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!