Pronounced jedee not jedi, so if you’re after a Star Wars-related post you’re going to be disappointed! Walking or riding around Chiang Mai you can’t help but notice these isolated, old brick stupas — or chedis as they call them in these parts — liberally scattered around town. They’re found in the old city, around … read the full post

Nothing says summer time where I come from (the flat, dry farming part of the world) like a Sunday trip to the lake. Waterskiing, grilling, and Sunday afternoon beers are an integral part of the summer social fabric. Lacking a boat, I thought that Sunday afternoons next to the lake were something I’d just have … read the full post

After hearing many gripes about how devoid Bangkok is of culture, I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of thorough and user-friendly museums in this town. Dig a little beneath the surface and you’ll find a  selection of cultural picks, from modern galleries to niche novelty stops. Among the riches are several Bangkok-focused history … read the full post

Don Phayam market is a bit out of the way but well worth the trip if you’d like to visit, what for us is, the quintessential Chiang Mai market. Take all the Thai market cliches beloved of guide books and tour programmes: bustling, colourful, lively, traditional, vibrant, and you’ve got Talaart Don, (sometimes written Ton), … read the full post

Much like the ladyboy scene in Bangkok, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is difficult to really understand. Gay-transexual agrees to sex change operation (which is botched) to get visa out of East Berlin, arrives in Middle America to have relationship fall apart, right as wall falls in Berlin. Begins very strange musical career, has songs … read the full post

When passing through this megapolis, people often seem to be in search of the typical Bangkok experience. While sites like Wat Phra Kaew and shopping at Chatuchak Market jump to mind, if you’re looking to do Bangkok like a hi-so local, then a VIP movie-viewing at Siam Paragon cannot be missed. For 850 baht, quite … read the full post

I had a mate from Siem Reap visit me in Chiang Mai recently. He’s a guide, so knows Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Ta Phrom and so on inside out . His first comment on arriving was, “Oh, it’s got a city wall… and a moat, and it’s square shaped is it?!” “Well, yes,” I said. … read the full post

Looking around Chiang Mai’s accommodation offerings it’s clear that for anywhere with pretensions above standard Thai hotel style or backpacker guesthouse chic then Lanna style is flavour of the month — or decade. But what is it? Good question. Historically and culturally Lanna refers to the northern Thai kingdom, founded in Chiang Saen but for … read the full post

It might be kind of strange to imagine yourself craving Mexican food while in Bangkok, but let me tell you something — it happens… a lot. Oddly enough the Thai kitchen lends itself quite nicely to Mexican eats and the burrito options in Bangkok are far tastier than one would anticipate. In my opinion the … read the full post

Khlong San Pier along the Chao Phraya holds some fun and hidden secrets. Two restaurants with good music, cold beer, and great views of the boats passing by on the river flank the riverside on either side of the pier. Be My Guest and Id Beer Bar are both great spots to chill out; office … read the full post