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Bless This Vehicle
Going on any journey in Thailand can be an eye-opening experience and not just because of the more ‘relaxed’ attitude to safety compared to the West. Getting in a vehicle in Thailand also provides an intriguing insight into Thai superstitions with its mix of Buddhist, Brahmin and animist
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Maya Bay, Phi Phi (Location for The Beach)
Maya Bay is amongst the most photogenic of Thailand’s beaches. The natural beauty of the area is undeniable with towering limestone cliffs, clear waters, coral reefs and a white sandy beach. It is also located on uninhabited Phi Phi Leh so in theory ticks all the boxes for the perfect hideaway, trop
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Thailand's Coffin Ceremony for the Living
There aren’t many things in Thailand that surprise me any more. After a while living in Thailand you know that just about anything is possible. However, I must admit I did raise an eyebrow this morning when I saw the latest news from the campaign trail. In an attempt to increase their chances during
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Widow Ghosts and the Spirits of Lai Thai
Writing the recent article about Thailand’s coffin ceremony for the living reminded of another unusual story I saw on Thai television a few years ago. The Thai reporter was investigating the folklore in parts of north and north-eastern Thailand which talks of mysterious ‘widow ghosts’ or lai t
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Steamed Noodle Rolls (Kuay Thiao Lord)
The first time I tasted these little savoury snacks was a revelation and they have rapidly become a personal favourite of mine. They aren’t served everywhere, but if you find a Thai restaurant that does dim-sum type dishes, kuay thiao lord are likely to be on the menu too. These steamed noodle rolls
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Durian - King of Fruits
In parts of south-east Asia the durian fruit is held in such high esteem that locals may refer to it as the ‘king of fruits’. There are many different types of durian, with popular Thai varieties including mong thong (golden pillow), gan yao (long stem) and chanee (gibbon). They all have their own u
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Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai
The picturesque temple of Wat Suan Dok is located just off Suthep Road in the western part of Chiang Mai city. If you are spending time in Chiang Mai it is worth a visit just to see the unique whitewashed reliquaries or shrines which contain the ashes of the former royal families of Chiang Mai.
Acc
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Thai Mother Earth (Phra Mae Thoranee)
Many of Thailand’s everyday features and sights are worthy of closer inspection because they often have a special significance. For instance, many temples and gardens feature fountains or water features which depict a woman with long hair. As shown below in the photo I took at Khao Tao in Hua Hin, t
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Thailand’s Election and the Impact on Tourists
On July 3, Thailand goes to the polls. Normally, an election in Thailand would not be of any real interest to tourists, but the Thai political problems witnessed in recent years means that visitors to the country are also anticipating what may or may not happen in Thailand in the forthcoming weeks a
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Move Over Planking, Thailand’s Got a New Craze
The worldwide online planking craze has been a big hit in Thailand. The game involves lying face down in unusual or unlikely locations and then posting the photo of the ‘planking’ to social media sites. The fad has been adopted with some fervour by the young and internet savvy generation
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Royal Portraits
One thing that often strikes first time visitors to Thailand is the number of royal portraits on show. Arriving at Bangkok airport you will see signs and images proclaiming ‘Long Live the King’ in Thai and English. Major streets and thoroughfares in towns and cities throughout the country also displ
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Police Tuk Tuk
It might not be a vehicle up to Starsky and Hutch standards, but who needs a Gran Torino when you’re on traffic duty? I took this photo of a police tuk-tuk close to the Sunday Walking Street Market in Chiang Mai. I can’t remember seeing these police tuk-tuks elsewhere in Thailand, but in Chian
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Red Bull and Thai Energy Drinks
The world-famous brand, Red Bull, can trace its origins back to the time when it was simply a pick-me-up tonic for Thai workers. Red Bull, or Krating Daeng in Thai, was invented by Thai businessman Chaleo Yoovidhya in 1981. The caffeine-rich drink soon became popular in Thailand with truck drivers,
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Asahna Bucha Holiday and Buddhist Lent
Today is a public holiday in Thailand to mark Asahna Bucha Day which commemorates the occasion on which the Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Tomorrow is also another important date in the Buddhist calendar with Wan Khao Phansa which is often referred to as Buddhist Lent. In Thailand, this mar
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Thai Topiary
The Thai tradition of topiary or ‘mai dut’ goes back hundreds of years to the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods. Drawing on influences from Chinese landscaping and Japanese bonsai design, the Thai form of topiary has developed its own unique style. Some temple gardens in Thailand incorpor
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Should I Visit Thailand in September?
A reader of the site contacted me a few days ago to ask for my views on visiting Thailand during the rainy season in September. He raised some good questions which may help some people who are wondering whether it is a good idea to visit Thailand during the rainy season and whether any particular lo
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Railay Beach, Krabi
One of the most popular and scenic locations in the Krabi region is Railay. There is sometimes a bit of confusion when people talk about ‘going to Railay’ because of the geography of the area. There is a headland called Laem Phra Nang which is only accessible by boat from Krabi Town and
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The Lucky Cat is Good for Business
Take a careful look around many of the independent shops or restaurants in Thailand and you may notice any number of lucky charms or mascots. One of these is the ‘maneki-neko’ cat mascot. Originally from Japan, these little good luck charms have been adopted throughout Thailand.
The cat
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VIP Buses in Thailand
When travelling in Thailand, buses can often be the most convenient way of getting between two particular destinations. The buses themselves vary in levels of comfort and service. The government transport company, Baw Khaw Saw (BKS), run many of the ordinary (rot thamada) and air-con (rot air) buses
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Bangkok Bus Terminals
There are three main bus stations/terminals in for details of routes and prices.
Update: October 22, 2011
My thanks to reader Aarn who has provided the following information based on his personal experience of travelling between the northern bus station (Mo Chit) and southern bus station (Sai Tai):
Total
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