http://www.blogs.1stopthailand.com the land of smiles from the inside out Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:41:58 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en All roads lead to Chiang Mai this weekend as the northern city is festooned with vibrant flowers for its annual Flower Festival. Chiang Mai is nicknamed the Rose of the North and judging by the multi-coloured offerings of previous years does its best to live up to the name. City ... http://www.blogs.1stopthailand.com/2012/02/02/chiang-mai-welcomes-annual-flower-festival/ Towering cliffs and majestic limestone karsts on Thailand’s southwest Andaman Sea shoreline offer rock climbing for people of all abilities. While rocks above Railay and Tonsai beaches near Krabi are the best known, they are by no means the only ones as destinations such as Koh Lao Liang and ... http://www.blogs.1stopthailand.com/2012/01/27/rock-climbing-on-the-andaman-sea-coast/ Pattaya is a great place to spend a few days. Legendary nightlife and cuisine as well as a range of activities suitable for all age groups and personal tastes attracts millions of visitors to Thailand’s favourite seaside resort every year. For tourists staying in Bangkok, or arriving at Suvarnabhumi ... http://www.blogs.1stopthailand.com/2012/01/20/a-pattaya-mini-break/ In Thailand cheap travel is easy with a bus network that covers most parts of the country. On the principal inter-city routes, especially close to the mainland tourism hubs, travellers are usually offered a choice of different bus classes. Fares for the basic government transport company buses in Thailand are ... http://www.blogs.1stopthailand.com/2012/01/13/travelling-by-bus-in-thailand/ Thailand is famed throughout the world for the diversity of its cuisine. As the popularity of Thai dishes has grown, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of Thai restaurants overseas. I have sampled a few of the offerings at these eateries, and though the dishes are satisfactory ... http://www.blogs.1stopthailand.com/2012/01/06/enjoying-thailand%e2%80%99s-epicurean-delights/ Most Thai people celebrate three New Year holidays. The first one begins at midnight tomorrow, the second one is the Chinese which falls on 23 January in 2012 and the last is the traditional Lanna New Year on 13 April. Despite the fact there are so many holidays, Thai people ... http://www.blogs.1stopthailand.com/2011/12/30/spending-the-new-year-in-thailand/ In Chiang Mai, on 14 December, the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek Expo 2011 opened. The flower show is being held on a 200-acre site in the southern Mae Hia region of Thailand’s second city. The gardens have been divided into different sections, with some sponsored by domestic Thai organisations and companies. ... http://www.blogs.1stopthailand.com/2011/12/23/chiang-mai-hosts-horticultural-extravaganza/ Although Thai people do not really celebrate Christmas, there are still plenty of national holidays in December. Thai tourists often take advantage of these holidays to visit national parks in the northeast and northern regions of Thailand. The reason for the trips is the chance of witnessing the rare spectacle ... http://www.blogs.1stopthailand.com/2011/12/15/visiting-thai-national-parks-in-december/ Ranong is one of Thailand’s lesser known seaside destinations, with most foreigners only passing through on daytrips over to Kawthaung-Victoria Point to renew their visas to stay in Thailand. Beaches, world-class diving, hot springs and pristine natural vistas are among the numerous reasons for spending a few days in Ranong. ... http://www.blogs.1stopthailand.com/2011/12/08/the-attractions-of-ranong/ Siam Paragon on Rama I Road in central Bangkok is one of the finest entertainment and shopping centres in Southeast Asia. It would take at least one day to enjoy all the offerings from the various outlets here. The jewel in the centre’s crown is the Siam Ocean World aquarium. ... http://www.blogs.1stopthailand.com/2011/12/02/a-day-at-siam-paragon-entertainment-complex/