — on discovering the city’s drinking establishments will know Bangkok has a very fine line in hipster hangouts, too. Often defined by … read the full post

Of all the scams to watch for in Phuket, the taxi rip-off deserves special mention. Anyone who has travelled through any other part of Thailand will be shocked the first time they hire a Phuket taxi or tuk tuk, which can be four or five times more expensive than trips of a similar distance in … read the full post

One of a few striking 200-plus year old churches in Bangkok, Assumption Cathedral is the centre of Catholicism in Thailand. The church is nestled in a historic area off Charoen Krung Road near the Chao Phraya River and is worth a visit whether worshipping or just sightseeing. Named after the biblical name for the death … read the full post

Khao San, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Pai and… Lampang? North Thailand’s Lampang city (capital of the province of the same name) has never been and probably never will be on anyone’s itinerary of hot Thai destinations. Well, so much the better for the trickle of more adventurous foreign visitors who do make the worthwhile detour to … read the full post

Old Saint Nick looked a bit thin last year thanks to the tropical heat (or mistaking chillies for candy canes), but he was still sighted in Bangkok riding in trains, ho-ho-ing beneath highway overpasses and soaring above the skyline in a magic flying-elephant-powered tuk tuk. Here’s where you can catch up with Santa for Christmas … read the full post

If I had 100 baht for each time someone asked me which is the best beach on Ko Tao then I wouldn’t need to work again. The answer isn’t that simple and like anything in life it depends on your definition of best. The simplest thing to do then would be to work our way … read the full post

Apart from pad Thai, smoothies and kebabs on Khao San Road, ordering street food in Bangkok can be frustrating if you don’t know the Thai lingo. Menus are usually posted only in Thai and many basic dishes — like som tam and noodle soup — come with a range of options that can leave travellers dumbfounded. … read the full post

UPDATE: Power has now been restored to Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan. We we woke up to the good news this morning, sleeping on the balcony for a breeze, surrounded by mosquitos. There was that tell-tale sound of the fridge buzzing, meaning that the power was on. Supply was restored on the mainland at … read the full post

The small riverside town of Chiang Khong is primarily known as an entry or departure point for travellers to Laos but there’s a lot more to this charming north Thai town than an immigration checkpoint and a jetty. We reckon it’s well worth a detour even if you’re not planning on joining the slow boat … read the full post