Thailand-Resorts

2007-10-03T02:20:00.001-07:00

Finding Resorts....Retreats....in Thailand

THE COAST OF TROPICAL THAILAND extend for over 2,000 exquisite kilometres. Eastward lie Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea, westward the Andaman Sea. Here found some of the the world's finest beaches and resorts, with long stretches of golden sand and countless idyllic islands still absolutely pristine.

Thailand resorts offer prospects for diverse and memorable vacations. Visitors can laze away their days, or they can be active with sports, sightseeing excursions, entertainment and shopping.

Thailand resort hotels are modern and luxurious or simple and escapist, they provide a style for every taste, any budget.

Relax at these Thailand Seaside Resorts

Pattaya Resorts
Rayong Resorts
Koh Samet Resorts
Koh Chang Resorts

Hua Hin Resorts
Cha-Am Resorts
Pranburi Resorts
Petchaburi Resorts

Phuket Resorts
Phangnga Resorts
& Khoa Lak Resorts

Krabi, Trang Resorts
Phi Phi Resorts

Koh Samui Resorts
Chumphon Resorts
Songkhla Resorts

More Thailand Resorts Destinations

Hill Resorts	Riverside Resorts	Spa Resorts

2007-10-03T02:16:00.000-07:00

Koh Samui hotels Thailand

Hotel Address:

Chaweng Beach, Samui 84320 Thailand

Hotel Overview

The Amari Palm Reef Resort Samui is situated in Samui, a tropical paradise in Northern Thailand. It is just a few minutes drive from the city of Bangkok and sits at the Northern end of Chaweng, which is Samui's most beautiful beach. This resort is also close to many attractions where guests can visit during their stay.

Amari Palm Reef Resort

Room Type

Single

Twin/Double

Triple

Breakfast

Validity : 24 December 2006 - 14 April 2007

Superior Room

6,480

6,880

8,580

incl.

Deluxe Room

8,280

8,720

10,420

incl.

Validity : 15 April 2007 - 14 July 2007

Superior Room

4,860

5,252

6,952

incl.

Deluxe Room

6,770

7,190

8,890

incl.

Validity : 15 July 2007 - 15 September 2007

Superior Room

6,480

6,880

8,580

incl.

Deluxe Room

8,320

8,720

10,420

incl.

Validity : 16 September 2007 - 31 October 2007

Superior Room

4,656

5,031

6,731

incl.

Deluxe Room

6,513

6,894

8,594

incl.


Remark :	Peak Season Supplement per room per night - 24 Dec 06 - 10 Jan 07 & 15 Jul 07 - 15 Sep 07 : 2,200 THB Compulsory Gala Dinners - 24 Dec 06 X'Mas's Eve 4,650 THB - 31 Dec 06 New Year Eve 1,605 THB


	•	All rates are quoted in Thai Baht, per room per night with bearkfast, inclusive of government taxes and service charges.
	•	For the room occupancy allowance, there is a maximum occupancy of 2 children under 12 years of age sharing with 2 adults or 3 adults per room.
	•	Breakfast for child No Bed will be displayed after dates are selected during the booking process.
	•	Single Room: Accommodates one person in one room.
	•	Twin Room: Accommodates two single beds for two persons in one room, who don't want to share a bed.
	•	Double Room: Accommodates one large bed for two persons in one room.
	•	Triple Room: Accommodates tree persons in one room.
	•	N/A: Not applicable OR Not allowed.

Amari Palm Reef Resort

Hotel Services

Child care facilities
Concierge
Currency exchange
Laundry
Parking
Shuttle/ local transport available

Business Facilities

Business centre

Recreational Facilities

Beauty salon
Boules
Diving
Jacuzzi
Mountain biking
Shops
Squash court
Swimming pool
Tennis court
Tours organised
Volleyball court

Dining & Entertainment

The Merante Terrace

Rooms & Accommodation

Air Conditioning
Balcony / Terrace
Bathroom
Cable / Satellite Television
In Room Safe
Mini Bar
Telephone

2007-10-03T02:14:00.001-07:00

Patpong Nightlife

Patpong is locate in silom road of the hottest places to meet beautiful Thai girls. It is located in the center of zone business center. Japanese bar and restaraunt. We have a night market for shopping but most of products such as watch, bag, clothes are copy. We have lady boys and young sexy beautiful Asian girls who work in the bars. Most of bars there have sexy shows. We have a lot of hotels, bars, condominiums, nightclubs and resturants filled with great looking Asian women. Most Foreigners when travel to Thailand they stay in silom area to meet beautiful Asian girls.

2007-10-03T02:12:00.001-07:00

Chiangmai

Chiangmai-Thailand General Information

Experience the merging of the past into the present in Chiang Mai where locals are proud of the city’s 700-year history. Its rich traditional heritage and unique culture is a perfect foundation for the development of the city. Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to find in the heart of the city centuries-old chedis and temples next to modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. The original city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat with vestiges of the fortified wall and its four main gates offering prime access to the old town.

For years, tourists have mistaken Chiang Mai as the northern junction and the base from which they can explore other provinces. The phrase “a day in Chiang Mai is enough to see things around” was common. Today, tourists are surprised by the fact that there is always something new to discover Chiang Mai. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes coupled with breathtaking scenery makes Chiang Mai one of Asia's most attractive tourist destinations. Two weeks in Chiang Mai may not be long enough for serious travelers.

The old city of Chiang Mai with its fascinating indigenous cultural identity such as diverse dialects, cuisine, architecture, traditional values, festivals, handicrafts and classical dances is a prime location in its own right. In addition, the presence of hill tribes and their wealth of unique cultures enhance Chiang Mai’s distinctive diversity.

Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine natural resources of mountains (dois), waterfalls, and other nature-based tourist attractions. At the same time, Chiang Mai residents are warm, gracious and congenial providing authentic hospitality making visits memorable and meaningful. Moreover, visitors from all walks of life can collect handicrafts of silk, silver and wood produced locally as timeless souvenirs. Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists can enjoy themselves to the fullest.

The Past
Chiang Mai literally means new city and has retained the name despite having celebrated its 700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai founded the city as the capital of the Lanna (A Million Rice Fields) Kingdom on Thursday, 12th April 1296 during the same period of time as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom. King Meng Rai the Great conferred with his friends, King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Phayao before choosing the site where the capital of the Lanna Kingdom was to be founded.

From then, Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, it was also the centre of Buddhism in northern Thailand. King Meng Rai himself was very religious and founded many of the city’s temples, which are still important today.

At the height of its power, the Lanna Kingdom extended its territory far into Burma and Laos, and southwards to Kamphaeng Phet – a province above Sukhothai.

The Burmese conquered the Lanna Kingdom in 1556 ending the dynasty founded by King Meng Rai that lasted over 250 years. As Burma had occupied Chiang Mai for nearly 200 years, Burmese architectural influences are visible in many temples. At the end of the 18th century, King Taksin the Great regrouped the Thais in the south and finally drove the Burmese out with the help of King Kawila of Lampang thereby regaining Thai independence from Burma. Chiang Mai was then governed by a succession of princes who ruled the north as a Siamese protectorate under the Chakri dynasty. In the late 19th century, King Rama V appointed a high commissioner in Chiang Mai and it was only in 1939 that Chiang Mai finally came under the direct control of the central government in Bangkok – the same time the country was renamed Thailand.

In the past, Chiang Mai was only accessible by river and elephants. More convenient access was achieved only when the railway line was completed in the late 1920's. Moreover, the first motor vehicle driven directly from Bangkok arrived in Chiang Mai in 1932. Such isolation was more favorable to Chiang Mai as it helped to nurture and preserve the unique Lanna culture.

When we look at Chiang Mai today, it is the economic, cultural and communications hub of northern Thailand complete with excellent infrastructure, good roads, by passes and road tunnels, and reliable communications infrastructure.

The Setting
Chiang Mai, with an altitude of approximately 310 meters above sea level, is situated approximately 700 kilometers from Bangkok on the Mae Ping River basin. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, the city covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometers and is the country’s second largest province. Chiang Mai borders Myanmar on the north, Lamphun and Tak Provinces on the south, Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun Provinces on the east and Mae Hong Son Province on the west. The terrain is mainly comprised of jungles and mountains, which are home to the hill tribes. In addition, wildlife and exotic flora may be found in the national parks.

Most of Chiang Mai’s mountains are oriented from north to south. Together they create a multitude of streams and tributaries including Mae Chaem, Mae Ngat and Mae Klang. One of Chiang Mai’s distinctive features is Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak, which is 2,575 meters above sea level. In addition, the province boasts flat, fertile valleys, which spread along the banks of the largest and most important river in Chiang Mai – Maenam Ping (Ping River) which originates from the Chiang Dao mountain range.

How to get there
By Car from Bangkok (approximately 8 hours)
Route 1: Drive on Highway No.1 (Phahonyothin) and turn left to Highway No.32 (Asian Highway) which passes Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, and Nakhon Sawan, then take Highway No. 117 to Phitsanulok and Highway No. 11 to Lampang, Lamphun and Chiang Mai. The total distance is 695 kilometers.
Route 2: From Nakhon Sawan, take Highway No. 1 passing Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Lampang, and Chiang Mai. Total distance is 696 kilometers.

By Bus
From Bangkok
There are ordinary, 2nd –class and 1st – class air-conditioned buses leaving for Chiang Mai daily (8.00 a.m. to 09.00 p.m.) from the Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal). Call 02 936 3600, 02 936 2852, and 02 937 8055 for a more updated bus timetable. Private buses, which can be conveniently booked in tourist-oriented places in Bangkok, are also available. However, the public buses from the Northern Bus Terminal are generally more reliable. The journey takes approximately 10-12 hours, depending on traffic.

From Chiang Mai
If you travel to any districts in Chiang Mai, use Chang Phuak Bus Terminal located on Chotana Road, tel. 053 211 586. Destinations include those located along the northern route (Highway No. 107) which passes through Mae Rim, Mae Taeng, Chiang Dao, Chaiprakan, Fang and Mae Ai. Some buses continue to Tha Ton, the northernmost province of Chiang Mai.

If you wish to travel outside the province, use Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station. Contact tel: 0 5324 2664 for a more updated bus timetable. Destinations include Golden Triangle, Mae Sai, Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Phrae, Lampang, Lamphun, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Mae Hong Son (both old and new routes), Mae Sot, Mae Sariang, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), and Udon Thani.

Train
Express and rapid trains operated by the State Railways of Thailand leave for Chiang Mai from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station 6 times a day from 8.00 a.m.-10.00 p.m. The trip takes about 11-12 hours for express trains. For more information, contact tel. 1690, or 02 223 7010, 02 223 7020. Chiang Mai Railway Station, tel. (053) 24 2094, 244 795, .247 462 245 363-4

By Air
Domestic airlines including Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Nok Air, Orient Thai Airlines, Air Andaman and Phuket Air operate several flights daily between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Thai Airways also operates domestic flights from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and Phuket. International flights to and from Chitakong, Luang Phrabang, Khunming, Yangon and Japan (Narita) are also provided. Call 02 628 2000 (Bangkok), 053 211 044-7 (Chiang Mai), or visit www.thaiairways.com for more information.

Bangkok Airways also offers several flights daily on the Bangkok - Chiang Mai route, some with a stopover at Sukhothai. International routes to and from Jinghong and Xi’An are also available. Call 02 265 5555, 265 5678 (Bangkok Office) or 053 27 6176 (Chiang Mai Office) or visit www.bangkokair.com for more information.

Phuket Air offers 2 daily shuttle service flights from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai with YS-11 aircraft. The journey takes only 40 minutes and the flight times are at 07.30 a.m. and 6.00 p. m. For more information, call Bangkok Office 66 2679-8999 or Chiang Mai Office 66 5392 2118-9 or visit www.phuketairlines.com.

For Nok Air call 1318 or visit www.nokair.co.th for reservations.

For Orient Thai Airlines, call 02 267 2999 or visit www.orient-thai.com for more information.

Foreign Airlines operating flights from Chiang Mai to several destinations are:

Air Mandalay operates flights between Chiang Mai and Yangon on Sundays and Thursdays. Contact 053 818 049 (Chiang Mai office), visit www.myanmars.net/airmandalay or write to cnxrr6t@sita.gmsmail.com for more information.

Mandarin Airlines operates flights between Chiang Mai and Taipei three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. For more information call, 053 201 268-9 (Chiang Mai office) or visit www.mandarinair.com

Lao Airlines operates flights on the Chiang Mai – Luang Phrabang route three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Call 053 223 401 (Chiang Mai office), visit www.laoairlines.com or write to qvcnx@loxinfo.co.th for more information.

Silk Air operates flights between Chiang Mai – Singapore three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Call 053 276 459 053 276 495 (Chiang Mai office) or visit www.silkair.com for reservations.

Travelling within Chiang Mai
From Airport, Train and Bus Terminal to town

There is a licensed airport taxi service available at the taxi kiosk outside the baggage-claim area. Purchase a ticket and present it to the drivers waiting by the arrivals exit area. The trip will cost approximately 100 bahts for a sedan car that seats 4-5 people (with luggage).

From the airport, train station and bus terminal, you can easily get a song taew (red mini-bus). To charter a minibus or car, please check the correct fare at the TAT counter first.

Normally, first-class hotels provide complimentary transportation between the airport, railway station or bus terminals and the hotel for guests who have made advance reservations.

Short-distance travel

1. For relative short distances you can take a sam lor or tuk-tuk (a tricycle). Fares must be bargained in advance. Short rides within the city costs between 20 and 30 bahts. Longer rides may cost as much as 50 bahts.
2. Just new in town is the taxi-metre, the same as those running around Bangkok. The minimum (starting) fare is 35 bahts.
3. Song taew (red mini-bus) is the most common means of transportation in town. Passengers can hop in and out as they wish. Simply tell the driver the destination and negotiate the price before boarding. Fares range from 10-20 bahts depending on the distance.
4. Bicycles Some travelers prefer to ride a bicycle around the city as most of the roads and alleys are accessible by bicycle. Bicycles can be rented from bicycle shops and certain guesthouses.
5. Rental cars

All major car rental companies such as AVIS, Budget, and Hertz, as well as Thai car rental companies are ready to provide suggestions on travel itineraries. The easiest way to locate a car rental company is to ask at the airport or the hotel, as those are the places where most companies are located.

Chiang Mai roads are in good condition with signs posted in English. Why not take a car for a spin?

Festivals
Yi Peng Festival

Yi Peng Festival is held annually on Loi Krathong day. It is a very interesting event of Chiang Mai. The festival features the release of lanterns into the sky to worship the gods. There are also fireworks, lantern contests, and beauty pageants.

Bo Sang Umbrella Festival

Bo Sang Umbrella Festival is held in January in Bo Sang Handicraft Centre. The festival features paper products, paper parasols in particular, cultural shows, a parade showing traditional ways of life, and several contests.

City Pillar Inthakin Festival
City Pillar Inthakin Festival is held to invoke blessings of peace, happiness and prosperity for the city and its residents. Buddha images are paraded around the city. It is held at Wat Chedi Luang for 7 auspicious days and nights in the 7th lunar month.

Doi Suthep Pilgrimage

Doi Suthep Pilgrimage On the night of Visakha Bucha Day, worshippers gather to light candles and make the 7-kilometre pilgrimage up to the temple on Doi Suthep.

Flower Festival
Flower Festival is held in February. The festival includes ornamental garden flower contests, floral floats parade in the morning and beauty pageants. The parade begins at Chiang Mai Railway Station and passes Nawarat Bridge and ends at Nong Buak Hat Park.

Songkran Festival

Songkran Festival is held annually from 13 to 15 April. The 13th of April is the Great Songkran day featuring the revered Phra Phutthasihing Buddha image parade around Chiang Mai town for bathing, sand pagoda making, blessing of elders, and water splashing.

Phuket Beaches Guide

2007-10-03T01:56:00.000-07:00

Visit Phuket - Travel Information

If you are planning a trip to Phuket, check out this section for travel information and facts about Phuket. To make planning your trip easier, we offer practical advice on how to get here, where to stay and advice to ensure your visit to Phuket is unforgettable.

Ao-Chalong

Planning your holiday to coincide with one of Phuket's many events and festivals could make all the difference between a good holiday and a really memorable one. There are important events scattered throughout the year, so check if your visit to Phuket will coincide with anything you'd be interested in.

The Vegetarian Festival, which takes place in late September, is the most famous and spectacular of these. However, there are events throughout the year. Songkran, in April, is the Thai new year but is also an excuse for a huge water fight. While Loi Krathong, in November is a more subdued but magical festival.

Ao-Maya

Phuket lies off the west coast of Southern Thailand in the Andaman Sea, approximately 890km from Bangkok. It is Thailand’s largest island at 550sq km, roughly the same size as Singapore, and is surrounded by many smaller islands that add a further 70 sq km to its total land area. Phuket is separated from the mainland by the Chong Pak Phra channel at its northernmost point, where a causeway connects the island to the mainland.

Phuket is quite hilly. There are a few peaks above 500m, the highest being Mai Tao Sipsong at 529m. Many of these are covered in lush jungle. The lowlands consist of rice paddies, plantations of rubber, pineapple and coconut as well as the only significant area of rainforest remaining on the island, which is now protected as Khao Phra Thaeo Park.

Beach---Kamala

The most beautiful beaches are found on the West coast, separated by rocky coves and headlands. The east coast comprises limestone shoals with only a few sandy beaches while spectacular limestone islands adorn the horizon. Coral gardens full of exotic marine life dot the emerald waters surrounding the island, although sadly much of Phuket's coral has been disappearing due to environmental pressures and human activities.

A small secluded beach that can get quite crowded during the high season. Easy to get to but can also be easy to miss if you are not careful.

Laem Singh beach is located a few minutes drive north of Kamala in a small curving bay at the foot of forest-fringed cliffs. There is no accommodation here and not much other development except a few restaurants.

Laem Singh Beach

It is quite easy to miss Laem Singh, the only indication of the entrances are small signs on the road between Kamala and Surin. Both entrances to the beach have car parks, for which there is sometimes a small charge. If you don't fancy the steep walk down, head for the second car park on the road coming from Kamala heading north. The path here is longer but not as steep.

Because the beach can only be accessed by a walk down a steep path, Laem Singh has a more private feel than many of Phuket's other beaches. Nevertheless it can get quite busy on the weekends with plenty of sunbeds as its one of the most beautiful spots on the island.

Mai Kao Beach

Located just north of the airport is Mai Kao beach, an incredibly long and deserted stretch of sand.

There is no tourist development here except for the JW Marriott Resort & Spa. Mai Kao is the longest beach on the island and also the most deserted. If you really want to get away from it all this is the beach for you.

Mai Kao is part of the Sirinath National Park, which also includes Nai Yang and Nai Thon, the next beaches along to the south. The area was declared a national park in 1981 to protect the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles that lay their eggs here from November to February.

Nui Beach

Just south of the Kata viewpoint, Nui beach offers the opportunity to enjoy a quiet idyllic beach only a few minutes drive from the busy resort areas of Phuket.

The catch is that its one of the most difficult beaches to get to. The dirt road down to the beach is very steep and should only be attempted with a 4x4 vehicle or trail bike. You should drive down the red dirt track for about 1km, then park and walk the rest of the way. The part leading down to the beach is very steep and the walk back can be very tiring.

Unfortunately there is another catch when going to Nui beach. There is a parking fee of 250 baht per day, which is basically an entrance fee. This also gets you a sun lounger and a free drink. Although all beaches in Thailand are public property, access to the beach is over private land, which means the landowner can charge people to get to the beach.

For some this is a small price to pay for a beautiful secluded beach, where you don't have to listen to the whir of jet-skis or be bothered by vendors.

Ya Nui is a small and quiet beach tucked away at the bottom of the hill between Laem Prom Thep and the next hill to the west with the windmills.

There is a small reef that is good for snorkelling during the dry season. Considering Ya Nui's proximity to many of the island's hotels in the south of the island, the beach still remains of Phuket's best kept secrets.

Ya Nui Beach

Patong Phuket

2007-10-03T01:51:00.000-07:00

Patong Beach is the most active beach in Phuket. Recently upgraded from "Village" to the status of "City". Famous for its long sandy beach but also for its famous hyper active nightlife, patong has the largest concentration of visitors on Phuket Island.

Growing at the speed of light, it will offer a large range of activities during day or night, an amazing choice of hotels and a life style to fit any type of visitors.

Since the past ten years, Patong Beach has changed a lot and became a family destination, eventhough all the bar girls are still at the same place (Bangla Road), you will see many couples and family strolling along the many new streets opened lately.

It offers a beautiful tropical beach ringed with lush green mountains. The bay is a 5 km gently curving crescent of beautiful white sand, suitable for every kind of water sport.

It is the most developed of all Phuket’s beaches, almost solidly lined with hotels, bungalow complexes and a concentration of restaurants, shops and night-spots appealing to all tastes. It is not recommended for those in search of tranquillity, but definitely suitable for those looking for a lively holiday.

Patong Beach is a public beach, there are no closed or reserved areas. In practice however, most of the beach has been staked out by private vendors who will rent you a long chair and shade umbrella for 50 Baht per person. Pay your money take your seat and let the show begin.

Venders selling everything including massage services, food, beverages, fresh fruit, clothes, jewelry, electric power tools, etc. will beat a path to your chair. One intrepid vender of note has been sighted pushing a cart full of "folding step ladders" down the place.

To prevent that boring serenity that many seek from a beautiful tropical setting, here you will be treated to the sight and sound of numerous jet skis (500 Baht per hour), para-sailing (500 Baht), and any number of other small water craft with large motors.

Those seeking a less commercial and quiet atmosphere may want to head north on the seaside road a short distance to the intersection with Phrabarami Road (which means "road constructed through Royal influence") the main road to Phuket Town.

Here the seaside is strewn with large granite boulders that deter all but the most determined venders and offers an opportunity to comb for small seashells that often wash ashore here.

Just around the rock outcroppings to the north is the much quieter Kalim Bay. On the South end, near the bridge connecting to the Coral Island Resort are a group of long tail boats for hire.

Patong Beach is the largest and most developed of Phuket's resort areas. Patong is a great destinations for single tourists and for families as well.

Patong has had the reputation of a wild and naughty beach side resort town since it first became popular among the international travellers network.

Patong beach has suffered from this reputation as many tourists with families chose for other Phuket beaches to spend their holiday at such as Kamala and Karon beach.

There is a noticeable trend though which clearly shows more and more tourists with families choosing Patong beach and its hotels and resorts as the place to spend their holidays whilst staying on the island.

Patong has more to offer its visitors then solely the wild Phuket nightlife for which Patong became famous. The recently build shopping mall clearly shows how well Patong is suitable for both the young and the old.

The long and crystal sandy beach of Patong is a sunbather’s paradise and the clear and clean waters of the Andaman Sea are a snorkellers and divers dream comes true.

There are numerous spots along the three kilometre sandy Patong beach for tourists to rent a nice umbrella and beach chair and just as many places to purchase a refreshing coconut shake or a ice cold Heineken.

Along the beach road of Patong, shoppers will find hundreds of shops and market stalls which sell anything from the latest music albums and recently released Hollywood blockbuster movies to the latest Italian designer suits at one of the many Patong tailor shops.

There are many Patong activities that can be found along Patong Beach. There are several places where one can rent jet-skis or can partake in parasailing, wind surfing and water-skiing.

For those of you that prefer a more relaxing time spend on Patong beach then why not true a relaxing and energizing beach massage from one of the numerous beach masseuses that can be found along Patong beach.