Where To Go In Thailand?

Where To Go In Thailand?

By: lar

You have lots of choices in Thailand for a vacation and you need to figure out exactly what you plan to do while you are there.Your first stop will be in the capital, Bangkok and you should plan to stay there for a few days, especially if this is your first visit to Thailand. There are river boat dinners, short ½ day trips to beautiful temples, and longer jaunts to the old capital, Ayudhaya, or visit the site of the Bridge on the River Kwae in Kanchanaburi for some WWII history.If you like the beach, you have numerous choices. You can go to Pattaya, which is about 1 ½ hour drive from Bangkok, or you can catch a short flight to Phuket or Koh Samui. If you really want to see pristine beaches and emerald water, go to Krabi. You can dive, snorkel, or swim to your heart's content.If you prefer cooler weather, head up north to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai and visit the temples and hill-tribe people. Local handicrafts, the Golden Triangle, and more await you in Northern Thailand.For a very laid back vacation (my favorite), head to the northeast to an area referred to as Isaan (or Isan, or Esarn). This is a an area that includes Udorn Thani, Korat, Khon Kaen, Surin and some more smaller towns and villages. The pace is slower, the people friendlier and the cost of living about 50% less than in the touristy areas.I have been to Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, Bangkok and many other cities in the Land of Smiles. My favorite is Khon Kaen. Located about a 55 minute flight from the old Don Muang Airport, Khon Kaen is an excellent mix of old and new. I can purchase software and DVDs at the Oasis mall or sit on a picnic table under thatched roof overlooking the river while I eat my jumbo prawns and drink a cold Singha. I can visit a number of temples or go to a disco. I can hang out with the expatriates neat the Sofitel Hotel or go to night market at the University.I can have dinner at a restaurant along the man-made lake while half the city is out jogging. I can go shopping at malls and outlet store that compare to any in the United States. I can even call and have pizza or chicken delivered to my hotel room.I will be looking to invest in some property in Khon Kaen during my next vacation. I want to lease a house and start getting ready for my retirement in about 2 years. From what I have seen online, I can purchase a brand new3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2-story house for about $50,000 USD. That would be just about enough for a down payment where I live in Hawaii.No matter what you are looking for, Thailand has it all. And it will be a lot cheaper than where you live now.You can spend your days at the beach and your nights pursuing dreams of youth at all the nightspots. You can relax on a small island or go trekking in the jungles. Whatever you want to do, you can do it in Thailand.

Where to Stay in Bangkok?

Where to Stay in Bangkok?

by: Gregory Smyth

Bangkok offers a diverse choice in accommodations to match every taste and budget. A visitor can afford to stay royally in an elegant hotel or live peacefully in a guest house on a moderate budget. Since lot of hotels are often completely booked during the peak season from November to March, it is advisable that visitors go for advance reservations if they are contemplating to visit during this period. Accommodations cost lesser compared to Hong Kong and Singapore and inexpensive by Western standards, specifically because of the degradation of the Thai currency due to the Asian economic crisis of 1997. The major hotel districts are based around Siam Square and Ploenchit Road; close to the Chao Phraya River, along Silom Road, Suriwong Road and Sukhumvit Road. There are other places such as Banglampoo for modest guesthouses accessed by backpackers, along the river where some modern high-rise hotels are expected to come up; and Chinatown, which is among the most energetic and typically Asian parts of Bangkok. Around Siam Square, you will discover some very admirable places to live in. You can also find variety of shops, restaurants and nightspots. The less costly places are centered on Soi Kasemann 1 and near Jim Thompson's House and Museum. These places, such as Bed and Breakfast, provide a guesthouse atmosphere coupled with hotel comfort. The areas of Chao Phraya River, Silom Road and Suriwong Road enclose some of the older sections of Bangkok. The area around Silom Road and Suriwong Road is recognized as the financial district, and has numerous hotels and restaurants. You can find enough entertainment and shopping options in the Patpong Night Market. You can also find centrally placed top-class hotels suitable for both business and leisure. The luxury establishments, characterizes a distinctly Thai character and boasts an elegant design. If you travel further towards the west, you will arrive at the riverbank, where some of the outstanding hotels in Bangkok are to be discovered. Hotels here deliver riverfront luxury biased toward tour groups. Most hotels here offer you world-class facilities along with exceptional views from its rooms. There is a handful of other hotels overlooking the Chao Praya River. Sukhumvit Road is another area popular for shops and nightspots. The area also boasts of some extremely attractive bars. There is good enough presence of mid-range hotels and inns here. But the better four-star and five-star hotels cater more for business travelers than tourists. Even if they lack in character, they more than compensate for that in the facilities they provide. There are some brand-new hotels oriented toward the business traveler and also possesses most modern fitness centers. There is no shortage for luxurious hotels either on Sukhumvit, while there are also old hotels having their own tradition to show for. People who love modern-sized, unpretentious topnotch accommodation are not disappointed either. Some of the hotels also have rooms affording you nice views of the Bangkok skyline. No matter wherever you decide to stay in Bangkok, the hospitable people here in the "Land of Smiles" will provide you everything needed to relax and enjoy your time in this fantastic city.