Bangkok doesn’t give up its secrets too easily, but for those willing to look deeper, the traditional flute making village of Baan Lao on the west side of the Chao Phraya river in Thonburi offers a taste of some “real” Thai culture away from the tourists. It also happens to make a worthy side trip … read the full post

In one of the world’s best food cities, Blue Elephant Bangkok is among the finest dining experiences around. Top notch restaurants from across the international playing field are plentiful in Bangkok, but if looking for a classy spot with outstanding service and a refined atmosphere that stays true to traditional Thai cuisine and culture, you’ll … read the full post

Arguably Thailand’s perfect all-round island, Ko Tao is best known for its outstanding diving and idyllic beaches and bays. On a recent visit we did both some scuba and beach lounging, but an unexpected highlight proved to be cliff jumping into a gorgeous emerald cove near Laem Thian point on the island’s east coast. After … read the full post

Bangkok is a land for love both pure and strange. If you’re on your way down south to dip your toes in the sand with your fiancée, or up north to hike through the mountains with your backpacking beau, don’t let the quirky and frenetic pace of the capital deter you from stopping by. Bangkok … read the full post

We were going to call this “The road to Pai” but in reality Chiang Mai to Pai is just too far to do comfortably on a small motorbike. We reckon it’s easier, more practical and above all safer to just take the bus up to the Mae Hong Son township, hire a bike there then … read the full post

Thailand’s known for its cheap clothes shopping, brand-name knock-offs and haggling to get already low-priced items at a steal. This, however, usually means sweating it out in an overcrowded market; anyone who has been to Bangkok’s Pratunam Market will know that the usually fun-filled day of shopping can turn into torture as temperatures soar in … read the full post

Asiatique, a new Bangkok night bazaar set along the Chao Phraya River, appears to be catching on fast. Along with upwards of 1,500 shops and restaurants, the bazaar boasts Thailand’s longest riverfront boardwalk, which stretches 300 metres and makes for some glitzy photo-ops among the evening sparkle of the river. Asiatique isn’t quite running on … read the full post

We’ve been on a northeastern Thai (Isaan) spicy salad kick of late and sampled endless cheap som tam stands scattered around Bangkok. Baan Somtum on Soi Si Wiang in Sathorn produces 22 varieties of som tam along with a host of other Isaan soups and salads in a modern, enclosed restaurant atmosphere. You pay a … read the full post

Chiang Mai has loads of cafes; the local brew is excellent, the accompanying bakeries are good and nearly all come with free WiFi and pleasant seating areas. But when we came come across this interesting variation on a coffee shop theme the other day — a piano bar coffee shop — we thought it was … read the full post

A handful of youngsters kick a soccer ball along the beach. Early evening smoke rises from a grilled fish vendor’s cart. A soft orange glow blankets the sky as gentle waves lap upon the shore. Life has returned to normal in the picturesque seaside hamlet of Baan Nam Kem, but memories of the day in … read the full post