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The Pathum Wan Neighborhood in Bangkok: The Complete Guide

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The Pathum Wan Neighborhood in Bangkok

In the heart of the city center, bordering with Ratchathewi, is the Pathum Wan district. This neighborhood covers the entire area that goes from the BTS stop called National Stadium, up until Ploen Chit, going down south to also include Si Lom and the metro stations from Lumphini as far as Hua Lamphong.

The name “Pathum Wan”, instituted in 1914 by the monarch of the time, is derived both from the Buddhist temple Wat Pathum Wataram (which in Thai means temple of the lotus flower), as well as the lotus pond building, Sa Pathum.

The neighborhood has a smaller population than Ratchathewi. In fact there’s no more than 50 thousand inhabitants, spread across a total of a little more than 8 square kilometers.

Bangkok is divided into 50 districts called “khet”, which in turn are subdivided into subdivisions called “khwaeng”. The area of Pathum Wan is no exception; starting from the westernmost part, you can separate them into four sub-neighborhoods: [Read more…]

The 21 Most Useful Apps for Traveling in Thailand

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Most Useful Applications for Traveling in Thailand

The best apps for traveling in Thailand – Index

  1. Hotels, hostels, and apartments: Booking, Agoda, Airbnb
  2. The absolute best offline map: Maps.me
  3. Getting around by public transportation: BTS SkyTrain, Bangkok MRT, Grab, AirAsia, Nok Air, 12go.asia
  4. Food to go or restaurant reservations: Foodpanda and Eatigo
  5. The Amazon of Southeast Asia: Lazada
  6. Keeping in contact in with your Thai friends: Line
  7. Learning Thai: Thai by Nemo and L-Lingo Learn Thai
  8. How to send money abroad: Transferwise and XE Currency
  9. The latest news about Thailand: Bangkok Post
  10. Enjoying yourself in Bangkok: Eventbrite and Major Cineplex Plus

Before beginning

More than once you must have left for a trip or prepared to move abroad and asked yourself how you were going to get around in a given city, or where to stay, or even send money abroad.

In this article I will talk about the most useful applications that will make your life easier during your trip to Thailand.

All the applications you find in this article are available both for the Android operating system and iOS. I have also arranged them by category so that you can evaluate which is the most useful one for you.

[Read more…]

The Victory Monument Neighborhood in Bangkok: The Complete Guide

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Victory Monument in Bangkok

The Victory Monument Neighborhood in Bangkok – Index

  1. Ratchathewi and its strengths
  2. How to get to the Victory Monument area
  3. Where to stay at Victory Monument
  4. Where to eat at Victory Monument
  5. What to do at Victory Monument
  6. Where to live at Victory Monument

One of the most stimulating areas of Bangkok is Victory Monument. As the name suggests, this area includes the area adjacent to the Victory Monument, which in Thai is called “Anu Saowari Chai Samoraphum”, and is located in the northern part of the city.

The Victory Monument rotunda has Italian origins. In the middle there’s an obelisk that was erected in 1941 and designed by the sculptor Corrado Feroci. During the 20’s, Feroci was invited to Bangkok to teach Western sculpture at the capital university. In 1944 he was even declared a Thai citizen, and from there he changed his name to “Silpa Bhirasri”.

Before the creation of the obelisk, Victory Monument was a simple rotonda with a lawn and Thai flags. The obelisk you can see today was built in the 40’s to celebrate the Thai army’s victory over French colonials and the later expansion of Thai rule into certain regions of Laos and Cambodia. After Thailand’s defeat in the Second World War, Victory Monument became a symbol of embarrassment for its people.

Today the area adjacent to the Victory Monument is considered one of the biggest transport hubs of the city. Besides the BTS line that connects the northern part of Sukhumvit to the southern part of the city, from Anu Saowari minivans also depart for nearby cities, such as Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Pattaya, the islands of Koh Chang and Koh Samet, and also towards the floating markets of Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak.

On the two sides opposite the rotonda (the one near the shopping malls and the one near the hospital, to be clear), you can take local buses toward almost every district of the city. For a more detailed guide on how to get around by bus and minivan in Bangkok and Thailand in general, read here. [Read more…]

Traveling to Koh Phangan: The island of the Full Moon Party

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Traveling to Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is the fifth largest island in Thailand; it has an area of just over 125 square kilometers and is located in the southwestern part of the Gulf of Siam. Famous for its beaches and almost untouched tropical nature, Koh Phangan is also a destination known to travelers throughout the world for its Full Moon Party. During this party, celebrated once or twice a month depending on how often the full moon is visible, along almost a kilometer of beach DJ’s from around the world have 30 thousand people dancing.

Koh Phangan is not just music and dancing; in fact it’s also a place appreciated by travelers looking for calm and tranquility. 90% of the island is covered in thick tropical forest, which makes it a suitable place for yoga fans and those looking for a spiritual experience in one of the many retreats.

The island’s spirituality is also quite evident in its history. Up until 1400 Koh Phangan was in fact completely uninhabited, it’s discovery was made by a group of Buddhist monks who decided to build the first temple on the island: Wat Phu Khao Noi.

As a tourist destination, Koh Phangan began to become known starting in the 70’s. Ten years later though it underwent a full tourist boom, and thanks to the Full Moon Party, Koh Phangan in fact became one of the most popular places among young people from all over the world. [Read more…]

The Most Famous Thai Dishes And Where To Eat Them in Bangkok

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The most famous Thai dishes

The most famous Thai dishes – Index

  1. Thai cuisine – Introduction
  2. Papaya Salad
  3. Tom Yum Soup
  4. Pad Thai
  5. Pad Kra Pao Moo Sap
  6. Curry in various versions
  7. Sweets and fruits
  8. Vegetarian and vegan versions of the cited dishes
  9. Cooking schools in Bangkok
  10. Bonus: Insects in Thailand

Thai cuisine

With its delicate balance that juggles between sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami (which in Japanese means “tasty” and is present in foods particularly rich in protein such as meat and cheese) and its beautiful presentation (just think about the plumeria flowers that adorn desserts, or the amazing fruit carvings) Thai cuisine represents a fusion of taste and colors.

Even though Thai cuisine is light and aromatic, its preparation is rather complex, especially due to the balance that each dish requires. An example is papaya salad: a perfect harmony between tart, sweet and spicy flavors, but also the consistency of the ingredients, such as the papaya (soft), the beans (semi-soft) and the roasted nuts (hard).

In the past, traditional Thai cuisine was considered healthy, since it used cooking methods mainly based on boiled, grilled or stewed foods. These days, with Chinese influence, the “less healthy” foods, such as those that are fried have gotten the upper hand.

China hasn’t been the only nation to modify the eating habits of the Thai people; both India and Portugal have played an important role. For example, Thai curry is a modified and adapted version of typical Indian curry, where the clarifying butter is substituted by coconut oil. The spicy pepper, present in the majority of Thai dishes, was imported by Portuguese monks. [Read more…]

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…]

Traveling to Pai: An Alternative to the “Usual” Thailand

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Traveling to Pai

Pai is a small place located in a picturesque valley, 136 Km north of Chiang Mai. The town offers a relaxing atmosphere with lots of tourists, especially backpackers.

There’s quite a mix of people that you can meet there: there are western and eastern smiles, old hippies, Rastafarians and artists, and many others. I know that these words strung together don’t say much, perhaps they even sound strange, however I can assure you that they give the place a unique touch, maybe not so local and traditional, but always something special.

I recommend that you visit Pai during the low season since it could be complicated finding a place to stay between the months of October and February, which is during the dry season.

There are though about 350 guest houses and hotels and a high level of Westernization, and you can find simple accommodations in bungalows spread about the fields and along the river, as well as the many farms in the area.

To get to Pai you’ll have to be ready to face 3 hours of curves, 760 curves and reckless drivers. Joking aside, driving in this area is never all that peaceful, and I invite you to take a bunch of pills to prevent car-sickness. Are you ready to get lost in Pai?

How to get to Pai?

There are regular buses and minivans that leave every hour from the central station in Pai, heading to Chiang Mai and vice versa, for a price of 150 Baht. The first bus leaves at 6:30 in the morning and the last at 17:30, but I’d recommend that you handle things personally onsite.

There are also pickups that can accommodate 12 people, which you can take from Arcade Station in Chiang Mai, like the minivans, but cost more, about 1200 Baht and are little more comfortable. [Read more…]

The Best VPNs for Thailand: Security, Censorship and Geographic Restrictions

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Thailand VPN secure browsing

This article is aimed at analysing the internet in Thailand and comparing the best VPNs that you can use to improve security as well as to avoid geographic restrictions and censorship.

In this article, we will cover the following points (you can click on them to jump to the section you’re interested in):

Why do I need a VPN in Thailand?

There are multiple reasons to get a VPN when you are living or traveling in Thailand. Below are the most common reasons.

  • To browse securely: Access to the internet in Thailand, just like in many Asian countries, is not exactly secure. A good VPN increases internet security and greatly reduces the possible risks involved in connecting to public networks in this country (such as having your credit card cloned or your email hacked).
  • To avoid censorship: Censorship exists in Thailand, and if you want free access to the internet, the best way is to get a VPN
  • To unblock restricted content: To access the content of websites like Netflix, Hulu or restricted audiovisual content and TV channels in your country, your best option is always get a good quality VPN.

[Read more…]

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…]

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…]

Guide to the fake markets in Thailand

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fake markets in Thailand

In Thailand, as in Asia in general, it’s very easy to find counterfeits of name brand products. The largest Thai fake markets are in Bangkok, but you can find smaller ones in other cities like Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.

Before starting, note that importing “fake” products protected by a trademark can be considered a crime, so only do so after evaluating the pros and cons at your own risk.

The fake markets: where they are and what they sell

Bangkok

For a detailed explanation on the most famous shopping malls and markets in Bangkok, and how to get there, click here.

The choice of markets in the capital is quite varied, with the foremost being Chatuchak Market.

Also called the JJ Market, Chatuchak is one of the largest markets of all Southeast Asia. One of its distinctions is in its hours of operation: only Saturday and Sunday, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Some of its parts, such as those dedicated to plants and flowers, are also open on Wednesday and Friday, with the same hours of operation on the weekend. Friday instead hosts an extraordinary opening of areas dedicated to bulk sales. [Read more…]

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…]

How to find a job in Thailand – Our guide

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How to find a job in Thailand

The dream of moving to a tropical paradise like Thailand is common to many people, especially in recent years. Living and working in Thailand is however not an easy thing, especially if we take a look at the new visa regulations put in place by the military junta during the last three years.

But let’s start in order: in this article I will speak about:

  • The main difficulties a foreigner faces when looking for work in Thailand;
  • The necessary documents and visas to be able to legally work in the country;
  • The types of jobs that are illegal according to the Thai government and the consequences you can face if you work illegally;
  • The steps to take for effectively looking for a job in the Land of Smiles;
  • The reason why many expatriates in Thailand teach English.

Main difficulties

The main problem that a foreigner will face in looking for a job, whether they’re already a resident in Thailand, or still abroad is the following: not being a Thai citizen. [Read more…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]

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…]