Everyone seems to agree: while Chiang Mai is incredibly rich in antiquities and crafts shops, fashion venues, and museums, it still has a way to go in terms of the number of art galleries operating within the city environs. Three of our favorite galleries are listed below, as well as a couple of art schools that promise to […]
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All things mosquito: an hour at Chiang Mai’s incredible World Insects and Natural Wonders Museum
Some people have passions for cars, others for art, others for cooking. Manop Rattanarithikul has one for mosquitoes, and since 2000, he, along with wife Dr. Rampa Rattanarithikul, has hosted his own museum in Chiang Mai, Thailand, largely a tribute to his favorite insect. After ringing the doorbell (it’s always locked, but visitors are welcome), one […]
Read the rest of this entry »Museums in Chiang Mai and Mae Rim Valley, Thailand
There are a number of interesting museums worth visiting in Chiang Mai proper, and in the Mae Rim Valley to the northwest. Museums in the city of Chiang Mai Chiang Mai National Museum, Highway 11, Chiang Mai. Tel: (053) 221-308. Located 2 km north of the city, the museum specializes in Buddha images, work implements, […]
Read the rest of this entry »Antiquities shopping in Phuket, Thailand
Given its significant number of yearly visitors, it’s not really surprising that the island of Phuket has a number of good stores dealing in antiquities. As in the rest of Thailand, much of the best that you’ll find in these shops in Burmese in origin. With the exception of the Soul of Asia shop in […]
Read the rest of this entry »Trekking, rafting, and ATV adventures near Chiang Mai, Thailand
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 »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 […]
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