Holidays to Thailand 'could be a perfect Valentine's break'

Holidays to Thailand 'could be a perfect Valentine's break'

Anyone intending to jet abroad to celebrate Valentine's Day this year may be interested in some recommendations of the most romantic destinations around the world.

People planning a romantic getaway this Valentine's Day may be in need of some inspiration about where to take that special someone.

The International Currency Exchange (ICE) has made some suggestions about the best places to visit, including one of Thailand's most beautiful beaches.

Maya Beach in Phi Phi Leh is one of the company's top tips for people seeking a break a little further afield than the usual hotspots of Paris and Rome.

According to ICE, the Thai destination "offers sun, sea and sand in spades as well as fantastic value for money".

Dinner for two can cost as little as 200 baht (£3.73), although it did note that wine is not always available and can be comparatively expensive.

Andrew Hamilton, head of marketing for ICE, noted: "Exotic locations such as the Caribbean, India and Thailand could be the perfect place to melt your loved one's heart."

Author John Burdett recently described Bangkok as "a hub of influences" in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

He also noted that there are a number of inexpensive options for eating out in the Thai capital.

Written by Anthony Nicholson

BANGKOK : How to get there

BUS

Public buses are plentiful and cheap, with a minimum fare of 7 baht to most destinations within metropolitan Bangkok. Air-conditioned buses have minimum and maximum fares of 10 and 22 baht, respectively. Air-conditioned micro-buses charge a flat fare of 25 baht all routes. A Bus Route Map is available at bookshops and the TAT office. Visit www.bmta.co.th for more information on Bangkok’s public buses.

TAXI

Taxis cruising city streets are metred. They charge a minimum of 35 baht for the first 3 kilometres, and approximately 5 baht per kilometre thereafter. Make sure you have change, as taxi drivers often dont! Passengers must pay tolls in the case of using an expressway.

TUK-TUKS

These three-wheeled open-air motorised taxis are popular for short journeys. Fares must be bargained in advance. Minimum fares, for journeys of up to 3 kilometres, are approximately 30 baht.

BTS Sky Trains

BTS sky trains ply along Sukhumvit, Silom and Phahonyothin roads. The routes connect Bangkoks leading hotels and major shopping areas such as Siam Square, Silom, Ratchaprasong and Chatuchak Weekend Market. The fare ranges from 10-40 baht according to the distance.



Subway (Metro)
The city’s subway system, or MRT, connects many of the top tourist attractions with the accommodation areas, markets, and the business district. Fares range from 14 to 36 baht. The trains run from 6 a.m. to midnight, daily.

Boat
Taxis that are even more unusual, though equally convenient, are the river taxis that ply the Chao Phraya River. Some are just cross river ferries, but others serve the many landing stages on both banks and cover a route that goes up as far as the northern suburb of Nonthaburi.

Thailand - 21 - Tony Carlos Kelly - Explore Koh Pangan

Our experiences in Koh Phangan

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Akha TRIBE of Thailand

Akha is a tribal group that originated from southwest China. Besides north Thailand, this tribe is also found in China, Laos and Burma. Today there are approximately 20,000 Akha living in northern Thailand in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in the higher altitudes.
There are four main groups in this tribe namely the U Law, Law Mi, Pa Mi, and A Keu. All four groups speak the Akha language besides their own dialect. The dialect spoken by the U Law, the Law Mi and the Pa Mi is very similar; however, the A Keu speak a very distinctive dialect.
The Akha live in homes made from bamboo. They use cogon grass to build roofs of their homes. They built their homes on stilts. Akha villages are generally large in size comprising of thirty houses. Their houses are built on hill tops, as an attempt to avoid the diseases and outbreaks. The most important leader in an Akha village is the Spiritual Leader or the Shaman. Akha are animists and they live their lives according to their beliefs. If a member of the tribe becomes a non-believer, he / she usually leaves the village for good.
The Akha lifestyle is based on their agricultural system. They work very hard in the fields, spending more time there than with their families. They grow rice and a variety of vegetables on mountainsides. They also grow cash crops like chilies, soybeans, cabbages, and tomatoes. The Akha women are noted for their expertise in weaving. They sell cloth, clothes, decorative items made up of bamboo, wood and rattan to supplement to their meager income.

Bangkok travel 3 on the road

go to the city

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Cambodia Buses - A New Asia Scenic Attraction?

When the first of the bohemians first started rediscovering the Cambodian kingdom after the Vietnam war, using the term roads was merely an easy way for saying improved tracks of endless quagmire; axel snapping, oil pan crushing quagmire, at that

A soon to be announced major scenic attraction millions of years in the making, is the road between Sre Amble and the Thai border at Had Lek as you will cruise through one of the largest, only slightly plundered, primal jungle forests left in the world. This vast tract covers million of acres, with several very distinct water sheds. You will be mesmerized by ripples of dense foliage that fade from black and silver green into grays that ultimately merge with the clouds with few if any signs of mans presence.

Today 3 of the 4 major bridges that were memorable river crossings in the past are open with the 4th promised to be online by Khmer New Year. The adventure of these river crossings will be missed, while at the same time it will be possible to make it from Phnom Penh to Bangkok in a little over 12 hours; today the best you can do is around 16 hours.

Considering the distance traveled, bus travel is still easily the cheapest way to go to Bangkok , expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $30 for instance from Phnom Penh to Bangkok compared to $75+ with fuel surcharges tax's airport fees to Bangkok cheap flights on Air Asia or Bangkok Air.

Enjoying the scenery has always been one of the real treasures of travel in Cambodia, as you skim along side the shimmering ponds of rice with sugar palm sentinels allowing you to take mental pictures for lasting memories of this exotic land.

24 Hours Travel Thailand

Eating Out in Bangkok

Bangkok is one of the world's greatest cities for food, it's everywhere! You can take your pick from street vendor food, small family run restaurants, mid range chain restaurants in the shopping centres, international food, fast food and Michelin star restaurants.

Whether you want Pad Thai, chicken and rice, pizza, Indian curry or a Zinger burger...Bangkok has it all!

A lot of people I know return from Bangkok saying that the food wasn't as cheap as they were expecting. When I ask where they ate the usual answer is, "oh in the hotel bar". You can pay over the odds for food in Bangkok if you want, if you're prepared to search and perhaps eat in the more plain looking family restaurants then you'll find the legendary tasty and very cheap Thai food.

Here, I will try to give a rundown of the sort of thing you can expect to find in Bangkok along with a few personal recommendations.

Street vendor food

It is a bit clichéd, but it's true that the best food in Bangkok is the street vendor food. Sure, the surroundings are less than salubrious, but I just love the atmosphere and the feel of eating food by the side of a busy road, sat on a plastic stool! You'll find these set-ups all over the city, usually a group of people together each with their own speciality on their own cart. The most common dishes are chicken and rice (Khao man gai), red pork on rice (khao muu daeng), Pad Thai, many kinds of noodle soup and various curries. Just be adventurous and if you're not confident with the language you can always point to what you want! Always have a glass of Thai-style icy milkshake on hand if something is unexpectedly spicy! I always find milk is much better than water at cooling your mouth down.

A good tip from a local if you're not sure which vendor to choose, is go to the busier ones. That generally means the food is tastier and safe. I've never had any problems eating street food.

Other items for sale include various grilled meats on a stick and fruit portions. My personal favourite are the various vendors that line the wall of Lumpini Park in the evenings, in the car park area along Ratchadamri Road. The stalls in the Patpong/Silom area are also very popular.

Thai family restaurants

The Thai family restaurant is something that many foreigners never experience. A lot of people are put off by the bland appearance of these places, they are also quite hard to spot and many people just don't know they're there. At a glance it may look like someone's house with the shutter doors left open. Look more closely and you may see the old aunt or grandmother of the family cooking noodles or chopping up chicken at the front of the shop! The décor is usually very basic, flimsy metal tables, plastic chairs and bare walls. The only decorations are spirit houses with the daily offering of Fanta and portraits of past and present royals will hang on the walls.

The food, however, is out of this world and always at a reasonable price. The menu choice is, of course, far more extensive than the street vendors. Always look out for the fish dishes, some are extra spicy! Yam Mun Sen (spicy sea food salad with noodles) is also a personal favourite.

A good choice in terms of location is Lek seafood, not far from Chong Nonsi skytrain station.

Chain restaurants

There are many good quality and fair priced chain restaurants around Bangkok, usually to be found in shopping centres and supermarkets. Listed here are the major ones:

Bar B Q Plaza - My personal favourite, I have to eat here every time I visit! Essentially you're set up with a mini gas heated grill in the middle of your table, which also has a small moat of soupy water around the outside. You order plates of meat and veg and cook/boil it yourself. You will be given some dipping sauce, lime, garlic and chilli which you can mix to suit yourself.

Daidomon - Along similar lines to Bar B Q Plaza, except you actually get a small barbeque in your table instead!

Fuji - A hugely popular chain of Japanese restaurants, serving all the usual offerings of sushi, gyoza, tempura, curries and much more.

Oishi - Another big favourite with Thai's. There are many variations on the theme, but it's basically a Japanese style buffet restaurant, pay one price and eat all you like. The bigger ones serve sushi, teppanyaki (made to order) food and various Chinese foods that are rotated.

See Fah - Serves a good selection of Thai food.

Sizzler - Get there early because these places fill up fast! Popular with Thais and tourists, this is an American fill-ya-face steakhouse with an extensive western menu and unlimited salad bar. You could get seriously overweight if you ate here every day!

MK - Similar concept to Bar B Q Plaza, but here you boil all of your own food. They serve hot items off the menu too, the duck is a favourite.

Pizza Company - Despite the name, this is a Thai pizza chain, but they sell all the favourite pizza toppings, garlic bread etc. Similar standard to Pizza Hut and slightly overpriced for pizza, but it's a good fill if you need a pizza fix!

I'm sure there are more that I've missed, but this covers the main choices!

International food

There are any number of Italian, French, British, American, Indian etc etc eateries around Bangkok and I won't even attempt to categorize them here! Wherever you stay, you'll more than likely have a few in your vicinity. The main concentration of European food is around the Silom and lower Sukhumvit areas. Great Japanese food is available on Soi Thaniya (Little Tokyo) just off Silom (near Pat Pong). This is also a great people watching spot, spend an hour in any of these Japanese eateries and you'll see a never ending procession of Japanese executives coming and going, some in groups, some alone. Some reading newspapers, some reading comics (!!). All with a mobile phone or IPhone glued to their ears!

Arab and Indian food is plentiful around Ploen Chit and Nana skytrain stations and surround Sois. I like Mrs Balbir's Indian restaurant, on Sukhumvit Soi 11/1 (Nana skytrain station). For a cracking pizza, try Bangkok Pizza on Sukhumvit Soi 26/1.

Fast Food

You can get your fix of KFC, McDonalds and Burger King all over Bangkok....enough said!

Upmarket eateries

If you fancy a splurge on upmarket eateries there is also plenty to choose from. For the location, try Vertigo on top of the Banyan Tree Hotel on Sathon Road (weather permitting of course!).

Baan Khanita (off Sukhumvit Soi 23) is an award winning Thai restaurant and La Normandie in the Oriental Hotel offers great food and great views of the Chao Phraya river.

There are many, many more but of course, I need to save up before I can afford to visit another!

Bad food experiences are rare in Bangkok, just be adventurous and don't just settle for the hotel room service option, get out and about and explore what's in your area. If you have any more tips to add to this list please feel free to let me know and I'll happily add your contributions to my list.

24 Hours Travel Thailand

Budget Travel In Thailand: How to Travel in Thailand With Style and Without Bankruptcy

Thailand was my first tourist destination outside Europe and North America. Based on the sage advice of my Thailand-experienced friends, I was sure that this paradise vacation would be carried out on ridiculous costs. However, back home, I have found out too late, that during my little Thailand adventure I have spent almost the same amount of money as one of my regular surges to Europe. If only I knew that carefully planning your trip to Thailand can manifest itself in huge savings. The following list includes some solid advice that can help those novice Thailand visitors to save significant amounts of cash and still enjoy their vacation:

1. Season choice. Traveling in Thailand Islands during the low season can save you up to 25% of the accommodation costs (up to 25$ per bungalow per night if you choose high standard – not luxury - accommodation). Similar to many other world locations that are based operate seasonally; there is a significant price fluctuation across seasons. Not less important is that fact that the weather in Thailand is quite pleasant even during the low season. The temperatures’ difference between the “hot season” and the “peak season” is miniscule, and during the “wet season” one can experience only a mild occasional rain. Therefore, in Thailand one can lower accommodation costs by avoiding the peak season without paying the price of suffering from unbearable cold or coping with endless monsoon.
2. Transportation. Getting from Bangkok to your final destination in one of the Southern Islands by train or bus instead of by plane can save you up to 80$ each way. You can save a bundle if you arrive to Bangkok International Airport in the evening. In this case you save, besides the gap between relatively expensive airfare and train or bus ticket, the first night’s accommodation cost as well (40$ - 100$ per bungalow per night in high standard – not luxury - accommodation).
3. Food. In Western style countries, the more you pay for your dinner the better it is, so everyone can make a personal decision about getting an appropriate cost – benefit balance. In Thailand, and especially in the Southern Islands it is much simpler: in most cases, the cheaper the better. Expensive restaurants in Thailand Islands usually specialize on Western food that is neither authentic nor of superior taste; a standard dinner will cost you 10$ - 30$ in a restaurant of this kind. Alternatively, the dinner in a cheap restaurant with plastic chairs will cost you 3$ - 8$ and it is usually both tasty and authentic. My most disappointing Thai dinner was served in a fancy restaurant in Bangkok and had cost 120$ for a couple, whereas my best dinner was served in a cheap family restaurant in Koh Phangan. The owner - young mom named Mam – prepared the meal for us exactly as we wished it would be and charged us with measly 5-6$ per person.
4. Air Conditioning. The presence of air conditioning in your room can make a huge difference in accommodation rates. For example, the same room rates in the same resort can vary from 15$-30$ for a bungalow with a fan to 40$ - 100$ for an air-conditioned bungalow. Although choosing an air-conditioned room during the hot season (such as March – April) is crucial, if you visit Southern Thailand during the rainy season – a bungalow with a fan can both satisfy your needs and cut your expenses in more than a half.
5. Location choice. Similar to the principle held in most places in the world, the accommodation rates in Thailand Islands depend on your location choice. The bungalow in the central beach, close to the airport or seaport full of thriving nightlife will probably be twice as expensive as the same bungalow in a remote quiet beach. However, accessibility is an issue in the Thailand Islands, and the taxi fares and taxi boat fares operate under the same principal as the accommodation rates. So there is a rule you may adopt: if you are looking for social activities and busy nightlife– stay close to the airport or seaport; otherwise make a little effort and move after your arrival to a remote beach. You will save up to 60% on the accommodation rates this way.
6. Communication. It will probably not come as a complete shock, but the use of cellular phone from outside of Thailand could be extremely expensive. To save on communication costs you can either buy a local cellular phone with prepaid SIM card or use the Telephone & Internet centers services. Mind you that the cost of these services may vary. As usual, if you’re calling overseas from your resort’s office – it will be more expensive than using a call center in the town. The cheapest solution is probably giving your phone number to your friends or relatives overseas since every call center has a phone number that can be used for calling back.
7. Price negotiation. In tourist locations in Thailand negotiation is a necessity or a way of life. Likewise, in the less touristy islands and areas price bargaining is accepted as well. Just try it – in Thailand price negotiation isn’t considered an embarrassing behavior, so you have nothing to lose.
8. Psychology. Although, in Thailand everything is perceived to be cheaper than in your home country, don’t be fooled by the seemingly low prices and control your expenses. Buying an enormous amount of inexpensive things can really add up to a surprisingly large sum of money.

During my last visit to Thailand, I followed these guidelines with persistence and I was happy to disclose, that budget travel in Thailand can be more than just an economical issue, it can also be enjoyable. Interestingly enough, in Thailand, the less you spend – the closer you get to the local authentic experience.

24 Hours Travel Thailand

Wholesale Silver Jewellery - 2009 Bangkok Jewellery Show Review

The Bangkok Gems and Jewellery show takes place in March and September each year and is one of the most important trade showcases for wholesale silver jewellery in the world. Many truly first class exhibitors exhibit their latest designs including silver rings, pendants, earrings, bangles and bracelets. So what were the designs trends at the September 2009 event?

Virtually all exhibitors are really focused on supplying large volume buyers that must place orders for over 50 to 100 plus pieces per design.

Therefore it is not really such a good show for smaller retailers looking to buy just a few items of a particular design. There were some exhibitors offering wholesale silver rings, pendants, earrings and other jewellery from stock but we found very little that was new or exciting. And in fact we found many such exhibitors were using the show as a vehicle to sell old stock.

Every year wholesale silver jewellery seems to take up a larger proportion of the floor space at the show. However, this was the forth show in a row where it was very obvious that visitor numbers had fallen on previous years and perhaps not surprisingly many exhibitors that we spoke to were resigned to poor sales with many not expecting significant improvement until the 2nd half of 2010.

Trends we saw at the show:

There were plenty of new designs but most exhibitors were sticking to tried and tested design concepts so we were unable to identify a new design or fashion trend.

Many new designs were plain silver jewellery especially plain silver rings with Cubic Zirconia especially clear CZ stones and to some extent black CZ stones which remain popular with Western buyers.

The move to light weight silver jewelery has continued with more lightweight jewellery designs. We saw very few new heavy or chunky types of necklaces and bracelets.

Laser or burnished finish plain silver jewellery have increased in popularity over the past 12 months.

There has been a fall in the numbers of both new and existing designs using Coral, Mother of Pearl and other types of shells.

Wholesale silver jewellery with Cubic Zirconia, Black Onyx, Spinel, Garnet, Emeralds, Amethyst and Marcasite remain good sellers.

As reported in the trade press last year, sales of silver rings held up well at the Hong Kong Jewellery trade show and that seems to have continued through to the Bangkok show, especially in the under US$25.00 per item price point.

24 Hours Travel Thailand

6 Steps to Worry Free Travel Packing

Have you ever been on a trip with someone you swear packed their entire closet? Are you the person that seems to forget something on a trip because you didn't know what to take? Vacation and family travel will soon be in high gear. Because of all the travel and weight restrictions placed on travelers today, you may find that you have added stress just trying to pack for your trip.

Several years ago, I traveled to Germany for a week. I challenged myself to see if I could pack for a week of travel and sight seeing while feeling comfortable yet put together using a small, "weekend" sized bag. The hardest part of this decision was choosing a signature color to wear for an entire week!! Rest assured it can be done.

Perhaps you are planning an exotic vacation or going on a weekend trip; maybe you are going on an extended vacation, or just to the relatives. Regardless of where you will be going, the rules really do not change in planning your wardrobe. My recommendation is to create stories, vignettes, or ensembles and remember these key words: core and signature color as you begin to pack. It will make your travel effortless and easy.

Core Color is a base from which all of your accessories and tops will work. It gives support to the other actors (wardrobe pieces) in the story. Signature Color is the color that you look good and feel great in. Working with your core and signature colors will give you flexibility to change your looks (your stories) as the day changes. No, you won't have your entire closet, but you will endure a stress free, worry free wardrobe while away. It's funny but true; less is really more if you follow these six travel tips.

1.Select 5 easy pieces in a one neutral solid color (black, brown, tan, or navy, etc)

-1 Slack

-1 Short

-1 Jacket

-1 Skirt

-1 Jeans(white or dark denim)

2. Select Novelty Pieces-add your signature color

-1 Raincoat or sweater (a outer layering piece adds color)

-1 White shirt or blouse

-1 White t-shirt

-1 5 tops in different styles in your signature color (3/4 length, tank, sleeveless, etc)

-1 Print top must be in signature color you have chosen (optional)

-1 Dress (optional-in core or signature color)

-1 Pashmina or wrap in your signature color

3. 1 workout or lounging outfit

4. Accessories in your signature color (scarves, handbag, necklace, bangles, etc)

5. 3 belts (1 dressy, 1 casual, 1 trendy- core color)

6. 3-4 Shoes (walking or exercise, dressy, casual flats, sandals or loafers core color)

It goes without saying that you will know to pack your sleepwear and lingerie. Just don't forget special lingerie should your tops and bottoms require it. Once you have pulled your wardrobe looks (vignettes) together with your signature color, you will see how easy it is to mix and match your core pieces and create different mood altering looks. No matter what the occasion or where you are going, you will feel dressed appropriately.

Add a few accessories and be dressed for the evening. Change your shoes and be dressed for a day of sight seeing. It is easy, effortless and you'll look good, feel great, and have fun doing it!

P.S. Don't forget your camera to record all your great new looks and fun you'll have!

24 Hours Travel Thailand

Magical Good Luck Charms and Amulets

An Amulet/Good Luck Charm meaning "an object that protects a person from trouble", is a close cousin of the Talisman, from the Greek, which means "To initiate into the mysteries", consists of any object intended to bring Good Luck and/or protection to its owner. Potential Amulets include: gems or simple stones, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants, animals, etc., even words said on certain occasions, - for example - Namo Tassa Bhagahato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa, are used to repel evil or bad luck.
Amulets and Talismans vary considerably according to their time and place of origin. A religious amulet might be the figure of a certain god or holy monk. In Thailand one can commonly see people with more than one Buddha image hanging from their necks. Every zodiacal sign corresponds to a gem that acts as an Amulet, but these stones vary according to different traditions.
An ancient tradition in Chinainvolves capturing a cricket live and keeping it in an osier box to attract Good Luck (this tradition extended to the Philippines).
Figures of elephants are said to attract Good Luck and Money if one offers bank notes to them.
In India small bells make demons flee by their sound in the wind or when a door or window opens. Amulets are also worn on the upper right arm to protect the person wearing it. In fact this method was more popular in ancient India than wearing it as a pendant or around the neck.
Buddhism has a deep and ancient Talismanic tradition. In the earliest days of Buddhism, just after the Buddha's death in circa 485 B.C., amulets bearing the symbols of Buddhism were common. Symbols such as conch shells, the footprints of the Buddha, and others were commonly worn.
After the second century B.C. Greeks began carving the actual image of the Buddha. These were hungrily acquired by the native Buddhists in India, and the tradition spread.
In addition to protection against supernatural powers, amulets are also used for protection against other people. For example, soldiers and those involved in other dangerous activities may use Good Luck Charms to increase their luck.
Amulets can be found among people of every nation and social status. They can be seen in Jewelry-artisan fairs, museums, shops and homes.
To gain "maximum" power, the amulet and its ingredients have to be prayed over by monks for days. A top-of-the-range gold-leaf edition Amulet from a well-respected temple, costs 10,000 baht or more, (300-325 dollars), more than a month's wages for many Thai's.
The nation of 65 million people, most of whom remain very superstitious despite the rapid modernization of places such as Bangkok, has spent more than 20 million baht (625,000 to 650,000 dollars) on the Amulets/Good Luck Charms this year, newspapers say.
The scale of the phenomenon is now so large the Thai Revenue Department is looking into ways of taxing Amulet sales despite a convention that donations or money going to Buddhist temples are exempt from tax.
An Amulet/Good Luck Charm is instilled with magical qualities that keep away bad spirits. Usually worn around the neck or seen in ring form, amulets are also seen on dashboards and rear view mirrors of cars. Amulets/Good Luck Charms are particularly big in Southeast Asia.
Buddhist amulets/good luck charms have been worn for centuries in Thailand. Nowadays it seems almost every Thai has at least one. The Amulets are said to ward off evil spirits and bring Good Luck and Prosperity. In Buddhist countries Amulets are blessed by monks, usually one held in high regard by Thai society.
The prestige of an Amulet/Good Luck Charm is based on:
Who made it?
Where it was made?
The material it was made from
The beauty of the Amulet
It's reputation for bringing Good Luck
Thai amulets are not just made on a factory assembly line. Instead most amulets from Thailand are made by long time monks, who use their experience to cast spells, make sacred scripts (included in the amulet) and create magical pictures for them.
One of the lesser know facts about Thai Buddhist amulets/good luck charms, is the monks use ashes of old and sacred handwritten books as part of their magical ingredients. Each Thai amulet/good luck charm is really unique and each serves the purpose of protecting the one who wears it.
Those who wear protective amulets/good luck charms generally believe that an impersonal power is inherent in them. Although many rational and scientific minded people may scoff at those who wear them, millions of people world wide still wear them and believe in their powers.
24 Hours Travel Thailand

The Most Expensive Hotels in the World

Hotel business is sure a profitable one. Moreover, there are hoteliers who managed to create such rooms, which are sometimes beyond the means of even very rich people. Today we would like to bring to your attention the list of top 5 the most expensive hotels in the world.

The leader of this offhand hotel-parade is President Wilson hotel in Switzerland. The fashionable President Wilson hotel, the rooms of which have breathtaking outlooks on Lake of Geneva and Mont Blanc, is situated in the prestigious part of Geneva, not far from parks, shops and old town. The room rate in this hotel is, in principle, comparable to the other hotels, and its rooms are even mentioned in national booklets for tourists. However, a night in this royal penthouse is estimated by its owner in a truly record price of 54 000 dollars. Though, the service here is also at the royal level: the guests get to their numbers on a private elevator, and a cozy drawing room which can house about 40 guests is always ready for parties. And of course, the owners have taken care about the security of their guests: there are bullet-resistant glasses in the room with the outlook on the Lake of Geneva.

The traditional fans of glitter and spangle - Americans - are on the second place. Palms Casino hotel is situated in Las Vegas and his owner is Hugh Hefner. Hefner's property is worth about 265 million dollars. This is a 40-story high rise building with spacious rooms and luxes, the majority of which have unique viewing conditions. The eclectic mix of 7 different restaurants and bars, spa-services, fabulous swimming pool, cinemas, possibilities of organizing banquets and conferences. The casino, which occupies the territory of 95.000 square feet, will meet the requirements of all its clients. Here is the second most expensive room in the world - Hugh Hefner Sky Villa. The room is situated on the 34th floor and offers everything that is needed for the vacation in Playboy style - the items of furniture with the famous logo on them (selected personally by the owner), Jacuzzi in the open air and rotating bed. The drawing room, dining hall and bar are enclosed.

Technological, but faithful to the traditions Japanese are closing the triumvirate in this nomination. The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, situated in Japan has become the bronze prizewinner of this honorable list. In this hotel Carlton suite room is situated which costs 20 000 dollars for a night. Its giant area of 1 292 square feet allows to fit in lots of luxurious conveniences, but its main decoration - are the views of Fuji mountain. This hotel is continually attracting the attention of press. Besides the fact, that the hotel with 248 rooms is situated in the highest building of Tokyo, the decoration of the hotel represents the mixture of European school and modern elements such as colored frescoes of the American artist Sam Francis. It is unusual for Japan. Besides everything else, there is a Diamonds-Are-Forever cocktail, with the cost of $16 000 itemized on the menu. At the bottom of the glass there is a one carat Bvlgary diamond. When ordering such a drink, one can absolutely free choose a ring passing to this diamond in any jewelry store of this company.

Martinez hotel in Cannes is on the fourth place. Here, the prices for presidential suits vary from 13 700 to 43 800 dollars. Cannes - is the place where stars like to show up, that is why the furnishings here are extravagant and impressive. There are 2 drawing rooms, 2 dining halls, four bedrooms, a Turkish bath and a sauna in the room. The rooms have outlook on the bay. As to the hotel itself, soon after its opening in 1929 it entered the number of best hotels in France. Show business stars like to stop here, at different times Gerard Depardieu, Ray Charles, Sean Connery, Laetitia Casta, Mariah Carey, Judy Foster and many other celebrities were the guests of the hotel.

And finally, the traditional addition to any list of the most expensive and most fashionable - is the hotel from Dubai hoteliers. The price of 12 250 dollars for a night gives the Emirate Palace hotel the right of being considered the most expensive one in the Middle East. With truly Arabic luxury, the best room here is covered with gold and marble and decorated with the ceiling lamps made of Swarovski crystals. Far and by, it is a real palace from the fairy tales of "1001 Nights". The Emirates Palace 5* hotel can impress with its 302 rooms of the Superior category, and 92 numbers of luxury category, combining the endless splendor of decorations and of 22 century's technologies.

There are also other hotels that offer the most unusual and crazy services. Well, if the client pays, almost anything is possible.

24 Hours Travel Thailand

Amazing Bangkok - The Capital Of Thailand

Bangkok is the largest and most populated city in Thailand. It is also the capital of Thailand. It used to be known as Krung Thep in Thai. Bangkok is situated on the east bank of the river Chao Phraya.

The original name Krung Thep has been in use for more than two century. The name Bangkok is used for foreigners and visitors and is only restricted to a particular district of the city.

There are three royal palaces in Bangkok. There are many historical places around and in the city. It was the capital for two kingdoms, namely Krung Thep and, for a short while, Thorn Buri. The reclining Buddha, temple of the huge Golden Buddha, historical sculptures are situated along the banks of the river Chao Phraya.

Bangkok has always attracted tourists, and this is the reason a lot of foreigners are found to have settled in this beautiful city. Many of them have found jobs and then there are others you have started their own businesses to earn a livelihood. There are still others who have come from expensive western countries to spend out their retirement living a cheap, easy and comfortable life in this hospitable city.

The nightlife offers variety of entertainment for the people and is considered to be one of the key attractions of Bangkok. There are clubs and cafes for the wealthy, bars and pubs for those on a budget. A street in the Phra Nakhon district, known as Khao San Road, is considered to be the first international street where all kind of people from various part of the world can be seen.

Earlier Bangkok used to have a network of canals known as khlongs and these were used by people to transport them from one place to another. Now most canals have been converted into roads. However, there are still a few canals which can be seen but unfortunately most of them are not clean.

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Bangkok Budget Hotels - A Guide For Thrifty Travelers

Bangkok offers visitors from all over the world a huge selection of hotel choices with room rates for everyone's pocket books. Of course the most popular category of accommodations are budget hotels. However, there are so many different types of budget hotels in Bangkok that selecting the right one is essential for a more enjoyable vacation.

Affordable hotels in Bangkok are scattered everywhere but there are a few key areas that you should look into when planning your sightseeing itinerary. First you should get your hands on a map of the BTS Sky Train or MRT underground train system. Road traffic in the streets of Bangkok is notorious for bumper to bumper traffic jams, so getting stuck in a taxi for hours is unacceptable as there's just much to see in the city. By taking advantage of the quick and efficient train systems you will be one step ahead in planning a great tour itinerary.

Many budget hotels within the city have are in the range of THB 850 ($25US) to THB 1700 ($50US). A few are hostel type accommodations such as Lub d Bangkok (not a spelling error, that's the actual hotel name) have rooms with 4 sets of bunk beds and others are like Bedrooms Boutique Hotel with modern stylish private rooms. Both of these hotels are located within the hub activities of Bangkok as well as near a BTS Sky Train to zip you around town easily.

Then there are the budget hotels near Bangkok's red light districts that are always popular. Such as the THB 1200 ($35US) per night Woraburi Sukhumvit Hotel and Resort which is about a 10 minute walk to Nana Entertainment Plaza (NEP), a small 3 store building stacked with go go bars. And if 10 minutes is still too far away then check out the Majestic Suites which will only set you back THB 1295 ($38US) per night but it's only around the street corner from NEP.

If you're a serious shopaholic then Samran Place Hotel THB 1000 ($30US) might be right for you. Located between the shopping heaven of Pratunam and Siam districts you can spend  the money you saved on hotels on clothing and electronics to your hearts content. There's also a BTS Sky Train station just right out the hotel's door that will take you around to other shopping paradises in other parts of Bangkok easily.

There are many affordable hotels in central Bangkok so there's no need to look for a hotel at the edge of the city. Many budget hotels in Bangkok are very popular so you should book your hotels a few months in advance. And it's always a good idea to keep several hotel choices in the back of your mind in case your first choice doesn't have rooms available.

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Art Museum In Thailand

Travel.... ... museum travel bangkok.culture

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The American Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand

Dubbed as the third largest American embassy in the world, the US embassy in Bangkok, Thailand provides a wide-range of services geared towards the promotion of US interests in the South East Asian region in general. Along with the US consulate in Chiang Mai, the embassy is also tasked to provide services to American citizens who are working, living or visiting in the Kingdom. The current US ambassador, His Excellency Eric John heads both US embassy and consulate in Thailand.

The Consular Section

One of the two main functions of the consular section of the US embassy is to service foreigners who would like to go to the US for their Visa concerns. With its Visa section, the US embassy in Bangkok processes all types of US Visa applications available i.e. non-immigrant and immigrant Visas. Non-immigrant Visas include tourist Visas and business Visas while immigrant Visas can be in the form of K1 Fiancé Visa, K3 Marriage Visa, CR-1, IR-1, and Work Visa among others. Those living in the northern part of Thailand can tender their tourist Visa application at the U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai as the consulate can process nonimmigrant Visas. Immigrant Visas normally take longer time to process owing to the rigorous procedure and requirements involved. Non-immigrant Visas meanwhile are processed within a few days upon submission of the Visa application. The Visa officers normally conduct interview with the applicant as part of the Visa application process. This is usually done by appointment.

Location in Bangkok

The US embassy in Bangkok is conveniently located at 120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok, Thailand 10330. It is open from Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 4 PM. The embassy observes both Thai and US holidays. You can call the embassy through Tel: +66-2-205-4000.

Location in Chiang Mai

The US Consulate in Chiang Mai is on Wichayanond Road. The consulate can be contacted by phone Tel: +66-53-107-700. You can also log in to the consulate's official website below for more information.

US Visa Assistance

The US embassy Bangkok does not endorse any Visa agents to assist applicants in their US Visa Thailand applications. Applicants have the choice to enlist the services of reputable Visa agents to assist them with the daunting task involved in the US Visa application process. Be wary, though, about unscrupulous agents who tempt you with their low fees and fabricated success stories. It's always best to consult with US Visa professionals with a solid experience of assisting applicant in their US Visa applications.

Summary

You can read from here detailed information about their various services of the US Embassy in Thailand.

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Bangkok Motorbike Festival 2010

Venue : Central World, Bangkok

Thailand stands 14th in the rankings motorcycle production, worldwide, with annual exports of around 1.4 million bikes. Honda led the way in 1967, when it built the first plant on the outskirts of Bangkok. Today there is an impressive list of recognised brands that are built in Thailand including the vintage UK brand Triumph.

Now in its second year the Bangkok Motorbike Festival 2010 will be hosted, 28 to 31 January at Central World, the capital’s newest mega mall.
The event highlights an export success story, but also the popularity of motorcycle travel in a country where two wheelers are household items along side the refrigerator and TV.

Not surprisingly, the organisers of the Bangkok Motorbike Festival, 2010, claim the motor cycle business has risen above the clouds of a global economic crisis.

They are predicting a bumper event that is essentially an international exhibition showcasing the latest models, accessories, apparel lines and protection gear.
They reckon over 150,000 bike enthusiasts will tour the show, plus thousands of consumers attracted by the flashy machines lined up on the mall’s catwalks.

Enthusiasts will be over the moon studying the finest details their dream machines from race proven brands to icons of the touring fraternity.

Among the leaders on display will be Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Ducati, BMW, Sachs, Can-Am, Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki representing road luxury, touring, track racing and off road riding.






Like all specialised events, enthusiasts gather to mingle and chat about the trade and check out the latest innovations. On the trade side of the festival factory owners, importers, dealers, distributors, wholesalers will mingle with mechanics, professional riders and members of the numerous motorcycle clubs from far and near. At the exhibition booths, visitors can examine modified Chopper, Sports bikes, touring, big scooters, naked machines, motocross and some ultimate custom bikes owned by local stars and celebrities.

But this event is more than a glitzy combination of combustion and bike chrome. To cultivate a cool image the festival will display modern art objects related to the industry, host stunt shows, tantalise with fashion shows, concerts and give plenty of opportunity for the club “leathers” to mingle for drink and snacks in Central World beer gardens.

A “Sense of Journey” exhibition will strive to explain why people ride motorbikes for fun in Thailand.
An interesting question and one that will encourage visitors to take a second look at the possibility of touring Thailand on a motorbike. Wet at times and certainly hot it might be, but motorcycle clubs are leading the way, demonstrating how much fun it can be to take to the open road and explore a quieter side of Thailand, off the main tourism trails.
To illustrate the point, a “northern caravan,” or a convoy of riders, will motor the scenic route from North Thailand to Bangkok. They will be escorted through the capital to the Central World shortly after the grand opening.
Motorbike caravans are a popular feature for clubs throughout Thailand. Usually, they are linked to a festival, or concert in a provincial town, but sometimes the choppers ride for charity, delivering toys to children in hospitals and orphanages.
The festival is in fact a window on a world of motorcycle opportunities including an invite to roar off on your dream machine and explore Thailand.

Bangkok to Bali on the South Bound Train

Being experienced on the Bangkok to Malaysia Train heading to the Penang side, seemed mellower compared to the Perhentian islands side. The train was scheduled to leave Bangkok in the early afternoon and it is a good idea to be there on time, as my experience with Thai trains is that they run on schedule out of the main Bangkok station. A good bit of advice is to stock up on munchies before you get to the train station especially if you like fresh fruit. The train does have a restaurant car that serves mostly Thai dish's that if you like Thai food are ok. The restaurant car can get a little rowdy at night as all of the train police, employees and regular riders all sit around and drink Mekong & Chang and unwind after a hard day at the office, which for many travelers is part of the charm and excitement of the trip, as you can be a fly on the wall and observe the locals with out feeling out of place or intruding.

The train is cheap, around $40 for a 2nd class air-con berth which is comfortable, be sure to get lower bunks as the upper bunks will sway more so you don't get as good a sleep. You can also get 1st class air con seats where there are only 2 people in the cabin. The cabin is fairly small yet they managed to fit in a sink and a mirror which are the only real upgrades to the seats - berths. The biggest benefits is the ability to lock the door from the inside, so if you are traveling with your significant other you can have some "Risky Business" type nocturnal entertainment, not quite the same as the mile high club but something that will I am sure make the trip more memorable.

The first class trains also have a shower which is a nice feature on long trips, the bathrooms otherwise are the same. They don't really check tickets to see what car you are suppose to be in after the first check so if you go from 2nd to 1st you can get away with a shower as well. In both the first class and 2nd class cars you can get electricity. For the 1st class cars the location of the sockets is apparent. For the 2nd class cars you need to look a little bit, on one of the pillars in the middle of the car about half way up is a covered 2 plug socket. You will also find connections in the bathroom areas where the conductors sit and where the hot water containers are. In Asia most airports and train stations have hot water available so it is a good idea to carry some Nescafe packets or tea and Cup of Soup or noodles, which are great budget stretchers when on the road regardless of flights or trains, as the terminals always zap you with a convenience premium.

The trains in Thailand for the 2nd class have seats during the day and then normally right after dark they start to make up the beds. The beds in the lower are generally a little wider. Both the lowers and the uppers have curtains that close off the entire sleeping area. A good idea is to sleep on your valuables, I have never had a problem or actually meet anyone that has had a problem but it always pays to play it safe. Something that the Thai train company should consider is lock boxes while they are at it some sort of internet connection would be a good idea as well.

Most passengers will find that there are no real surprises and the trip is straight forward and you can figure out what you need to know on your own. The only part that causes some agitation for most travelers on the trip is the border crossing, if you take the train to Malaysia Butterworth station you first get off the train for Thai customs with out your luggage, then get back on they move the train forward a bit and then you clear Malaysia customs where you need to bring all of your luggage, which is usually a mad dash to get off at the same time as everyone else and cue up. This should be straight forward, but the customs mouse trap that they setup on the Malaysia side is fluid so there can be some confusion on where you should stand to get in line. Lucky me I got behind the family that had some difficulty and was stuck in the line for nearly 30 minutes while they got the mess sorted and then back on to the train where now you have twice as many people as you had before and the seats are confused with new numbers and new passengers that are loaded at the Butterworth station, so beware of this, as it will cause agitation and confusion as you get it sorted out.

Next De Tour of Detours in Malaysia.

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Bangkok Vacation Hot Spots

BANKOK - SOME FACTS

If you visit any destination in South East Asia, it may be imperative that you pass through Bangkok. Bangkok has a strange nature of evoking extreme sense of likes and dislikes amongst visitors. A few seem to loathe it while many others swear that it is the most wonderful, fascinating and exciting places on earth. Actually, Bangkok tends to be what a particular visitor wants it to be. Bangkok is a picture post-card haven with beautiful pagodas, pagodas and some of the world's finest hotels. Bangkok's renowned for it's nightlife in the Orient with an opportunity to savor some of world's most unique cuisines. Bangkok is a favorite and best shopping destination in South East Asia.

Bangkok inhabitants are known as Thais and their friendly ways would flatter the snootiest traveler. Bangkok is all in all, a load of fun and games and a great way to enjoy a civilized vacation. Thailand's history emerges from the Bronze Age, whereas Bangkok, the capital is a young city founded in 1782. With a population of around 6 million, 50% of them are under 30. Bangkok lies on the banks of the river "Chao Phraya", a wonderful working waterway full of sampans, wide variety of boats and rice barges.

Bangkok is a beautiful mix of the old and the new, the modern and the ancient evident from its skyline that comprises of Buddhist temples (wats), luxury hotels, high-rise office buildings and shopping malls making it a kaleidoscope. Under the thin veneer of new found Western influence you will find that the Thais are not devoid of traditional values. The sights of ubiquitous street food sellers, monks on morning begging rounds and women stringing jasmine blossoms on thread near wats will display the cultural heritage of Thailand that is not lost in the arc lights of modernity.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS IN BANKOK

Bangkok is packed with more attractions per square mile than any other city in the world. Despite the crowds, the architecture and the attractions are worth the effort to travel and see. On the top of the list would be Wat Phra Khao and the Grand Palace for sightseeing for half a day. This can include the National Museum and the Wat Pho. Chinatown, Bangkok's major attractions has a unique traditional life untouched by modern civilization and could be fascinating. Historical sites like Rattanakosin Island (central point when Bangkok was founded) are also worth visiting. The main symbolic places of Bangkok are Wat Arun on the Chao Phraya River.

Cross the Chao Phraya to reach Thonburi and you can tour the klongs to appreciate the heritage and culture of the country of Thailand. The Vimanmek Palace, restored by Queen Sirikit, made of golden teak emphasizes the exquisite taste and oriental splendor of ancient Thai royal life.

TOURING AROUND BANKOK

The easier way to explore the country would be put up base in Bangkok and explore the region by using the interesting and unusual daytrips.

Ayutthaya & Bang Pa-In: This probably is the most popular day trip from Bangkok and takes you to visit the Ayutthaya (A-you-ta-ya), the previous and old capital of Thailand, about 50 miles north of Bangkok, the current capital. Ayutthaya has served as the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam for over 400 years. Travellers in the past have described the glittering palaces, temples and Buddhist images depicting it as one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. In an unfortunate event the Burmese burned the glories of this city in 1767. In Ayutthaya, you could hire a tuk tuk along with an English-speaking guide to take you around the celebrated temples (cost could be in the range of 250 bahts). You can also hire a long-tail boat for cruising the 12-mile Chao Phraya River trip that ends at the king's summer palace at Bang Pa-In (300 bahts).

Many such trips are available to be taken. Bangkok never ceases to amaze and so giving an approximate time frame of the trip becomes difficult. You could get there, relax, and see for yourself what Bangkok has to offer. May be you could go back when you have more time, or to see the rest of it. The magnetism of Bangkok is such that despite having been there many a time, travelers tend to come back.

To ensure your vacation recipe is complete, add in that special sprinkle of a Thailand vacation rental. Book Thailand Vacation Rentals matching your criteria. These vacation rentals are presented by their owners or managers.

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Bangkok, Gay Friendly Hotels - Where to Find and Stay

The popularity of tourism has been growing steadily in Bangkok Thailand. This is true especially for gay and lesbian travelers looking for a holiday in an exotic destination. Bangkok offers some of the best nightlife for alternative lifestyles and finding the right hotel and area to stay in will make your trip more memorable.

When it comes to gay and lesbian nightlife the red light district of Patpong is the place to be. Though Patpong is more well known for go go bars and sex shows the area has always had a strong presence of popular gay bars and clubs.

These widely popular bars and clubs are spread out in several locations in Patpong's red light district:

Silom Soi 4 and Soi 2
Patpong Soi 2
Soi Pratoochai on Suriwongse Road, also known as Duangthawee Plaza

Though spread out they are all still within a 5 minute walking distance to each other. All of those places can be easily reached by using the BTS and MRT trains if you're not staying in Patpong. But ideally it's best to stay in a gay friendly hotel nearby so you won't have to worry about travel time.

One new hotel that just opened up recently in Patpong is called Glitz Hotel. It's a small 4 story boutique hotel with a totally gay friendly attitude. Just one word of caution though, they don't have elevators but they do have plenty of people to help you with your bags.

Siam Heritage Boutique Hotel is another place to consider for your stay in Patpong. Though it has been around for awhile the hotel property especially the rooms have been very well maintained and decorated in true Thai style, a rarity these days in newer hotels.

Finally there's the budget friendly Wall Street Inn which is directly opposite Duangthawee Plaza and it's gay go go bars. Overall the hotel is not in the best condition but the location and rates which usually includes a free breakfast is definitely a good deal.

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Bangkok Information - A Vision

Bangkok is in its excess because of its unrestrained glory. It is more important to know information about Bangkok before you make visit to the city. The city is more voracious, a monster feeding upon concrete, diesel exhaust and shopping malls. The key passport of Bangkok society is the Smile and the fun.

The survival necessity of Bangkok is more than an anonymous city. The city make demand for you to be in the moment and present; not because of its religious epiphany alone, but also for the self-absorbed, superficial, and self-reflection induced by the blissful free of wrinkle.

You can understand the famous smile of Thai, as all the order and predictability demands that are knead out forcefully by Bangkok. It is a metaphorical brake on the urban overdrive. The best feature of Bangkok is the intermingling of peoples, which is of both the most famous and infamous attraction.

Bangkok is a modern world with great affluence orbit around the tradition core. You will find with the great four star hotels, taxi drivers knocking back into the Siamese village and street side barbecue selling transplant upcountry grill chicken.

The city is getting better and better, living up to its reputation certainly. It is the South East Asia's hot spot for Events. It is known as the City of Angels where you can find with funky markets, surprise full riverside, much fabulous sight, up market malls, a vibrant nightlife scene and attraction by unique heritage reflection and much, much more...

The city has large cover area of modern sky train and the underground system, which tells goodbye to the traffic jam. You may trip for business or pleasure, Bangkok comes with many exciting options. Bangkok is a place where dream comes true for urban connoisseur.

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Cambodia to Thailand Overland in the Rainy Season, a Great Adventure Value

Most people in the know, unless they are seeking a spiritual awakening, will not try attempting the seemingly impossible overland trip from Sihanoukville Cambodia to Bangkok Thailand in the rainy season. They will instead take the speed boat, lovingly named the vomit comet, on lumpy days, as it is faster and usually allot less adventurous. The boat would be my choice of travel, but with a relatively small category 5 typhoon battering central Vietnam, I had to do it to make to a scheduled flight out of Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi Airport. Typhoons generally create a double whammy as the rivers were sure to rise, and I might be forced to backtrack to Phnom Penh and fly to Bangkok.

This trip started with great promise, with the sun shinning, and only one special couple arriving 15 minutes late. I felt maybe the travel spirits were on our side, with a large smile on my face all the way to the Sihanoukville city limit, where all the drivers were sitting on the side of the road pointing at our van and laughing uproariously. A short few minutes later, I noticed a passing driver franticly signaling for us to pull over, to discover our best bald tire was flat all ready!

As the trip had started so early, and being an industrious traveler, I decided to get some breakfast, and sought out a convenient roadside eatery, located only 10 meters from the van. I ordered some coffee, didn't have, so instead I got the special, rice soup, which just by coincidence, luckily for me, was the only thing on the menu. I started shoveling furiously to beat our F1 pit crew in training. Being the optimistic sort, I was hoping that I was in for a long ride before the next stop; I sought out the restroom of this fine roadside attraction, which was a truly natural wonder, a sapling in a swampy bog located next to a full pig pen, with the inhabitants happily grunting their raucous approval for my efforts. No doubt the pit vipers and poisonous spiders dripping from the trees were enjoying the show as well. No problem here with long lines waiting for the girls hanging out fussing with their makeup.

Off we go again, with no time or tire to spare, turning off the paved road and into the great behind. The road starts off in fairly good shape, with only a few potholes for the first 10 meters or so, and then we start to hit the rough stuff. Apparently our van has done the trip before, as the parts underneath keep on falling out of the makeshift braces that they have to hold them on. So we make frequent stops to apply a mixture of bailing wire and witchcraft to keep rolling down the road.

We make our first river crossings on homemade ferry contraptions that would bring a sentimental tear to the eye of any mad scientist, that shuttle back and forth across the brown goop. The scenery was so spectacular, that one of our passengers swooned, and slammed her head into the floor with a bass drum like thud. The girl laying there with her eyes glazed over was immediately set upon by her boyfriend who starts French kissing her, and some sex pat joins in as well, and starts having cheap sex with her breasts in a parody of CPR. I being trained in this sort of thing, observed that she was breathing, and commented that they should consider either stopping before they caused her chest to explode or implode from their ministrations, or get a hotel room, as they were embarrassing the locals, who are not very accustomed to the strange western customs of group orgies in public, on their ferries, in the middle of the day, but you could see some interest in this activity from the teenage boys, who were all ready queuing up, money and chickens in hand.

Over the river and through the woods, and into the troughs we go! Where our first spa treatments begin, where we, the paying passengers, get a first class mud bath pushing our very stuck van backwards and forwards, with various colored mud's and rocks flying everywhere. After only 10 minutes we get the van slewing in the correct direction. Like a mobile 2nd Woodstock, for the next 4 hours we get variations on a theme, we get stuck on hills going up, stuck on hills going down, we get stuck going around cars and vans all ready stuck, and stuck going around construction crews making the mud pits ever deeper, in a serious attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Records again, for largest manmade quagmire!

Amazingly only 3 hours later than what we were told, we arrive at the border looking like extras from a remake gone terribly wrong of Lord of the Flies. The Thai customs guys pointing at us, their version of the 4 o'clock follies, and burst into the very same laughs that we started our trip with. You have to love the value of the laughter on a Cambodian adventure like this, or you might want to take a cheap flight instead.

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Cheap Hotels in Bangkok - Memorable Stay For Budget Conscious People

Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is counted in the list of topmost tourists destinations. The tourists are welcomed in this vibrant, fascinating and colorful city that leaves ever lasting imprints on their minds. The skyscrapers are the scintillations of the city and hotels alongside them are the grace for the city.

In both past and present, Bangkok regularly impresses its tourists, who get the opportunity to discover, explore and experience the ceaseless hidden secrets, abounding this fascinating city. Bangkok is all about glamour, glitz, elegant cuisines; boxing matches spa and massage in various hotels and beauty treatment and health care centers, and much much more.

Beyond the visual images, travelers and tourists must take a deeper look to understand what Bangkok is all about. Bangkok is a city of contrast and diversity, providing sensory thrill that never stops to delight. Let it be floating markets, fruit carving or robed monks, everything can come in tourists' sight. It is beyond doubt that this elegant city of Bangkok is expensive for the fashion conscious people, as they pay more stress on the existing glamour and glitz and hotels in central Bangkok turns out to be best place for such people to stay as they houses many luxury and star hotels. Muay Thai boxing and a ladyboy show are absolutely marvelous and enjoying elegant dinner cruise on Chao Phraya River is a blissful and fanciful experience.

But this glamour and glitz cannot be afforded by all the travelers. Then should it be said that Bangkok is not the place for such budget conscious travelers? No, it's not the case; rather there are many cheap hotels in Bangkok, catering to the needs of such travelers. The warm hospitality of their staff is really praiseworthy and the same can be observed amidst Bangkok citizens while on your stay in Bangkok. The wide network of hotels, ranging from star luxury hotels to cheap hotels Bangkok, offers a broad selection of accommodation for its tourists.

Traveler to Bangkok can expect to experience intoxicating aromas, multi-ethnic pleasures and mesmerizing sights of what city's character is all about. Its classical attractions are enchanting and inspiring. The markets and malls are of high standards and shopping is truly a heavenly experience. The experience of traveling to Bangkok can really be fantastic and cheaper with stay in Bangkok cheap hotels. one of the best features of these hotels is that the accommodation can be booked in advance through online reservation sites to make your trip hassle free.

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The Hotel in Bangkok

The Hotel in Bangkok ... travel log


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The Best Branson Hotels on the Strip

Most tourists want to stay in a hotel that provides easy access to shopping malls, restaurants, entertainment centers and amusement parks just a walk away from their hotel. If you decide to have your vacation in Branson, then you might consider staying in a hotel on the strip. Lined up is a wide variety of hotels offering irresistible packages for its guests.

Gazebo Inn

The Gazebo Inn offers an experience of the Victorian time with combination of old oak furniture and interior design. It features traditional setting to give you a feel of the old times. It is a fascinating and warm experience of accommodation to be cherished by every guest. The Gazebo Inn has an olden-times ambience with modern day amenities such as outdoor swimming pools, cable TV, free local calls. Free breakfast is served everyday.

Other great amenities include kitchen facilities, business center, iron and ironing boards. Rooms equipped with accessible features are available for handicapped persons. Smoking is not allowed in any room. There are many shops and amusement centers which are just nearby the hotel.

Settle Inn

Settle Inn is another hotel offering a warm and hospitable service. The hotel comes with 32 luxurious guest rooms which are carefully arranged for the comfort and satisfaction of its guests. Guestrooms are fully-furnished with great amenities such as king-sized beds, jacuzzi tub, cable TVs with DVDs of your choice, bath and shower. Unique decorations adorn these rooms.

Guests can have a refreshing experience and can choose to dive in with the indoor pools or have a relaxing moment at the spa. For the more active individuals, they can have their workout at the fitness center which is equipped with the most modern fitness equipments.

Guests will be entertained with a free morning show while enjoying delicious free breakfast everyday. Enjoy the many theaters and tourist attractions like the Pirate's Cove Adventure Park located just across the street from the hotel.

Econo Lodge

The lodge offers an affordable place to stay but provides good service to its guests. Amenities offered includes:

• TV with cable
• Free movies
• 24- hour customer service
• Free continental breakfast
• Fax service
• Outdoor swimming pool
• Spa services
• Laundry services and facilities

Shopping malls, entertainment centers, restaurants, bars and tourist attractions are just around the corner that the guests may opt to visit.

Radisson Hotel

Radisson Hotel is located in the midst of music theaters. Hotel guests can have an entertaining experience with some of the major tourist attractions that are steps away from the hotel such as the:
• Blue Velvet Theater
• Grand Palace
• Moon River Theater

Rooms have coffee maker, TV with cable, free local calls, iron and iron boards and many more. Guests are given privileges to use the hotel facilities such as the indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub, spa, and the fitness center. There are also exclusive rooms for handicapped persons.

Best Western Mountain Oak Lodge

The Best Western Mountain Oak Lodge is one great hotel along the strip which is strategically located at the Ozarks. All the guestrooms come with full featured amenities such as TVs with cable, hair dryers, coffee makers and refrigerators. A spa and swimming pool are available for a refreshing experience from a busy day of activities. Shuttle bus is provided for guests in going to amusement parks and other entertainment centers in the area.

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Fragments (Part I)

Last Weeks in Bangkok, Fang, Laos, and Chiang Mai; Travel; documentary; ... bangkok; chiang mai; thailand; indie

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A Simple and Easy Guide to Renting a Service Apartment in Bangkok, Thailand

What are the best areas of Bangkok to rent? What facilities and services can I expect from a Bangkok serviced apartment? What are the best and worst serviced apartments in Bangkok? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and much more in my simple and easy guide to renting a serviced apartment in Bangkok for both expats and travelers.

Bangkok is the Center of Southeast Asia

As the commercial center of Thailand and the hub of business and leisure travel within Southeast Asia, Bangkok has exceptional hotels of all kinds catering to the business elite and casual traveler.

Recently, a new kind of accommodation has gained favor with business executives on short stays in Bangkok--the luxury serviced apartment. With increased commercial expansion over the past several years, serviced apartments are quickly becoming the favorite choice of living style for their affordable luxury.

What is a Serviced Apartment?

The serviced part of the equation usually refers to the daily or twice weekly cleaning of your room, the furniture, kitchen amenities and so on that normal apartments do not include. Some service apartments also function as hotels, and these are called Aparthotels.

What's So Special About Bangkok Serviced Apartments?

Real estate and relocation agents believe Bangkok has the most number of sophisticated apartments the world has to offer. There are not just one or two luxurious apartments, but close to 50. This is because skilled labor is cheap in thailand, and the city itself is a major business hub for the southeast asia region.

Renting a serviced apartment in bangkok can be a daunting task for several reasons--the primary one being there are so many 'fine print' and extra costs involved when signing a weekly, monthly or yearly contract.

I have been living in Bangkok for a few years now, and have gone through several serviced apartments, learning on the way which 'services' are included and what to expect from your stay in Bangkok.

Bangkok's City Plan

The Bangkok Jungle has several meanings, one of them being that the city was never built with a city plan or urban design in mind. The city is a sprawling landscape, a montage of residential and commercial buildings juxtaposing one another. It is home to 10 to 15 million people, depending on who is arriving from the rural country and abroad. The people as well, from poor to affluent, live side by side.

The city itself is lopsided; if you look down any major road in bangkok, you will see that both sides of the road arent balanced, building heights are different, and there is an overall lack of symmetry. This is what makes Bangkok unique and charming. And what makes it a jungle.

The Best Areas To Live In Bangkok

Bangkok contains inexpensive to exclusive apartments, but the best ones are found in the following regions of Bangkok:

Sukhumvit, the main road or artery of Bangkok



Asok, one of the most exclusive and expensive areas to live



Thong Lo, the chic and fashionable street,



Sathorn, the business district of Bangkok



Silom, another business and red light district



Ploenchit, business district



Chit Lom, business district The areas listed above are all within easy access to shopping, dining, entertainment, trains, skytrains, and expressways. If you choose to live in one of these areas, you will experience life in the center of Bangkok's thriving business and shopping centres while indulging in an ultra private serviced apartment in Bangkok. I personally recommend Asok and Chit Lom, as they are the classiest areas of Bangkok, but if you are looking to be close to the night markets Silom is perfect, and Sukhumvit is always a colorful experience.

Facilities and Services of Typical Bangkok Serviced Apartments

These vary between the different types of apartments and condos, but a standard of excellence has been establlished from the increasing competition among serviced apartments. Facilities and services are upgraded regularly to keep up with rival residences. However, before investing in a serviced apartment, be sure to check if these services and facilities are available.

5 Services That Should Be Included Free of Charge:

Room Cleaning



Water/Utilities



Internet Usage



24 Hour Security



Room Service/Errand Boy 4 Facilities That Should Be Included

Restaurant



Gym



Pool



Convenience Store

The Loopholes: Length of Stay, Deposits and Electricity

If you are staying for a month or year, the serviced apartment may charge you for electricity. Make sure that you negotiate this price to 6.5 Baht/Unit. A lot of times the apartment owners will charge 8 Baht/Unit for more profit. They only pay 3 or 4 Baht/Unit.

Be careful when signing leases; most require a 2 month deposit, and if you move out before your contract is finished you forfeit this deposit.

Make sure the serviced apartment has a laundry service, either in house or out of house. Most serviced apartments have coin operated laundry rooms as well as pick up services. More deluxe suites will have washing machine in the room. Note that most places do not have dryers.

How much Should I Pay?

This is a difficult question to answer, but the more facilities a serviced apartment has, the more it will cost. If a serviced apartment has a pool, gym and also functions as a 24 hour hotel, then the monthly price will be above 30,000 Baht.

Location also has a large part to do with cost of a bangkok serviced apartment. If you are staying in an area not close to skytrain or subway access, your price will be much lower. Conversely, staying in the business districts of Silom or trendy spots like Ekkamai or Thonglor will raise your monthly rent.

Which Serviced Apartment Should I Choose?

The serviced apartment market in Bangkok is lead by three groups, The President Group, The Ascott Group, and Centre Point. Most of them offer first class accomodation and have a decent system of serving their customers. However, there are numerous independent serviced apartments to choose from.

The 2 Worst Serviced Apartments in Bangkok

Ascott Bangkok Sathorn There have been several articles written in trade journals about the decline in service at the once famous and most prestigious serviced apartment in Bangkok. Once known for attention to customer relations, their lack of it is now glaringly obvious to everyone who stays there. This place is an example of a chain serviced apartment becoming too much like a corporation with no human touch of service.



Lebua Rumor is their staff is very untrustworthy. Read the trade journals and 'google' the residence for reviews.

Top 2 Most Luxurious Bangkok Serviced Apartments

Siri Sathorn Apartments Siri Sathorn is a five-star luxury `boutique` property which epitomises private and elegant living in a residential setting. It is a concept of the perfect home which appeals to international traveller. This place caters to Japanese clientelle but of course is open to everyone.



Fraser Place Urbana Langusan They have an exclusive 45-metre driveway leading from the main road to the serviced residence for great privacy. They also have some of the best services and customer relations I have ever experienced, pampered is the only word that comes to mind

Best Value Bangkok Serviced Apartments

Silom Convent Garden Newly built in November 2006, this chic serviced apartment is located in the Silom-Sathorn area but has some of the cheapest rates for this business and night market district. For 36,000 Baht/$1000 a month you can have a 38 square meter, 1 bedroom, fully furnished luxurious apartment complete with full kitchen, washer machine, flat screen tv, and rain shower. The only drawback is the place doesn't have a pool or gym, but thats the reason the price is so low and why its one of the best values in Bangkok.

If you are still undecided whether to have a stay in Bangkok on your next trip, it was just recently announced that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) plans to make Bangkok a "paradise" city. The article from the Bangkok Post states the BMA will establish a fund to address trash, pollution and traffic problems. Now is the time to take your next vacation or business trip to Bangkok, as life couldn't get any better in the City of Angels!

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Complete Guide to Do a Visa Run From Bangkok to Cambodia - Cheapest Way

Just recently, I discovered a cheaper way to do a visa run without the need of an agency. With this, you will be totally on your own. Consider it a travel adventure. It will be an advantage if you speak a bit of Thai, just enough to get by. You must leave from home at 4:30 a.m. if you want to be back in Bangkok in the afternoon as the first bus leaves at exactly 5 a.m. The next bus will be quite full and will return late. So tendency, you will get jammed by the heavy traffic of Bangkok. Just follow the steps below carefully and you'll be fine:

1. From your home, take a cab and tell the driver to bring you to Central Bangna.

2. The bus going to Cambodia is parked in front of the Big C mall. There is only one bus and you will see people outside the bus but there will be one Thai (normally a lady) holding a ticket with a belt bag. Approach her and she will give you the ticket right away (the 2-way ticket). Pay her the 300 baht and you can get in the bus. Be mindful of the schedule stated in the ticket what time the bus leaves from Cambodia to Bangkok. There are 2 schedules. The first one is at 11 a.m. and the other one is at 1 p.m. If needed, ask the ticket lady. Choose your seat, relax and enjoy the 4-hour road trip. The bus will arrive at the border at 9am.

3. Upon arriving at the border, just follow the crowd from the bus heading to the Thai Immigration Office. Fall in line and give your passport to the officer where the line says (Foreign Passports).

4. Now, welcome to Cambodia! For your own sake, please do not talk to anybody but only the man in uniform (the Policeman). Ask them the way to the Cambodia Immigration Office. Do not be surprise if a guy will follow you and tell you they will give you the stamp or they have a taxi or whatever. You do not need a ride. Don't mind them and just go straight to the immigration office. From the Thai Immigration, it will be about 300-500 meters walk to the Immigration Office of Cambodia.

5. The fee is only 200 baht (may vary depending on nationality). You must pay to the officer who will provide you the stamp and not to somebody who will tell you they will give you the "V.I.P stamp" and such. If you have the non B visa, the officer might ask you if you still want to go inside Cambodia or go right back inside Thailand. If you want to catch the 11 a.m. schedule, I would recommend you to just get the stamp and go back right away.

6. Once you get your Thailand Visa stamped, walk back to the same direction but upon entering the border, go in the opposite side of where you first get in. You will see signs anyway.

7. Now it's time to look for the bus. It will not be parking on the same place where you went out. But on that same place, just look around and you will see a big sign "Car Park". Go in there and look for the passenger's waiting area. Now that you know where the bus is, you can go to the market which is just outside the Car Park and have your early lunch or buy something to eat later while on the road.

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Traditional Thai Instrument

Traditional instrument being played at our restaurant during dinner ... Bangkok Music Travel

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Advance Parole Travel Documents - A Necessity For a Thai Fiancee

Advance Parole is a term in the Immigration field that basically means, "permission to leave and return to the USA." This travel document is important because a Thai fiancee cannot depart and reenter the US without obtaining this document before she leaves. Immigration officials will presume abandonment of US residence if someone leaves the US after entering on a K1 Visa. Thus, if your Thai fiancee enters the country on a K1 Visa and then leaves she will not be allowed back into the US on that K1 Visa. The whole process must be restarted from scratch.

ADVANCE PAROLE AND ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FOR A THAI FIANCÉE

The question of Advance Parole often arises when a Thai fianee wishes to return to Thailand while her application for Adjustment of Status is still pending. The problem is that the visa will be considered abandoned by USCIS as well as the application to adjust status so once again this leaves the Thai fiancee outside of the country with no visa to get back in. Advance Parole is crucial if your Thai fiancee wishes to leave the US no matter what stage of the process her Adjustment of Status petition is in. Once she has obtained Permanent Residence she can leave the country and return, but until then it is wise for your fiancée/wife to stay in the US.

ADVANCE PAROLE AND K-3 VISAS?

A Thai spouse present in the United States on a K3 Visa is able to depart and reenter the US without an advance parole travel document because the K3 is a multiple entry visa.

THE HONEYMOON AND A THAI WIFE: ADVANCE PAROLE TRAPS TO AVOID

How does Advance Parole becomes an issue for some American/Thai couples? The answer is simple: the Honeymoon. For those wishing to travel outside of the US the necessity of advance parole can either postpone or cancel a prospective honeymoon. This is better than the alternative: leaving the United States only to find out that your Thai fiancee, now wife, cannot reenter the US. Some people have asked me if they can take their Thai spouse to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Although both of these locales, along with Guam and a few other American possessions, are under US jurisdiction there is some legal question as to whether going to one of these places constitutes "leaving the country" for immigration purposes. I believe that going outside of the 50 US states when the adjustment of status is pending is an unwise decision. Puerto Rico is technically another country, although a country in a perpetual union with the US, and now anyone traveling between the US and Puerto Rico has to go through customs. As a result, it is prudent to simply avoid travel to Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands until such time as your Thai spouse's Adjustment of Status is complete.

Thanks for Reading,

Benjamin W. Hart, Esq.

The information imparted herein is intended for informational use only and should not be used as a replacement for competent legal advice from a professional.

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Baiyoke sky boutique hotel in Bangkok

Deluxe room

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Cheap Hotels in Bangkok

Bangkok is a beautiful city in Thailand where people of different religions live harmoniously. It is adorned with silky skyscrapers embellishing the skyline along the amazing and historical temples.

Bangkok is a city that does not fail to amuse its visitors. There are many things to enjoy here such as the floating markets, popular tuk-tuks and the nightlife of the city. Also get a chance to watch their famous Muay Thai boxing. People may also try the legendary Thai massage and rejuvenating spa.

Bangkok is known for excellent pampering services like massages, haircuts, manicures and cosmetic surgery.

There are many cheap accommodations you can find here. Here are some of them.

Buddy Lodge Hotel
The Buddy Lodge Hotel is classified as a two-star hotel. The swimming pool area is on the 6th floor. It is embellished in a contemporary style with stone layers. There are also chairs, snack pool bar and a sundeck.

This hotel also provides cheap and quality spa service on the 3rd floor. It has 7 treatment rooms for massaging, body and facial services. The sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi are offered free to use.

The newly opened unit bar pub is located next to the lobby. It is a 4-storey modern concrete and unit structure.

The hotel is also located on the heart of the popular Khao San Road with very convenient access to several restaurants and local street vendors.

Montien Hotel
The Montien Hotel is classified as a four-star hotel. The public areas of the hotel are tidy and clean. This hotel also provides lots of amenities and services such as medium outdoor swimming pool with fitness, sundecks and sauna rooms. There are also 2 modern high rise walls of glass and concrete, and finished in white.

The Montien hotel is situated on Surawongse Road. It is adjacent to the PatPong recreation area. It also has some connections to other commercial, shopping and amusement spots.

It has a convenient passage to subway, near Sam Yan station. And it is walking distance to the sky train Saladaeng Station.

Sofitel Silom Bangkok Hotel
The Sofitel Silom Bangkok Hotel is classified as a five-star hotel. It is situated on Silom Road in the center of the monetary, profitable, and political districts. This hotel is a 38-storey building, and the first five-star hotel to rise in Bangkok.

Guests here can enjoy a short walk to innumerable local views to the Chong Nongsi Station. This is the house of the Skytrain and Silom subversive Station of Bangkok.

China Town Hotel
The China Town Hotel is classified as three-star hotel in Bangkok. It has no swimming pool but is still advisable for the budgeted travelers. It is also good for those want to experience the Chinese culture and ways. The hotel is made with concrete and glass in unique Chinese design.

The China Town hotel is located in the classy part of Yaowaraj Road. This is about 40 minutes driving from Suvarnabhumi International Airport while 10 minutes through walking from subway Hualumpong Station and Rajawongse Harbor.

This hotel is very near to various tourist spots. It is at the heart of the shopping bazaar and popular food markets.

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Panda Bear and Dali China

Panda Bear ... asia travel Asia Thailand Malaysia China ChiangRai ChiangMai Bangkok asian

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Bangkok Khao San Road Hostel Reviews

Hostels in Khao San road for budget travelers and backpackers is a dream come true for exploring Bangkok. There are many budget hostels as well as budget accommodations that border as a full service hotels today. Finding the right one can make a dream vacation of a lifetime or just a plain old horrible memory.

Khao San road is situated near the historical districts in Bangkok. It borders the meandering waters of the Chao Phraya River. The royal Grand Palace and the peaceful majestic grounds of Wat Po are within walking distance as well as Thailand's national museums and other cultural and educational institutions.

For many travelers who wish to explore Bangkok's historical and cultural sights on a budget, making Khao San road as your base is ideal. Hostels are dotted all over Bangkok but staying in a hostel in Khao San road will ensure you're near a cheap and filling authentic Thai meal served al fresco at arms reach.

It's not uncommon to live off in Khao San road on just 150 Baht ($5 USD) per day on 3 square meals.

Hostels in Khao San road can run as little as 300 Baht ($10 USD) per night and some hostels include a simple breakfast with the rates too.

Charoendee Hostel for example cost 250 Baht with coffee, tea and toast for breakfast. They even include free wi-fi for all you Internet junkies who who can't wait to check emails.

And there's the Chada Hostel with 350 Baht rooms that include a private bathroom, which is the truest luxury in the hostel living backpacker's world. Though they don't include breakfast though. Not a shame at all since you can land yourself a tasty Pad Thai outside for 25 Baht.

Finally we have the Shambara Boutique Hostel. It's a unique little former house with old world charms set on the side road off the noise and sometimes chaos of Bangkok's heavy traffic. It's peaceful settings and homey feel will leave you feeling homesick when you checkout. A room at the Shambara will set you back around 350 Baht including a simple breakfast.

Hostels in Khao San road are one of the true best values in Bangkok and a great area to explore other parts of this exotic and fascinating city. Plus it doesn't hurt that staying in Khao San road will leave you with enough money in your pocket once you return home.

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