Thailand - The Golden Land

Thailand is often described as the 'Golden land' and no clearer is this depicted than in its hundreds of idyllic islands. South of Bangkok on the Kra Isthmus peninsula dotted between the Gulf of Thailand on one side and the Andaman Sea on the other, tourists are spoilt for choice. Thailand's islands are the prime reason it has such a strong tourism sector. Tropical Islands with clean white sand beaches, lapping warm waters, coconut trees and amazing scenery, the hundreds of thousands of visitors that come here each year can't be wrong. The Tsunami was devastating to some parts of Thailand's islands, such as Phi Phi, Phuket and Samui but the Thai people are resilient and have rebuilt the islands that were affected in this tragic event we all remember.

The islands known to the tourist, such as Samui, Phi Phi and the most known Phuket are a clear example of the diversity of the islands, their character defined by the tourists they attract. The diver loves Ko Tao, an up and coming island only a couple of hours north of Samui. Phuket is a loud island, accessible in that it has its own airport and has a wide range of accommodation needs. It has an abundance of bars, clubs and many of a seedy nature as does Pattaya. It is a great jump off point to the Similian islands for some world-class diving.

Samui, located on the east coast Gulf of Thailand is a clear example of how quickly Thai tourism develops as once a backpacker haven it now has its own international airport and is awry with world-class accommodation and facilities. It's a mesh between the busy Pattaya and the backpacker's Koh Phangan Island where the full moon parties of yesteryear are famed, having busy beaches such as Chaweng and Lami to quieter Bophut and Buddha beaches catering to every type of traveller.

The Phi Phi islands are famed from the appearance in the Movie 'the beach' and while some parts were affected in the tsunami, they offer an amazing destination experience for their raw beauty which never can be taken away. Racha Islands are popular with divers and day trippers as is the Coral Islands. Head to Ko Lanta for some Rest and relaxation, located between the gorgeous Krabi province and Phuket Island. So whether you head to Koh Chang, the newest popular Thai island destination due to its proximity to Bangkok or you fancy the popular young Thai destination hotspot of Koh Samet you'll have a fantastic time.

Thailand's islands offer something for everyone and every taste from Holistic sanctuary to eco-lodges, basic hut to 5 star all inclusive hotels. The islands landscapes are equally diverse, with many island interiors allowing great day trips on your mopeds to explore hiking trails and waterfalls. By night sip a drink in your hammock watching the red roaring sunsets, by day float in the calm warm waters. While Thailand is a safe friendly destination to visit is does have many large protests between military and opposing factions in the public realm so keep current on affairs in Thailand before going.

Koh Samui Thailand - Travel Destination

Koh Samui is easily reached from Bangkok, Thailand's main transport hub, by plane or bus / ferry combination. Other domestic destinations and even Malaysia can be reached from here as well. Should you travel by land, Surat thani Town, Don Sak or Chumporn are the ferry ports to reach the island.

Even due to all the development going on in recent years, the island still has its green stretches and also exports around seventy tons of coconuts per month, mostly to Bangkok.

Having started off as backpacker destination in the early 80's, Samui offers now something for everybody. From a beach bungalow to a high tech villa. A speed garage spring break in stylish bars and venues, one made completely from ice, or a chilled family holiday with some yoga recreation. The size of Samui, and its countless bays make it possible.

Or you are even thinking about renting a house. Should you stay more than one month it can save you a great deal of money. You can rent any style of house between 80 $ and 8000 $ a month. Most of them will have air conditioning included and feature some furniture or a kitchen. Huge Retailers like Makro(TM), BigC(TM) or TESCO(TM) make your daily shopping easier.

Getting around is easy as regular bus and taxi services connect all major towns and beaches. Private air conditioned and metered taxis can be hired for a slightly higher share. For single travelers a motorbike taxi will be the cheapest way to get around.

Samui offers a lot of spare time activities. Mountain trails, waterfalls or tours to the Ang Thong National Marine Park for the nature lovers. Golf & Shooting Ranches, Water parks and Go karts for the holiday junkie. And Fine Dining Restaurants, Tennis Tournaments and sailing cruises for high flyers. A lot of western managed diving schools will happily take care of your water sports needs. And a trip around the island may discover some fun activities such as football golf or guppy fishing. There is plenty to do for everybody.

Speedboat transfers to the world famous Full Moon Party on the sister island of Koh Phangan are easily available at every travel agency.

Please note that Koh Samui is part of the Surt thani province. One of fifteen provinces in Thailand where the wearing of a helmet whilst operating a motorcycle is required. The legal fine for offenders varies between 300 and 500 Thai Baht (7-12$). If you never have driven a motorcycle before, then Koh Samui is not the place to learn it.

Have a nice holiday and enjoy the land of smile.

What Are the Best Places to Visit in Thailand?

Thailand is a fantastic country, full of mystery, intrigue, excitement and joy. Two years ago I decided to travel there with 3 other friends and almost no idea of what to expect. I literally just said "yes" to them when they asked me if I wanted to go, and really had no clue what their culture or country was like at all. That being said, I think that going there was the best thing that I ever did, and I'm so glad that I decided to go, as the people that I went with are brothers for life and the experiences we had out there were legendary.

So what made it so good? There is a place in Northern Thailand called Chiang Mai where I went bungee jumping as well as going on a 3 day trek into the foothills of the north. After that we headed south to the party island of Ko Phangan. This place is now famous for the legendary 'Full Moon Party' that they host every month. The party takes place on a beach with different DJs all the way along and goes on from 9pm till 9am the next day.

Towards the end of our stay we visited a place just east of Bangkok called Kanchanaburi. This place is home to the infamous 'death railway' and the bridge over the river Kwai (which has a film based on it). The place is a chilling reminder of the horrors of war, and there were many memorials and graveyards commemorating those who tragically gave their lives. Though the experience was a little depressing, it made me appreciate what I have now more, and ultimately I'm glad I went there.

Explore Koh Samui's Hot Spots

Chaweng has plenty of its own resorts and places to stay and is the main area in Samui to enjoy the islands nightlife, but it also attracts those from quieter areas who taxi in for the lights and action. Restaurants and bars situated right on the beach provide the perfect place to chill out, get there for sunset and be mesmerized by the colours and beautiful view. The beach is always a great place when you're on holiday as it sets the atmosphere for romance and fun.

Chaweng has its fair share of sophisticated cocktail bars, girly bars and clubs too and many of these can be found on the road that runs parallel with the beach. The main nightlife area centers around Soi Green Mango and draws the party animals looking for excitement and other like-minded tourists who like to drink and have a good time. Dance bars line the street competing with each other in music volume and girls from gogo bars will entice you in to drink with them - once you are in the area then it's easy enough to walk from one place to another as the bars are so close to each other.

The Green Mango club is located in a massive warehouse and split into 2 sections, one plays hip hop and pop, whilst the other has house and techno for hardcore dancers. Sweet Soul Café is popular with the locals and tourists and one of the liveliest with a range of pop music, dance, R n' B, and hip hop tunes - go there to dance not to relax. Bar Solo has a calm, stylish ambiance to it and plays some great tunes with DJ's playing house and lounge music.

The perfect oudoor dance venue is Sound which plays hip-hop and R n' B to the crowds and high-energy housetracks. Between the 2 dance floors is a swimming pool that provides the scene for late at night water action. Whilst if it's live music you are searching for then head down to the lake where the Reggae Pub has been a feature for years. It's got a dance floor and also has international DJ's and live bands throughout the night.

Bar Ice is a bit further out of town on the northern road and a strange place to find on a tropical island as everything, from the walls, bar, sculptures and seats are totally made from Canadian ice. Don't panic though, as they won't melt. Come and see the elephant and tuk tuk sculptures for a truly unique experience. Samui Koh Phangan bars and clubs are fun filled and exciting places to discover when you holiday here.

Christy's Cabaret is Samui's leading ladyboy entertainment spot, and if you are on holiday and new to the idea of ladyboys then it's worth a look at least. It can be great fun as the show features women who are actually men miming to well-known show tunes and dressed up to the nines in wigs, spangles and baubles whilst performing intricate dance routines.

Bars and clubs are bound by law to close at 2 which may seem a little early for some revelers, however, there are some that do stay open until the early hours and if you are up for it just ask around and you'll soon find out which they are. Check out Samui travel online for more information on other bars and venues all over the island.

Don't worry that Chaweng is only for youngsters wanting to get drunk. Thais are very child-friendly and there are lots of places to accommodate those with a young family. People watching is fun here and if you are up for a fun night out then Chaweng Samui is the place to visit.

Chaloklum Fishing Village: An Excellent Alternative to the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan

Perhaps to its detriment, the island of Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand has become infamous for the Full Moon parties that rage monthly through the town of Haadrin. International media coverage and even local perception in neighboring provinces is often unfavorable. I often find, that, when Koh Phangan comes up in conversation, Thais and tourists alike raise their eyebrows slightly, give a knowing smirk, and make a dismissive remark about the island as if crazed partying were all Koh Phangan had to offer.

The reality could not be farther from the truth. While the entire island does see an influx of tourists during the full moon, only the the strip between Thongsala and Haadrin truly comes close to living up to the island's party reputation. And that only happens for a few days on either side of the Full Moon Party.

If you really are put off by the notion of the Full Moon Party though, there is an excellent alternative. Located on the Northern side of the Koh Phangan, as far away as you can possibly get from Haadrin by road (or by boat for that matter), is Chaloklum Fishing Village, or Baan Chaloklum, as it is known locally. Chaloklum and Haadrin could not be more different, despite the fact that they both occupy the same 168 square kilometer slab of rock in the Gulf of Thailand. Where Haadrin seems overrun with sun-kissed and alcohol-crazed, gap-year backpackers on a tear, Chaloklum is a laid-back fishing community which has managed to retain its Thai charm while providing a high level of services, activities and amenities for tourists, travelers and long-stay residents.

Chaloklum Village is composed of a 1.5 kilometre strip of low-level traditional Thai shop houses, small restaurants, bars, cafes and shops that line Chaloklum Bay. Just as the village has retained its traditional architecture, the traditional way of life has continued in this active fishing community. Squid boats ply the harbour, fish can be found drying in the sun on racks along the beach, children attend the local school, and the temple is still the center of village life.

It is a haven for family businesses and a sanctuary from the madness that seems to be slowly overtaking the rest of the island. Absent are the beer bars that line the road between Thongsala and Haadrin on the South coast. Instead, one business in Chaloklum hosts a weekly children's day and musical jam session, providing arts and craft and activities for visiting and local kids, while the adults listen to spontaneous live music into the evening.

Ironically, Chaloklum is becoming increasingly popular with the people who helped make Haadrin what it is today. Travelers who first partied at Full Moon on Haadrin beach fifteen years ago return to Koh Phangan again and again, they just have different priorities, and, more often than not, children. Chaloklum has evolved meet those needs.

Many of these returning travelers have become long-term residents of Koh Phangan and have settled into the increasing number of private houses that surround Chaloklum. With the availability of broadband internet and an ever improving communications infrastructure, Chaloklum has become home to a growing community of writers, artists and others who work from home using the internet to keep in touch.

The village also hosts a growing dive community. Because of its location on the Northern side of Koh Phangan, and its large government pier, Chaloklum is the ideal departure point for dive trips to some of the best sites in the Gulf of Thailand. The abundance of decently priced accommodation, five-star dive instruction and a raft of excellent restaurants, pubs and services make Chaloklum an excellent place to complete an extended dive certification or just enjoy fun dives in Thailand's warm waters. If diving is not your thing, the snorkeling at Koh Ma is hard to beat.

For the sports junkie Chaloklum provides plenty of options. Depending on the season both kite surfing and wakeboarding are available. The mountains that surround the village also make it a great place to go mountain biking. For those who prefer to be on foot, an endless amount of mountain and jungle trails will satisfy even the most avid hiker or adventurous jogger.

If it is relaxation you are after, swimming, sunbathing or just relaxing at a beach bar with a beer or fruit shake in your hand, Chaloklum is a stone's throw away from some of the best beaches on the island. Haad Salad, Haad Khom, and Mae Haad are all minutes away by motorbike car or taxi. Haad Yao and Haad Chao Prao are just a little further along the coast. For the ambitious explorer, long tail boats leave regularly from Chaloklum for the otherwise inaccessible Bottle Beach or even Thong Nai Pan.

As a holiday destination Chaloklum is ideal for families, couples or singles alike. To be fair though, be it in Haadrin, or Chaloklum, or all points in between, all of Koh Phangan offers something for everyone, whether you intend to stay for a week or for a year. The island offers a variety of experiences for all ages and for all budgets. Don't be mislead by what you might have heard. Come see for yourself.

Backpacking in Thailand - 5 Must See Destinations

Thailand is a renowned backpacker destination and has seen travellers coming through the gates for many years. Its appeal is in its fantastic variety as well as its exotic feel which provides a real escape for Westerners. The problem is in trying to decide where to go in the time you have there as there are so many wonderful places on offer. I've tried to make this decision easier for you by listing my 5 favourite spots that you can't miss if you're heading to Thai shores:

1. Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is the place most people are aware of when they head over due to it being the host of the 'Full Moon Party'. Hundreds of thousands of backpackers flock there every year to drink Sam Son and paint themselves in fluorescent pen. It truly is a memorable experience - just make sure you don't enjoy it too much!

2. Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a great place to escape from the island hopping lifestyle and hoards of foreigners and sample some authentic Thai lifestyle. Obviously there are still plenty of travellers to be seen but you'll also bump into a Buddhist monk and a woman on the street who will cook you some of the best food you've ever eaten in 2 minutes. There's also an array of treks out into the jungle using Chiang Mai as a jump off point where you can see elephants, ride bamboo rafts and much more.

3. Khao Sok National Park
This stunning national park offers another excellent retreat from the hectic parties and beach goers with a seemingly never ending supply of breathtaking walks leading to deserted lakes underneath cascading waterfalls. If you're lucky you'll spot some of the wildlife that lurks in the shadows as well from elephants to leopards.

4.Bangkok
You can't miss Bangkok on a trip to Thailand. This sprawling urban mass is an assault on the senses and will wear you out in no time, but it is a totally unique experience that will leave you stunned. From the tours of golden palaces to the offers from Thai 'girls' on every corner it is a world away from home. Get yourself a new suit, chomp on some Pad Thai and then get out before it's too late!

5.Kho Phi Phi
Phi Phi has long been the jewel in Thailand's crown ever since it featured in The Beach and it certainly lives up to the hype. Whilst it is steadily getting overrun by travellers there is still nothing more refreshing than dipping your toes in the crystal clear waters that are surrounded by huge, green rocks towering over you and providing the frame for this beautiful picture. Make sure this is near the top of your itinerary but be careful, you might end up not seeing anywhere else.

For info on other backpacking destinations visit Top Backpacking Destinations.

Full Mooon Party in Koh Phangan, Tips For Staying Safe

The greatest beach party on earth. This is the only way to describe the infamous full moon party in Koh Phangan, you'll struggle to find anywhere else in the world that has such a concentrated mass of party goers and fun lovers. Situated on the white sands of Hat Rin beach, the party takes place every month, but its most popular 2 events are at the end of July and on new years eve. Here's a little about that party and a few tips to stay safe.

Originally the party was a small gathering of backpackers but now attracts 10,000 - 30,000 people each month. The beach is full of bars that blast out the latest dance, drum and bass, electro and dustep music, headlined by some of the worlds top DJs.

Don't for one second think that thailand is lenient on recreational drug use, as those days are long gone. It's common for secret police to be patrolling known drug exchange areas and the penalty for being caught out is very harsh. It simply isn't worth the risk of ruining your holiday/travels.

Most people stay either in Koh Phangan in some of the cheaper accommodation available or on its sister island Koh Samui. A speed boat ferry return ticket can be purchased in advance from Koh Samui and ensures your safe return the next morning. The party usually goes on till around 11am, but the main entertainment is at around 2am where fire swings and rings become available for the brave. Body and face paint becomes the norm and the real partying starts.

Only take enough cash with you to see you through the night, do NOT take your wallet. As pleasant as the atmosphere is, thieves do operate on the beaches so be vigilant. Always arrange a meeting spot with your friends as if you lose them, the sheer mass of people will stop you from ever finding them again without a pre-determined meeting point.

But most of all have fun, the full moon is set up to be one of the greatest nights out you'll ever experience, don't let a silly mistake ruin it!