Water Hyacinth-Beautiful but Deadly
by miketrudeau
This isn't really a favourite thing, but I suppose that "general tips" is the only category into which this tip fits. Make sense? Anyways, a European Queen (I think I remember which one, but at the risk of being offensive or very obviously ignorant, I will withold my suspicions on this topic) gave water hyacinths as a gift to the king of Thailand. These are viny floating plants with lush, elegant blooms. However, the Bangkok climate is so ideal for this foreign plant that it just spread and spread like a beautiful green tumour. Now it clogs the canal, drowns swimmers and clogs boats. Thanks, European Queen! It's the gift that keeps on giving!
Mae Nam Chao Phraya (River of Kings)
by M0B1US
The Chao Phraya River neatly bisects Bangkok in a wide arc that neatly encircles much of the old city.
It is one of Bangkok's main transport arteries carrying a lot of cargo transport as well as being one of the best and fastest ways to get around the city
In the 19th century Bangkok was called the 'Venice of the East' as it was covered by a wide network of khlong (canals). Although not quite deserving that moniker any more, it is still possible to travel down a number of these including 'Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem' which serves as an unofficial border between the old and the new city, and 'Khlong Saen Saep' which travels in an East/West direction.
There are still a lot of examples of times gone by along the river and the khlongs, and southwest of Bangkok on Khlong Sanam Chai there is still a floating market although we did not have time to visit it... One of my favourite experiences of the city were the several ferry trips I took along the river, being able to see the many sights of the city both along the banks and close up, with fellow passengers often including Buddhist Monks heading to or from one of a number of impressive Wats lining the river...
If you take the ferry as far south as Taksin, you can link up with the Skytrain.
Vaccinations for Thailand
by bulldogtwo
I agree with UnaS. Equally important in my opinion are the Hepatitis shots, series of three over a 6 month? period. You can get Hepatitis anywhere in the world and they are easy to get and worth the time.
Typhoid and dengue shots are always good. But I also believe that it depends on "where" and "how" you are traveling throughout SEAsia. If you are going to stay in decent 4-5 star hotels and not venture off into the jungle/bush then I would not worry about it too much. If not then obviously your chances of getting something increases. Having said that I don't know of anyone that has gotten any of these recently traveling in Thailand. It is relatively safe and we travel to many remote places and dense bush areas of some of the national parks and other off road places. Never a problem, so far!
Good luck and HAVE FUN!
Thai Festivals
by bulldogtwo
Unfortunately you are just going to miss one of the biggest and in my opinion, best festivals in Thailand, Loy Kratong which is Nov 12 this year. Coincides with the November full moon, so the date differs from year to year.
www.thai-experience.org/festival/calendar
People make up floats, (kratongs) out of lily pads and flowers and incense, place candles in the middle and float them down the rivers, by the thousands. The rivers are really lit up and pretty. The float, floats away their past years sins.
In the north and some all over Thailand, but much more in Chiang Mai they also have Yi Peng. This is where they make up rice paper balloons, place a fire in the center of then to create an up draft so they float into the sky.
Chiang Mai is a great place for this festival if you can make it.
Chang Beer
by machomikemd
Chang Beer has 6.4 percent alcohol it's nice and strong. The can shows 2 elephants but the colors look a little bit cheap. The color of the beer itself is a bit darker than usual what probably explains the bitterness and strong taste. The get drunk quick factor combined with their low prices has made Chang one of the most popular beers in Thailand. In high class bars people frown upon it though (But not at Bars!) they claimed that it is now more popular than Singha Beer here in thailand!
Thai Beverage Public Company Limited makes Chang Beer and they sell at 45 Baht at Foodland convenience stores and 7-11 and about 40 baht in corner stalls around bangkok. Beer Chang comes in two sizes, 660ml and 330ml, the latter of which is availabe in both bottle and can.
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Panoramic View of Bangkok City
Dave and I riding Theodore
BTS Skytrain Krung Thonburi Station
Skyscrapers in Bangkok
