Chinese New Year Celebration in Bangkok Chinatown (Yaowarat)

 
Red Objects in Chinatown

This year, 2013,  is the year of the snake.Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is on 10th February in Bangkok Chinatown. It is not the same date in every year because it refers to the first day of the Lunar New Year. Chinese New Year is a big day of family celebration, as important as a reunion of family or Thanksgiving Day in western culture. Occasionally, during New Year, my family gives oranges or tangerines to relatives and friends for a good new year. Particularly, giving money in a red envelope to kids is a ‘must’ for this day. [Read More]

Chatuchak Market – The Place to Go Shopping on Weekend

When my tours asked me where a good place for shopping on the weekend is, I always tell them to go to ‘Chatuchak Market’, the largest Sunday Market in Thailand. However, visitors have to be tough enough for walking your legs off. Although you can find anythings you want (I mean it, ‘anything’) at Chatuchak, this huge area could make you mad if you don’t like walking among crowded people in a hot day.

Chatuchak Market (or JJ Market for short) is a real bargain market and is also one of greatest markets in the world. [Read More]

Asiatique The Riverfront – Beautifully Exotic Place in Thailand II

Asiatique The Riverfront at night

Because hot weather in Bangkok can make you tired, I think walking along the river at twilight would probably release you from such tiring day. Recently, Asiatique The Riverfront becomes a newest landmark of Bangkok where visitors are fascinated by the sight of Chao Phraya River and a unique style mall. Although it has just been about a year after its grand opening in April 2012, Asiatique now becomes one of popular places for both Thais and foreigners. [Read More]

Asiatique The Riverfront - Beautifully Exotic Place in Thailand

Asiatique The River Front, Bangkok

After I got back to Thailand, I thought I could find a place in Bangkok to hangout as same atmosphere as my favorite place, Pier 39 in San Francisco. Last year around July, I remembered after my sister and I got back from her friend’s house, accidentally we found an interesting place on Charoenkrung Road, named Asiatique, “Asiatique The Riverfront” for official name. It was a new wide space mall along Chaopraya River where it decorated in attractive styles. My sister immediately said “Let’s check it!” and made a turn to a parking lots.

Although I wanted to stop her because I thought she was looking for something to eat or wanted to go shopping, I didn’t. After a survey, there were many interesting things here, the large parking lots, a clock tower, buildings which made in warehouse styles, the pathway between many shops on both side of warehouses, art decorations, especially, a large space at riverfront along the river. [Read More]

Bangkok Shopping Places for Fashion Clothes and Accessories

Platinum Fashion Mall, Bangkok

    I’m just a window shopper when walking in brand-name department stores, but I’m a compulsives buyer for cheap and fashionable. One of my favorite shopping places is Platinum Fashion Mall. It’s just right around the corner from Central World, across San Sab Canal to Phetburi Road, known as Pratunam Intersection. Platinum Fashion Mall is packed of small shops selling mostly women fashion clothes, shoes and accessories. Recently, Hundreds of them are available in either wholesale or retail. When visiting this mall, you would be able to notice that there are two different kinds of shoppers – a group of retailers looking for wholesale clothes and a group of regular customers looking for fashion or occasional clothes. [Read More]

Royal Grand Palace: Walking around Wat Phra Keaw and The Grand Palace II

The gate to get in the inner court

      Last time, I have given you some information about getting around Wat Phra Keaw already. Now, we will get into the central court of the palace. After we walk through the door of Temple of the Emerald Buddha into the area of Throne Halls, you can see Borom Phiman Mansion, on the left, behind the big gate. This European style building was built in the inner court, the private area where it used to be the royal residence and royal guests house. This is why we can’t get in.

Before we walk in the area of Throne Halls, if you feel thirsty, you can stop by to have a drink at drinking shop on this spot. After that, we will walk to Amarindra Winichai Hall just on the left of the street. It opens for visitors to see the throne. Almost forget, for security, you cannot take pictures or record a video in this hall, but no need to take shoes off. [Read More]

Royal Grand Palace: Walking around Wat Phra Keaw and The Grand Palace I

Common Walking Route in Royal Grand Palace

      If it is your first time to visit Wat Phra Keaw and The Grand Palace, don’t be afraid to get around without a tour guide. Follow me, I will lead you to highlight spots that you shouldn’t miss like having a private tour guide with you.

      After you hold the ticket, get a map and walk through the entrance gate to the monastic compound, the first thing you will see is a statue of Hermit Priest. It is believed that he was the first traditional doctor who later became the doctor of the Lord Buddha also. [Read More]

Bangkok Shopping Places for shopping lovers

Tourists who are shopping lovers or shopaholics, especially women, love Bangkok just for shopping.

When they asked for my suggestions about the best shopping places in Bangkok, I could not give them a specific place because it depends on their budgets, personal lifestyles and what they wanted to buy. Otherwise they wouldn’t be happy if they got the answer that does not suit them well.

However, if you are one of these shopping lovers, you would want something helpful because receiving nothing after asking could also frustrate you. In this case, I think I need to recommend a few great shopping places for you to shop around this capital city of Thailand. [Read More]

Tiger Temple at Kanchanaburi

Giant Tiger Statue at Kanchanaburi

If you only have not much time in one day, you might ask where the interesting places to visit in Kanchanaburi are.

One of tourist attractions I recommended is Tiger Temple or Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno. It is located in Sai Yok District, only 37 kilometers from Kanchanaburi city or about half an hour drive.

Last month, I got a chance to take a group of Indian tourists to Tiger Temple. It was the first time for me to get there too. After the driver turned right from the main street to the sign of Tiger Temple, I saw a large tiger statue from faraway as a sign of the temple. Just about 5 kilometers from the main street, we were at the place where we needed to buy tickets. We arrived at almost 2 o’clock in the afternoon, where it was a busy hour. For this reason, it was so crowded that I was stunned from the picture in front of me for a while; vans, cars and private taxis came to drop their tour groups, a lot of tourists walking around and being noisy everywhere. [Read More]

Royal Grand Palace and Temple of Emerald Buddha

Temple of Emerald Buddha, at Royal Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand

Whenever foreigners ask me where the most popular attraction in Bangkok is, the first place popping up in my head is The Temple of Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) and The Grand Palace. I think The Emerald Buddha Temple and The Grand Palace is a spectacular place where it reveals the history of Thailand. In addition, the unique beautiful architectures of this whole area also show the beliefs, characters and tradition of Thai people.

Then the following question from the tourists is how they could get there. The easiest way and saving time is, of course, to take a taxi or Tuk Tuk, a motorized three-wheeled vehicle. Just a warning for taking a taxi, tourists should request the taxi drivers turn on the meter. Taking a Tuk Tuk can be an interesting choice because it can provide a sense of adventure, but remember that Tuk Tuk doesn’t have the meter fare. The driver will give the tourists an approximately price, so making sure that they won’t take advantage by quoting an unfair price, taking you to the wrong direction or even offering you to go somewhere else instead. [Read More]

AirportLink – An Easy Way for Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi Airport

Airport Link Train

Calling a cab to the airport is unreliable. I used to spend over 300 Baht for taking taxi to the airport due to a terrible traffic day. I then have never wanted to take a risk for getting to the airport anymore. Recently, for saving time and money, however, the best way for me to get to the airport is using public transportation, BTS sky train and airport rail link.

I don’t care about whoever says that the door of airport link train is noisy when it is shutting, or the train can be very crowded in a rush hour. This is because I spend only 45 Baht to get to the airport, and I will arrive in the airport within just 30 minutes also. I don’t think taxi can make it for me. [Read More]

Inexpensive Food at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand

Magic Food Point at Suvarnabhumi Airport

      Every times I went to Suvarnabhumi Airport to wait for the flight and wanted to have a bite, it was hardly to find the cheap one. The restaurant on the 3rd floor seemed too expensive for me. It might not be too expensive for rich visitors, but how about the normal people who don’t want to spend money over 100 baht for a meal like me? Where should I get a cheaper food in the airport?

      After thinking so, I then tried walking around the airport in order to check if there is anything helping to save my cost. Finally, I found a good place to buy regular foods in a reasonable price. It is the food court at gate 8 on the 1st floor of the airport.

      After Getting inside, I bought coupons, and then walked around to find something to eat. At each counter of the food sellers, there were food displays at the front. It was easy for those who had no idea about the appearance of the food.  [Read More]