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Front Page Archives
The stories that appeared on our
front page
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That Red Bull Dude…
Khun
Chaleo Yoovidhya was officially anointed Thailand's
richest person by Forbes Asia Magazine this
week. The maker of the world's favourite energy
drink, Red Bull, racked up $4 billion, a 14%
increase on last year. Hardly surprising really?
With the support of the world's extreme sports
enthusiasts (you know - those guys who fire
up on caffeine, scream, and then hurl themselves
off the nearest ridge) and an even greater legion
of wannabes (those who simply drink the drink,
have the hairstyle, and wear the baggy trousers),
Red Bull is ripe for pop ulture immortality.
What's Khao San Road's favourite present for
people back home? That's right... a Red Bull
t-shirt with lettering in the original Thai.
Khun Chaleo, the world's youth salutes you!
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Danny Hall - Update...
Anybody
who has visited a travel website over the last
month or so is likely to have seen an item about
Danny Hall, a British citizen who went missing
on February 24th at the Full Moon Party on Koh
Pha Ngan. Despite the masses of coverage - which
included an item in Thailand's national press
and coverage by the BBC - there's been no word
about his whereabouts. Roy an old friend of Danny's,
took it upon himself to visit Koh Pha Ngan to
see what the current state of play is down there.
We caught up with Roy after his visit and spoke
to him. Click here to find
out what he had to say. Click here for more
on missing
people in the region. |
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Don't panic!
Spotted in the 27th floor of
All Seasons Place on Wireless Road, Bangkok
- a button labelled 'Panic' sitting there
on a wall. It was very difficult not to press
it, just to see what it would do. Fear that
the entire building was in fact a 'Transformer'
and would go stomping around Bangkok crushing
cars (and lesser buildings) stopped us. What
on earth could it be for? If you are aware
of a panic button's function, please let
us know!
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Sighting...
Ton Smale
writes: "We have received an e-mail from
an American who claims that he saw a person
who looks like Georgo
Leydekkers from your Missing Persons page
in Bangkok. It reads: 'The photo of the person
you are inquiring about resembles a foreigner
I encountered panhandling in front of the post
office in Bangkok, not far from the Sheration
Royal Orchid Hotel. This was in late August
2007. The person had the same facial features,
beard, and body build except he wore his long
hair in the dreadlock fashion common to the
Rastafarians'". If anyone living in
this area is able to check this sighting out
for Ton, please do so, and perhaps contact Ton
to let him know. Alternatively, please liaise
with us here at KhaoSanroad.com.
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| When a Thai team ruled Asian
football!
Jakarta Casual - a regular KhaoSanRoad.com contributor
(aka Antony Sutton) goes from strength to strength
andnow has columns on the SLeague website, sleague.com,
as well as ESPN.
Check out this input on when
a Thai team ruled Asian football! |
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Every night is dating night...
at The Club...
Dating
at The Club on Khao San Road has just become
color-coded… What color is for "overweight,
over the hill, but dead hopeful"? Click
here for more on dating
at The Club, Khao San Road.
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A Good Laugh...
If
you are looking for some ‘after hours’ entertainment,
Spicy Disco on Lam Muang – an area kind of near
Siam Square – is worth considering. Kicks off
at around 23:00 and finishes ‘late’. There’s a
300 baht entrance fee and you get a free drink
with that … if, of course, you can get to the
bar. Totally packed, and all human life is there.
Quite a good laugh... Go by taxi – the driver
WILL know where it is! |
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Thailand-Laos Rail Service
Begins in Late April...
BANGKOK,
March 1 (TNA) – Rail service between Thailand
and neighbouring Laos will start late this April,
and the Thai Ministry of Transport is confident
that the direct link will further enhance tourism
and trade between the two countries. Read more
on the Thai-Laos
Rail Service. |
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Merchant of Death…
No, this isn’t a KSR tailor gone on a rampage…
Thailand’s police have done it again, this time
arresting Viktor Bout, 41, a former Soviet air
force officer, and by all accounts, not that
nice a guy. He apparently made selling weapons
like surface-to-air missiles to various groups
around the world into a nice little earner,
selling millions of dollars’ worth of weapons
at any given time. Nicolas Cage’s character
in the film ‘Lord of War’ was based on this
ne'er-do-well. A four-month US Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) operation led Bout to believe
the undercover agents he was dealing with were
buyers for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia (FARC)! The Thai police got the nod
and did the business.
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You meet the nicest people...
...on
Khao San Road. Take for instance 21-year-old
Morgan Michelle Hoke (pictured above), who was
taking a bit of time off on the strip recently.
Morgan’s claim to fame is being accused of robbing
seven US banks alongside her husband, 26-year-old
Stuart Michael Romine. It didn’t take very long
for the Thai police to catch up with Ms. Hoke,
who was staying at Villa
Cha Cha on Rambuttri Road. What with this
and two Israelis being arrested for ecstasy
tablets just before Christmas, it's fair warning
to criminals who feel coming to KSR and blending
in with the crowd offers them some sort of protection.
It doesn’t – the Thai police will be over you
like a well-tailored Khao
San Road suit! Click
here for the Nation’s coverage.
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May
Kaidee's Grand Opening
Sommai of Mai Kaydee's opened
a new restaurant last night alongside the
launch of her new cookery book. The grand
opening featured free vegan food, traditional
Thai music, Thai dancers, and interviews with
the lady herself and Dr. Jacob - a natural
lifestyle evangelist. Click here for more
of Mai
Kaydee's Grand Opening and Book Launch.
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Thailand
and Cambodia Visa...
Good news! Coming soon… a single visa for Thailand
and Cambodia. An agreement is being signed shortly
between Thailand's Foreign Minister and his Cambodian
counterpart that will allow visitors to visit
both countries on a single visa. The agreement
is the first stage of the ACMECS Single Visa pact
to encourage tourism. It will be introduced early
2008. ACMECS includes Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand
and Vietnam, so there is more to come. Good news
or what? |
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The
Green Room...
Antony
Danforth writes: "The Green Room,
a small pub in Washington Square (Sukhumvit
Soi 22), is a great place to relax away from
the hectic downtown area. Run by Irishman
Paul, a former stage manager in Dublin, its
theme is the theatre (hence the name). Paul
himself is very friendly and his customers
are an interesting bunch. Beer and spirits
prices are comparitively low (especially during
happy hour, 4.30pm-7.30pm). There is a pool
table, a good selection of music, and big
sporting events are shown. Food can be ordered
from the nearby Hare and Hound. The beef stew
is particularly good." Nice one... good
to know...
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| Visa
Issues ... Adeline
writes: "When coming to Bangkok I got 3 months
visa and ended up staying for 3 months but when
i went to the immigration in Nongkhai I was asked
to pay 12,000/- Baht as I had overstayed for a
month, coz we Asians get visa for 3 months but
can only stay for 2 months. So when u get visa
read your passport and see how long you can stay.
Otherwise you will end up emptying your pocket."
Be warned...! |
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Traveling Alone... Judy
(no email) asked: "I would like to
know the best ways to get to know other
travelers as I may be raveling to Thailand
alone." That's not a bad question...
and I am sure it is an issue for a lot of
people. What at your tips? Let
us know... We'll compile the best answers.
Here's a resonse from Le: "You might
try the cultural learning approach, as this
would make it so you can meet and learn
with other people, and you can go a event
or concert such as musical or even Thai-boxing
events. the other ways is to go on a "adventure"
hike or tour as these seem to into the spirit
of exploring Thailand."
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| Scamwatch... Jacko
writes: "I was approached by a pretty girl
who saw I was from New Zealand, she said her sister
was going to Auckland Uni and would I speak to
her mother, to put her mind at ease." Find
out more about this and other scams. |
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| Friendship Bridge... Vientiane
(VNA) – The first friendship railway linking Laos
and Thailand is set to be completed on schedule
in April 2008 since half the construction work
has already finished. According to a recent fact-finding
report submitted to Lao Prime Minister Bouasone
Buphavanh, the remaining work for the 3.5 km railway
connecting the existing Thai rail track in the
centre of Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge to Tha Na
Laeng train station in Dongphosy village in the
outskirt of Vientiane is already underway. During
this phase, railway stations, immigration offices,
railway lounges, restaurants, water systems and
other supporting facilities will be built. The
railway is estimated to cost 55 billion Kip (roughly
6.2 million USD), 70 percent of which is soft
lending from the Thai government. |
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| Father
Founded... "Hi, my name
is Brian Hjort,
and I am the founder of “Father Founded” – a nonprofit
agency that helps Vietnam veterans and their children
locate each other. Amerasians are the children
of American servicemen born during the Vietnam
war. We also help Thai Amerasians locate their
fathers and assist them in visiting the USA. I
wonder if you can mention my site on KhaoSanRoad.com?
If you are Amerasian feel free to contact me at
my site - www.fatherfounded.org."
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| Diving questions answered...
Frankly,
there isn't much about diving in Thailand that
David doesn't know - in fact he's forgotten more
than most people ever knew! He's a genuine expert
on the topic and luckily he has agreed to answer
your questions about diving in the Kingdom. Click
here to ask
questions about diving in Thailand. |
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Travel questions answered...
Green
House Travel has been located near Khao San
Road for over three years and during that time
gained a solid reputation for expertise and
quality of service. They genuinely are experts
on every aspect of travel in Thailand and they
have kindly agreed to answer your questions
about travel in the Kingdom. Click here to get
your questions on travel
in Thailand answered.
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Confessions
of a Coward: An Indian Adventure
The book describes a nine month
journey through India and Nepal, focusing on
the interesting and often arresting characters
encountered along the way. The book is unusual
as it is written from a female point of view.
The narrator is an inexperienced and nervous
traveler, which makes a change of pace from
accounts by the well-travelled and intrepid.
Click here for more on Confessions
of a Coward: An Indian Adventure.
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A big deal...
It used to be that guesthouses
or hotels used to open in the Khao San Road
area at the click of a finger… no big deal.
Not anymore… Diamond House opened last Saturday.
Not only did the opening ceremony bring in about
150 well-healed local business people, Khun
Apirak Dosayodhin, the Bangkok Governor, was
also on hand to make a speech! Times aren’t
changing – they have changed!
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The
Great Wall of Khao San...
No, this is not a peace
wall separating backpackers and new age
travelers, nor is it particularly attractive.
What is it? Well, it's the strip's latest
megaproject - a huge hotel complex being
built by D&D Inn. This is going to be
big - 10 shops have been closed down for
the period of the construction… That's
a hotel with a frontage the same width
as 10 shops in a row! Think about it!
It's due to be completed February 2008.
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| Phuket Eco-Tourism... The
Phuket Eco-Tourism Association (PETA) aims to
give advice and information concerning eco-tourism
in Thailand to interested visitors as well as
providing support and training for eco-tour companies
and guides. Our projects include planting mangrove
trees in Phuket and educating local people about
conservation of their environment. Our website
has recently been translated into English to make
it available to foreign visitors. For more information
on our aims and projects, you can look at our
website: www.phuketecotourism.org.
Thank you for your time - Kitty
Keawwantha. |
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Dignitary on Khao San Road...
"Eden the Future Mayor of
London" was on Khao San Road last weekend,
and he certainly did a good job bigging the
place up. Eden is actually running for Mayor
of London, UK, standing against the likes of
Ken
Livingstone. Standing on a 'Take London
Back' platform, Eden is courting voters through
his MySpace
page. You have certainly got my vote!
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Military
Coup in Thailand
As
most people probably know by now, there has been
a military coup in Thailand and military forces
are in control of the capital. The coup comes
after a period of political stalemate which started
in April of this year. Click here to find out
more about the military
coup in Thailand. |
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| Learn2Give
Teaching Project...
Jaruwan
is part of an English Language Club attached to
one of the northeast's universities. The club
would like to "give valuable things back
to the community". In her words: "The
idea of the club is to organize English camps
for schools in rural area of Ubon Ratchathani
and nearby provinces. Organizing over ten
English camps, we have learned and realized that
many students still lack of motivation to learn
more English. And we believe that having
students study English with English speaking people
around the world would be another great way to
help student improve their English and finally
they will learn how English is important to them.
So, the idea of the Learn2Give project
has been released!" To find out more and
how you can be involved click
here... |
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Nooks and
Crannies...
If you are into markets, you'll now doubt head
for Chattuchak. A few stops down on the MRT
is another market - the market with no name!
Take a wonder round and I defy anyone not to
ask "Where the hell did they get this from?"
at least once. Click
here for more…
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Ultimate
Souvenir...
The Bank of Thailand has issued
a 60 baht banknote to celebrate the 60th anniversary
of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the
throne. If you are hoping to pick one up, best
head for Bank
of Thailand (Bank of Thailand 273 Samsen
Road, Bangkhunphrom, Bangkok 10200).
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Live
the lifestyle...
VW van for sale
- click
here for more...
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| Full
Moon Party Tips...
Anne
Merritt adds to her awesome list of KSR.com
articles by giving us some tips on how to address
an epic adventure - The Full Moon Party… Click
here for wise words. |
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Tuk
to the Road Sets Off...
Jo Huxster
and Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent grab the
bull by the horns and do what other people only
talk about... Last night saw the girls bring
their huge pink Tuk-tuk to grace Khao San Road,
heralding the unofficial kick off of 'Tuk to
the Road', a daring 10,000-mile Tuk-tuk ride
from Bangkok to Brighton in the United Kingdom,
taking in Laos, China and everywhere else in
between. Anyone with the courage and mental
strength to take on such a challenge deserves
our support, and the fact that they are doing
it in the name of charity means our support
can help make the world a better place. Visit
Jo and Antonia's website to find out more
about their journey, the charity MIND, and just
how you can support their cause. Good luck to
both of you… have the safest of journeys.
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Oh
My Cod!...
Chris Rodgers (middle) is a guy
who does it and doesn't just talk about it…
Whereas other people have said KSR would be
a great place for a British fish and chips shop,
Chris has put his money where his mouth is and
opened an oasis in a 'real food' desert. Word
of mouth is traveling fast, and the word is
that 'Oh My Cod!' is an instant hit. After sampling
his cheese and onion pies, we can guarantee
that this is very much the real deal. It's not
actually on the strip, but inside Rambuttri
Village (on that road that runs past the temple)
so get thee down there now! Next week we interview
Chris who tells us what inspired his bold move
and just what causes a grown man to batter a
defenceless cod. Click
here for more...
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Lost
in Laos... Brian
H. writes: "Help needed, We need people
that would like some adventure,and would like
to help a fellow human being. We had information
concerning American POWs left behind inside
Laos,so if anyone wanna help,to track them down
they can contact me at: brihj@hotmail.com,or
www.lostinlaos.org"
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Saturday
night...
Yep - just a usual Saturday night on Khao San
Road...
...a massive classic bike show - just how do
they get 100-year-old Enfields over here?
...a mime gets paid for sitting
there and doing nothing... beats begging!
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| Hospitality
Club...
Jaruwan,
our de facto northeast correspondent writes: "I
am not sure if you ever heard about ‘Hospitality
Club’ [www.hospitalityclub.org]
We are now 101,750 friendly members in 188 countries
the world's largest hospitality exchange network!!
Now we are on a mission to find 1,000,000 friendly
people. I am one of local volunteers at this club.
It is a great way to help travelers in Thailand
to get to learn more about insight of culture
and people. Please help spread the words about
this club through KSR, it might be useful for
those backpackers who are looking for a free accommodation
and volunteer local guide." Check it out...
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Whoof!
So, what's the Year of the Dog all about then?
If you are born in the Year of the Dog you will
be loyal, honest and someone people find it
easy to have confidence in. However, you might
be selfish, somewhat stubborn, and perhaps eccentric.
People born in this year are not at all materialistic
but might be a bit too straightforward for most
people's tastes! Bearing that in mind, what
can we expect in the Year of the Dog? There
will likely be greater social awareness and
interest in the weakest members of society.
There should be a global wave of generosity
and selflessness and a greater awareness of
what is right and wrong. Wicked, eh?!
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| Help...
THE
TSUNAMI VOLUNTEER CENTER is a Thai-led organization,
established in the aftermath of the most devastating
natural tragedy of our lifetime. They wrote to
us with the following vacant position: "We
are seeking to fulfill the following positions
as soon as possible. If interested, please contact
the volunteer coordinator directly at volunteer@tsunamivolunteer.net.
Small Business Development Many tsunami survivors
lost their livelihoods as a result of the 2004
Tsunami, especially a large number of fishermen
who either cannot or do not want to return to
the water. Recognizing the need to create alternative
income sources for these people, Tsunami Volunteer
Center (TVC) is seeking the aid of a consultant
to focus on small business development."
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Rich
in diversity...
What
a rich, diverse place Khao San Road is... Walking
along the strip the other night I chanced upon
a group of Thai students sitting playing traditional
Thai instruments. Quite mesmerizing it was,
too. I spent a good 15 minutes just listening
to their sounds… hypnotic. All good things must
come to an end though. A couple of minutes stroll
down the strip and I honestly thought there
was some sort of football ruck going on. I was
just about to wade in when I realized it was
a Christian preacher belting out the virtues
of a sinless existence. Polar extremes these
two events, but then again, I guess that sums
Khao San Road up!
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"Oh,
Vale Royaaaaaaaaaal..."
While Sir Bob Geldof basks in the limelight
of ‘Live 8’ and the glory of its success in bringing
the plight of Africa and issues such as debt relief
to the forefront of the recent G8 conference, Midge
Ure, co-organizer of the original ‘Live Aid’ concert,
doesn’t seem to be fairing quite so well. It’s mid-July
and organizers are already advertising his concert
at Winsford Civic Hall (due September) so they're
obviously not expecting a full house… Winsford is
a small town in rural Cheshire in the UK noted for
… erm… erm… a pub called the 'Bee's Knees'. How the
mighty fall!
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| One
for the expats... Robert Howard at
the University of New South Wales in Australia is doing
a major academic study of Westerners now living in Thailand
or who have lived for at least a year in Thailand and
then eventually left. The study will look at reasons
for moving to and leaving Thailand, characteristics
and well-being of the local Westerner population, and
their experiences in Thailand. If you are a Westerner
who has lived in or who currently lives in Thailand
for at least a year, you are invited to complete an
anonymous on-line survey form. It will take only about
10 minutes to fill out. Click
here to get to the survey form… |
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What's wrong with
these pictures?
That's
right ... there's no sound. Outside Buddy Lodge, after
around 11:00 pm, there's the particularly disturbing
sight of a rave with no music... DJ, people dancing,
but no music! Closer inspection shows that those bopping
around are actually wearing radios with earphones
and the music is being broadcast directly into their
heads! Obviously getting around a restriction on noise
after certain hours, the music is broadcast on 107.8
FM and the whole thing can only be seen to be believed!
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Exotic food...
Thousands of miles from the US,
a hamburger is pretty exotic food around Bangkok!
And luckily, you don't have to walk very far off Khao
San Road to get one - right opposite the Tanao Road
entrance in fact. The rest of the world is fast encroaching
on Khao San... Perhaps its character is changing,
but at least it still has one. And even more than
ever before... there's room for everyone down there!
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The Nation
One of two English language dailies
in Thailand, the Nation seems to be getting all traveller
friendly lately. Their new 'Explore' section has some
genuine little gems in it - the sort you don't usually
find in mainstream news media. Click
here to check out their story on travelling from
Bangkok to Hanoi - by bus!
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Foreign prisoners
Emmanuel writes: "Hi - I'm Ghanaian
and in Bangkok. I would like to know if there's anything
I can do to help foreign nationals here in Thai prisons."
Start by taking a look at our section on prison visits...
Click here!
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In the beginning...
Hamish Chalmers writes: " I
am a freelance writer based here in Bangkok. I want
find out a little more about the Khao San Road area
pre-backpacker days." Can you help? Click
here...
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Me and my gal - the answer!
Emil asked for information about
travelling from Bangkok to Koh Samet. Sathaporn
came to the rescue: "You have to go to the Eastern
Bus Station (Eakamai) on Sukhumwit Rd. Then take an
air-conditioned bus to Banpae District. Buses leave
every morning (fare about 80-120 Baht) and it takes
2.5-3hrs). At Banpae Pere you have to buy a one-way
ticket to Koh Samet (fare not more than 50 Baht).
But if you are late, there are many guesthouses near
the peir. On Samet Island there are many beaches along
the east coast. I recommend Ao Phai Beach or Ao Thab-tim
Beach. There are cheap, peaceful bangalows not far
away from the colorful crowded beach - Had Sai Keaw
Beach. You can be there for a long time. Enjoy your
trip."
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Get it right!
Caroline writes: "I think that the
prices specified on your site aren't right. I just
came back from a trip in Thailand and from my experience:
Coke 20-25 Baht, Noodle Soup 25-30 Baht, big Chang
beer 35-40 Baht, If you want to know any more prices,
just ask, it will be a pleasure to help you if I can."
Caroline - that's exactly the sort of help we need!
Click here and let us know
anything you can tell us.
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Close call!
Erik Anderson writes: "Hello all,
we played a show on Khao San Road on January 3rd at
the Chart Room. We're an indie-rock/punk band from
Alaska, and we were giving out copies of our c.d..
The show was spectacularly busted by three motorcycle
cops with helmets and flashlights. Apparently, we
were too loud, and the manager didn't have the necessary
permit to have a band play. The fine was a measly
100 Baht, but from the way the cops stopped the show
and acted, I was sure we were all bound for jail and
deportation. Anyway, we have some great pictures and
video captures if you're interested. We're all safely
back in Alaska." Sounds like a great night -
got any pictures?
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The world's a village!!!
Nick writes: "3 years ago I
went to Thailand with a bunch of friends. On our first
night on K.S.R. we met a beautiful girl from Miami
and traveled a week or so with her. This year we went
to Costa Rica, and I was lying in my bunk in the probably
most f**ked up guesthouse I'd ever seen, when outside
the Cabana I suddenly heard a girl screaming: "Noo,
this can't be true???!!!" It was the girl from Thailand
on a surfing vacation." Wow! So what happened
next!
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Volunthai
Interested in doing something a bit
more worthwhile? Visit volunthai.com
to find out what you can do... And if you are a teacher
and your school has a load of textbooks you want to
get rid off, contact Michael
Anderson - he'll know what to do with them!
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Thai medicine
This is a good point. We've all heard of Thai Cooking
lessons and massage lessons, but what about this...
Rachelle writes: "I love Thailand and Thai culture
sooooooooo much. This is my fourth time here (I'm
from Australia) and I'm lucky enough to have found
a job and hope to stay for a least a few years. My
question: I would love to learn more about Thai traditional
medicine, do you know of anywhere or anybody that
teaches this in English language? I'm just beginning
to learn to speak Thai and it's a bit daunting so
far. Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing
from you. Rachelle" Let
us know, too... It's an interesting question!
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Mail Boxes?
Roger Cook writes: "Sawadee, Where can I secure
a mailing address?" Karl and Ryan come to the
rescue: "You can use the poste restante service at
the local post office. The post office is at the end
of Khaosan road across the street. The address is:
Your name, (underline last name) Poste Restante Ratchadamnoen
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