Normally, I hate shopping. I don’t even like to shop for a loaf of bread. But, in Pattaya, I find myself shopping almost every day.
When I first arrive in Pattaya, I go shopping to fill up my refrigerator. Even though it is fully stocked, I like to stock it with cheaper items from the local 7-11. I have the hotel remove everything except the two free bottles of water and pick up some beer, Pepsi, red bull, and a couple of extra bottles of water I also get some snacks.
Since I travel light, I usually go out the first or second day and pick up some shorts and T-shirts. I will also get a few DVD movies to watch back in the hotel room. I have some preferred local toiletries and pick these up too. Lux is really great shower soap. I usually pick up these few items at Mike's Shopping Mall or over at the Royal Garden Shopping Plaza. Never accept the first price. Always bargain and don’t be afraid to walk away if they don’t meet your price. Walking away may drop the price drastically. If not, walk 10 feet and you will see the same items.
I make it a point to go to the Big C Shopping Mall and to Tuk Com (Com City) to check out the latest in electronics. I may or may not pick up an unlocked, tri-band cell phone that I can use in Thailand and also back in America. I will also take a look at the latest in pirated software and Thai movies. I enjoy Thai music so I will buy some CD's, MP3's and videos.
My favorite place to shop is at the flea market. In Thai, this is called talat naht. It is open on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Located on Soi Buakhao and South Road, it is open at about eight in the morning and I try to get there by nine. If I am early, I will just grab a bite to eat at one of the many street vendors.
You want to arrive early and complete your shopping by about eleven o'clock. Otherwise it will be way too hot. Shopping under all those canvas tarps in close quarters can be extremely hot. Make sure you bring a bottle of water or buy when at the market.
Most of the items are 99 or 199 Baht. This works out to about three US dollars or six US dollars. This is the place I buy most of the clothes I want for me and for my family and friends. You can also find clothes for less than that. I have gotten many outfits for my 1-year old granddaughter for about $1.25 per set.
I also pick up some additional Thai music and videos. The vendors will have stereos and TV's set up so that you can hear and see what they are selling. You can also the items to make sure they work. Prices for videos and music are about 3 dollars per CD.
It seems like you are always buying something just walking around Pattaya. I can be out going to dinner or to a bar, and I will see something that catches my eye and I buy it. Vendors also sell their wares while you are eating or drinking. They can be pests but every once in a while I will see something that I want to buy.
Pattaya seems like it is one giant flea market. Shops are everywhere, vendors are located every 10 feet, and malls are popping up all over the city. Large outlets are also available in Pattaya, but I prefer the smaller places where I can still use my bargaining skills.
So, even if you are like me and absolutely hate shopping, you will find that you will be shopping daily in Pattaya and actually enjoying yourself. Maybe it is because of how cheap all the goodies are.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to Bangkok - Pattaya - and Phuket and books his hotels in Thailand through Thailand Accommodations
Submitted by: Free Article Submitter
By: lar
วันพุธที่ 16 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2551
Shopping in Pattaya
วันพุธที่ 21 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2550
Karon beach resort – another popular destination on the island of Phuket
When it comes to planning a vacation, the options are endless. What makes a good or even perfect vacation destination? The things people look for is what they are interested in: stuff they can do, places they can visit and other things like that. What are your interests?
A popular destination for a relaxing vacation is the island of Phuket. Located in the southern part of Thailand, this island is also called ‘the pearl of the Andaman’ because it comprises all the necessary attractions which appeal to every tourist, no matter their preferences.
Let’s start with the places you can visit. A great tourist attraction is the Phuket zoo. It has a surface that stretches on 10 hectares. Within this vast area there are over 100 types of amphibians and reptiles, 600 bird species and over 45 kinds of mammals.
The Phuket Seashell Museum is home for various rarities. In it you can view the only left-handed Noble Volute ever to be discovered and a very rare golden pearl. Other attractions include giant clams or fossils over 380 million years old.
For people interested in culture, one of the biggest Buddhist Temples, the Wat Chalong, represents a very important attraction in Phuket. One of the reasons may be the enormous half buried Buddha, which has a fascinating history going back ages ago.
There are lots of interesting things you can do as well. The nightlife in Phuket is restless and filled with great and fun activities. Everything you can do or visit in Phuket needs a place where you can rest. This is where the Phuket hotels come in play.
Phuket hotels come in all sizes and comfort standards. Ranging from two stars to five star hotels, you can always find a room which serves your interests the best. Depending on your preferences and budget, the Phuket hotels provide choices for every tourist.
For the tourists that seek sunny beaches for a quiet and relaxing vacation, they should set their eyes upon Karon beach resort. Patong beach, which is located further north, provides the perfect solution for people on the look out for fun and wild nightlife.
The Karon beach resort has a beach approximately 1.5 km long. After the tsunami disaster in 2004, most areas here have been fully recovered, leaving just a few spots which need to be redeveloped. This is the perfect location to spend some time relaxing and watching breathtaking sunsets on the beach.
There are just a few Phuket hotels in Karon beach resort which have direct access to the beach. Even so, you will find whatever you heart desires here and all you need to do to get to the beach is cross the road, which does not have a lot of traffic.
There are also lots of interesting places you can spend your time in Karon beach resort. These include bars or restaurants like H2O Entertainment or Harry’s Restaurant and Pub. All you need to do is get there and the rest will come by itself.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
The destinations of the world are available for you to visit anytime you want, but none of them compare to Phuket. The variety of options to spend time and places to visit make this place unique. Check in the Phuket hotels of Karon beach resort for a relaxing and unforgettable vacation.
วันจันทร์ที่ 5 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2550
Phi Phi Island, Krabi's island group, Thailand
Phi Phi Island General Information |
| The islands and the coastal hills are composed mainly of limestone and are an extension of the limestone mountain range in The island group is composed of two rocky, tree-covered islets Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le. Phi Phi Don, the larger islet to the north, is well known for its fine beaches and coral formations. Above average tourist facilities and accommodations are available along two beautiful curved bays, namely About 2 kilometers to the south is Phi Phi Le. Contrary to Phi Phi Don, this islet is uninhabited as there is no beach area as the island descends abruptly into the sea on all sides and it is prohibited by the administrative body. The main attraction is a large cave about 3.2 square kilometers in size known as Ao Maya and Ao Lo Sama - Phi Phi Islands scenic coves are favorite snorkeling places while the sea around the islands, especially the southern part, which are deep and full of coral formations are popular diving spots. With its emerald crystal sea, secluded beaches, mountain cliffs, colorful coral reefs and undersea life, Phi Phi is a paradise in the Ko Yung, an island to the north of Ko Phi Phi Don, has a stone beach on the east and small sandy beaches amid valleys. In addition, the island is teeming with diverse colorful coral reefs. Ko Phai, another island to the north of Ko Phi Phi Don and not far from Ko Yung, has spectacular beaches in the north and east of the island. The bank of coral reefs comprised mainly of antler corals stretches from the north to the south of the island. Getting to Ko Phi Phi From Krabi Chao Fa Pier: Passenger boats leave Chao Fa Pier twice daily at 10 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. The trip takes about 2.30 hours. Ao Nang: There is one express boat trip leaving daily at 9 p.m. taking 40 min. From Phuket Many tour companies in Phuket organize one-day trips to |
Regarded by travelers from all walks of life as being among the most beautiful tropical islands of the world, Get scuba diving qualified while holidaying in Thailand
So, you've finally booked that exotic holiday to Thailand and now you're thinking about doing something really different? Why not get your PADI Open Water certification? It takes just a few days and will open up a whole new underwater world to you.
You'll find PADI is the most widely available certification with just a handful of shops offering NAUI and SSI certifications. There are dive shops all over Thailand, in places like Phuket, Khao Lak, Chumpon, Hua Hin, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Phangnan, Koh Chang, Koh Samet, Pattaya, Phi Phi, Krabi and more.
Some dive shops are tied to resorts while many are their own businesses. You can do your PADI Open Water paperwork in your home country before you arrive and do your checkout dives in Thailand, or do the whole course in Thailand. You also have the choice of doing your checkout dives by daytrip or from a liveaboard vessel.
Where you go to take your course depends on what your preferences are. Each location has its own attractions and if you plan to spend more time above the water than below it, you might want to choose your destination for its other offerings. Likewise, not all dive shops or instructors are of the same quality.
You'll want to visit several dive shops where you are staying and meet the instructor that you would have if you did your Open Water course there. If English is not your native language, you may find a dive shop with an instructor speaking Dutch, French, Italian, etc. Dive shops in the more popular diving areas provide instruction and exams in several languages.
Equipment standards vary between shops as well. You'll want to make sure that the equipment is not too old and that it has been well maintained and stored, as well as cleaned properly. For instance, regulators go in your mouth and they should be well cleaned between users. Additionally, most people urinate in their wetsuits and these should be cleaned after each dive. All equipment must be cleaned of salt water or the crystallization can damage it.
Poorly maintained regulator, BCDs and dive computers can malfunction and cause a serious accident that may even lead to your death. Likewise, a poorly trained dive instructor or one who does not take his or her job seriously can get you killed too.
One of the most popular places to take PADI courses in Thailand is Koh Tao, known for its cheap diving and abundance of dive shops, and within easy reach of Samui. You'll have plenty of choices here and would be wise to take your time and visit as many shops as possible. Koh Tao is a good place to learn how to dive and to proceed through Advanced, Rescue Diver, Divemaster/Master Scuba Diver, and Instructor courses.
However, this island is not recommended for fun, recreational dives as the visibility and quality of the reefs is relatively poor. Koh Tao is most popular with young backpackers, although there are a few resorts for those who do not enjoy this scene. Phi Phi offers a similar scene on a smaller scale with better diving.
For quality diving, it's best to go to Phuket or Khao Lak, where you have easy access to the Similan Islands. These nine islands are part of Phang Nga province and located within a marine national park. They are pristine and rich with wildlife above and below the water. The beaches here are some of the most beautiful in the world and the dive spots are some of the best in the world. Colourful reefs and boulder formations are a plus, with a variety of coral and marine life. Visibility is also good, varying from 30 to 50m.
The best way to see the Similans is by liveaboard, and most dive operators will allow you to do your Open Water dives from the boat if you've completed the paper and pool work ashore beforehand, usually with diving courses on Phuket. Note that in mind that the Similans are closed during the low season due to unfavourable boating and diving conditions. Additionally, sites have depths well past the recreational limit of 40m and some may have currents. It's advisable that you take courses past Open Water to become a stronger diver and be permitted to dive to the limit.
There are diving courses on Samui as well, and plenty of dive operators offering all levels of diving courses on Phuket, even a few in Krabi. In fact you'll find scuba courses in Pattaya, Koh Chang and other places, but with less choice of date flexibility.
Andy Burrows writes about Thailand and recommends using the following travel websites:Phuket for adventurers
Thailand tourist guide
by Andy Burrows
http://watcharap007blogspotcom.blogoshop.com/http://www.flixya.com/user/watcharap007
PHUKET VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL Travel
Date: 11 Oct 2007 - 19 Oct 2007 Phuket's Vegetarian festival (or jia chai in local Hokkien Chinese dialect) began in 1825, when the govenor of Thalang, Praya Jerm, moved the island's principal town from Ta Reua in Thalang District to Get-Hoe in Kathu District, where were tin mines and Chinese miners. Kathu was then still covered by jungle and fever was rife. It happened that a traveling opera company (called ngiu in Thai or pua-hee in Hokkien dialect) came from China to perform for the miners
When the whole company grew sick from an unnamed malady, they kept to a vegetarian diet to honor two of the emperor gods, Kiew Ong Tai Teh and Yok Ong Sone Teh. The sickness afflicting the opera troupe then disappeared. This greatly interested the people of Kathu, who asked how it was done. The answer came that ritual vegetarianism with its attendant ceremonies had been the cause, with the result that people embraced the faith enthusiastically. Thus the festival began:starting the first evening of the ninth lunar month, it continued until the ninth evening; the aim was to bring good luck to individuals as well as to the community.
It later happened that one familiar with the festival volunteered to return to Kansai, in China, where he invited the sacred Hiao Ho-le or Hiao lan (incense smoke) and Lian Tui (name plaques), which have the status of gods, to come stay in Kathu. He also brought holy writings used in the ceremonies, returning to Phuket on the seventh night of the ninth month. The people, upon hearing of his arrival, went in procession to Bang Niao Pier to bring him and his sacred cargo back. This was the origin of the processions that figure so greatly in the festival.
The afternoon before the festival begins, a great pole at each temple is raised, called the Go Teng pole, with which the gods are invited to descend. At midnight the pole is hung with nine lanterns, signalizing the opening of the fest. Two important gods are also invited down at midnight to preside over ceremonies; these are Yok Ong Hong Tae and Kiew Ong Tai Tae.
Aside from this, there are other ceremonies throughout the fest, notably: invocation of the gods Lam Tao, who keeps track of the living, and Pak Tao, who keeps track of the dead; processions of the gods' images; and feats of the Ma Song-like bathing in hot oil, bladed ladder climbing and fire-walking. The festival ends with merit making ceremonies at each temple (sadoh kroh) and the send-off of the gods on the last night (when fireworks are at their most impressive).
Ma Song, or entranced horses, are devotees whom the gods enter during the fest. They manifest supernatural powers and perform self-tortures in order to shift evil from individuals onto themselves, and to bring the community good luck. Ma Song fall into two categories: those who, having had an intimation of impending doom, want to extend their lives; and people specially chosen by the gods for their moral qualities.
Throughout the festival fireworks and drums are sounded, especially during ceremonies. It is held that the louder they are the better, because the noise drives away evil spirits.
Participants in the fest keep to a strict vegetarian diet for a varying number of days, usually no less than three. This they do to make themselves strong in mind and body; they refrain from all vice, eating animal flesh, and killing animals. The festival thus promotes good hygiene, brightness and inner peace.
Labels: Phuket, PHUKET VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL
posted by Sukson Solution @ 1:05 PMThe most important Phuket festival that is held each year must certainly be the Vegetarian festival.
The Vegetarian festival in Phuket takes place during the first 9 days of the 9th lunar month of the traditional Chinese calendar. The Vegetarian festival normally falls in the last week of September of within the first week of October.
The Phuket vegetarian festival is organized each year to celebrate the start of the Taoist lent. Due to the large number of Phuket residents with Chinese roots, the Taoist lent is celebrated among a large group of the population of Phuket and is a major Phuket activity
The vegetarian festival starts of by devout Chinese religious believers completely abstaining from all dairy and meat products.
The festivities in Phuket that are held during the vegetarian festival can be found at one of the five main Chinese temples on Phuket.
The best Chinese temples to visit are the Bang Niaw Chinese Temple and the Jui Tui Chinese Temple.
The vegetarian festival involves more then only the abstinence of dairy and meat products. Other parts of the Phuket vegetarian festival includes the temple offerings to the Monks, offering of gifts to the nine emperor gods which awake during the vegetarian festival, fireworks and cultural shows but to name a few.
A number of participants to the vegetarian festival on Phuket act as mediums between the 9 deities to earth. These mediums try to achieve a special state of trance. Once this state of trance is reached, their cheeks are pierced by numerous sharp objects such as spears and knifes.
Afterwards these special vegetarian festival mediums all join a large procession which takes them by many shops which have places altars along the street with special offerings.
These mediums pick up the fruits which are offered to them by the shop keepers and they add the offerings to the sharp items which are sticking out of their cheeks. If there is no space available the mediums will give the offerings to bystanders.
It is said to be a sign of good luck and a true blessing if one is to receive a gift from one of the mediums during the vegetarian festival procession.
The atmosphere of the vegetarian festival is certainly unique and should be experienced by every traveler who is staying in Phuket during the event.
If one was to describe the whole event in a few words then the festival could be described as a religious frenzy. Where ever you look you will see spectacular ritual dancing, loud fireworks, blood stained shirt worn by the mediums and ancient religious worshipping activities.
If you ask the Phuket residents with Chinese roots as to the origin of the vegetarian festival then they will tell you a tragic story. They say that a Chinese theatre troupe visited Phuket around one and a half century ago.
The Chinese theatre troupe was struck by tragedy when all members of the Chinese theatre troupe turned seriously ill. The story goes that they had turned ill because they had neglected to offer respects to the nine emperor gods of Taoism.
The only way in which the Chinese troupe members could cure themselves was with a 9 day lent which included solely vegetarian foods, long periods of meditations and acts of self piercing.
http://watcharap007blogspotcom.blogoshop.com/http://www.flixya.com/user/watcharap007
About the Author
James has a passion for Phuket and all its old customs and stories. Read more about Phuket in his Phuket Guide.
Travel Lanta Island - Krabi Thailand so nice.
http://www.tourthaithai.blogspot.com/2007/06/lanta-island-krabi-thailand-so-nice.html
Ko Lanta lied on the west coast of Andaman Sea in between Krabi and Phi Phi Island . Large Size Island with 6 km wide and over 30 kms long, 9 beaches lie from north to south along the sunset coast. Stunning scenery, fantastic white sandy beaches, coastlines have more than 70 small islands and plenty with forest, coral reefs and under water life. Exposed to the Tsunami hit southern Thailand , Koh Lanta got very little physical affected. She has been quietly recovering with most hotels operating normally. Koh Lanta was very fortunate in that no damage occurred to the natural scenic beauty. All the beaches remain as beautiful as ever. All dive sites did not suffer in the disaster, rather the water is cleaner and clearer than ever.
How to get Ko Lanta
Ko Lanta is easy and inexpensive to reach from Phuket, Bangkok or Malaysia . The island is serviced by passenger ferries from both Krabi & Phi Phi and car ferries from the mainland.
Krabi is the most convenient gateway to Ko Lanta if coming from Bangkok, and if arriving from Phuket passage is via either Phi Phi or Krabi. Trang also serves as a regional transit point for those coming in from the south. Please bear in mind that if your arrival time is late in the day, the local minibus or public passenger ferries scheduled for Ko Lanta may not always be available.
Location of Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta yai ( big ) & Koh Lanta noi ( small ) are located in the
Andaman Sea of South-West-Thailand ( Malayan Peninsula ), about 45 km south of Krabi-town in the Krabi province.
~ 7' 28" north latitude, ~ 99' 4" east longitude.
The islands are only one km away from the mainland and accessible by ferry / car-ferry all year round.
The Koh Lanta district contains 53 islands which mainly are part of the Koh Lanta marine national park.
moutain of ko lanta island
Tourism in Koh Lanta
As mentioned in chapter Development, the develoment of tourism is ongoing for the last 20 years. The real ignition spark came about 6 years ago, when basic infrastructures arrived on the island. Every year since then, tens of new resorts, restaurants, shop etc. start their services along the west coast, right on the beach as well as at nearby mainstreets and hill sites.
Typical tourism "high season" is from November until May, with "paek season" from of December 20th until January 10th. Many businesses are opened all year round with very low prices during "low season", June until October. This time of the year is wonderful, too.
Tourist services of any style & for any budget are offered to the distinguished guest from around the world.
Well, so much information to display about Koh Lanta's tourism - too much for this web-site. Please refer to our Links to Ko Lanta for more details about accommodation, activities, transportation etc.
Here we would like to give you a brief overview of the "Tourist destination Ko Lanta".
The tourist center of Ko Lanta is " Ban Saladan " at the northern tip of Koh Lanta yai. Many shops, supermarkets, travel agents, dive-shops, restaurants and other facilities make it worth to spend some good time there. For most tourist guests on the island, this cosy village is the first and the last place to see, whilst being on the island.
Ferries to/from Krabi, Pee Pee and Phuket are departing and arriving at Ban Saladan pier, only.
All beaches on the west coast, in order from north to south : ( mentioned prices are estimated, average "high/low season" prices )
The first beach, "Klong Dow Beach", next to Ban Saladan, which is known to be the most beautiful beach, about 2 kilometer long, flat and white sanded. There are about 20 resorts on this beach. Prices from 400 - 4500 THB per night.
The second beach, " Phra Ae Beach or Long Beach ", about 5 kilometers long, nice and sandy. There are about 17 resorts on this beach. Prices from 250 - 4500 THB per night.
The third beach, " Klong Khong Beach ", 3 km long with sand and rocks. Great sunsets. There are about 22 resorts on this beach. Prices from 200 - 900 THB per night.
The forth beach, " Klong Tob Beach ", a short strip with sand and rocks. A very quiet beach with only a few bungalows around. Prices from 250 - 1000 THB per night.
The fifth beach, " Klong Nin Beach ", a beautiful 1,5 km long beach with about 10 bungalow resort. The famous "Otto Bar" just moved to there, formerly located at Klong Dow Beach. Prices from 250 - 4800 THB per night.
The sixth beach, " Klong Hin Beach ", with sandy and rocky parts - good for snorkeling. Klong Hin Beach is about 1 km long and has 3 resorts so far. Prices from 250 - 2600 THB per night.
The seventh beach, " Kan Thiang Beach or Bay ", a beautiful, curved sandy beach, 800 meter long. The only 4+ star Resort and Spa "Pimalai" and 3 other resorts are located there. Prices from 250 - 21000 (!) THB per night.
The eighth beach, " Klong Jark Beach, a small and quiet beach, surrounded by tropical jungle. There are 3 resorts on this beach. Prices from 300 - 900 THB per night.
The ninth beach, " Aow Mai Bai or Bamboo Bay " is the last beach outside the national marine park which is next to it. A quiet and private beach with only 2 bungalow resorts. Prices from 250 - 800 THB per night.
And last but not least the tenth and most southern beach, " Ta Noad Beach ", next to the old light-house, the landmark of Ko Lanta. The Lanta marine national park head-quarter is located right at this beach. No resorts or other commercial facilities there.
Ko Lanta is a diver's paradise for beginners and the experienced. There are very few places on the planet where divers can enjoy an underwater world so rich and diverse. And imagine learning to dive in water that's the same temperature as your bath water at home.
Nature in Koh Lanta Ko Lanta island offers tropical nature at it's best..
The tropical paradise off the south-west coast of Thailand has 25 km of beautiful beaches backed by verdant jungle & rain forest.
Here you still find real big trees, many animal species, including rare birds, mammals and reptiles. More then 80% of the island are covered with tropical rain forest, which is mostly protected national-park area.
The mangrove coast in south Thailand, covers sinking limestone ranges, millions of years old. On Koh lanta there are many mangroves, which you can admire while going on a canoe-trip. Mangroves and intertidal mudflats are of great conservation value in Thailand, helping sustain valuable inshore fisheries and protecting the coast from erosion.
If you arrive by car ferry, than watch out for monkeys, which are living here in the mangroves. They are crab-eating macaques and one of the numerous mammal species living in this environment.
Nature for a living, rubber tree and palm tree plantations: On Lanta are hundreds of rubber tree plantations, which are tapped every day before sunrise. The rubber then has to be dried, cleaned, and pressed, before being sold as 1,2 kg mats. Coconut palms and oil palms are common on Koh Lanta as in the whole south of Thailand and they provide a modest income for the local farmers.
Ko Lanta's rich waters offer sandy coves, coral reefs, limestone rock outcrops, rock reefs, seamounts and pinnacles, undersea caverns and tunnels and sunken ships. Water temperature ranges from 27 to 31 degrees - ideal for scuba-diving, corals and tropical fishes. More than 200 hard corals and 108 reef fish species have been catalogues in a study under way, but thousands more organisms around, too. The twin peaks of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are rated in the worlds top 10 list of dive sites.
While tourism has grown quickly in the last few years, Ko Lanta has retained its traditional charm and great natural beauty.
References
Koh Lanta Investments. 2003. About Koh Lanta(ออนไลน์)สืบค้นจากhttp://www.lanta-thailand.com/ เมื่อ 20 มิ.ย.2550 Koh Lanta Island. 2006. Ko Lanta (Island), Krabi, Thailand. - Index Page of Koh Lanta.(ออนไลน์)สืบค้นจาก http://www.lantainfo.com/ เมื่อ 20 มิ.ย.2550
http://watcharap007blogspotcom.blogoshop.com/http://www.flixya.com/user/watcharap007
by darksingha
