If the size of a beauty contest can be measured by the accumulated weight of all contestants, Thailand’s Jumbo Queen Contest is undoubtedly the world’s largest. Occurring each year on Thailand’s May 1 labor Day holiday, the contest matches the talent, beauty, and charm of some of the largest women in Thailand. To be eligible […]
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Bachelor in Bangkok: Khun Lee’s 5 rules for surviving the Bangkok bar scene
Guys like me enjoy the company of Entertainment Providers quite often and enjoy it immensely with very few negative experiences. However, so many men find themselves losing their hearts, their money, and sometimes even their minds! So given this theme I will list below Khun Lee’s 5 Rules for handling oneself inside this arena. I […]
Read the rest of this entry »Antiquities and Crafts Shopping in Bangkok
Bangkok is one of the world’s meccas for antiquities, fine arts, and crafts shopping. Here, you’ll find everything from age-old statuary to stunning tribal crafts, in venues ranging from the large to the out-of the way. Virtually every Bangkok visitor will have heard of the venerable Chatuchak weekend market, but for the buyer with a […]
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 »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 »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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