A quick guide to Thailand
Thailand is probably the most visited country in Southeast Asia. The unmistakable combination of beautiful beaches, ancient monuments and civilization and the well-known cuisine make the holiday here a perfect one.
Where is it?
Thailand is located in southeastern Asia, crossing Malaysia to the south, Myanmar (Burma) to the north, and Cambodia and Laos to the east. It benefits from coastal counseling in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Thailand.
Where can I stay?
Thailand is a popular tourist destination - Bangkok is a 24-hour city with pairing hotels while small towns and coastal resorts have also taken advantage of the tourist trade. Travelers became more and more sophisticated, however, which led to many shopping hotels being open to catering to an discerning visitor. For those who love the beach, try the luxury of Aleenta; a small, private beach hotel with only 17 suits and 2 private houses. With an open sea at your doorstep, an unlimited pool and a lovely breakfast and dinner arrangements, sea life is rarely better. Alternatively, go to the lights and sounds of Bangkok, where you can stay in Ibrik City; a very nice hotel in the center of the region and near the famous "Blue Elephant" cooking school. With only three rooms, this is a modern but dignified hotel and great transportation connectivity means that this shopping hotel is a great base for day and night in Bangkok.
What do I see?
Thailand is famous for its ancient monuments, stupas, and temples. From the excitement of the construction of the Pimai Temple, the Hindu / Buddhist temple, to the ancient fools in Sukothai Historical Park, there is much to learn about the millennial civilization and how it affects the Thai people today. Don't miss the busy and colorful markets too, and be sure to spend time sampling the delicious food Thailand is so famous for. Walk away from the beaches to the rivers and mountains of the interior of Thailand to sample an easy way of life, or explore the power of Bangkok with a city tour.
How do I get around?
You can rent a car around Thailand, but it can be easy to take the train. The city of Bangkok is provided by the Sky train and ferry service, so there is no need for further transportation. Outside of Bangkok and along the coast, use buses and trains to travel. Trains can travel slower than usual, but they are comfortable. On the other hand, buses are quick and aggressive, yet they are cheap and airy.
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Food in Thailand
The first time I went to Thailand was back in 1973. I was a junior soldier in the United States Army and Bangkok was my first base station. I was there for 18 months and my first food to return to America was Big Mac, fries and Coke.
Times have also changed for fast-food restaurants in rural Thailand. Everything from KFC to McDonalds to Pizza Hut is everywhere. They are not just in the big cities and tourist cities, but in the small towns like Khon Kaen and Phitsanulok.
Granted, I am a vegetarian back in the provinces, but most of the time in Thailand, I usually eat local food. It is actually a fast Thai food.
I prefer food from local street vendors who can prepare a plate for you in less than a minute. Also, it's cheaper and more delicious than the local Burger King.
However, if I am in Thailand for three or four weeks, I will eventually stop and have to get burgers, fried chicken or pizza. And, for my Thai girlfriend, it’s something special to eat from one of America’s best restaurants.
When I go to Khon Kaen, I love eating fresh seafood at local restaurants. Bar-B-Que prawn with vegetables and rice is all I need for dinner. My sweets will get oysters and a salad out there and everything is fine.
When we are in the room and we decide to sit and watch a DVD movie, you just like to call the Pizza Company with chicken wings and other chickens. I get pizza and it eats wings.
Breakfast is usually the standard amount of eggs and rice and perhaps a sausage or two. Occasionally there will be Thai soup or noodle meal like pad thai. Sometimes we like to go to a hotel run by foreigners and they have an "American" breakfast.
Lunks are a light meal for me. I like to have a BBQ chicken or pork stick with sticky rice. Or, if my girl is happy, she will drive to KFC and grab some hot chicken sandwiches. And then, you get me a blueberry cheesecake dessert.
We both enjoy the Khon Kaen restaurants near the local lake or rivers. They have small, thatched-roof huts with beautiful views. The food and service is excellent and some have a live band playing local Thai music.
Therefore, Thailand has some of the most beautiful places in the world. You can get anything from pizza to a cheeseburger, or fried rice and noodles. Good food and high prices. Another reason I like Thailand.
Life Without Plastic In Thailand
I was a soldier stationed in Bangkok, Thailand back in the early 1970's. Not always with large sums of money, I ate food from local street vendors. Most of my food was served wrapped in banana leaf or newspaper yesterday. Some of the food was even served on uncut military papers found in a garbage can.
Nowadays, all over Thailand, many street vendors serve food and drink in plastic bags. McDonalds has nothing to do with this fast food.
Whatever you order, be it rice or a noodle meal, it is packed in a plastic bag and sealed with a rubber band. This includes soups and drinks.
Small bags of sauces and spices are also provided. You can also get fresh sliced fruit to put in a small bag with a skewer to pierce each delicious piece.
Shopping on the street, in markets and supermarkets will put you in bags and plastic bags. No matter the size of the object, it will go in a plastic bag.
I have had many times where I have found a large plastic bag to hold various articles and each subsequent purchase led to the installation of a small plastic bag for a large. Despite my objection that a small plastic bag was not needed, I was turned away by the look and confusion and smile.
Needles to say that, after a day or two in Thailand, you usually find a pile of plastic bags. I can use a few of them to wash dirty clothes or keep things separate, but most of the plastic goes straight into the trash.
I really don't know what the Thai people will do today without plastic bags. If biodiversityists came to Thailand, they would not know what to do.
Where will they put their rice attached to the beef?
How can retailers sell coke to get going?
How would bootleg software and DVDs be distributed?
How can I get my Thai soup bowl home?
Will they be able to go back to the banana leaves and newspapers of yesterday?
I don’t think Thai people can live without plastic bags. And any attempt to stop the use could lead to disastrous results.
Thailand Smoking Ban Begins To Work
A new ban on smoking in Thailand bars and restaurants are in effect and from what I have seen the law is treated like any other law in Thailand. What I am saying is, some institutions have already established smoking facilities, some say you should smoke outside a restaurant or bar, while others are ignoring the law.
The reason for ignoring the ban may be that it will not be enforced for a few months. Instead of imposing a hefty fine, there will be warnings and education until the end of May, 2008.
However, the penalties will be worse. If enforced, smokers could be fined 2,000 Baht (about $ 62 US dollars) and landlords would be fined up to 20,000 Baht (over $ 600 US dollars).
This will force bar and restaurant owners to apply the law in their area. If the ban simply punishes smokers, property owners may ignore it altogether.
This is not really new. Thailand has banned smoking in hospitals, government buildings, and railway stations for several years now. This is just an extension of an existing law.
We have the same law in Hawaii. It's a little stressed because we can't smoke within 50 meters of the entrance to the center. The law also provides for fines for smokers and owners of bars and restaurants.
As a smoker, I was initially a victim of discrimination, but as time went on, that was not the case. If I have to go outside to smoke it is not a big problem.
I currently visit Khon Kaen, Thailand and go out almost all night. I have never been to any bars but have visited quite a few restaurants. One of my favorites, La Mai, has set up a smoking area near the toilets. The smiling restaurant allowed me to smoke at the table. Also, the Bu-Sa-Ba restaurant has a small, smoke-covered area behind the restaurant.
Therefore, ask your waiter or waiter if it is okay to smoke. If they have a smoking area, please use it. If you have to go outside you will smoke, like at Kit'z Caf.
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