Posts filed under 'Thailand'
If you are planning to Travel Thailand by Backpacking we have some really useful tips on what to bring for your backpacking holiday. We also have some Essential Information on our site for those Travelling for the fist time to Thailand. Personally I think it is important that you have a good understanding of the country, its people and their Culture. Our site offers a tremendous amount of valuable information for first time travellers.
Thailand is ‘western friendly’ so you won’t struggle with language problems or finding the food you like to eat or buying travel books and a Map of Thailand when you arrive in the country. Tourism is now a major source of income for Thailand so they are well geared up and waiting to take your hard earned money. Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) have the best source of current information, so take a look at their site too.
There are tons of Hotels in Thailand for those wanting the comforts of home but if you are backpacking then I take it you will be looking for Cheap Accommodation like the bamboo beach huts, tents or backpackers hostels, rather than fancy Hotels.
If you are travelling cheaply, don’t forget to keep some money for the end of your trip because you have to pay a ‘departure tax’ (about 500 Baht) when leaving the country.
The most common place to start your holiday is in Bangkok and there are often cheap flights available on the net. The other alternative is to keep a check with your local travel agents for their specials.
If you are planning on travelling during 2006 then you will be in for a specail treat. Thailand is celebrating the Sixtieth Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Accession to the Throne. The celebrations will be held throughout the year so it does not matter when you go as long as it is during 2006.
by Doreen B
April 9th, 2006
Kate, the author of our section on Thailand (we call her Pink Kate because she likes to color her hair and it’s usually pink) spent loads of time in Thailand. This is some advice from her about the Weather in Thailand and swimming in Thailand.
For those in the know, this is the time to visit Thailand (December – May) to avoid the rainy season. For those that have not been to Thailand before it is worth doing your homework about the Weather in Thailand.
For the beach bums, it is important to be aware that swimming off the coastal areas can be risky because of the strong riptides. This is particularly important to note during monsoon season and particularly for the areas of Phuket, Koh Chang, Pattaya and Hua Hin.
Another point for swimmer to note is that jellyfish are common in Thailand. The sting from the jellyfish can also be quite nasty; in fact in some cases the sting has been fatal. The jellyfish swim close to the shore and are more prevalent around the rainy season (May to October).
So take care, but do enjoy your holiday. I wish it were me going to visit Thailand.
Let me know if we have missed anything of interest on Thailand?
January 6th, 2006
Traveling to Thailand? If you booked your ticket early last year and you where scheduled to fly with Phuket Airlines, the bad news is that they have been suspended on the UK route. This took place in September 2005 and since then they have been banned from operating in various other airports including France and Belgium. The Thai Ministry of Transport grounded Phuket Airlines domestic flights as well because of safety concerns so if you have booked flights within Thailand, check and see if its with Phuket Air.
There are other major airlines you can use for flights to Thailand and also to flying within the country. Airlines like Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways are two that spring to mind. Don’t forget that companies like Air New Zealand also travel between the UK and Bangkok. Click on our site: IndigoGuide to get some handy information for your travels to Thailand.
January 6th, 2006
Some handy information on shopping in Thailand from the lass who wrote the bit about Thailand - she spent months in Thailand doing research and writing from there so I would take her advice. Jewelry scams in Thailand are real. The theory is that jewelry from Thailand is of better quality than in Western countries but beware… if you are approached by a stranger who offers to take you to a gem shop, steer clear. Once you are at the shop you get asked to buy the gems on your credit card. These gems are then sent to your home address in the UK and when you receive them you find that they are not worth what you paid for them. Getting your money back is almost impossible because the shops close down fairly quickly and re-open somewhere else under a different name. Just so that you know, the Thai Government and Tourist Authority does not own or sponsor any gem shops. If you are going to buy gems, have them tested first and remember that no genuine jewelry shop has ’sales’. If you must buy, then buy gems only from members of the Thai Jewel Fest Club. This is a non-profit organization which was set up by the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association and their members have to abide by a code of practice. If you need to know more, let me know or make a comment - cheers.
December 13th, 2005
I watched a programme the other day about tea and how it came about and how the tradition has grown. The dude from Twining Tea company in London explained that the term T.I.P. came from their tea house and that it meant ‘To Insure Promptness’. When you entered their tea house, there was box with the letters T.I.P. and if you put money into it, you would be served before any of the other patrons. Needless to say I looked it up and found that it actually to give gratuity and it dates back to the early 1600. One of the most refreshing drinks around is Thai iced tea or Cha nom yen which is a combination of black tea, ice and condensed milk. If you are going to Thailand, give it a go or if you don’t intend travelling, find a local Thai restaurant. The tea is very refreshing. Tell me what you want to know?
December 11th, 2005
While reading up on travel in Thailand, I stumbled across information that I find hard to believe. Apparently a lot of Thia men keep a Mistress or ‘Mia Noi’ (meaning minor wife) but don’t like to discuss the issue. Unlike western men who continuously talk of having a mistress but never do, or at least most of them don’t do it openly. It is said that having a Mia Noi is a growing practice and most Thai men see it as their right. I would think twice about letting my man go to Thailand on his own ladies. They may develop a taste for the culture. Does anyone have any first hand information on this subject?
December 8th, 2005
I have only experienced Bangkok in the early hours of the morning at the airport during a stopover flight to and from the UK but found the people friendly and helpful. Coffee wasn’t too bad either - actually it was nice or maybe I was just really tired. I wouldn’t mind exploring the country more though. If you are a keen art dealer or collector why not check out the Art and Antiques Fair taking place from the 9th to the 18th of December 2005 in Riverside. Its at the River City Shopping Complex in Bangkok. It starts at 11am and closes at 8pm. Its on the 4th floor. If art is not your scene, I believe that Bangkok has lots to offer, from shopping to discos, tattooing and market stalls to mention a few. Comments would be nice.
December 6th, 2005
Crazy Kate - spent a lot of time in Thailand and she is the journalist that wrote this section of the site. Crazy Kate- is her nickname - a fantastic person and a good journalist. She has recently spent almost 6 months in Argentina so at a later stage I (Steve) hope to get her to complete a section on the site covering this destination. Please add your comments to give us feedback - good stuff.
December 1st, 2005