Qatar Ambassador is fascinated with Thailand

The exotic Thai culture, hospitality and friendly nature of the people have made a big impression on Abdalla Al-Hamar, the Qatari ambassador to Thailand. "I have travelled extensively for both business and leisure, and I can honestly say that I have never come across such delightful[...]

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by Jour ~ Tuesday, February 28, 2006 0 comments

Thai Movies on the Rise

Tom Yam Goong (2005) is the 2nd action movie from one of Thailand’s biggest stars after the Ong Bak movie (2003). Starring Tony Jaa, who could be called Thailand’s Jackie Chan, it garnered great attention not only in Thailand. Ong Bak was one of the few Thai movies which made it internationally.[...]

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by Jour ~ Monday, February 27, 2006 0 comments

Dizzying Heights - Sikkim

Sikkim- Of snowy peaks, dreamy rivers , frozen lakes and misty monasteries ...We have been dreaming of this for many years …To wake up and see the misty Kangchendzonga , to go up to Nathulla pass to see the Indo China Border …and mainly to touch and feel snow ..I decided to brave the[...]

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by Jour ~ Monday, February 27, 2006 0 comments

New biking trail opens in Chet Khot park

Let's start with some good news from Chet Khot-Pong Kon Sao Nature Study and Eco-tourism Centre in Saraburi Province, Thailand. Yes, that "Chet Khot Forest Park" as most people call it. From now on, cross-country mountainbikers camping at Chet Khot no longer have to venture outside[...]

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by Jour ~ Sunday, February 26, 2006 0 comments

Chiang Mai: The Pearl of the North (Part 2)

Shopping Chiang Mai is, quite simply, Thailand's major centre for quality handicrafts. The visitor need merely visit the nearest city emporium or night market to purchase an extraordinary variety of antiques, silver jewellery, hilltribe opium pipes and embroidery, Thai silks[...]

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by Jour ~ Saturday, February 25, 2006 0 comments

Chiang Mai: The Pearl of the North (Part 1)

Chiang Mai is Thailand's principal northern city. Chiang Mai is the pro-vincial capital of a largely mountainous province, also called Chiang Mai, which is some 20,000 square kilometres in area.Chiang Mai city is 700 kilometres north of Bangkok, was founded in 1296, and is located in[...]

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by Jour ~ Thursday, February 23, 2006 0 comments

Magha Puja: Buddhist Festival in That Phanom

During the holiday between sowing and harvesting the rice, thousands flock to the famous Ngan Phra That Phanom temple to celebrate the Buddhist festival of Magha Puja.The wat (temple) faces both the Mekong river and the rising sun, so the best approach to it is by water. It is thought[...]

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by Jour ~ Wednesday, February 22, 2006 0 comments

Zebra Dove Cooing Contest has a Long Tradition in Thailand

It has long been believed in Thailand that doves bring good luck to those who raise them. Some are even believed to endow great wealth and honour upon the owner. Every year, Khwan Muang Park in Amphoe Muang celebrates the voice of the treasured bird with this cooing competition. Years[...]

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by Jour ~ Tuesday, February 21, 2006 0 comments

Visit Thailand and enjoy Spa

As part of the Thailand Grand Invitation celebrations in 2006, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Federation of Thai Spa and Visa International (Thailand) Co., Ltd., (VISA), will jointly launch ‘Thai Spa Invitation’ in conjunction with the annual Chiang Mai Flower Festival being[...]

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by Jour ~ Monday, February 20, 2006 0 comments

Luang Prabang and China now connected

A new bus service will be introduced next month linking Luang Prabang in Laos and Jinghong in Xishuangbanna in China's southern Yunnan Province. Luang Prabang can easily be reached from Thailand. Also, Bangkok Airways offers service to Luang Prabang, a beautiful little town with colonial[...]

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by Jour ~ Sunday, February 19, 2006 0 comments

Phu Phrabat Historical Park

It was early morning when the 24-seat VIP bus taxied at the terminus in Udon Thani, 564 kilometres northeast of Bangkok. Cool breeze shook us up from our reverie forcing us to zip up our jackets. Tuk-tuk drivers approached us from all directions, all asking the same question: "Where would[...]

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by Jour ~ Friday, February 17, 2006 0 comments

Wat Pho Temple: Take a Thai massage course at Bangkok's famous temple

Historical Background:Wat Pho is a large Buddhist temple south of the royal palace. Although its history extends back at least to the 16th century, the current structures all date from 1793 or later. When the future King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri dynasty, unseated his rival Tak[...]

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by Jour ~ Tuesday, February 14, 2006 0 comments

Eco Tours in Thailand: Interview with a specialist in the field (Part 2)

Which three places would you recommend eco-tourists to visit in Thailand and why? One trip to appreciate nature would be a road trip around Trang Province. There are so many fascinating caves, including Tham Thale which you have to access by boat and then at certain points lie flat[...]

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by Jour ~ Friday, February 10, 2006 0 comments

Eco Tours in Thailand: Interview with a specialist in the field (Part 1)

An eco-tourist at heart, Duncan Worthington's first impressions of Krabi, on the Andaman coast of southern Thailand, was that of an idyllic coastal retreat of outstanding beauty. In short, he found the stunning vistas, virgin rainforest, easily accessible caves and healthy mangroves,[...]

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by Jour ~ Friday, February 10, 2006 0 comments

1st World Tattoo Arts Festival Thailand

The organizers are the Wong family who have been at the forefront of tattoo art in Thailand for years now. They are the best known tattoo artists from Thailand and also have been featured in many international magazines. When the zenithal top of worldwide professional tattooists gathered[...]

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by Jour ~ Thursday, February 9, 2006 0 comments

The 4 noble truths of Thailand: Part 4

On New Year's Eve, take the path of resistance On New Year's Eve at the Chaweng Buri Resort, all guests were compelled to buy a $100-per-person ticket to the New Year's Eve party. The buffet served a wide variety of inedible foods as a Thai variety show kicked off on a makeshift stage[...]

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by Jour ~ Thursday, February 9, 2006 0 comments

The 4 noble truths of Thailand: Part 3

Don't be afraid to suffer a little for good food. OK, at some street markets you can buy fried crickets, grasshoppers, worms and chicken heads. You are allowed to fear these delicacies. In addition to bugs, Thailand offers every cuisine imaginable, much of it delicious. My stomach[...]

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by Jour ~ Tuesday, February 7, 2006 0 comments

The 4 noble truths of Thailand: Part 2

Don't be too attached to your comfort level. Thailand is a land of dichotomies. Great beauty and wrenching poverty. Ancient religions and rampant prostitution. Expect to be dazzled and confused. The beaches are one of the most frustrating contradictions. For instance, take Koh Samui,[...]

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by Jour ~ Monday, February 6, 2006 0 comments