#Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi Islands

The Phi Phi Islands are located in Thailand, between the large island of Phuket and the western Andaman Sea coast of the mainland. Kho Phi Phi Don ("Kho" (Thai : เกาะ) meaning "island" in the Thai language) is the largest island of the group, and is the only island with permanent inhabitants, although the beaches of the second largest island, Kho Phi Phi are visited by many people as well. There are no accomodation facilities on this island, but it is just a short boat ride from Kho Phi Phi Don. The rest of the islands in the group, including Bida Nok, Bida Noi, and Bamboo Island, are not much more than large limestone rocks out of the sea. Koh Phi Phi Leh was the backdrop for the 2000 movie The Beach. Phi Phi Leh also houses the 'Viking Cave', from which there is a thriving bird's nest soup industry. There was criticism during filming of the 'The Beach' that the permission granted to the film company to physically alter the environment inside Phi Phi Islands National Park was illegal. The controversy cooled down however, when it was discovered that the producers had done such as a decent job of restoring the place that it finally looked better than it had done before. Following the release of The Beach, tourism on Phi Phi Don increased dramatically, and with it the populaation of the island. Many buildings were constructed without planning permission. Koh Phi Phi was devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, when nearly all of the island's infrastructure was wiped out. Redevelopment has, however, been swift, and services like electricity, water, Internet access and ATMs are up and running again, but waste handing has been slower to come back online. (http://en.wikipedia.org/)

#Koh Samui

#Koh Samui : A New Luxury Destination in Thailand

Koh Samui, also known as Samui, is Thailand's one of the most idyllic islands, located in the Guft of Thailand. Situated about 85 km east of Surat Thani and about 700 km south of Bangkok, Koh Samui is the largest island on the Gulf of Siam and third largest island in Thailand, other two being Phuket and Koh Chang. Sometimes Koh Samui is also referred to sa Coconut Island because of its countless number of coconut palms, harvesting more than two million coconuts per month. Koh Samui's prime attraction is undoubtedly its serene environment blessed with mountainous jungle terrains, luxuriant tropical ferns, swaying coconut palms, long stretch of pristine white sandy beaches, grante boulders, clear blue water, superb waterfalls, and sparking ponds, Hence, it is no wounder why foreigners, particularly from Europe, flock here year - round. One of the most popular among the Koh Samui's attractions is Wua Ta Lap, which has to its credit a stunning cave. Perhaps the most prominent attraction of Koh Samui is Pra Yai or the Big Buddha - a 12 mt high golden statue which is proudly placed at the northern point of the island. This astounding image is visible even from several kilometers away. Located at the southern part of the island, Na Thian numberous species of butterflies. A well-maintained garden, bee house, and a Thai style house are also attached to the garden. There are also some interesting destinations in the area, such as, Hin Ta Hin Yai, which are two renowned granite stones that stand out among numerous other rock formations along the coastline. These two rocks, literally meaning Grandfather and Grandmother are belived to be the origin of the Mui people. Landmarks also include the Samui Aquarium with a variety of tropical fish and marine fauna. Other worth visiting destinations in the area Thale Nai, encircled by mountains; the statue Garden featuring an array of Buddhist and Hindu Statues; and Tham Bua Bok. In addition, Samui is much famed for its incredible beaches such as Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut, and Maenam Beach, each of them providing options to enjoy a range of activities such as fishing, boat chartering, and sailing. Further, Samui boasts of some stunning water falls like Namuang. Koh Samui is home to some of the best diving sites in Thailand, with a range of spectacular islets such as koh Mad Lang, Koh Som, and Koh Taopun. 

However, Koh Samui's enormous range of activities is more than diving and fishing. For instance, Koh Samui provides excellent options for bowing, with more than ten pin bowling. For shooting enthusiast, superb facilities are available to enhance your shooting skills at the Shooting Gallery, consisting of a variety of guns with live ammunition. Some Superb options are also available for adventures in the form of Bungy Jumping in Chaweng. Equally fabulous is Samui's nightlife, with arange of happening beach bars, cabaret bars, rocking, and pubs. If you are looking for something different during your Koh Samui vacation, then spectacle a Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) match or take a Thai cooking lesson under the guidance of some renowned Thai cooks. Likewise, take an elephant trekkinh for a unique experience. A lot number of other choices are also available, such as Treasure Island Adventure Golf Course and a tennis court facility as well as a go kart facility. For weary travelers, a plethora of spa facilities are available to get pampered and relaxed. Majority of the high-end resorts and hotels render a range of massages and herbal treatments. From elegant bungalows and sea view villas to beachfront resorts and world-class hotels, accommodation options are aplenty in Samui. Many of them provide top-class facilities including air-conditioned rooms coupled with en-suite bathrooms, lounge, kitchen, and dining room. Facilities cover barbeque area, baby sitting service, and car rental. Further, majority of the villas and apartments offer maid service, apart from facilities such as superb swimming pools and complimentary airport transfers. Besides, there are also some fantastic options available for budget conscious travelers. Above all, most of them provide some kind of discounts for booking rooms in advance. With these attractions and umpteen options to choose from, Koh Samui is unquestionably luxury destination in Thailand!. (Wolfgang Jaegel)

#The Thai New Year

#Songkran Festival

Songkran is the Thai New Year, a time for the family members to reunite and spend some precious time together. During this time, workers who come from the provinces to work in the capital city of Bangkok metropolis will return home to celebrate. The millions workers will take away with them traffic jam and pollution. Therefore the bustling town will be deserted leaving Bangkok a nice and quiet place to live for a few days.

Songkran Festival falls on April 13th - 15th each year. This year (2008), the auspicious day will be on Sunday - Tuesday. Holidays will start from Saturday 12th to end on Thursday 16th, or a total of five days. There will be celebration throughout the Kingdom.

The term "Songkran" is Thai from the original Sanskrit language which means "Transfer", "Movement", or "Changing position". This is because it is the time the Sun changes it's zodiac position from the twelfth sing of Zodiac Pisces to the first sign of Zodiac Aries, hence a New Solar Year. Although the Thai people officially changed the New Year to January 1 in 1940 to coincide with the Western business world, the traditional Songkran Festival is still celebrated as a national holiday.

The first Songkran day will be on Sunday April 13th, which is "Song kran Long Day" or the passing day of the old year. On this day people will clean their home, their bodies and wear the new cloths. The next day will be Monday April 14th, called "Nao Day" or "Da Day" which means the preparation of various auspicious ceremonies. Food and basic necessities will be prepared on this day to offer to monks and give to friends and relatives on the New Year day. 

The big day will be on Tuesday April 15th, called "Maha (Major) Songkran Day" which means the great important day of New Year. Thai starts New Year day early in the morning with alms offerings to monks, sermon attendance in the temple and spring blessing from the monks. Traditional Thai would do merit by bringing sand to the Wat (Temple) for Making Sand-Chedi (Pagoda) during the Songkran Festival. Today, Thai will simply releases birds and fish in merit making. In the afternoon, after performing a bathing rite for Buddha images and the monks, young people pour scented water into the hands of elders. and parents as a mark of respect. They will also seek the blessing from the elders. Then after, people will cerebrate Songkran by splashing water player fully on each other in "water wars" Everyone gets soaking wet and since it is the hottest season of the year (temperatures can rise to over 100 Degree Falenhigh or 40 Degree Cencious on some days), the custom is quite refreshing. It is also a great fun. Thai people celebrate this festival with water as people believe that water will wash away past sins, consequently, the term "Water Festival". Some choose to follow an old belief that the Nagas or mythical serpents brought on rain by spouting water from the seas. The more they spouted, the more rain there would be. So, one might believe that the Songkran customs of throwing water is actually a rain-making idea. (http://www.xomba.com/)

#Wat Pho

#Wat Pho included in Unesco Programme

Phra Chetupon Temple, more commonly known by Thais as Wat Pho and home of the Reclining Buddha, has been included in the Unesco Memory of the World (MOW) Programme for 2009. The temple was recognised for the historic inscriptions and hermit statues teaching traditional Thai yoga house inside it. The temple's nomination has already been approved by UNESCO committee members in Australia. Official documents affirming this will be sent to Thai authorities on March 31. Wat Pho was built during the Ayutthaya period on the orders of King Rama I and is one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok. It is home to more than one thousand Buddha images, the most famous one being the giant Reclining Buddha, which is also a tourist attraction. (BangkokPost.com)

Inscriptions at Wat Phra Chetuphon or Wat Pho, will be proposed as a Memory of the World?. The proposal will be submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which will consider it in June this year. Educational minister Wichit Srisa-an, in his capacity as Chairman of the National UNESCO Committee, said that Wat Pho is regarded as Thailand's first University and a center for traditional Thai massage, where people can learn techniques of various natural remedies for health. At least 1,000 foreign tourists visit Wat Pho each day. Wat Pho 's inscription contain Buddhist teachings, literary works, and Thai wisdom, especially concerning traditional medicine, which can also be seen from hermit statues showing postures for muscle pain treatment. Thailand deems it appropriate to propose the inscriptions to UNESCO's memory of the world program for the pride of the nation. King Ramkhamhaeng's inscription No.1 in the 13th century was Thailand's first piece to be given Memory of the World status by UNESCO in 2003.

Khunying Maenmas Chavalit, a member of the National Memory of the World Program, stated that these inscriptions are valuable and useful not only for Thailand but also for the whole world. She said that King Rama I, who ruled the Thai Kingdom more than 200 years ago, ordered the preservation of traditional medicine texts passed on from the Ayutthaya period. This knowledge has developed over centuries. The hermit postures, in particular, have been included in today's exercise regimes in Thai health Spas. Exercise with these postures is believed to bring about good physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Traditional Thai massage at Wat Pho is recognized worldwide, largely because it takes a holistic approach to healing. Each year, about 100,000 people attend traditional Thai massage courses provided by this temple. On the walls of Wat Pho, there are a number of 19th century murals diagramming energy points and meridians of the human body.

Popularly referred to by foreigners as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho is recognized as the temple of King Rama I, the first monarch of the Rattanakosin period. It is one of the oldest and largest Buddhist temples in Thailand. Originally built in the reign of King Phetracha, who ruled the Ayutthaya Kingdom from 1688 to 1703, Wat Pho underwent a major renovation during the reign of King Rama I. The walls were inscribed with royal drug remedies. The King also established a royal dispensary there, much like the one in the Ayutthaya period. Later, King Rama III ordered experts in various fields to combine their knowledge, and in words and graphic presentations, it was incribed on stone tablets found in the temple compound. (The Government Public Relations Department)

#Golf Capital of Asia

#Thailand is one of the Most Popular Golf Holiday Destination

Thailand is acknowledged as the "Golf Capital of Asia". Due to many reasons golfing in Thailand is truly a great experience, which among many others, are exciting as well as challenging golf courses, exceptionally low playing fee, superb club house facilities, excellent course lay out, astounding atmosphere coupled with charming buddies, and much more. Additionally, one of the fabulous things regarding golfing in the country is amazing assortment of location as well as environment in which these golf courses are located. From the busting capital city of Bangkok and Pattaya bestowed with enthralling scenery to the lush green hills of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai and Phuket, acknowledged as the island paradise, Thailand truly presents a veritable drapery of golf delight. In fact, Thailand is one of the best destinations for a relaxing golf holiday amid blowing scenery. No matter how much remote is the area you are visiting in Thailand, it is absolute that there would be one or more goft courses in the area or nearby. Also, a specialty of this mystical tropical paradise is that one can play golf all year round. However, golf in Thailand is not a new sport. According to records, golf was one of the most popular recreational sports even before 100 years ago, the evidence for which is the sports reported at the Royal Bangkok Sports club on a period as early as during the beginning of 20th century. Erected by Scottish Engineer within the beach resort of Hua Hin regarded as the first recognized 18-hole golf course in Thailand. But now the country has one of the largest assortments of golf courses in Asia. Majority of the world-class golf courses in Thailand were built during the great economic boom period. In order to guarantee the best facilities in these courses, many of the owners hired the services of renowned golfers as Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Robert Trend Jones, Gary Player, and Arnold Palmer to apply their expertise, values, and signatures. All these make each of the more than 150 golf courses in Thailand of international standard as well as one of its kinds. Perhaps the greatest thing the

at set a part Thai Golf courses is its highlights such as caddy system. Mostly, this function is undertaken by Thai ladies with polite nature as well as excellent knowledge and idea on golf courses in Thailand. In other words, these ladies are adept in almost all facets of golf and can help a golfer with a number of things such as how to choose a golf club, which is the most perfect to lay up and info on the speed of green. Another great thing regarding playing golf in the country is its salubrious climate. Above all, an obvious benefit of playing golf in the country is that you can play it for an exceptionally low alluring price.

Option vailable within these golf facilities are truly stupenous, with many of them boasting of brilliantly designed individual holes coupled with almost all types of exciting hazards, from intimidating lakes and mighty bunkers to canyons. When comes to club house facilities, they are mostly well-constructed and are inclusive of almost all comforts including first-class restaurants, bars, specialized areas for postournament functions, and air-conditioned facilities for changing. For real golf freaks, even such facilities as accommodation choices and fitness and sauna facilities are available.

In addition, many of golf courses are attached with excellent practice area, which is sometimes coupled with the services of pro to guide you in shaping your golfing skills. Also, many of the golf courses come with a well-stocked pro shop and provide options for golf cart rentals.

Alpine Goft and Sports club and Dynasty Goft and Country Club in Bangkok, Rayong Green Valley Country Club and St. Andrews 2000 in Pattaya, and Dusit Polo Club in Hua Hin, are just few among many of the world class goft facilities in Thailand.Apart from these, many of the top end hotels and resorts spread across the nation provide state of the art facilities for enjoying goft vacation in Thailand. Some of them even render superb value packages inclusive of three or four nights' accommodation in a highly sophisticated room, breakfast, seafood dinner, traditional massage treatments, and tee off two or three times, for an enjoyable goft holidays.In short, playing goft in the country is undoubtedly a rewarding experience, with an assortment of superb golf courses set amid scenic backdrop and coupled with excellent clubhouses and services of courteous caddies as well as pro. (Wolfgang Jaegel).

#Ayutthaya

#Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya was the capital of Thailand (then called Siam) from 1350 until it was sacked by the Burmese army in 1767. This period of Thai history is now usually refered as the Ayutthaya period or Ayutthaya kingdom. The ruins of the old capital in the Ayutthaya historical park are now UNESCO World Heritage Site. The province is also home to the Bang Pa-in summer palace complex. Originally named Krung Kao (กรุงเก่า). the province was renamed to Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya in 1919 (http://en.wikipedia.org/). The province is subdivided in to sixteen districts (amphone), communes (tambon) and 1328 villages (muban). There are two districts which have the same English name ; however this is only because the different pronunciation and thus different spelling in Thai gets lost in romanization. Ayutthaya is unique among the provinces of Thailand in that the district of its capital city is not called Amphoe Mueang (Ayutthaya), as the common scheme would suggest, but rather Amphoe Phra Nakorn Sri Ayutthaya. Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya is located in the flat river plain of the Chao Phraya river valley. The presence of the Lop Buri and Pa Sak River make the province a major rice farming area.

#Lop Buri Province

#Lop Buri

Lop Buri hasbeen a town of cultural diversity and continuity for more than 3,000 years since the pre-historic period. It is a place where a lot of historical evidence has been discovered. During the Dvaravati period (the 6th-11th century), Lop Buri had been under the control of the Mons and Khmers until the 14th century when the Thai possessed more power in this land. During the reign of King U Thong, the first King of Ayutthaya, Lop Buri was the Mueang Luk Luang - the prince's town. King U Thong appointed Phra Ramesuan, his eldest son to rule Lop Buri in 1350. When King U Thong pass away in 1369, the prince had to give the throne to his uncle who ascended to the throne with the royal name of "Phra Borom Rachathirat I". The Price still governed Lop Buri afterwards. In 1388, Phra Borom Rachathirat I pass away and Phra Ramesuan went to the throne in Ayutthaya for secon time. Later, the significance of Lop Buri decreased until the reign of King Narai the Great (1656-1688). During that period, Lop Buri was greatly restored due to the invasion of the Dutch who traded with the Thais. King Narai realised that Ayuthaya was not quite safe from the blockade and fire of the enemies in wartime. Therefore, the King had Lop Buri re-constructed as the second capital city due to its strategic suitability. To do as such, King Narai the Great received assistance from French and Italian architects. The Palace and the battle fortresses were strongly built as a barrier line. The King also mostly resided in Lop Buri and allowed the diplomatic corps and foreigners to pay courtesy calls in this town on several occasions.

Pa Sak Jolasid Dam (เขื่อนป่าสักชลสิทธิ์) is located at Ban Kaeng Suea Ten, Nong Bua Sub-district. The dam's name was granted by King Rama IX. It was constructed under the Pa Sak River Basin Development Project under His Majesty's Royal Initiative. It is the longest dam whose core is made of clay in Thailand, with the length of 4,860 metres and 36.50 metres high. The distinctive points of the dam are the sightseeing point on its ridge, Pa Sak River Basin Museum, presenting the knowledge of nature and culture. The official opening ceremony of the dam was on 25 November, 1999. For more information, please contact Tel. 0-3649-4031-4.

Lop Buri Sunflower Bloming Festival (งานทุ่งตะวันบานที่ลพบุรี) takes place around December of every year because it is the period when the sunflowers are in full bloom. At present, Lop Buri possesses hundred of thousands of rai of sunflowers. Before the harvest, the sunflowers will creat a yellow field, being another splendid tourist attraction of Lop Buri. Interesting activities in the fair include floral decorated float processions, sales of products from sunflowers, and many kinds of rally areas. (http://wikitravel.org/)

To get there : From Mueang Lop Buri, take the Lop Buri - Khok Tum - Phatthana Nikhom route (highway No. 3017) for 48 ilometres. There is the Lop Buri - Wang Muang minibus, passing in front of Pa Sak Jolasid Dam. The bus leaves Lop Buri Bus Terminal from 6.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.

#Bangkok, Thailand

#Bangkok

Travelling Thailand wound not be complete without visiting Bangkok. As the Nation's Capital with an estimated population of over 10 million (including the neighboring provinces), this city is by far the largest in the country. The city is divided into 50 districts or khet but for tourists and those who are new in the place, 6 divisions would be more useful. These are Ratchadaphisek in the northeast section of the city, Sukhumvit in the southeast, Silom in the south, Thonburi in the west, Rattanakosin in the central north, and Phahonyothin in the north. The whole Bangkok district would give you a diverse taste of culture, history, religion, modernity, and fast-phase life. You can actually witness how all these blend together to comprise the whole Bangkok package. Buddhist temples, historical museums, towering buildings, contemporary restaurants and hotels, shopping centrers, canals and rivers, and food make Bangkok a one of kind city in Southeast Asia.