Christmas in Bangkok

Surprising to many people, Christmas in Bangkok is really fun. Christmas trees and decorations start going up at the end of October and Christmas music is played in every Bangkok mall. Restaurants and pubs put on special Christmas dinners and Christmas concerts and events pop up all over the city.

Every year, I spend Christmas Day with friends at some British pub or other. This year though, I'm going to go with a Thai-American friend to an American chain restaurant, Au Bon Pain. We decided spending over $35 on Christmas dinner just seemed silly, particularly when Christmas means nothing to either of us - she's Buddhist, I'm Atheist.

Still, it's nice to see all the Christmas decorations around Bangkok. It really does feel a lot like Christmas.

Blog on Expat Living in Thailand

With so many good expat blogs out there, I must mention one.

Britinbangkok has been up on the net for about five years and is one woman's story of living in Bangkok, Thailand. It's written by me. I'm opinionated, have some excellent content and cool photos too. Check it out.

Bon Marche Market, Northern Bangkok

One of the amazing homemade dessert stalls

(cute Thai girl too :-)

One of my favorite places to go in Bangkok is an upscale market called Bon Marche. Owned by a member of the Thai Royal Family, the market is a huge wet market as well as has an enormous outdoor food court (with delicious Thai food!), lots of individual restaurants and even gift shops and clothing stores.

Also check out Cafe au Lac, one of Bangkok's nicest independent coffee shops - it even overlooks the pretty man-made lake.

For a lot more information on Bon Marche market, check out this article about this wonderful north Bangkok market.

Riding a Motorbike Sidesaddle

If you live in Thailand long enough, you'll know you've become 'Thai' when you are comfortable riding a motorbike sidesaddle. What that means is, getting on the bike of the motorbike, behind the driver, with both of your legs on one side of the bike facing to the left, and your back facing to the right.

To bystanders, this can look precarious, but to generations of Thai women, it's pretty normal.

I know I've now become Thai as I can ride sidesaddle on the back of a motorbike holding 2 bags, 3 packages and on my cell phone. No hands!

For more on instructions on how to ride a motorbike sidesaddle read this informative article.

Zoos in Thailand

If you're in Thailand and love zoos, or your kids love zoos, then going to one of Thailand's famous zoos should be a priority. I love Dusit Zoo and Chiang Mai Zoo as well as Khao Kheow. Khao Kheow is especially fabulous because it's an open-air zoo, so the animals have tons of space to walk around and lots of green areas for grazing, standing in the shade etc. There's even a tram that drives you around the animal enclosures (which is fabulous, when it's really hot!) or you can hire bikes and cycle around yourself.

Read this article for more information on the best zoos in Thailand, where they are and how much they cost.

Shrimp Fit at KFC, Bangkok

Honestly, I don't eat fast food in Bangkok that much but sometimes I do eat KFC. Not the chicken though. Instead I get a Shrimp Fit sandwich, fries and a coke. It's a fast meal and, supposedly, the shrimp sandwich has low-fat dressing on it (although the shrimp is fried so it can't be that good for you if you're on a diet!)

It's delicious though and, at 99 baht (just less than $3) for a set (sandwich, fries and coke) it's a pretty good deal. Well, actually, KFC in Thailand is very expensive. When you can get a huge plate of rice with chicken curry or pork or beef and some veggies on the side for just over $1, then $3 for fast food is a high price. A lot of my Thai friends won't eat at KFC, because they think it's rip-off. They could be right :-)

Questions about Visas and Work Permits in Thailand

Some of the funny kids I've taught in Thailand.

A lot of westerners get very confused when they move to Thailand and have to face the prospect of getting a visa and a work permit, as it is a bit daunting. Never fear though, it's not that difficult. Read this article for some quick answers to questions about the work permit and visa in Thailand. Just remember, you can't work in Thailand legally without one so don't believe that agent or school that tells you "Working in Thailand without a work permit is okay". Really. It's not. After all, you don't want to be jailed and deported, do you?

Markets

Thailand is famous for markets and they are absolutely everywhere. Pretty much every available sidewalk in Bangkok has a market or mini market. This one is right outside the post office at Saphan Kwai sky train station, selling amulets and Buddhist paraphernalia. Very interesting, especially on the weekends.

Chiang Mai - A Lovely Place To Visit For a Long Weekend

Having lived in Thailand for so many years, I've visited Chiang Mai a lot. Chiang Mai is in northern Thailand, but only an hour and a half by plane from Bangkok.

Surrounded by hills and lush green fields, it's a quite sleepy town compared to Bangkok but is still stuffed with lots of fun things to do. Check out the markets, cool outdoor restaurants, beautiful temples the amazing Night Bazaar, and also the Sunday Walking Street Market (the evening market), which is the largest outdoor evening market I've ever seen! Sells everything too and at wonderful prices.

Also, don't miss visiting Doi Suthep, the famous temple up at the top of the mountain overlooking Chiang Mai - it's worth it for the views alone!

Teaching in Thailand

I've been teaching EFL in Thailand for six years and am often asked by other farangs if Thailand is a good place to teach EFL to kids. Just like any country, Thailand has pluses and minuses when it comes to teaching EFL to kids. Every prospective teacher should do research before deciding if Thailand is for them or not.

For me, I loved teaching EFL to Thai kids, but other teachers might not. If you're not sure if Thailand is the correct fit for you, read this article as it tells the pros and cons of teaching kids in Thailand - and will at least give you a starting point from which to make your decision.

Thai kids really are lovely though, so my recommendation would be "Go for it".

Fruit Shakes

I'm a sucker for fruit shakes in Thailand. It's so hot here anything refreshing is always appreciated and fruit shakes are doubly good because they're cheap as well as healthy.

A lot of drinks stalls in Thailand make fruit shakes - pineapple, watermelon, orange, guava.....each stall usually sells lots of varieties, or even mixtures of a few fruits and at around 30 baht per shake (about 80 cents) they're an amazingly cheap refreshing drink.

Cheap Things To Buy in Bangkok

One of the best things about Bangkok is the shopping. It's incredibly cheap to buy things in Bangkok, much cheaper than similar shopping in the US. If you're planning a shopping trip to Bangkok and are looking for cheap products, don't forget to check out flowers, Thai silk, handcarved wooden items, CDs and DVDs, tailor-made clothes and more.

For more information on the best cheap things to buy in Bangkok, read this article on the 10 Best Things to Buy in Thailand's Capital City.

Pocky - Lovely, Lovely Choccy!

I'm a big fan of Pocky in Thailand. Pocky is sticks of pretzels in a small box, either salted, flavored or covered in chocolate.

These are my favorite Pocky - covered in chocolate and, dipped into hot coffee, absolutely delicious. Only 230 calories too!

Sky Trains

I love the sky trains in Bangkok. They're colorful and interesting to look at with all the cool advertising on the side, and they're fast too!

Makarm Tawt

I've never heard of this Thai fruit, but a Thai friend brought me some yesterday. It has a bit of a weird taste - not really sweet, not really dry - in fact, very difficult to describe - but it's so fussy to eat and with such little meat on it, it's hardly worth bothering with.

Thais love it though, so if you want to try something new, it's called "Makarm Tawt" in Thai. Ask for it at the local Thai fruit shops.

Spirit Houses

Thais build spirit houses in front of every new building - office buildings, shops, restaurants, apartment buildings, houses - they just about all have them. The spirit house does exactly what it says - it houses a spirit that protects the building from harm. The only thing you have to do is remember to feed it every day and leave flowers and incense as offerings.

I love the spirit houses though - they're so pretty!

Top Private Hospitals in Bangkok: Excellent Medical Care for an Inexpensive Price

Medical care is inexpensive in Thailand and, unlike US hospitals, the care is fast, efficient and great quality for a cheap price. I recently had an EKG, a chest x-ray, 15 different blood tests and 3 visits to the doctor at a private hospital in Bangkok - all for around $120 - unheard of in the US.

For more information on the best hospitals to go to in Bangkok if you're looking for private health care, read this article on private Bangkok hospitals.

Buying Shoes in Thailand

These are just some of the pairs of shoes one of my Thai friends owns - she has a lot more!


Thai girls love shoes. And shoes are cheap in Bangkok (and all over Thailand), so every Thai girl I know has 50 pairs of shoes.

I buy shoes at area markets, at MBK shopping mall in Bangkok, at Chatuchak weekend market and other street markets. I very rarely pay more than 199 baht (about $5.50) and, because there are so many wonderful styles of shoe in Thailand, I have shoes to match every outfit.
If you are also a shoe lover and want to know where to shop for shoes in Bangkok, this article will give you a lot of tips.

Amphawa Floating Market

I went to Amphawa Floating Market with some people from work. Amphawa is an absolutely enormous floating market around an hour and a half from Bangkok. Everything is sold from either boats or small little shops in wooden shop houses on each side of the river bank.

It's picturesque, dirt cheap and very cool. Check out the little bars and restaurants and trendy coffee shops, frequented by tons of Thais. I only saw one farang (westerner) the whole time I was there - which suits me no end!

Wat Phra Kaew

One of the most beautiful places in Bangkok is Wat Phra Kaew. It's next to the Grand Palace and is the most popular tourist attraction in Bangkok. Not surprsing really as it is an incredibly unusual temple.

Word of warning though, don't go on the weekends if possible - it's absolutely packed with both tourists and Thais. Try to get there on a weekday morning as early as possible (9am opening time) before the crowds hit.

Lunch for $1.50

You seriously can't beat buying lunch on the street in Bangkok.

This set me back about $1.50 and is fried chicken with mushrooms, stir fried veggies, rice and an enormous tray of mango and sticky rice.

Best Places To Visit in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Chiang Rai is in northern Thailand and is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit. It's beautiful, it's quiet compared to other Thai cities and it's relaxing. Not too relaxing though, as there's plenty of things to do. From Wat Phra Kaew to the House of Opium and traveling into Myanmar, there's lots to do here.

For more suggestions on things to do in Chiang Rai, read this article - Best Places to Go in Chiang Rai, Thailand

After the Red Shirts...

Well, Bangkok just recently had yet more riots with, this time, the red shirts (the Pro-Thaksin group) burning buses, setting fire to cars, holding up traffic, blocking major streets and otherwise ruining Songkran (the Thai New Year) for anyone who lived in Bangkok.

A few weeks later though, everything is back to normal and Thais are shopping as usual. These lovely people are dressed in traditional Thai costume to welcome people to Paragon, one of the ritzy department stores in Bangkok.

Food Courts in Thailand

One of the best places to eat good Thai food in Thailand is at a Thai food court. Food courts in Thailand are at just about every shopping mall and strip mall and are incredibly cheap. For around 40 baht (about $1.15) you can get a plate heaped with delicious Thai food and a drink.

In the photo, the food I ordered was Korean beef with stir fried vegetables, a side order of soup and a big iced latte. The total price for everything was $1.60 - you can't even get an iced latte for a buck sixty in the US, and this stuff was delicious.

Mango and Sticky Rice

Mangoes are back in season and mango and sticky rice is my favorite dessert, ever. Mango and sticky rice is served with sweet coconut milk and is the most delicious thing every. Only problem is, it makes you really sleepy after you eat it. Great thing to eat if you want a snack and a snooze. :-)

Next time you're in Thailand, don't forget to try mango and sticky rice - Thailand is famous for it.

Phuket....Still My Favorite Place in Thailand

The pretty pool at Baan Karon Resort.

I booked a trip to Phuket, leaving Bangkok on May 21st and coming back on the 23rd. I'm flying Air Asia, which is always very cheap.

For those of you who don't know, Phuket is an island just off the southern coast of Thailand and is the pride of Thailand. White sandy beaches, incredibly blue ocean, wonderful restaurants, cafes and bars and hotels are inexpensive. I always stay at the same hotel, Baan Karon Resort, near Karon Beach and always have a superb time.

Can't wait for this next trip. Three days in Phuket is always a welcome change from the heat and noise of Bangkok.

Khao Yai, Here I Come.......

A view of Khao Yai National Park


I just found out I'm going to be going on my company's three-day outing to Khao Yai, one of Thailand's biggest national parks. The company has over 2,000 people going (split up into around 12 hotels around the park area) and they pay for everyone.

Can't wait! I've never been to Khao Yai, but it's supposed to be beautiful. Plus, it will be nice to get away from Bangkok's pollution for a few days.

It's Hot, Hot, Hot

As anyone who has been to Thailand probably knows, we have three seasons - hot, hotter and hottest. Right now it's incredibly hot and looking to get hotter. I've lived in Thailand for seven years and you'd think, by now, I'd be used to it, right? Wrong.

I sweat my way to work, I sweat my way around the local market at lunch time, I sweat my way back to the underground at night, and I sweat my way home on the back of a motorbike taxi. If the motorbike taxi can get up some speed (ie: the horrendous Bangkok traffic is less than norma) then I get a quick breeze, which cools you down. Otherwise.......hot, hot, hot.

It's great for those who want a sun tan though :-)

What To Drink in Thailand

Drinks cart at a local street market in Bangkok, Thailand

Drinks are so cheap on the street in Thailand and the choices are never ending. You can get coffee, fruit juice, beer, water, fizzy water, flavored water, iced lattes, iced chocolate, hot chocolate, vanilla lattes and so much more.

Check out this great article about what street drinks to drink and you'll soon be an expert on how to buy street drinks in Thailand.

Night Market, Chiang Mai, The Empire Hotel and The Best Western Food in Bangkok

Night time market in Chiang Mai

The last time I was in Chiang Mai, I stayed at The Empire Hotel. It's a new hotel in a great location and with amazingly cheap rates, especially for what you get. For a review of The Empire Hotel in Chiang Mai, read this article.

I love going to Chiang Mai for realaxing, eating and shopping. One of the best things about the city is the incredible Night Market. It sells everything and at very cheap prices. For more information on the Night Market in Chiang Mai, check out this article.

Also, next time you're in Bangkok, Thailand, try one of these wonderful western food restaurants - they have cheap prices and, unlike many Western food restaurants in Bangkok, the food is just like back home.

Good Western Food, Taking the Train in Thailand and More

If you're coming to Thailand soon, these articles about where to get Western food, how to use the train, how to change dollars for Thai baht and more.......

What not to do in Thailand

Top Places To Go To in Thailand

Good Western Food in Bangkok

Thailand's Trains

How To Enjoy Songkran

How To Change Dollars to Thai Baht

Hotels in the Khao San Road Neighborhood

Suvarnabhumi Airport - Good or Not?

One of the 'water offering' places set up all over Thailand - this one at a Bangkok office building.

The beginning of Songkran (the Thai New Year) started today. Thais pour water over anyone and anything that isn't nailed down so, if you don't want to get wet every time you step outside your house, stay indoors.

In fact, a lot of westerners buy a week's worth of food, rent a ton of DVDs and stay at home with the doors locked. I like to live life a bit more dangerously though, so I do venture out a bit to join in the fun.

If you don't want to get wet though, the best thing to do is rent a taxi and go to the shopping malls. Just about the only two places that are 'safe'.

Thailand Articles

Red Shirts demonstrate in Pattaya, Thailand

I'm starting this blog as a way to direct readers to tons of information about Thailand. I live and work in Thailand and have done for years. I also write articles about every aspect of Thai life for Associated Content.

Check out my Content Producer Page to find over 600 articles on practically everything you would ever want to know about Thailand or read some of these new articles just published:


Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married in Thailand

One of Bangkok's best restaurants - Coffee Beans by Dao

Best Places To Eat Dessert in Bangkok

Army Retakes Control of Bangkok After Red Shirts Protest

Thai Police and Army Fight Protesters in Bangkok

Top Five Best Things To Do With Kids If You Go To Chiang Mai

Fun Sports To Play If You're In Bangkok, Thailand

Asean Conference Gets Cancelled

Flying in Thailand: Which Company Should You Choose?

Fun Things in Nakhon Sawan

Every day, I'll post new links to articles plus show new photographs of Thailand, talk about Thai news, Thai politics, Thai people, Thai girls and more.