Visit and Rediscover Thailand

Land of Smiles, hospitable people, beautiful pagodas and temples, roaming elephants…who could ever forget the Phuket tragedy (both tourists and locals were killed by a huge tsunami in 2004). Above all these things, Thailand recovered and its government is promoting spectacular destinations anew. You will not only enjoy the places, friendly people and night life but also the distinctive tastes of Thai cuisine. If you could easily taste our fiery food menus here in Bicol Philippines, then you are ready to taste the super hot foods that await once you visit and rediscover Siam or popularly know as Thailand.

Land of Endless Possibilities

It will only take four or five hours to visit Thailand from Manila, Philippines. You can either land at Chang Mai Airport or at  Bangkok International Airport, the capital of the place.

Mrs. Porntip Makornpan, director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said that the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) is a very good partner because tourists are participating vigorously to the campaign of the two countries. It’s amazing that though their culture is somewhat different from ours, it’s surprising that every time the airplane made a stop (for more aviation fuel and passengers as well) it seems like I’ve never left home. The Thais are naturally friendly which is similar to true-blue Pinoy (Filipino) hospitality (not to mention that my country is the ‘melting pot’ of many races).

If you happen to stay at Siam City Hotel, you can dine at the Duty Free Shop which is only walking distance. After eating, you can exercise you haggling or bargaining skills by going to Suan Lum Night Bazaar, as if you’re in the downtown Divisoria back in the Philippines.

After a good night sleep, a tourist, like me, can jog or head to a century old market called Klong Suan 100 Year Market. It is situated in the banks of Prawet Burirom Canal. Thailand was always an independent country and was never colonized or ruled by any western land (depicted in the movie, ‘The King and I’ starring American actress Jodie Foster and Chinese actor Chow Yan Fat) that you can see it from its architecture and untarnished traditions through handicrafts and native delicacies. You can try eating braised duck in several aromatic spices in one of many canal side restaurants. Don’t forget to choose traditional Thai desserts. Or better yet, you can eat while walking and at the same time admiring the market façade that gives one a slice of life in Ancient Thailand (Siam). Opps, I nearly forget the most delicious Thai noodles! I added the wing bean salad (toge in Philippines) topped with desiccated coconut (toasted, too to add an exotic aroma), with squid flakes (roasted pusit back home). Boats with different local produce abound the river banks of the place.

There’s kitchen tools and house decors at the Phanat Nikhom district. It’s like an ordinary market in the Philippines because businessmen sell soft brooms (walis tambo ), uniquely carved baskets and other native crafts. After exhausting myself, I proceeded to several street hawkers or vendors showing their expertise in Thai cooking. You can also drink fresh coconut juice in the shell, just like in my country.

Next to my itinerary is the Pattaya, the city by the bay in the Gulf of Thailand (just like the Baywalk along Manila Bay in the Philippines). Pattaya Beach Resort Hotel offers the most affordable accommodation in the city. The view of the city is eco-friendly because flora and fauna abound in the place. You can relax by admiring the scenery. Everything in Tamnanpar are well-thought of. In their brochure, it claims to be “World Toilet Champions” because when nature calls, one is really in the midst of nature (with all the trees and flowers that abound the toilet)! Relieving your discomfort is quite an experience amid all the foliage.

Supatra Fruit Farm has unlimited fruit tasting. I witnessed the fruit galore including durian (just like in Davao, Mindanao), rambutan, mangos teen, mango, pineapple, star fruit, sala, longkong (lanzones, etc.). A tourist can enjoy eating a papaya salad as welcome treat during the fruitful trip.

Don’t forget to experience flying err, eating at the Flying Vegetable Restaurant in Pattaya. Cooks have the talent of hurling stir-fried vegetables over their shoulders, to be caught by fellow servers then brought to the waiting tourists or customers.

Nightlife is incomparable ( and the highest rate of AIDS-related diseases in Asia) where you can look at exceptionally beautiful women who happened to be boys-lady boys (hahaha!) They are part of glamorous showgirls at ‘Tiffany’s Show’, Pattaya’s world-famous transvestite cabaret show which has been dazzling audiences and tourists for over 30 years at the Phanat Nikhom District.

I should extend my stay, but being part of an entourage, I cannot prolong my travel. I didn’t explore other places yet in Thailand (the country has five regions: northern, central, northeastern, southern and eastern). I was happily exhausted during those unforgettable trip last year (September 21-26, 2009).

Every month of September, we can expect to have a boom in tourist industry of the country, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

I’m sure, one can never have enough of Thailand. You can call the country by many names, like Land of One Thousand Dreams, Land of The Free, Land of Rice Lovers, Land of Coconut and Spices or the Place Where Elephants Freely Roam. But it is more appropriate to call it Land of Aroy (or Land of the Delicious) for food lovers that will tour the country in the future.

Just to remind you of...

Travelling other countries doesn't mean to be extravagant. It's a kind of experience that you'll cherish the rest of your life. You can spend thriftly or in a cheaper budget if you travel in package, meaning, your friends or family will be part of the expenses.

Always participate in a government program that will minimize your personal budget. Travelling is also a broader kind of education. You can learn something new from old facts, like we used to read from history books about different countries.

Always check if your travel documents (passport with visa, etc.) are properly secured and updated. I mean, no expired papers that will surely hinder your eagerness to travel.

Bon voyage!