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Royal Ploughing Ceremony Predicts Good Year
At the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony held in Bangkok this morning, a good year ahead has been predicted for the rice crop. The prediction has been made by the royal astrologer following the traditional ancient ceremony in which two oxen pull a wooden plough over ceremonial ground at Sanam Luang. A
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Isaan Rocket Festivals
The north-east of Thailand, a region known as Isaan, has traditionally been a pre-dominantly rural farming area and it is this region that holds one of Thailand’s more unusual festivals every May. In particular, the town of Yasothon has become renowned for the Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival to h
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Thai Attitudes Towards Safety
If you are travelling to Thailand for the first time, the whole experience can be a culture shock. What passes as normal in Thailand can be the sort of thing that is frowned upon in many countries in the West. That’s an observation and not a criticism, but visitors should be particularly aware
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Som Nam Naa
Som nam naa is a common phrase used in Thailand which is roughly the equivalent of saying ‘serves you right’ or ‘you got what you deserved’. Somebody complaining of feeling unwell and having a severe headache might get some sympathy until he reveals the reason behind his illn
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Chiang Mai City Pillar Inthakin Festival
Many towns and cities in Thailand house what is known as the ‘city pillar’ which is made of wood or stone and is often located at the geographical heart of the city. Traditionally, these pillars were created when a new settlement was established. Different regions of Thailand have differ
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Hotel Review: Queen's Garden Resort, near Bangkok Airport
Last weekend I had a late evening flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and an early flight out the following day, so I took the opportunity to stay at one of the hotels located close to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport rather than travel into the centre of the Thai capital.
Getting There
The Queen&
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The Story of Tong Daeng, the Royal Dog
Along with other members of the Thai royal family, King Bhumibol Adulyadej has a number of pet dogs, but one pet in particular has a heart-warming story attached.
In 1998, a stray Bangkok dog was taken in by a medical centre in Bangkok and had a litter of puppies. After the Thai king visited the me
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Bhuping Palace, Chiang Mai
If you are visiting Chiang Mai, then a trip to the beautiful grounds at Bhuping Palace (also written as Phuping) is highly recommended. Built in 1961, the palace itself is typically understated in keeping with the modest style of the present Thai king. Bhuping Palace is located in the mountains to t
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How to Get to Pai
The distance between Pai and Chiang Mai is approximately 85 miles (135kms), but because of the winding mountain road the road journey can take between 3 and 5 hours. Route 1095 is very scenic as it climbs up and down the mountains, but if you are prone to travel sickness you may not appreciate all t
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Restaurant Review: Chao Lay Seafood, Hua Hin
The Chao Lay seafood restaurant is one of the most famous in Hua Hin. The restaurant is built on a jetty and makes for a very pleasant al-fresco dining experience with a gentle breeze blowing in from the Gulf of Thailand. Chao Lay is open for lunch during the day, but it is the evening when the rest
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Eating Insects
Visitors to Thailand may occasionally come across hawker stalls or roadside vendors selling insects as snacks. It’s often a source of curiosity and amusement for many Westerners when they first see fried grasshoppers or roasted crickets being sold on the street. Although the thought of eating
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Takraw – Kick Volleyball
Takraw is one of the most popular sports in Thailand. There are a number of different versions of the game, but the main aim is to score points against your opponents by keeping the ball off the ground using any part of your body except for your hands. Played throughout South East Asia the sport is
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Asahna Bucha Day
This public holiday in Thailand marks the day when the Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Benares in India over 2,500 years ago. The exact date of the holiday is determined by the waxing moon and the lunar months, but is usually held in July or August. The Buddha preached his first sermon at
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Wan Khao Phansa
The day after Asahna Bucha is another important day in the Buddhist calendar. The day is called Wan Khao Phansa and marks the beginning of the three-month long period known as Phansa which is the Buddhist retreat period and is sometimes referred to as ‘Buddhist Lent’. The Phansa rains re
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Take Off Your Shoes
In Thailand, there are a number of different do’s and don’ts. In general, most minor indiscretions will be forgiven, but if you act respectfully towards local traditions and customs you will automatically receive appreciation from Thai people. One of the everyday ways you can show respec
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Accommodation Review: The Countryside, Pai
Most of the accommodation choices in Pai are budget and mid-range guest-houses with just a few more expensive hotel options. I was last in Pai back in February and was looking to stay somewhere for one night that wasn’t expensive, but had a bit of character. I chose The Countryside Resort, whi
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Thai Body Language - Saying it with the Eyebrows
Body language is probably more important in Thailand than it is in the West. Without expressing words, much can be conveyed in the type of smile a Thai person gives or the level of the wai when meeting somebody for the first time.
One common form of non-verbal communication is known in Thai as yak
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Pone Kingpetch – Thailand Boxing Legend
Thailand is renowned for Muay Thai or Thai boxing, but over the years Thailand has also produced a number of world champions in the orthodox form of boxing. Thailand’s first boxer to win a world title belt was Pone Kingpetch who became flyweight champion of the world on April 16, 1960 when he
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Historic Budget Hotel – The Atlanta, Bangkok
Located in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok, The Atlanta hotel is one of the more atmospheric places you can choose to stay in the Thai capital if you are on a budget. The hotel is unashamedly old-fashioned which will appeal to some and deter others.
Much of the charm of the hotel lies with the period
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Warning About Shopping at Bangkok Airport
There have been media reports in recent weeks about incidents involving duty free shops at Bangkok airport. One particular case involved a British couple who were accused of stealing an item from a King Power duty free shop at Suvarnabhumi airport. They were arrested and apparently ended up paying a
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