Thailand

Dates: April 27th - May 25th, 2010

Thailand

Dry Season Nov-Mar

Rainy Season Apr-Oct

See: Muay Thai Boxing

April: Dok Khoon Song Kran Festival - In Bung Kaen Nakhon

May 22-23: Wisakha Puja (Full moon of sixth lunar month), Birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.  Holiest holiday, celebrated at every temple with candlelight processions.

End of June - Phi Ta Khon Festival in Loei

$10 = 400 baht, 10 baht = $.25

- Bangkok

Accomm: Shanti Lodge ($3)

Patpong - Red Light district

Wat Phra Kaew - Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Grand Palace: An emerald buddha

Wat Pho - Temple of the Reclining Buddha

Wat Mahathat

Sanam Luang - Kite-fighting contests

Wat Saket - Highest point in the city, golden chedi

Wat Suthat - Giant swing which Brahmin priests would try to catch money in the air, prohibited

Vimanmek Palace - Largest teak mansion i the world

Wat Benchamabophit - Marble temple, garden with sacred turtles

Wat Traimit - Giant Golden Buddha, largest in the world

Lumphini Park, nice place to relax

Sukhumvit Road Area - a place to walk around?

Wat Arun

Thai Massage

Ratchadamnoen Boxing Stadium or Lumphini Boxing Stadium

Chatuchak Market

Bed Supperclub

Lucifer Bar?

- Samut Prakan : Crocodile Farm and center of leather industry

- Damnoen Saduak : Floating market

- Si Racha - Tiger Zoo, take a picture with a baby tiger

Wat Ko Loi - Floating Island Temple, release a pair of finches at the top

Sea Turtles

- Pattaya

Get picture taken with tigers, bears and lions

Elephant treks

- Ko Samet island for beaches?

- Chanthaburi for gem district?

- Cha Am , beach town often deserted on weekdays, Accomm: Jolly & Jumper ?

>>>>>>> MANDATORY TO VISIT

- Wat Phu Tok and Bueng Khan

untouristed because of remote location

Seven levels - each stage of enlightenment

level five has sanctuary

climb through paths cut into rock and wooden platforms

Accomm: in Beung Khan - Santisuk Hotel or Samanmit Hotel (cheaper)

- Chiang Mai

Accomm: Lamchang House

Wat Doi Suthep and national park, mile high wat

- Sukhothai ?

Wat Thawet - three dimensional maze of statues with morbid depictions of buddhist hell

- Phuket and surrounding area is big for beach visiting

Mosquito Island? Less tourists maybe?

- Khao Sok National Park?, Tree Tops River Huts - treehouses

- Ko Samui - Island with beaches

- Co Surin, Simerlines, Satun

- Phirvrah - Thailand/Cambodia border

More Thailand Notes

Bangkok:

- Grand Palace

- Walk around

- Street food

- Bar hopping

- See if Giant Swing is open

- Kaosan Road

- Wat Benjamabophit

- See waterways

- Eat at Cabbages & Condoms

- Explore red-light districts

- Chatuchak Weekend Market

- Shadow Puppets

- Muay Thai Boxing

Damnoen Saduak:

- Floating market

Samut Songkram:

- Fireflies Tour

Nakhon Pathom:

- Tallest Buddha monument in world

Kanchanaburi

- Bridge on the River Kwai

- Tiger temple

Ayutthaya

- Ancient Wats and Temples

Lopburi:

- Temple with hundreds of monkeys

Sukhothai:

- More temple ruins

- Same at Si Satchanalai but less tourists?

Pattaya:

- Known for sex and sand

- Bottle museum

- Pattaya Monkey training center

- Sanctuary of Truth

Koh Samet:

- Beaches

Chumphon:

- Ao Thong Wua Laen Island - Beach near bird sanctuaries

Koh Samui:

- Drive around island

Koh Phangan:

- Party island

Koh Tao:

- Scuba certificate

Koh Phuket:

- Motorcycle around beaches

- Kata Beach may be good?

Phang Nga Bay

- Beautiful scenery

Koh Yao

- Homestay?

Similan Islands

- Diving

Krabi - not very interesting?

Railay Beach and Nang Cape

- Rock climbing?

- Nice limestone cliffsd

Koh Phi Phi

- More beaches and diving

Koh Lanta

- Fairly "undiscovered"

- Less touristy

Chiang Mai:

- Walk around

- Monk chat

- Night Safari

- Mae Sa Snake Farm

- Night bazaar

Lampang:

- Elephant Conservation Center

- Some wat

Pai:

- Tree House accommodation

Chiang Rai:

- Mae Salong may be beautiful

- "Long necks" ethnic people

Sai Ngam (near Phimai):

- Worlds largest banyan tree

Prasat Khao Phra Wihan

- Supposedly great temple