The Best Of Thailand | Travel in Thailand with Ashley

The Phra Buddha Chinnarat image is one of the top venered Buddha images in Thailand. It is quite old - about 800 years and it is housed in Wat Mahatat which dates back to the 12th century.
To even find yourself on the temple-grounds is an overwhelming experience - especially so at time of sunrise or sunset when the gold-tiles on the roof and the gold on the Ayutthayan-style prang literally beams and glows in bright yellow!

Upon entering the building where the Buddha image is housed, you will be stunned by the incredible beauty of the real, original Buddha Chinnarat. I have seen the exact copy of this image in the "Marble Temple" in Bangkok and the effect the original image has on the viewer/visitor is amazing.

The temple interior is quite dark with no windows - however, the energy and glow from the Buddha image is so strong that you will feel like you are "bathed" in "divine light"....incredible.

I also recommend visiting the nearby Buddha image foundry (free - no admission) where one can see the age-old process of the "lost-wax" casting of Buddha images.

Welcome to The Dome at lebua

Located on the 63rd floor of The Dome at lebua, Sirocco is the world's highest al fresco restaurant and one of Bangkok's most coveted dining choices. It never fails to leave one mesmerized with a breathtaking view of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya river, an amazing Skybar and quality Mediterranean fare with ingredients from the world's best markets. Live jazz music featuring vocalists of international repute, adds to its captivating ambiance for a perfect evening.
Mezzaluna is our signature restaurant serving Modern Innovative Cuisine and panoramic views from its location 65 stories above Bangkok. Our chefs offer a thoughtfully choreographed culinary experience in two formats: an elaborate six-course chef's tasting menu with optional wine pairings is also complimented by an exquisite three-course menu. Using freshness as our foundation, we redesign our seasonally-inspired menu on a daily basis using ingredients imported from fifteen countries around the world.
Breeze was designed to revolutionize the Asian dining scene in Bangkok, taking it to a gourmet level. At Breeze, the open air restaurant on 52nd floor, it's not just the Asian cuisine that embraces the pinnacle of grandeur, but also the design, ambience and service. Seating is high above the sea level. The view is a bird's eye glimpse of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya river that you can choose to admire from an open-air terrace or a spectacular glass sky-bridge suspended mid-air.
Every aspect of Distil reflects purity in its most elementary form. A choice of the most premium and authentic malt whiskies, vodkas and Cognacs are offered here. A unique feature of the restaurant is the Oyster Bar. Fine de Claire Oysters, Iranian Caviar and fresh sushi and sashimi present a delightful selection, along with the finest champagnes and wines from a walk-in wine cellar. Hand-rolled authentic Cuban Cigars are yours to enjoy together with drinks in the adjoining open-air Cigar Terrace. Enjoy the company of the cool set at this hottest chill out spot in Bangkok.

 

Sharing a wonderful celebration with friends and family at Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa where you can completely sit back and relax in stylish five star comforts, leaving all the hard work up to our master chefs and superb festive entertainers.

Christmas Eve 24 December Riverside Terrace  Manohra Cruises  Benihana Brio Trader Vic’s  THB 2,299++ per person  THB 2,599++ per person THB 3,999++ per person Special Christmas menu Special Christmas menu          New Year’s Eve 31 December Brio  Benihana  Trader Vic’s Riverside Terrace Manohra Cruises  THB 2,999++ per person  THB 3,999++ per person THB 4,999++ per person THB 5,999++ per person THB 6,999++ per person             Christmas Day 25 December The Market Brunch  Trader Vic’s Brunch  Riverside Terrace Dinner THB 1,199++ per person  THB 2,499++ per person THB 1,599++ per person         New Year’s Day 1 January Trader Vic’s Brunch THB 2,499++ per person

Prices are subject to 10% service charge and applicable government tax. Marriott Gold card members are entitled to a 15% discount on food only. Call +66 (0) 2476 0022 Ext. 1416 or email  for enquiries and reservations.

 

As the tourism business in  Thailand slowly but surely begines to float again, it is time we take stock of the events of the last two months.

This year it is the floods; in 2010 it was the Red Shirts; 2009 it was also the Red Shirts;  in 2008 it was the airport closure by the Yellow Shirts; 2006 it was the Tsunami. I could go back even further and keep coming up with events but I think that the point has been made...it would appear that every year almost Thailand is hit by a man made or a natural crisis which insurance policy documents describe as "Acts of God." 

Well, don't you think that it is about time that we accept the reality that business in Thailand is not year round any more but we need to take two months out of the budgets as enforced vacation for "Thailand's annual crisis." This would take a lot of stress off the top management and owners of tourism related businesses who can then look to moonlight in other fields or countries depending upon their opportunities and inclinations. 

The thing about "Thailand's annual crisis" is that the tourists are not put off by this any more.   Along with how most tourists check weather, hotel availability, they just check whether the malls and nightspots are open or  closed and if open, they hop onto a flight for Bangkok.  The business therefore rebounds very fast...so fast that some agents are almost caught in the riptide and mistakenly ask for low prices when hotel room availability is the issue. 

I know business owners might scoff at the idea but then this kind of exercise might also help them to turn the tide against Thailand. What do you think ?

8 villas. Size: 50 sq. meters (539 sq. ft.) indoors; 365 sq. meters (3929 sq. ft.) outdoors.

Villa located at the sea front with spacious sundeck, Jacuzzi, spacious beds (2 meters x 2 meters), walk-in wardrobe, rainforest showers, outdoor bath facilities and veranda with beds.

 

12 villas. Size: 106 sq. meters (1141 sq. ft.) indoors; 246 sq. meters (2648 sq. ft.) outdoors.

Elegant and spacious Morocan style villa with tropical garden view, spacious beds (2 meters x 4 meters), walk-in wardrobe with wash basins, rainforest showers, indoor bath facilities, private plunge pool, garden and veranda with lounge beds.

Each villa’s layout varies slightly.

Here is a photo tour of The Ocean Pavilion at the Ritz Carlton Reserve Phulay Bay

Pavilion with sundeck overlooking the sea, spacious beds (2 meters x 4 meters), walk-in wardrobe with wash basins; rainforest showers; indoor orchid-shaped bath surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass window and/or intimate outdoor bath and veranda with lounge bed.

Media Coverage of the Thai Floods: Here We Go Again

22 Nov, 2011

via

An interesting look into the media coverage of the Thai floods.

Krabi's Ao Nang Beach offers you a bustling family wholesome nightlife scene

Busy shopping area

Family taking a stroll at Krabi's Ao Nang Beach

Lady preparing Roti

Restaurant using flambe to attract customers

A Deli

Krabi too has a walking street but it is not anything like Pattaya's Walking street

Krabi has a pub scene of retro 60"s pubs

Krabi's pub scene at Ao Nang beach

A local band belts out English hits at Krabi Ao Nang's Walking street

Amari Vogue Resort Krabi gives you the familiarity of an Amari product in a Krabi setting

This is a 4 star resort of 57 rooms with a standard Amari feel.  The resort is kind of compact...this sign you see above announcing the resort and the lobby are next to each other.  

The lobby is like a Thai sala with a viewing platform. The resort is U shaped with the 2 ends of the U set quite close together. 

The rooms make use of a lot of wood giving it a warm feel. 

Wooden floors complete the warm feel

Bathrooms are large and brightly lit

Balconies have an inset sofa which is a nice feature that I saw at the Anantara Bophut Samui earlier

View from the Amari balcony

All in all, the Amari is located right at the end of Tub Kaek beach which is a good distance from the action on Ao Nang beach (approximately 10 kms). So if you are looking for some peace and quiet away from the madding crowds, the Amari Vogue resort is a good place to chill. 

Sunsets have always fascinated me. From the time the sun begins to dip and if you have an absence of cloud cover, the entire landscape begins to take on a surreal hue. Here is one of the most romantic Krabi sunsets I had the fortune to capture through the lens of my Nikon.