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Tags: Zoos / Animals / Pandas / Elephants / Thailand Travel / → All Tags
All of Thailand Is Mad for Pandas, and the Elephants are Hopping Mad
The very happy nation of Thailand joined the panda-monium craze this week as the Chiang Mai Zoo in Bangkok introduced the country’s first every baby panda. After six years of feverish attempts to mate their two adult pandas, including a mock wedding and widely circulated “panda porns” of the pair attempting to reproduce, the country finally became just the fourth in the world to ever breed a panda cub in captivity.
Eager Thais finally got to see the six-week-old cub this week, and the cuddly critter has proved so popular that there were more than 500,000 entries in a contest to name it, and the zoo is building a pricey new snow house for the happy new family.
But not everyone is psyched about the panda craze. Zookeepers in the elephant kraal have grown incensed that no one is stopping by to see their pachyderms—Thailand’s national animal—and in protest this week they took to watercolors and painted the elephants in panda garb. Hilarious, until Peta hears about it. Maybe they’d have more luck if they made some elephant porn?
Related Stories:
· Will this stop the pandamonium? [Daily Mail]
· Thai zoo's 1st baby panda goes on display [AP]
· How To Cuddle a Baby Panda [Jaunted]
[Photo: Reuters]
Tags: Worlds-Coolest-Pools / Pools / Thailand Travel / Resorts / → All Tags
Get Your Feet Wet In Thailand
Last one in's a rotten egg! We're finding the best places in the world to stick our toes in this summer (or next winter) for our World's Coolest Pools map. Know of any pools we must check out? Let us know.
Sometimes it's the accessories that make the outfit, and this Thailand resort pool wouldn't be complete without the cabanas that have doubtless been the subject of many a turf war at this new property's shore. But to dip your toes in this beauty is worth a "Home Alone"-style booby trap or two.
Tags: Bus Travel / First Class Travel / Thailand Travel / → All Tags
First Class Buses in Thailand Wake You At Your Stop
It's not just Japan where you can get a first class bus ride complete with tacky decorations. In Thailand, there's a whole system of government-run first class buses that will get you around the country in comfort and reasonably cheaply.
First class bus tickets include a meal, pillows and blankets, plus an attendant who'll wake you up when you arrive at your stop, letting you sleep as long as possible. As you can see, you probably will want to close your eyes to avoid staring too long at the frilly blue window treatments.
Apparently travel agencies will always try to book you onto expensive tourist buses, but the state-owned first class buses are a much better deal. Assuming it's safe to travel around Thailand, you can try to get info about the buses at the Transport Co. website – the English section doesn't seem to be working just now, but the music the site plays will get you in the mood for some Thai road travel.
Related Stories:
· Thai Transport Co. [Official Site]
· Pretty Seat Doilies Decorate the Limousine Airport Buses in Japan [Jaunted]
· Bangkok Protests Continue, Thailand Warnings Start Again [Jaunted]
[Photo: Travel Aficionado]
Tags: Protests / Thailand Travel / Political Travel / → All Tags
Bangkok Protests Continue, Thailand Warnings Start Again
Thailand, Thailand. You're so beautiful, so why do we have to keep writing these bad news stories? Unfortunately it looks like the internal political problems, while completely unrelated to travelers and the tourism industry, are going to stop thousands of visitors to Bangkok and Thai islands again.
While last week it sounded like even the ASEAN meeting of regional leaders might still go ahead, it's now been canceled and protests have become violent. Despite the government declaring a state of emergency, protesters have continued to gather in Bangkok and there are now armed soldiers on the streets.
Countries including Britain, Canada and Australia have already issued travel warnings advising its citizens to review their travel plans to Bangkok and to avoid the area if they are already in Thailand. At this stage the airports are still open, but remembering last year's chaos would definitely make us think twice about assuming it'll stay that way. Can we suggest neighbors Vietnam or Cambodia instead, as long as your flights don't connect in Bangkok?
Related Stories:
· Thai Protesters Clash With Police [NY Times]
· Travel Warnings For Thailand After Weekend Mayhem [Reuters]
· Thai Travel Might Be Tied Up Again [Jaunted]
· Thai Airport Standoff Proves World Is Indeed Flat [Jaunted]
[Photo: Y Not ?]
Tags: Protests / Thailand Travel / Political Travel / → All Tags
Thai Travel Might Be Tied Up Again
Just when we were thinking it must be safe to go back to Thailand after last year's airport closures, we're starting to wonder again.
This week there were anti-government protests in Bangkok, with 100,000 gathering near the Prime Minister's office and taxi drivers intentionally blocking traffic in the city. With the ASEAN summit being held over the weekend, some authorities are getting a bit worried about security for all those VIPs.
Whether this is the precursor to another airport lockdown to strand thousands of tourists or just a small political glitch remains to be seen but we'd be checking the latest news carefully before booking our Thai flights.
Related Stories:
· Thai PM Says Peaceful Protest OK [Reuters]
· Thais Trying To Turn Tourism Tide [Jaunted]
· Thailand Travel Guide [Jaunted]
[Photo: Yan Pritzker]
