Hua Hin is a famous beach resort in Thailand, yet relatively unknown in the UK. It’s around a three hour drive from Bangkok, on the Gulf of Thailand and boasts the country’s best golf courses as well as fantastic beaches. This once small fishing village became popular when the King built himself a palace here in the 1920s, and it has retained strong ties to … Continue reading Hua Hin
The ancient city of Ayutthaya was the Thai capital for 417 years. The city was founded in 1350 by King U-Thong when the Thais were forced to retreat southwards from Sukhothai by their northern neighbours. Across those 400+ years, thirty-three kings of various dynasties ruled the kingdom. In 1767, Ayatthaya was occupied and destroyed, much of it razed to the ground by the Burmese. The … Continue reading Ayutthaya – Temples, Day One…
We were aware on our last visit that there was a park close to our accommodation, this time we got to see what we had been missing. We are at the far end of Sukhumvit Soi 4, Nana BTS is the closest station. In recent Google reviews Benchakitti Park is referred to as a little gem, one of Bangkoks’ best kept secrets. Our first visit was early … Continue reading Benchakitti Park
Our travels have a habit of starting in Bangkok, so we are revisiting some of our favourite places for at least the second time. We started our day at Lumpini Park, which is featured in the latest David Attenborough series titled Asia, with the focus on the number of giant water monitors that live there. We arrived via the BTS Skytrain at Sala Daeng Station, … Continue reading Lumpini Park and Chinatown
Our last morning in Bangkok was spent keeping cool in the Icon Siam Mall on the riverside of the Thai capital. With a heat warning in the news the air conditioned centre was the perfect place to keep cool until we head off for our flight. As shopping malls go this is something else, we thought Singapore topped them for luxury. Cleverly designed the ground … Continue reading Krabi Town
After crossing the border from Laos back into Thailand we had a night’s stay in Nong Khai rather than take the overnight train. The thought of arriving into Bangkok at 5a.m. didn’t appeal. Our train departs just before eight, so just time for breakfast before we board the third class compartment for a near nine hour journey. The windows are all open, and the back … Continue reading Nong Khai to Bangkok…
It may only be an hour’s fight from Bangkok but Chiang Mai is a million miles away in character. The neon lights have been swapped for golden stupas gleaming in the sun, here is the home of the temple, or wat. With around seventy-five wats within the confines of the city walls it feels like we have been in each and every one of them, … Continue reading Which wat’s what?
Murrayhead were spot on with their song lyrics, everyone should spend at least one night in Bangkok. Three in a row is about our limit… Be it Soi Cowboy close to the Asok BTS station, the streets of nearby Nana or Patpong it is sure to be an eye opener. We visit as a middle-aged couple and are left alone to enjoy a drink and … Continue reading One night in Bangkok…
A mere 344 steps – and the hundred baht entry fee – are all that stands between us and panoramic views over the city of Bangkok from the top of the Golden Mount Temple. It is a climb that we have made once before, hopefully we pass our fitness test this time out. The start of our circular ascent is alongside some ponds and water … Continue reading Stairway to Heaven…
The American silk magnate was an architect prior to enrolling in the US Army just before the Second World War, it was a secondment to Thailand that started his lifelong association with the country he fell in love with. Soon after finishing his military service he returned and got involved with the hand woven silk industry that was neglected and out of fashion at that … Continue reading Jim Thompson’s House, Bangkok
A final low key night down Soi Rambuttri brought Bangkok to a close. One street away from the deafening Khao San Road but a few notches down on the volume. Live music in bars rather than thumping speakers – including a superb middle aged Thai singer who dared to take on Bohemian Rhapsody. Fair to say it blew everyone away…. brilliant. Come 6:45am, (not too … Continue reading Bye-bye Bangkok, Hello Cambodia
3:45am laid awake listening to the Macarena with added drum beats, not sure how much sleep we actually got. Regardless we are up & out by 9:30, tourist stuff to do. As it’s our third visit we avoid all the travel guide top 5 & revisit our personal favourites. Wat Arun, this time thankfully not clad in scaffolding. It’s always fun to travel by the … Continue reading Macarena & Walking Around Bangkok
Oldest On the Bus 