Damnoen Saduak, Colorful Floating Market Activities in Bangkok, Thailand

According to floating market tour package, offered by thaifly website, while I am looking for Floating market program for incoming Saturday with the long term holiday period, this website offers me very nice included additional activities and money worth. Guide leader informs that there are a few Floating Markets around Bangkok. Most of them is commercialized imitation of Damnoen Saduak.

" What does 'Damnoen Saduak' mean? This Thai word - pronounced Damnoen-Saduak - means "Conveniently walk"

Damnoen-Walk and Saduak- Convenience

What is place, you may be having a question in mind, don't you worry; let me introduce you a little bit about this famous place.

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located at Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi Province, about 105 kms from Bangkok. According to history around

1866 King Rama IV ordered that a 32 kms long canal be dug at Damnoen Saduak. This canal would connect the Mae Klong River with the Tacheen River.

The excellent quality soil beside the canal is very fertile and suitable for growing many kinds of fruits and vegetables. The area is famous for Malacca grape, Chinese grapefruit, mangoes, bananas, and coconut.

While Thailand have several Floating markets, not far away from downtown (around 100 Kms. from Bangkok), this floating market is most referring for anyone visited and most lively place, it famous with various species of fruits. The market is over 100 years old as history above and still mostly not changed environment, while the traditional Thai style houses and paddle boat will bring you back to wonder history.

Even someone who has never been to Thailand might see some posters or postcards of floating market, that the most photogenic scenery you can find in Gift shop throughout Thailand, even at the airport. I don't know how much you paid for but I can buy a dozen pictures for 100 Baht. What a surprise!, However if you have digital, you can take a photo as nice as you desire and make a unique style of your postcard or poster.

You will see all over paddle boats along the Canal that I can estimate around a hundred (may be thousand). Boatload with various kinds of foods and local fruits, you can order while it was moving. The color of fresh fruit will cause you not to be able to stand or just take a picture. On this situation, you may lose some money for them.

While the event that you would like to see other place or looking for beautiful corner to take a photo, you can rent a water taxi (long tail boat) at 300 Baht, for an hour, you might met the horrendous traffic there like in downtown of Bangkok. Everything on-sale here, On this funny participate, you can have Thai style snack or breakfast on boat or beside of canal, Fruits, snacks, hats, T-shirts, vegetables, silk dress, toys, handicraft and souvenir, its there and cheap.

On your next vacation trip, if you plan to Bangkok, Thailand, I recommend you kindly get more information about Thailand from TAT website that will give you more useful recommendation for your wonderful trip.

To learn more, looking for more nice unique of travel packages, visit here: http://www.thaifly.com

The Paradise Eater by John Ralston Saul

Fourteen years ago I was eating in Shakey's Pizza on Sukumvit Road in Bangkok Thailand and saw an elderly "falang" (white foreigner) slowly walk down the sidewalk with a cane.

That's it, I thought. Bangkok's too safe to be any fun any more.

I haven't been back since.

Yet Southeast Asia's "Free Country" still exerts a strong pull.

It's strongly libertarian (where you can do most anything you can afford to pay for), yet is the world's most functional monarchy. (Yes, there's a representative government for ordinary matters -- but the king is still the true head of the country.)

The official religion is Buddhism, but Central Thailand is full of spirit houses and everybody wears amulets.

It's as different from the West as India, but a lot easier to visit.

With its huge and open sex for sale industry, as the port through which heroin from Burma's "Iron Triangle" flows out to the world, and as a center of investment money from Japan, Thailand is a great place to set an exotic international thriller.

If you've been to Bangkok, reading this book brings back some of the memories. It's fun.

Of course it's connected to drugs, and politics, and widespread corruption, and an American driven crazy by anti-communism. And it just so happens that Field knows just the kind of people who can help him connect the dots. Before he's rubbed out by the Thai Bangkok connection.

Yet the protagonist John Field is portrayed as a "lost" man. He's a Canadian who's pretending he really belongs in Bangkok. He's a reporter, but helps expedite business deals and enjoys the bars and massage parlors.

In fact, the recurring theme of the book is a case of apparently incurable clap he's picked up. A symbol of how the country and its culture have infected him.

It's hard to read this novel, fun as it is on the surface, and not catch of whiff of disapproval from the author. Sex is dirty. Although prostitution exists in all countries, it shouldn't be out in the open where respectable people are tempted by it.

In the end, Field returns to Canada with his grown up daughter from his first Thai girlfriend and his teen-aged Thai former brothel girl new wife, who's also infected with VD. So he's finally grown up, discovered responsibility and his true place in the world. Leaving his self-imposed exile.

The author has spent time in Thailand and learned about its exotic side. Perhaps he should have spent more time with ordinary people living ordinary lives, and their extraordinary culture.

I'd rather read about a falang who found he or she really belonged in Thailand -- without patronizing it.

Richard Stooker has an ex-wife from Laos and has traveled to Thailand. Based on his experiences, he knows that everybody should keep emergency preparedness kits on hand and ready to go -- at all times.

The People Of Bangkok

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the six provinces of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area with a population of over 5,000,000 people.

In Bangkok, you will find people mainly from three races. 80 percent of the local population is Thai; 10 percent consists of Chinese immigrants; 3 percent of the population is Malay while the balance is a mix of Mons, Khmers and Hill Tribes.

Bangkok has always been the migratory crossroad and this was quite evident from the 19th century until World War II. Many Chinese came to Bangkok looking for work as jobs were scarce in China. The Chinese population in Bangkok was so large that even street signs had to be written in Chinese. However, after the end of World War II, Chinese immigration to Bangkok has ceased because of stricter immigration laws.

However, many people from rural Thailand keep flocking to Bangkok in search of work and this means that Bangkok is facing the usual problems associated with overpopulation. There is housing shortage, traffic jams and unemployment.

If one looks closely at Bangkok, one will see that the rich and poor comprise of Thai nationals while the middle class consists of minorities and foreigners. However, most business enterprises in Bangkok, especially those located in Sam Peng, are run by Chinese.

Majority of people in Bangkok practice Theravada Buddhism. 5 percent of the population follows Islam while Christianity and Hinduism is practiced by just a few people.

Most Thais living in Bangkok have a deep sense of pride and dignity. However, they value kindness. What stands out in Bangkok is the friendliness, politeness and the non-assertiveness. Most people are always willing to help anyone, even a stranger, with a smile on the face.

About Author:

Pauline Go is a professional writer for many website like Thailandbuddy.com. She also writes other great articles like Thailand Travel Information, Thailand Real Estate Industry Analysis, Facts on the Stonehenge

Bangkok - The City of Angels

At the Thai Village Show & Rose Garden, you will come close to the Thai culture in a variety of ways. You will have the opportunity to witness folk dance, fingernail dance, hill tribe dance, Buddhist ordination ceremony, Thai sword fighting and a traditional wedding.

One of the interesting places is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, located eighty kilometers away from the city center. Have a closer experience of the life in a Thai village. This pioneering floating market is made up of rows of hundreds of wooden boats. Each of the boats carries fresh farm produce, including vegetables, fruits and flowers. You can also eat fresh sea food that is cooked right on the boats. It is like being in a living museum.

Another impressive site is the Grand Palace and Wat Prakaew, erected in 1782. You will certainly feel the awe that the place inspires. It served as the royal court and home to the Thai king, making it the center of administration for 150 years. The architecture involved even very minor details, showing the great skill that went into its construction. At the Wat Prakaew, you will find the image of Phra Kaew Morakot, also known as Emerald Buddha from the material used. This greatly respected image was carefully carved out of one block of emerald, and it dates back to the 15th century.

The Wat Arun, or Temple of Dawn, is probably the best known temple landmark in the entire Southeast Asia. King Rama II spearheaded its construction in the early 19th century. It was built in the Khmer style, having towering spires and floral patterns that make it stunningly beautiful, especially when you are close to it. Although it is called the Temple of Dawn, you will see its striking beauty better in the evening. The temple marks the beginning of the Rattanakosin Period.

In the Siam Ocean World, you will have an interesting look at aquatic life. This is an underground aquarium that is divided into seven exhibition zones, having a total of over 30,000 species. There are several activities you can do here, including walking in the longest underwater tunnel in Thailand.

If you would like to have an experience of the Chinese culture then Chinatown is the right place to go to. This is where Chinese communities moved to in the 1700s. Chinatown is where you will find most of the gold shops in Bangkok. This is a bustling place with many market stalls.

There are many other places you can visit in Bangkok, including the Vimanmek Mansion, Jim Thompson's House, Wat Pho, Ladyboy show and the Chao Phraya River & Waterways.

Bangkok - the City of Angels is a travel guide from Tripopedia, a travel encyclopedia. This article was submitted under Bangkok travel guides.

Bangkok Vacation Hot Spots

BANKOK - SOME FACTS

If you visit any destination in South East Asia, it may be imperative that you pass through Bangkok. Bangkok has a strange nature of evoking extreme sense of likes and dislikes amongst visitors. A few seem to loathe it while many others swear that it is the most wonderful, fascinating and exciting places on earth. Actually, Bangkok tends to be what a particular visitor wants it to be. Bangkok is a picture post-card haven with beautiful pagodas, pagodas and some of the world's finest hotels. Bangkok's renowned for it's nightlife in the Orient with an opportunity to savor some of world's most unique cuisines. Bangkok is a favorite and best shopping destination in South East Asia.

Bangkok inhabitants are known as Thais and their friendly ways would flatter the snootiest traveler. Bangkok is all in all, a load of fun and games and a great way to enjoy a civilized vacation. Thailand's history emerges from the Bronze Age, whereas Bangkok, the capital is a young city founded in 1782. With a population of around 6 million, 50% of them are under 30. Bangkok lies on the banks of the river "Chao Phraya", a wonderful working waterway full of sampans, wide variety of boats and rice barges.

Bangkok is a beautiful mix of the old and the new, the modern and the ancient evident from its skyline that comprises of Buddhist temples (wats), luxury hotels, high-rise office buildings and shopping malls making it a kaleidoscope. Under the thin veneer of new found Western influence you will find that the Thais are not devoid of traditional values. The sights of ubiquitous street food sellers, monks on morning begging rounds and women stringing jasmine blossoms on thread near wats will display the cultural heritage of Thailand that is not lost in the arc lights of modernity.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS IN BANKOK

Bangkok is packed with more attractions per square mile than any other city in the world. Despite the crowds, the architecture and the attractions are worth the effort to travel and see. On the top of the list would be Wat Phra Khao and the Grand Palace for sightseeing for half a day. This can include the National Museum and the Wat Pho. Chinatown, Bangkok's major attractions has a unique traditional life untouched by modern civilization and could be fascinating. Historical sites like Rattanakosin Island (central point when Bangkok was founded) are also worth visiting. The main symbolic places of Bangkok are Wat Arun on the Chao Phraya River.

Cross the Chao Phraya to reach Thonburi and you can tour the klongs to appreciate the heritage and culture of the country of Thailand. The Vimanmek Palace, restored by Queen Sirikit, made of golden teak emphasizes the exquisite taste and oriental splendor of ancient Thai royal life.

TOURING AROUND BANKOK

The easier way to explore the country would be put up base in Bangkok and explore the region by using the interesting and unusual daytrips.

Ayutthaya & Bang Pa-In: This probably is the most popular day trip from Bangkok and takes you to visit the Ayutthaya (A-you-ta-ya), the previous and old capital of Thailand, about 50 miles north of Bangkok, the current capital. Ayutthaya has served as the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam for over 400 years. Travellers in the past have described the glittering palaces, temples and Buddhist images depicting it as one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. In an unfortunate event the Burmese burned the glories of this city in 1767. In Ayutthaya, you could hire a tuk tuk along with an English-speaking guide to take you around the celebrated temples (cost could be in the range of 250 bahts). You can also hire a long-tail boat for cruising the 12-mile Chao Phraya River trip that ends at the king's summer palace at Bang Pa-In (300 bahts).

Many such trips are available to be taken. Bangkok never ceases to amaze and so giving an approximate time frame of the trip becomes difficult. You could get there, relax, and see for yourself what Bangkok has to offer. May be you could go back when you have more time, or to see the rest of it. The magnetism of Bangkok is such that despite having been there many a time, travelers tend to come back.

To ensure your vacation recipe is complete, add in that special sprinkle of a Thailand vacation rental. Book Thailand Vacation Rentals matching your criteria. These vacation rentals are presented by their owners or managers.

Find vacation rentals in Thailand with http://www.thailand-vacationrentals.com - comprehensive directory of independently owned vacation rental properties. Every Thailand vacation home for rent features direct contact for the property owner/agent along with photos, property amenities and services, rates and much more.

Fun Facts About Namibia - From Tourism to Sports!

Women's Rights

Did you know- By the early 2000s, Namibia had Africa's fourth highest proportion of women in its National Parliament, behind Mozambique, South Africa and Rwanda. 25.0 percent of the seats in the National Assembly were occupied by women (compared with 14.0 percent in the United States).

World-Famous Icons

Did you know- During the 1990s, Frankie Fredericks, an American-trained business administrator, was one of the world's top sprinters, along with Carl Lewis, Linford Christie and Donovan Bailey. Thanks to his talent, Namibia, an obscure nation, won two medals, 100m & 200m (both silvers), in the 25th Summer Olympics in Spain. Mr. Fredericks was born on October 2, 1967 in Windhoek, Namibia.

Independence

Did you know- The country, formerly known as South-West Africa, gained its independence on March 21, 1990. About the same time, the Sub-Saharan African nation was the world's youngest republic.

Location

Did you know- Located in Southern Africa, the country is bordered on the north by Angola and Zambia, on the south by South Africa, on the east by Botswana, on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Around 80% of the country's terrain consists of deserts.

Population

Did you know- The nation's population is around 2.5 million people. The Ovambo is the country's largest ethnic group; they make up some 50% of the population. The English-speaking state, twice the size of California, is the most sparsely populated republic in the African region.

Tourism

Did you know- The country, known as the "Gem of Africa", is a unique place for eco-tourists. Much of Namibia is as it was centuries ago. Due to this, it has a host of natural wonders and amazing places. From one of the world's biggest deserts and national parks to tropical forests and savannahs with one of Africa's most concentration of wild animals, including lions, zebras, elephants, rhinoceros, hyenas, and marine mammals. Here, there are so many bigger cats that Namibia has the world's largest population of cheetahs (home to up to 3,000 animals). The country's nature reserves are home to several species of exotic birds. For the last two decades, Namibia a been a favorite destination for South African tourists.

Mineral Resources

Did you know- Like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola, Namibia is one of Africa's richest places in strategic minerals (diamonds, uranium, and gold). Mineral resources are the backbone of the country's economy.

Michelle McLean

Did you know- The tallest Miss Universe (from 1952 to 2009) is Namibia's Michelle McLean, who is 1m 83. McLean is Africa's second MU since 1952. Beginning in the 1990s, in Bangkok (Thailand), Miss McLean, a 19-year-old student-turned-model, was named Miss Universe by a panel of celebrity judges, which included Miriam Makeba, a South African-born singer, and Vijay Amritraj, one of the world's top tennis players in the mid-70s. In the mid-1990s, she became an outspoken champion for children in her homeland. During that time, she set up the "Michelle McLean Children Trust", an organization that work to improve the lives of children.

Summer Olympics

Did you know- Since the early 1990s, Namibia became an independent state, with help of the United Nations, and it was allowed to compete on the Olympic circuit (Commonwealth Games - African Games - Olympics). For the past two decades, it has had a handful of famous athletes in the African continent: Lucktz Swartbooi (track & field/marathon), Monica Dahl (swimming/ 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, and 100m butterfly), Friedhlem Sack (one of Africa's top shooters), Joseph Jermia (one of the Continent's top boxers), and Agnes Samaria(athletics/800m/ one of the best runners of Africa).

Swakopmund

Did you know- Swakopmund, the nation's second largest city, has some of the best-preserved colonial buildings on the African continent.

International Organizations

Did you know- The Sub-Saharan African state, a predominantly black country, was admitted to the United Nations (UN) and the Commonwealth of Nations in 1990. It also is member of the Organization of African Unity (OUA).

Etosha National Park

Did you know- This English-speaking republic is home to the Etosha National Park, one of the most famous national parks on the Planet. Due to its abundant and unique wildlife, its geography and spectacular landscapes, it has been visited by numerous naturalists, travel writers and wildlife photographers. This nature refuge is one of the largest national parks in Southern Africa.

Miss Universe in Namibia

Did you know- In mid-1994, Windhoek, Namibia's capital, was elected as host city for the 1995 Miss Universe Pageant. Over 80 countries and territories participated in Namibia'95. The telecast, backed up by Head of State Sam Nujoma, served as a springboard to attract more foreign visitors and investors. The event was televised in America and other 60 nations. For the first time in MU history, Africa hosted the global event.

Rossing

Did you know- In the 20th century, the Rossing Uranium Mine -located in the heart of Namibia -- was the world's largest uranium mine.

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: Freelance writer. Alejandro is author of a host of articles/essays about over 220 countries and dependencies (and American States as well), from ecology, history, tourism and national heroes to Olympic sports, foreign relations, and wildlife. In addition, he has published some books on women's rights, among them "History of the Women in America" and "Famous Americans".

Learn Thai Quick and Easy

If you happen to know somebody who's Thai or have been to Bangkok, Thailand, you must have heard of this tonal language. Most of the time people think this language is some version of Chinese. The only thing that makes you think it is Thai is that you are in Thailand. You are not that far from the truth indeed as the Thai language originated from the Kradai language, which is said to have originated from what is now Southern China. It is also mutually intelligible with the Lao language.

The Thai language, being the official language of Thailand, is spoken by about 65 million people. Some of these include those that speak the dialects of Khorat Thai and Bangkok Thai. Although most of the Thai people can speak good English and you can survive in the country using the English language, the Thai people would like you more if you could converse with them in their own tongue.

Thailand is also a great place to shop. If that is your main reason for going to Thailand, you will surely end up getting good bargains when you know how to haggle using the Thai language. Here are some tips on the right way to learn the language:

It is best if you expose yourself much to this language. Since it is tonal it means you can learn one word and use it with different pronunciations to mean different things. The language has five tones such as the mid tone, high tone, the rising tone, the low tone, and the falling tone. It may be hard for an outsider who is learning the language but Thai people are also good in discerning the language through context. Unlike in some languages whose native speakers are intolerant of those who are learning their national language as the second language, Thai people understand and give a lot of leeway for mistakes for foreign learners of the language.

When you speak in the Thai language it is best that you do it with confidence than do it slowly and with hesitation. When you do it that way it will distort the tones, making it hard to understand the language. They say that you will know if you are making progress in your Thai language learning when a native speaker tells you that you speak Thai clearly, instead of saying you speak it well.

It would help a lot to learn the language if you listen to the sounds of it most of the time. Surely you can't be with a Thai or be in Thailand the whole length of time you are learning the language; the closest thing to it would be to listen to a Pimsleur Thai language learning audio on your iPod. Pimsleur's manner of language training is gradual and done through exercises that you can access on your portable device. So start learning the language even while you are caught in a rush hour traffic.

For those who thirst for the real thing, here is a concise Thai language learning audio course: Learn the Thai Language

When you happen to have a particular language course in mind, try searching for it here: foreign language learning

Patpong Bangkok Hotels - Where to Stay and When to Go

Patpong is located near the commercial hub district of Silom. Though only consisting of one main street Patpong is filled to the rafters with go-go bars, English pubs and small dance clubs. And in between these seedy establishments filled with scantily clad women gyrating their hips to techno beats on stages is the famous outdoor Patpong Night Market situated right on the street that is closed off to traffic starting at 5pm. There is an ongoing joke that in Patpong's Night Market you can find fakes and knock offs of Rolex, Coach leather goods, brand name clothes and woman. Yes even some of the woman there are fake and in Bangkok they are considered the minority third gender called simply Lady-boys.

To experience the best of Patpongs nightlife offerings it is best to stay in a hotel near or around the area of Soi Patpong. Now Patpong as I mentioned above is just a small street. It is sandwiched between Silom and Surawong which are major thoroughfares on the map so you can't miss it. Patpong is also close to Soi Thaniya or Japan Town (Another nightlife scene you should not miss.) that are lined with female hostesses attracting Japanese clientele. These areas are also where the best hotels are located in. Hotels such as the Montien, Silom Serene, Baan Heritage and the Tawana Ramada. Staying near these hotels is a good idea because they are very close to two of Bangkok's fastest mode of mass transportation, the BTS Skytrain and the MRT underground train system.

Traveling onthe BTS and MRT is a great way to avoid Bangkok's ridiculously congested traffic nightmare and cheap. It will take you to the major commercial shopping centers such as Siam Paragon and the Emporium as well as other nightlife hot-spots such as Nana Entertainment Complex and Soi Cowboy. Best of all, the MRT and BTS are ice cold air conditioned and believe me you'll appreciate it. 

As far as when to go I would suggest between the months of October to early April which are the cooler months thus the high season. The rates for hotels are higher but rather still affordable because of the advantages of the Western currency exchange rate. You will also get a better deal in terms of room quality for the rate that you pay at a Western hotel. I notice the rates that I pay at a motel or hotel in the United States, I can book a 4 or 5 star hotel in Bangkok with free international buffet breakfast that includes an omelet station. I'm not kidding. The difference in hotel room quality and service is between night and day. But of course the same rule still applies here as well as anywhere else. The more you pay the better the qualities in room and service you get. So don't expect to pay $20 US dollars a night for a hotel with an Olympic sized pool and a decent gym. Though you still might get a pretty decent free breakfast. 

No matter which hotel you choose I suggest you check out the reviews first. Many hotel reservation companies have customers who give updated information and reviews about the hotels they've recently stayed in. Don't rely on the hotel reviews that you see on guidebooks because the information will be outdated at the time of print. Bangkok hotels go through frequent renovations so an updated review can give you an advanced warning. My last final advice is relax and enjoy your trip to Thailand.

Edwin M. Clark is a business consultant who travels and sometimes lives in South East Asia specifically Thailand for over 8 years. His experience and knowledge in the region has provided valuable information and resources for business venturers and mid range to major corporations in the travel industry.

For more information on the hotels mentioned in this article that are located near the nightlife of Patpong visit Bangkok Hotel Reviews - Silom and Patpong Nightlife Areas

Guide to Bangkok for Tourists and Backpackers

A guide to Bangkok for tourists includes a variety of unique attractions to see, some of the best spas in the world with a large choice of treatments and massages, a choice of some of the world's best golf courses in this golfer's paradise, and has hotels that are desirable but have low prices for those visitors who are on a budget. The Thai hospitality is especially friendly, which makes your holiday a delight. Thousands of restaurants present a wonderful culinary experience, and you can also enjoy the local "street" food to see what the real Thai cuisine is actually like.

The free online Skyscanner can give you information and book you on a cheap flight from London to Bangkok. The peak season is November to March, but if you go in the off season (May, June, and September are the least crowded), you can get better prices on flights and accommodations.

Traveling around the city and area can be accomplished by using an underground system, the sky train along a monorail, fast and air conditioned buses, tuk, and the popular water taxis. Thailand's trains are exceptional since they are on time, frequent, and comfortable.

The GRAND PALACE with its spectacular architecture was the home of kings since being built in 1782 and is still used by the current king, who holds ceremonies on the royal grounds. This Palace has the Emerald Buddha, the holiest and most revered of Thailand's images, which was carved from one piece of jade in the 14th century.

The TEMPLE OF THE DAWN (WAT ARUN) is Bangkok's most photographed temple with its spire, which is 70 meters high and is decorated with Chinese porcelain and small pieces of colored glass.

The ANCIENT CITY is the largest outdoor museum in the world with 280 acres, is shaped into a map of Thailand, and has amazing replicas of famous monuments, temples, and buildings.

The NATIONAL MUSEUM is one of the largest museums in Southeast Asia and was originally a palace. Artifacts from all parts of the country are housed in these beautifully-colored buildings.

The VIMAMEK MANSION MUSEUM was a three-story mansion containing 81 rooms. It is the largest golden teak building in the world and features chambers with royal memorabilia.

Thailand also has some of the best internationally-rated cinemas in the world. Some of the lounges hold only 20 to 40 people who are pampered with complimentary snacks and beverages and who can relax in comfort in seats that recline and come with a blanket and pillow!

Take a boat ride through the FLOATING MARKETS and buy vegetables, fruits, meats, and sweets from the canoes on the water.

Shopping in Bangkok is very popular because you can haggle and get as much as 80% off their goods. This amount of discount is surprising because the goods are of high quality.

Go to PAKCHONG CREEK and take a 45-minute ride on an elephant's back with a caretaker in charge.

The KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK is a reserve with 153 species of exotic birds and wild animals.

This article has been written by Ross Fraser and discusses Bangkok and backpacking

Slices of Malaysian Life

My flight took off on-time from Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok aboard Air Asia on my journey to Penang, Malaysia.

This was a visa-run. I was leaving the Kingdom of Thailand to go to the Thai Consulate in Malaysia with a stack of paperwork in order to get my working papers.

The round-trip flight was 6,500 Baht and I exchanged an additional 4,000 Baht at TMB (Thai Military Bank) at the airport in order to save time when I arrived.

I did not take any luggage with me, just a heavy-mil plastic bag with the usual toiletries and a change of clothes, including shoes. I thought it amusing though, that the woman sitting two seats from me put the air sickness bag, snack attack in-flight menu, and flight safety information card in her bag as souvenirs, or as perhaps (in her mind) added compensation for her airfare.

I wasn't on a holiday, I was on a mission.

The plane landed at 9:50 am local time, and we were disembarking at 10 o'clock sharp.

No sooner did the plane land, I received 4 emails from the local cellular provider Maxis, offering me a deal. I ignored them since I knew my stay would be short.

If I were to stay longer, I would have purchased a local phone number and talk-time from one of the many vendors around the city.

Walking at a very brisk pace, I was the first to enter immigration, get cleared, pay 38 RM for a taxi to the Thai Consulate and off I went.

I arrived at 10:30 am and submitted the necessary forms. The work was done, now it was time to look-up a co-worker who arrived the previous day for the same task.

He was staying at the Continental Hotel in Georgetown (108 RM net per night) and recommended that I not stay there because of the loud music from a nearby club that doesn't let up until 2 am.

The taxi ride from the Thai Consulate to the Continental hotel in Georgetown was 12 RM.

I opted to stay at the Oriental, which is a hotel, just a couple of blocks from the Continental and one that I have stayed at before. A nice room was only 75 RM net.

It's been about three years since I've been to Pinang (the spelling that you see all over the city) and not only did I stay at the Oriental my last trip; I stayed in the same room (702).

My co-worker was on a tight schedule, since he didn't get much sleep the night before and opted to sleep until about 1 o'clock in the afternoon.

At a small café about halfway between our two hotels we sat and chatted over iced tea, but my eyes caught the eyes of two Japanese females having lunch. The glances between us continued.

My co-worker left at 1:30 to go to the Thai Consulate to pick up his non-immigrant business visa and I was left at the table, but not for long.

Known as not being shy, I got up and walked to the table with the "inviting eyes" and asked if I could join them.

After some awkward moments in language misunderstandings, we were joking and laughing about life, love, and work.

Ayaka is an office worker in Tokyo, 28 years old, and single. Her friend, the one with the great eyes, works in a restaurant in Tokyo, is 36 years old, and single. They both understood the expression "Christmas Cake" and we joked about it.

Go ahead, Google or Yahoo the term; "Christmas Cake Japan" and you'll learn that a Japanese girl who is not married by the age of 25 is referred to as "Christmas Cake" (an old maid) in traditional Japanese society.

Both of these girls could easily pass for being 22 to 25 years old. Amazing Asian beauty.

These girls weren't on a tour, they just needed to get away from the pace of Tokyo and were visiting friends in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but decided to take a couple of days and explore Pinang.

I was surprised to learn that, they were disappointed in how dirty Tokyo has gotten over the past few years and that neither one of them was able to find "a man" to marry. (Guys, if you're listening, Tokyo appears to be a target rich environment for mates)

Polite, attractive, and warm smiles were hard to leave, but I had some areas of the city that I wanted to investigate. After exchanging email information and taking photos with the girls, we parted ways.

I know I'll see them again, perhaps in Bangkok and if not in Bangkok, on my next trip to Tokyo. (Soon)

Curious to see the influences of the Western World on the east, I walked about a kilometer to a local (and probably thee) mall in town.

Starbucks is everywhere, but the A & W Root Beer stand was closed for good and the signage removed. I know it was an A & W Root Beer stand, because on my last trip, I sat with a guy from Romania and just talked while we each had three A & W root beer floats and waited for our visas to be processed.

Yes, I know that's a bit sick, but when each of us hadn't had one in about 20 years, they went down real easy. Was it excessive? Yes, but sometimes you have to follow your childhood palette.

This recent trip, I admit, and only to you; I ate at McDonald's. I was just in the mood for a cheeseburger.

What surprised me was that on the left side of this McDonald's on the second floor, which is really the third level, in the Prangin Mall, there was an ice cream stand.

Not just a counter, but a soft-serve machine, large counter and all the fixings for a stand-alone ice cream store. I thought it clever that you could order ice cream, McFlurry and the like at the regular counter, but there was a separate operation inside the McDonald's that just catered to the sweet-tooth in all of us.

The local military had a very intimidating display on the ground floor of the mall. There was a fully functional, triple load missile launcher, tripod, and computer guidance system for your viewing pleasure. There were no missiles, of course, but the sunglass-wearing, camouflage-dressed soldiers added that ready-for-combat flavor.

Also circulating the mall were stone-faced security guards with double-pump shotguns strapped to their backs... and yes, I felt quite safe in Malaysia.

Malaysia is mostly Muslim. The people are warm, friendly, many speak English well, and all seem to be trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. At sunrise and sunset, you'll hear the prayers being broadcast on the street.

One way to find out the thinking of a country is to visit its bookstores and music stores. I went to a store called POPULAR on the 4th floor of the mall (5th level) and immediately spotted a best seller.

The title is what really grabbed my attention; "How To Use The Internet To Earn US Dollars In Your Pajamas"

I glanced at the book, but just to show you how "the world" knows that Americans are consumers, on the back of this book it went on to state: "An Asian Internet Entrepreneur's Eye-Popping, Jaw-Dropping And Mind-Boggling Account On How You Can Make Lots Of Money From The Americans Without Ever Having To Leave Your Home Or Sell It In The Process!"

Are Americans (and I really think they mean U.S. Citizens) really viewed as the "Kings and Queens of Consumption" by the rest of the world, or at least the Asian world?

I'll leave the answer to you, but when I saw that book a light bulb went off in my head. What are they (Americans) willing to buy next?

One of the more comical moments was when I entered the elevator of my hotel with four young Chinese men and I asked, "So, which floor is the poker game on?"

They all chuckled and the leader of the group told me this truism as he put it; He said, "When two or more China-men get together it's perceived as one of two things, either it's a secret society or they're gambling."

His words, not mine and there's a very large population of Chinese in Malaysia. All-in-all, it's a very pleasant country, which brings me to another tale.

In the evening and on every trip, I thumb through the yellow pages of the city that I am in, looking for ideas for businesses, or products and services that are not available.

This tidbit has two sides to it; one side is what the traveler sees and the other side is what the traveler doesn't see.

I looked under the headings of massage, massage parlors, escort services, go-go bars, and men's clubs and came up empty.

Yes, there are lots of bars, pubs, and clubs to go drink, dance, and carouse, but no blatant display of adult entertainment.

You have to understand, I live, work, and play in Bangkok where just about everything is available 24 hours a day. All of the vices may not be legal, but most are available.

Male tourism was up more than 15 percent in 2007. Despite the tourism authority's efforts to promote the country to women, the number of female visitors to Thailand declined by more than 10 percent last year.

Now, the other side of the story, which comes from one of my taxi drivers in Pinang. We'll leave his name out in order to tell you truthfully what he told me.

Following an exchange of pleasantries on our way to the Thai Consulate, we were headed toward the airport and my departure flight.

(The only luggage I had on my return flight was a #10 envelope with some papers, money, and my passport. I left everything else in my hotel room for the housekeeping people to keep or find a home for. So, the next time that you're in Pinang, Malaysia and you see a guy with red letters on his left sleeve cuff that spell "LAZZ", it's my old shirt and the pink-stained Converse Chuck Taylor's will be easy to spot too.)

The driver is married with four children. I'm divorced with no children. He told me that, "You are lucky, you buy the milk and do not have to support the cow and deal with the problems of such an obligation."

I clearly understood the meaning of his message and told him that there were great benefits to being a man with a family. I also mentioned my fingers doing the walking in the yellow pages the night before and discovering very little to discover.

He chuckled and said, "All taxi drivers know where to go for fun. I am married, but sometimes I need fun and it is available, but not like Bangkok."

Since I have no intention of buying a cow anytime soon, I'll keep the taxi driver's wisdom with me for future reference, just in case I get tempted.

Malaysia is a wonderful country with many fine hotels, restaurants, beaches, and interesting and polite people.

My total trip cost me 12,000 Baht, which translates to approximately $386.

I probably would have spent more if I went out partying, but remember, I live in Bangkok where every day is a party and every weekend is a holiday vacation.

The race track was closed, which was probably a good thing for me and I never got to check out the building that had big bold letters that read: "Moral Uplifting Society."

Despite the great weather, delicious food, and wonderful people in Pinang, Malaysia; Bangkok, Thailand will remain my home for now.

Lazz Laszlo is a former Investment Executive and Radio & Television Financial Reporter with many entrepreneurial endeavors to his credit. He spends his time as an emcee, public speaker, enjoying life and writing about business, travel, retirement, strategy, and pleasure. To learn more, please visit Lazz's website; [http://www.925-wage-slave-alternatives.com]

Sukhumvit Soi 22

Sukhumvit Soi 22 is one among many Sois that run off the famous Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok, Thailand. It is between Benjasiri Park and Soi 20. Soi 22 is well known and frequented by foreigners. One of the reasons is that it has one of the great Bangkok landmark hotels; Queen Park Hotel. This is a massive building with two towers which were built years apart. The lobby of the hotel is gigantic and trimmed with Thai timber and design. There are massive chandeliers in the lobby. Nine floors up there is a gym and a large swimming pool which gives has a great view of Sukhumvit and Bangkok. This building represents everything that a fine hotel should be, and it is worth going there, even if just to have coffee.

Deeper into the Soi (further away from BTS Skytrain and Sukhumvit Road) is the Park Avenue Hotel which has a middle-to-upper price range. Out front there are an Italian and an Indian Restaurant on each side of the large car park.

Admiral Suites is deeper into the Soi on the same side of the road as Park Avenue. It has well-appointed studio, one bedroom, and other suites which are available on daily rate or longer period if that is required.

At the front of the Admiral Suites complex is the Green Parrot Cafe which is a favourite with tourists in the Soi because it has internet wifi. At most times of the day there will be people in the Green Parrot with their notebooks and netbooks tapping away at their keyboards.

About 30 metres deeper into the Soi is the New Cowboy Bar and Restaurant which was set up, apparently, by the same American Cowboy who set up Soi Cowboy (a fmaous sub-Soi between Soi 23 and Soi Asoke). It is full of memorabilia collected over many years and appeals particularly to visitors from the USA. The food is excellent too.

Much closer to Sukhumvit Road are two famous bar areas called Washington Square and Queen Plaza. Both have well-known Thai bars which have been operating for many years in some cases. Washington Square has the famous Bourbon Street which puts on big feasts for both Christmas Day and for America's Thanksgiving celebrations. The bars in these two places offer all that you might be looking for.

There is an internet cafe which charges 60 baht per hour to foreigners and girls that work in bars at the entrance to Washington Square. However, in a small sub-Soi not far away the rate is only 20 baht per hour, but this tends to be frequented only by Thais.

Washington Square itself is a vast tar-sealed area between Benjasiri Park and Soi 22. It has clusters of buildings on its periphery as well as a large building in its centre which has bars. On its Sukhumvit Road side a very large bar. Cutting through Washington Square is a faster way to get to The Emporium shopping complexes.

One of the famous bars on Soi 22 is the Titanium Club which has an Ice Room where you can have a Vodka or two in very cold temperatures. It is a popular venue for the young and trendy and always seems to have something going on.

All down the half of Soi 22 closest to Sukhumvit Road are massage places, such as May Massage which has the enormous feet over the entrance. People can go for any type of massage they want. The massages are really good and reasonably cheap but it is a good idea to leave a tip as well. Sometimes the massage places have big windows where you can see the interior of the massage facility and the people getting massages in big reclining chairs.

Sukhumvit Soi 22 really has something for everyone whether they are looking for a restaurant, accommodation, massage, or a bar. If you are in Bangkok or in Sukhumvit, Soi 22 it is worth a visit and remember it is quite a long way from Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy so it is much more family friendly than the lower numbered Sois.

Michael Edgerston lives in Thailand and writes on Thailand related subjects. He blogs about Sukhumvit and Thailand at Sukhumvit Blog.