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Floating Market, Damnoen Saduak
Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak is just over 100 kilometres outside of Bangkok and is on many people’s must-do list when visiting the Thai capital. Some may argue that it’s ‘too touristy’, but I would recommend anybody to pay a visit because it is still a unique experience. The Floating Market at
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Wearing Shorts in Bangkok
I’d never given this much thought until recently when somebody asked me if it was acceptable for men to wear shorts in Bangkok. They’d read in a travel forum that it was only appropriate to wear shorts on the islands and in the beach resorts and not in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Appearanc
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Thai Flattery
Everybody likes a bit of flattery, but it’s been elevated to something of an art form in Thailand. As a foreign visitor, you will almost certainly be subject to Thai flattery at some stage of your visit. If you are male you will probably be told you look young or are handsome and if you are female y
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Suggested 2 week Itinerary
I sometimes get asked by friends and family visiting Thailand to suggest an itinerary for their stay. Individual taste will vary and some may want to relax at a beach resort for 2 weeks whilst others may want a more active vacation. The itinerary I’ve listed below provides a little bit of everything
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Do I Need Rabies Jabs Before I Travel to Thailand?
Firstly, I have to point out I have no medical training or background and ultimately the choice is up to the individual, but in my opinion rabies jabs before you go are not essential for most visitors to Thailand.
Rabies Vaccination Before You Travel
The pre-exposure rabies jabs may be useful for s
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Thailand Travel Insurance
There is an old adage that says ‘if you can’t afford travel insurance you can’t afford to travel.’ I’m not sure who said it (probably somebody in the travel insurance industry!) but it is still valid.
Whoever you use for your travel insurance, make sure that you are adequately insured fo
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Do I Need Malaria Tablets?
The answer for the vast majority of visitors to Thailand is, you do not need to take malaria tablets. As with any medical advice I give, I should state that I have no medical background or training and ultimately the choice is up to the individual. My personal opinions are based on research from loc
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Wat Phra Kaeo and the Emerald Buddha
Located in the same complex of buildings on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Phra Kaeo and the Grand Palace are regarded as ‘must-sees’ by many visitors to Bangkok.
The area of Ratanakosin was established as the Thai capital by King Rama 1 in 1782 following the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burme
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Being Polite
Good manners are important in Thai society, but politeness isn’t always demonstrated in the same way as it is in many other countries. Although there is a Thai word for ‘please’ (karuna) it isn’t used in the same way as it would be in the West and you needn’t worry about using it.
Khop Khun (Thank Y
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Sanuk
Most guide books to Thailand will tell you about the Thai concept of sanuk which often gets translated as meaning ‘fun’. But sanuk is more than having fun; it’s about striving to achieve satisfaction and pleasure from whatever you do. Whether it’s the office, the karaoke bar or working i
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Is it Safe to Drink the Tap Water?
The short answer is, no. There are a few exceptions in Bangkok, notably at some of the more prestigious hotels, but in the majority of cases tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Thailand. That’s the bad news, but the good news is that bottled water is extremely cheap and widely available.
Most
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Tsunami Anniversary
Today marks the third anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed around 220,000 lives. In Thailand, over 5,000 people died along the Andaman coast. There have been numerous events held today attended by survivors and families of the victims. Buddhist, Muslim and Christian ceremonies have t
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Children’s Day
Today has been Children’s Day in Thailand, an annual event that takes place on the second Saturday in January. The day marks how important children are in Thai life and many will have enjoyed the free rides and events laid on to keep the youngsters happy.
As a general rule, Thai adults will make a b
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The Importance of Keeping Hydrated
If there’s one tip I can give people visiting Thailand, it’s to ensure you drink enough water. The first few times I came here on holiday, I didn’t always follow my own advice. I knew that I was supposed to drink lots of liquid, but I was on vacation and I hoped that beer would count. Sadly, beer an
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A Colour for Every Day
In Thailand, each day of the week is associated with a particular colour. In the past, many people would wear the colour associated with that day. It doesn’t happen so much now, but there are still signs of the old tradition to be found. The most noticeable of these is on Mondays where tourists will
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Thailand Public Holidays, 2008
The following is a list of public holidays in Thailand during 2008. (Click here for holiday dates in 2009). If you are travelling on these days or looking for accommodation it may be beneficial to book in advance. At the bottom of this official list, I’ve also included some other notable dates and f
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The Thai Smile, Jai Yen and Jai Rawn
I thought I’d write about a couple of incidents I’ve seen in the past week which confirms one stereotype of Thailand and dispels another.
Last Sunday I was sitting outside a small coffee shop reading a book when I hear the sound of metal hitting concrete accompanied by screams. Two motorcycles have
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Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Chiang Mai has just finished celebrating its annual flower festival. Traditionally held on the first weekend of February, the centre of activities is Nong Buak Hat Public Park in the south-west corner of the old town. Colourful and intricate floral displays adorn floats which form the focal point of
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Chinese New Year
Thai people welcome any excuse to celebrate and have sanuk, so why not have three New Year celebrations; the western New Year in January, the Chinese New Year in January/February and the Thai New Year (Songkran) in April.
Although it’s never been an official holiday in Thailand, Chinese New Year i
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Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is quite a big deal in Thailand, particularly amongst the youth, and last night and this morning the flower markets were doing roaring trade. It’s been quite a funny sight today with students buzzing around on their motorbikes clutching their various tokens of affection. As well as t
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