Phi Phi Island

Tonsai Village is the bustling heart of Phi Phi. Here, there are no cars or roads, only footpaths. It's located on the isthmus, for which Phi Phi is famous, with Tonsai Bay on the south side and Loh Dalum on the north.

Before 2.30pm, when the last ferry leaves, the streets are busy with daytrippers and people arriving/departing. After that the island is more relaxed and the difference is tangible.

In the evening the streets fill again with diners looking for a place to eat, additionally as most business is done at night, the tour shops, dive shops and every other kind of shop come to life. Later on some isolated nightlife areas heat up.

Phi Phi is a very bohemian place; after all, bicycle and longtail are the only modes of transport apart from by foot.

Jim Thomson's House At Rama 1st Road

James Harrison Wilson or Jim Thomson, was born Greenville, Delaware, in 1906. He was decided to settle down in Thailand permanently. He chooses Architecture career because of his art-loving. When European war becomes more violent, he turned to be a soldier in US army. It is his turning point. He was a member of the US Office of Strategic Services (OSS), during WWII. He had a chance roaming around in Asia, America, Europe and Africa. Thompson revived silk weaving industry in Thailand at the end of the Second World War. He makes Thai silk to be well known in worldwide and he was named as King of Thai silk.
Because his love of Thai arts, he bought five Thai houses from Ayutthaya and one from Bankruanua then combined them to 6 twin Thai houses. They were decorated with value antiques and artifacts among perennial plants near Klong Sansap.

In1967 Jim Thomson and his friends had vacation at Cameron High land in Malaysia. He mysterious disappeared while he was trekking, left only legends and heritages for the people behind.

Jim Thomson Thai house situated on soi Kasemsun, Rama 1st road, Opposite of National stadium.

Credit:at-bangkok

Siam Ocean World - Another choice in Bangkok

Address: B1 floor, Siam Paragon 991 Rama 1 road Bangkok 10330 Thailand Phone: 02 687-2000 Admission fee: adults 450 baht, children: 280 baht One of the largest aquariums in south East Asia will be opening to the public on the December 9, 2005 with the awaited grand opening of the Siam Paragon shopping complex. We bring you the exclusive preview of what’s inside.

credit:at-bangkok

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is a truly amazing architectural construction. It is a large complex covering an area of 218,000 square meters which was built in the early years of Chakkri dynasty. The complex consists of four large groups of building serving different royal functions. The first one is the Wat Pra Keaw a royal religious temple. The second is the royal ceremonial complex containing the Chakri Maha Prasat Hall. The third is the royal residence and guest residence, the Borom Phiman Mansion. This is a private zone not a tourist area. The forth is the staff and governmental offices.There are plenty of tour guides to give visitors historical aspects of this beautiful palace. It is certainly a must see for all visitors.





Credit:at-bangkok

Loy Krathong on Nov 12, 2008

In November some may wonder what is going on in Thailand when seeing travel magazine ads, posters at your hotel of Thai girls dressing in traditional Thai clothing with a beautiful floating object. That's a sign indicating that Loy Krathong is on its way. In Thai Loy means to float and Krathong means a circular floating object with decoration of banana leaves, flowers, a candle and incense sticks. All these are related to Loy Krathong, an event which does not occur on the same date every year; instead it counts on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month. In this year 2008 it will be held on November 12, a romantic night. People look forward to going out and launching Krathongs together to predict the romance future by the direction the Krathongs float. However, this season is also good for strengthening relationship in family.

The history of Loy Krathong is rather obscure. Some believe that Krathong was first created by Tao Sri Chulalak or Nang Noppamas in Sukothai.

Others overlook its origin yet focus on the purposes of the ritual: to pay respect to the Goddess of the Water showing their gratitude on their plentiful use of water and ask for forgiveness in the ensuing pollution. Floating the beautiful Krathong away, which is the key activity in Loy Krathong,

also refers to flying away misfortune and bad things in the past and asking for good luck in the future. Although it is not a national holiday, many activities other than floating Krathong, are conducted in this festival, such as, contests of Krathong-making and Noppamas beauty pageants, local games and performances and fireworks.

If you are in the North of Thailand, you can join this spectacular occasion at Chiang Mai where it is specifically called Yee Peng -floating of lanterns into the sky. Or you can go to Tak where a line of thousand glittering lights are seen on the Ping River . When looking closer, you see that Krathongs here are made of coconut shells, threaded together to make chain and that's the story of Loy Krathong Sai. Moreover, this year you can see Loy Krathong Sai made from banana trunk in Samut Songkram too. For sure, the festival in old cities is so famous and attracts a herd of visitors. Glory and ancientness of the kingdom is utterly alive in Phao Thian Len Fai in Sukhothai. In Bangsai District, Ayutthaya, you can feel the grandeur of Loy Krathong Tam Pratip and long boat race at Bangsai Arts and Crafts Centre of H.M. queen Sirikit of Thailand.

Staying at Bangkok you never miss a shot as well. Popular places for Loy Krathong evening include Chao Phraya River, Rama IIX Bridge, Santichaiprakan Park on Phra Artit Road, Benjasiri Park or Queen's Park on Sukhumvit Road, Benjakiti Park on Ratchada Pisek Road and other waterways and universities. These venues tend to have a lot of people and it could be very crowded. credit:at-bangkok

Loy Krathong the most beautiful festival

One of the most beautiful festivals that takes place in Thailand is the one for Loy Krathong. This is celebrated on the full moon in November. The word loy means to float, and a krathong is a banana leaf cup. People place a candle and incense sticks in their krathongs and then float them on a local river or pond. As they push away their krathong, they ask for forgiveness in polluting the waterways and also for good luck in the coming months. A class of 12 year old students from Sriwittayapaknam School in Samut Prakan, wrote some stories in Thai and English detailing what they did on Loy Krathong Day.