Traveler's Edition » Thailand

Chiang Mai

admin — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 03:13:41 +0000

Come November of each year, the waterways and the skies light up with krathongs (floating banana leaves fashioned with candles and flowers) and khom fais (hot-air lanterns from the ancient Lanna kingdom). It is the Loi Kratong, a festival held at full moon of the Thai lunar calendar’s twelfth month. Thousands of locals and visitors have gathered for this Chiang Mai event. The lit up skies and waters are bright testaments to the city’s cultural significance – one that perhaps overshadows that of Bangkok and other more popular Thai cities.

Chiang Mai is on Thailand’s north. Historically, it was part of the country’s trade route. Today, it draws in travelers who come for business, or for the varied well-maintained sights within the city. It is likewise known for the productions of woodcarvings, handicrafts, umbrellas, and jewelry.

Perhaps one of the most daunting characteristics of Chiang Mai is its more than three hundred Buddhist temples, giving its landscape a surreal and somber look. The Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is the most famous of these. The temple sits on top of a hill and dates back to 1383. Apart from the amazing architecture of the place, it also affords the visitor a unique view of the whole city. The Wat Chiang Man is another important Buddhist temple in the city. It was constructed back in the 13th century and was where King Mengrai lived while observing the building of Chiang Mai.

The city is also one of the best places to experience time with elephants. The Elephant Nature Park is an ideal visit and functions as a sanctuary for rescued elephants.

Travelers to Chiang Mai generally need a valid passport and visa when planning to stay at Chiang Mai longer. The city is typically safe – safer than tourist centers like Bangkok. However, there are “crossover” scams like the gem scam and the tuk-tuk scams. Basic watchfulness is advised.

Phuket

admin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:13:12 +0000

Sometimes, tragedy strikes an island paradise and it takes more than its natural bounty to revive it. Beauty renews as nature intended. Yet, beyond this, it is the tenacity and spirit of its people that buoy its revival – such as the case of Phuket, Thailand’s biggest island.

The island was one of the badly hit areas when the December 2004 tsunami hit Asian shores. Casualties were in thousands, and included locals and tourists. For a while, it seemed like paradise had been tarnished beyond recognition. However, slowly, the people picked up the pieces. The island was reawakened from devastation to reign again as on of the continent’s top tourist destinations.

The attraction of Phuket is quite apparent. It is a hilly island surrounded by pristine waters. Most of the commercial beaches are to its west, varying in tourist draws and crowd density. The quiet beaches are towards the north and south ends. The party beaches are in the middle, particularly in the beaches of Patong and its neighbor Karon and Karon Noi. Several smaller islands (locally referred to as Ko) are within reach and brimming with possibilities for further adventure. Ko Bon is great for daytrips, snorkeling, and idling on the beach. Scuba diving is likewise popular in the adjacent islands of Ko Racha. Some of these islands have resorts, catering mostly to the high-end market – good alternatives for staying in Phuket.

Travelers to Phuket need a valid passport and visa. Since the island is a tourist center, there are typical traveler hassles, such as petty crime and inflated prices. The tuk-tuks – the local makeshift taxis – are known to gouge visitors with high rates. It is advised to haggle and agree on the best rates first, before riding a tuk-tuk. The climate is hot and humid for most of the year. The best months to go are from November to May.

Bangkok

admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:57:28 +0000

Bangkok was once dubbed as the “Venice of the East” because of the canals that ran through it. Waters flowed from the Chao Phraya River. Bangkok was originally Bang Makok, or “The Village of Olives.” Back then, Bangkok was only a small village.

The capital of Thailand, Bangkok is now one of South East Asia’s political and economic centers. It is also arguably its most exciting and vibrant city. Bangkok is a heady mix of the old and the new. The city’s landscape is marked with impressive skyscrapers, condominiums and commercial centers. Heavy traffic is a normal occurrence, and so is the bustle of day and night markets in the city. The city’s busy roads lead from the metropolitan attractions of Bangkok to its old houses and awe-inspiring temples. The royal island of Rattanakosin is within reach. Its antiquated buildings and temples beckon those wanting a feel of the old Thailand.

A new visitor to the city might feel lost at first. In this land where the fusion of the east and the west makes for a delirious delight, the traveler is drawn to the joys of visiting shopping malls and street markets, go-go bars, gay bars, ritzy night clubs, street food stalls, and modern buildings. At the same time, there is a slew of places to delight those in search of history. The city’s temples, old homes, and museums all speak of Bangkok’s colorful and tumultuous past.

The present Bangkok is still marred by instability every now and then. The political scene is volatile and regularly disrupts day-to-day commerce, as well as travel to the city and its nearby provinces. However, like its people, the city always gets back on its feet, with turmoil just like a passing storm – powerful yet ending quickly.

Travelers from the US only need a valid passport to get into Bangkok. The city is safe, except for the occasional scammers and unsavory characters. While tourism is active all year long, the best time to be in the capital is from November to February, when the weather is more cooperative to a traveler’s ramblings.