Big also initiated a cherry knotting contest. It so happened that we had more than 3 cherries on our ice cream. We were amused that Big would know about this western tradition. Who won? Nobody! Not one of us was successful. We need more practice I guess! 

Blogger: Michael Paul & Jennifer

The Warorot Market is one of the largest markets in Chiang Mai! It is centrally located and close to the Ping River. The Warorot Market is open during the day and evening and is visited more by local Thais than tourists. You can buy anything from fresh fruits, vegetables and spices to jewelry, clothes and hill-tribe products.  Any given day, if you are interested in buying a bunny rabbit and having it sit on your lap while you get a manucure or foot massage in the market, you have come to the right place!  At night, it gets extremely crowded because of the amazingly low prices for produce and locally-made crafts.  Because of its accessible location, it is likely that you will stumble upon it during your visit to Chiang Mai, whether you plan to or not.  It is a great accidental discovery and you might just make a new friend with a cute little bunny rabbit!

Blogger: Aubrey & Parker

Suan Lum Night Bizarre

One of the most popular destinations for Thais and tourists is Silom Night Bizarre. This location offers food (average plate price 50 baht,) free entertainment, beer gardens and shopping all in one place. Around five o’clock, shopkeepers begin rolling up their doors, pulling out tables and preparing for a night of vending as the shopping begins. This location offers the unique opportunity to watch a concert while eating and drinking at the beer gardens then taking a short stroll over to the rows upon rows of shops offering everything from t-shirts, trinkets, massages, stereos and anything else one can imagine. Refine the art of haggling as one should never take the price tag as the final price. One suggestion is to take half the price tag as your starting point and move up from there as the shop keeper lowers their price. Located next to Lumpini Park near Lumpini Subway Station, this location offers the opportunity to enjoy the cool night air after a hot day while shopping to your hearts content.

***Special note – rows of taxi drivers await the weary shoppers just outside of the Night Bizarre. Make sure that they use the meters to take you to your destination. Leave any taxi that attempts to negotiate a flat fee.  The first taxi that we entered wanted a 200 baht flat fee. The actual taxi that we used with a meter charged 50 baht.***

Blogger:  Curtis & Mark

Samphran Elephant Grounds and Zoo offers the unique opportunity to interact with elephants first hand. It is such a rare treat to make friends with these beautiful and elegant creatures. Their size could be intimidating but they are far from anything but loving. Somehow you want to sneak one in your luggage and take them home.

For more information about the zoo visit http://www.elephantshow.com or call (66) 2295 2938. The location is 117 Moo 6 Petkasem Rd., Samphran Nakhon Pathom 73110, Thailand. Ticket price 500 baht.

Blogger: Curtis & Mark

Westerners certainly have more of a love for trains than most of the locals in Thailand, the latter of whom consider such mode of transport as almost prehistoric - then again, I guess some of the trains operating actually are! While tripping around Thailand though, it’s almost a must, at least once, to experience the one-and-only Thai train. Take the Bangkok-Chiang Mai train, for example: even though the train does the journey much slower than the overnight bus, you won’t have to tolerate blaring karaoke or sub-zero air-conditioning.

Instead, you could be having a lot of fun in the train’s funky restaurant meeting locals and fellow travellers while enjoying a friendly game of cards and a chilled beer. And instead of waking up in the morning to the sight of a six-lane motorway and countless petrol stations, you’ll be relishing a beautiful sunrise from the heart of the Thai countryside.

If the North isn’t your cup of tea, then head to Isaan, which definitely has one of the best routes in Thailand: Nakhon Ratchasima to Ubon Ratchathani.

The train is incredibly slow but you can break your journey up and spend a night in the groovy provincial towns of Surin, Buri Ram and Si Sa Ket. It’s a great ride, on which you can enjoy the company of super-friendly locals, who will, for sure, be inviting you to tuck into a delicious on-board picnic of grilled chicken, papaya salad and sticky rice.

You’ll get the chance to pick up some Isaan dialect or even Khmer. Then, for those who fancy Thailand’s longest route, book yourselves onto the Bangkok-Penang International Express. It’s a 21-hour journey to remember.

So, wherever you plan to go this year, make sure that at least once you take the one-and-only Thai train!

Blogger: Stephen Cleary
URL: http://www.thai-blogs.com

Currently, the famous and well known musical crew, ‘Chicago – The Musical’, is in Bangkok bringing their music and excitement to Thailand as well as enjoying their trip to Thailand too. As being in Bangkok since Feb 9th 2009, they have captured their special moments in words expressed through their blogs at http://www.chicagothemusical.com/blog/.

Well, to highlight few of their expressions about Bangkok are their quotes as below:

Feb 18, Tmcleod (Terra) posts, “The highlight of the day for me though was WAT PHRA KAEW the home to Thailand’s most sacred relic- The Emerald Buddha and the country’s most stunning temple. Its glitters and sparkles.  It is the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand and hundreds pay their respect to it every day. Today I was one of those visitors.  It was hot today and at one point I had to take a seat and rest.  Across from me was a group of Buddhist student monks.  They were sitting together and I found myself going towards them.  I took a seat beside one of them and he turned to smile at me.  It was such a docile look.  One of kindness and peace and maybe even curiosity.  Kevin caught the moment on camera.  It was a special moment for me.  Two worlds, two complete opposite lives meeting at the same place. In the chaos of Bangkok I found a moment of stillness at Wat Phra Kaew.”

As music being their profession, they really love traveling and enjoy their travel as on
Feb 7, Tmcleod (Terra) posts, “If there is one part of my job that I love most …this is it.  Traveling and sharing with various cultures, and people from all over the world.”

The shows are going on and ‘Chicago The Musical’ carries on to capture special moments.

This is where Thailand, the Land of Smiles and the tourism epicenter of Southeast Asia steps in and paves the way; a country where those with higher spending power can enjoy a luxurious 5-star hotel room for just a 100 Euro and an exquisitely romantic buffet dinner cruise for 60 Euro. Then, for those on a budget an exotically located beach bungalow can be had for 15 Euro and a dish of tasty shrimp fried rice for even less than a Euro.

It is no wonder therefore, that Thailand has, this year been awarded the designation of Best Country Brand for Value for Money by the coveted Country Brand Index (CBI) during World Trade Market (WTM), London, 2008 (the largest trade conference of its kind in the UK). CBI is a world leader in terms of global brand consultancy which incorporates qualitative and quantitative research, quality opinions and references relevant statistics which link brand equity to assets growth and expansion.

Developed by Future Brand in conjunction with the public relations firm Weber Shandwick’s Global Travel Practice, the annual study has, for the past four years, ranked countries in accordance to key criteria while identifying emerging global trends in the world’s second largest economic industry – travel & tourism. Brands included authenticity, sports, business, fine dining and perhaps most important of all ‘Value for Money’. And besides Singapore, Thailand was the only Southeast Asian country to have been acknowledged.

This result as Best Country Brand for Value for money truly evidences the fact that Thailand has become the globally leading tourism destination for those seeking to stretch their hard-earned income.

This value for money includes some of the best the world has to offer in regards to spa, golf, women-only, family-friendly, green, beach, diving and medical tourism. Fields of tourism where Thailand has recently excelled, soared in popularity and been accoladed by their relative expert sectors.

Besides being honored best value for money in November 2008, Thailand also received designation in other key travel decision areas. They were:

- 3rd Best Country Brand for Authenticity
- 4th Best Country Brand for Shopping
- 4th Best Country Brand for Nightlife

Thailand’s unique authenticity includes: distinctive cuisine, angelic dance, ancient Thai boxing and revitalizing Thai massage. And not forgetting of course, that natural honest-to-goodness renowned smile which is synonymous with Thailand’s people.

On to shopping and Bangkok has evolved into one of the world’s shopping hubs which satisfies every serious shopper’s appetite. The Ratchaprasong Shopping District is a colorful haven offering everything from luxury to local brand-names, jewelry to jeans and cutlery to crafts. Besides just the famous shopping destinations at Ratchaprasong, within walking distance there are other renowned destinations such as Siam Paragon, Siam Square, Discovery Center and MBK.

Finally, but certainly not least, Thailand’s riveting nightlife continues to entertain in leaps and bounds. Whether it is a quiet bar, traditional Irish pub, glitzy show & dance, enthralling live music or a bustling discotheque you are after, Thailand’s main tourism destinations has it all.

So, if you are counting the cash while planning your next travel itinerary do ensure that Thailand is one of those destinations which get serious contemplation.

This time around, real travelers, have in the 2008 Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards, designated six Thailand destinations as among the best in the world and in Asia. Top ranked was the stunning Andaman island of Ko Phi Phi (Best in the World) followed closely by Bangkok, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao which were all voted best in Asia. All the travelers who voted belonged to the Internet’s most popular and largest travel community website www.tripadvisor.com

The award-winning www.tripadvisor.com, founded in February of 2004, ranks amongst the world’s top 500 websites with 30 million unique visitors a month, and assists some 20 million travelers from 190 countries a week to plan their vacations. Besides actual destinations, the website offers only real advice from real travelers on the best hotels, flights, restaurants, cruises and guides. This evidences therefore, that Thailand has proudly developed as a tourist destination in a variety of fields.

After the designations, Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor put it “Whether it’s for their unique beauty, or abundance of attractions, the 2008 Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards honor the most beloved destinations from around the world” And it is here that Thailand has once again excelled and proven its popularity as a truly amazing holiday haven with “exceptional places that enthrall travelers”

A location for Hollywood movies with silky sandy beaches, stunning views, colorful coral and crystal clear waters, the beautiful southern island of Ko Phi Phi Don has been voted as a Best Destination in the World by millions of knowledgeable travelers. And it is no wonder, since amazed backpackers first arrived on banana boats in the 1970s, Ko Phi Phi has been acknowledged as one of the most naturally beautiful islands in the entire world.

Travelers’ praise for Ko Phi Phi on the website is abundant; as one member Zorro from New Zealand recently commented “We loved it because to us the beaches were gorgeous, the food and people lovely as per Thailand way, the scenery was amazing like the crystal waters, the beach, the mountains either side of that narrow spit of land where the buildings are, we loved the laid back atmosphere”

The other five Thailand destinations which won accolades as a Best Destination in Asia, were:

- Bangkok
- Krabi
- Chiang Mai
- Ko Phangan
- Ko Tao

Shortly after being voted the Best City in the World by the New York based Travel & Leisure Magazine, the exhilaratingly vibrant capital city of Bangkok has once again received recognition as a great tourist destination, a city which literally never stops. Next up is the culturally riveting “Rose of the North”, Chiang Mai. This ancient province is famed for its plentiful tradition, amiable locals, cool weather and photogenic scenery.

Then, for those travelers who prefer a spot of sea breeze to elephant trekking, the delightfully dazzling mainland Krabi has emerged over the years as a true hotspot for beach-fads who love nothing more than soaking up sea & sand.

Taking the travel-world by surprise however, are the islands of Ko Phangan and Ko Tao which have dramatically transformed, over the past few years, into two of the most destined locations for those ‘getting off the beaten-track’.

Once a remote virtually unheard of island, Ko Phangan is now a backpacker legend renowned for its idyllic secluded beaches and world-famous full-moon parties; an island which has suddenly become the talk of every budget hotel and hostel around the globe.

Located just north of Ko Phangan, the island of Ko Tao is now one of the hottest diving destinations in Asia for those wishing to learn, marvel and experience this enthralling activity. Ko Tao is also synonymous with budget accommodation, delicious seafood and a charming nightlife. Traveladvisor’s very own review of Ko Tao writes “Drifting serenely in the Gulf of Thailand, the palm-fringed island of Ko Tao takes its name from the abundant sea turtles that reside on its shores….  and 300 days of sun invite long afternoons of lounging.

So, from surreal natural beauty, jewel-laden temples and picture-on-a-postcard islands to a renowned hospitality and robust cuisine, Thailand’s delightful combination of exotic attributes makes it a prime destination for both seasoned and newly heeled travelers.