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Getting to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is 750km (470 miles) north of Bangkok. The quickest and most comfortable way of getting there is by air with a journey time of just over an hour. The following airlines all offer services to Chiang Mai:
Thai Airways
Nok Air
Bangkok Airways
One-Two-Go
Air Asia
Travelling by train, the jo
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Buddhism and Merit-Making
Thailand is pre-dominantly Buddhist (over 90% of the population are Buddhists). I am far from being an expert on Buddhism, but living in Thailand it is impossible not to realize the impact it has on everyday life and the value placed on merit-making. There is a Thai saying which says that “if
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Tuk-tuks
Tuk-tuks get their name from the sound of their noisy two-stroke engines. These open-sided three-wheel vehicles operate as private taxis and normally carry a maximum of three passengers. Tuk-tuks aren’t found everywhere in Thailand, but are common in places like Bangkok and Chiang Mai. There a
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Songthaews
In many towns and cities (apart from Bangkok), the songthaew is the main form of public transport. Songthaews (literal meaning = two rows) are converted pick-up trucks with two rows of seating in the back for passengers. In some tourist areas such as Pattaya, a songthaew is sometimes referred to as
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Land of Smiles
Thailand is famously known as the ‘Land of Smiles’, and for good reason. But a Thai smile does not automatically mean that the person is happy. This can lead to misunderstandings between Westerners and Thais.
Here is an example from my second trip to Thailand. I was in an internet café
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Body Language in Thailand
Despite Thailand’s apparently laid-back and relaxed attitude, it can be surprisingly easy for unaware visitors to cause offence. Manners are important to Thai people and what may be acceptable in Western society is not always appropriate in Thailand.
Thai people consider the head and shoulders to be
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Jai Yen - Don't Lose Your Temper
Thais have a philosophy of keeping their cool and not losing their temper; jai yen (cool heart). To raise your voice and lose your temper is not good form and confrontation is to be avoided. However, that doesn’t mean that every Thai person you meet will be the stereotype happy-go-lucky person
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Thailand Guide Books
Arguably the two most well-known and best guide books on Thailand are the Lonely Planet and Rough Guide series. I have a preference for the Rough Guide series, but you pays your money and takes your choice. There does seem to be some inverted snobbery from backpackers and travellers in Thailand. Som
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Banks & Exchanging Money
Banking hours are usually 08.30-15.30 Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays). Thailand is well served by a network of ATMs, particularly in the major towns and resorts. In addition, exchange kiosks with extended opening hours can be found in most of the main tourist areas. A better exchange rate
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Medical - Pharmacies & Hospitals
If you’re feeling ill, visit the nearest pharmacist (often distinguished by a green cross above the shop-front). Most will speak good English and will usually be able to offer a diagnosis and free advice and, if necessary, can also issue some prescription drugs. Often open from 08.00-21.00 or
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Thailand Weather
Broadly speaking, Thailand has three seasons; hot, rainy and cool. But even during the rainy and cool seasons the temperatures usually remain above 25 degrees Centigrade. There are regional variations, but I will try and give as accurate an indication as possible.
Hot Season
Running from March-May,
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Food - A National Obsession
When I first visited Thailand, I thought that Thai Boxing (Muay Thai) was the national sport. I was wrong. The national sport is eating! Once you’ve spent a bit of time in the country you soon realize how important food and dining is in Thai culture. Eating isn’t confined to certain times of the day
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Arriving at Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi)
Limousines
Almost inevitably, passengers clear immigration and enter the arrivals hall to be greeted by a barrage of smartly dressed men and women offering a taxi service. They usually carry clipboards and official looking passes, but these are privately operated limousine services. This is your mos
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Inoculations - What Jabs Do I Need?
There are no compulsory inoculation requirements for visitors to Thailand coming from the West. Whilst not compulsory, I would recommend vaccinations for:
Hepatitis A (and possibly Hepatitis B)
Polio and Tetanus
Typhoid
For many people it may just be a case of checking to see if you need a booster j
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Internal Flights in Thailand
The easiest and most comfortable way to get between most of the tourist areas is by flying (usually via Bangkok). Fierce competition in the airline sector has been good news for tourists in Thailand. Internal flights in Thailand were previously dominated by the national carrier, Thai Airways, but in
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Bangkok Skytrain
The Skytrain is the elevated electric train that makes getting around Bangkok so much easier as you breeze past the traffic jams on the roads below. There are only 2 lines which means the range is limited, but on the other hand it does make it very easy to use without getting confused about a number
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Money
The Thai currency is the Baht (abbreviated as B). 100 satang makes up 1 Baht, but you won’t need to worry about satang as most prices are rounded up to the nearest Baht. Coins come in values of B1, B5 and B10. Notes come in values of B10, B20, B50, B100, B500 and B1000.
ATM machines exist in
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What to Pack
The best advice I can give is to travel as light as possible. The climate is basically hot and humid so it is best to wear loose or relaxed fitting clothing made from natural materials like cotton. During the cool season in the north it can get chilly in the evenings so a shawl or light jacket may b
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Flights to Thailand
It doesn’t matter whether you are going to Thailand for 6 days or 6 months; getting the most out of your trip starts long before you reach the departure lounge.
Once you’ve decided on Thailand as a destination, the next decision is who to fly with. It’s worth comparing a few airli
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Songkran: Thai New Year Water Festival
The annual Songkran Water Festival is one of those events that has to be experienced in person to begin to appreciate the enormity of the spectacle and the uniqueness of the occasion. In Thailand, Songkran is an annual nationwide party, but beyond the image of playful water-fights it’s an even
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