Thai ladies love taking selfies. However this selfie fever logs new benchmarks at the Veranda Resort Pattaya which I have to admit is kind of easy on the eye. I meant both, the ladies and the resort:) The Veranda Resort located at Jomtien Beach, a twin beach to Pattaya comprises two lowrise buildings and its 145 rooms are distributed over 6 different room types from Seascape rooms to Sky Pool Villas. Managed by Accor's M Gallery by Sofitel, the Veranda is definitely set to give existing 5 stars like the Hilton and the Centara Mirage some competition. It is close enough to Pattaya with its compelling attractions and nightlife and yet far enough to spend quality time with family, friends or lovers. Conference facilities for groups from 30 to 200 people are available depending on set up requirements. The beach front can accommodate a gala event for groups up to 250 people. Special theme parties with live music, shows and firework displays, can also be arranged. Conference room Floor area - 11.5 x 17.3 = 198.95 sqm. Ceiling height - 10 meters Class room = 120 Board room = 52 Theatre = 200 Cocktails = 200 U Shape = 40 Dinner = 140 M1 + M2 Two meeting rooms which can be opened to make a larger room, ideal for MICE groups of up to 250 persons. Continue reading

If you're looking for a stunning gala dinner venue located on a cliff overlooking the sea, look no further. Rimpa Lapin fits the bill. The restaurant is famous for its Thai food and its views. You could do a cocktail session on the front lawns first and then move later to the terraced restaurant. A good time to begin your evening would be just prior to sunset. Continue reading

To the Amari Ocean Tower and the Holiday Inn Pattaya has been added the Holiday Inn Executive Tower with 200 guest rooms behind the older Holiday Inn tower. The new Mercure Ocean is just behind the Holiday Inn and its chocolate coloured exterior offsets quite nicely with the Amari and the Holiday Inn Pattaya. An interesting feature of this hotel is their water park which the children will appreciate. On Jomtien Beach the new Centra Maris offsets quite nicely with the Reflexions condominium. As new Hotels and quality condominiums go up, Pattaya's skyline is poised to become even more impressive in the coming years. Continue reading

Did you expect to find a pine forest in Pattaya ? As unexpected as the pine forest is the Glass House beachfront Restaurant right in the midst of this forest and fronting the beach. Whenever I've been there the restaurant has always been super busy with an upmarket fashionable Thai clientele and expatriates who appreciate fine food and soft jazz or bossa nova. It is a bit of a trek from Pattaya but well worth the effort. Drive straight on Sukhumvit Road in the direction of Jomtien and take a U turn near the Ambassador Jomtien. Glass House Beachfront restaurant Pattaya entrance view The menu is a mix of Thai, Seafood and International cuisine. The vibe of the restaurant also encourages you to just hang out and chill with a latte or a cocktail. It is a place to watch the sun plunge into the Gulf of Thailand and simply soak the atmosphere in. This would make the venue very appealing to a MICE group looking for an upmarket venue close to Pattaya which is private and exclusive. You can fit approximately 75 persons into the main building housing the restaurant itself and the beach would afford you the opportunity of packing another 125 to 150 pax. I would recommend this restaurant highly for your next upmarket MICE movement to Pattaya. Take a look at my pics below. Glass House Beachfront Restaurant Pattaya entrance view Glass House Beachfront restaurant Pattaya Glass House Beachfront Restaurant Pattaya main building Glass House Beachfront Restaurant Pattaya beach sitting area Glass House Beachfront Restaurant Pattaya beach sitting (view from the 2nd floor of their main building) Glass House Beachfront Restaurant Pattaya sunset view Continue reading

There was a time when one went to Khao San road to leave Bangkok without taking an international flight from Suvarnabhumi to Europe and to soak up its back packer atmosphere with its laid back charm, its street side cafes and cheap eateries, its international crowds and its flea market kind of ambiance where international travelers met, exchanged notes and gossip and were penny pinching their way across South East Asia. Today it is hard to find the Khao San Road of yore. Many of the older shop houses have given way to modern trendy hotels and restopubs and carefully restored old Sino Portuguese architecture. The prices have rocketed and the crowd though hip and young look like well healed tourists with fewer back packer types visible. There is a commercialism that did not exist a few years ago. Am I the only one who sees it this way ? Starbucks has a home just around the corner from Khao San Road. There is a tram now which did not exist a few years ago. Khao San Road still has that air of adventure, mystery and exudes a good vibe. However it is punctuated with discordant notes now with several upmarket restaurants and pubs opening on the street like the one below. Indeed these remind you more of Covent Gardens in London than Khan San Road Bangkok. Or does it add to the international vibe ? However I am pleased to see that the famous Phad Thai noodle hand carts still exist. It no longer costs THB 10 though. You are more likely to pay THB 50 for a Phad Thai with prawns or chicken. But the noodles are delicious and are well worth the money. Continue reading

Located between the Hard Rock and the Tropicana Hotels on Beach Road, the Mera Mare Hotel Pattaya is the newest boutique luxury hotel to open in Pattaya. While the entrance is rather small, it gives way to a plush larger boutique lobby which has more the air of somebody's living room rather than a hotel. Highly polished marbles are your first impression of this swanky new boutique hotel. Staff are warm and friendly and ever willing to assist. The deluxe rooms are 35 square meters and many of them overlook the sea. A floor-to-ceiling window with garden or sea view and your own private balcony is a feature of every room. Every room has a lot of expressive styling mirrors and ethnic wallpaper decoration. The beds are very comfortable with smooth line sheets and duvets. The marble bathroom offers a deep soaking bathtub and a separate rain shower. The accommodation type of special interest to me is the 76 square meter Family Suite which is inspired by family adventure paneled with a headboard star map and a floor-to-ceiling glass window with a view of Pattaya beach road. Kids have their own separate bedroom with bunk beds and a bean bag chair. Parents relax in the serenity of the master bedroom which consists of a king bed and a single bed with soft linen. Continue reading

If you're looking for a decent place to hang out, try Khao San road in the evening. The promenade becomes a walking street and you could hang out at one of the street side cafes (prices are not as cheap as they used to be) or head inside the clubs or to one of the nearby rooftops for a more demure ambiance. Khao San attracts the Thai "uni" crowd looking for farang partners and the interaction could be quite interesting. You also have farangs looking to meet other farangs or just old friends back in their backpacking days. Parallel to Khao San road is Soi Rumbuttri which with its leafy banyans and colonial buildings makes you think that you've stepped into a time machine and arrived back in the 1900's. Makes for a pleasant evening of clean fun. Continue reading

Bangkok is a city which has no dearth of luxury hotels. What defines and sets apart the St. Regis brand worldwide and indeed the case in Bangkok is its top notch service by its exemplary staff. Its perfect location on Rajdamri Road puts you within a 15 minute leisurely walk of Siam Paragon and Central Chitlom and a 10 minute walk of Central World and Gaysorn Plaza. It is connected to the BTS so when it rains you do not need to get wet. The views of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and the race course are truly stunning. You get the feel of being in a rich person's house the moment you enter the foyer. It is defined by the St. Regis Hotel scent. The Butler service is another plus of this super luxury city hotel. You may not wish him to unpack or pack your clothes but the unlimited tea/coffee is welcome. Yes Jeeves, bring it on ! Continue reading

I am always on the lookout for resorts that stand out above the ordinary and was quite impressed with what I saw with Keemala. This pool villa resort is very new and is located at Kamala on a hilltop, between Patong and Surin Beaches. They have four different Villa types; Clay Pool Villas, Tent Pool Villas, Tree Pool Villas and Birds Nest Pool Villas. Every villa type takes its inspiration from a different Thai tribe and this runs through the concept and the decoration. Definitely targeted at the well heeled traveler, the Keemala Pool Villas start at about USD 550 a night for room only including taxes and service charges. Another factor you should keep in mind is that the resort is the destination. You will not want to move from here and probably grow roots. The food and facilities are expensive so factor that into your budget as well. Since the villas are dotted across the hillside, a tip is that the Tent Pool Villas do not involve too much walking. Continue reading

My own preference is for smaller boutique resorts instead of the big international or Thai chains. The Monttra stands out as a shining example of a high end boutique resort. With the addition of resorts like The Monttra, Pattaya is becoming attractive to the honeymooner too. Hire a bike and stay at a resort like this one. Their attention to detail as well as the service level is equivalent to 5 star resorts run by International chains without the standardization. Located next to the Royal Varuna Yacht Club on the headland of a cliff overlooking Coral Island, the resort has 23 suites including 4 of these beautiful Canopy Pool Suites at its top end. The 83 sqm Canopy Pool Suite is located underneath a thick tree canopy with a 30sqm private terrace, perfect for a late breakfast in your room and you really can have your breakfast at any time without having to wake up before 10 am or 1030 am to rush and get your breakfast before it is cleared. You can also have it served to you in your room. The cost at the time of printing this blog post is around USD 250 a night, a small price to pay for such privacy. Check it out. Continue reading

Located just 5 minutes away from the Asoke BTS and the Sukhumvit MRT station, the Pullman Grande Sukhumvit (formerly Millenium Grande Sukhumvit) located on Asok Road with its 325 rooms makes a great choice for FIT travelers as well as small MICE groups that are below 50 rooms. Deluxe room sizes which are 38 square metres will put you within a 5 minutes walking distance of the destination mall, Terminal 21 and Robinson Sukhumvit. You are also within a 15 minute striking distance of Emporium and Emquartier malls. The party hub of Soi 11 is also a 15 minute walk away. The Hotel has 16 meeting rooms. The largest meeting room is 485 square metres (5220 square feet) and can take 580 pax in cocktail style. The down side of this hotel is that it has very few twin guest bedrooms which is why I said it is ideal for Indian weddings rather than corporate MICE. I also noticed an ironing board in every guest room which is ideal for the weddings segment with their numerous functions. Continue reading

This year Thailand is expected to hit 30 million arrivals (up 23% from last year) as per the Tourism Council of Thailand but this is expected to come through a 79% increase in Chinese arrivals to Thailand or 8 million Chinese tourists. Can this be right ? Other major markets to Thailand have increased or decreased marginally. If the Chinese are going to comprise almost 30% of Thailand's arrivals then this puts Thailand at the risk of relying too much on one nationality as well as a lopsided development of markets. Why is the Thai Government allowing this to happen ? Is it because of political ties with China and the ease of communication between the respective government departments ? Or is it because the rest of the world just considers Thailand as a staid destination with more exciting places to visit ? And the TAT is doing nothing about this or lacks direction ? All I can see is Thainess being pushed without anything really new coming out. Continue reading

I popped across to the victorian style Strand Hotel Yangon to see what all the fuss was about. Built in 1901, I was surprised to learn that the hotel was not built by the Sarkie brothers but acquired by them later. The Sarkies are famous for building other great hotels in Asia including the Raffles, the Orange Hotel in Surabaya (now renamed Majapahit) in Surabaya and the E & O Hotel in Penang. I am glad I did as it was atmospheric. If you want to see the history of this hotel click here. No visit to the Yangon is complete without a visit to the Strand Cafe. Prices are steep but it is like going to Singapore and note popping by the Long Bar at the Raffles for a Singapore Sling. A nice surprise at the Strand is the art gallery in the Shopping Arcade. Check it out. Continue reading

When I landed in Yangon on my first visit to Myanmar last month, I really did not expect to be met by a modern and spanking airport. I thought it would be more like the old Indian airports. Not only was the airport new and modern but the immigration and customs were friendly and efficient and you are out of there in no time at all if your paperwork is in order. The next surprise was the taxi. No meters here but like the rest of Yangon, they are reconditioned second hand cars that look absolutely clean and new. My English speaking driver politely explained to me that they drive on the right hand side of the road like in France because their people were opposed to anything that smacks of Empire or British. The day the British left he told me they abandoned their western style clothes for sarongs and slippers (chappals). Indeed I was surprised to find that even businessmen were attired in sarongs which they wear with pride along with their slippers. The other surprise was that Yangon was clean compared to many of the cities I have seen in India. The only exception to this is the Burmese habit of chewing betelnut and spitting. This is a favourite passtime of the cabbies there. Another surprise is that the Burmese people are a collection of so many different tribes that it is impossible to stereotype them. Their cultures are as varied as their cuisines. You must try out their local cuisines. Below are some of the local noodles that I tried at 999 Shan Noodle House which is a tiny eatery that costs nothing but provides legendary Shan noodles. Avoid foreign cuisines though it is comfortable to go for the known. And of course there is the Shwedagon Pagoda which should be visited at sunset. This is good advise not just for photographers because this is when you can get the best shots, but also practical advice as security makes you remove your shoes and the marble gets rather heated I am told during the day so you may feel like a cat on hot bricks. Over the next few blog posts, I will go into more detail on different aspects of Yangon and Myanmar. I hope you like this brief introduction. Continue reading

Emquartier (nearest BTS Skytrain Phrom Phong) is part of the Em District Project. Located opposite the Emporium on Soi 24, the Emquartier is just across the road from the Emporium and is connected to Emporium and the BTS by a skybridge. It is not an understatement to say that Emquartier has changed the Sukhumvit landscape in a good way and raised the bar for all future luxury shopping developments in Bangkok. Comprising three separate buildings connected by bridges, The Glass Quarter, The Helix Quarter and the Waterfall Quarter. Unusual in a department store, the Emquartier has almost an entire building dedicated to food and restaurants that suit every pocket and palate. It also has many upscale brands balanced with brands which you can find at other department stores such as Dolce & Gabbana, Uniqlo, Diesel and Zara. There is also a very big branch of Kinokuniya,Big Camera and Banana IT. This makes even the ordinary man feel at home in this plush and luxurious environment. Well worth checking out on your next visit to Bangkok! Continue reading

Hilton Pattaya – 302 rooms, more than 100,000 sq. ft of meeting space. This Hotel is located on top of Central Festival in Central Pattaya which is Thailand's largest beachfront shopping and entertainment centers. Stunning views, ultramodern design and extensive MICE facilities. Hard Rock Pattaya – 323 rooms, 65,000 sq. ft of space On Pattaya beach road, overlooking the sunset of the Gulf of Thailand, the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya has completed its renovation after 15 months of renovation and upgrading work, and now is turning up its volume to entertain you with a new experience that is as stylishly rock ‘n’ roll as it is unique. The new aesthetic, is as always, infused with youthful energy, its love of music, passion for life, and delivered with a belief in their credo Love All, Serve All. Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort – 555 rooms, 10,000 sq. ft of meeting space Two gigantic cliffs connected by rope bridges, a cavern that reveals a jungle with a river and waterfalls, and a pathway leading down to the golden sands of Wong Amat Beach in North Pattaya. You are in the Lost World, a place of indulgence and great fun. Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya is an exciting themed five-star resort that is a destination in its own right, an entire world of pleasure, a place where everyday cares are laid aside and where everyone will find something to amaze and delight. With its impressive range of meeting venues, team-building options and expansive grounds, the resort is a prime destination for distinctive meetings and conferences. Continue reading

November is the beginning of the high season for the European and Russian markets. This year though there is a conspicuous absence of Russians who have become a victim of their economic problems at home coupled with the depreciation of their currency against the Thai Baht by about 30%. On the other hand China has stepped up to the plate and there are Chinese tour buses choking up the City Resort's 3 main roads. Where are the Indians ? This is already a major market for Pattaya but for reasons mainly concerned with air capacity, has not been able to step up to the plate like China. Talking about air capacity, Air Asia has begun flights to U Tapao airport at Pattaya from KL which began on the 15th July 2015. U Tapao has not seen such volume since the US Air Force handed over the airport to the Thai Navy in 1966:) Air Asia plan to route at least 1 million passengers to U Tapao in 2016 and thereafter to about 3 million a year in future years. By the end of November this year, AirAsia is to operate six routes out of U-tapao to international and domestic destinations including Singapore, Macau, Nanning, Nanchang, Kuala Lumpur and Udon Thani. Why doesn't Air Asia add Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore to this mix ? Pattaya is likely to finish the year with 9 million visitors, 1 million fewer than projected and 1.2 million below last year's 10.2 million. The old order changeth giving place to the new. Continue reading

3 bedroom house at the Villa Jardin De Mangue I recommend this tranquil and peaceful resort to you for two main reasons: 1. The location of this resort is removed from the commercialism of Khao Yai yet within easy driving distance of say 12 to 20 kilometres of it. 2. The resort's setting is like a garden retreat. I booked this resort based on the high review score that it has received from other travellers. I was looking for an economical paradise where a family could feel that they were in their own house in the hills and we found this at the Jardin de Mangue. The owner Mr. Panu made us feel like family and it was worthwhile upgrading ourselves to the 3 bedroom villa with its ten beds for two reasons. First you cut the food and beverage costs where hotels charge you a lot of money. The owner Mr. Panu provided us with a list of nearby hypermarts such as Makro and Lotus Tesco and other local restaurants to dine. His kitchen is well equipped along with basic provisions which set you up. They also provide a charcoal BBQ and maid service to assist with this. Secondly the ground plus two storey three bedroom house is spacious with ample sit out areas in a beautiful and private orchard garden setting. You can hear the sound of water where ever you are on the ground floor. You can withdraw into a cosy nook with a good book and there is no need to leave the resort for as long as you wish. The resort has four bicycles so I would suggest exploring the surrounding hilly and stunning countryside using this option. If you are a nature buff, head for the nearby Khao Yai national park and check out the waterfalls, nature trails. One recommendation is that you must have a self drive car if you're not a local as you are a little removed from the commercialism. Also the resort's restaurant only does breakfast. So you may need to forage for food in the surrounding countryside. This resort is ideal for a family or close friends getaway within a short distance from Bangkok. Main Building Rooms in the main building Restaurant where the breakfast is served Corridor at Villa Jardin De Mangue Continue reading

An hour's flight from Bangkok, Khon Kaen is a major commercial and educational hub of Isaan, Thailand’s fascinating northeastern region. It is also a popular destination for tourists looking for rich culture and a glimpse of the traditional Thai way of life: the famous hand-woven Mudmee silk is produced here, and numerous significant historical and archaeological sites dot the pristine pastoral landscape. Khon Kaen is located in Northeasthern Thailand and can be reached by plane, bus, train and car. Once there, private limo is available from the airport. Other options for getting around include motorbike taxi, songtaew and tuk tuk. The Thai government operates the “Economic Corridors Development Project.” from Khon Kaen. This campaign connects border areas of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, and Khon Kaen is the center for trade and logistics, as well as the gateway to Indochina and South China. These factors have set the stage for Khon Kaen to become another of Thailand’s leading MICE destinations. The city has no problem servicing large numbers of business events travelers as Khon Kaen Airport welcomes them, and Khon Kaen University Convention Centre keeps them happy by providing flexible, high-quality facilities at an unrivalled value. In addition, most of the city’s 4- and 5-star hotels offer space for smaller, more personalized events. There are 40 hotels in Khon Kaen so this is more than enough to service your event. Khon Kaen has become not only a regional MICE hub, but a global one as well; one that connects international events participants such as the APEC Ministerial Meeting, the International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Thai-ASEAN Trade Fair with the region’s distinctive culture, gracious hospitality, and ultimately, fun and exciting events. Here are some of Khon Kaen's MICE Venues: Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid This hotel means business - impeccable service, lavishly appointed meeting areas, high-speed Internet connections. At the same time, there’s no shortage of after-work options here. The 5-star Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid has six restaurants, four bars, an outdoor pool and a day spa. • Accommodation capacity: 339 rooms & suites • Max. meeting capacity: 1,431 sq.m Centara Hotel & Convention Centre Khon Kaen Located in the heart of Khon Kaen, northern-Thailand’s commercial hub, Centara Hotel and Convention Centre Khon Kaen offers a distinctive design combining traditional Isaan influence with modern decor and comprehensively caters to both leisure and business travellers. • Accommodation... Continue reading

I am always being asked by travel agents and MICE organisors, "What else is there to do in Thailand besides Bangkok and Pattaya within the same budget ?" This implies a drive rather than a flight which would push up the cost of the MICE package putting it out of the "budget slot" for a Pattaya - Bangkok package. There are several options I could think of and one of these is Kiri Maya. This forest resort is located just outside the gates of the Khao Yai National Park which puts you in communion with nature, also allowing you if you wish a dose of Thai culture with a day expedition to either Buriram or Phimai Khmer temples, or to play a round of golf, or to explore the National park itself, take in a winery or visit the Chokchai farms with its Swiss like landscapes. We really need to begin thinking outside the narrow confines of Bangkok and Pattaya as Thailand is a country blessed with such natural and diverse beauty that our MICE programs have not even begun to scratch the surface of possibilities. The accommodation options at the Kiri Maya are as follows: Accommodation: • 30 Plantation View rooms (Lower level) each with private balcony (42 sq. m.) • 22 Horizon View rooms (Upper level) each with private balcony (42 sq. m.) • 4 Terrace Suites each with private terrace (84 sq.m.) • 4 Tented Villas with private indoor spa pool and deck area (180 sq. m). How do you get to Kiri Maya: Route 1: (Highway drive Route) Take Highway No. 1 (Phahol yothin) from Bangkok to Saraburi and then take Highway No. 2 (Mitraparp Highway). Drive along the way to KM.57, then keep left and take flyover to Thanarat Road for another 25 kilometers. Then turn left to Khao Yai – Wang Nam Kiew Road about 7 kilometers. Kirimaya is on your right hand side. The total distance is approx. 200 kilometers. Route 2: (Short cut route) Take Highway No.1 (Phahol yothin) from Bangkok to Saraburi and then take Highway No.2 (Mitraparp Highway). Then u-turn at KM 39 and turn left to Kudkla-Pansuek Road. Drive along the way about 25 kilometers until hit the Thanarat Rd. junction, turn right for another 3 kilometers. Then turn left to Khao Yai – Wang Nam Kiew Road about 7 kilometers. Kirimaya is on your right hand side. The... Continue reading

Kenneth Barrett describes this very well in his book - 22 Walks in Bangkok and I quote..."A few metres from the Odeon Gate is the most famous place in Chinatown, Wat Traimit, formerly known as Wat Samcheen, the original name meaning "three Chinese", commemorating its founders. The temple itself was an obscure one. Were it no for a strange act of fate, those tour buses parked outside today would have never bothered to stop there. Wat Phraya Krai had been built near the riverfront downstream in what was to become the Yannawa district at some time during the early days of the founding of Bangkok. In the time of Rama III the temple had been renovated in honour of the King and came under royal sponsorship with the new name of Wat Chotanaram. During the reigns of Rama IV and V the temple had been abandoned and fallen into ruin. in 1931, the East Asiatic Company applied for permission to rent the monastery estate, and they cleared the land except for the remains of the ordination hall, in which there were two Buddha images, one of plaster and one of bronze. The Buddhist Ecclesiastical Committee directed that the nearby Wat Phai Ngoen Chotanaram take the bronze image and Wat Samcheen take the plaster image. Thus did Wat Phai Ngoen Chotanaram, buried obscurely in the back lanes of Bang Kolaem district, narrowly miss out on world fame. The two temples took delivery of the images in 1935, a local newspaper recording that a large truck was used to move the plaster image along Charoen Krung Road to Wat Samcheen, and that telephone lines and the electric lines for the tram had to be held up with large poles to allow the image to pass beneath without becoming entangled. Wat Samcheen installed its plaster image in a corrugated iron lean to by the side of a dilapidated chedi on the east side of the ordination hall. The temple was located in a low - lying area next to the canal, and the grounds were prone to flooding. and no one paid much attention to the image. The temple was renovated in 1939, when a new ordination hall was built and the temple name changed to Wat Traimit, but the image stayed where it as for another fifteen years, until a new wiharn was built to house it. On 25th May 1955, a... Continue reading

Have you ever wanted to do something besides end up in Emporium or Siam Paragon on a Sunday ? If you have done all the usual things like visit the Grand Palace, China Town, (Pahurat) India Town, the temples and are looking for unexplored Bangkok, then the Thonburi side of the river is a great place to start your exploration. Bangkok as we know it today has developed on the Chao Phraya River's East bank. However when King Taksin moved the capital to Bangkok from Ayutthaya in 1768, his first capital was actually on the west bank of the Chaophraya river. This is the Thonburi side and there is relatively less development here compared with the East bank. At first sight Thonburi has a facade of boring Chinese style shop houses and plenty of traffic. Just below the surface though Thonburi is something of a rural backwater. A place of market gardens and canals and really old temples. Wong Wian Yai Circle is your starting point for this walking tour to discover Hogwarts Express. The reason I use this analogy is because when you step into the train station here, you loose yourself in another world, one that existed a 100 years ago but also one that coexists with current day frenetic Bangkok. I think that Kenneth Barrett describes it very well in his book..."22 Walks in Bangkok." and I quote "Just off the circle is Thailand's strangest railway line. The Mahachai-Mae Klong line was built by the Tha Cheen Railway Company under a private concession and opened in early 1905, its purpose meant to bring fish and farm produce from the coast. The trains run down to the Tha Cheen River, near to where it empties into the sea at Samut Sakhon, a fishing port also known by its older name of Mahachai. There is no bridge there so everyone disembarks, catches a ferry, and boards a train on the other side, which then goes further along the coast to Samut Songkhram, or Mae Klong. Both stretches are the same length, almost 30 kilometres. The line is completely independent of the national railway system and is a single track. Although Wong Wian Yai is the terminus, it is the most modest terminus that can be imagined, for passengers simply walk through a gap between two blocks of nondescript commercial commercial buidlings on Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Road, and the... Continue reading

From Suvarnabhumi International Airport Bangkok to the Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa is 186 kilometres and a 2 and a half hour to a 3 hour drive depending upon the traffic. You take the same road that goes to Pattaya and just before Pattaya you turn left and keep going south east until you reach Rayong, a province famous for its pineapple plantations and its pristine beaches. The island of Koh Samet is just a 20 minute fishing boat ride off Rayong. There is no nightlife in the Rayong belt so a corporate choosing this destination and the Marriott should be looking for team building, seminars and intensive conferencing. With 11625 square feet of meeting and banquet space in 5 separate banquet rooms, the hotel also has a lawn that can do a banquet for 500 people. It also has 4 breakout rooms. The Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa has already established itself as a Indian destination weddings favourite so Indian food is already its plus point. The Hotel has 3 swimming pools, a plethora of dining options and beach frontage that is breathtaking. Many of its rooms are seafacing though some overlook the hills and the greenery as well. The design of the Hotel is skewed towards MICE and its 210 rooms and suites are beautifully furnished in typical Marriott signature style. Lobby Main Pool Main Ballroom - Banquet setup Ocean View Guest Room So the next time your corporate asks you for a stunning MICE hotel in Pattaya and is not happy with the usual options, try the Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa. Continue reading

Most visitors to Hua Hin and Cha am miss out on Thailand's largest National Park at 2914 sq.kilometres, Kaeng Krachan. I took this photograph of the morning mist at Panoen Thung which is the highest peak of the Tenasserin Mountain Range @ 1207 metres, The main peaks are actually over the border in Burma. The terrain in this part of the park is covered by steep, rugged slopes with numerous caves, waterfalls and river gorges. A large part of the park also extends into the watershed area of the Phetchaburi and Pranburi river systems. Its location at the 'junction' of continental Southeast Asia and the Malayan Peninsula means northern deciduous forest, with its accompanying wildlife, meets the tropical evergreen jungle typical of the Malayan/Sumatran region, creating a haven for several unique species. Large mammals are abundant in the park, where elephants and tigers have been seen, along with the Asian black bear, panthers, leopards, a variety of monkeys and the very rare Fea's barking deer. Birdlife is diverse with more than 420 species having been identified, including the ratchet-tailed tree pie only discovered in 1991 and unrecorded elsewhere in Thailand.Some of rare birds that can be found in Kaeng Krachan are ratchet tailed treepie, white-fronted scops owl, giant pitta, whooly-necked stork, great argus and grey-headed fish eagle. The park is also home to seven species of horn bills. The park also holds a small community of the endangered woolly-necked stork. Kaeng Krachan is quite well organised, with excellent facilities and wardens who speak basic English, yet is very rarely visited by either Thais or foreigners. Certain parts of the park can be visited on your own, namely the trails heading off from the 36-kilometre road leading through the centre, from the park entrance to near Khao Panoen Thung. You do however need permission from the park headquarters before you go up that road. Phanoen Thung Mountain is reached by a difficult six-kilometre track from the road starting at the 27-kilometre marker. There is only one other road in the southern part of the park, which leads to the waterfall Namtok Pala-u. Otherwise guides can be hired from the park headquarters. You will be expected to provide your own food (and the guide's food) and tents, though the latter can be hired. A two- or three-day hike should work out reasonably cheap. For a supplement, rafting is available on the walk... Continue reading

India has become one of the world's fastest growing outbound markets and makes up a huge percentage of the MICE market to Thailand. According to International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) statistics, a total of 400,000 conferences and exhibitions are held worldwide every year at the total outlay of US$280 billion, and India’s share is pegged at US$4.8 billion of this. The key however is the buoyant growth rate of the Indian MICE market vs the Global Markets. In terms of the global outlook for 2015, modest levels of growth are forecast for the global economy as a whole, although that growth will be most significant in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. For the meetings and events industry, forecasters are practically unanimous in their predictions that 2015 will witness continuing expansion. This is where India scores over other Global Markets as growth from Indian MICE will exceed Global growth for MICE. And in that space, it is the outbound MICE market that is growing rapidly. According to EuroMonitor, the Indian outbound MICE market was estimated to be around US$ 550-600 million in 2011. It grew strongly and resulted in an outbound trip volume of 6.2 million, with around 1.5-1.8 million Indians travelling outbound only for MICE. For one, almost every NTO is scrambling to get a piece of the Indian outbound MICE traffic pie. While Thailand has been successful in attracting MICE by default rather than by design, it has to work hard to reposition itself for the premium Indian MICE Market. I think that the greatest challenge that Thailand faces is its perception that as a destination it is limited to catering to the budget MICE groups and that it is a value for money destination for the entry level qualifier MICE traveller. This has resulted in FMCG type MICE groups being directed to Thailand where Indian Corporates do not have the bigger budgets to spend on for what they perceive as better MICE destinations like Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong. This has also resulted in a hugely fragmented DMC market in Thailand where every Tom, Dick and Somchai are called Thai DMC's and are given licences by the Thai authorities to operate FMCG type commodity MICE. Thailand is geographically very well positioned for budget MICE. Return airfares for flying from different airline hubs like Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata in India to destinations like Bangkok... Continue reading