As if choosing a dive centre on Ko Tao wasn’t a big enough task in itself, you are then likely to be asked if you would prefer an SSI or PADI course. Here’s what you need to know. Firstly, both PADI and SSI are internationally recognised and you can dive anywhere in the world with … read the full post

Bug & Bee Cafe on Silom Road offers standard Thai dishes, Italian and Japanese inspired vegetarian fare, French-style crepes with a Thai twist, and a host of fusion dishes that aren’t afraid to test the limits of cuisine-blending experimentation. Add a host of baked goods and extensive coffee, bubble tea and smoothie menus, and Bug … read the full post

Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) is an iconic Ko Samui image. Located on the 4171 at the end of Bang Rak, as one rounds the bend to Plai Laem, this huge statue is glimmering gold and visible from kilometres away. Perched atop a platform, it’s much higher above sea level than its own 12-metre height, … read the full post

VW bars are converted vans with staff operating the cocktail shakers from inside the Volkswagen. Decorated with neon fairy lights, disco balls and impressive sound systems blaring out the latest pop hits, they’re a noticeable addition to Bangkok party street Sukhumvit 11. Bangkok is a city where you can just as easily find high-end drinking … read the full post

One of the founding fathers of the Thai Forest Buddhist Tradition, Ajahn Mun Bhuridato (1870-1949) revitalised Buddhism in Thailand by living in a way that reflected the historical Buddha’s lifestyle as closely as possible, and many believe enlightenment to have been his reward. Throughout his years, Ajahn Mun wandered in untouched jungles while devoting himself … read the full post

We like loops — loops are good; no A to B and straight back to B again, no backtracking, no repetition, but departing your destination in one direction, travelling in a loop, circle, oval or trapezoid and returning from a different direction. As far as Northern Thai loops go, this is a particularly good one: … read the full post

Walk through just about any authentic food market in Thailand and you’ll notice vendors selling plump portions of something hidden under hearty dark banana or bamboo leaf wrappers. Sometimes (as I once found out unwittingly) these leaves contain grilled fish or fish curry cakes, but more often than not a sweet or savoury sticky rice … read the full post

The rural Chaiyaphum area in northeast Thailand boasts rolling green hills, cool air, and some of Thailand’s finest natural beauty. Despite this, few foreign tourists make it here due to the region’s remoteness and difficulty of reaching, but if you’ve got your own wheels (or aren’t afraid to spend a little cash to do something … read the full post

Located near the family-friendly beach of Choeng Mon, Samui Football Golf makes for a great family daytrip, or a good outing for a group of competitive friends, too. Exercise routines are often forgotten when on holiday, so this is a way to get the blood flowing without hitting the treadmill, and makes a pleasant alternative … read the full post

Thailand’s Ko Tao has somewhere in the region of 40 dive centres, so choosing one can feel daunting, particularly if you have never dived before. As with any choice, you need to keep in mind what you are looking for during your experience; don’t waver or compromise, and you should get what you want.  So, … read the full post