This place is known as Thipsamai. Ask any taxi driver where it is, and they will all be able to take you. Located just down the road from the famous Golden Mount, Thipsamai opens at around 5pm each night. It is usually full just a few minutes into it service with hungry customers who come to chow down on the luscious fried noodles that are perfectly flavoured with the right balance of ingredients. The omelette casing that wraps each serve of phad thai is so delicate that you almost have to stop and marvel at the workmanship that must go into producing this dish time and time again. However, these thoughts soon pass as the smell reaches your nostrils.

Thipsamai is also famous for its iced coconut drinks and its fresh orange juice. Prices for the orange juice can vary depending on the quality of oranges that have been sourced each day. A plate of phad thai at Thipsamai is more expensive than most other local places, but at 90 baht, it’s still more than affordable for foreign visitors. Once you’ve tasted this phad thai, you’ll probably be ordering a second plate to go on your way out the door.

The good news if you’re ill in any way whilst in Thailand is that medical care in Thailand, particularly at the major hospitals in Bangkok are of a particularly high standard. However, an important point to understand in relation to health care in Thailand is that, like most things here, you get what you pay for. Bangkok has a number of international hospitals which offer the finest medical care available, multi-lingual staff, and facilities which resemble five-star hotels more than they do hospitals. However, to access such services, you will of course have to pay top dollar. If you have travel insurance then this shouldn’t be a problem, as the hospital will organise the payment from your insurance company so in most cases you won’t ever have to pay a cent. So, the golden rule is, make sure you have insurance! The best known of these hospitals are Bumrungrad and Samitivej Hospitals, located in the Sukhumvit area.

There are also a number of other private hospitals that offer good quality treatment at a lower cost than these top international hospitals. These hospitals also have English speaking staff, and will provide treatment at a fairly reasonable cost.

There are also a number of public hospitals. The services here are much more basic, and often long waiting lists can apply. Whilst treatment at these hospitals is also good, facilities are much more basic to what many foreigners are used to.

Home-stay accommodation can be easily found and booked through the internet before you leave home. Alternatively, travel agents will be able to help you arrange this kind of accommodation when you arrive in Thailand. Home-stay represents a great opportunity to not only stay in local homes, but to also absorb the local culture and lifestyle. Many houses will put on community gatherings for visitors, and will give you the chance to take part in village activities such as rice planting, cloth making, and farming activities. It’s also a great chance to learn to make local cuisine using the freshest of ingredients.

Home-stay is also an ideal way to get off the beaten track and see a part of Thailand which most people will not see during their stay. Prices usually include all food and accommodation as well as activities so it really is an economical way to enjoy the best of regional Thailand. The people in regional Thailand as some of the friendlies people you will meet, and coming to experience their local lifestyle is something you will surely treasure for many years to come.

Yes, unfortunately durians do smell. The smell is so unpleasant to those unaccustomed to it, that the fruit is often banished from hotels and restaurants. But please, don’t let this put you off. One taste, and you will understand why people call the durian “the king of fruits”.

Durian is a Malay and Indonesian name. It translates as “the spiky fruit that has an overpowering smell.” There are 25-30 species of durian tree native to Southeast Asia.

When ripe, the fruit simply falls from the tree. It is easy to imagine how a blow to the head from one of these heavy, spined fruits could be extremely painful, or even fatal. Consequently, the durian is also known as the most dangerous fruit in the world!

The durian’s flavour is extremely different to the usual sweet succulence of Southeast Asia’s fruits. Many sweet and savoury flavours combine in this unique fruit. At first, the taste is strong, custard-like with the addition of nuts. The aftertaste has subtler flavours of cheese, sauce, onions and other indescribable flavours. A traveler once unpoetically described the flavour to me as “like eating custard in a public lavatory”!

Durians are sold whole or cut into segments. The fruit can be eaten raw, or boiled with sugar and cooked in coconut water. The durian’s large, hard seeds can be roasted, fried or boiled and eaten.

Thailand’s temples – known as wats – are big, richly decorated and contain an interesting assortment of treasures. Every town has a large assortment of temples, with perhaps the highest concentrations in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya. Some temples not to be missed are Wat Arun on the Chaopraya river in Bangkok, Wat Po, also in Bangkok and hiang Mai’s Wat Benchamabophit Whilst in Chiang Mai, climb Doi Suthet to see Wat Doi Suthep, which offers stunning views over the area.

As well as spectacular scenery, Thailand’s islands and beaches offer a good opportunity to take part in diving and snorkelling the clear blue water offering glimpses of colourful coral and fish. Koh Tao is rapidly becoming the most popular island for diving and snorkelling, whilst Koh Phi Phi and Phuket are also popular. Other water ports available include sailing and windsurfing. At many places, bungee jumping and rock climbing are the order of the day, whilst paintballing offers a good opportunity to let of some steam.

Thailand has some beautiful golf courses, some designed by skilled international golfers. Muay Thai is the national sport and no trip is complete without watching a match or even training and competing yourself.

The amazing landscape makes Thailand a great place for walking and trekking, the hill tribe villages to the north making a great stop over or a three or four day trek.

Many come to this deeply spiritual country to learn about meditation, and there are numerous meditation courses available. Whilst here, you can also learn the ancient art of massage or join yoga classes on the beach.

Thai food is some of the best in the world, and you will find some outstanding restaurants, offering everything from international style dining, dining aboard river cruises or simply eating at a tiny table on the street.

There are plenty of chances to indulge in a little retail therapy. Thailand has a great selection of outdoor markets, floating markets, stores and shopping centres. Do not miss Bangkok’s Chatuchak market, MBK, Paragon or the night bazaar at Suan Lum, whilst Chiang Mai’s Night Market draws visitors from all over the world.

For people wishing to take in some culture there are some interesting museums, art galleries, exhibitions and displays of Thai dancing. Thailand also has some interesting theme parks, shows and zoos such as Sri Racha Tiger Zoo.

There is always something to see and do in Thailand, and the numerous festivals can add colour and life to your holiday, especially if you are lucky enough to be in the country during Songran or Loi Krathong.

There are plenty of opportunities to get in touch with nature in the national parks, such as Khao Yai where parts of the movie The Beach was filmed or Koh Samet, where the outstanding natural beauty has led to its being preserved as a national park.

Whatever you decide to do, there never seems to be quite enough time, and it is almost certain that Thailand’s charms will draw you back time and again.

It is a good idea to carry a selection of change such as 20 baht notes and coins as many people cannot change large notes, especially in small towns and villages. If you are stuck for change, buying an inexpensive item at 7/11 or a similar shop usually does the trick.

Touts at airports and other tourist areas are there for one reason only: to make money. Unfortunately, this usually involves parting unwary travelers from their cash. You should always question any offer that seems ‘too good’, and get a good idea of average hotel prices before agreeing to go with someone.

Always use the meter in taxis or, if taking a tuk-tuk or motorbike taxi, makes sure you agree the price before hopping on board.

Young, fresh coconuts are much more refreshing than water, great if you are spending the day on the beach or suffering from a hangover.

Although the tap water is drinkable in large cities, it is best to stick to bottled water. The larger bottles of UV treated water are the cheapest, although not the healthiest. It is worth paying a few baht more for brands such as Singha or IO.

In Bangkok, the entire city becomes gridlocked during peak commuting hours of 8-10 am and 5-7 pm. It is best to try to avoid travelling at these times.

Essentials such as suntan lotion and mosquito spray tend to be a little bit more expensive on the islands, so it is a good idea to stock up before you go. Internet access is often much more expensive as well.

Guesthouse owners a generally a good source of local information, it is worth getting to know them.

Make sure you check the expiry date of your visa carefully as there is an overstay fine of 500 baht per day.

Many bathrooms do not provide toilet tissue, so it is a good idea to carry some with you. Remember to throw it into the bucket provided rather than into the toilet.

Sarongs are an essential item as they dry much quicker than towels and can also be used as a blanket, a privacy screen and an item of clothing.

Learning a few words in Thai can go a long way to getting what you want and forming friendships. Compliments and jokes are always effective.

It is a good idea to carry a photocopy of your passport, especially when going out drinking as police perform random checks and may ask to see it.

It’s easy to become dehydrated, make sure you carry water and drink small sips frequently.

If you need to get away from the heat for a while, cinemas, expensive hotels and even 7/11 shops provide sanctuary.

A small dab of perfume or aftershave under your nose is a great way to avoid suffering from bad smells.

Motorcycle taxis are usually available in most parts of Thailand, even in small towns. Look out for clusters of young men wearing orange jackets with numbers printed on the back in Thai. Remember to agree the price before you get on the back of the motorbike.

Meter taxis are usually only available in large cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket. In the rest of the country many interesting alternatives are available.

Buses are available throughout Thailand. However, outside Bangkok the destinations are rarely printed in English and you cannot expect the conductor to speak English. The best way to make sure that you arrive at you destination is to ask someone (preferably at a travel agency or tourist café) to write the address in Thai and teach you how to pronounce it correctly. Also, most buses fill up quickly and are crammed to bursting point. In order to guarantee a seat, get on at a bus station.

Intercity Coaches are a fine, cheap way to travel around Thailand. The good road system means that they are quite comfortable and travel between most cities, large towns and tourist destinations. Much cheaper than the train (a journey of 220 kilometres costs around 90 Baht) as with local buses it is best to embark at the bus station to guarantee a seat.

Songthaew means ‘two rows’ in Thai, referring to the two rows of wooden benches that line the walls of these small, open-backed mini vans. Very common in small towns and villages, songthaews follow a designated route which is not always obvious. It is best to flag down the driver, state where you want to go and add the word ‘mai?’ to the end. Fares typically cost between 6 and 20 baht.

Saburus are a more modern and comfortable version of the songthaew, with padded seats. Expect to pay about double the price of a songthaew, although many people say the comfort is worth the extra few baht.

Known as Samlaews, these are the same as the bicycle rickshaw, which can be found all over India. Not exactly the fastest or most comfortable form of transport and only recommended for short journeys, although they can be a nice way to get to know a place or enjoy a romantic sunset ride.

This region of Thailand is particularly popular with visitors who wish to enjoy all the natural beauty and golden beaches of Southern Thailand whilst avoiding the crowds.

For many, the tourist destination of Pattaya provides an interesting diversion, whilst others head straight to the beautiful island of Ko Samet to enjoy all the benefits of an island holiday with less of the hassles.

The large island of Ko Chang is a great place to spend a few days and there are many areas of natural beauty located on the island as well as several smaller isalnds close by. This is a great place to go snorkeling and diving as there is plenty of pristine coral and colourful fish to see.

The town of Si Racha is well known for its deliciously spicy sauce and seafood, and while there visitors can visit the Sri Racha Tiger Zoo for the oportunity to cuddle the tiny tiger cubs.

For travellers who really want to get away from it all, the peaceful island of Ko Si Chang makes a great destination as it is virtually ignored by tourists.

Although the region is easily reachable by bus, there is are also small airports at U-Tapao and Trat.

There are 19 provinces in Central Thailand, of which most are widely visited by tourists and international travelers. Perhaps the most well known province is Kanchanaburi, famous for the Bridge over the River Kwai, tiger temple and stunning natural scenery such as the Erawan National Park.

There are also several beautiful beaches in Central Thailand, and Hua Hin should not be missed, especially during the Jazz Festival, when thousands of people flock to the beaches to listen to some of the best jazz music from around the world.

Dotted around the region are some enchanting islands and especially worth visiting is the pleasant beach area of Cha’am, which is just a two hour bus journey from Bangkok. However, the island is very popular with Thai people and can become very crowded on the weekends and during major holidays.

whilst lovers of history will find their heart’s desire amongst the interesting ruins of the Ayutthaya Historical Park and Nakhon Pathom, which is Thailand’s oldest city and features the largest stupa in the world.

Generally speaking, travel within Central Thailand is undemanding as there is a good road and rail network. Catering to tourist tastes and taste buds, this is a good region in which to take it easy and acclimatize to Thailand.

Another interesting source of local history is the Phu Phrabat Historical Park, which features an interesting collection of ancient cave paintings, whilst the Udon Thai Provincial Museum is also worth a visit.

Udon Thani has many intriguing surprises just waiting to be discovered. At the Udon Sunshine Orchid Garden you can see plants that actually ‘dance’ to music. These rare and interesting plants sway when exposed to loud sounds and are particularly responsive to the saxophone. Try to time your visit between November and February when the plants are at their most active.

Sanjao Pu-ja is a colourful Chinese temple located in the heart of the city. Other interesting temples to visit in the area include Wat Ban Tat, Wat Pa Ban Kho, Phra Phutthabat Bua Bok – which contains a holy footprint of the Lord Buddha – and the Buddhist park of Wat Pa Phu Kon.

Many people travel to this region to visit Wat Pa Ban Tad, which is located 16 kilometres south of Udon Thani city. This sacred temple offers visitors the opportunity to study meditation with a highly revered meditation master.

16 kilometres to the north of Udon Thani city is the weaving village of Ban Na Kha. Here you will discover people creating the unique khit patterned fabric and the pretty temple of Wat Na Ka Taewee.

There are several attractive waterfalls in the area located amongst lush forests. Among those worth visiting are the Than Ngam Waterfall, and the Yung Thong Waterfall, which is located in the striking Na Yung Nam Som Forest Park.

If you are in the area in December, look out for the Thung Si Meuang Festival, which features loud Isan music, singing and performances of the unique dragon and lion dancing.