Island in Thailand

After we had settled in our rooms, we decided to go for some lunch aroundthe Hotel pool which serves a variety of snacks and meals.

Around 19.00 pm., we walked along Patong beach road to the night market andbars. While I was walking, I saw souvenir shops, clothes shops, restaurants.Now I understand why many tourists come to Phuket and especially Patong. Youcan see from the picture below.

The next morning I had a lie in, then spent the whole day at the beach, Ihad so much fun swimming and watching people.

I am quite sure that beaches in Thailand are more beautiful than beaches.(Chair rental on the beach is 80 Baht/chair per day. If you bring your own mator sit on the sand it’s FREE)
If you love to do activities, I recommend Parachuting, Banana Boat or Jet Skiall reasonably charged.

Early start today as we are going on a boat trip, I’m so excited!
We opted for the 3 Island Trip which takes us to Phi Phi Don, Khai Island (EggIsland) and Phi Phi Lay. I bought the tickets for the trip close to the Hotel.Along the Beach road, there are lots of counters selling trips to the Islandsaround Phuket. This trip cost me only 1000 Baht net including transfer.

The driver collected us at 8.30 am from the Hotel, and then we made the tripacross Phuket Island to the Ferry Terminal. Our speedboat had 6 engines andseated around 70 passengers.

Shopping Advice

Shopping Tips

Department stores and a number of shops in Bangkok have fixed prices, but at most of others bargaining is acceptable and expected; some department stores will even offer a discount on expensive items like jewellery and fine furniture. No fixed rules can be given on the process depending as it does on the bargainer’s skill and the shopkeeper’s mood, but the final price may be reduced as much as 30% to that first quoted. An important point to keep in mind is that Thais admire good manners and a sense of humour and tend to be put off by a loss of temper. Providing you have the time, a good general rule is to make a survey of several shops selling the sort of items you want before coming to a final decision.

The Jewel Fest ClubJewellery and gemstones from Thailand are also a favourite item for many visitors to the kingdom. Their beauty, quality craftmanship and reasonable price have earned Thai precious and semi-precious stones a worldwide reputation. Yet occasionally, there have been visitors who complained about the action of few unethical jewellers who persuaded them to purchase jewellery at an unreasonable price.Through the cooperation of the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association (TGJTA) and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Jewel Fest Club has been established, bringing about 100 leading jewellery manufacturers and wholesalers. The club’s aim to offer quality products at reasonable prices with a money-back guarantee if buyers are not completely satisfied with their purchases. When you purchase an item of jewellery from a store that is clearly identified as a member of the Jewel Fest Club, your purchase will be duly recorded, and a certificate detailing your purchase will be issued. Not only does this certificate of authenticity clearly state the nature and price of your purchase, it also guarantees your refund should you wish to return the purchase. Contact The Jewel Fest Club at Tel: 0 2630 1390-7, Fax: 0 2630 1398-9,

Packing and Shipping ServicesThanks to the ever-increasing number of tourists coming to Thailand, most shops are experienced at shipping abroad and will attend to all the documents such as insurance, customs and necessary permits. The Central Post Office also offers a parcel-wrapping service for those who want to make small shipments themselves. For larger items or bulk shipments, there are several Bangkok companies who specialise in such matters.

VAT RefundVisitors entering the Kingdom on tourist visas are entitled to refunds of the 7% value-added tax (VAT) paid on goods purchased at shops and department stores displaying “VAT Refund for Tourists” signs. The refund may be claimed if the claimed amounts in all P.P.10’s have been totaled 5,000 baht or over. Tourist is eligible to receive P.P.10 form when the total purchase of 2,000 baht or over is made from the same store on the same date. Before checking in at the international airport (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Phuket, Utapao), tourist must show your purchases, completed P.P.10 form and tax invoices to the Customs Officer for inspection. Certain luxury goods must be shown to an excise official. Refunds may be in bank draft form or credited to a credit card. For more information, please contact the VAT Refund for Tourists Office, Tel: 0 2272 9388, 0 2272 8195-8

Where to shop in Bangkok
Shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two major streets, but offers many areas throughout the city affording ample choice and easy access. The following is just a selection of some of the principal shopping districts.

Ploenchit-RatchaprasongTop department stores and luxury shopping malls are concentrated in the area, namely central, Sogo, Gaysorn Plaza, Isetan, Zen, Amarin Plaza, Peninsula Plaza, All of which together make the largest shopping promenade in Bangkok. Furthermore, the Central World Plaza and Narayana Phand Pavillion, host the official handicraft centre selling items from all parts of the country. Ratchaprasong intersection is the gateway to several shopping areas such as Ploenchit-Sukhumvit, Siam Square-Mah Boon Krong, Silom and Pratunam-Phetchaburi.

Silom-Surawong-PatpongSilom Road is the main artery of Bangkok’s commercial heart and is paralleled by Surawong road, while Patpong runs crosswise between the two. In addition to housing dozens of specialist shops and boutiques representing all the major buys, this area also boasts many branches of well-known retailers and several shopping plazas. Street stalls also abound, most notably at Patpong’s famous night market
Silom-Mahesak-New roadSilom leads into New Road which parallel the Chao Phraya River, and notable shopping opportunities include gems and jewellery stores (Mahesak road is a gem trading centre), Oriental Plaza and River City shopping complex.

SukhumvitLike Silom, Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok’s main thoroughfares, and the long road is lined with shops, boutiques and modern shopping plazas ranging from Soi 3 (Nana Nua) up to Soi 63 (Ekamai). Most shops and restaurants are concentrated between Soi 3 and Soi 21 (Asoke) and along shortcuts between Asoke and Ekamai.

ChinatownCentre on Yaowarat Road and Sampheng Lane, Bangkok’s Chinatown offers a profusion or gold shops as well as two nearby traditional shopping places, Ban Mo Jewellery Street and Phahurat ClothMarket.

Bang LamphuSituated close to the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bang Lamphu has a lively market where clothing is a popular buy.
Pratunam-PhetchaburiA highlight in the distinct is Pratunam market, one of Bangkok’s biggest centres for ready-to-wear clothing.

Baiyoke TowerLocated next to Bangkok’s tallest hotel building, Baiyoke Tower is one of the city’s renowned garment centres.

Nailert MarketSituated close to Pratunum Market, Nai Lert Market is one of many shopping areas in Bangkok where you can buy just about everything from clothing to handicrafts.
Bo-Be MarketSituated close to Bangkok Railway Station, Bo-be is one of the city’s renowned ready-to-wear clothing centres, both wholesale and retail.
Bangkok International AirportCentre for an extensive range of shops offering a full selection of Thailand’s top buys.

Chatuchak Weekend MarketLocated adjacent to Chatuchak Park, the weekend market, open on Saturday and Sunday, is a Bangkok landmark where you can buy just about everything from clothing to potted plants and everything in between—a paradise for browsers and bargain-hunters alike. Chatuchak Weekend Market also offers items of furniture and home decor. It is also where professional and amateur art-lovers and artists meet.

Thailand International and Domestic Travel

Thailand International and Domestic Travel

Flying is the most convenient mode of transportation for most visitors traveling to Thailand. Domestic flights are also easy and convenient, cutting down on journey time.

A number of domestic carriers service a majority of large provincial cities dotting generously across the country. Travel to neighboring countries is cheaper when booked within Thailand. Train services connect Bangkok to all regions of the country at reasonable prices. A regular rail service also runs between Bangkok and Singapore via Malaysia. Long distance coaches, both air-conditioned and open-aired, connect all major cities. At the local level, diverse forms of transportation are provided: provincial buses, city buses, songthaews, tuk-tuks, rickshaws, boats, and even rental cars.

International Travel
Air : With Bangkok serving as the international travel hub of SE Asia, the capital serves as the landing port for numerous international airlines, most with direct flights from their destinations. Some chartered and regional flights may land at one of the other international airports within Thailand, consisting of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Ubon Ratchatani. Thecountry's national airline is Thai Airways. Airport departure taxes for international departures costs 700 baht/person. The check-in counters open 2 hours and close half an hour prior departure time.

International flights information
(662) 535-1254 (departures) (662) 535-1301 (arrivals)Those traveling from neighboring countries may enter Thailand via road, rail, ships, or ferries.

Domestic Travel
Domestic travel during public holidays and on weekends, particularly to popular destinations, should be booked well in advance for all modes of transportation. Booking is particularly difficult during the Songkran Holiday and New Year's Holiday.

Air :

Local carriers Thai Airways(TG) and Bangkok Airways (PG) fly to most major provincial airports beyond 250 km distance from Bangkok. Thai Airways' 2 most popular routes are Chiang Mai and Phuket. Services to Koh Samui and Sukhothai are only provided by Bangkok Airways. Other smaller local carriers include Angel Air (mainly servicing Phuket) and PB Air which flies to fewer destinations. Air Andaman services is limited to the Southern cities only.
Another carrier is SGA scenic airline of Thailand which flies to Hua Hin everyday, and also provides air charter service in the region.

The domestic terminal is located at the southern end of the Bangkok International Airport. Normally, check-ins for domestic flight is one hour prior to departure time and closes half an hour before flight time. Departure tax has already been added to your ticket fare.

Domestic flights Information
(662) 535-1192 (departures) (662) 535-1253 (arrivals)

Reservation / Ticket
Bangkok Airways Tel. (662) 265-5555 , Nok Air Tel. (662) 900-9955 PB Air Tel. (662) 261-0220-5 , SGA Tel. (662) 664-6099 , Thai Airways Tel. (662) 628-2000
Tickets can be purchased through travel agencies (cheaper for international flights, same for domestic flights) or by booking with the airlines themselves, either via phone, internet, or e-ticketing kiosks (Thai Airways only). Buses : Inter-city bus services offer a fast means of transport to all corners of the country. Air-conditioned buses service many provincial areas and bookings for both regular and tour coaches (private companies) can be made through major hotels and travel agents, or at the following bus terminals:
Northern Bus Terminal : Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2936-2852-66 ext. 614 0-2936-3670
Eastern Bus Terminal : Sukhumvit Rd, Bangkok. Tel: 0-2391-6846, 0-2391-2504
Northeastern Bus Terminal : Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2936-2841-48 ext.605 , 4480-2936-0657
Southern Bus Terminal : Boromratchchonnani Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2435-1200, 0-2435-1199
Central Bus Terminal : Kampaengphet 2 Rd, Bangkok Tel: 0-2936-1972
The government bus company, calledBor Kor Sor (BKS), provides the cheapest mode for getting around Thailand. Being frequent and reliable, no advance booking is necessary. Both air-conditioned ones and open-aired ones stop almost everywhere along their route, with the latter being the cheapest and slowest.

Trains :

The State Railway of Thailand runs an efficient rail service linking Bangkok (Hua Lam Phong is the central train station) to the rest of the country at very reasonable prices for express, fast and ordinary trains. Limited western and southern routes out of Bangkok also operate from the Thon Buri Station, traveling to destinations as far as Kanchanaburi province in the west and Chumporn province in southern Thailand.

On express trains, sleepers are available in three classes: first and second class (air-conditioned), and second class (non air-conditioned, but with fans).
Advance tickets are available at all principal stations or the Bangkok Railway Advance Booking Office at Tel : 0-2220-4444

Education with Enjoyment

Education with Enjoyment
Over the last 10 years, a number of overseas universities have been opening campuses in Thailand or have made agreements with Thai universities to run dual degree programmes. As a result, Thailand now has a wide choice of international-level education options. This has attracted students looking for world-class education in a country where they can be assured of a friendly welcome and a pleasant life with a low cost of living.

We now see a growing number of “educational tourists” attracted by the variety of training courses they can take in the Kingdom. As well as the already popular Thai cookery and Thai language courses and classes in Thai massage and Thai medicine, university and international school courses and English teacher training courses have been added to the syllabus.

Many world-class universities are now providing courses in Thailand. The benefits to Thai students of having world-class higher education on their doorstep are obvious, but there have been substantial benefits for Thailand as a whole, with the Kingdom growing to become a hub for foreign students who want an international standard higher education.

Students from China, Taiwan, the former Eastern bloc, Europe and increasingly the UK and USA take university courses in Thailand to enjoy the benefits of high-standard education at relatively low cost and the ability to enjoy Thailand while they study. The thought of a weekend on a tropical beach after a week’s study, or trekking through the jungle when exams are over has obvious appeal for students from overseas.

Thailand also has an ever-growing demand for English language teachers, and to meet it, a variety of English teacher training courses have emerged. Whether short basic courses or internationally- recognised courses that offer a stepping stone into the English teaching profession, there is a course in Thailand to satisfy most demands.These days, many people include teaching English as part of their itinerary for a trip to Thailand, and they are expected to be well qualified.

English is not the only language that can be studied in Thailand. As the country takes its place on the international stage, its influence grows around the world and increasingly, people take Thai language lessons for business and educational purposes. As a result, a number of commercial Thai language centres catering for expatriates and visitors have emerged to build their ability in the language.

With the continuing rise of tourism to Thailand, the world is now interested in all things Thai, most notably, perhaps, Thai food. There is an abundance of centres in Thailand teaching the intricacies of preparing Thai cuisine,and they are very popular.

With the worldwide boom in spas and wellness centres, the demand for therapists able to offer Thai massage is increasing, and with it the number of visitors studying massage in Thailand also grows. The same may be said of courses in traditional Thai medicine, with students becoming practitioners in their own countries.

OLD PHUKET - THE TIN LEGACY

Old Phuket Town dates back to the tin mining days of a century ago, when Chinese immigrants sought to make their fortunes from this precious ore.

For millions of international visitors, Phuket is an island paradise, wrapping sun, sand and sea into a glamorous package that attracts them back again and again. However, 150 or so years ago, the island attracted visitors of a different sort – Chinese migrants seeking to make their fortunes from Phuket’s lucrative tin mining industry.

Many were from the Fujian area of China, bringing with them their Hokkien culture and language; others were from nearby Penang, as well as traders from Malaysia, India and the Straits Settlements. Together they forged Phuket Town, channelling tin, goods and money through the port in Tongkah Bay in ever growing amounts.

Some gained mine concessions, making fortunes and establishing family dynasties on the island. They built huge mansions, similar to the colonial properties in Penang, and wore European clothes. Others set up trading companies and shops-cum-homes along Thalang Road, Old Phuket’s main commercial centre, and adjacent streets.

Today, tin mining has virtually ceased due to low tin prices and high extraction costs. In its place, the descendents of the tin pioneers have, like alchemists of old, transmuted cheap metal into gold – tourism gold. Degraded tin mines have been turned into lucrative attractions – the luxury resorts of Phuket Laguna, Blue Canyon Golf Club, Phuket Country Club and Phuket Boat Lagoon have all been built on top of mined-out land.

And the shophouses and mansions that line the roads of Old Phuket Town have become a fascinating tableau of discovery for travellers wanting to learn more about the heritage and culture of the early tin pioneers.

Preservation PushLocal interest in the heritage of the old town came to a head in 1992, when the government passed the new Environment Act that designated Old Phuket as a conservation area, covering 8 roads – Dibuk, Thalang, Phangnga, Phuket, Rasada, Ranong, Yaowarat, and Krabi – and two lanes – Soi Romanee and Soi Soon Uthit. The act set limits on building work, and encouraged restoration and local participation in promoting this heritage area.
Good cooperation between the local government and residents helped launch the Old Phuket Town Festival in 1998, highlighting the renaissance of Thalang Road and showcasing the baba lifestyle (see: Who are the Babasω), costume, food and architecture. The growth of this annual festival plus the recent move of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Region 4 into brand new offices on Thalang Road, inspiringly designed as a Sino-Colonial mansion in a bright orange coat, gives the TAT new ammunition to encourage tourists to discover the cultural allure of Old Phuket.

TOURING TRANG BY TUK TUK HUA KOP

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has worked in cooperation with Trang Municipality Office, the Trang Tuk Tuk Club and Trang Tourism Association to jointly develop three special sightseeing routes in Trang Municipality. All feature sites and attractions that are of historical importance and cultural interest.

The tuk tuk hua kop is a small motorised tricycle with a roof and is one of the last remaining traditional modes of transportation to be seen around Thailand. Unlike the famous tuk tuks found in the capital, the Trang equivalent has its own unique characteristics. It has a modern round steering wheel and accommodates up to five passengers; one person rides in the front cab next to the driver, and the remaining are seated in the back. It is powered by a two-cylinder engine and can reach a speed of 60 kph.

Everyone who embarks on this special tour will receive a handbook – Touring Trang with Tuk Tuk Hua Kop. This is the only guide you’ll need to help you find your way along the route – a cultural trail that connects the past with the present.

Turn to the centre-fold page and you’ll find a visitor-friendly map with all of the sites included in the three routes clearly marked, numbered and labelled.
Touring Trang with Tuk Tuk Hua Kop takes you on a fascinating journey through time. There are photographic illustrations and a brief description to go with each of the key attractions or sites en route. Stop by stop and page by page, the history, sights and sounds, and tastes of ‘real Trang’ are revealed.

ROUTE 1

A four-hour trip covering 17 stops Cost: 500 baht
Trang River at Ban Tha Chin
Wat Prasitthichai
Kiuyong La Chinese shrine
Wat Tantayaphirom
Somdet Phra Srinakharin 95 Public Park
Christ Church
Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi Monument
Kaphang Surin Lake
Sino-Portuguese architecture
Railway Station
Rubber Store House
Thamkong Yia Chinese shrine
Watthanatham Plaza, OTOP Centre of Trang, Trang City Hall and Clock Tower
Former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai’s house
Library and National Archives in commemoration of H.M. Queen’s 60th Birthday Trang Branch
Wat Matchimaphum (Wat Na Khao)
Paokong Chinese shrine

ROUTE 2

Duration: A two-hour trip covering 9 stops Cost: 300 baht
Christ Church
Sino-Portuguese Architecture
Railway Station
Watthanatham Plaza, OTOP Centre of Trang, Trang City Hall and Clock Tower
Former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai’s house
Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi Monument
Thamkong Yia Chinese shrine
Wat Matchimaphum (Wat Na Khao)
Somdet Phra Srinakharin 95 Public Park

ROUTE 3

Duration: A one-hour trip covering five stops Cost: 150 baht
Christ Church
Sino-Portuguese Architecture
Railway Station
Watthanatham Plaza, OTOP Centre of Trang, Trang City Hall and Clock Tower
Former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai’s house

BAN MAI RIVERSIDE MARKET

At Talat Ban Mai, the local community has revived its 100 year-old riverside market on the eastern end of Chachoengsao province. Open during weekends and public holidays, the well-preserved market offers visitors glimpses of traditional town life and an opportunity to taste a myriad of Thai and Chinese delicacies for which the area, an 80-minute drive east of Bangkok, is known.

Though the name means ‘new village market’, this network of over 120 wooden shophouses and stalls has barely changed since King Rama V paid a visit on 25 January 1907. The Sino-Thai settlement, founded during the reign of King Rama III, prospered from waterborne trade at the confluence of the Klong Ban Mai canal with the 230-kilometre-long Bang Pakong, one of the major rivers flowing into the Gulf of Thailand.

The market was built to face the river and the best way to reach it is by the frequent ferries running there from Wat Sothorn Wararam Worawiharn between 10.30 and 15.00 hours.
The half-hour trip contributes to the sense of heading somewhere detached from the pressures of modern life. The charming wooden boat chugs past raft houses, fishing canoes, plantations of betel palm and nipa palm – home to a small colony of birds, and the quaint water frontage of Chachoengsao town.




Earlier efforts by the community to develop the old riverside market into a sustainable tourist attraction had stalled. Given its proximity to Bangkok, the development of vastly improved transportation networks meant that much of the trade soon bypassed the traditional riverside market. Modern modes of transportation also provided a quick commute to Bangkok for younger residents seeking work. Both factors contributed to its eventual decline. The situation began to change in 2004 when the Baan Mai Conservation Club was established. Public hearings were held and growing local enthusiasm won support from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The community also secured some grassroots development funding allocated by the government for small and medium enterprises.

Despite a couple of minor fires, disuse over many years actually helped preserve the teak shuttered structures, which are of an architectural style dating back to the reign of King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn), from major changes. Original residents have re-opened their shophouses to trade in goods not just for outsiders, but also local produce to give the market a self-sustaining function.


The re-opening of the riverside market has created local employment. Hawkers have been invited to set up a veritable buffet of stalls. Today, many of Baan Mai’s young generation return from jobs in Bangkok to help staff the market during weekends and public holidays. Their delight in revitalising their neighbourhood is palpable. Residents invite browsers to look inside their homes and engage in cheery banter without pretension or touting.
Sampling regional specialities is a favourite pastime with Thai tourists, while Talat Ban Mai offers foreigners an introduction to delicacies rarely served in tourist areas. The province is even nicknamed ‘Paed Riew’ (eight stripes), after a popular local dish typically prepared with a whole freshwater fish that is scored and partially sliced into eight bite-size portions before it is cooked.

Much of the appeal lies in watching vendors prepare the dishes. Noodles tossed in a medley of salad herbs; mee kati (rice noodles prepared with coconut cream and fermented tofu); coils of grilled northern sausage being chopped and dipped into a powdery mixture called pla naem, the ingredients of which include fish flakes, peanuts, roasted rice, shallots and som saa citrus juice. Restaurants overlooking riverine life also offer local dishes, while most arrivals treading the boards of the covered pier order ‘old-style’ coffee or tea strained through sock filters.
For Thais, much joy lies in encountering candies recalled from childhood and especially the nam saa (soda fountain) stall. Shaped like a futuristic 1950’s jet plane, the carbonated water dispenser fizzes-up fruit syrups into a retro thirst-quencher.
While some outlets stock OTOP products, there’s a refreshing lack of generic souvenirs. Items on sale – from fabric incense to wooden mobiles – are as authentic as the foods.
The covered teak arcade dog-legs towards the road. There at the land entrance stands a remarkable corner shop, where a cobwebbed wireless nestles on the altar amid talismans, Buddha images and photographs of a young King Bhumibol and family ancestors. In the broad central area, a stage is periodically set up for likae (Thai folk opera), which was traditionally performed in markets.

Across a hump-backed bridge over a canal, more shophouses overlooking the river line an alley. Among the most archetypal sights are two barber shops; one with 1920’s Art Deco style slats in the Thai flag colours, another with carved teak barber chairs.
Famous sights often remain islands of heritage while their surroundings modernise, yet a complete historical streetscape may more evocatively transport you to an earlier era. Directors of period films prize these rare enclaves, which is why Talat Ban Mai is a popular film location, acting as the set for several costume dramas, such as Nang Nak and Chao Sua (Tycoon).

Before meandering back, visitors stop at Wat Leng Hok Yee, a Chinese shrine with papier-mâche sculptures of two Chinese deities in permanent meditation, both shrouded in billowing incense. It was named Wat Cheen Prachasamosorn by King Rama V, who bestowed the important Sampohkong Shrine as Wat Apaipatikaram.
Depending on how much you eat and photograph, you could spend an hour or three at Baan Mai.
It makes an easy day-trip in combination with surrounding attractions focusing on traditional Thai lifestyles. These include the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre, the Chao Phya Apaipubed Herbal Museum, Irrawaddy Dolphin spotting at the mounth of the Bangpakong River and Wat Sothorn Wararam Worawiharn, a newly renovated Royal temple housing a famous Buddha image.