THAILAND COUNTDOWN 2009

Every provincial town celebrates the New Year with gusto, arranging concerts and food fairs, usually in the town square or on a river embankment. Some will splurge on firework displays comedy acts or beauty contests. But as the clock strikes 12 midnight, a sea of flickering candles will illuminate the scene as villagers and town folk around the country sing the national and royal anthems to ring in the New Year. If northern climes appeal -- hilly landscapes and cool evening temperatures -- then an adventurous traveller might find they are counting down the seconds to the New Year in tiny Loei, a provincial town noted for its cool season charm, impressive mountain scenery and delightful resorts and even a vineyard. Way off the beaten track for most tourists, Loei province is a favourite with Thai travellers who love the outdoors – trail walks through a hill-top national park, or simply taking sightseeing trips to chill out at small resorts on the banks of the Mekong River. They will also discover a province that still reflects traditional Thai values; where visitors can participate in simple, but heart warming New Year celebrations.Yet the description is true of most towns in the north and northeast provinces, some adjacent to the Mekong River that separates Thailand from Laos. Similar celebrations echo over the water as citizens welcome the New Year in Chiang Saen near Chiang Rai, Nong Khai, Nakhon Panom and Mukdahan, all popular Mekong River destinations.Mukdahan is where a new bridge spans the wide river linking it to the small town of Savannakhet in Laos. Considered a gateway town, travellers can begin their tour of Laos and Vietnam here. A 150 -km trip across Laos on a modern surfaced highway will bring them in central Vietnam in striking distance of popular destinations such as Hue and Danang.

BICYCLE TOUR SERVICE PROVIDER

Check out the Bangkok Bicycle Tours conducted by the Bangkok Tourist Bureau at a list of bicycle expeditions within the capital and its surrounding areas. The best guide to bicycle expeditions in Thailand is probably where the operator has received numerous awards and accolades for their unique expeitions. Other worthy websites are www.spiceroads.com/ , www.biketoursthailand.com and www.realasian.net/. The Thailand Ecotourism & Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) is also a good reference website for bicycle tours. As usual the Tourism Authority of Thailand website at www.tourismthailand.org/ and the Thailand Ecotourism & Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) at www.teata.org/ ane good starting points for research to get a generic idea on the options available.

BEST TIME TO GO BIKING

Bicycle Tours: Conducting any physical sport in Thailand is best during the cool season during November to January. The period that needs to be avoided is the rainy season during June to early October where heavy rains are expected. The Thai summer during March to July, in particular April, is the country’s hottest period making cyclists not used to the local weather susceptible to sun stroke and dehydration. However, the Bangkok Bicycle Tours can be conducted all year round as they run during the evenings. Some trips are conducted during the day time, however these trips are pretty easy-going and designed to be enjoyed in a more leisurely manner than the cross country expedition.

HOW TO SIGN-UP FOR BICYCLE TOURS?

Thailand’s traffic is heavy and driving styles are rather erratic. It is not advisable to conduct a bicycle trip on your own. Guidance and accompaniment by trained specialists are best to ensure safety and that you arrive at your destination through the safest and most scenic routes.

When planning and bicycle tour, please consult the travel company you are using very carefully and state the physical exertion your group will be able to endure. With the hot and humid Thai weather even the fittest cyclist will find this trying. Sunstroke and dehydration are very common for those unfamiliar with the tropics. In light of this, travel companies almost always intersperse cycling with a pleasant boat ride, some sea kayaking, elephant back riding or some other form of relaxing activity for cyclists to cool down

ABOUT MOUNTAIN BIKING

Mountain biking is a more rigorous type of cycling on off-track terrains and is a relatively new sport in Thailand, found mostly in the steeper terrain of the north. Thailand’s mountain biking routes are mainly located in national parks however, more and more new routes have been opened-up by specialists, some of which have not been officially mapped out, making for formidable challengers.

ABOUT BICYCLE TOURS

Going on a tour by bicycle is probably one of the best ways to visit some of Thailand’s important sites whether in the capital, Bangkok, or neighboring provinces close to the capital such as Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Kanchaburi, Chon Buri and Rayong. Depending on your preference, the BEST bicycle experience is probably right here in Bangkok where easy-going bicycle trips through areas surrounding the Grand Palace are available.

ADVENTURE TO THAILAND FOR YOUNG TRAVELLER

Before embarking on you journey to Thailand, it might be best to check with your international clubs and associations within your university or school to start establishing ties with a friend your age in Thailand. Having a friendly contact in Thailand before you arrive is a good idea as you have someone to look forward to meet. Such clubs as Rotary International and Skal Club would normally have worldwide presence in all educational institutions. Being in touch with these types of organizations well ahead of your intended trip gives you the opportunity to exchange thoughts with someone your age, as well as ensure that you have a group of friends even before you arrive, making your trip to Thailand even more memorable. Another good idea is to be in touch with the various international language centres in your country that are affiliated with a school in Thailand such as British council, AUA (American Alumni Association), Goethe Institute, ect. These language centres are idea for you to be associated with as they are usually a hub for young people around the world to learn a foreign language and this means the opportunity to make even more friends. Also visit the Federation of International Youth Travel Organisations (FIYTO) for travel ideas as well as a listing of accommodation in Thailand. Visiting your local YMCA(Young Men’s Christian Association) and YWCA(Young Women’s Christian Association) is also a good idea in order to get information concerning their location in Thailand and the type of accommodation and support provided. Before starting your travels to Thailand, it may also be a good idea to drop by at a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office closet to you or, visit http://www.tourismthailand.org/ for more information.

LOY KATHONG A ROMANTIC FESTIVAL

This most charming of all Thai celebrations takes place on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month . Loy Kathong is a romantic festival which usually falls in November. As night falls, the country’s waterways are illuminated by tiny floats filled with flowers, incense and a candle. Couple go to float their Krathongs together. Along the riverside, visitors can buy ready-made, cheap Krathong and join in the festivities. On the water, a thousand twinkling lights bob up and down, representing people’s hopes and dreams. This celebration is a delight for all the family and should not be missed.

FOREST TREKKING : NORTHERN FORESTS

From the young world travelers of the 1970s who organized informal groups to explore the mountain forests of northern Thailand, the trekking industry has developed rapidly in the northern capital of Chiang Mai. There are innumerable trails through jungle terrain, across flower-strewn meadows, beside fast-flowing streams. Chiang Mai’s Pai District and Ma Hong Son’s Mae Chan have the biggest selection for first-time or experienced trekkers. Further off the beaten track, the rugged back-country around Phrae and Nan, or between Chiang Rai and Fang, offer new paths into the unknown. Along the trail, trekkers meet the hilltribe people who make their homes in the area: Karen, Lisu, Akha, Hmong, Lawa and Meo, each with their distinctive traditional dress. A typical hilltribe tour trekkers, a guide, a cook, overnight stays in hilltribe villages and a hike of four, five or even ten days.

While trekking has become a more upmarket industry—often with elephant rides and raft trips included in the package—the slog up and down mountains, coupled with hot sun, drenching rain and basic food, still demands youthful stamina.

The Kok River is a favourite thoroughfare for visits to hilltribe north and south of its banks. At riverside town of Tha Thon, hiking and rafting can be arranged. The rafts may be either traditional bamboo craft or inflatable.

West of Chiang Mai near the Myanmar border, Mae Hong Son has guesthouses which specialize in hilltribe treks. South of Chiang Mai, in Tak Province, the small town of Umphang is populated mainly by Karens, and is a popular jumping-off point for treks to more remote villagers.

RIDING A JUMBO

Siamese soldiers rode elephants into battle as the tanks of ancient battlefields. Now tourists can ride one, too. Though you can go for an elephant trek on many Thai islands, the most scenic outings are up in the great green north. Atop the elephant’s back you can climb hills, ford streams and lumber through the jungle. Some of the camps also put on shows. For an incredible display of the animal’s might, just watch them hauling logs. At the National Elephant Institute, in the northern province of Lumpang tourists can also sign up for courses on how to be a mahout. Learn how to ‘drive’ the beast, how to take them to the river for a bath, and even sleep with your own elephant out in the jungle. Please bear in the mind that these intelligent and endangered creatures, which have the same lifespan as a human being, are sacred to Thai people and that a white elephant once graced the flag of Siam. Even today, you can still see Thais walking under the elephant’s belly, like ancient Siamese warriors used to do, in order to bring themselves good luck and strength.

ON TOP OF THAILAND

Imagine climbing down a cliff face with a gushing waterfall on both sides of you. That’s the thrill of abseiling in Khao Yai National Park, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its diverse eco-systems and 800 different species of fauna. The park is also renowned for its waterfalls, ranging from 15 to 50 meters high. Abseiling (or walking backwards) down them is a thrill sport that will make you feel like Spider-man.

But there are more than just chills and spills to fill out a day in the park. To get to some of the waterfalls requires kayaking across a lake, or trekking through some of the most luscious greenery in the Kingdom. And the jungle is a lair for wild elephant herds, gibbons and hornbills. Even Spider-man never got this wild.

BE ADVENTUROUS LIKE JAMES BOND

Whether you’re looking for hard or soft adventures, from sea kayaking to simply soaking up the sun on a sandy tropical beach, the islands of Krabi province (renowned as the setting for The Beach) and Phuket (close to where The Man with the Golden Gun was shot), are truly amazing destinations. The symbol of Krabi, which is the oldest continually inhabited province in Thailand is the limestone crag. Nature’s exclamation marks, these towering monoliths seaview sunsets. For water sports aficionados, there are lots of ways to get a light tide of adrenaline flowing, from jet-skis to banana boats, and parasailing to marine fishing. But softer tours of beauty are available in the area, too. One of the most scenic trips is visiting Phang-nga Bay, studded with limestone crags rising hundreds of meters out of the sea. Most of these tours throw in a stopover at James Bond Island, while “paddling guides” also take you in kayaks through sea caves that open up into lagoons, overflowing with placid aquamarine water that’s surrounded by limestone cliffs.

TIME TRAVELING ON A BICYCLE

Sukhothai, which means “Dawn of Happiness,” also marked the dawning of the first Siamese Kingdom and the birth of the Thai language. Once an outpost of the Khmer empire, they were driven out by the Siamese who established their first Kingdom here in 1238. It was a golden age for classical art, architecture and Buddhism. To traverse these magnificent ruins in the Sukhothai Historical Park – Thailand’s equivalent of Angkor Wat-rent a mountain bike for a pittance. You can also cycle leisurely past dozens of remnants from the next Siamese empire, Ayutthaya, in its “Ancient City,” or scattered around the town, and hugging the banks of the rivers, which form a natural moat around what was once considered the most glorious town and trading port in Asia. And well-appointed museums in the city give me an overview of the Kingdom’s 400 year-plus reign. There are not many towns in the world where you can drive by the ruins of a 15th century pagoda, just down the street from a modern convenience store, but that’s the magic of Ayutthaya for you.

CALL OF THE WILD

Pai, The pastoral town in Mae Hong Son province nestled in the northern mountains of Thailand, has become a base came for eco-explorers of all ages, with trekking and staying over at hill-tribe villages, whitewater rafting and mountain biking being some of the most attractive options. Close to this town are waterfalls and rolling green hills. And the town itself offers of classes in everything from Reiki to traditional massage to various New Age disciplines. A favourite haunt for young travelers, Pai is slowly moving more up market thanks to its new airport.

FROMMER'S THAILAND

You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go--they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us! Frommer's holds the key to worry-free travel in this exotic land, with valuable cultural insights, the latest trip-planning advice, detailed maps, and smart tips on language, local customs, and getting around. You'll find honest, in-depth reviews of luxury beach resorts, high-tech business hotels, intimate inns, and simple guest houses and bungalows, all based on recent personal inspections. We'll show you spectacular beaches, waterfalls, floating markets, majestic temples, ancient ruins, national parks, palaces, and traditional villages. We'll lead you to amazing restaurants, and even take you elephant trekking in the Northern Hills. You'll also rely on us to guide you through the confusing, bustling, but intriguing city of Bangkok (our author, who lived there while writing this guide, knows it intimately, and discovered all sorts of hidden surprises). With Frommer's in hand, you'll experience all the wonder of Thailand!

From the Back CoverFrommer's. The best trips start here. Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer.

The best beaches, temples, and wilderness treks—plus advice on volunteering at elephant camps and taking Thai cooking classes. Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not. Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget. Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.

See more.

TRAVELERS' TALES THAILAND : TRUE STORIES

Winner of the Lowell Thomas Award for Best Travel Book, this newly designed collection paints a unique portrait of a complex and captivating land. One contributor lives as a monk for a month, gaining an inside look at monastic life. Another discovers Bangkok’s riverine pleasures, a world away from its car-choked streets. Yet another finds refuge as the houseguest of an isolated tribesman. Through these engaging personal stories, readers witness how Thailand satisfies just about any traveler’s hunger for the exotic, the beautiful, the thrillingly different. Writers include Pico Iyer, Norman Lewis, Diane Summers, Simon Winchester, Ian Buruma, Thalia Zepatos, and Tim Ward. “The breadth and color of the collective portrait [the contributors] provide of Thailand is remarkable.” — Los Angeles Times

The publisher, O'Reilly and Associates

Travelers' Tales is a new kind of travel anthology, marrying the best of the guidebook and travel literature. Thailand is the first book in this series: a wonderful collection of place-specific tales previously scattered far and wide. Veteran travel writers James O'Reilly and Larry Habegger read hundreds of stories to select those that best capture the experience of Thailand. Thailand, one of the most intriguing travel destinations of the nineties, should satisfy just about any traveler's hunger for the exotic, the beautiful, the thrillingly different. A country of contrasts, Thailand is a microcosm of all that is right and wrong with tourism, including the traveler's role as pilgrim, adventurer, and consumer. As the editors write in the Preface: "The world is not our private zoo or theme park; we need to be better prepared before we go, so that we might become honored guests and not vilified intruders." To give readers a taste of this country and its people, the book is organized into five sections: "Essence of Thailand" contains stories that reflect some essential character of the landscape, the people, or the traveler's experience of the country. "Some Things to Do" has accounts of particular places and activities that previous travelers have found worthwhile. "Going Your Own Way" contains experiences that are farther off the tourist track, relayed by an author who interacted more intimately with the local people or was willing to travel farther afield. "In the Shadows" explores the darker side of Thailand; so that visitors might be aware of the complexities beyond the cheerful face presented to tourists. "The Last Word" has one last magical moment, to remind the reader just why Thailand is worth visiting. There is perhaps no better way to prepare for a trip, or to vicariously experience another country, than to listen to those who have gone before; Travelers' Tales Thailand brings the best of those voices together for the first time in "Essence of Thailand"; "Some Things to Do"; "Going Your Own Way"; "In the Shadows"; and "The Last Word." Awarded the "Best Travel Book" gold medal from the Society of American Travel Writers. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. See more.

BEACHES & BAY IN PHUKET (2)

Hat Patong Phuket’s most developed beach offers numerous leisure, sporting, shopping and recreational options along its 3 km. crescent bay. In addition to its daytime attractions, Patong is also known for its vibrant nightlife among which seafood restaurants prominently feature.

Hat Karon & Kata Both beaches are impressive, peaceful and eminently suitable for swimming, snorkelling, windsurfing and sunbathing.

Hat Nai Han This white sandy beach fronts a shallow lagoon between rocky headlands. Conditions for swimming, windsurfing, sailing and sunbathing are all excellent. Hat Rawai The palm-fringed beach is best known for its village of “Sea Gypsies”, formerly a nomadic fishing minority believed to be of Melanesian descent.

BEACHES & BAY IN PHUKET (1)

Phuket’s glory is its magnificent coastline. Beaches ranges from gentle crescents of white sand to rocky headlands. Counter-clockwise, from the island’s northern tip, where the Sarasin Bridge connects with the mainland, the major beaches and bays are:

Hat Mai Khao

This pine-fringed stretch of sand is Phuket’s longest beach.Each year,from November through to February, giant sea turtles struggle ashore to lay their eggs here.

Hat Nai Yang

This forms part of the Sirinat National Park and is backed bycasuarina pines, as well as a mangrove forest. The tranquil surroundings are ideal for relaxation, picnics, swimming and snorkelling.

Hat Kamala

Another fine stretch of sand. The northern end, which is partly shaded by casuarinas, is suitable for swimming.

PHUKET ISLAND

Located 867 kilometres south of Bangkok, Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, shaped like an irregular pearl and measuring approximately 21 kilometres long. Connected to the mainland by a causeway, it has a coastline fringed with white sandy beaches and quiet coves, bathed by the clear blue waters of the Andaman Sea and set against a backdrop of green hills, coconut groves and rubber plantations.

Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and has a rich and colourful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ships’ logs. The Portuguese, Dutch, English and French came to trade during that time.

Phuket’s most famous monument is the memorial statue of the heroines Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Sisunthon, who rallied the islanders in 1785 to repel Burmese invaders. Blessed by nature and the smiling hospitality of its people, and supported by superb tourism facilities, Phuket is today one of the world’s premier tropical resorts. Palm-fringed beaches, an island-studded sea, superb accommodation, delicious seafood, numerous sporting and leisure opportunities and, of course, year-round sunshine, to conclude the perfect recipe for a truly memorable holiday.

Climate Phuket has two main seasons: rainy from May through to October and hot from November to April. However, there are sunny days throughout the wet season, showers customarily lasting little more than 2-3 hours. The best months to visit are November to February. Average temperatures range between 22 and 34 degrees Celsius.

Cha-Am Beach

This straight sea pine-lined beach lies 40 km. south of Phetchaburi or 20 km. north of Hua Hin, with which it is often paired as a traditional seaside destination favoured by the Thai upper class. Cha-am was originally a fishing village. After King Rama VI had Maruekhathaiyawan Palace built, the area was taken up by the Royal Family and the elite for beachside sojourns. Today, it is very popular among Thais who love superb seafood and comfortable hotel or bungalow accommodation.

Hua Hin Beach

Prachuap Khiri Khan province’s capital, Hua Hin, is located 281 km. south of Bangkok. The old town was abandoned during the fall of Ayutthaya in the 1760s and a new settlement was established in 1845.

Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s most popular seaside resorts among overseas visitors as well as Thais. Located on the sunrise (west) side of the Gulf of Thailand, Hua Hin lies some 200 km. or a three-hour drive southwest of Bangkok and is renowned as Thailand’s most traditional beach resort. It was here, in the 1920s, that King Rama VII built a summer palace, thus creating a vogue among high society for Hua Hin as a favourite retreat from Bangkok’s summer heat. Today the Royal Family continues to reside at Hua Hin for part of the year.

Hua Hin is noted for its traditional fishing port with many seafood restaurants, and a splendid sandy beach which starts from a rocky headland next to the port and curves gently for some 3 km. to its southern point where Buddhist temples surmount hilltops. Hua Hin is a well-established beach destination, with full facilities. But in contrast to Pattaya, the long-established resort on the opposite shore of the Gulf, Hua Hin provides a quiet, relaxed retreat amid surroundings which preserve a typical Thai ambience. Hua Hin is thus well suited for families or those who wish simply to escape the city bustle.

KO CHANG

This island’s status on the world’s tourism barometer has risen a few degrees in recent years because of its stunning natural beauty, and the fact that its once-rickety infrastructure has been solidified. More than 70 percent of the mountainous island is still covered in untouched rainforest, and there are many secluded beaches, complete with that vital tropical isle trinity of white sand, palm trees, and warm blue water, where you can really get away from it all and leave your troubles on the mainland.

Ko Chang, or Elephant Island, is part of the Mu Ko Chang National Park. This national park is comprised of an archipelago of 52 islands, of which Ko Chang is the largest. Wealthy with greenery, wildlife, and marine creatures, its most scenic beaches are located along its western flank. Moving from north to south, the beaches are generally more secluded, less crowded and pricey, with the aforementioned Diamond Sand towards the northern tip, and Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae, in the middle. Further south is a lively backpacker’s enclave at Lonely Beach, or Hat Tha Nam, where you can stay in a tree house.

Other than swimming and sunbathing, the island offers inland adventures such as rainforest trekking. Many of the bungalow operations around Hat Sai Khao and Hat Kai Bae have kayaks, boogie boards and mountain bikes for rent. Booking a day trip, or an overnighter, to nearby islands is another attractive option.

KO SAMET

Located within the Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park and 6.5 km. off the mainland, the island of Ko Samet, covering 6.72 sq. km., is Rayong’s most popular destination. Blessed with lovely scenery and beaches, it is easily accessible, while there is a considerable range of accommodation available. Triangular-shaped, most of the land area is forested with beaches

dotting intermittently on the north and east sides of the island. The south side tapers into the sea with small isles of rocky formations offshore serving as a habitat and egg-laying grounds for seagulls. There are daily ferries to Ko Samet from 6.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and the trip takes about 30 minutes. Contact the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department

Tel:0 2562 0760 Website: http://www.dnp.go.th/

RAYONG BEACHES

Explore beyond Pattaya and discover the quieter shores of the East Coast. From a traditional provincial capital to the charm of beaches, coves and offshore islands. The province of Rayong, covering 3,552 sq. km., is situated on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand, the provincial capital located 179 km. from Bangkok. Less developed than the Pattaya area, it combines an attractive 100-km. coastline, with beaches and offshore islands, and a green fertile interior. Rayong town has a few attractions, while the most famous destination is the island of Ko Samet, although beaches along the mainland coastline are becoming increasingly popular.

PATTAYA BEACH

A famed international playground in the sun where the action is non-stop. Enjoy yourself to the max in a dazzling kaleidoscope of sports and entertainment. Pattaya is a phenomenon. Once a tiny fishing village, it has developed into a renowned international playground. Colourful and alive with activities, it is unrivalled as a beach resort, offering more attractions in greater profusion than any other single destination in Southeast Asia.

Located just 150 km. southeast of Bangkok and facing a wide bay and a long majestic sweep of beach, Pattaya has been groomed for international visitors over more than three decades, and today it boasts the unique distinction of a beach resort with a city status. This near paradoxical situation holds the key to Pattaya’s rare attraction - it has something for everyone. Whereas most other beach resorts rely simply on natural surroundings for their charm, Pattaya makes an all-out attempt to provide the best of everything in an exhaustive mix of facilities. To the basic ingredient of a superb coastal location, it adds just about every other amenity one can think of for recreation, entertainment, sightseeing and fun. The main beach at Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, is a majestic 3-km. curve fronted by a road shaded with refreshing tropical greenery. The northern section of the beach is largely tranquil and is the favoured spot for tourists for swimming, relaxation, and various water sports. The central and southern parts of the beach are packed with hotels, restaurants, department stores, gift shops, nightclubs and various amusement centres.

MAKE A BIG SPLASH IN THE GULF OF THAILAND

No journey to the Land of Smiles would be complete without visiting some of its globally lauded, tropical islands and oceanfront resorts. Dip into Hua Hin (the country’s oldest beach resort) for golf and horse-riding on the beach. Try Ko Chang for its abundance of eco tourism activities. Rock up to Pattaya for its raucous nightlife or savour all of these different delights on Ko Samui. But there are many other natural treasures with some sandy fringe benefits where serenity reigns supreme. Ko Tao is popular with families and also certifies more rookie scuba-divers each year than any other destination in Southeast Asia. To really get away from it all, try Ko Mak in the Ko Chang National Marine Park. For a more Thai-style experience, close to Bangkok, head for Bang Saen, which boats some of the cheapest and most succulent seafood in the country.

SUGGESTIONS FOR RIVER CRUISES

Appropiate Seasons

Dry season serves better, as rain can disrupt the travel and pose hazards. Although summer days are hot and humid, cool breeze can be always experienced on the waterfront. Also, summer is the high time for tropical fruits, including the sought-after lychee and mango. The Tha Kha Floating Markets is in operation every 2nd, 7th and 12th day of the waxing and waning moon. On weekend, goods are offered on the river bank at the car park area. Precautions - Check weather conditions before taking a trip. On certain routers, it is necessary to check the ebb and high tide beforehand for safety and convenience. - See to it that the boat is the right size for the trip and not overloaded. - Wear lightweight, tumble-dry clothes and open shoes. Prepare hats, sun-shades, and windbreaker jackets (for cold days). - Get water light plastic bags for camera and other equipment. - Wear a light vest or get hold of a lifesaver is cause of accidents. - Food items for the trip should be easy to take along. Garbage must be disposed of on shore, not thrown into the waterways. - In case of falling overboard, swim back towards the boat or the shore. - Do not travel during rain or stroms. - Avoid moving or running around on the boat while it is traveling. - Boat tours should not be conducted at night.

FLOATING MARKET : AMPHAWA TALAT NAM

Talat Nam Yam Yen Amphawa is an afternoon floating market by the canal near Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, during 12.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m., the Amphawa Canal is occupied by vendors who pack their boats with food and drinks, such as fried sea mussel, noodles, coffee, O-liang (iced black coffee), sweets, etc. There are also things for sale on wheelbarrows on the bank. Visitors can enjoy a cosy atmosphere and music broadcast by the community members, explore the market, have food, and hire a boat to see fireflies at night.

To get there By car Take Highway 35 (Thon Buri – Pak Tho) to Km 63. Drive through the town of Samut Songkhram to take Highway 325 (Samut Songkhram – Bang Phae). At Km 36-37, take a left turn toward the King Rama II Memorial Park. The Market is near the King Rama II Memorial Park.By bus Take the Bangkok – Ratchaburi – Damnoen Saduak bus to get off at Amphawa Market.

CRUISING THE CANALS, ROLLING ON THE RIVER

Bangkok used to be known as the “Venice of the Far East” for all the watery arteries connecting to the main vein – the Rivers of Kings. Taking a long-tail boat tour of a few of these canals on the Thon buri side of the river, like Bangkok Noi and Bangkok Yai with breaks at the Temple of Dawn and the Royal Berges Museum is a great way to immerse yourself in Thai and Siamese history. And buzzing down the waterways in a long-tail boat, past canal-side houses and floating petrol stations, inspires a real buzz of excitement you won’t find anywhere else. Another historic voyage is along the canal of Khlong Om to the island of Ko Kret, home to a thriving community of Mon artisans, who sell the fruits of their labours, like sandstone sculptures, for very reasonable prices. To get there, take the river taxi to the last station, Nonthaburi, and charter your own long-tail boat from the pier

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Flying is the most convenient mode of transportation for most visitors traveling to Thailand. Domestic flights are also easy and convenient, cutting down on journey time. With Bangkok serving as the international travel hub of SE Asia, the capital serves as the landing port for numerous international airlines, most with direct flights from their destinations. Some chartered and regional flights may land at one of the other international airports within Thailand, consisting of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Ubon Ratchatani. The country's national airline is Thai Airways. Airport departure taxes for international departures costs 500 baht/person. The check-in counters open 2 hours and close half an hour prior departure time.

Domestic Travel Domestic travel during public holidays and on weekends, particularly to popular destinations, should be booked well in advance for all modes of transportation. Booking is particularly difficult during the Songkran Holiday and New Year's Holiday. Air : Local carriers Thai Airways(TG) and Bangkok Airways (PG) fly to most major provincial airports beyond 250 km distance from Bangkok. Thai Airways' 2 most popular routes are Chiang Mai and Phuket. Services to Koh Samui and Sukhothai are only provided by Bangkok Airways. Other smaller local carriers include Angel Air (mainly servicing Phuket) and PB Air which flies to fewer destinations. Air Andaman services is limited to the Southern cities only. The domestic terminal is located at the southern end of the Bangkok International Airport. Normally, check-ins for domestic flight is one hour prior to departure time and closes half an hour before flight time. Departure tax has already been added to your ticket fare.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Reservation / Ticket Tickets can be purchased through travel agencies (cheaper for international flights, same for domestic flights) or by booking with the airlines themselves, either via phone, internet, or e-ticketing kiosks (Thai Airways only).

TRANSPORTATION IN THAILAND

Transport in Thailand is extremely well-organized and makes the whole stay in Thailand comfortable and easy. The air, rail, bus, road and water transport is very competent. The different islands and cities are connected to each other and the tourists can easily move about the country. Bookings and reservations should be done preferably in advance to avoid the rush at the last minute.

Trains

The main station is Hua Lamohong. This beautiful 100 yaeat old building is designed in the shape of an arc. The Italian architect who designed the station was also responsible for the marble Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall. For information, please contact the Travel Service Unit, State Railway of Thailand.

Buses Plentiful and cheap are the regular non-air buses. Air-conditioned buses and microbuses are only a fraction more expensive. A bus route map is available at most hotels, bookshops and the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s office on New Phetchaburi Road.

Subway Opened in 2004, the city’s new subway system (MRTA) connects many of the top tourist attractions with accommodation areas, markets, and the business district. The trains run from 6 a.m. to midnight, daily.

BTS Skytrain Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) provides safe, cheap and rapid rides to popular areas of Bangkok. The service is excellent and the stations and trains are immaculately clean. There are two lines, interesting at Siam Square. It is the best way to avoid traffic and pollution. You can travel with BTS and see all the sights during your holiday visit.

Taxis Hotel taxis have set rates. Street taxis known as “Taxi Meters” charge a minimum of 35 baht for the first 2 kilometres and 5 baht for every following kilometer.

Tuk-Tuk These 3 wheelers are popular for short journeys. Fares must be bargained in advance. They are not much cheaper than taxis and perhaps the odd mode of transportation is the

attraction.

JIM THOMSON HOUSE

An early partner in the Oriental Hotel, Jim Thomson, an American serving here, decided to devote his energies to developing a thriving Thai silk industry. Due to his efforts, Thai silk is now famous all over the world and justify renowned for its quality, colours and patterns. Thompson, trained as architect and gardener, also built a fine collection of traditional Thai houses, fashioned into one dwelling where he lived during his lifetime. After his tragic death, the house remains preserved as a museum containing a priceless collection of Asian object d’art. The museum, located centrally at Soi Kasemsan 2 on Rama I Road, is accessible bu bus, taxi and the sky train. Entrance fee is 100 baht. The museum opens daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. with the last tour at 4.30 p.m.

SONGKRAN FESTIVAL

Songkran Festival : Thai Traditional New Year 13-16 April

This is a time of joyful family reunions and Bangkok half-empties as people head for their hometown to visit their beloved ones. Traditionally, children pour water onto their elder’s hands and invite their blessings before going off to happily splash around elsewhere in town or near the rivers and canals. At Sanam Luang in Bangkok, the highly revered Buddha image “Phra Buddhist Sihing” will be displayed and bathed by thousands of Buddhists. The celebrations involve water fights but it is April and hot, so it is a good-humored way of cooling down. Khao San Road, in the Banglamphu area, it is one of the city’s high watermarks to experience the water-throwing activities between locals and tourists. Those who New Year Celebrations

BANGKOK'S CHINATOWN

This area, near the Chao Phraya (the River of Kings), is a wonderful way to cool down after a day of overheated shopping in Yaowarat , Bangkok’s Chinatown, famous for its gold shops, street markets, and Chinese-style temples. Some tours of the canals in the vicinity also include the market as a sweet-smelling stopover on their itineraries. After a visit here, you’ll feel fresh as a daisy.

LET YOURSELF BLOOM

Pak Hklong Talat, the leading flower market in Bangkok, comes in a painter’s palette of colours- orchids of every hue, garlands of marigold, birds of paradise, bouquets of roses from Chiang Mai, Chrysanthemums, and the florist, ceremonial ornaments known as Bai Si, constructed from banana leaves and crowned with flowers. What many travelers do is buy a special flower box there, spray the flowers before boarding, put moist tissues around them, and carry them on as hand luggage. It’s a great way to save money and make a dazzling arrival. The market is busy during the day and at night, but it’s really blooming in the early morning hours when vendors are setting up shop and the streets are filled with carts and trucks full of flowers.

WAT TRIMIT : TEMPLE OF THE GOLDEN BUDDHA

Located at the end of China town’s Yaowarat Road, this temple houses the extraordinary 700 year-old golden Buddha image, a seatd figure composed entirely of five and a half tons of gold. Previously, it had been covered with plaster and once broken off, the true treasure beneath was suddenly revealed – the figure was found to be composed entirely of gold. It is now an important and sacred Buddha image of unique beauty. The temple is open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. with an admission fee of 20 baht

WAT BENCHAMABOPHIT : THE MARBLE TEMPLE

Situated on Si Ayutthaya Road, near the intersection with Rama V Road, this unique marble temple was constructed during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (1868-1910 A.D.) Its proportions are classically beautiful, with European influences evident in its stained glass windows and the use of Carrara marble. The temple houses a surperb cloister collection of bronze Buddha images and many reckon the temple to be one of the finest in the world as far as its craftsmanship and architectural splendour are concerned. It attracts large numbers of visitors every year. Admission is 20 baht. The temple is open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

THE TEMPLE OF DAWN : WAT ARUN

This famous Bangkok landmark is on the Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya River, directly opposite the Grand Palace complex and easily accessible by boat from the Bangkok side. The temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period. The temple was enlarged by King Rama II and King Rama III Renovations were completed in the region of King Rama IV. The Emeral Buddha was enshrined in this temple for a brief period before King Rama I built the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo on the Bangkok side. The landmark of this temple is a 79-metre-tall massive central pagoda, “Phra Prang”, and four smaller omnes at each corner. The ornamentation of the central pagoda consists of encrusted pieces of porcelain which sparkle in the late afternoon with the sun setting in the red sky behind the temple. To visit the temple, shuttle boats from the Tha Tian Pier at the south-west side of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo area are provided regularly. The Chao Phraya Express Boat stops at the Tha Tian Pier and there are several Thon Buri canal tours, which include the temple. Enter the temple from 7..00 a.m. to 5.20 p.m. for 20 baht.