Thai boxing aka Muay Thai

Muay Thai or Thai Boxing matches have always been related with Thailand’s culture. With powerful boxers weighing almost 200 pounds, it makes for an interesting game for both the locals and the tourists alike.

A typical boxing match includes two fighters with specific tactics of kicking, punches, standing grappling to knock out the opponent. Being accompanied by typical thai music, makes it all the more fun to watch.

Though these matches get violent at times, these matches are quite entertaining for the audiences. It includes ten bouts of five three-minute rounds of the match and the tickets are available on the spot an hour before the event.

Muay Thai is also considered to be an act of self defense and the methods include superb cardio vascular endurances with is good for both the body and the soul. It is held almost every night thanks to its popularity. So if you are in Bangkok and want to witness this form of Thai culture, then some of the venues are:

The Lumpini Stadium: Rama IV road

International Stadium:Amphoe Muang, Chachoengsao.

The Tickets are also reasonably cheap ranging from 200 Baht to 1000 Baht, depending on where you want to be seated. Remember that only adults are allowed to enter the stadium. So keep your children engrossed in other activities while you enjoy the Thai boxing match.

Phuket regatta race week

One of the most fascinating events in Phuket Island’s marine sporting calendar is definitely the “Sixth Sense Phuket Race Week”. Scheduled to begin on the 23rd of July, 2008, this 4 day long event is strongly recommended for those of you looking for a relaxed yet fun filled yatching regatta.

The Phuket Race Week begins from the eastern coast of the Phuket island and is a professionally run, international standard racing experience. Attracted by excellent sailing in reliable breezes of 15 knots, this year, there is an event within an event. For the first time the NRG Cup will also be a part of this festival honouring those in the oil and gas industry.

News is that for the very first time, again, the entire competiton will be closely covered by the electronic media and will be broadcasted in Eurosports, Star Sports and CNN Main Sail with an expected viewer ship of more than 140 million!

With only a few weeks more to go before the competition, the registration response has been more overwhelming than ever. So if this sounds like what you always wanted to do, then don’t miss this life time experience. Just register online before July 9th and avail special entry discounts too!

Bangkok Floating Market

A number of narrow canals jammed with small wooden boats with vendors in large straw hats paddling happily and peddling fresh fruit and vegetables, hot noodles and cold drinks, spices and souvenirs, just as they’ve done for centuries- Yes, that is Bangkok’s most infamous Floating Market, perhaps one of the most visited tourist sites around Bangkok. The original Floating Market, Damnoen Saduak, is located 110 kilometres from Bangkok in Ratchaburi province. Though, numerous other floating markets have cropped up owing to the popularity of this one.

Getting to the Floating Market takes between one and a half to over two hours from Bangkok depending on traffic conditions. There are mobile food stores selling anything from fruit, Som Tam, barbequed chicken, and other delicacies moving around the canals. Most people visiting the Floating Market are foreigners and Thai tourists, but it does offer visitors an excellent opportunity to see something different and take some great pictures of what is a true Thai icon.

Our travel tip to floating market would be that you organize a tour to enjoy the Floating Market and make sure that it is in fact the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and not any other. The tour to Floating Market generally starts around 6:30 in the morning and may include side trips to the Sugar House, a visit to the Teakwood Handicraft Center, or a visit to the Rose Garden. Whatever be your schedule, a trip to the floating market is a must because it is so very unique feature of Thailand.

Bird watching in Northern Thailand

For the bird watchers, Northern Thailand is a paradise. In the winter months this is a great area to see migrants, especially flycatchers and thrushes. Some of the national parks offering great opportunities for bird watching include:

Doi Inthanon National Park – Owning Thailand’s highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, this National Park, in Chiang Mai province, is unique in Thailand as it is 300 metres higher than any other mountain in the country which allows it to support a tract of upper montane forest and Thailand’s only sphagnum bog. Doi Inthanon spans a number of habitats and consequently contains the birds associated with them. Some of the popular species found here are Chestnut-tailed Minla, Green-tailed Sunbird, Rufous-winged Fulvetta and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush.

Doi Chiang Dao National Park, in Chiang Mai province, is Thailand’s third highest mountain at 2220 metres. The higher altitudes hosts winter specialities such as Thrushes occur as well as resident Giant Nuthatch and Hume’s Pheasant. The lower altitude prides itself in large numbers of common forest birds such as Rusty-naped Pitta, Hooded Pitta and Tesias. In April and May Streaked Wren Babbler is particularly common at Wat Tam Pa Plong.

Doi Ang Kang, in Chiang Mai province, is an area on the border with Myanmar consisting of a number of peaks and ridges and hosts a large number of rare species. Crested Finchbill is seen by most visitors. Red-faced Liocichla and Spot-throated Babbler are also found here.

Chiang Saen is a small town, in Chiang Rai province, next to the Mekong river close to the famous “Golden Triangle” border area with Myanmar and Laos. Winter wildfowl often congregate here in flocks of thousands. Ruddy Shelduck are sometimes found on both the lake and the Mekong river and Spot-billed Duck is often easily seen on the river from Chiang Saen town itself. Many Eurasian species of duck can be found here with Ferruginous Duck, Baer’s Pochard, Baikal Teal and Falcated Duck being among the most interesting.

Doi Phu Kha National Park covers 1680 square kilometres of forested mountains in Nan province, close to the border with Laos. Doi Phu Kha has exciting side trails off of the long road through the park, where a number fo exciting species can be seen. Crested Finchbill, Red-faced Liocichla, Black-throated Tit and Green Cochoa have all been seen on this mountain. Also the rare Beautiful Nuthatch has been reportedly been observed here.

The Thailand Grand Sale

If it is shopping that turns you on, then this is the best time for you to plan your trip to the Thailand which gets transformed into a shopper’s paradise for a full three month stretch with its Grand Sale. During this annual three-month shopping extravaganza, Thailand offers a diverse selection of quality products and services, special discounts of 10 - 70 per cent and promotional offers being extended by participating department stores, shopping complexes and retail outlets along designated ‘Shopping Streets’ in Bangkok and the popular tourist destinations of Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Hat Yai. In addition to discounts, there are also special promotional offers like free gifts, gift vouchers and lucky draws by the retail and service outlets. This year the Thailand Annual Grand Sale is from 1 June to 31 August, 2008. So, what are you waiting for? Get your bags packed before you miss the opportunity.

Phuket - Month wise events and festivals at a glance

Phuket is undoubtedly a happening place in Thailand - always on celebration, be it the traditional Thai festivals or wet, wild and bizarre celebrations. With Phuket, you will never have to wonder what to do and what is on… With a variety of tournaments and festivals each year featuring international competitors in surfing, volleyball, rugby, jazz and blues festivals, boat shows, art exhibits, there is always enough to keep you as busy as you want to be.

January

January is happening with colorful and lively New Year celebrations with decorations and fireworks as well as shows all the month round.

February

The large Chinese population of the island celebrates its new year this month. The Chinese shrines are decorated and there are food festivals, and again fireworks and decorations. Also Phang Nga Bay Sailing Regatta falls in this month.

March

March 13 is the commemoration of an important historical event in Phuket history, when two sisters led the defense of Phuket against Burmese invaders in 1785.
The Phuket Gay Pride Festival, comprising of lively parties and events for gay locals and visitors, is held here at the end of March and beginning of April. This flamboyant festival began in 1999 and has grown each year as word spreads. Ao Yon Sailing Event also often takes place at the end of March.

April

Songkran, the wet and wild Thai New year celebration is held in April. On this day the baby sea turtles are released on many beaches throughout Thailand.

May

The Phuket International 10s Rugby Tournament is held each year in May at Karon beach.

June/July

The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale is held for two full months and features deep discounts at hundreds of shops throughout the island with special discounts on goods made in Thailand. Phuket Race Week in late July is a week full of international-standard yacht racing. Parties every night are open to all.

August

There is the three-day Kata Surfing Contest in April. The Por Tor Festival is a 15-day festival celebrated at the Chinese shrines on the island. Chinese make offerings to the spirits of the dead who are released from the underworld during this time. Cakes in the shape of turtles are a popular offering.

October

The Vegetarian Festival, held over nine days in October, is the largest and most colorful of all the year’s festivals. This celebration features daily processions at the many Chinese shrines throughout the city and features vegetarian food and ancient rituals by devotees.

November

The first week of November holds the annual Phuket Carnival with parades, activities, and nightly entertainment light up Patong. The festival of Loy Krathong is held on the full moon night in November. Thai people send their bad luck out on lotus-shaped floats (krathongs) made from banana tree trunks and leaves and decorated with flowers, candles, and joss sticks.

December

On December 5, the island celebrates the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The annual Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, an international sailing event that attracts the world’s best yachtsmen, is held the week of December 5. The party scene is in high gear every night after the races.

With this annual calendar at your help, you will definitely be able to plan your trip to Phuket in a better way.

Chiang Mai - The northern capital of Thailand

Chiang Mai is Thailand’s northern capital. Though it is Thailand’s second largest city, it has a population of just a quarter of a million compared to the population of more than 6 million in Bangkok. It is a pleasant and vibrant city, which has more than 300 temples in which some Burmese architectural influence can be seen. It is particularly nice to bicycle around. Devoid of fast-paced discos, high-end retail shops and warm, soupy beaches, the city instead offers a different variety of treasures; culture and landscape rich in history, tradition, and spirituality.

The city prides itself in 300 centuries-old stone and teak temples which are vestiges of ancient civilizations and the long-ago Lanna Kingdom. Chiang Mai’s oldest temple is Wat Chiang Man which dates back to 1296 and is known for its two Buddha images, one made of the stone and the other made from crystal. Almost as old, Wat Phra Singh in the centre of town contains a 1,500 year old Buddha image and another wat, Wat Chedi Luang, holds the ruins of a huge chedi or stupa that collapsed in an earthquake in 1545.

The Chiang Mai National Museum has an extensive collection of Buddha images and northern Thai handicrafts. Another museum is the Tribal Museum which houses a good display of hill tribe textiles, jewelery, musical instruments, weapons and other artefacts. Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center takes the visitor on an engaging journey in the past. The Three Kings Monument, situated right in front of the building, commemorates the three kings of the thirteenth century. The kings selected the site for the ‘new city’ of Chiang Mai. The Night Bazaar keeps Chiang Mai’s centre busy after hours, and there is plenty of late shopping and eating.

Around 15km east of Chiang Mai is Bo Sang, also known as the Umbrella Village, where handmade paper umbrellas and many other hill tribe handicrafts are sold. Also worth seeing is the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre where attractions include elephant rides, elephant bathing and an elephant exhibition. Thailand’s highest peak, Doi Inthanon, is set in a large national park offering some pleasant walks among the mountain scenery of forests and waterfalls and a popular site for birdwatchers.

So, if you are to explore Thailand to its fullest, just do not forget to include this wonderful historic city in your itenary.

Suvarnabhumi Airport - Thailand

Suvarnabhumi Airport Project is the most important airport of Thailand. This aviation hub in Southeast Asian region is located in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province, about 30 kms or 18.6 miles east of Bangkok. The name Suvarnabhumi was chosen by King Bhumibol Adulyadej and refers to the golden kingdom hypothesized to have been located somewhere in Southeast Asia. Designed by Helmut Jahn of Murphy/Jahn Architects, this airport has the world’s tallest control tower (132.2 m), and the world’s third largest single building and airport terminal (563,000 m²), a little smaller than Hong Kong International Airport (570,000 m²) and the current record holder, Beijing Capital International Airport’s Terminal Three (986,000 m²). Suvarnabhumi is one of the busiest airports in Asia and Bangkok’s primary airport for all international airline flights. The airport inherited the airport code BKK from Don Mueang after the older airport ceased commercial flights.

The main features of Suvarnabhumi airport include:

Two parallel runways (60 m. wide,4,000 m. and 3,700 m. long).

Two parallel taxiways to accommodate simultaneous departures and arrivals.

120 parking bays, 51 with contact gates and 69 with remote gates. 5 of them are capable of accommodating the Airbus A380 aircraft.

Capable of handling 76 flight operations per hour, both international and domestic flights will share the airport terminal.

5-storey car park building with total capacity of 5,000 cars.

Image source: Bangkoksite.com

12 August in Thailand

If you happen to be in Thailand on 12 August, expect to see decorations and celebrations everywhere, for this day is a public holiday in Thailand marking the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. To make the day even more special Thailand marks this day as Mother’s Day, a day for appreciation of the most important person in anyone’s life.

Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Banglampoo (the part of Bangkok where you can find the Grand Palace, Wat Prakaew and tourist venues like Khao San Road) looks dazzling with a spectacular display with coloured lights and masses of bunting – particularly impressive in the evening. The area is festooned with colorful lights, flowers and portraits for this special occasion. Individual people and organizations raise flags and portraits of Her Majesty in Bangkok and all over the kingdom.

Born M.R. Sirikit Kitiyakara in 1932, Her Majesty the Queen holds a high and respected place in the hearts of Thai people. She can be aptly credited for improving the welfare and well-being of her subjects. Her Majesty’s SUPPORT Foundation (Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques) has expanded progressively since its establishment in 1976 to include craft shops in the city and popular tourist areas, and two Thai Folk Arts and Crafts Training Centers at Chitralada Villa and at Bangsai in Ayutthaya.

Safari world park Bangkok

On my last visit to Bangkok, I made my way to the much talked about Safari World Park. Spread across 300 acres of land, this park was more than a maze. So when you visit it, make sure to keep your child always within sight.

On your visit to this world famous open zoo, you will find two main distinct entrances, one of the Safari park, while another of the Marine park.

In the Safari park, you will find African and Asian mammals, in their natural habitat. From rare white tigers, to huge African giraffes, it surely will be an ultimate experience for one and all. You can sit in a coach which will comfortably take you through the 8km journey in about 45 minutes. Don’t miss to feed the hungry lions, and see a chill run down your spine!

The marine park is another delightful journey through the living conditions of some of the largest whales and tiniest shrimps! Some are extremely playful, while others are too mischievous. So, stay away from them for your safety. One thing you must not miss is the amazing sea lion show at the Lighthouse Cove, where these funny looking creatures will give you a laughing riot with their activities.

The entry fee is 700baht for an adult and 450 baht for a child above 1 yr. You are allowed to carry your own food and cameras but remember just one thing…don’t try to get over friendly with any of the animals there!

Pattaya Gay Festival

Have you heard of the Pattaya Gay festival? No? Then I’ll tell you that this illustrious series of events, is one of the most exciting and fun filled experience for the audience as well as the participants and a must visit for all you party animals.

From dinner to street parties and stage concerts, the lively events round the year have attracted thousands of gay travelers from across the globe. The PGF, as it is called began in 2000, as a fund raising event and till today it has proudly donated over 2 million Bahts to the HEARTT foundation.

From July, the Gay festival will host more than a dozen competitions, shows and parties till the end of the year. The “Boyz Town party” and the “Midsummer Madness”, are two of the shows scheduled for the 6th of July.

Those of you who believe in unadulterated dancing, drinking and merry making are all welcome at an entrance fee of 300Baht per person. Here many international artists will perform and part of the money collected, will be donated as charity.

The PGF Football Tournament and the PGF Mr. Body Beautiful contest in the coming months, will also be eagerly awaited by many.

The Pattaya Gay party, which ends with a 4 day long dancing fiesta in December, is a not-to-be-missed event. With energetic performers and bouncy music, it will be one of the most memorable events of the year end. Go ahead, give it a try.

New source: Pattaya Gay Festival

National Parks in Thailand

There are about 48 national parks in Thailand, most of which can be easily reached and have good accommodation facilities. The beauty of these parks is enchanting and the nature is definitely at its best in this parks. Most parks charge an entrance fee of about 400 Baht.

Khao Yai National Park

This one is not only the oldest but also one of the best national parks in the whole world. Located in the north-east 205km from Bangkok, the park has large areas of rain forest, an abundance of wild life, and over 500 km of hiking trails. It has a wide choice of accommodation facilities and can be easily reached by bus or train.

Erawan national Park

Famous for its waterfall and the spectacular Phrathat cave, there is a lot of rush here on weekends and public holidays. Erawan can be easily reached with the help of buses which run daily from Kanchanaburi.

Sai Yao National Park

Located between Erawan and the Burmese border, the park can be reached by taking a bus from Kanchanaburi along highway 323. The bus drops at the park entrance.

Doi Inthanon National Park

This is Thailand’s highest mountain (2565 metres) and has many trails worth exploring, plus several impressive waterfalls. Tours are available from Chiang Mai.

Lansang National Park

With several trials leading to waterfalls and with a large hill tribe centre on the west side, this small park is located 18km along the road from Tak to Mae Sot.

Thaleban National Park

Located 90km south of Had Yai almost on the border with Malaysia, this park has unspoiled virgin forests which support a great variety of wildlife.

Phetra National Park

The park encompasses a group of islands off the south-west coast and offers beaches, coral reefs and rain forests. Turatao island has an outdoor museum and an aquarium. The visitors centre is located at Pak Bara.

Hat Nai Yank National Park

The park HQ is 1½km from Phuket airport. The main attraction of this marine park is the formation of turtles’ nest from November to February.

Phang Nga Bay National Park

This one shot to fame with the James Bond movie “Man with a Golden Gun”. Forested limestone pillars rise out of the sea like inverted mountains, while Tham Lot Caves provide plenty of scope for adventure. The offshore islands of Koh Thalu and Koh Tapu are major attractions, where small boats pass under magnificient natural rock formations.

The park is located 96km by road from Phuket Town and can be reached by tour bus or boat. You can take a day’s trip or opt for overnight stay.

Koh Chang National Park

Being the second largest island of Thailand, Koh Chang is located about 240km south of Pattaya and is endowed with dense tropical forests, white sandy beaches and spectacular waterfalls.

Go Golfing in Thailand

One of the most popular sports in Thailand is Golf, especially among the elite and fashionable class.  is one of the most popular sports in Thailand.  It arrived here a century ago and was quickly taken up by the elite and fashionable. The first international golf tournament hosted by Thailand was the 1975 World Cup.

The Armed Forces and government institutions are the first sponsors and the leading owners of the finest courses in the country. Now, the country has an array of golf courses in and within easy reach of all major cities. The relatively newer courses also offer accommodations on site or nearby, plus recreational facilities for the whole family. For the golfers who come to this country not only for a challenging course, but an exotically different one too, Thailand offers an unbelievable choice.

One of the best courses in the country within easy reach from Bangkok are the Navathanee Golf Course, which was created for the 1975 World Cup and the Ekachai Golf Club. Outside Bangkok, there are numerous courses offering high quality facilities, including The Rose Garden in Nakhon Pathom, the Siam Country Club in Pattaya, the Phuket Golf and Country Club on the lush island of Phuket, and the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, probably the oldest in Thailand.

For the golf lovers, the best time to visit Thailand is the cool season, from November to March. From April to October, it is very hot and wet. However, since all the golf courses have good drainage system and the pour here does not last for too long, even rainy months should satisfy for desire for the game. But a word here…. Book in advance for the weekends, for the courses go packed especially in the peak season December to February.

You can expect all the facilities at the courses- ranging from economical lodging to cozy, luxurious and grand stays. Also appreciable is the fact that the fees here are still quite reasonable. For the vacation with your family, or to fill a break in your golfing schedule, there is a diverse choice of culture, adventure, dining and shopping available wherever you choose to tee-off.

‘Siam Paragon’ - Jewel of Asia

Popularly called the ‘Jewel of Asia’, located next to Siam Centre, Pathumwan, this multi-storeyed mall at Bangkok is a shopaholic’s paradise… With a modern, sleek and pleasing look, air-conditioned ‘Siam Paragon’ is an upmarket, five-storey colossus with 500,000 square metres of retail space and incorporates everything from shops, food court, amusement to accommodation. It is easily accessible via the city’s modern and efficient Skytrain (BTS) system.

From a sporty yellow Ferrari to a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes straight from the set of Sex and the City, priding itself in the world’s top-notch designer names like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Versace, Burberry and Hermes, the mall is home to more than 250 famed international and local luxury brands. Floors are divided into Luxury Living, Fashion Venue, Lifestyle & Leisure, Living & Technology, IT & Paragon Passage, and Explorium & Global Entertainment.

Siam’s Food Hall covers a good half of the mall’s huge ground floor and is divided into three different zones: Food Hall Food Court, Food Hall Gallery, and Food Hall Take Home. The there is the world-class aquarium, Siam Ocean World on the basement floor. Proclaiming to be the biggest aquarium in Asia – it offers seven sections: Weird and Wonderful, Deep Reef, Living Ocean, Rain Forest, Rocky Shore, Open Ocean and Sea Jellies. Entertainment complex on the top floor is home to a world-class cinema and other features that will delight young or old.

Siam Paragon being the one giant market of its type, our tip would be to slip into comfortable shoes before slipping into its complex. Since you are easily prone to get lost in this spacious complex, it is advisable to get your hands on a map from the information desk on the ground level before you start your shopping excursion or exploration. Since, most of the goods here boast of a high price tag, so remember to take your credit card along. Bargains on some things abound during end-of-season sales, which happens to be once a month at least.

To end up, you cannot boast of a complete shopping experience at Bangkok without shopping at ‘Siam Paragon’.

Temples in Bangkok

Bangkok is full of enigmatic temples (called ‘wats’) that depict the rich and royal culture of the country. The architecture is typically Buddhist and very very awe inspiring. It indeed is a must see if you are planning to visit Bangkok.

The Wat Phra Kaew or the Emerald Buddha is a favorite amongst both tourists and the locals. Located in the heart of the city, it enshrines the highly breath taking sculpture of Lord Buddha carved out from a single block of Jade!

Wat Mahathat: it is the centre of meditation and Buddhism. People come here in search of peace and get completely enthralled by the popular Vipassana Meditation treatment offered here. The classes conducted here are in both Thai and English.

Wat Traimit: this is the famous temple of Golden Budhha, where the worlds largest Golden seated Buddha, measuring approximately 5 meters and weighing five and a half tones, is placed!

Wat Phu Khao Thong:a huge yellow hill crowned temple with a gleaming 58 feet golden chedi is an unusual sight. It houses Lord Buddha’s relics and also serves as the capitals’ crematorium.

For those who are more religiously inclined, the list of temples does not end here. But make sure to visit them in the morning as it is less crowded then. Most of these temples close down after 6pm. Lastly, dress decently so as not to cause annoyance to the Buddhist community.