Xylophone Madness in Thailand

At this year’s Thailand Travel Mart in Bangkok, I had the chance to rumble with the pros, jockeying for position, trying to get the best shots of the entertainment provided to tour operators from around the world. In this video, it’s 25 Thai drummers and a lone xylophonist — only in Thailand!

Of course, I have loads to say about Thailand, which can be found on ITKT’s Thailand... [Read more]

Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand

Having previously lived in China, I had to know what Bangkok’s Chinatown was like. I took the skytrain to Saphan Taksin (the last stop on the Silom line) and then rode the Chao Phraya River Express north to Tha Ratchawong where I could walk into Chinatown. I walked straight off the ferry dock, following the people and the pungent aromas into the heart of the activity. All of Bangkok is congested, but nothing like this.... [Read more]

More than a Guide

I like books. Actually, I love books. I love them compulsively, and rarely have I ever stopped at my local bookstore without coming home with something — much to the chagrin of my hallway and overstuffed bookcases, which are both littered with books. So I when I went to Thailand, I couldn’t fight my compulsive nature and just bring one guide book — I brought four.

Although, they have their pluses... [Read more]

Traditional Dancing in Thailand (video podcast)

I was at this year’s Thailand Travel Mart in Bangkok. Among the endless meeting with colleagues around the world, there was some entertainment. Here was the finale of the dinner show featuring me stumbling around the stage while real camera crews from Asia captured the event.

Of course, I ave loads to say about Thailand, which can be found on ITKT’s Thailand... [Read more]

Thailand Thoughts Now That I’m Back

Four hours from Bangkok to Taipei and then another twelve hours from Taipei to LAX. My 12 days in Thailand are now over and I am left with loads of great memories and much more to write about. Unfortunately, I did not have much chance to write about the Isan area, the northeast section of Thailand bordering Cambodia and Laos, while I was there so I will be catching up over the next week.

But with Thailand still fresh... [Read more]

Taken for a Ride

“No meter. No meter,” The cab driver told me. I said, “Yes meter.” The cab driver then said “No.” I said next and walked away. Negotiating the fare is often an arduous task in Thailand. The next cabbie pulled up in a green and yellow compact. “Okay, yes meter.” So I got in out in front of the Grand Palace, one of Thailand’s best attractions. We drove ten feet before,... [Read more]

The Thailand Travel Mart

I almost forgot why I have been bouncing around Thailand for the last week. I am in Bangkok to participate at the Thailand Travel Mart, a tourism convention filled with buyers, sellers, and media from around the world bent on putting together the best tours and travel news for Southeast Asian countries. The Thailand Travel Mart, or TTM, officially began yesterday. I had the opportunity to sit down with 30 tour operators... [Read more]

Getting Fixed in Bangkok

I finally got out into the bust streets of Bangkok this morning before finding an air-conditioned building stop in. The first thing in the building that hit me was the smell. It smelled nice. The lobby was stylish with vibrant colors and tasteful decor. I might say it was a bit on the trendier side of hip. Common rooms had complimentary Internet and water. The atmosphere felt calm and easy. There was a full-service spa... [Read more]

Morning Buddhism in Khuraburi

I have written a series of blogs recently about getting the authentic experience while traveling. Here is a little practicing what I preach when I was fortunate enough to have a Thai local help me pay alms to the monks of Khuraburi, Thailand.

Mai knocked on my door at 6:15AM to meet the monks and pay alms (sai-baat in Thai). We walked out into the coolest morning I have yet felt in Thailand to find Khuraburi in full... [Read more]

Seasick on an Elephant

He told me to just step on her neck. It did not sound like a good idea, wouldn’t it hurt her? Then the man reached out for my foot and placed upon her neck motioning me forward.

There I was 12 feet in the air and locked in by a makeshift seatbelt when she began to move. Elephants really don’t move gracefully or swiftly as they did in the cartoon adventures of Dumbo from when I was a kid. They lumber.... [Read more]

Landing in Thailand

2 hours at LAX
13 to Taipei
3 hours at Taipei Airport
4 hours to Bangkok
2 hours in Bangkok
1 hour to Phuket
1.5 hours to Sarojin Resort.

28.5 hours later I can hardly think, but have arrived safe and sound in Khoa Lak and hour and a half outside of Phuket. It sounds far worse than it is and the food on EVA is pretty good.

While I have little distance to what I have seen... [Read more]

Songkran - A Thai New Year

Songkran was the most unique New Year celebration I’ve encountered yet. My first experience of the countrywide water fight took place in Hua Hin, a small coastal town just an easy drive from Bangkok (a 2 ½ to 3 ½ hour drive, depending on traffic). The typically reserved Thai people let loose for a few days and let the cold water moderate one of the hottest times of the year (April is typically the hottest month of the... [Read more]

Meditating with Monks

Phra Saneh Dhammavaro, one of the Buddhist masters at the Wat Suan Dok... [Read more]

Thoughts on Exotic Thailand (video podcast)

Devin visits with Alden of Thai Airways at the Los Angeles Times Adventurers Travel Expo help on February 10-11. Alden shares his personal experience with the tribes in the north of Chang Mai and the Beaches of Phucket. He also gives us the lowdown on some of the services... [Read more]

Sustainable Tourism with GAP (video podcast)

Maryl visits with Marie Ann of GAP Adventures at the Los Angeles Times Adventurers Travel Expo help on February 10-11. Marie Ann gives travelers options to over 1000 trip options worldwide. The refitted 18th Century boat trips visiting exotic locales does sound great, I guess that’s why it won an award. Produced by Wayfarer Digital for In The Know Traveler.Like all of our videos, quicktime 7.0 or better is required... [Read more]

All Calm: Thai Tourism Operating Normally

BANGKOK, September 20, 2006 - Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) members in Thailand are keen to reassure the global travel trade that the coup d’etat currently underway in the country has so far been non-violent, and that travel and tourism facilities and services are currently operating normally.

PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong wrote to Thailand-based PATA members this morning: “Even before... [Read more]

Taking Home Thailand’s Cuisine

During my first trip to Thailand, I had no idea what I was going to eat for the next three weeks. Oh sure I’d been to many Thai restaurants in the U.S., but I hadn’t ventured much beyond Pad Thai and maybe fried fish. I wasn’t excited about the prospect of stuffing fried noodles down... [Read more]