Tag: thailand travel

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When in Southeast Asia, Keep Some Coins Handy for the Commode

May 24, 2013 at 3:52 PM | by | Comments (0)

A pocket-full of coins isn't something we would want to have when traveling the world, but it might just get you out of some awkward situations in Southeast Asia. On a recent trip through the region we noticed plenty of public restrooms in popular areas like open-air food markets, hawker centers and public parks. This is great for when 'nature calls' and you're nowhere near your hotel or a major mall. One caveat is that these 'public' facilities are pay-per-use, at a cost of a few small denomination coins.

Most of the time we noticed that the cost was on the honor-system and sometimes, even if there was an attendant, we weren't refused entry until we paid. Before you think it's outrageous to pay to pee, let us say that the facilities were clean and fully stocked so there were never moments of asking others to 'spare a square.'

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Our First Time at Bangkok's Cabbages & Condoms

May 10, 2013 at 11:31 AM | by | Comments (0)

Don't let the title put you off, this post isn't NSFW. Cabbages & Condoms is a portfolio of restaurants in Thailand that serves up delicious Thai cuisine while nonchalantly discussing the importance of safe-sex and sexually transmitted diseases.

Okay, we agree this might not be the best dinner-party topic, but it's all for a greater cause.

We recently checked out the Bangkok outpost and were pleasantly surprised to find mannequins outfitted in fashion made from condoms and birth-control pills—kind of like Project Runway meets a local clinic-turned-restaurant. Seems like a natural progression, right?

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Traveling in Thailand: Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport Versus Don Mueang

May 7, 2013 at 11:37 AM | by | Comment (1)

If you've been to Bangkok in the past 6 years, there's a pretty good chance you flew into the flashiest airport the city has to offer, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

The predominately concrete, metal and glass building of BKK is simply massive and it's obvious why it ranks as the 6th largest major airport in Asia; it even claimed the title of the most Instagrammed airport in 2012.

On the other hand, if you traveled to Bangkok before the middle of 2006, you most likely landed in the city's other airport, Don Mueang (DMK), which has since given up the official airport code of BKK to the newer, larger counterpart. Now, the airport is primarily home to low-cost carriers such as Air Asia and Nok Air.

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Foreign Grocery Friday: The Snack Breads of Thailand

Where: Thailand
April 19, 2013 at 2:50 PM | by | Comments (0)

When we travel, one of our favorite things to do is to pop into a local grocery store and check out the food products and candies we'd never find anywhere else. So we're trying out this new feature, Foreign Grocery Friday, where each week we'll feature some of our (and your) favorite overseas treats. Got a recommendation? Let us know!

We've said it before and we'll say it again, Asia has some of the intriguing snack foods—ones that make you tilt your head and say "huh?" From fish-flavored anything to seaweed sprinkled over anything else, the quick bites of this continent take the cake for most "out there."

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Totally Soaked in Thailand: the Water Festival of Songkran in Video

April 16, 2013 at 1:46 PM | by | Comment (1)

Yesterday we talked about the significance of the Thai New Year celebration, Songkran and what it means for cities like Chiang Mai. Now we can show you a little video which is only a few minutes of an entire day of events, but sums up the excitement pretty well.

We've already discussed about preparing to get wet...really wet. The video shows how water is everywhere and on everyone. There are very few spots, if any, that escape the deluge of new year cleansing. This video was shot on Kotchasam Road, flanking the moat of the old city with a major street-incapacitating party at the intersection of Tha Pae Road.

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Totally Soaked in Thailand: A Peek at the Water Festival of Songkran

April 15, 2013 at 10:54 AM | by | Comments (3)

If we could offer one little tidbit of advice for travelers planning to hit up the Thai New Year, Songkran, it would be to prepare to get wet. Like, really wet. We're not kidding.

First, a little more background on what this is all about. Songkran is the celebration to ring in the Thai new year and, in Buddhist tradition, everyone splashes water onto statues of the Buddha to ensure a proper cleansing into the new year. The Thai people will also splash water on each other as a symbol of good luck for the upcoming year. Tourists are hardly exempt from the wet antics and in fact it's often the reason people travel to Thailand during this time of the year.

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Wish You Were Here: Chiang Mai, Thailand During Songkran

April 12, 2013 at 12:11 PM | by | Comments (0)

Earlier this week we shared what we were packing in our suitcase all to make our Songkran trip to Thailand a whole lot easier. Well, we've finally made it up the Northern city of Chiang Mai to use it all.

We're in the city to kick up our heels and celebrate the Thai New Year, "Songkran," which begins today on this side of the world. For the next three days we will be touring temples and soaking in the heat while dodging plenty buckets of water in a futile attempt to stay (somewhat) dry during all the "water play,"

So far we've just been working on getting our bearings, but we do have our artillery for tomorrow; a giant super-soaker gun purchased from the street market.

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Six Necessities for a Successfully Soggy Songkran

Where: Thailand
April 9, 2013 at 11:12 AM | by | Comment (1)

Our travel plans will soon bring us to Thailand and not just to sample various noodle recipes or tour some temples. While all that's on the plan, the real focus for travel to Thailand during this time of the year is the celebration of one of the most festive times of year in Thailand: Songkran, Thai New Year.

Chiang Mai is on our itinerary since we've heard it's the epicenter for all things Songkran. Traditionally, throwing water on friends, family and passers-by is considered the best part of the festivities. Originally done to cleanse Buddha statues, the drenchings during the holiday require some advance preparation for travelers.

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Now Hiring: Flight Attendant Barbie

Where: Thailand
March 4, 2013 at 3:29 PM | by | Comments (2)

It takes a special sort of person to be a flight attendant. In the early days of airplane travel, flight attendants were a cross between nurses and bellboys, then the jet era called for them to be glamorous representatives of the airline. Today, flight attendants are recognized as service professionals who often undertake a full career in the skies.

Thailand's budget airline Nok Air is still seemingly stuck in that early jet age mindset, however, as they've just launched a recruitment drive via Facebook, with requirements that read more like Barbie's resume than a job posting.

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Nok Air's Nearly Nude Flight Attendant Calendar Ticks Off Thailand

Where: Thailand
February 13, 2013 at 11:44 AM | by | Comment (1)

What is the turn of a new year without a flight attendant calendar controversy? This year, the award for naughty airline calendar goes to Thai budget airline Nok Air, whose slogan is "We Fly Smiles."

They also apparently fly scantily clad, as Nok's Facebook previewed three photos from the calendar as part of a contest to win a free copy. Each of the teaser photos (shown here) are now angering the Thailand Ministry of Culture, on the grounds that the image doesn't promote the country in a proper, positive light. That doesn't mean the Ministry of Culture can stop Nok from printing their calendars, though, so the contest to give away 300 of them continues.

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New Airline Alert: Thailand's U-Airlines

Where: Thailand
November 8, 2012 at 10:28 AM | by | Comments (0)

Just like a ninja and what seems like overnight, a new airline popped up in Thailand. We now introduce your to U Airlines, flying out of Bangkok both domestically and internationally. They're specialty seems to be pumpkin colored planes and offering up cheap fares while still preserving a premium service model.

A little back-story: in April of this year, a very wealthy Thai business man, with beginnings in cable TV, branched out to fill a void in the aviation market by slashing prices and not cutting any type of service. You'll find two cabins of service aboard the bright planes, all at what the airline calls 'reasonable' fares. Honestly, it sounds a little scary because that word is subjective.

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From Slurpees to National Park Tickets, 7-Elevens in Thailand Have You Covered

Where: Thailand
September 7, 2012 at 11:37 AM | by | Comments (0)

We usually don’t just head over to Thailand for the weekend, but the next time we’re in the neighborhood we’re definitely go to visit a local 7-Eleven again. We’re not looking for a Slurpee—although we might get one of those too—but we’re interested in something else that the convenience store chain is working on.

Tourist tickets for all of the country’s 148 different national parks will soon be available for sale at 7-Eleven stores across the country. It sounds like the National Parks Office is still finalizing the agreement, but expect the extra amenity next show up next to spare batteries and ramen noodles soon.

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