When I first visited Thailand, I thought that Thai Boxing (Muay Thai) was the national sport. I was wrong. The national sport is eating! Once you've spent a bit of time in the country you soon realise how important food and dining is in Thai culture. …
Thailand Blog
Thailand Weather
Broadly speaking, Thailand has three seasons; hot, rainy and cool. But even during the rainy and cool seasons the temperatures usually remain above 25 degrees Centigrade. There are regional variations, but I will try and give as accurate an …
Medical – Pharmacies & Hospitals
If you're feeling ill, visit the nearest pharmacist (often distinguished by a green cross above the shop-front). Most will speak good English and will usually be able to offer a diagnosis and free advice and, if necessary, can also issue some …
Jai Yen – Don’t Lose Your Temper
Thais have a philosophy of keeping their cool and not losing their temper; jai yen (cool heart). To raise your voice and lose your temper is not good form and confrontation is to be avoided. However, that doesn't mean that every Thai person you meet …
Body Language in Thailand
Despite Thailand's apparently laid-back and relaxed attitude, it can be surprisingly easy for unaware visitors to cause offence. Manners are important to Thai people and what may be acceptable in Western society is not always appropriate in …
Land of Smiles
Thailand is famously known as the 'Land of Smiles', and for good reason. But a Thai smile does not automatically mean that the person is happy. This can lead to misunderstandings between Westerners and Thais. Here is an example from my second …
Songthaews
In many towns and cities (apart from Bangkok), the songthaew is the main form of public transport. Songthaews (literal meaning = two rows) are converted pick-up trucks with two rows of seating in the back for passengers. In some tourist areas such as …
Tuk-tuks
Tuk-tuks get their name from the sound of their noisy two-stroke engines. These open-sided three-wheel vehicles operate as private taxis and normally carry a maximum of three passengers. Tuk-tuks aren't found everywhere in Thailand, but are common in …
Buddhism and Merit-Making
Thailand is pre-dominantly Buddhist (over 90% of the population are Buddhists). I am far from being an expert on Buddhism, but living in Thailand it is impossible not to realize the impact it has on everyday life and the value placed on merit-making. …
Getting to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is 750km (470 miles) north of Bangkok. The quickest and most comfortable way of getting there is by air with a journey time of just over an hour. The following airlines all offer services to Chiang Mai: Thai Airways Nok Air Bangkok …
Accommodation in Thailand
Thailand offers a host of accommodation options from beach huts right through to 6-star hotels. Naturally, the requirements of a backpacker will be different to that of a couple on their honeymoon. I will provide links to online booking sites to …
