Koh Samui is blessed with quite a few spectacular waterfalls; however there are only two that are easily accessed and having good facilities. They are Hin Lad and Namuang. The best time to see any of the falls on Koh Samui is during or just after the rainy season, approximately September to March. If not at these times, there may not be enough of a water flow to make the trip worthwhile.

Hin Lad is approximately three kilometers from Nathon, due west off route 4172. The signposts are well marked. You will need to hike down a two kilometer trail, at times a little challenging, but the pool at the bottom of the falls is worth it. Make sure you have good footwear for this trail.

Namuang is actually two different waterfalls, Namuang 1 and Namuang 2. Namuang 1 is 18 meters high and just off the main road, easily accessible by car. Here you will find a beautiful swimming hole at the base of the waterfall. Good footwear should be worn as it can get slippery on the rocks. As with any swimming area, please use extreme caution if you chose to dive.

Namuang 2 is about 80 meters tall and is a little bit more difficult to get to than Namuang 1. Unless you can find the road that will take you about 1/3 of the way up, you will have to hike up from the main road for about 30 minutes. The first little bit seems tough, but it does get easier. If there is enough water, these falls are beautiful and well worth the trip. You will need good shoes for this one.

source: Koh Samui Website

Read More...

Koh Samui is blessed with quite a few spectacular waterfalls; however there are only two that are easily accessed and having good facilities. They are Hin Lad and Namuang. The best time to see any of the falls on Koh Samui is during or just after the rainy season, approximately September to March. If not at these times, there may not be enough of a water flow to make the trip worthwhile.

Hin Lad is approximately three kilometers from Nathon, due west off route 4172. The signposts are well marked. You will need to hike down a two kilometer trail, at times a little challenging, but the pool at the bottom of the falls is worth it. Make sure you have good footwear for this trail.

Namuang is actually two different waterfalls, Namuang 1 and Namuang 2. Namuang 1 is 18 meters high and just off the main road, easily accessible by car. Here you will find a beautiful swimming hole at the base of the waterfall. Good footwear should be worn as it can get slippery on the rocks. As with any swimming area, please use extreme caution if you chose to dive.

Namuang 2 is about 80 meters tall and is a little bit more difficult to get to than Namuang 1. Unless you can find the road that will take you about 1/3 of the way up, you will have to hike up from the main road for about 30 minutes. The first little bit seems tough, but it does get easier. If there is enough water, these falls are beautiful and well worth the trip. You will need good shoes for this one.

source: Koh Samui Website

Read More...

Overview

Chiang Mai is the country's second largest city of Thailand, it located at north of Thailand and far from Bangkok 700 kilometer by car. The populations of Chiang Mai are more than 1,500,000 peoples. Chiang Mai is the ancient city which has magic power that can attract people for visiting. At the city have temple more than 300 temples in which some Burmese architectural influence can be seen. It a cosmopolitan place with a well developed infrastructure for tourist such as center for arts, crafts, cooking, massage and surrounding by hill tribe.

Thai people well know Chiang Mai as the Kingdom of Lanna. You can notice from their language, house, local food and costume.

What to do

- Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
The famous and important temple of Chiang Mai is Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep which built in 1383 B.E. The tourists can look over the city from view point by walk along the steep naga staircase around 300 steps. Once you rech you will see a huge golden pagoda (chedi), ring the bell, pay respect to holy Buddha’s relics that attract all devotees around the world.

A walk around the grounds reveals a variety of colorful and fragrant flowers, and murals that depict Buddha's previous lives. Every year Chiang Mai’s people will celebrate Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep at night by walk from Chiang Mai University to temple which far from here about 9 kilometers and take about 2-3 hours.
Open Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday
Location: From the end of Huay Keaw Road and continue about 9 kilometers northwest of Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50300 Thailand

- Chiang Mai Zoo
Chiang Mai Zoo was open on 1995, founded by Mr.Harold M. Young, an American missionary. He kept some wild animals at the foothill of Suthep Mountain to be private zoo. Now Chiang Mai Zoo has 7,000 wild animals and covers the area of 531 rai (1 rai = 2/5 acre). And new popular animal is panda from China; they lend us a couple of panda for 10 years from 2004 to 2014.

- Wat Chedi Luang
This temple was built in 14th century and located at center city. It’s well-known because of its enormous chedi, which is measured at 282 feet high and 144 feet wide (at the base), that it is considered to be the largest chedi in Chiang Mai.

- Central Airport Plaza
This mall is a bit smaller than Kad Suan Keow but still offers great shopping which teenage like to go there. All shops here are familiar names like Watson, Esprit, The Body Shop and Export Shop. At tenants zone you can find many things such as wine, eyeglasses, jewelry, phones, appliances and sporting goods etc.

Opening hours: 11.00a.m.-10p.m.on Monday to Friday
9.30a.m.-10p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Location: 2 Mahidol (Highway 1141), Chiang Mai, 50100 near Chiang Mai Air Port.

Nightlife

- Night Bazaar
Night Bazaar is located on Chang Klan Road, a shopper’s paradise place, with many shops along two side roads. The street stalls sell a variety of items, including fine Thai silk, antiques, silver, clothing, handicrafts, CDs, videos, perfumes and watches. This is an exciting area for shopping and also there are plenty of places to eat and drink.
Open Hours: 6.00p.m.to midnight, Monday to Sunday.
Location: 104-1 Chang Klan Road, Chiang Mai, 50100 Thailand

- The Red Lion English Pub & Restaurant
A firm favorite with locals and tourists alike, The Red Lion open more than fifth year has features an air-conditioned bar as well as a pleasant terrace over-looking the vibrant Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
Location: The heart of the famous Chiang Mai night bazaar in a quiet lane opposite the car-park of Mc Donald's.

- The Pub
An old English Pub and best pub of Chiang Mai has been here for decades.
Location: 189 Huay Keow Road
Tel: (053)211550

- Sax Music Pub Jazz and Art
It’s a small Pub by the Taphae gate. Good sax music and a friendly client
Location: 35/2 MoonMuang Rd.
Tel: (053)216073
http://www.lifeevents.org/photos/200401-Sax%20Pub/

How to go

You can go to Chiang Mai by car, train and air.

Read More...

Overview

Chiang Mai is the country's second largest city of Thailand, it located at north of Thailand and far from Bangkok 700 kilometer by car. The populations of Chiang Mai are more than 1,500,000 peoples. Chiang Mai is the ancient city which has magic power that can attract people for visiting. At the city have temple more than 300 temples in which some Burmese architectural influence can be seen. It a cosmopolitan place with a well developed infrastructure for tourist such as center for arts, crafts, cooking, massage and surrounding by hill tribe.

Thai people well know Chiang Mai as the Kingdom of Lanna. You can notice from their language, house, local food and costume.

What to do

- Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep
The famous and important temple of Chiang Mai is Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep which built in 1383 B.E. The tourists can look over the city from view point by walk along the steep naga staircase around 300 steps. Once you rech you will see a huge golden pagoda (chedi), ring the bell, pay respect to holy Buddha’s relics that attract all devotees around the world.

A walk around the grounds reveals a variety of colorful and fragrant flowers, and murals that depict Buddha's previous lives. Every year Chiang Mai’s people will celebrate Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep at night by walk from Chiang Mai University to temple which far from here about 9 kilometers and take about 2-3 hours.
Open Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday
Location: From the end of Huay Keaw Road and continue about 9 kilometers northwest of Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50300 Thailand

- Chiang Mai Zoo
Chiang Mai Zoo was open on 1995, founded by Mr.Harold M. Young, an American missionary. He kept some wild animals at the foothill of Suthep Mountain to be private zoo. Now Chiang Mai Zoo has 7,000 wild animals and covers the area of 531 rai (1 rai = 2/5 acre). And new popular animal is panda from China; they lend us a couple of panda for 10 years from 2004 to 2014.

- Wat Chedi Luang
This temple was built in 14th century and located at center city. It’s well-known because of its enormous chedi, which is measured at 282 feet high and 144 feet wide (at the base), that it is considered to be the largest chedi in Chiang Mai.

- Central Airport Plaza
This mall is a bit smaller than Kad Suan Keow but still offers great shopping which teenage like to go there. All shops here are familiar names like Watson, Esprit, The Body Shop and Export Shop. At tenants zone you can find many things such as wine, eyeglasses, jewelry, phones, appliances and sporting goods etc.

Opening hours: 11.00a.m.-10p.m.on Monday to Friday
9.30a.m.-10p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Location: 2 Mahidol (Highway 1141), Chiang Mai, 50100 near Chiang Mai Air Port.

Nightlife

- Night Bazaar
Night Bazaar is located on Chang Klan Road, a shopper’s paradise place, with many shops along two side roads. The street stalls sell a variety of items, including fine Thai silk, antiques, silver, clothing, handicrafts, CDs, videos, perfumes and watches. This is an exciting area for shopping and also there are plenty of places to eat and drink.
Open Hours: 6.00p.m.to midnight, Monday to Sunday.
Location: 104-1 Chang Klan Road, Chiang Mai, 50100 Thailand

- The Red Lion English Pub & Restaurant
A firm favorite with locals and tourists alike, The Red Lion open more than fifth year has features an air-conditioned bar as well as a pleasant terrace over-looking the vibrant Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
Location: The heart of the famous Chiang Mai night bazaar in a quiet lane opposite the car-park of Mc Donald's.

- The Pub
An old English Pub and best pub of Chiang Mai has been here for decades.
Location: 189 Huay Keow Road
Tel: (053)211550

- Sax Music Pub Jazz and Art
It’s a small Pub by the Taphae gate. Good sax music and a friendly client
Location: 35/2 MoonMuang Rd.
Tel: (053)216073
http://www.lifeevents.org/photos/200401-Sax%20Pub/

How to go

You can go to Chiang Mai by car, train and air.

Read More...

This traditional Thai custom of merry-making is the Kingdom's most 'sanuk' (fun-filled) festival, celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm, nation-wide, once a year. In most parts of the country, Songkran extends over a period of 3 days.

Known the world-over for its characteristic tradition of water-throwing ranging from a courteous sprinkle or a polite splash, to harmless water pistols and showers from garden hoses to the well-aimed bucket or water-cannon delivered in a festive spirit. Without a doubt, on the practical side, Songkran is a refreshing solution to "beating the heat" in the hottest season of the year. There is a however a much deeper significance to "Songkran".

Apart from marking a new beginning, Songkran is also a time for thanksgiving. It is an important time for individuals to reflect upon the many acts of kindness and thoughtfulness each has personally experienced and to remember how such acts of generosity and compassion bring peace, happiness and well-being. Songkran is also the time for reunions and family ties are renewed.

At the heart of each Thai custom and tradition, there is always a logical reason for its existence. The festive elements of the celebration, the cultural values, the social code of conduct and individual belief and practices are intertwined. Songkran embodies the traditional Thai cultural values.

The underlying significance of Songkran is the process of cleansing and purification - the purging of all ills, misfortune and evil and starting the New Year afresh with all that is good and pure. Water is symbolic of the cleaning process and signifies purity.

source: Thailand Grand Festival Website

Read More...

This traditional Thai custom of merry-making is the Kingdom's most 'sanuk' (fun-filled) festival, celebrated with tremendous enthusiasm, nation-wide, once a year. In most parts of the country, Songkran extends over a period of 3 days.

Known the world-over for its characteristic tradition of water-throwing ranging from a courteous sprinkle or a polite splash, to harmless water pistols and showers from garden hoses to the well-aimed bucket or water-cannon delivered in a festive spirit. Without a doubt, on the practical side, Songkran is a refreshing solution to "beating the heat" in the hottest season of the year. There is a however a much deeper significance to "Songkran".

Apart from marking a new beginning, Songkran is also a time for thanksgiving. It is an important time for individuals to reflect upon the many acts of kindness and thoughtfulness each has personally experienced and to remember how such acts of generosity and compassion bring peace, happiness and well-being. Songkran is also the time for reunions and family ties are renewed.

At the heart of each Thai custom and tradition, there is always a logical reason for its existence. The festive elements of the celebration, the cultural values, the social code of conduct and individual belief and practices are intertwined. Songkran embodies the traditional Thai cultural values.

The underlying significance of Songkran is the process of cleansing and purification - the purging of all ills, misfortune and evil and starting the New Year afresh with all that is good and pure. Water is symbolic of the cleaning process and signifies purity.

source: Thailand Grand Festival Website

Read More...

Bird Watching in Thailand: A Great Experience

Thailand is dominant in Southeast Asian birding. The abundance of tropical birds is unmatched by her neighboring countries. It's convenient and the birds are plentiful. Khao Sok National Park is certainly one of the best bird watching destination in southern Thailand. Marsh areas such as Thale Noi provide great birding for those interested in seeing water birds. Migratory shorebirds are easy to see from a kayak. The lush jungles, rainforests and marshes of southern Thailand offer birders with many marvelous opportunities.

Did you realize that there have been more than 970 species of birds recorded in Thailand? The number keeps growing as more and more birders search the land. At least 204 species of birds that have been recorded in Thailand’s mangrove forests alone!

source: Thailand Birding

Read More...