31.1.09

How to Buy Cheap Air Tickets To Thailand

Tips before buying air tickets:

1. You should be flexible, and start to search for fares from nearby airports. Consider alternative days of travel. Avoid a Saturday night if possible. These just three tips may reduce the cost of your air ticket undoubtedly.

2. Go to an online booking engine or contact a travel agent and provide your dates of travel and airports you want to fly from and to. Also, search for two separate tickets to see if you can save even more money.

Note : In some cases you will have to manually pick up your luggage and check in to the second flight. Make sure you leave yourself enough time in your layover to complete this process if needed.


3. Buy tickets from another country. If you plan to travel from one international location to another international location. For example, if you are an American and you want to fly from Thailand to other countries. It would be better to search the best ticket prices in Thailand, not the US. In this case, booking air tickets in USA typically give a higher price.

4. Compare air ticket prices with many airlines, travel agents and online booking engines. Also, consider consolidators. Consolidators buy bulk tickets in advance to select routes with certain carriers. Understand that buying through a consolidator may make it difficult or impossible for you to change plans once you have booked your ticket.

Top Recommended Pattaya Hotels

#1 Rabbit Resort

It is quite simply the most perfect hotel in all ways. The resort comprises of modern wooden chalet type accommodation with a double bedroom, and separate bathroom, walk in shower, walk in wardrobe with safe, and kitchen(tea/coffee facilities and even a hob and cooking implements) with covered balcony, each unit secluded by well tended folage, all connected by "yellow brick roads" beneath a canopy of towering coconut palms that sway in a light breeze providing cover for beautiful birds and many coloured butterflies.

#2 Le Prive Pattaya

An oasis of quietness in Pattaya but only a ten minutes walk from walking street. Tourists should make a reservation because the resort is easily fully booked by regular visitors who like to come back here. That's the best place Pattaya' s visitors have found.

#3 Royal Cliff Grand & Spa

The Hotel complex is stunning, very extensive, yet almost homely in its approach to looking after its guests. It is impossible to tire of the facilities hence the reason we return year after year. This year the staff, yet again, excelled in terms of the service levels – they catered for all our needs in a relaxed, friendly and efficient manner that ensures a fantastic holiday is guaranteed. Wonderful ambassadors for the Hotel.

#4 Sheraton Pattaya Resort

The hotel never seems full or busy. The pools are lovely, pool service is excellent, the staff clean visitor' sunglasses, bring shot glasses of fresh juice and fruit lollies along with cold towels. Rooms were really spacious, clean and had lots of nice touches, such as a DVD player, fresh fruit, robes, slippers - a pair for inside and outside.

#5 Baramie Residence

This is a great small hotel to stay at. The staff and the general manager were wonderful and very helpful. The hotel is a little off the beaten track but there is a shuttle next door at the Pinnacle Resort. Would highly recommend this hotel for those wanting to avoid the sleaze of Pattaya.

23.1.09

Chiang Mai Flower Festival 2009


6-8 February 2009

Venue: In the provincial town of Chiang Mai at Nong Buak Had Park


Chiang Mai is famous for its variety of valley flowers. Most of them bloom early in the year from January to February, which is regarded as the most beautiful period of Chiang Mai. The celebratory atmosphere and the tradition of the locals who have enjoyed floral beauty since ancient times are why the grand Flower Festival is organised here annually since 1977.

The most interesting highlight of the Flower Festival is the part of many flower floats decorated with a beautiful array of floral species. Each flower, with its shade of colour is carefully selected and positioned on the float to form fine patterns, words and pictures. The beauty of the flowers combined with the creative ingenuity of their arrangement make each float a work of art requiring time-consuming attention from its creators. All floats will start at Chiang Mai Train Station.

A second highlight of the Flower Festival is the beauty of the contestants that sit atop the flower floats. Each contestant wears a different local Northern costume, giving visitors and locals alike rare opportunities to witness the traditional local dresses.
Besides the parade, the Flower Festival also features a display of agricultural products, an exhibition and a contest of several species of flowers such as roses, orchids, carnations, lilies, China asters etc., a flower arrangement exhibition and competition, decorative plants, and mini garden landscaping. In addition, for all those with green fingers, there is a large variety of gardening equipment as well as various kinds of flowering and decorative plants for sale at more than economical prices.

For more information, please contact:
Tourism Authority of Thailand Chiang Mai Office
Tel: 0 5324 8604, 0 5324 8607

20.1.09

2009 Thailand Chinatown Festival


Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is celebrated on the first day of the First Moon of the Chinese lunar calendar and this year it falls on January 26. It is regarded as the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar.

Chinese New Year, which signifies the turning over of a new leaf, is a time for family reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration is traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors. The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital ritual of all, unites the living family members with those who have passed away. All members of the family return home and join the important family meal, a most significant feast, on New Year's Eve. This is a time for the Chinese to congratulate each other on having passed through another year, a time to finish out the old, and to welcome in the New Year.

In Thailand, this festival is celebrated nationwide, not only among Chinese immigrants and their families, but by Thais, too. On this occasion, China will bring the famous troupes of Chinese Art and Culture from 7 regions and provinces; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hainan Province, Shandong Province, Anhui Province, Heilongjian Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jilin Province to join the celebration.


Bangkok

Bangkok Chinese New Year Festival 2009
Venue: Chinatown, Bangkok 26-27 January 2009 (16.30 hrs onwards)CentralWorld, Bangkok 26 January 2009 (13.00 hrs onwards)


Every Chinese New Year’s Day, Chinese immigrants and Thais of Chinese ancestry in Bangkok gather around Chinatown to celebrate the festival, which features cultural performances from the People’s Republic of China, and sales of various products and delicious foods. Come and enjoy the festivities free of charge! You are invited to wear red.

For more information, please contact TAT Bangkok tel. 0 2250 5615, 0 2250 5500 ext 2991-5 or Samphanthawong District Office Tel. 0 2234 3460, 0 2237 3345


Pattaya, Chonburi
Pattaya Chinese New Year Festival 200924, 26-27 January 2009
Venue: South Pattaya Port (Bali Hai Pier)

Pattaya City celebrates Chinese New Year 2009 at Bali Hai Pier on 24 Jan (19.00 hrs) with cultural performances from 7 provinces of China. The celebrations include Magic Stunt (changing facial make up type), Local Dances, Kung Fu Fighting, Chinese Opera, Folk Music, Mongolian Theatrical Arts, and Magic Shows. On 26 and 27 January, there are dragon and lion dance shows, Chinese Girl Contest and many more cultural and musical performances at Bali Hai Pier.

For more information, please contact TAT Pattaya Tel. 0 3842 7667


Suphan Buri

Suphan Buri Chinese New Year Festival 2009
25 January-8 February 2009
Venue: Suphan Buri City Pillar Shrine

Pay respect to Chinese gods and goddesses, enjoy Chinese opera and free vegetarian food during the festival, and then visit the Chinese Museum.

For more information, please contact TAT Suphan Buri Tel. 0 3553 6030 or Suphan Buri City Pillar Shrine Tel. 0 3552 1690

Nakhon Sawan

Nakhon Sawan Chinese New Year Festival 2009
19-30 January 2009
Venue: Muang County, Nakhon Sawan

Pay respect to the Chinese gods and goddesses in the festival and enjoy food and products as well as various entertainments. The magnificent parade is held on 28 and 29 January.

For more information, please contact TAT UthaiTani Tel. 0 5651 4982


Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Chinese New Year Festival 2009
26-27 January 2009
Venue: Kuang Meru Rd., Chinatown Chiang Mai

Experience the Chinese traditional performances, music, and food until midnight.For more information, please contact TAT Chiang Mai Tel. 0 5324 8604

Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima Chinese New Year Festival 2009
26-27 January 2009
Venue: Monument of Thao Suranari, Muang County, Nakhon Ratchasima

Enjoy the city’s wonderful decorations, Chinese cultural performances, music, dragon and lion dances, light and sound show and Chinese food.

For more information, please contact TAT Nakhon Ratchasima Tel. 0 4421 3030
Hat Yai

Hat Yai Chinese New Year Festival 2009
26-28 January 2009
Venue: Hat Yai Municipality Public Park and Sanehanuson Rd., Hat Yai, Songkhla Province

Experience the dragon and lion dances and wonderful road decorations, various forms of entertainment, Chinese Doll Contest, and delicious food.

For more information, please contact TAT Hat Yai Tel. 0 7423 1055
Phuket

Phuket Chinese New Year Festival 2009
31 January-2 February 2009 (18.00-23.00 hrs)
Venue: HM Queen Sirikit 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary Park, Thalang Road and Soi Rommani

Experience Chinese opera, Kung Fu fighting and cultural performances form China at the Queen’s Park, various activities in downtown, and yummy food along Bangyai Canal. Don’t miss the parade on 31 January and another Chinese opera on 1 February.

For more information, please contact TAT Phuket Tel. 0 7621 2213

7.1.09

9 Wonders of Wat Pho : Reclining Buddha Temple


Dates: Today - 6 April 2009
Venue: Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha is a famous tourist attraction of Bangkok. With its many interesting spots, Wat Pho invites you to experience a magnificent mini light and sound performance "9 Wonders of Wat Pho".


The nine wonders of Wat Pho are:
1. The Reclining Buddha image
2. The Satellite Pavilions
3. The Four Huge Pagodas (of the first four reigns of the Rattanakosin Period)
4. The Legend of the Songkran Festival
5. The World Heritage Inscriptions
6. Wat Pho Giants
7. Sala Kan Parian (the temple hall for sermons)
8. Phra Phuttha Deva Patimakon Buddha image
9. The Contorted Hermit Mount

This Light and Sound performance is shown until 6 April 2009, six rounds daily:

Round 1: 19.00 hrs. (Thai narration)
Round 2: 19.30 hrs. (English narration)
Round 3: 20.00 hrs. (Thai narration)
Round 4: 20.30 hrs. (English narration)
Round 5: 21.00 hrs. (English narration)
Round 6: 21.30 hrs. (English narration)
Admission:
Thais: 50 baht per person
Buy 10 tickets get 1 free. 50 people for 2,000 baht
Foreigners: 200 baht per person
Buy 10 tickets get 1 free. 50 people for 8,000 baht
For more information, please call
TOT office : 0 2226 0335, 0 2226 0369
fax: 0 2226 0370 (09.00-16.00 hrs.)

5.1.09

Nudist in Thailand


Nudity in Thailand is forbidden! But there are many qiet places to do it! On every small island, you can find a place to enjoy naked swimming and sunbathing. Some examples where are sometimes people nude:




1. On the freedom beach near Patong. There is a small (15 meters) sandy beach on the left of freedom beach. It's a good place for nudity.


2. Near the Naithon Beach is a small public beach with one restaurant. The owners there accept when you stay nude on the chair and swim nude. Please not in the restaurant!


Ko Pha Ngan


1. Ao Hin Lor is a long nice rock and sandy beach where start in Booms Cafe Bungalows until Blue Hill Resort. There are many paradise nice places for enjoy nudity.


2. Another very good and nice place is near the Wak Thum Beach . When you drive from Thong Sala the way to Wak Thum, after a small viewpoint restaurant you will see a big place without any building on the left. One the end of this place is a small path for go down to the beach, then you see a nice beach.


3. A small but nice beach is near Bovy Resort (Pirates Bar). But the watertide on this beaches goes down in the afternoon. Best time is morning and early afternoon.


Ko Tao


A very small nice beach is near freedom beach. On a small path you can walk from Taa Too to there.


Notice:


1. On the weekend, Thai people come to these beaches, NOT go nude.


2. You may find some (mainly European) naturist suntanners in Thailand on Mai Khao beach near Phuket, Chaweng beach on Koh Samui Island in the south, or Had Tien Beach on Pha Ngan Island. But conditions are always changing and it is good to be cautious and respect local sensitivities since nudism is officially illegal.


3. You will find people in the tourist industry very friendly and unshockable, so don't hesitate to ask where nude sunbathing might be possible. Having a Thai sarong handy or towel is always a good idea.

Thailand Warnings or Dangers : Tuk-Tuk


When visiting major sights (e.g. Grand Palace) there are many tuk tuk drivers waiting for innocent tourists and telling them that the sight is closed today or that the entrance is far away or that today is a special government promotion. Don´t get in the tuk tuk, it is not true!


When a taxi or Tuk Tuk driver tells you that he needs to collect gas vouchers before he sends you to your destination, you will need to be firm and say no or get off the car quickly.These drivers would drive you to jewellery shop and before you know it, you will be purchasing some gems that you would not be needing it.This is another gem scam.


Remeber!!
If you liked the tuktuk-experience, be careful. Keep saying 'NO'. Tuk tuk drivers will give up and take you where you have to be. If that doesn't help, ask him to stop and get out without paying.