My Thai Life

Yes, I’m still in Phuket. Photos are coming soon. Just wanted to post this video of the Chao Phraya river. I have some really good videos of the river but they are not online yet. Will get those done soon. The video that is below was taken a few years ago with one of my crappy video camera, hence the crappy quality. Even crappier after Youtube encoded it for the web.

Anyway it shows a Thai tub boat pulling a huge load of cargo down the Chao Phraya river. I love the way this river flows from the north to the south of Thailand. It begins in Nakhon Sawan in the Nakhon Sawan province and goes through Bangkok and ends at the Gulf of Thailand.

Enjoy the video and comment if you like.

MyThaiLife

Even though I like to hit Trang and all the beaches around there like Sukorn Islands, Koh Hai and others, I still like to go to Patong. This was one of my beach trips to Patong. When I’m in Patong I stay at The Beach Resort right on the beach. Their back patio opens right up to the ocean and it’s absolutely beautiful. The sunsets there are pretty amazing. So, here is a video from 2007 that my friend took. I’m in the shot right at the beginning. If you have never been to Patong, be sure to check it out. Enjoy!!!

MyThaiLife

Since I’m not a big fan of Twitter, I’ll be posting a bit more information here and hopefully on a daily basis. I’m off to Phuket for the next week. I’ll be down there for a friends wedding. No, he’s not marrying a Thai girl. He has an English girlfriend but they love Phuket and are flying in to have their wedding there. Can’t say where because I know some of you like free Singha! Not sure if they will even have any. hehe

Phuket is pretty nice. I usually try to avoid Phuket during peak high season due to all the tourists. I like to take the train down to Trang. While the train won’t stop in Phuket, it does stop in Surat Thani and you have to take a bus to Phuket from there or you can just fly.

Now, I do love Phuket and Patong is one one of my favorit places to stay in. Just not during high season. I love to relax and have fun just not with so many people.

Pictures to come soon…

MyThaiLife

This is one of my videos of when I was in Trang. Trang is south of Phuket and is not so much a tourist destination as Phuket is. The beaches and water are some of the most amazing beaches in Thailand. I love taking the train from Bangkok to Trang. It’s an overnight  train and if you decide to go, do take a first class sleeper. If you go alone, be sure to book two so that you have the sleeper to yourself. It’s truly amazing.

MyThaiLife

I guess you could say that I’m a Thai expat living here in Bangkok. I guess you could also say that I’ve assimilated nicely to the Thai lifestyle. Although I’m not Thai and far from it, I think that I was Asian in my past life. Considering I’m the whitest guy you will ever meet. I do have a little American Indian in me but I’m still white and I sure can’t pass for a Thai person. Even my Thai isn’t that well. It’s more like Thaiglish if I could coin that word as my own. Provided it hasn’t been trademarked yet!

So, I wanted to let you know about the Thailand things that I love. This is my list of favorite things to do in this country they call the Land of Smiles. Oh and for the record, I’ve been here for over 7 years now. I keep forgetting how long but that’s about how long it is.

I started coming to Thailand many many years ago after a few friends took a trip here. I wasn’t even going to go but last minute decided to do it. One I hit the airport I was hooked. The sites and smells, even the bad ones, had me from Sawatdi (Hello). Since then I’ve been here living the Thailand life. It’s been quite good to me and I’ve only had a stomach ache 12 times. That’s not bad for a 3rd world country. I suppose it’s not so 3rd world anymore but the Internet access sure makes it seem that way.

Now on to the things I love. I love going to Trang. That’s down south of Phuket. Not so many tourist there and you can actually enjoy being in solitude for a bit. It’s a great way to get away from the fast paced lifestyle of Bangkok and Phuket for that matter too. If you do go to Trang, check out the Sukorn Islands.

Even though I do like going to Trang, I sure like to stay a few days in Patong every once in a while. It’s got a great vibe and post tsunami, it’s gotten a lot better looking too. Tons of things to do and see and the nightlife is awesome. If you need a good hotel in the center of all the action, check out “The Beach Resortel”. Great food and clean rooms right on the beach. Love that place!

Sure Bangkok is fun but sometimes you have to get out of the city. If you travel Thailand then you have to check out all the little places like Khon Kaen, Rayong, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, Loei, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin, Pattaya (Careful) and Lampang. There are tons of little cities inside these provinces and each one has it’s own unique feel to it. Travel to these places is dirt cheap and you can get a bus going to each one of them from Bangkok. But if you decide to go further north then do take the train. Get yourself a first class sleeper. You will thank me later for it.

I love Thai food. Love Tom Yum, Pad Thai, Sattay and all the colorful curries. Mostly red and yellow. Nitnoi on the spices! Nitnoi means little. If you ever get hungry, do try stall food. Just be careful, you could get sick. Try to find one that looks clean.

Love Thai music too. There is a cool band called “Ebola”. They are a Thai rock band and they have hard music and some softer stuff and it all rocks. They play all over Thailand so if you can, check them out. Don’t get them confused with Ebola in America or Europe. So just Google “Ebola Thai” and you’ll find them or check out their site at EbolaSound.com.

I could go on and on about the things that I love about Thailand and believe me, there are tons to talk about. This should get your started if you wanted to travel Thailand. So, hope you do. It’s been fun for me…

MyThaiLife

Hey everyone, I’ve just come back from my favorite place here in Thailand. Spent a week down in Trang. Just had to get away. I spent a couple days on the beach in Trang and spent a few more days out at the Ko Kradan beach. It’s a bit strange that place but has a really cool vibe to it.

While the Island has a rubber plantation on it, it does offer a nice place to stay there. If you have been to the Sukorn Islands then you know what this place could be like. It’s very quite and the beaches are some of the best beaches that Trang has to offer. It’s about 35 miles from Trang and only way to get there is by longtail or some other private boat.

If you are going down there you could also check out the Ko Muk and Tham Morakot Islands as well. Very beautiful beaches. I think these Islands are some of the better Islands on the Adaman Sea side. Very beautiful indeed. You’ll need to catch a boat from Khuantungku Pier and it’s about a 30 minute boat ride as well.

So, yeah, love Trang. Love going there and spending time. Now I usually take the train out of Bangkok and that is really my favorite way to travel in Thailand. Although it takes longer, a lot longer, than the plane, i do prefer that route. Cheaper and you see tons more than the 2 hour plane ride.

Enjoy,

MyThaiLife

There are a few things you need to keep in mind when you travel Bangkok. Bangkok is a very fast city and there are many tuk-tuks and taxis around. There are also buses and motobikes. So, one of the most important things you need to know is to be careful when crossing the streets. Thai people on motobikes will not stop for you. They will keep going. The object of the game is eye contact. You have to keep eye contact with those oncoming motobike drivers. If you do not then you might just get slammed into. It’s happened to me once or twice so make sure when you cross that you always keep looking in the direction that the traffic is coming towards. Slowly inch your way across the street. Do not hesitate or waver. Keep and stand your ground and they will go around you.

Before getting into a tuk-tuk make sure you finalize the price. This will alleviate unwanted issues at the end of the ride. Most tuk-tuk drivers will tell you a price but that is always never the final price. If you are going to MBK which is a huge mall near Sukhumvit Road, and you know the ride is about 10 minutes then you should pay about 100 to 150 baht and no more. A taxi might charge a bit more depending on traffic. If the tuk-tuk drivers says 400 or 300 baht, don’t do it. Not worth it. Turn around and walk away. If he wants the fare then he will tell you ok. Make sure he agrees with the fare. If he does then 9 times out of 10 you won’t have a problem. That’s unless he tries to tell you that he can take you there for an outrageously low price. A price that sounds too good to be true. There is a reason for that. Don’t fall for it. They get you in the ride for 50 baht to go just about anywhere and then they take you to “Their” shopping areas. Some will tell you that they get free gas if they take you to a shopping place. Don’t fall for it. They get paid to bring you to a shopping place and it’s just a scam. Don’t go anywhere you don’t want to go. Be firm and don’t waver. If all else fails and you are in a situation, kindly walk away. You can always take the skytrain or BTS. Cheaper and has air conditioner.

Make sure if you are a guy that you keep your wallet in your front pocket. There are pickpockets in Thailand. Now, over the last few years that I have been living here, not one time has that happened. I’m always conscience about it at all times and do keep my wallet in my front pocket. Be aware of your surroundings. Thailand is a safe place but like most countries, it does have its crime. Just be smart.

If you have a strong stomach then go ahead with the street food. Recently I did a weekend test and ate nothing but street food. I didn’t have a problem. I had Tom Yum, Pad Thai and numerous types of curries. Not a problem. If it looks scary then don’t eat it. The grilled chicken you see is decent so just look at it. You can tell a lot by looking at your food. Do not smell it. Thai food has some interesting smells and a lot of dishes use fish sauce and oyster sauce. If you have ever smelled these items then you know what I mean. Alone these things are NASTY! But with the other ingredients they are fine.

Be smart and travel smart. Don’t get taken for a ride. Got questions, then feel free to ask me. Need places to visit and see, then ask me. I’ve traveled all over Thailand and I know some of the best places to eat as well as the best places to stay on any budget.

In closing, one of my favorite places to eat is the Seafood Buffet at the Shangra La hotel that is in Bangkok on the Chayo Praya river. It’s a very nice 5 star hotel but anyone can eat at the buffet. There is a dress code so no shorts and tshirts. The price is about 1500 baht per person and it’s all you can eat. The food is amazing and the service is perfect. You will enjoy this place I can guarantee it.

Thanks,

MyThaiLife

I’m sure many of you have been watching the news and to see the death toll rise to over 15,000 people is mind blowing. I will leave my personal opinions about the Burma Junta out for now and only ask that each and every person that reads this please donate to the Red Cross or if you are in the region to volunteer your time and efforts. Most people that are affected need drinking water and tents. You can contact the United Nations Thailand headquarters here in Bangkok for more info…

Yep, Patong Beach in Phuket is my favorite place to go when I travel Thailand. It’s my oasis in the sand. My home away from home. My casa and quite possibly su casa. That’s if you understand Spanish! LOL.

But seriously, Patong Beach, Phuket is one of the most interesting places in all of Phuket. The beautiful white sand beaches, the beautiful Thai girls and the super duper Thai food. Yep, it’s super duper. Who the hell uses that word anymore? Me it would seem. I’m not that much of a geeky guy. Just love the Thai beaches.

There are so many things to do in Patong Beach. It’s a haven for tourists but once you’ve been there, you’ll agree, Patong Beach is cool. So many things to do from para-sailing, snorkeling, diving, site seeing, beer drinking and tons more.

If you go to Patong Beach in Phuket and you don’t want to spend a lot of money for hotel, then stay at The Beach Resortel. I’ve been staying there for years when I visit and it’s cheap and clean and the food is excellent. It’s easy to miss so be sure to look for it. Below is a photo of the front. They are on the beach which means that it takes a mere 20 steps to get to the beach from your room. I know, I’ve counted them. Great views of the beach and one of the most amazing sunsets in all of Phuket. I love it.

So, if you are going to travel Thailand, then do travel to Patong. It’s my home away from home. If you are going to be down there and you need someone to hang out with, hit me up. I’m always good for a Singha.

MyThaiLife

Now that is funny. My 7 year old cousin asked me yesterday what a tuk-tuk was and I about fell over laughing. It was the funniest thing for a little kid to be asking me that. Not so much the word but how she said it. She said it more like Tik-Tik.

Ahhh, the lovely Tuk-Tuk. For those of you that don’t know what a tuk-tuk is, it’s that 3 wheel joy they call a taxi. They are all over Thailand and if you travel Thailand, you’ve probably been in one, or two. They are fun the first couple times but they start to annoy you after a while. With all the sucking in of Bangkok smog and the aggressive “100 baht anywhere” ride.

Tuk-Tuks get their name from the sound the engine makes while idling at stop signs or red lights. To me they sound nothing like that but that is how they got there name. These things will weave in and out of traffic and down right scare the crap out of you.

Tuk-tuk these days are good for about one or two rides unless you are in Patong Beach down in Phuket. They are good and reliable ways of getting from point A to point B. All the Tuk-Tuks that I get into down in Patong are not trying to scam me. Not like their Bangkok counterparts that want to take me shopping claiming that they get free gas. Nope, not true. They get money. So, don’t fall for the Tuk-Tuk scam in Bangkok. Always agree on where you are going before you get into a Tuk-Tuk or a taxi. Try taking the Skytrain BTS or the regular taxi.

MyThaiLife