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Traveling to Koh Mak, the Coconut Island

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Traveling to Koh Mak

Koh Mak is a spectacular paradise island, with a surface area of a little more than 16 square kilometers, located in the southeastern part of Thailand, next to the Cambodian coast.

Even though it has wonderful beaches and almost untouched tropical vegetation, Koh Mak is an island that’s barely known to international tourists. This is actually what makes it a great place for those looking for a relaxing vacation far from the mass tourism so prevalent in places like Phuket or Pattaya.

Its privileged geographical position also makes it quite appealing to all those staying near the island of Koh Chang.

The primary reason why Koh Mak can still be considered an almost untouched island in 2018 is that the families that own it have always steered politics toward its preservation. [Read more…]

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Moving to Thailand: The complete guide

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Moving to Thailand

Moving to live and work in Thailand if you’ve never been to the country before or if you’ve never had such a radical change is a choice that requires ample bureaucratic preparation, but that’s not all!

In this article I will describe the necessary steps before leaving, so that you can arrive prepared and without delays; I will also talk about the things you’re required to do once you land in the Land of Smiles:

Before leaving

  • Determining an initial budget;
  • Which destination to choose;
  • Which visa to apply for;
  • How to choose an air flight;
  • How to find work in Thailand;
  • How to get health insurance.

In Thailand

  • How to rent an apartment;
  • How to get a Thai SIM card;
  • How to open a bank account;
  • How to send packages from your country to Thailand and vice versa.

[Read more…]

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Traveling to Koh Tao, Turtle Island

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Traveling to Koh Tao

Also called Turtle Island, Koh Tao (in Thai: เกาะเต่า), is a small island with a little more than 1,000 inhabitants, located in the western part of the Gulf of Siam.

Its name comes from the fact that in the past Koh Tao was inhabited by lots of turtles, the word “Tao” in Thai in fact means turtle. Moreover, if you look at the island from nearby Koh Phangan, it seems as if Koh Tao actually looks like a turtle.

Koh Tao was “discovered” in the early 80’s, and is today one of the most popular destinations in Thailand, thanks too to its coral reef and almost untouched nature, a habitat for many species of animals. Unlike places like Krabi and Koh Phangan, Koh Tao is an island where mass tourism has yet to arrive, making it perfect for those who wish to relax in the middle of nature.

The best months for visiting the island are from November to March. During this period there are few storms and the dry weather allows you to participate in outdoor activities like diving. Koh Tao was in fact designated as one of the best Asian destinations for scuba diving.

How to get to Koh Tao

[Read more…]

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Traveling to Phi Phi Island, the one from the movie “The Beach”

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Traveling to Phi Phi Island

Phi Phi Island (in Thai: หมู่เกาะพีพี) is an archipelago of six islands, the largest of which are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh, located in the southern part of Thailand, in the Andaman Sea.

Having been chosen as the location of the Leonardo di Caprio film “The Beach”, Phi Phi Island (even though there are two islands, they are written in the singular) has become a popular destination for international tourists since 2000.

Even though it is possible to visit all six islands when talking about Phi Phi Island you’re mainly talking about Phi Phi Don, the only inhabited island. The smaller Phi Phi Leh instead is mainly an afternoon boat tour, where you can admire Maya Bay, the bay where the majority of the scenes from The Beach were filmed.

Phi Phi Don covers some 30 square kilometers. Phi Phi Leh measures just a little more than 6 square kilometers, and besides its beautiful beaches, you can also visit caves like Viking Cave, located to the northeast.

The best season for visiting Phi Phi Island is from November to the end of March since there are few rainy days and the weather is dry. During the high season, you can swim at practically all the beaches on Phi Phi Don; but when the monsoons arrive the waves are very high, and not being protected, swimming can become dangerous. [Read more…]

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Traveling to Sukhothai, the ancient Thai capital

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Traveling to Sukhothai

Sukhothai (in Thai: สุโขทัย) was the capital of an empire of the same name founded in 1238 A.D. Before the rise to power of King Re Pho Khun Sri Indraditya, the Thai region that also included Sukhothai was dominated by the Cambodian Khmer Empire, which in turn was formed by fiefdoms spread out across the territories that today are part of Thailand and Cambodia.

The fall of the Khmer kingdom took place thanks to two Thai generals (one of which was called Indraditya, who became the first king of Sukhothai) who managed to chase out the Cambodians from Thai soil.

From 1238 onward, the Kingdom of Sukhothai conquered and dominated all of Thailand, the northern part of Laos, and even vast areas of Malaysia, and the city of Sukhothai was the capital for a good two centuries.

With the death of the last king (Ramkhamhaeng), Sukhothai began to lose its political and religious influence, and in 1376 it became a vassal state of the new Kingdom of Ayutthaya. When however in 1767 Burmese troops invaded Ayutthaya, it collapsed and the entire region of Sukhothai remained deserted and abandoned to itself.
[Read more…]

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Traveling to Krabi, in Southwest Thailand

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Traveling to Krabi

Krabi (กระบี่: in the local language) could be considered on of the most visited destinations in Thailand by local and international tourists along with Bangkok, Phuket, and the famous Phi Phi Islands.

Even though it’s not an island, thanks to its paradisaical beaches, today Krabi attracts tons of visitor from all over the globe.

The city is part of the province of the same name, which includes over 80 islands (including famous Koh Lanta). The entire region hosts half a million people while just the city of Krabi is inhabited by 60,000 individuals, mainly Thais (even though a small percentage is made up of foreigners that work and live in this part of the country).

As opposed to other tourist destinations located in the east of Thialand (like Koh Samet), Krabi, being located in the south along the Andaman Sea, is a very rainy area, especially during the low season that goes from April to October.

How to get to Krabi (from Thailand)

From Bangkok

Thanks to low-cost airlines like Air Asia or Nok Air, you can reach the airport in Krabi from various Thai cities.

First of all, we have the capital. With its two airports, Bangkok offers connections to and from Krabi almost every hour, keeping in mind that national carriers like Thai Airways and Bangkok Air also fly the same route, you can choose the best times that work with your arriving flight in Thailand (if your program doesn’t include an intermediate stop). [Read more…]

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Alternative activities in Bangkok

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Alternative activities in Bangkok

Besides the classic visits to Buddhist temples, museums, parks, markets, and shopping malls, Bangkok also offers lots of alternative activities.

In this article I’ll speak to you about:

  • Thai massage from blind people
  • Dinner in the dark
  • Bars with animals
  • Trampolines and Jumping Parks
  • Amusement parks
  • Ancient City
  • Painting
  • Bowling
  • Sand bath

Thai Massage

Besides classic spas, or massage centers you can find spread throughout the city, there’s also a well-being center run by blind people.

Perception Blind Massage is located in the Sathorn neighborhood, near the Chongnonsi SkyTrain stop, on Sathorn Soi 8. Operating hours are from 10:00 a.m. in the morning to 10:00 p.m., every day.

Opened in December 2014, Perception Blind Massage was launched with the idea of giving the opportunity to blind people to practice one of their most developed senses: touch. [Read more…]

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Traveling to Cha Am, a beach destination in the west of Thailand

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Traveling to Cha Am

Cha Am is a beach town with a little more than 20,000 inhabitants, located in the Petchaburi region, on the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand.

Being only 170 kilometers from Bangkok, it’s often the choice for many Thai families who live in the capital looking for some relaxation on the weekend.

It’s not a very popular destination among tourists, like nearby Hua Hin. In town there’s barely anything besides hotels and restaurants, which along the beach are decidedly not well-maintained.

Nevertheless, Cha Am does have something to offer for those looking for a less-touristy place who aren’t necessarily big fans of the beach. Among the alternative activities you can find there’s: Santorini Park (a themed artificial village), Kaeng Krachan National Park (with waterfalls where you can take a dip), and lastly a sheep-raising station called Swiss Sheep Farm.

How to get to Cha Am

Cha Am is a very small town without an airport; the closest is in Hua Hin which is temporarily closed.

You can get to Cha Am by renting a car or taxi, by train, or taking a bus or minivan. If you’re in Pattaya, you can take the Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry and from there get to Cha Am by bus or minivan.

By car or taxi

[Read more…]

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Traveling to Kanchanaburi, city of The Railway of Death

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Traveling to Kanchanaburi

The city of Kanchanaburi (in Thai: กาญจนบุรี) is also the capital of the province of the same name. Located about 120 kilometers west of Bangkok, Kanchanaburi is especially famous among international tourists for the “Railway of Death” and the “Tiger Temple”.

The town has a little more than 30,000 inhabitants, and rises up along the shores of the intersection of the Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai Rivers.

The best time to visit the city (as with the rest of Thailand), is from November to the end of March, when the weather is drier and it hardly ever rains. Nevertheless, just like Bangkok, in Kanchanaburi too the average yearly temperatures can pass 30 degrees, making almost any daytime activity quite tiresome. The worst time is definitely between April and October when the rains are persistent and the humidity is through the roof.

Kanchanaburi first started becoming a popular destination toward the beginning of the 60’s thanks to the trials and tribulations of the Second World War.

During the conflict the Japanese army (with the intention of conquering all of Asia), decided to build a railway connecting Thailand to nearby Burma. That way the movement of troops and supplies toward India was quicker and more immediate. Tokyo’s primary objective was to avoid movements by sea, which was considered to be less safe. [Read more…]

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Traveling to Vang Vieng, in Laos

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Traveling to Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng (in Lao ວັງວຽງ)is a town of 25,000 inhabitants, located 156 kilometers north of the capital Vientiane.

Founded in 1353 with the name Mouang Song, Vang Vieng is today known mainly for its crazy parties that younger (and not) tourists have been having since 2012.

Before 2012, there were on average at least two young Westerners a month (mainly Australians) that died by drowning in the river, by diving into it after taking drugs of all sorts that were easily acquired in the city’s shops, or restaurants, where shakes and pizzas were prepared with hallucinogenic mushrooms.

The Lao government then decided (also with the pressure of the Australian government) to close the bars and restaurants that sold drugs in Vang Vieng.

What was considered to be the favorite pastime during the tourist boom in Vang Vieng, was so-called “tubing”. Tubing is nothing more than a truck tire put into the water like a doughnut, which you sit on and get taken by the river’s current. [Read more…]

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Markets and shopping malls in Bangkok

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Markets and shopping malls in Bangkok

What markets and supermarkets are there in Bangkok?

In the first part of this article I will explain to you which are the most important and visited markets in Bangkok, where you can buy clothing, food, souvenirs, and many other things for a modest price:

  • Jatujak
  • Jatujak Green
  • Prathunam
  • Patpong
  • Rot Fai (also called the train market)
  • Khao San Road Market.

In the second part of the article I will speak of the enormous shopping malls in the Thai capital, and all the things you can do inside of them:

  • Center One, Victory Mall, and Century Movie Plaza
  • MBK
  • Siam Paragon, Siam Centre, and Siam Discovery
  • Central World
  • Terminal 21.

Jatujak Market

[Read more…]

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Traveling to Siem Reap: Complete visit to Angkor

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Traveling to Siem Reap

Siem Reap is a town of a little less than 200,000 inhabitants, located in the northeast of Cambodia. It is also the second most well-known city in the country, after the capital Phnom Penh.

It’s most famous for the complex of temples often erroneously called Angkor Wat (which as we’ll see later on is, in reality, the name of one of the temples making up part of the Angkor archeological site).

The center of the city of Siem Reap is crossed by an 80 kilometer river of the same name that starts in Phnom Kulen National Park.

Despite not being the capital or the biggest city of the country, Siem Reap is however the most visited city in Cambodia, especially thanks to the temples of Angkor. In 1992 UNESCO declared the archeological ruins of Angkor as a World Heritage Site, inserting it also on the list to become one of the seven wonders of the world.

The best time to visit Siem Reap, and Cambodia in general, is between October and March. During the rest of the year Southeast Asia is hit by monsoons and persistent rains that make life difficult for tourists, especially in less developed towns like Siem Reap, where there are unpaved roads and there are no storm drains! [Read more…]

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Traveling to Phonsovan, in Laos

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Traveling to Phonsovan

Phonsavan is a town of about 38,000 inhabitants, capital of the Xieng Khouang region, in Laos. And like a good part of Laos, Phonsavan too is a place that remains mainly unknown to international tourists.

Since 1995 though, three areas of the city where jars from the era between 500 B.C. and 200 A.D. were found, have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, slowly attracting more and more visitors even from far off Europe.

During the French colonization at the end of the XVII century, the Xieng Khouang region became part of French Indochina and Phonsavan was appointed as capital of the region. The French influence is still seen today in different historic buildings in the city, such as the town hall and church.

Under Paris’ rule until a little after the Second World War, few know that Phonsavan (and Laos in general) was one of the most heavily bombarded regions by the Americans during the Vietnam War (especially between 1964-73), in an attempt to stop the North Vietnamese army.

Even today you can visit the caves where the Lao population had secretly lived for almost a decade to protect themselves from American attacks.
[Read more…]

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Traveling to Vientiane, the capital of Laos

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Traveling to Vientiane

The city of Vientiane (in Lao: ວຽງຈັນ) is the capital of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. With its 200,000 inhabitants, Vientiane is a little atypical compared to other Southeast Asian capitals, especially as regards the landscape and tranquility that reigns in the center of the city.

The entire town is spread along the banks of the Mekong River, which serves as the border between Thailand and Laos. Thailand and Laos also share some traditions and customs. The Thai and Lao languages, for example, are more or less similar, and very often you’ll find Laos that understand Thai and vice versa.

In 1994 the first friendship bridge between the countries was opened just twenty miles from Vientiane. This bridge is especially important due to the fact that it’s the only rail line in the country, and also since it’s a very popular route for tourists that arrive/leave from Thailand via train.

Besides the train, Vientiane is connected to the rest of Asia thanks to a new airport, the Vientiane-Wattay Airport. Located just 3 kilometers from the city center, it is used by airlines like in AirAsia, China Eastern Airlines, Lao Airlines, Thai Airways, and Vietnam Airlines.

Today the airport in Vientiane offers flights to different cities through Southeast Asia and beyond, such as China, South Korea, Japan, and even Australia. [Read more…]

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Traveling to Hua Hin, the oldest seaside resort in Thailand

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Traveling to Hua Hin

200 kilometers from Bangkok lies the oldest seaside resort in all of Thailand: Hua Hin. The city of Hua Hin started to become famous starting in the 20’s, when King Rama VI decided to build his summer residence.

From this period onward, from a fishing city Hua Hin started to become a sought-after destination for average stays, especially for those who live in the great Bangkok.

With the construction of the royal residence a good part of the Thai aristocracy adopted Hua Hin as a place to vacation and relax. Along with this new influx of wealthy people, a railway station was built in the city. Even today both tourists and others come to see this particular building, symbol of the city.

When it comes to foreign tourists, Hua Hin is a town particularly favored by retirees. Unlike Pattaya and Phuket, Hua Hin is not under assault by mass tourism, but instead is a preferred place for those with mid-to-high income.

In fact, along the beach you’ll see lots of villas, five start hotels and even luxury condominiums. The cost of living is higher compared to the rest of the country, hotels go for prices starting from 600 THB for a double room in a guest house. Forget about finding a Bed & Breakfast for 200 THB a person, or youthful hostels. [Read more…]

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Traveling to Luang Prabang, in Laos

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Travelling to Luang Prabang

In this article I will guide you in discovering the town of Luang Prabang, a wonderful village in colonial style located on the banks of the Mekong River, Laos.

Luang Prabang is a small city located 390 kilometers north of the capital, Vientiane famous for its Buddhist temples, its waterfalls and night market, and peaceful days where not even a leaf moves.

The sensation you’ll have when you enter the town is that it is a completely different place compared to the rest of Southeast Asia, simliar only perhaps to Bagan in Myanmar, as far as atmosphere goes. And just like Bagan, Luang Prabang too has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (in 1995).

The city’s size and population (50,000) isn’t very big, when compared to other Asian towns like Chiang Mai (150,000).

Its historical importance, which has given it its present appearance, is visible in three aspects:

  • It is the capital of the province of the same name;
  • In 1893 it became part of the kingdom of French Indochina (even today hotels, restaurants, and stores, are also in French style, along with baguettes with jam served for breakfast);
  • Up until 1975, when the communist party overthrew the monarchy, despite not being the capital, it hosted the royal residence.

[Read more…]

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The floating market of Amphawa, in Thailand

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Travel to Amphawa

General information

Amphawa is a small town in the Samut Songkhram region (in Thai: สมุทรสงคราม), only 60 kilometers northwest of Bangkok. Mostly unknown to international tourists, Amphawa is a place that offers a lot, especially when it comes to relaxing and contact with authentic local traditions.

You’ll especially hear of Amphawa for its floating market on the shores of the Mae Klong river, much less famous and crowded than the more touristy Damnoen Suduak Floating Market, but much more charming and genuine.

The market is held only between Friday and Sunday, from late in the morning to way into the night. I recommend that you go to the market towards four, when the sun isn’t as scorching, so you can visit the market without suffering through the typical suffocating heat that characterizes Thailand, especially in the months from April to September.

An interesting itinerary is to go to Amphawa late in the afternoon, visit that market and take a boat tour, then spend the night in Amphawa to see the train market the next day (Maeklong Railway Market) located a few kilometers away.

Why is Amphawa better than Damnoen Saduak?

[Read more…]

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Traveling by train in Thailand: The complete guide

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Traveling by train in Thailand

An interesting option for traveling in Thailand is to take the train. Despite the bus network being much bigger and better connected, traveling by train also has its advantages, especially if you aren’t in a rush and want to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the journey.

The main national rail hub is Bangkok. The city station is called Hualamphong and it is easily reached from the center of Bangkok by metro (MRT).

You have to get off at the last stop, which is called Hualamphong (if arriving from the airport). Once you come out of the metro, finding the station isn’t difficult, just go up the escalator and turn right: the stop is right under the ticket counter.

Hualamphong station, despite being built some 101 years ago, is still one of the most widely-used buildings in the capital. The building was designed by the architect Mario Tamagno from Turin, who gave it its Renaissance style.

Connections offered at this station cover all four cardinal directions: north with Chiang Mai, south and west with Trang and Nakhon Si Thammarat, and lastly east with Ubon Ratchathani, Nong Khai, Sattahip and Aranyaprathet.

Here you’ll find a detailed map of Southeast Asia’s rail network.


[Read more…]

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Travel to the island of Koh Samet

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Travel to Koh Samet

General overview

Koh Samet (often written also as Koh Samed) is one of the closest and easily reached islands to Bangkok. Located only 175 kilometers from the capital, the island is also called Koh Kaew Phitsadan by the Thais, which means “Jewel Island”.

Despite not being as touristy as Phuket or Phi Phi Island, Koh Samet is frequently visited by local tourists and foreign residents from Bangkok, who escape for just a weekend from the chaotic life of the city.

There’s no one best time of the year to visit the island since it has a dry climate all year long. It’s for this reason in fact, that Koh Samet is a popular destination during the months when monsoons strike the majority of Thailand, namely May to the end of October.

The island’s beaches are composed of white sand and clear water. Nature is master here, even if imposing luxury resorts are sprouting up like mushrooms, especially near the biggest beaches.

The only beaches where you can sunbathe and take a dip are those on the eastern coast. On the other side of the island there are no beaches but rather rocks that make water sports practically impossible.

Due to its wonderful beaches and tropical nature, Koh Samet was declared as a Thai national park, and as such, as soon as you get off the boat onto the beach at Haad Sai Kaew, you’ll see a local policeman who will ask you to donate (it’s mandatory) 220 THB to support the park. [Read more…]

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Travel to Chiang Rai, the city of the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

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Traveling to Chiang Rai

General information

Chiang Rai, a city considered noble due to its past as the capital of the Kingdom of Lanna, is especially famous for its proximity to the golden triangle; an area on the Mekong River where the territories of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet, forming a triangle. The golden triangle is widely known abroad as world’s most important region, second only to Afghanistan, for the production of opium during the 50’s.

Chiang Rai is however known for its Buddhist temples, particularly the marvelous White Temple (in Thai: Wat Rong Khun), located a few kilometers outside the middle of the city.

The city of Chiang Rai is about 800 kilometers from Bangkok, and is the capital of the province of the same name. Just a little smaller than Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai has a population of 70,000 inhabitants. Its territory is mainly mountainous, being situated 600 meters over sea level. This characteristic makes it so that in winter the lowest temperatures go down to even 15 degrees, which is very low for Thailand.

Visiting Myanmar or Laos from Chiang Rai

Its strategic position makes Chiang Rai a perfect spot for those that also want to visit Myanmar and Laos.

Regarding the first destination, you can take a taxi from the center of Chiang Rai which will take you to the border checkpoint (Mae Sot), or a bus. Once you get to the so-called friendship bridge, the bridge connecting the customs office of Mae Sot in Thailand and Myawaddy in Myanmar, you can follow the procedures for visas on arrival directly at the border immigration office, then go on for another kilometer toward the bus station. [Read more…]

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