The currency of Thailand is Baht. There are 6 coins and 6 bank notes as following.
25 satang coin, 50 satang coin (no one really wants them today because they almost worthless but they are still willingly accepted in Supermarkets and mini-Marts and of course banks)
1 baht, 2 baht, 5 baht and 10 baht coins
10 baht (barely found used today), 20 baht, 50 baht, 100 baht, 500 baht and 1000 baht bank notes.

You will find the notes really colorful: 10 baht note is brown, 20 is green, 50 is blue, 100 is red, 500 is purple and 1000 is grey-brown.

The trick is to always have 20, 50 and 100 baht notes in your wallet. Especially when you need to pay for something really cheap like 10 baht (bus fare) and if you only have a 500 or a 1000 baht bank note, the bus boy might get real pissed off. And FYI, a lot small shops don’t have the much of change for you. I find many Taxi drivers do this trick, telling that he doesn’t have the change. Now if you are in this situation, ask the driver to stop at some shop and buy something for change or just ask the shop directly for change because you might get lucky not having to buy anything. Better yet, always keep some change in your wallet to avoid any problem.

Caution: One-baht gold is not the same with one baht. Baht can also be used as a measurement of weight for gold. One baht gold is 15.244 grams or about 0.5 oz of gold. And that will cost definitely not one baht. According to gold price today, one baht gold costs more than 15,000 baht.

There are only 3 seasons in Thailand: Cool, Hot, and Rainy or some Thais call Hot, Hottest, and Hot with Rain.

Cool season begins from November to about the end of February. This is the only season you will get to feel nice fresh cool air. It is the most popular time to visit the country and the air tickets, hotels and a tour packages are at their peak price rate and very difficult to find. However, when we say it’s a cool season, you might not even notice it in the South of Thailand but it just doesn’t rain as much as in the other seasons. And in the north where the mountains are, the temperature will drop as far as to 0 degree Celsius or a little beneath that which you will need only a good sweater.

Hot season or summer! The season starts in March and finish in June or July. And be careful if you cannot stand the hot weather because the temperature will rise as high as 40 degree Celsius or 104 degree Fahrenheit. But I find this season really good and pleasant especially for Thai people to go to the beach sit with a cold drink and swim in the sea.

Rainy season is between July and October. The monsoons hit most of the country especially in September and early October. Flooding is something you can expect in this time of a year.

Next time you plan a trip to Thailand, I recommend you to concern about the climate so that you can enjoy the best of Thailand.

Thailand always offers a warm and friendly welcome to millions of tourists who visit this event each year and this year will be just the same or even better.

There will be a number of special events like panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, master classes etc.

You can now check out the website, again at www.bangkokfilm.org or at thainationalfilm.com for more information about the festival and of course the film schedule.

The festival takes place at SF World Cinema, Central World and Pullman Hotel, Bangkok from September 23rd to 30th. You might want to hurry and check out the schedule now, that case you won’t miss the great movie you will love.

Thailand is a country in South-East Asia. It is a country next to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia (you must know Cambodia very well since Jolie’s been here and adopted a child long before she met Brad and has her own baby twins). Ok back to the country. It is very famous for great food, culture and beaches.

And I believe you have heard more about Bangkok, the crowded capital city of Thailand. It’s bustling and frenetic.

The country has a really long history. The kingdom was established in the mid 14th century known as Siam. The culture is incredible and you will be impressed with the people’s personalities of kindness and friendliness. You will also be fascinated by its culture and its illuminant Buddhist religious ceremonies and traditions.

Thailand is largely tropical. Basically it’s just hot and very humid all year around with the temperatures in the 28-35 degree Celsius range or a bit higher than that because of the global warming thing. So this might be a perfect place to visit because during the coldest winter in some country, Thailand would be a perfect warm place to let you enjoy the sunlight while the people back home suffering from the coldness.

However if you want to come to Thailand, choosing the best month is important or you will end up coming here and experience non-stop raining. Rainy season will be during May-October each year.

One thing I can guarantee is that you won’t be disappointed. You don’t need a lot of money to enjoy traveling and living in Thailand. So don’t even worry even though you don’t have that big budget. Come and enjoy the real beauty of living and peace in Thailand.

Today I picked Ratchaburi, a glorious province in the Central of Thailand. It is located on the bank of the Mae Klong River. The town is full of natural attractions and also historical sites.

My favorite is Bo Khlueng Hot Spring. I really love to sit my feet in warm mineral water. It’s also believed that the warm water from nature can be used to treat the skin. And it’s just really relaxing to go there for a picnic.

And of course the most popular attraction of Ratchaburi is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. It’s like the symbol of the province and very well-known throughout the world. A lot of international TV programs have come and filmed and told story about it. The place really reflects the life style of the local and shows us how important the river is to them. But what the tourists really care about is it’s fun to shop there. The products sole in that place isn’t the cheapest. But you’ll get the local atmosphere and enjoy the old fascinating style traditions there at the same time.

Picture from Wikipedia

Other tourists’ attractions are also the showcase of Thai culture, tradition and the way of life. It is a place where people from around the world can experience the true Thai culture.

Next time I’ll take you to another great place in Thailand. And I hope this guide will help you choose where you can plan a trip on your next holidays. See you next time!

Two northern big provinces, Lamphun and Chiang Mai have plans for staging cultural events for all the visitors in this August. Northern towns are noted for their culture, art and heritage linked to the ancient kingdom of Lanna, but they are equally recognized for a variety of fruits, sometimes difficult to find elsewhere in Thailand.

Lamphun, another biggest city in the North of Thailand next to Chiang Mai with a thousand years of history, is celebrating the Longan fruit season with a festival that runs from August 9 to 18. And like many festivals in Thailand, a beauty contest is also involved here. Lamphun people are proud to cast their vote for the local Miss Longan, while they enjoy the temple fair atmostphere of an event that continues to retain its character and links with the town’s proud history.

The event will be held at the Lamphun stadium, in the center of town, this is an ideal chance to try and buy Longan fruit back home at exceptionally reasonable (let’s just say cheaper) prices.

Not very far from Lamphun, Chiang Mai is also hosting an Annual Lanna Arts Festival, from August 12 to 24 at Chiang Mai Royal Agricultural Center that once served originally as the venue for the highly successful Royal Flora show a few years ago. Stages for cultural performances have been set out at the Mae Hia sub-district venue, promising visitors a colorful spectacle of Lanna cultural performances from 8 provinces of the Northern Thailand. Apart from traditional dance and music…so beautiful…, visitors will also enjoy handicraft demonstrations and a stroll through a traditional market to buy local products sourced in and around Chiang Mai.

Information is from www.tourismthailand.org

Well, that was just another plan for you. Thailand is a great place to take a vacation to. If you have somewhere else in mind, that is ok too. We’ll be back again for more places to visit when you are here. See you then!

The place I’m going to talk about today is a province called Lampang. Well-known for its horse-drawn carriages, Lampang is set on the Wang River basin with more than 1,000 years of history. We learn its history from archaeological evidence all over the province, which reflects Thailand’s ancient civilization.

What can’t you miss to see when visiting Lampang? There are various places in Lampang you can visit. You can choose between the nature and the ancient city. In this province, there are quite number of beautiful national parks. You can go and take pictures of the city and the temples (Wat), since here is full with Buddhist temples.

What else you can do? I find this really famous and more like a fashion. A lot of tourists, when get a chance to stop by Lampang on the way to the North, mostly Chieng Mai, like to stop and spend a day at Lampang, riding the horse-drawn around the city. This is actually one of the most effective selling points of this province.

Travelling to Lampang, I say it would take around 7 hours by private car from Bangkok. Of course you can take bus or train or even plane.

Lampang’s products are such as horse-drawn carriage model, carved wood, ceramics, Sa paper, and handmade fabric.

As you can see, Thailand is also famous for its cultural and historical history, not only the sea sight places, but also the mountains, the waterfall, the forest.

Come to Thailand next time, you can try all these interesting new things we’ve recommended here yourself!

“Ao Nang Bay” from Krabi airport, follow the Petchakasem Road to Krabi Town then go on to the highway for 28 km. from the town to Ao Nang Bay.

“Thale Waek” or in English “sand Dune” the most amazing place in Krabi. You can travel to Thale Waek by speedboat or long-tailed boat both convenient. You will see the sand dune linked between 3 beautiful islands, which are Koh Mor, Koh Gai and Koh Tab.

Tourist attractions:
Rai Lay Beach is famous for its cliff climbing spot. The place has already attracted numbers of cliff climbers from all around the world.

Moreover, you can also visit the beautiful stalagmite and stalactite Tham Pranang Cave.

Another tourist spot that would interest anyone is “75-million-year Sea Shells Cemetery”. It was caused by the changes of earth surface that make sea water replace fresh water pond in land until it has become solid stone and Shelly Limestone as we can see now.

Picture from Krabi.go.th

Accommodations:
At Ao Nang Bay and Rai Lay Beach, the accommodations price starts from 400 baht per night to 150,000 baht per night. Comfortable places to stay over in Krabi are also available almost in every tourist spot with a good deal of price.

The best time to go to Krabi is from November to February, when the weather is not so hot and it doesn’t rain as much to ruin the join of traveling. Thailand is one of the places for those of you who have small to large budget. And the friendly Thai people always welcome the new comers.

Check out our website right here for more information on Thailand, the land of smile.

Pattaya is a place that full of fun and entertainment. Many foreigners fall in love with the city. The beaches, the night shows, the light, the club and bars, etc. I can say that this is the second biggest city apart from Bangkok. And right now the city just rearrange an interesting activity that you can join.

Pattaya together with Chon Buri Province, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Athletic Association of Thailand have annually organized “Phattaya International Marathon” and this year is the 15th year.

In this event, there are many runners throughout the world coming and joining, students, and wheelchairs.

This year on the 20th of July “Phattaya International Marathon” welcomes and assists all the runners in any manner. The winner of Half Marathon (male and female) will get the chance to join “Black Mores Sydney Running Festival 2008″ for free.

Admission Fee:
Marathon and Wheelchair 500 baht (joining today until the 13th) and 700 baht (from the 14th to the 19th)
Half Marathon 400 baht (today until the 17th) and 500 baht (from the 18th to the 19th)
Quarter Marathon only 300 baht (until the day)
Students Free Admission

You can download the application form now at www.pattaya-marathon.com

Picture from tourismthailand.org

Hey if you got a day off, put down your boxing gloves and join the team. It’s good, fun and healthy!

Come back here next week for another activity or place in Thailand that you can do or visit. See you next time.

In July, from the 1st to the 31st of July in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand, is the best time for the International wax sculpture festival. All the activities are arranged differently in each week:

The first week (1-6 July 2008): “Visit the Artisan Community” Activities
- Open the 3rd International Wax Sculpture
- Visit to candle crafting communities and learn the insights into an ancient artistic tradition and local culture.
- Gathering of art students from all the art institute in Thailand
- Activity “I-San Tourism Year”
- Start of wax sculptures by International artists
- Display of local flags, performances, pottery, etc.

The second week (7-13 July 2008): “Global Cooling by Wax Sculpture” Activities
- Wax sculpture made by representatives of 9 countries from Germany, China, Japan, Turkey, Mexico, Ukraine, Luxembourg, Italy and India including Ubon Rachathani local artist, work under concept “Global Cooling @ Thailand” at Ubon Ratchathani National Museum

The third week (14-20 July 2008)’s activities are called “A Touch of Buddhism and Arts”
- 18 July 2008, The Buddhist Lenten Candle Procession parade.
- Wax Sculpture by International Young Artists from the Greater Mekong Sub-region: China, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.
- Enjoy light and sound Show, Miss Candle beauty contest, which will be broadcasted via www.tourismthailand.org live.

And in the last week (21-31 July 2008), the activities are named “Wisdom on Buddhism Land”
- Display of the Buddhist Lent Candle created by Ubon Ratchatani’s local artist.
- Presentations of I-San folk performances and various kinds of food
- Exhibition of 10 masterpieces created by 9 international artists plus 1 local artist at the Museum until the last day of the month.
- Melting the Candle Ceremony: “Back to Emptiness” on the last day, 31st of July.
The International Wax Sculpture information from www.tourismthailand.org

If you’re interested, you can log on to www.thailandwaxcraving.com or www.tourismthailand.org for more information. And let me tell you, this event and the craved candles will shock you!