Thais are a gentle people. Thais avoid conflict. Thais are some of the most peaceful people in the world. After all, this is the Land of Smiles. Well, sort of…

I made a post a while back called “Visa Runs: The Long-term Expat Headache Explained,” and I realize people may be counting on this information as they try to make Thailand their home, so I thought it my responsibility to include an update due to some big changes in the way visas are being handled.

I’ve been meaning to make it out of Chiang Mai to go explore some more of Thailand for a while, but there’s something about this place that really holds onto you. As a result, I was around for my second experience of the famous Loy Krathong festival, otherwise known as the Floating Lantern Festival, and while this picturesque celebration takes place all over Thailand, this city has one of the […]

If you’re backpacking your way across Thailand on a budget, you are likely to get well acquainted with the famous noodle soup stalls–perhaps Thailand’s most popular street food. This is a delicious treat that will be missed when you head back home, so be sure to indulge.

When you come back from Thailand and tell your friends that you went for a massage, they will respond with a wink and a nudge. The most common response is to believe that you had “one of those” massages. And while those are certainly available, that’s not what traditional Thai massage is all about.

You can’t beat staying in a great hotel with a view of the river. There are two big rivers in Thailand; the Mekong and the Chao Phraya, and the Chao Phraya runs right through Bangkok. Some of the best restaurants in town, as well as some of the finest hotels, are located on the bank of the Chao Phraya.

Situated in the Suan-Lum Night Bazaar, you’ll find a wonderful building called the “Joe Louis Theater.” The first thing you wonder about of course, in this kingdom of unpronounceable names, is the name. “Joe Louis” is in fact, a nickname for a remarkable Thai artist whose real name was Sakorn Yanghiawsod, who has been deemed a National Artist, and was the sole keeper and Grand Master of the traditional Thai […]

“Chinatown.” The word conjures a sense of excitement, danger, and otherworldliness, and of film noir made by fugitive movie directors. 
Every big city in the world seems to have a Chinatown, and anybody who has done much traveling has visited one. Even if you’ve never been to China, you probably have had at least a glimpse of what it’s like, if you’ve ever been to San Francisco, London, or Sydney. Bangkok’s […]

Some people come to Thailand just to see the sacred temples, and even the most die-hard partier will take the occasional break to bask in their beauty. It gives you a chance to relax and take a timeout from the chaos of Thailand in a serene, picturesque setting as well as a get a unique glimpse of Thai culture. Buddhism permeates the heart and soul of this country and factors […]

Visitors from outside the Kingdom are often enthralled and amazed at the incredible attention paid to the king and the royal family in Thailand. It’s understandable, especially if you’re coming from the US, where the tradition of nobility and aristocracy doesn’t exist. It’s a fascinating spectacle, and one that is worth understanding from a Thai perspective.