Chiang Mai, Thailand, has loads of interesting things to experience, above and beyond merely enjoying th city. Here are a few exciting options: We’ve always thought those nifty ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) looked like heaps of fun, and finally had it confirmed one day in the Mojave Desert’s Dumont Dunes area. In Thailand, you can experience […]
Read the rest of this entry »Archive for the 'Thailand' Category
Massage at Bangkok’s famous Wat Pho
Not only is Wat Pho oldest and largest wat (temple) in Bangkok, it’s also the Thai center for teaching the healing art of massage. Containing the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, this extraordinarily beautiful site, resplendent with spires of intricate ceramic mosaics, occupies a centuries-old holy site, essentially rebuilt in 1781. Highlights include […]
Read the rest of this entry »Email, internet, & telephone in Bangkok
Email access in Bangkok is easy virtually everywhere along the Sukhumvit and Silom BTS Skytrain lines, and in hundreds of other places in the city. Don’t ignore the different sois (streets) branching off of main thoroughfares, as generally, hourly rates are cheaper there. Signs advertising email access frequently hang from upper stories, easy to […]
Read the rest of this entry »Bangkok river transportation on the Chao Phraya
There are plenty of ways to go here, from basic dock-to-dock transport, to dinner cruises at dusk. Basic transportation Chao Phraya River Taxis: These fast boats ply the many piers along the big river. Consult your map for their locations. A quick guide to a few of the high points along the river is at […]
Read the rest of this entry »Khlong Saen Saep Bangkok water taxis: Quick, but not for the faint-hearted
Not to be confused with the river taxis that travel the Chao Phraya River, the khlong taxis that ply Bangkok’s Saen Saep khlongs (canals) offer quick transportation at a great price, but with a major caveat. If the Royal Palace could be considered Bangkok’s heart, and Wat Pho its soul, the khlongs can rightly be […]
Read the rest of this entry »Transportation in Bangkok by rail, subway, road, and water
You will soon find your enjoyment of Bangkok to be commensurate with your ability to get around the city quickly, efficiently, and comfortably. Our preference is the BTS Skytrain for all points possible. It’s quick, air-conditioned, and has great views. The new subway is a decent second-best. Take taxis and motorcycle taxis when necessary, and […]
Read the rest of this entry »Touring Thailand by train from Bangkok
Virtually all trains leave from Bangkok’s centrally located Hualamphong railway station. A few southern routes and commuter lines also originate at the Bangkok Noi/Thonburi station, which has a dock on the western side of the Chao Phraya River at the Tha Rot Fai pier). The Wong Wian Yai station, located off Thaksin Road in Thonburi, […]
Read the rest of this entry »Touring Thailand by bus from Bangkok
Eventually, you’ll be heading off to a destination that will require bus travel, either because your airline doesn’t fly there, or you don’t want to rent a car. Buses, especially the overnight VIP-type, are comfortable and air-conditioned. There are three major bus stations in Bangkok. Here’s a quick user’s guide: Ekkamai Station: For points southeast […]
Read the rest of this entry »Low cost air travel in Thailand
These are exciting times for visitors electing to travel by air within Thailand, as three low-cost airlines are vying for low-cost domestic fares, flying out of Don Muang airport, and offering fares to destinations such as Chiang Mai for as little as 500 baht ($13 USD). While offering lower prices than traditional carriers such as […]
Read the rest of this entry »WoWasis Book review: Timothy Hallinan’s ‘Nail Through the Heart’
One of the gripes voiced by veteran readers of Bangkok Fiction is that the common plot of western man-meets-bargirl has become so hackneyed that it’s really served its time, and should either be upgraded or retired. We’ve started to feel the same way about its replacements, the girl gets trafficked or children are molested by […]
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