#Best Beaches in Bangkok

 Best Beaches in Bangkok

    Bangkok itself does not have beaches, but there are several beach areas within an easy journey from Bangkok either by taxi, bus or some destinations by train. Although it is relatively cheap to fly to beaches and islands some people want to spend a few days (or longer) at a beach close to Bangkok so they simply take a taxi from their Bangkok hotel and arrive straight at their beach resort some cases a boat or ferry ride is needed.

                                 Pattaya Beach
                             Photo Credit: sanook.com/travel

        Some of the best beaches near Bangkok that can be reached by road are Bang Saen (very quite), Pattaya Beach (very lively), Jomtien Beach (very busy but quieter than Pattaya), beach resort area south of Pattaya. Onwards to Rayong and boats over to the Island and beaches of Koh Samet or continue down the coast to Trat for a ferry boat to Koh Chang Island beaches. You can also reach Koh Chang by air from Bangkok to Trat. Heading south the west side of the Gulf are Cha Am, Hua Hin Hotels and also nearby Pranburi hotels and beaches, all can also be reached by frequent train services in addition to by bus or taxi.

Beach in Hua Hin

    Beaches near Bangkok are popular as they are very cheap to get by bus, taxi or some beaches (for example Hua Hin) also by train, Hua Hin and Cha Am, and now also Pranburi are very popular at weekends. There are offers not only beaches but national parks, treks, temples and lots of sight seeing, elephant village and more. ouAlso if you are departing from Bangkok late at night you can enjoy plenty of time on the beach if you are close to Bangkok. There are quiet beaches south of Hua Hin including those near the Sam Roi Yot National Park and further south to Baan Krut and Bang Saphan Thailand.

    Villa and Suits at the beach in central Hua Hin Beach. Royal Cliff  Resort Pattaya, Getting around in either Hua Hin and Cha Am or in Pattaya or Jomtien beach is very cheap transport.

#Bangkok by River

 Bangkok by River

    This is a brief hisrtory and destination of the khlongs,or narrow waterways, that occupy such an important position in Bangkok city life. It will hopefully give you an interesting glimpse into Bangkok life and some ideas about travelling around the city.

                           Khlong Saen Saeb 

                              Photo Credit: th.wikipedia.org

The history of the Khlong

    The area surrounding Bangkok has always been a swamp and the Chao Phraya River from the biggest waterway here. In the 16th century there were already channels dug in the Chao Phraya River to give shipping better access to and from the former capital Ayutthaya. The large meanders that the river course made on its way to the Gulf of Thailand were out off by canals. The majority of waterways were created after Bangkok became the new capital. The most southern of the canals had to be filled in again because at high tide the city flooded with seawater.

Almost all national (and with some fluctuation, international) trade was conducted on the water. Furthermore, moats were created for the defense of the city in the 18th century, after the example of the set-up at Ayutthaya and in the 19th century, for purely military purposes, a few longer canal s were excavated by Chinese workers, from east to west in the area west of the city. With the passing of the centuries irrigation of the surrounding farmlands and the expansion of trade mobility were prime reasons for creating  new waterways as the city developed and grew. Bangkok employed Dutch water engineering experts (end of the 18th, beginning of the 19th century) to reclaim the swamp areas. After the second World War, can building in the swamp areas was intensified.

The ancient Khlong atmosphere

    Nowadays not all khlongs are in use. Some of them have been filled in to improve land transportation. Still, parts of Bangkok have retained the old waterway atmosphere providing the opportunity for a relaxing outing. You could, for example, take the khlong Bangkok Noi water taxi and travel the old river arm and see the original canal communities.The water taxi laves from Tha (pier) Maharat, next to Silpakorn University. Each journey costs about 20 Bhat and the further you go into the khlong the more beautiful the surroundings: wooden teak houses with gold-leafed Temples and colourful orchids cultivated in tiny gatrdens.This taxi service is provided by the so-called "longtail boats". These are brightly coloured, narrow boats, about 8m long, and equipped with huge motors (sometimes Japanese truck engines) with the propeller on a long shaft so that the boat can navigate shallow waters. You can of course, charter a longtail boat. These cost about 400-500 Bhat an hour at Tha Si Phraya. Make sure you agree the price before setting off.

Practical River Transport

    If you really must travel during the rush hour, it's a good idea to take an express boat over the Chao Phraya River to get somewhere. It's a bit hectic, but a lot less muggy than trying to travel over land.

                              Photo Credit: Facebook Wonderful Pearl Cruise

Dinner Cruises

    You can have ea wonderful meal in Bangkok on a dinner cruise in the evening. A few are name in the Lonely Planet book and it can be useful to make a reservation. We did a really nice cruise on typical wooden "rice barge" with gentle Thai music, fine service and lots of good food. This was not the cheapest (approx 1250 Bhat per person) but it was absolutely worth it. 

Cycle Trips

    Another great way to see the city is by bike. Try a Bangkok cycling tour along the banks of the khlongs.

                    River Kwai

                   Photo Credit: travel.mthai.com

River Kwai Trips

    The famous River Kwai is really a highlight of any trip to Thailand. From Bangkok, you can take a trip to the River Kwai, stopping first at the famous floating markets in Bangkok and even travelling on the Death Railway built by POWs. You can even sleep in floating huts on the River Kwai during some River Kwai tours. You can build your old Thailand adventure with khlong tours, trekking, and island hopping with Thailand Travel Plan.

(Source: Free Article from ArticlesFactory.com)

#Bangkok Packages: Top 5 Reasons to Visit the City of Angles

 Bangkok Packages: Top 5 Reasons to Visit the City of Angles

    Visiting is a unique travel experience, offering a dizzy mix of natural sites,cultural heritages and cosmopolitan ambiances to explore. This article tell you top 5 reasons why you should take a Bangkok tour package.

                                 Photo Credit: guide.pureriwater.com (Grand Palace)

        The city is far-famed for its exoticness and unsurpassable religious fervor. Designated as a "Land of Angles" it is counted among-st the friendliest and most happening cities around the globe. The cultural potpourri that it has to offer always leaves an indelible mark on culture-enthusiasts. Amusement parks, shopping malls and superb dining spots in the city give an experience you will never ever forget about. Truly, Bangkok is a land of delights where everyone finds his soul seeking for refuge. 

    A much talked about holiday destination in Asia is Bangkok, packaged of an array of tourism attractions to enjoy with. Grand historical temples, shinning shopping malls, neon-lit streets dominated by gargantuan skyscrapers  and turquoise skyline, heart-rending scenery of amusements parks and soul-stirring ambiances - a Bangkok tour makes you carry back those memories which not just evokes nostalgia within you but also delight your senses for long. Though each corner of the city is compelling enough to keep visitors hooked and beacharmmed, here are some solid reasons why you should opt a Bangkok tour.

    Bangkok Temples: They are peerless and incomparable in term of both architectural beauty and spiritual fervor. Some of them including the Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Wat Mahathat are so fascinating that your heart will wish to stay in the city forever. The best time to visit  these temples is to the early morning. The environment is pure and pristine and committing random acts of Buddhist traditions. 

                             Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org (National Museum)

    Museums and Art Galleries: The Bangkok' soul lives in its temples, while the history rests in its museums. There are plenty of museums, showcasing the most sublime collections of artifacts, relics and historical remnants. Visit to these museum make you peep into the rich cultural heritage of Thailand. The National Museum in the city is a great place to comprehend country's art and architecture. Apart from that, a visit to the Bangkok Folk Museum and Jim Thompson's House always remains worthy for history-lovers.

    Zoo and Animal Parks: (It will be move to Thanyaburi Klong 6, Thanyabui District, Pha Thum Thani Province in the future.) You can't take wildlife in the city's zoo and animal parks away from a Bangkok package. They are great place to learn about wild animals and see them behaving naturally. Even you can get closer to them, feed them and play with them visiting these animal parks. Most of them are located on the outskirt of the city and serve as a remarkable fun excursion for family vacationers. Among the noted names in this category are Dusit Zoo, Bangkok Snake Farm and Bangkok Butterfly Park.

    Nightlife: The city offers a throbbing experience after the day turns dark, clubs to sophisticated bars and live music shows to exotic go-go bars, that you can imagine of is available in the city to give you night pleasures of a lifetime. Really, you might birdies would have a great time here!.

    Shopping: Irresistible, rewarding and thrilling, this is how Bangkok shopping is described about.The city is an ultimate paradise for shopaholics, dotted with a number of shining malls, local street-side shops and flea markets offering an eclectic range of goodies and dishes.   

(Source: Free articles from ArticleFactory.com)

#Thailand

 Thailand

The country's official name was Siam (Thai : สยาม; IPA : sa'ja:m RTGS : Sayam origin unknown) until 24 June 1939, and between 1945 and 11 May 1949, when it was changed to Thailand. The word Thai (ไทย) is not, as commonly believed to be, derived from the word Tai (ไท) meaning "Free" in the Thai language; it is however, the name of an ethnic group from the central plains (the Thai people). A famous Thai scholar argued that Tai (ไท) simply means "people" or "human being" since his investigation shows that in some rural areas the word "Tai" was used instead of the usual Thai word "khon" (คน) for people. With taht mind the locals seemed to have also accepted the alternative meaning and will verbally state that it means "Land of free". This might be due to languge barriers and avoidance of long difficult explanations. (http://en.wikipedia.org/) The region known today as Thailand has been inhabited by humans since the paleolithic period (about 500,000-10,000 years ago). Prior to the fall of the khmer Empire in the 13th century, various states thrived there, such as the various Tai, Mon, Khmer and Malay kingdoms, as seen through the numerous archaeological sites and artifacts that are scattered throughout the Siamese landscape. Prior to the 12th century however, the first Thai or Siamese state is traditionally considered to be the Buddhist kingdom of Sukhothai, which was founded in 1238, following the decline and fall of the Khmer empire in the 13th-15th century AD.

    A century later, Sukhothai's power was overshadowed by the larger Siamese Kingdom of Autthaya, established in the mid-14th century. After Ayuttha fell in 1767 to the Burmese, Thonburi was the capital of Thailand for a brief period under King Taksin the Great. The current (Rattanakosin) era of Thai history began in 1782 following the establishment of Bangkok as a capital of the Chakri dynasty under King Rama I the Great.

    European powers began traveling to Thailand in the 16th century. Despite European pressure, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian nation never been colonised by a European country. Two main reason for this were that Thailand had a long succession of very able rulers in the 1800s and that it was able to exploit the rivalry and tension between the French and the British. As a result, the country remained as a buffer state between parts of Southeast Asia that were colonised by two colonial powers. Despite this, Western influence led to many reforms in the 19th century and major concessions, most notably being the loss of large territory on the east side of the Mekong to the French and the step by step absorption by Britain of the Shan (Thai Yai) States (now in Myanmar) and the Malay Penisula. The loss initially included Penang and Tumasik and eventually culmnated in the loss of three predominantly ethnic-Malay southern provinces, which later became Malaysia's three northern states, under the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909.

#Bangkok is the Capital of Asia

 #Discover the Charms of Bangkok

Bangkok is the largest as wall as the Capital city of Thailand. Situated near the gulf of Thailand and on the eastern banks of the Chao Phraya River, in the south-west part of the country, Bangkok is perhaps the number one tourist spot in the South-East Asia, and serves as the gateway to the country. Bangkok is an incredible destination that is a blend of east and west, and one can see here historic as well as ancient shrines overlooking towering modern building that dominate the skyline. Apart from being a popular tourist spot, Bangkok serves as the country's seat of administration and government. Bangkok is also the main port of the country, and is home to about one tenth of the population of the country. Further, Bangkok is sometimes refered to as the Venice of the East due to its beautiful canals and rivers. No matter you are honeymooners, business traveler, spiritual traveler, history buffs, or just a sightseer, Bangkok provides excellent options for all. From ancient Buddhist Wat, historic monuments, and interesting museums to amusement parks, parks, 

and gardens, Bangkok boasts of a spectrum of attractions. Of the attractions in Bangkok that deserves a special mention are its magnificent royal palaces. Just few among many of them are Grand Palace, which is exquisitely decorated and attached with areas such as Borombinan Hall, Amarindra Hall, and Dusit Hall; Chitlada Palace, which is the current residence of the King; Vimanmek Mansion - a stupendous as weel as expansive wooden palace made from golden teak; and Suan Pakkad Palace, with a collection of traditional style Thai mansions. Equally interesting is the Buddhist Wats and temples found in the city, such as Wat Phra Kaew, which is considered the most prominent Buddhist temple in the country; Wat Arun, otherwise known as the Temple of Dawn; Wat Pho, whose centerpiece is a 46 meters along statue of Lord Buddha in reclining posture; and Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of Golden Buddha.

    A visit to Bangkok would not to be complete without taking a tour to many of its interesting museums such as Bank of Thailand Museum, located within Bangkhunphrom Palace; Erawan Museum, in whose front one can find a statue of three-headed elephant that stands on an gargantuan pedestal; Bangkok National Museum, which has on display an amazing collection of Thai art and artifacts; Bangkok Folk Museum, with exhibits such as traditional utensils and ceremonial related artifacts.

    Human Imagery Museum, which throws light on the Thai life and culture; Corrections Museum, which is located at the site of the Bangkok Remand prison; Forensic Museum, where you can see preserved corpses; Science Museum, with an interesting aquarium, a planetarium, and several other sections for entertainment and education; Philatelic Museum, which is a must-see for stamp collectors; and Royal Barge National Museum, which has on display an array of royal barges that were used during royal occasions.

Additionally, Bangkok is also home to much famed Ancient City, which is the world's largest outdoor museum. On display here are gigantic-sized replicas of renowned monuments and temples found across the nation.

    Other not to miss attractions in Bangkok are Lumpini Park, the largest as well as the oldest park in the city; Dusit Zoo, boasting o f more than 200 mamals, 150 reptiles, and 1,000 birds; Thai Cat Palace, featuring several breeds of cats such as Siamese, white pure Maeo Khao Mani, and diamond-eyed cats; Snake Farm, also known as the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, which is one of the leading producers of anti-venom Serum in Asia; Crocodile Farm- the largest of its kind in the world, where you can see more than 60,000 fresh as well as sea water crocodiles; and Rose Garden, a well-manicured area where cultural shows are conducted. (Wolfgang Jaegel).

# Nana Plaza Bangkok-Thailand Shock Value

 #Nana Plaza Bangkok-Thailand Shock Value

While you can spend weeks in Thailand without ever seeing a prostitute there are some areas of the city of Angles that are designed with nothing more in mind than the sex tourist. There are also some other places that tend to draw Thai girls who are looking for involvement with a farang -Khao San Road immediately comes to mind. Today's post will focus on the largest of the pay4play entertainment areas in Bangkok known as Nana Plaza.

Na na Entertainment Plaza (or NEP) began 25 years ago when several bars on Soi 14 - Soi 16 wre forced to close indefinitely because of construction on Sukhumvit Road. In mid 1982 the Rosemarys (1 & 2), Three Roses and The Rainbow Bar all moved into Nana Plaza Which was formerly your normal run of the Thai strip mall and parking area. Since that time it has grown to almost 40 bars packed into the central court area. For almost 2 decades now Nana has been the center of naughty nightlife in Bangkok. It does see some competition from Soi Cowboy area bars, but Nana Plaza is the top of the heap when it comes to A-Go-Go bars, with stages and shows throughout the complex. Nana is famous for it's Go-Go bars where you can find scads of scantily clothes Thai girls gyrating on the stage and around shiny poles, all meant to excite and titillate the variety of visitors that come just for that purpose. Nana is also famous for the katoey or ladyboy bars in the area. Many are the man who hasn't understood the difference between the lovely katoeys in Nana Plaza and been handed a large surprise later.

The Plaza does seem to fluctuate in popularity from year with the expatriates and sexpatriates visiting Thailand. One year you can go there and find the area packed to capacity and another year will see NEP almost empty. 2007 was a slow year and 2008 look to be the same with many of bars reporting their take to be down 20-30% from normal. Some of this is due to the strength of the Thai baht which is affecting all area of tourism Thailand. Other reasons mentioned are the declining upkeep of the clubs, the rising price of the girls and the poor attitude of many of the staff and girls. Another hit is coming in from of a smoking ban in all restaurants and bars in Thailand which is supposed to take effect February 11th, 2008. It will be interesting to see if this ban is actually enforced.

The first time visitor to Nana Plaza should be prepared for a surreal experience with the area looking like a neon lit circus midway in full swing and music pumping from the various bars surrounding the Plaza. Bible thumping missionaries, prostitutes, western sexpats, camera wielding Japanese tourists and curious tourist young and old fill the area making it a great place to sip a beer and watch the diversity of humanity in all its forms. No matter how far and wide you travel you are unlikely to see another place even remotely like it.

With dozens of bars, brightly flashing neon, hundred of girls and all the sighs, smells and sounds of Nana Plaza I have only scratched the surface of what Nana Plaza is. Go and see for yourself, you'll be amazed and possibly shocked, but it will be different than any other experience of your life. (Steven Walters)

#Phuket

 Phuket : An Amazing Scuba Location

Phuket is located in Thailand and is very highly rated. In fact, it is among the world's top ten scuba diving locations. Exotic culture, adventure both above and below the surface, unforgettable food, Phuket has all the right ingredients for a perfect diving holiday. There are breath taking reefs and remarkable underwater rock formations in addition to the different types of marine life that are found here that provide some amazing opportunities for divers of all levels and persuasions. One can go live-aboard diving and there are also daytrips and plenty of dive points, dive centers as well as dive courses available for scuba diver. Liveaboard boats to Similan islands, Richelieu Rock, Phi Phi, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, are good examples of were you can go to in this great scuba diving location. Phuket and Phi Phi Island, which are among the top 10 scuba diving locations in the world boasts of splendid crytal clear water, awesome rock formations as well as an ecosystem that is vibrant and contains a lot of marine life. The water is also warm having average surface temperatures of 82 degree Fahrenheit and there are hundreds of different varieties of both stony as well as soft corals surrounded by bright colored fish as well as other creatures of the sea which also includes some large reef fish. While stony corals are the life blood of reef, soft corals are a prominent part of the reef. In some places they look like vast fields of undersea wildflowers. For those who would like to see big animals there are the Whale Sharks as well as Manta Ray whose sighting is pretty common. In addition, there are also dozens of other picturesque island destinations that lie in close proximity and can be reached by day boats as well as live-aboard cruises, from Phuket. The consistent water temperatures make it possible to go diving throughout the year, right off the coast of Phuket.

For those desire to visit this beautiful scuba diving location, they can look forward to having great food and under expert supervision they may enjoy their stay where the accommodation too, is very comfortable. And those who wish for Scuba certification, this extraordinary scuba diving location will provide many affordable Dive Shops where beginners may learn the basics and others may try out the master instructor certification.

Besides its outstanding water treasures, there is a whole lot more available right here at this wonderful scuba diving location in the form of beautiful beaches, gourmet restaurants, vivacious night life as well as a number of other attractions all available where and when one wants it. There are also popular dive centers such as Dive Asia, Colona Diving plus a number of others for those who desire to try out more of this scuba diving location at Phuket. (Jose Rossello)