Thailand is something of a meat-laden obstacle course for vegetarians and vegans — vegetable dishes are flavoured with meat, vats of pork broth bring meaty savouriness to otherwise vegetarian noodles, and everything is salted with a lashing of fish sauce. You’ve got to know your enemy to defeat it. Here in the kingdom “vegetarian eating” … read the full post

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport might be a sprawling mess, but you’ll have to navigate it at some point in your travels — here’s the second part of our guide on how to travel into Bangkok once you’ve cleared immigration. Check out part I for info on trains and cabs into the city. Bus and public … read the full post

One of the first things travellers to Thailand may notice about their surrounds are the colourful and ornate spirit houses resembling miniature temples that are strategically positioned outside every home, business, school and in public areas. Other than making great photo opportunities for tourists, what is behind these impressive little structures? Spirits abound everywhere in … read the full post

First, tourism surged in Thailand in the 1960s, due to faster planes, a rise in the standard of living, a simulacrum of political stability, and Nam soldiers needing some R & R. Second, the fundamental question still being asked today arose: should I begin my journey through Thailand in Bangkok or Chiang Mai? After an … read the full post

Suvarnabhumi Airport is celebrating it’s fifth anniversary; love it or hate it, it’s one of Southeast Asia’s largest hubs. Suvarnabhumi serves around 100 different airlines and almost 45 million passengers a year, all of whom are ready to get the airport behind them and onto the beaches or mountains they came for. Suvarnabhumi is around … read the full post

Bang Rak is located on the northern coast of Ko Samui, with Bophut to its west and Plai Laem to its east. The beach area of Bang Rak is also referred to as Big Buddha beach, because of the huge golden statue at the eastern end of the beach, just before Plai Laem. The beach … read the full post

The two cities that are arguably the most popular for travellers in Thailand, Bangkok and Chiang Mai, clearly have a lot to offer. How do they compare, in a nutshell? (Yes, we know we’re succumbing to some cliches here, but it’s part of the fun…) The food Chiang Mai: Signature khao soi; Isaan papaya salad, … read the full post

It’s taken us a while to get around to writing a post on what is really Chiang Mai’s most important temple, Wat Phra Singh, and while walking around this afternoon we had the distinct feeling it was possibly actually our first ever visit!? Our office is directly opposite the main entrance — but then we … read the full post

Thailand is known for its lush silks and elaborate textiles, but in Bangkok proper, cheap and trendy clothing abounds. As we can see from Bangkok’s haunted mall and airport terminal, shopping is a bit of cultural obsession, one that is highly contagious. You can’t avoid shopping in Bangkok even if you try: opportunities for snapping … read the full post

When khlongs were the most reliable transport and boats plied the “Venice of the East”, boat noodles were Thailand’s answer to delivery pizza. Vendors didn’t deliver upon order, but they did ply their way across the city selling noodle soups from wooden sampans calling out for customers as they passed by. Vendors soon developed loyal … read the full post