We can’t have any pretensions at comprehensive Chiang Mai coverage without mentioning what is the city’s largest market: Worarot. Worarot refers to a entire downtown district of the city, spreading out on both sides of Chang Moi Road and covering an area roughly between Ratchawong, Tha Pae Road and the River. Worarot (or Warorot) market … 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

Chatuchak market (pronounced jat-u-jak), or “JJ” for short, is packed with items to buy — from refurbished vintage dresses through to Yorkshire terriers and quite a bit in between. JJ is not a made-for-tourists destination; gaggles of locals make a pilgrimage to this outdoor market each weekend. For some, JJ is a shopping heaven, and … read the full post

We’re covering a very different kind of market compared to our last post’s one on Prathu Chiang Puaka though it’s certainly another of our faves in Chiang Mai. Kamthieng market is what in the West we might call a garden centre, as it sells flowers, plants, trees, garden equipment, furniture, decorations and so on. This … read the full post

As we all know some of the best Thai food can be found in markets and street stalls. In Chiang Mai, the night market at Prathu Chang Puak or Chang Puak Gate market, is one of the best food markets we know of in town. It’s located on the exterior side of the northern moat … read the full post

If you’ve come to Thailand for the food (and let’s be honest: if you haven’t, you’ve made a mistake,) visits to local markets are key. Bangkok’s markets are varied — some gigantic, some tiny — but all are a cacophony of striving for the best food at the best price. Participation in this ritual is … read the full post

In Ko Samui’s Fisherman’s Village, you’ll find old Chinese shophouses that are well preserved, interspersed with tasteful modern buildings to create a real ‘Mediterranean meets the East’ vibe. With some good accommodation choices, delicious food and a range of shopping on offer, it’s a good little destination in its own right. Here’s a roundup of … read the full post

We’ve given you our selections of where to stay across all budgets on Mae Nam Beach, Ko Samui, so now we’ll turn our attention to eating and doing. Best eats Magic Cup is a tiny coffee shop, 100 metres past Seventy-Five restaurant supply store, and they make the best iced cappuccinos on the island for … read the full post

Wet markets in Thailand are easy to come across — gigantic Khlong Toei simmers in the south of Bangkok near the river and Hwai Kwang bubbles and brews in Ratchada — but orderly Or Tor Kor is a real treat in the north. Or Tor Kor (actually pronounced Aw Taw Kaw, every syllable rhyming with … read the full post

Enjoying Bangkok on a budget is very possible, and my favourite part? There’s no need to sacrifice comfort or delicious meals. Compared to Southeast Asian cities like Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok is a bargain. However, if your point of reference is the rest of Thailand, or neighbouring countries, Bangkok starts to look a little steep. Taking a few … read the full post