2551-01-31

Drive Holidays in Thailand

Thailand Travel : Drive Holidays in Thailand


With one of the best roads systems in Southeast Asia, Thailand is quickly gaining a reputation as an outstanding fly-drive destination. The possibilities for this increasingly popular activity are almost endless, with modern highways connecting all major Thai cities and generally well-maintained secondary roads reaching into the remotest corners of a country the size of France or Spain.

Visitors who enjoy being independently mobile can thus explore some of the most beautiful but little known areas of the kingdom. And since there are plenty of car rental firms, including all the recognised international companies, it is easy, safe and convenient to hire a modern vehicle, usually with the option of a driver in the case of

people who would
rather leave the actual driving to someone else. Daily hire rates are reasonable and most rental companies allow customers to collect the car in one destination and leave it elsewhere.
Thailand is well suited for driving holidays. With the exception of central Bangkok and occasionally Chiang Mai, both of which can suffer from
congestion, the roads here see little traffic. Driving is on the left and highway signs follow the international system. Laws forbid speeding and drinking while in charge of a vehicle, so it is reasonably safe for the experienced driver. Insurance is compulsory and any suggestions that it is not needed should be instantly dismissed.
Wherever you venture in Thailand, a hotel or guesthouse will never be far away. Because of the tropical heat and lack of campsites offering proper overnight facilities, camper vans are not available. That's not a problem as every town in Thailand has its central hotel, which will invariably feature as a minimum a choice of air-conditioned rooms, restaurant or coffee shop and modern communications like fax and e­mail. Room rates in upcountry hotels rarely breach the 1,500 baht a night barrier, while dining is always excellent value.

All kinds of accurate Thailand road maps are available nowadays and although the English spelling of some towns and villages may vary from publication to publication, it is not difficult to decipher them.
The country is frequently divided into six distinct areas:


* The Central, including Bangkok and Ayutthaya;
* Eastern Seaboard, including Pattaya and eastwards to the border with Cambodia;
* The West, including Kanchanaburi and the beach resorts of Hua Hin and Cha-am;
* The South, including the islands of Phuket and Ko Samui;
* The North, including Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai; and
* The Northeast, including the cities of Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Nong Khai.

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Windsurfing in Thailand

Thailand Travel : Windsurfing in Thailand

Windsurfing has become one of Thailand's most popular water sports in the last two decades, and it is practised all over Thailand's beaches. Windsurfing is not only exhilarating and an excellent way to get fit, it is also quiet, non-polluting and environmentally friendly. It is a sport that requires dexterity and coordination and also strength.

You can learn to windsurf on all major beaches in Phuket, Samui, Pattaya and Krabi, as well as on islands of Ko Tao and Ko Chang. Once you have mastered the basics, you'll find boards and sails available everywhere.
While you need wind to windsurf, you can get too much of a good thing. Don't go out to sea if the weather is threatening to turn stormy. You shouLd wear a life jacket at all times. Beware of boats and swimmers on crowded stretches of water, especially when you are still learning how to handle your board and sail. It is easy to forget about the sun with the wind on your face, but it is especially strong when reflecting off the water all around you. So, wear protective sunblock.

WINDSURF CLASSES
Note: When making international calls to Thailand, add 66 and omit the leading 0.

USEFUL WEBSITES

http://www.thailandmanual.com/html/windsurfing.html

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2551-01-30

Canoeing & Kayaking in Thailand

Thailand Travel : Canoeing & Kayaking in Thailand


Sea canoeing is the ecotourist activity par excellence, and proves the benefit of the natural approach. The quiet of this mode of tourism heightens your sense of awareness, and wildlife is not scared by your silent approach. It is also an exciting physical challenge providing an aerobic workout and tones and develops your arms, shoulders and chest.

Some of the most spectacular sites for sea canoeing are around Krabi and the island of Phuket and Phang-nga Bay. Sea Canoe Thailand, based in Phuket, was the pioneering eco-tour company that launched thousands of travellers on their sea adventures.
Sea canoeing adventures from Phuket take small groups of twopassenger on inflatable kayaks, accompanied by a support boat carrying food and equipment. Three-day excursions include instruction in kayak management, camping and barbecue dinners and the exploration of eight islands, including Ko Chong Lat and its Blue Room, a three-chamber stalacite grotto,
On the southeastern seaboard near the Cambodian border, Ko Chang National Park in Trat Province has more than 50 pristine islands ready to be explored by sea canoe. Ko Kra has some of the best coral in Thailand, but no less spectacular are the golden sands of Ko Mak and the bays of Ko Ngarm.
Although sea canoes are easy to handle and all safety equipment is provided, it is best to get instruction first. Don't venture out on a long adventure without a guide. Sea canoe expeditions are running all year-round, although the rains from June to October can inhibit operations. There is no age limit for participation, but travellers should be able to swim.

PHANG-NGA MINI EXPEDITION
Day 1: Pick up from your hotel. Arrive at Ao Po pier and depart. Motor to the islands. Arrive first island - explore caves and lagoons. Lunch on the escort boat. Arrive second island for more cave exploration and circumnavigation of islands. Traverse 300-metre cave into giant lagoon. Arrive and make camp on island beach - basic kayak training. Thai seafood BBQ dinner. Starlight paddle back to previously entered hong. Hong by Starlight (tides dependant) or sunset paddle. Return to camping beach.

Day 2: Depart for North Ko Yai Noi on escort boat. Breakfast on board. Paddle North Ko Yao Noi and Big Tree Bay. Hike to the giant Ficus. Lunch on board. Paddle 1 km crossing to Lagoon Island. Circumnavigate Lagoon Island. This island is home to many crab eating monkeys and giant fruit bats. Board escort boat and depart for Ko Chong Lat in Krabi Province. Arrive Ko Chong Lat and make camp. Sunset paddle. BBQ dinner.

Day 3: Breakfast on board. Paddle around Ko Chong Lat. This 1,500-foot island has stunning cliffs, the Blue Room and an unusually beautiful channel on the way back to camp. Lunch on board. Motor to Ko Khlui. Circumnavigate Ko Khlui. Board escort boat and depart for Ao Po pier. Hotel drop off.

USEFUL WEBSITES

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Wakeboarding in Thailand

Thailand Travel : Wakeboarding in Thailand

The extreme sport of wakeboarding, a cross between water-skiing and snowboarding, is about speed, colour and adrenaline. It is the latest extreme sport to take the beach scene by storm.

In wakeboarding, you are strapped at 90 degrees into a shortened, double­ended surfboard, and towed at high speed behind a special speedboat. The boat is designed and weighted to make a large wake behind it, and the wakeboarder speeds along the sea at 30 kilometres an hour, cutting in and out of the wake, using it to jump into the air, turn, swivel and somersault. Wakeboarding is fast, furious, exhilarating and a fantastic spectator sport. Although new, its popularity is soaring in Thailand.

Boats and boards are available for hire at the main beaches of Phuket in the Andaman Sea, and at Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. Wakeboarding is also practised at the resort city of Pattya on the Eastern Seaboard.
Near to Bangkok, there is a Wakeboarding Club at Taco Lake, 13 kilometres from the city along the Bang Na-Trat Road. Rather than using boats, this uses a system of pulleys set up in the lake and is thus cheaper and suitable for people wishing to learn this exciting sport.

Boards and foot-bindings are available at these locations. Serious wakeboarders may wish to bring thier own boards and bindings, or purchase them at many leading department stores in Bangkok.
http://www.thailandmanual.com/html/wakeboarding.html

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Jet-Skiing in Thailand

Thailand Travel : Jet-Skiing in Thailand


Jet-skiing has been taken up with enthusiasm all over Thailand with jet­skis available for hire at all major beaches in Thailand - Samui, Phuket, Pattaya, Samet and Krabi.

Despite the speed, jet-skiing in Thailand is a safe sport, if you keep your head and watch out for other sea traffic, especially swimmers and snorkellers. Rocks are usually marked, but take care, especially at low tide. When you are roaring around the bays, it's easyto forget that you're in the full force of the sun, so protect yourself beforehand.

  • Jet-ski Association of Thailand
    1107 Soi Prachachuen 35, Prachachuen Road, Bang Sue, Bangkok 10800
  • Club Taco
    Km 13 Bang Na-Trat Road, Samut Prakan 10540
    Tel: 0 2316 7810


http://www.thailandmanual.com/html/jet-sking.html

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