Thailand and Thai people

Thailand is a nice country to visit, being the second economy in South East Asia after Singapore; it is quite developed compared to the region, and tourism is already well implemented. Thai people are genuinely nice and welcoming. The only thing I regret is they usually don’t speak English, so I found it quite hard to communicate with them. If I compare with Cambodia, which is poorer, people there speak English, I remember I could even joke with Cambodians kids.

When visiting Thailand, plan it for several days or weeks if possible, (it will probably depend on where you coming from). The country is large and although I’ve seen a bit of it there are many parts of the country I have miss. I can think of the Southern part known for its beaches or the North with places like Chang Mai where you can do a lot of outdoor activities among other things.

My last comment is about the food; it is good, better than good, exquisite.

They have it all, rice, noodles, meat, fish, spices, sauces, vegetables, fruits…you name it. I cannot remember a particular dish I like but generally speaking a foodie in Thailand will not be disappointed.

Destination Thailand | Kanchanaburi

While I enjoyed Bangkok with its noise, dynamism, and nightlife I decided to leave the city for few days and explore Thailand countryside. I went to Kanchanaburi, a town located 200 km northwest of Bangkok. It is a two hours ride with a comfortable bus including AC for only 110 baht, (more info about the bus trip here).

In Kanchanaburi I stayed at the Tamarind, a guesthouse with rooms overlooking the river Kwai. It is exactly what I was looking for when getting away from Bangkok, a chilled out atmosphere along the river with no noise and not so many tourists.

OK, now Kanchanaburi? I bet none of you has ever heard about this town before! I had not, I heard it the first time when a fellow traveller I met in Bangkok mention it to me and says you should come with us and check out the place.  I said yes.

The city is located at the confluence of the river Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai (yes the same river as in the film The Bridge on the River Kwai). It goes without saying the main tourist attraction in the city is around the bridge, together with several temples especially the Continue reading

Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by bus

To get there from Bangkok, you can take the BKS public buses (line 81). The bus leaves from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal.

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When you get to the terminal, look for the stands 79 and 80 to buy your tickets.

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I bought first class ticket for buses that leave Bangkok every 15 minutes from 05:00-22:30. It takes about two hours, and cost 110 baht including a bottle of water.

In Kanchanaburi, the bus drops you at the main terminal in the centre of the city.

From there, you can take a tuk tuk, or a taxi that will drive you to your guesthouse. If you do not have a guesthouse, gently ask the driver a recommendation based on your criteria and he should be able to find you something reasonable.

 

Bangkok and Khaosan Road

I arrived in Khaosan road, Bangkok from Siem Reap late afternoon. After checking-in at my guesthouse, I went out to discover the Khaosan Road magic.

Those of you who have been there know what I am talking about, for the rest just imagine one street in central Bangkok, during the day it has plenty of shops selling handcrafts, paintings, food, and many useful and useless backpacker items. Late evening, the street transforms itself into an outdoor party ambiance with plenty of restaurants, bars, and pubs playing music and serving food.

In these pubs and bars, you can meet and discuss your travels with other tourists and backpackers; it is a perfect spot for the solo traveller. In fact, Khaosan road is a Continue reading