LoyKrathong Festival

LoyKrathong Day

One of the most beautiful festivals that take place in Thailand is the one for LoyKrathong. This is celebrated on the full moon in November 12, 2008. The word Loy means to float, and a Krathong is a banana leaf cup. People place a candle and incense sticks in their Krathongs and then float them on a local river or pond. As they push away their Krathong, they ask for forgiveness in polluting the waterways and also for good luck in the coming months. (http://www.learningthai.com/) to be continue again.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai the Second City of Thailand

We all know that Chiang Mai is the city that travellers both Thai and foreign value highly for it charm, extraordinary sites, and people. Also, the reputation for craftsmanship has made Chiang Mai become the centre for exports in the North of Thailand. These are the reasons that visitors are impelled to come here again and again. Therefore, information is always the priority for tourists.
Chiang Mai, 700 km northwest of Bangkok, is Thailands second city and the gateway to northern Thailand. There over 300 temples and monasteries in Chiang Mai, almost as many Bangkok, and city has a long tradition for arts and crafts.
Once described as one of the loveliest cities imaginable Chiang Mai still retains a certain flavour of the past with its moated old city, ancient wats and leafy back streets. Chiang Mais oldest temple is Wat Chiang Man which dates back to 1296 and is known for its two Buddha Images, one made of the stone and the other made from crystal.
Almost as old, Wat Phra Sing in the centre of town contains a 1,500 years old Buddha image and another Wat, Wat Chedi Luang, holds the ruins of a huge chedi or stupa that collapsed in an earthquake in 1545.
The Chiang Mai National Museum, just to the north of the city centre, houses an extensive collection of Buddha images and northern Thai handicrafts. Another museum that is worth a visit especially for those preparing to go trekking is the Tribal Museum which houses a good display of hill tribe textiles, jewellery, musical instruments, weapons and other artefacts.
Around 15km east of Chiang Mai is Bo Sang, also known as the Umbrella Village, where handmade paper umbrellas and many other hill tribe handicrafts are sold. Another popular excursion from Chiang Mai is a visit to the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre where attractions include elephant rides, elephant bathing and an exhibition on the importance of the elephant in Thai history and culture.
Chiang Mai has a distinct international atmosphere with many foreign businesses and organizations locating in the city over the past decade due to her excellent infrastructure with international direct flight connections to all countries in the region including China, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, Cambodia and Taiwan.
Shopping is great, be it for handicrafts, clothes or luxury items. Everthing can be found at great prices in stores ranging from small family run shops to world class luxury outlets and shopping malls.
Shopping is great, be it for handicrafts, clothes or luxury items. Everything can be found at great prices in stores ranging from small family run shops to world class luxury outlets and shopping malls. (Douglas Scott)

Pattaya

Discover the beauty of Pattaya
Pattaya is an enchanting destination, located along a pictorial bay on the East Coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 150 km southeast of Bangkok, in Chon Buri province. Once a typical fishing village, Pattaya underwent a great revival when a troop of American Military, consisting of about 100 servicemen, who joined the Vietnam War came here for relaxation on 29 April 1961.
Soon, Pattaya became a premier vacation spot of Thailand. The destination has now evolved into a favorite holiday beach resort of Southeast Asia, and boasta of everything that is required for a luxurious vacation, such as, more than 400 assorted hotels and resorts, city-like dining options, excellent shopping facilities, and intoxicating nightlife. Additionally, this incredible beach resort is only second to Bangkok in high rise structures. Due to its proximity to Bangkok, Pattaya is a popular weekend getaway for the city's dwellers. It is estimated that this exotic beach destination welcomes more than five million tourists every year. Further, inspired by the tranquility as well as the excellent options it render, many Americans, Europeans, and people from East Asian destinations, including professionals, families, and retired people, have now started to settle down here.
The focal point of Pattaya is undoubtedly its unspoilt beach, categorized into north, south, and central. Stretching from the Dolphin roundabout near Dusit Resort, North Pattaya, otherwise known as Pattaya Neau, is perhaps the most peaceful among the beaches in the area. Located south of the North Pattaya is Central Pattaya beach, a perfect spot for fun and recreation. This beach area is packed with boutique shops, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Nearby Central Pattaya is South Pattaya, which attracts many fun-loving travelers. With a variety bars, discotheques, and nightclubs, the area becomes energetic during night. In short, this destination is for adults only.
Located south of Pattaya beach is Jomitien Beach, which is another thriving beach in the area. Dong Tan is also a much famed beach in Pattaya. All of the beaches in the area provide options to enjoy an array of fun-filled as well as recreational activities.
For instance, if you are a diving enthusiast, Pattaya has diving shops to offer PADI and NAUI certificate courses and that too at affordable rates. For expert divers, the Ko Rin and Ko Man Wichai offer great options. Windsurfing is another great activity that can be enjoyed here. Jomtien Beach is regarded as a center of windsurfing, the evidence for which is the board competitions that are conducted by the Pattaya Windsurf Club. Likewise, the southern and Northern parts of Pattaya beach and Jomtien beach are considered an excellent spot for water skiing.
But, the activities that are available at Pattaya are not just confined to water sport activities. For example, Pattaya, together with Chon Buri, offer great facilities for golf lovers, with a number of golf courses designed by world-famous golfers. Similarly, with two alleys of international standards, Pattaya offers excellent choices for activities like bowling. Some great options are available for game lovers, such as paintball, with an exclusive ground in order to play the game. Those visiting the paintball ground can also take a visit to small racing ground nearby, which is especially designed for go-kart racing. A myriad of other activities can also be enjoyed in Pattaya such as traditional Thai massage, taking Thai cooking classes, and learning Thai culture and language.
However, Pattaya provides more than beach, island tours, and nightlife. In addition to water sport activities and shopping, the city provides a feast of attractions for sightseers and nature lovers. Among which, most significant are :
-Million years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm, boasting of beautiful rock gardens, more than 200 years old bonsai trees, and a great collection of animal species such as albino bears and crocodiles
-Elephant Village, where display of training methods as well as elephant rides are available
-Funny Land Amusement Park, which is a great area for both grown-ups and children, with specialties like Swing Vikings Ship, Samba Tower, Slalom Roller, Caster, Family Swinger, Demolition Derby, Musical Carousel and a Monorail
-Siriporn Orchid Farm, where you can see an astounding array of orchids such as catteleyas, vandas, daedrovium, escosanda and pompadours
-The Bottle Art Museum, which has on display a great selection of over 300 glass bottles consisting of replecas of churches, palaces, and temples
-Mini Siam, a miniature city with reolicas of about 80 sacred places as well as most prominent historical sites in the country
With these umpteen attractions, it is no wonder why people flock here throughout the year. Hence, the growing number of tourists has led to a tremendous increase in the number of hotels and resorts. Pattaya has accommodation to suit every taste and pocket. Luxury lovers can take advantage of upscale hotels and resorts coupled with top-end facilities and comforts.

Many of the hotels and resorts in the area offer excellent packages inclusive of 3 or 4 night accommodation, dining, and facilities to enjoy some of the activities in the area. Some even customize this package according to you requirements. (Wolfgang Jaegel)

Phuket

Phuket : An Amazing Scuba Location

Phuket is located in Thailand and is very highly rated. In fact, it is among the world's top ten scuba diving locations. Exotic culture, adventure both above and below the surface, unforgettable food, Phuket has all the right ingredients for a perfect diving holiday. There are breath taking reefs and remarkable underwater rock formations in addition to the different types of marine life that are found here that provide some amazing opportunities for divers of all levels and persuasions. One can go live-aboard diving and there are also daytrips and plenty of dive points, dive centers as well as dive courses available for scuba diver. Liveaboard boats to Similan islands, Richelieu Rock, Phi Phi, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, are good examples of were you can go to in this great scuba diving location. Phuket and Phi Phi Island, which are among the top 10 scuba diving locations in the world boasts of splendid crytal clear water, awesome rock formations as well as an ecosystem that is vibrant and contains a lot of marine life. The water is also warm having average surface temperatures of 82 degree Fahrenheit and there are hundreds of different varieties of both stony as well as soft corals surrounded by bright colored fish as well as other creatures of the sea which also includes some large reef fish. While stony corals are the life blood of reef, soft corals are a prominent part of the reef. In some places they look like vast fields of undersea wildflowers. For those who would like to see big animals there are the Whale Sharks as well as Manta Ray whose sighting is pretty common. In addition, there are also dozens of other picturesque island destinations that lie in close proximity and can be reached by day boats as well as live-aboard cruises, from Phuket. The consistent water temperatures make it possible to go diving throughout the year, right off the coast of Phuket.
For those desire to visit this beautiful scuba diving location, they can look forward to having great food and under expert supervision they may enjoy their stay where the accommodation too, is very comfortable. And those who wish for Scuba certification, this extraordinary scuba diving location will provide many affordable Dive Shops where beginners may learn the basics and others may try out the master instructor certification.
Besides its outstanding water treasures, there is a whole lot more available right here at this wonderful scuba diving location inthe form of beautiful beaches, gourmet restaurants, vivacious night life as well as a number of other attractions all avaiable where and when one wants it. There are also popular dive centers such as Dive Asia, Colona Diving plus a number of others for those who desire to try out more of this scuba diving location at Phuket. (Jose Rossello)

Nana Plaza Bangkok-Thailand Shock Value

Nana Plaza Bangkok-Thailand Shock Value
While you can spend weeks in Thailand without ever seeing a prostitute there are some areas of the city of Angles that are designed with nothing more in mind than the sex tourist. There are also some other places that tend to draw Thai girls who are looking for involvement with a farang -Khao San Road immediately comes to mind. Today's post will focus on the largest of the pay4play entertainment areas in Bangkok known as Nana Plaza.
Na na Entertainment Plaza (or NEP) began 25 years ago when several bars on Soi 14 - Soi 16 wre forced to close indefinitely because of construction on Sukhumvit Road. In mid 1982 the Rosemarys (1 & 2), Three Roses and The Rainbow Bar all moved into Nana Plaza Which was formerly your normal run of the Thai strip mall and parking area. Since that time it has grown to almost 40 bars packed into the central court area. For almost 2 decades now Nana has been the center of naughty nightlife in Bangkok. It does see some competition from Soi Cowboy area bars, but Nana Plaza is the top of the heap when it comes to A-Go-Go bars, with stages and shows throughout the complex. Nana is famous for it's Go-Go bars where you can find scads of scantily clothes Thai girls gyrating on the stage and around shiny poles, all meant to excite and titillate the variety of visitors that come just for that purpose. Nana is also famous for the katoey or ladyboy bars in the area. Many are the man who hasn't understood the difference between the lovely katoeys in Nana Plaza and been handed a large surprise later.
The Plaza does seem to fluctuate in popularity from year with the expatriates and sexpatriates visiting Thailand. One year you can go there and find the area packed to capacity and another year will see NEP almost empty. 2007 was a slow year and 2008 look to be the same with many of bars reporting their take to be down 20-30% from normal. Some of this is due to the strength of the Thai baht which is affecting all area of tourism Thailand. Other reasons mentioned are the declining upkeep of the clubs, the rising price of the girls and thepoor attitude of many of the staff and girls. Another hit is coming in from of a smoking ban in all restaurants and bars in Thailand which is supposed to take effect February 11th, 2008. It will be interesting to see if this ban is actually enforced.
The first time visitor to Nana Plaza should be prepared for a surreal experience with the area looking like a neon lit circus midway in full swing and music pumping from the various bars surrounding the Plaza. Bible thumping missionaries, prostitutes, western sexpats, camera wielding Japanese tourists and curious tourist young and old fill the area making it a great place to sip a beer and watch the diversity of humanity in all its forms. No matter how far and wide you travel you are unlikely to see another place even remotely like it.
With dozens of bars, brightly flashing neon, hundred of girls and all the sighs, smells and sounds of Nana Plaza I have only scratched the surface of what Nana Plaza is. Go and see for yourself, you'll be amazed and possibly shocked, but it will be different than any other experience of your life. (Steven Walters)

Bangkok the Capital of Asia :

Discover the Charms of Bangkok

Bangkok is the largest as wall as the capital city of Thaialnd. Situated near the gulf of

Thailand and on the eastern banks of the Chao Phraya River, in the south-west part of the country, Bangkok is perhaps the number one tourist spot in the South-East Asia, and serves as the gateway to the country. Bangkok is an incredible destination that is a blend of east and west, and one can see here historic as well as ancient shrines overlooking towering modern building that dominate the skyline. Apart from being a popular tourist spot, Bangkok serves as the country's seat of administration and government. Bangkok is also the main port of the country, and is home to about one tenth of the population of the country. Further, Bangkok is sometimes refered to as the Venice of the East due to its beautiful canals and rivers. No matter you are honeymooners, business traveler, spiritual traveler, history buffs, or just a sightseer, Bangkok provides excellent options for all. From ancient Buddhist Wat, historic monuments, and interesting museums to amusement parks, parks, and gardens, Bangkok boasts of a spectrum of attractions. Of the attractions in Bangkok that deserves a special mention are its magnificent royal palaces. Just few among many of them are Grand Palace, which is exquisitely decorated and attached with areas such as Borombinan Hall, Amarindra Hall, and Dusit Hall; Chitlada Palace, which is the current residence of the King; Vimanmek Mansion - a stupendous as weel as expansive wooden palace made from golden teak; and Suan Pakkad Palace, with a collection of traditional style Thai mansions. Equally interesting is the Buddhist Wats and temples found in the city, such as Wat Phra Kaew, which is considered the most prominent Buddhist temple in the country; Wat Arun, otherwise known as the Temple of Dawn; Wat Pho, whose centerpiece is a 46 meters along statue of Lord Buddha in reclining posture; and Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of Golden Buddha.

A visit to Bangkok would not to be complete without taking a tour to many of its interesting museums such as Bank of Thailand Museum, located within Bangkhunphrom Palace; Erawan Museum, in whose front one can find a statue of three-headed elephant that stands on an gargantuan pedestal; Bangkok National Museum, which has on display an amazing collection of Thai art and artifacts; Bangkok Folk Museum, with exhibits such as traditional utensils and ceremonial related artifacts.

Human Imagery Museum, which throws light on the Thai life and culture; Corrections Museum, which is located at the site of the Bangkok Remand prison; Forensic Museum, where you can see preserved corpses; Science Museum, with an interesting aquarium, a planetarium, and several other sections for entertainment and education; Philatelic Museum, which is a must-see for stamp collectors; and Royal Barge National Museum, which has on display an array of royal barges that wre used during royal occasions.

Additionally, Bangkok is also home to much famed Ancient City, which is the world's largest outdoor museum. On display here are gigantic-sized replicas of renowned monuments and temples found across the nation.

Other not to miss attractions in Bangkok are Lumpini Park, the largest as well as the oldest park in the city; Dusit Zoo, boasting o f more than 200 mamals, 150 reptiles, and 1,000 birds; Thai Cat Palace, featuring several breeds of cats such as Siamese, white pure Maeo Khao Mani, and diamond-eyed cats; Snake Farm, also known as the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, which is one of the leading producers of anti-venom Serum in Asia; Crocodile Farm- the largest of its kind in the world, where you can see more than 60,000 fresh as well as sea water crocodiles; and Rose Garden, a well-manicured area where cultural shows are conducted. (Wolfgang Jaegel).

Thailand

Thailand

The country's official name was Siam (Thai : สยาม; IPA : sa'ja:m RTGS : Sayam origin unknown) until 24 June 1939, and between 1945 and 11 May 1949, when it was changed to Thailand. The word Thai (ไทย) is not, as commonly believed to be, derived from the word Tai (ไท) meaning "Free" in the Thai language; it is however, the name of an ethnic group from the central plains (the Thai people). A famous Thai scholar argued that Tai (ไท) simply means "people" or "human being" since his investigation shows that in some rural areas the word "Tai" was used instead of the usual Thai word "khon" (คน) for people. With taht mind the locals seemed to have also accepted the alternative meaning and will verbally state that it means "Land of free". This might be due to languge barriers and avoidance of long difficult explanations. (http://en.wikipedia.org/) The region known today as Thailand has been inhabited by humans since the paleolithic period (about 500,000-10,000 years ago). Prior to the fall of the khmer Empire in the 13th century, various states thrived there, such as the various Tai, Mon, Khmer and Malay kingdoms, as seen through the numerous archaeological sites and artifacts that are scattered throughout the Siamese landscape. Prior to the 12th century however, the first Thai or Siamese state is traditionally considered to be the Buddhist kingdom of Sukhothai, which was founded in 1238, following the decline and fall of the Khmer empire in the 13th-15th century AD.

A century later, Sukhothai's power was overshadowed by the larger Siamese Kingdom of Autthaya, established in the mid-14th century. After Ayuttha fell in 1767 to the Burmese, Thonburi was the capital of Thailand for a brief period under King Taksin the Great. The current (Rattanakosin) era of Thai history began in 1782 following the establishment of Bangkok as a capital of the Chakri dynasty under King Rama I the Great.

European powers began traveling to Thailand in the 16th century. Despite European pressure, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian nation never been colonised by a European country. Two main reason for this were that Thailand had a long succession of very able rulers in the 1800s and that it was able to exploit the rivalry and tension between the French and the British. As a result, the country remained as a buffer state between parts of Southeast Asia that were colonised by two colonial powers. Despite this, Western influence led to many reforms in the 19th century and major concessions, most notably being the loss of large territory on the east side of the Mekong to the French and the step by step absorption by Britain of the Shan (Thai Yai) States (now in Myanmar) and the Malay Penisula. The loss initially included Penang and Tumasik and eventually culmnated in the loss of three predominantly ethnic-Malay southern provinces, which later became Malaysia's three northern states, under the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909.