Nov 26
Koh Chang
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     Koh Chang is the second largest island of Thailand (largest island in the Koh Chang Marine Park archipelago), located on the Thai east coast 310 km away from Bangkok near the border to Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. The name means Elephant Island.
   
     Koh Chang was named for the elephant shape of its headland, although elephants are not indigenous to the island. At present, there are 8 villages in total. It is a mountainous island and Khao Salak Phet is the highest peak of all at 744 metres.
   
     Visitors are also met with several waterfalls, splendid reefs and rainforests. The island has an area of approximately 429 square kilometers. Koh Chang was previously an unsettled island but it is now important as a harbour for ships to escape from the monsoon, and dietary or fresh water resources, especially at Ao Salak Phet or Ao Salat which is well known to pirates, Hai Lam Chinese and Vietnamese.
 
     The island is part of the Mu Koh Chang Marine National Park. During World War II, when Thailand was occupied by the Japanese, Koh Chang was the scene of a naval battle between the reluctant Royal Thai Navy and a Vichy France squadron, in which the Thais were decisively beaten.
   
     Until the mid-1980s the infrastructure on the island was undeveloped, but tourism has increased significantly since then. Around the year 2000, malaria was eradicated, the area became a national park (and began charging entry fees).
   
     The island now receives 655,000 visitors annually, about two thirds of them Thai. Koh Chang is one of the few places with virgin forest, but the mad rush to cash in on tourism has had a heavy toll on its virgin forests. Land prices have skyrocketed, there are also beautiful if not high end resorts now popping up all over the island. 
   
     History: Prior to World War II, Ko Chang was little known by anyone. During this period, the few families there made a living growing coconuts and fruit on the mainland. In January 1941, during the Japanese occupation, the Thai Navy fought the French in a battle in the waters to the south-east of Koh Chang. It was the French who were the victors after the Thai naval ship was sunk.
     Nothing else happened to Koh Chang until the first backpacker foreigners started arriving on the back of local fishing boats in the mid-1970s. In 1982, Koh Chang along with surrounding area became part of the protected Mu Chang Marine. Only very recently, in less than ten years, Koh Chang has turned itself into a major tourist destination, both for foreigners and local Thais.
   
     The recent success of Koh Chang as a serious tourist destination has been quite phenomenal. But it remains a lot more peaceful and less developed than islands like Samui and Phuket. It’s some 5 hours from Bangkok by bus and there’s no airport on the island yet so it should remain more tranquil than Samui or Phuket.
   
     Koh Chang too is one of Thailand most beautiful islands with some white sandy beaches, some half deserted. Some of the beaches are rocky in parts though so it doesn’t have ideal swimming beaches like Phuket. The island is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including a good selection of birds, snakes, deer and a number of elephants. The island and its vicinity are great places for snorkeling, diving and jungle hiking.
   
     Some critics however, worry that the Koh Chang tourism boom won’t survive as they believe that ‘gross over-development will only, over time, frighten off tourists to one of the other more unspoilt islands nearby.
   
     Investors though, claim that what they are now doing in Koh Chang is nothing on the scale of the likes of Samui. With the development of Koh Kong in Cambodia as a casino resort, it makes Koh Chang even more of an ideal place for a stop-over between the two islands. This so called tourism boom is relative to a small base. Tourist numbers are a lot less than Samui or Phuket and approx 2/3 of the visitors are Thai.
   

Nov 25
Hua Hin
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     In 1834, before the name Hua Hin was coined, some agricultural areas of Phetchaburi Province were hit by severe drought. A group of farmers moved southward until they found a small village that had bright white sands and a row of rocks along the beach. They settled here and gave it the name Samore Riang (Thai สมอเรียง), which mean rows of rock.
   
     In 1921 the director of the state railway, Prince Purachatra, built the Railway Hotel close to the beach. King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) liked the place so much that he built a summer palace there. The palace was named Wang Klai Kang Won (’Far from Worries’). It is now the full-time residence of His Majesty the King of Thailand. His Royal Highness Prince Krom Phra Naresworarit was the first member of the royal family to build a group of palaces at Ban Laem Hin, called Sukaves, and he give the name Hua Hin to the beach next to his palace.
   
     In 1932 Hua Hin was part of Pran Buri district. In 1949 Hua Hin was promoted to be a district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province. After the building of southern railway, Hua Hin became the first and most popular beach resort of Thailand.
     Thailand’s royal family and especially former kings were the first to set this location on the map as the original seashore destination in Thailand. The 5km long beach itself is pretty and the sea is relatively clean. Besides just sunbathing snorkeling and swimming, it is the place supporting attractions and activities such as golf, spas, caves, peaks, waterfalls, shops, seafood and nearby national parks.
   
     Popular activities in Hua Hin include:fishing, eco-cruising, kite-boarding, fitness, martial arts, elephant camping, Thai massage, spa, cooking courses, trekking, walking, cycling, diving, snorkeling, creative arts, water sports, pony-riding and golf. 
   
Hua Hin has three important events as below:
     Thailand’s International Kite Festival is during March, April and May and features stunt kites, big kites, little kites, high tech kites, traditional Thai kites, and displays of international kites.
     Hua Hin Jazz Festival June is the time of the year when ‘jazz on the beach’ happens at the annual Hua Hin Jazz Festival. The popular event attracts world class jazz musicians from Thailand and all over the world.
     Hua Hin Vintage Car Rally Hoteliers, the Vintage Car Club of Thailand, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand annually sponsor a ‘parade’ of vintage and classic cars starting at the Sofitel Central in Bangkok and ending in at the Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort. The cars, with drivers and passengers decked out in 1920’s attire, make the 225km promenade in December of each year. The festivities culminate with a 1920’s party at the Sofitel, which appropriately is a Victorian-style structure built in the 1920’s.
 

Nov 20
Koh Lanta
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HistoryThe district was established in December 1901.
     The origin of the name is unclear, but it may originate from the Javanese word lantas, meaning a type of grill for fish. The name of the island was officially changed to “Koh Lanta” in 1917.
      From archaeological discoveries, it is believed that the area was one of the oldest communities in Thailand dating back to the prehistoric period. It is believed that this province may have taken its name after the meaning of Krabi, which means sword. This may have stemmed from a legend that an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city’s founding.
   
     Tourism on Koh Lanta, like the rest of Krabi province, has exploded only very recently. In the early 1990s only the most adventurous travelers visited the island, staying in only the most basic accommodation costing the likes of 50-100baht a night. Nowadays, however, the place has turned into one of the major destinations for visitors to Krabi. The development however, is still nothing on a par with the likes of Phuket or Koh Samui.
   
     Krabi and Ko Lanta are a melting pot of Buddhists, Thai-Chinese, Muslims and even sea gypsies. The majority of the population in the rural areas is Muslim. The area however, does not suffer from any religious tension and the folk live in peace and harmony. Most of the folk speak with a thick Southern dialect which is difficult for even other Thais to understand.
   
     With this kind of mixture, Krabi is always celebrating something be it part of Thai Buddhist, Thai-Chinese or Thai-Islamic tradition.
     The unique lifestyle of the Chao-Le (sea-gypsy) in Ko Lanta particularly is well-worth a witness, a life-style that has been almost completely unaffected by the booming tourism on the island.
   
     Since it is a small island relatively free of crime and drunkards, the local law-enforcers are more lenient about allowing bars along the beach to stay open until what time they wish, and that is usually when the last customer goes home. Many of the beer bars have hostesses.
   

Nov 20
Khao Lak
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     Khao Lak is a seaside resort in Thailand, located 80 km north of Phuket International Airport in Takua Pa district, Phang Nga province and popular as a departure point for liveaboard scuba diving trips to the Similan Islands.
   
     The pristine coastline is synonymous with beauty. Nearby rubber and palm plantations dot the coastal region and most nearby inland areas. The major national Highway 4 runs north and south and mostly parallel to the coastline.
   
     Khao Lak is a thriving tourist destination for backpackers, up-scale tourists, adventure tourists and seasoned scuba enthusiasts. Local peoples are mostly Thai often with some Chinese ancestry. The diversity of ethnic groups and cultural influences within and surrounding Khao Lak makes this region rich in agricultural, fishing and dry good products. Tourism is Khao Lak’s revenue generating entity, becoming Thailand’s most popular jumping-off point for the world renowned Similan Islands.

Nov 19
New Year’s Day
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     Thailand is well-known for her festivals which take place all the year round. Most of these festivals are influenced by Buddhist and Brahminical religions, however, with the passage of time a number of them have been adopted in deference to the international practice.
   
     Actually, the official New Year’s Day of Thailand has undergone several changes. Once it used to fall at the end of November. Later, during the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910) it was moved to a date round about April and then New Year’s Day was changed to April the first. The universal practice of celebrating the new year on January 1 was adopted of changes aimed at modernizing the country.
 
     Though January 1 is regarded as official New Year, the majority of Thais still regard the middle of April (Songkran) as their new year’s day, and on this auspicious occasion a week-long celebration is held throughout the kingdom.
   
     Most of activities on Songkran Day involve water throwing, building sand pagodas and pouring lustral water on the aged as means of blessing. To be frank, a celebration on January 1 is not so popular as that of Songkran. Normally, before the upcoming January 1, people will exchange greeting cards and gifts. Since on this auspicious occasion, a few grand celebrations are held in the kingdom, people take this opportunity to travel upcountry to visit their relatives or spend holidays at a tourist attraction site, while those stay at home will prepare food and other necessary items to make merit on the early morning of January 1 and then take part in various charitable activities held in various places.

Nov 17

     In that year Songkran day be straight which day, 7 doughters (angels) of Taokabilaprom alternate to get father’s head. Because if father’s head fall down to the earth that will be drought and catch fire.
     Songkran is a Thai traditional New Year which starts on April 13 every year and lasts for 3 days. Songkran festival on April 13 is Maha Songkran Day or the day to mark the end of the old year, April 14 is Wan Nao which is the day after and April 15 is Wan Thaloeng Sok which the New Year begins. At this time, people from the rural areas who are working in the city usually return home to celebrate the festival. Thus, when the time come, Bangkok temporarily turns into a deserted city.
   
     Songkran is a Thai word which means “move” or “change place” as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. It is also known as the “Water Festival” as people believe that water will wash away bad luck.
   
     The Songkran tradition is recognized as a valuable custom for the Thai community, society and religions. The value for family is to provide the opportunity for family members to gather in order to express their respects to the elders by pouring scented water onto the hands of their parents and grandparents and to present them gifts including making merits to dedicate the result to their ancestors. The elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity.
   
     The values for community is to provide the opportunity to create unity in the community such as to jointly acquire merits, to meet each other and to enjoy the entertaining events. And for the society value is to create concern upon environment with cooperation such as to clean houses, temples, public places and official buildings. Thais value the religion bye means of merits acquisition, offerings alms to monks, Dhamma Practice, listening to sermon and monks-bathing.
   
     In the afternoon, after performing a bathing rite for Buddha images and the monks, the celebrants both young and old, joyfully splash water oon each other. The most-talked about celebration takes place in the northern province of Chiang Mai where Songkran is celebrated from April 13 to 15. During this period, people from all parts of the country flock there to enjoy the water festival, to watch the Miss Songkran Contest and the beautiful parades.
   

Nov 14
Mae Hong Son
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     Mae Hong Son, Thailand’s second northern most province, is sheltered by several high mountains and enjoys a cool climate almost all year round. Mae Hong Son is approximately 924 kilometres from Bangkok and can be reached from Chiang Mai either by Highway No. 108 via Mae Sariang, 349 kilometres, or Highway No. 1095 via Pai which shortens the distance to some 245 kilometres. Mae Hong Son is bordered by the Union of Myanmar (Burma) to the north and the west, and a strong Burmese influence can be seen in the province’s temples and buildings. The population of Mae Hong Son include Thai Yai and various hilltribes such as Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Lua and Lisu, scattering in the districts.
 
     Mae Hong Son covers an area of 12,681 square kilometres and is administratively divided into 6 Amphoes and 1 King Amphoe namely: Amphoe Muang, Amphoe Pai, Amphoe Khun Yuam, Amphoe Mae La Noi, Amphoe Mae Sariang, Amphoe Sop Moei and King Amphoe Pang Mapha.
 
 
Major Events & Festivals
Poi Sang Long Procession
     This is in fact the celebration of novice ordination which the Thai Yai tribe people hold to be a highly meritorous occasion. Traditionally, the candidate-novice, his head cleanly shaven and wrapped with head-cloth in the Burmese style, will don a prince-like garment and put on valuable jewels and gems, and ride a horse or be carried over the shoulders of a man to the city shrine. Then he will visit abbots of various wets to beg for forgiveness. On the ordination eve, a procession of offerings and other necessary personal belongings will be paraded through the town streets and then placed at the monastery where the ordination will take place the next day. It is usually held during March-May before the Buddhist Rain Retreat period. Today the tribesmen are encouraged to hold several processions at the same time with the result that have become a major tourist attraction.
 
Chong Para Procession
     The Chong Para in the Thai Yai dialect means a castle made of wood, covered with colorful perforated papers and decorated with fruits, flags and lamps. It is placed in the courtyard of a house or a monastery as a gesture to welcome the Lord Buddha on his return from giving sermons to his mother in heaven, according to traditional belief. The rite is held during the postkain Retreat season from the full-moon day of the 11the Lunar month to the waxing-moon night of the same month.
 
     Other activities to celebrate the occasion include dances where performers are dressed in animal costumes. This is based on the belief that during those long-gone days, both humans and the animal kingdom were equally joyful of the return of the Lord Buddha and therefore joined in a jubilant performance as tribute of the Enlightened One.
 
Bua Tong Blossom Festival
     Each year in November, the hillsides of Amphoe Khun Yuam and Amphoe Mae Sariang are filled with a host of golden Bua Tong blooms. As gay as a daisy and almost as a sunflower, the Bua Tong only blossomsfor 15 days. This is enough reason for Mae Hong Son provincial to hold the Bua Tong Blossom Festival at Amphoe Khun Yuam.
 
     At Amphoe Khun Yuam’s Dot Mae U-Kho, the blossoms appear profusely. Finally, the golden blooms become part of the scene. Some specialists have classified these Bua Tong as weeds and because of this, they may be cleared to make way for cash crops. Fortunately a group of researchers have discovered the flower’s insect-repellent properties. And perhaps that is why the Bua Tong, a symbol of Mae Hong Son, is still preserved on the hillsides.
 
Loi Krathong Festival
     Loi Krathong Festival is held on the full moon night in the month of November every year. Villagers make “Krathongs” to float in rivers. At Nong Chong Kham, various entertainments and a contest of large krathongs are held near the central pond. Lamps and candles are lit all around the area. Moreover, at Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, there is a ceremony of releasing candlelit krathongs bound with balloons to the sky (known as ”Lot Krathong Sawan”).
 

Nov 14
Samui-Suratthani
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      Suratthani the name literally means “city of the good people” and is the former seat of the Sivichaya Empire. It is the largest and most important province of the South, located 644 kms. from Bangkok.
It occupies an area of 12,891 square kilonetres bordering on Chumphon and the Gulf of Thailand to the north, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Kraby to the south, Phangnga and Ranong to the west and the Gulf of Thaoland and Nokhon Si Thammarat to the east. Geographic characteristics of Surat Thani are : High plateau and mountains covered with valuable woodforest to the west, and low basins in the central and eastern seashore area.
 
     There are a tremendous number of islands along the coast and two major rivers : the Tapi River and Phum Duang River. It is administratively divided into 17 Amphoes and 1 King Amphoe i.e., Amphie Muang, Ban Na San, Ban TA Khun, Chaiya, Don Sak, Kanchanadit, Khian Sa, Khiri Ratthanikhom Ko Phangan, Ko Samui, Phanom, Phrasaeng, Phumphin, Tha Chana, Tha Clang, Wiang Sa Ban Na Doem and King Amphoe Chai Buri.
 
     Samui Island is a beautiful island of Suratthani , and also it is a rare gem, preserving the idyllic simplicity of a tropical hideaway. It is characterised by beaches of powdery white sand, crystal-clear waters. Here you can delight in a latter-day Robinson Crusoe experience-in comfort.
The island, Thailand’s third largest, measuring 21 kilometres at its widest point and 25 kilometres in maximum length, is one of a group of more than 80 tropical islands, only a few of which are inhabited. A mountain ridge runs east to west and most of the hinterland comprises forested hills. The rich hues of wild vegetation are dappled throughout with the contrasting greens of coconut palms and emerald paddy fields.
 
     KohSamui : Samui Island is a major copra producing source of the country. The island lies 80 kms offshore in the Gulf of Thailand from Surat Thani province, some 500 kms south of Bangkok.
 
     Samui has all the attributes of a south sea paradise- sunny, coconut palm- fringed beaches with bone white powdery sand meeting sparkling turquoise water and gentle sea in remote unpopulated areas.
     There are 33,000 islanders in the total area of 250 square km’ most of which are under a sea of coconut trees that blanket the island. The majority of the hospitable Samuians tend to go about their coconut-picking business in the plantation inland than pay undue attention to sun-soakers on the beaches.
   
     It is Surat Thani’s major tourist attraction. The island has numerous lovely eaches and bays. It is almost literally an island of coconuts and forested hills, and is fast vecoming a resort of international stature. Samue’s best beaches line the northern and eastern coasts, the most popular being Chaweng and Lamai where, generally, the most attractive accommodation is found.
 
     Besides beaches, other island attractions include the Hin Lat and Na Muang waterfalls the phallic rock formations at the southern end of Lamai Bay; a massive seated Buddha inage of Fan isle and Na Thon, the island’s major seafront settlement where shops, restaurants, tour agencies and hotels are located.
 

Nov 13
Krabi
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     One of the most attractive tourist destinations in southern Thailand, KRABI is located some 800 kilometers from Bangkok with an area of 4,708 square kilometres. To the West it borders on the Andaman Sea where countless natural attractions abound, including white. sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs. numerous large and small islands, verdant forest and highly interesting archaeological remains.
Administration
     Krabi is divided into 7 Amphoes and 1 King Amphoe: Amphoe Muang (Krabi Town), Amphoe Khao Phanom, Amphoe Ao Luk, Amphoe Plai Phaya, Amphoe Khlong Thorn, Amphoe Lamthap, Amphoe Lanta and King Amphoe Nua Khlong.
Weather
     Krabi is affected by the northwest monsoon and has only two seasons. The hot season starts in January and ends in April. The rainy season begins in May and lasts till December. Average temperatures range between 16.9 to 37.3 degrees Celsius.
     Souvenir from Krabi can be purchased from numerous shops in the city, especially along Uttarakit Road. Most attractive and recommended items are sea-shell and dried or preserved sea food.

Nov 13
Samed-Rayong
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     Rayong is   located  in   the  east coast of Thailand  on  the  northern shoreline of the Gulf of Thailand, some 185 kilometres from Bangkok.
 
     Rayong  has  an  extensive  coastline stretching for  approximately  100 kilometres,  is  some  3,552 square  kilometres  in  area,  and  is divided  into 6 administrative districts. To the north and west  it is bordered  by  the  province   of  Chonburi,  east  by Chanthaburi  Province  and  south  by  the Gulf of Thailand. The  total  population  of the  province is about 430,000 persons.
 
     In   general   the   geography   of   Rayong  is marked  by  a  series  of  mountains  interspersed  by flat  plains and  large tracts  of land  under forest, rubber  and  fruit  plantations.  Offshore  there  are nsany islands  which are  well-known by  the tourists, such as Ko Samct and Ko Man.
 
     Rayong  was mentioned in Thai history during  the  late Ayutthaya  period, when  the fortner capital   was   razed  to   the  ground   by  invading Burmese.  At this  tinge Phraya  Tak, later  to become King  Taksin  of  Thonburi,  lcd  a  band  of patriots and  broke  out  through   the  cordon   of  besieging troops  who  had  surrounded  the  capital.   He  then tnadc  his way  towards the  cast, stopping  in Rayong to  build  up  his  navy  before  proceeding on to Chantaburi.  Because of his  courage and  bravery, the  soldiers  and   local  population anointed  him as   “King”   in   Rayong.  Once   he  had   built  up sufficient  troop strength,  Phaya Taksin  returned to Ayutthaya  and  routed  the  Burmese and  set up  a new capital in Thonburi.
 
     Rayong now is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. It has a well deserved peputation for producing seafood products such as shrimp paste, fish sauce and dried seafoods , and tropical fruits of which Rambutan, Mangosteen and Durian are the most famous.
 
     The climate is tropical , generally warm and humid with abundant rainfall.  Average temperature is around 28 C.  The best months are November through February. 
 
Some photos from Koh Samed-Rayong…
 
History of Koh Samed
     It is believed that once upon a time, Ko Samed was the home of pirates and that until this very day there is still lost treasure buried somewhere on the island.      The classical Thai Poet, Sunthorn Phu (1786-1855), set part of his epic work, Phra Aphai Mani (sometimes transliterated as Pra Apaimanee), on the shores of the island. [3] Statues of the title character, Prince Aphai Mani and the siren/mermaid which guided him to Koh Samed can be found on the Hat Sai Gaew beach.      Even though Bangkokians had known about the beauty of Koh Samed for decades before, the Thai government put this island off limits and restricted overnight stay there; that was until 1981. In that year, on 1 October, the Forestry Department of Thailand declared Koh Samed and its surrounding to be a national park.
 
     As Koh Samed is so near Bangkok, the island is ideal for those in the capital wanting to chill-out with their families for a couple of days, without having to go through all that rigmarole of having to travel down south. Koh Samed has developed steadily over the past decade or so, but it hasn’t been the victim of over zealous construction which has hit the likes of Koh Samui or even Koh Chang. The island is typified for its splendid beaches and white silky sand, surrounded by tropical coral reefs and crystal clear sea. Tourists can also enjoy a plethora of delicious cuisine and fine nightlife.

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