All tagged Thailand
Thailand's Phang Nga province is not as well known to overseas visitors as Phuket to its immediate south, but for older travellers to the region it offers a quieter alternative and an opportunity to get away from Phuket's traffic and tourist crowds. For nature lovers, there are some real gems to be discovered in Phang Nga in the form of deserted beaches, nature trails, and picturesque waterfalls.
The scenic Thai province of Krabi on the eastern side of picturesque Phang Nga Bay has a lot to offer older travellers. It’s quieter and more laidback than its western neigbour, Phuket, and focuses more on nature experiences. Whilst some of its attractions are suitable only for those who are reasonably fit, there are alternatives available for those with health or mobility issues. In this article, we identify where those are.
Thailand’s Koh Lanta has a reputation for being a tranquil alternative to more popular islands like Phuket and Koh Samui. But depending on where you stay, that’s not always the case. However, Koh Lanta is a great destination for foodies travelling on a budget as it has many excellent eating places at much lower prices than other tourist spots.
A road trip along the Thai side of the Mekong River from Khong Chiam in Ubon Ratchathani province to Chiang Khan in Loei province takes you through parts of Thailand’s Isan region that are not often visited by travellers from overseas. There are many scenic national parks to visit along the way, and a memorable but somewhat dangerous mountain climb in Bueng Kan province that can be tackled by older travellers who are reasonably fit.
Could your idea of a dream Asian holiday be a three-week bar hop visiting some of the best cocktail bars in Asia? If so, here’s an itinerary that you can combine with visits to some of the most exciting cities in Asia, enjoying their cultural and culinary delights during the day, and dressing up for a relaxing evening to sample exquisite cocktails created by Asia’s best mixologists using local ingredients blended with traditional spirits.
Phuket and Koh Samui are Thailand’s most popular island destinations, but if you’ve not been to either, it can be difficult deciding which is the better choice for older travellers. Both have great beaches, restaurants, and a wide range of activities on offer. We take a closer look at what each island has to offer to assist you in making the right choice if you only have time to visit one or the other.
The Authors’ Lounge in the historic Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, pays homage to the many writers and artists who have frequented the hotel since the late 19th century during their visits to the city. It’s well worth a visit to learn about the history of the hotel and its many famous guests, and to enjoy the sweet and savoury delicacies served for the Oriental Afternoon Tea in the beautiful Somerset Maugham lounge.
For travellers interested in the unique customs, language, culture, and history of the hill tribes of northern Thailand, a trip to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai provides the opportunity to visit these ethnic minorities in their villages or compounds. It’s a chance to get off the beaten track. Most hill tribes welcome visitors and in return you can support their local community initiatives.
The Ancient City (Muang Boran), also known as Ancient Siam, is an historical park and open-air museum in Samut Prakan province, not far from Bangkok. It features ancient buildings that have been relocated from other parts of Thailand and meticulously constructed replicas of temples and palaces from the country’s different regions. It provides an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Thailand if you don’t have time to travel the whole country.
The Mae Hong Son Loop is Thailand’s most well-known scenic drive. It’s a 600 km roughly circular drive around the mountains to the west of Chiang Mai. The driving time is about 12 hours, but most people do the trip over four days so that they can stop to admire the scenery and waterfalls or spend time in the national parks along the way. The route provides many options for interesting side-trips as well.
Most travellers to southern Thailand dismiss the city of Surat Thani as nothing more than a jumping-off point to Koh Samui. However, the province of Surat Thani abounds with many unique experiences from exciting cave tours to floating bungalows on the spectacular Cheow Lan Lake, and off-the-beaten track attractions from scarcely known lookouts to authentic riverside markets.
The Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park, a Buddhist temple area southeast of Khao Sok National Park, in Surat Thani province, Thailand, is well off the beaten track for both international and domestic tourists, but those who make the effort to visit are enthralled at its beauty and magnificent setting surrounded by rainforest-clad limestone karst mountains.
Asia is home to many superstitions and beliefs, some of which date back centuries. Whilst many Westerners may scoff at the rituals that supposedly bring health, wealth and happiness, millions of people continue to follow traditions to bring luck that have been handed down through generations. We take a look at some of the rituals you’ll likely come across in the coming months.
The Erawan Waterfall in Thailand’s Kanchanaburi Province is well known as one of the country’s most picturesque waterfalls and for its 1.75 km forest trail to the top level of its seven tiers. For older travellers, that hike can be quite challenging unless they are very fit because the seventh tier is 800 metres above the bottom tier. This detailed illustrated guide to the hike will assist you to decide whether it is something you should tackle when visiting the Erawan Waterfall.
Booking train, bus and ferry tickets in Asia can be difficult if you are not familiar with the routes and transport operators, but online booking apps and websites can make the task much easier. But with hundreds of such online ticketing platforms vying for your business, how can you tell which are the best ones to use. We take a look at reviews of these sites to determine which are the most reliable.
Kanchanaburi is a province in Thailand that is best known for its World War 2 memorial sites and national parks. But it also has many hot springs along the valley of the River Kwai which may help you to ease any aches and pains that you may acquire on your travels. This comprehensive guide to all of the hot springs in the valley and their mineral water pools recommends the best ones for international travellers to visit and which ones to avoid.
