Banyan Tree Hotel & Bangkok Intro,Thailand by Asiatravel.com

March 8th, 2010

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Banyan Tree Bangkok : Few cities in the world fire the imagination with exotic images like Bangkok. Ornate palaces that host royal processions, Buddhist temples that witness monks chanting ancient sutras, serpentine canals that lead to a maze of water markets, bazaars that never sleep – all have long proved a powerful magnet for travelers. In this sprawling metropolis, Banyan Tree Bangkok stands out as a much-needed ’sanctuary for the senses’ and a rejuvenating spa retreat. Voted in the Gold List as one of ‘The World’s Best Places to Stay’ by Conde Nast Traveler (US) in 2005, Banyan Tree Bangkok is proud to embrace you with the legendary hospitality Thailand is famous for. Just sit back and observe the world from a distance 61 floors up in the sky.

Bangkok is the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand. Known in Thai as Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Thai: กรุงเทพมหานคร, pronounced [krūŋtʰêːp máhǎːnákʰɔːn] ( listen)), or กรุงเทพฯ Krung Thep ( (listen) (help·info)) for short, it was a small trading post at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It came to the forefront of Siam when it was given the status as the capital city in 1768 after the burning of Ayutthaya. However, the current Rattanakosin Kingdom did not begin until 1782 when the capital was moved across the river by Rama I after the death of King Taksin. The Rattanakosin capital is now more formally called “Phra Nakhon” (Thai: พระนคร), pertaining to the ancient boundaries in the metropolis’ core and the name Bangkok now incorporates the urban build-up since the 18th century which has its own public administration and governor.

Since its inception as the capital of Siam, it was at the center of European Colonial plans, but due to its strategic location in Indochina, it acted as a buffer-zone and brokered power between the European forces. Through this, it gained notoriety in the world as an independent, dynamic, and influential city. And in the span of over two hundred years, Bangkok has grown to become the political, social and economic center of Thailand, Indochina and Southeast Asia.

As a direct result of the 1980s and 1990s Asian investment boom, numerous multinational corporations base their regional headquarters in Bangkok and the city has become a regional force in finance and business. Its increasing influence on global politics, culture, fashion, and entertainment underlines its status as a global city. In 2009, it was the second most expensive city in South-East Asia behind Singapore.[1]

The city’s wealth of cultural landmarks and attractions in addition to its notorious entertainment venues has made it synonymous with exoticism. Its historic wealth coincides with its rapid modernization, reflected in the cityscape and the urban society. The Grand Palace, Vimanmek Palace Complex, its thousands of temples, and the city’s notorious red light districts combine draw in 11 million people international visitors each year, trailing just Paris and London.[2]

Bangkok has a population of approximately 6,355,144 residents while the greater Bangkok area has a population of 11,971,000 (January 2008) [3]. The capital is part of the heavily urbanized triangle of central and eastern Thailand which stretches from Nakhon Ratchasima along Bangkok to the heavily Industrialized Eastern Seaboard. Bangkok borders six other provinces: Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom, and all five provinces are joined in the conurbation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. It is served by two international airports, Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Muang, four rapid transit lines operated by the BTS, MRT, and the SRT, with plans to add eight more by 2020.

The city has been coined the “City of Angels”, “Venice of the East”, and “Detroit of the East”.

Info Taken from Wikipedia.com
Credits to Wikipedia.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok

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Hatyai-Suratthani-Koh Samui, Thailand (Jan2009) part1

February 22nd, 2010

Click ‘watch in high quality’ at the right bottom of the video clip.

The first 50 seconds video clip in part1 showing the barricade by army before reaching Hatyai. I think somewhere around Chana area.

Arrived at Hatyai 5.30pm and trip to Koh Samui from Hatyai only avail at morning 9.00am. Bought join ticket (bus/ferry) direct from Hatyai to Koh Samui at 550baht but later have to add 250baht at Suratthani :( .

9.00am- van pickup from Chan Travel (near Lee Garden, just beside Grand Plaza hotel). Stop at Chao Vang Travel to pickup 7 more people, but we were dropped at a bus/van station at Hatyai only knowing we have to wait some more before departing to Suratthani. Only by 10.10am we got an old van moving to Suratthani. (I don’t think the direct ticket we bought should be like this?).

2.30pm- reached Suratthani town but the travel agent here told us we have to wait until 4.30pm for our bus to Donsak?. She also told us the ticket we bought is catering only the slow boat which will take 4 hours to reach Koh Samui (I sense she is lying here!!). This means we will only reach Koh Samui around 10.00pm. The Suratthani no-name travel broker is near the “Sports World” shop as you can see from the video clip part2 (video at 01:49). She asked us if we want to reach Koh Samui sooner, we have to pay another extra 250 baht. If we pay the additional money now we can have our bus moving now and we will have a faster boat which will take only 2 hours instead of 4 hours. We don’t want to reach Koh Samui that late so we paid her 250 baht each. Then immediately using their own personal car and a bike they brought us to a very near ‘SeaTran Ferry’ bus ticket counter. It’s 3.00pm by now and the new ticket we just got is 3.30pm bus. It also stated 200 baht only??. (every time they drop us, they will just leave us as quickly as possible ??)

4.35pm- arrived at the Donsak peer, and the next ferry to Samui is 5.00pm so it’s just nice for us. Asked around if there’s any slow boat such as 4 hours trip to Koh Samui from Donsak? Well there aren’t any! We arrived at Koh Samui peer 2 hours later, finally. (No night boat from Donsak but there’s night boat from Suratthani to Koh Samui/Koh Tao (expensive ticket!) and the last ferry from Donsak peer is 7.00pm.

I think from this experience and for the next trip to Koh Samui, I won’t buy the direct ticket Hatyai-Samui from the travel agent instead I will try to travel by self. I think it is better to take a bus from Hatyai bus station to Suratthani (cost only 250-300baht) and from Suratthani look for the “SeaTran Ferry” bus ticket counter (take the tuk tuk which always cost 20 baht only for each trip around the town area). The join ticket (bus/ferry) to Koh Samui cost only 200 baht and it’s hourly available here.
**The Seatran Ferry ticket counter at Suratthani is just in front of the big Budhist temple, name pronounced as ‘wat thumb boo char Suratthani’. (char as in charcoal) check it out from the video part2 clip.

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Below are the listing of cheap and average hotels around the Hatyai Lee Garden Plaza. They are not bad actually, cleanliness is good, air conditioned plus shower in the room. I think it is acceptable even if you plan to bring along your family for the stay here. (You can check/see the room first before renting them).

Walk along to the south from Lee Garden Plaza (Hatyai walking street) and you will meet all the listed hotel below :-
0) Lee Garden Hotel : 1400baht : 074-261111, 074-352222
1) Grand Plaza Hotel (left) : 680baht : (662) 674-8182 to 3
2) Pink Hotel (left) : 550baht : 074-230960
3) Indra Hotel (left) : ?? :
4) Sakol Hotel (right) : 680baht : 074-355500
5) Rado Hotel (right) : 360baht : 074-239202/224/237
6) Be My Guest GH (right) : 450baht : 074-239231 (even a GH but very good standard)
7) BP Grand Suit (right) : 680baht :
8) Hatyai Central Hotel : 685baht : 026-745544
9) Sakura Hotel : 550baht : 074-235111

To southwest, Metro Hotel : 360baht : 074-230088-91
To northwest, Diamond Plaza Hotel : 980baht : 074-230130
To north, The Regency Hotel : 900baht : 074-353333

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Golden Horse Monastry – thailand

February 20th, 2010

October 2006
One Abbot has found a new way of bringing young dispossessed boys onto the path of enlightenment. Using a strict regime of exercise, he teaches a particularly tough form of Buddhism.

“At home I didn’t have enough to eat. I didn’t go to school”, says Sam Muen. After his father was convicted of drug possession he faced an uncertain future. Rescued by Abbot Kru Ba Nuea Chai, he is now on the road collecting alms with fellow trainee monks. “I don’t know what the future will be like. But for now I want to live this way”.

Thailand Asia Monbastry Golden Horse Childrn Monks buddist

Duration : 0:7:31

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The Crazy Drug – Thailand

February 18th, 2010

1 June 1999
This shocking & graphic report reveals a purer form of amphetamine is coming out of South East Asia’s golden triangle. It’s creating a national emergency in Thailand.

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

Duration : 0:16:34

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Samui Thailand Lamai beach

December 29th, 2009

View clip video Lami beach. More about koh samui, samui hotels, samui thailand and beach samui. http://samuithailandinfo.blogspot.com

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Thailand Travel Doc – Part 09

December 15th, 2009

The Kingdom of Thailand is an independent country which lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. The country is bordered to the north by Laos and Burma, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and Burma. By the maritime boundary, the country is bordered to the southeast by Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, to the southwest by Indonesia and India in the Andaman Sea.

The capital and largest city of Thailand is Bangkok. It is also the country’s centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. Bangkok is known in Thai as “Krung Thep Mahanakorn,” or, more colloquially, “Krung Thep.”

Thailand is considered to be the world’s 50th largest country in terms of total area, with a surface area of approximately 513,000 km² (198,000 sq mi), and the world’s 20th largest country in terms of population with approximately 63 million people. The population consists 80% of Thais, 10% of Chinese, and 3% of Malay. The rest are minorities such as Mons, Khmers, and various hill tribes. The country’s official spoken and written language is Thai.

Keywords:
bbtv broadbandtv thailand southeast asia india buddhist bangkok thai bhumibol adulyadej travel tourism tourist vacation destination krung thep thais chinese theravada buddhism

Duration : 0:3:41

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Live aboard Cruises and Diving – Phuket Thailand

December 15th, 2009

http://www.phuket-boomerang.com – http://www.phuketboomerang.com
For your Vacations to Phuket in Thailand
Boomerang Village Cottages Kata Beach Phuket, comfortable vacation , beautiful location, surround tropical gardens, situated on Kata hill side, with panoramic views of Kata Beach.
http://www.phuket-boomerang.com/
http://www.phuketboomerang.com/
http://www.boomerang-phuket.com/
http://boomerang.thaisouth.com/
http://www.phuket-katabeach.com/

Duration : 0:2:58

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Thailand Travel Doc – Part 10

December 10th, 2009

The Kingdom of Thailand is an independent country which lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. The country is bordered to the north by Laos and Burma, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and Burma. By the maritime boundary, the country is bordered to the southeast by Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand, to the southwest by Indonesia and India in the Andaman Sea.

The capital and largest city of Thailand is Bangkok. It is also the country’s centre of political, commercial, industrial and cultural activities. Bangkok is known in Thai as “Krung Thep Mahanakorn,” or, more colloquially, “Krung Thep.”

Thailand is considered to be the world’s 50th largest country in terms of total area, with a surface area of approximately 513,000 km² (198,000 sq mi), and the world’s 20th largest country in terms of population with approximately 63 million people. The population consists 80% of Thais, 10% of Chinese, and 3% of Malay. The rest are minorities such as Mons, Khmers, and various hill tribes. The country’s official spoken and written language is Thai.

Keywords:
bbtv broadbandtv thailand southeast asia india buddhist bangkok thai bhumibol adulyadej travel tourism tourist vacation destination krung thep thais chinese theravada buddhism

Duration : 0:6:16

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Thailand – Khao Lake & Phangna Bay – Travel Doc

December 9th, 2009

At 514,000 km² (198,000 sq mi) , Thailand is the world’s 50th largest country in land mass, whilst it is the world’s 20th largest country in terms of population. It is comparable in population to countries such as France and United Kingdom, and is similar in land size to France and California in the US; it is just over twice the size of the entire United Kingdom, and 1.4 times the size of Germany.

Duration : 0:2:30

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Kata Beach – Phuket Thailand

December 3rd, 2009

http://www.phuket-boomerang.com – http://www.phuketboomerang.com
Located in the suggestive surroundings of Kata Beach, Phuket, the Boomerang Village Cottages hotel offers a warm welcoming as well as an attentive service to all its guests, so as to make them enjoy a holiday full of emotions and experience unforgettable sights. Externally similar to mountain chalets, the newly built cottages are furnished in Thai style, offering a very congenial and relaxing ambience.
http://www.phuket-boomerang.com/
http://www.phuketboomerang.com/
http://www.boomerang-phuket.com/
http://boomerang.thaisouth.com/
http://www.phuket-katabeach.com/

Duration : 0:9:3

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