5 Things To Do in Tamot Phatthalung Thailand

Tamot Phatthalung is one of the 11 districts in Phattalung province in the South of Thailand. Tamot is landlocked by districts like Kong Ra, Khao Chaison, Bang Kaeo, Pa Bon, and Palian (Trang Province). It is one of the up-and-coming tourist destinations in Phatthalung; and the best place to experience nature at its finest. It’s homestay program is also what makes Tamot unique.

Read for more things to do in Tamot Phatthalung Thailand

Water Rafting: Water rafting is one of the staples of activity you can do in Phattalung. I know it sounds daunting or scary especially for those who have not experienced it before but it really is not. The water rafting in Tamod Phattalung is actually beginner friendly. There are not a lot of rapids to be worried about so there is so much time for beginners to get used to the paddling before you encounter some of the mini rapids. Yes… mini rapids. The rapids are actually not that intense. Beginners and folks with kids will actually find it fun. But for those who are thrill seekers you might find it kinda dull. The water rafting here in Tamod can be good for groups looking for a team building activity, families on vacation, or tourists just looking to experience and bond with mother nature.

Train Canoe Ride: Getting pulled by a long tail boat while seated on a canoe along with your friends and given a tour around the dam is a different kind of experience. This is one of the interesting activities you’d find in Tamod. The water in the dam is so calm and the place is so quiet. This is also the place where dragon boat rowing teams come to practice.

train canoe ride at Tamot Phatthalung Thailans

The Sea of Mist: The sea of mist is a tricky one. If you really want to see it in its full glory you have to sacrifice waking up very early. There’s only a short window of time in the morning where you can see the clouds at its thickest. It also involves a bit of walking as cars and other 4 wheeled vehicles are not advised to go up the hill. If you are lucky enough to borrow a motorcycle then you could save yourself the hassle of hiking. But driving a motorcycle up there is quite dangerous as the slope is quite steep and there’s a lot of loose gravel.

There are quite a few viewpoints scattered around Tamot, and Kwantakhum view point is one of them. We particular visited this as it was nearest our next destination.

sea of mist view point Tamot Phatthalung Thailand
Khwantakhum View Point Tamot Phattalung

The Local Food: One local delicacy that you shouldn’t miss is Miang Kum (a leaf-wrapped bite-size appetizer). Most Miang Kum/ Miang Kham use fresh betel leaves but in Tamod Phattalung they replace it with Lotus flower petals. I was amazed! Lotus flowers are literally omnipresent in the South and it’s a perfect subject for photography but little did I know that it can also be eaten. And it tastes as good as it looks.

A bunch of gracious local ladies prepared all these when we visited Khok Nong Na Model Rice Field. Just by looking at the ingredients you’d know the tremendous amount of preparation they had to put in. It was so very nice of them, and we were absolutely grateful.

To shed light about Khok Nong Na Model builds sustainability and its importance in the economy of Thailand click the link.

Watch the video below to see it. For a complete recipe of Miang Kham check out “Miang Kham” Wild Betel Leaf Wrap เมี่ยงคำ.

Miang Kham Tamot Phatthalung
Miang Kham

Experience Homestay: If you’re visiting Tamot for a few days, you could stay in one of their homestays. One of our out-of-school activities was held in Tamot, teachers and students had to stay in the homes of locals who are participating in Tamot’s homestay program.

It was definitely an experience to remember. The people, as well as our hosts, were welcoming, gracious, and ready to help. It was the best way to experience their way of living.

For more information on Tamot’s homestay program visit their Facebook Page โฮมสเตย์ชุมชนตะโหมด พัทลุง

MORE on PHATTHALUNG HERE

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wat rong khun or the white temple of chiang rai thailand

White Temple: Wat Rong Khun Chiang Rai Thailand

The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) is Chiang Rai’s most iconic temple. This temple is on the top of “must visit places” list of tourists visiting Thailand. A holiday to Chiang Rai is not complete without a visit to this unusual temple. It is located 60 หมู่ที่ 1 Phahonyothin Rd, Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000.

Now is definitely the time to go. Thailand has lifted all travel restrictions related to COVID-19. And there are loads of air fare promos most notably from Thai Smile Airways.

Going into the area is free but entering the White Temple grounds is not. It’s quite a large place with several , equally interesting architectural designs. It also has some quite interesting activities to do within the temple if you are up to it. For people bringing their DSLRs or mirror less cams it would pay to bring your ultra wide lens along with your portrait lens as the structures are big and beautiful but there’s not much room to back up to if you have a narrow field of view.

For those who would like to try their luck on a wishing well this place has it. The wishing well that they have is quite challenging as you have to shoot the coin in an under water pot. Make sure you have extra coins with you and good luck.

Wishing Well

They also have steel sheets cut into small decorative shapes where you can write your plans or hopes and dreams and hang it on a wishing tree. The decorative metal sheets are not free (20 THB each) so just think of it as some sort of donation to the temple every time you buy one.

tree of wishes
wishing tree

As mentioned earlier entering the white temple grounds is not free. The white temple used to be enclosed by a fence but recently it was replaced with canal that separates its ground from the parking lot and adjacent infrastructures. At the gates you will be greeted by employees-in-charge and pay the entrance fee, 100 THB for foreigners and 50 THB for locals. All the other structures around the huge ground are all free of charge.

Photography and video taking are allowed only on the surrounding ground and on the bridge leading to the temple but these are not allowed inside the temple. Also, visitors are asked to take off their shoes before going inside the temple. If you wish to only take photos and videos of the magnificent architecture, you can and exit at the left side of the temple.

The white temple is one of Thailand’s iconic architectures, as it absolutely different from the rest of Thai temples. Its white color symbolizes the purity of Buddha, and its intricate details, elaborate embellishments, and gold trimming give the temple grace and elegance.

Wat Rong Khun or best known as the White Temple

The Golden Temple is a great new addition to the array of unique architecture in this place. It is located at the east wing of the area. By its name, the entire temple is painted in gold, and it houses various artworks, illustrations, and symbols.

the golden temple in chiang rai thailand
The Golden Temple

Have you been to the White Temple?

How was the experience?

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travel tips to Thailand

Travel Tips to Thailand

travel tips to Thailand

If you’re travelling to Thailand on a budget, these few tips might help.

Our family has been living in Thailand for the last 16 years and so we can say we are quite familiar with the do’s and don’ts of being a tourist here. And while traveling here is relatively safe, the most common headache a tourist/foreigner can encounter in this country is getting overcharged. I know there are some foreigners who don’t really mind shelling out some extra cash to make their hosts happy but for those who are on a budget, like us, can’t really afford to be that generous or extravagant.

  • Clinics: Getting sick or getting hurt on your vacation is the last thing in mind but it does happen and it’s during this time that we become vulnerable. If something like this ever happens always ask where the nearest public hospital is. Public hospitals here are good. They can be crowded but they are good. One of the biggest tourist traps in these areas are private clinics/hospitals. Clinics like these could charge you as much as 800-1000 USD for an overnight stay due to diarrhea.
  • Restaurants: I have seen many tourists resorting to eating at 7Elevens or the usual Western food chains like Mc Donald’s and KFC which will end up costing you a lot of money and missing out on the authentic Thai experience. Eating at local restaurants can save you a ton of your budget but the only thing is it’s a bit daunting. The communication barrier is a headache and most of the time their menus are all in Thai and you end up relying on faded photos on the menu when choosing your food.

Choosing a local restaurant is actually easy. Just go where the locals go. If you see an old looking rundown two story restaurant building with a lot of locals eating in it, that’s your best bet in that area. And as for ordering food, make sure that you have done your research beforehand and saved the photo and name of the food you’d like to have in your mobile device so you can just show it to the old lady taking your order. A meal can cost from a dollar and fifty to two dollars per person unless you order a dish ala carte which is usually good for two to three persons and will cost you more.

  • Dubious Deals/Cheap Deals: As the saying goes “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is”. Avoid deals that are questionable. There’s always a catch to it.  We’ve done some questionable/cheap deals over the years we have been here and we can accurately say we regretted every single one of those deals. A good example of such deals is our first ever island hopping trip in Krabi.  We opted for the cheapest private group trip after a long discussion with the hotel front desk. When she offered us the lowest rate trip it was as if she was kind of hesitant and as if she wanted to say something to us about it but we were kind of adamant of getting that trip since it was within our budget and it had the same amenities as the expensive ones. Welp… let’s just say saving a few thousand baht was not worth it. It felt like we came from the movie castaway with our rundown long tail boat. Our lunch was sticky rice with fried chicken but… it seemed to me more like a drumstick from a house bird. And our boat was not allowed to dock with the regular tour boats. We docked on the opposite side of the island and had to walk quite a distance to where the toilets and restaurants are so we could at least buy the kids some decent lunch and drinks.
  • Prices: Always ask for the price then confirm it again before you get on the tuk-tuk/motorbike taxi even if it makes you look annoying. For the taxi always ask them politely to turn on their meter. If they don’t and ask for a fixed price, it’s best to politely walk away from that deal.
  • Smile: In the land of smiles it really helps when you are smiling and friendly when dealing with the locals. In this part of the world a genuine smile really pays. The locals become more helpful when they are helping a smiling and friendly visitor. They would even go out of their way to walk you to your destination if it’s just within the area.

Other Reminders

  • Before booking a flight/hotel, please check Thailand Travel Restrictions.
  • To be aware of the latest happenings, Thaiger provides the latest news and information about Thailand.
  • For the latest news on CoviD-19 cases in Thailand, check out their official Facebook page @ไทยรู้สู้โควิด (https://www.facebook.com/thaimoph)

MORE HERE

Affordable Hotels

  • Sai Thong Resort (ทรายทอง รีสอร์ท)Trang
    On our way to Krabi we decided to have a stopover in TRANG. We immediately started thinking of an accommodation that would not break the […]
  • Green View Village Resort
    Green View Village Resort is located at 2RMM+R98, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000 (2RMM+R98 ตำบล อ่าวนาง อำเภอเมืองกระบี่ กระบี่ 81000). It is comfortably situated […]
  • 2021 Family Staycation Ao Nang Krabi Thailand
    After the twelve-month lockdown restrictions have been partially lifted, we got to take our annual family staycation. Although it was short, it’s a much welcome […]
  • Lanta Cottage Hotel
    Accommodation: Lanta Cottage Hotel It is located at Sala Dan, Koh Lanta District, Krabi 81150 Thailand. We had our first getaway here after the travel […]
  • Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang: Hotel Review
    Accommodation: Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang, a family and pet friendly modern hotel, is conveniently located at 725 Moo2 Ao-nang, Nopparat Road Muang Krabi, 81000 […]
  • Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel Review
    Accommodation: Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel Location: 10 Chaloemphrakiat Riad, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand. ☎ +66(0)76303888 Room We stayed at a family room with queen […]
  • United Residence Serviced Apartments Review
    Accommodation: United Residence Serviced Apartments Location: 414 Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Ekamai 26), Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110 Telephone: 02 711 5010 United Residence Serviced Apartments Bangkok, […]
  • Longkang Chomdaw Resort Review: Hotel By The River
    Accommodation: Longkang Chomdaw Resort at Phattalung Thailand @61/1 Moo 1, Lankoi Phatthalung 93210 This short video clip gives you a glimpse of the resort’s room, […]
  • Update: We went back to Rimlay Park Resort
    Our summer getaway in Ao Nang Krabi, where we went island hopping and stayed at Aonang Regent Hotel, was apparently not enough especially for the […]

Cheap to Free Admission Tourist Destinations

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sai thong resort

Sai Thong Resort (ทรายทอง รีสอร์ท)Trang

On our way to Krabi we decided to have a stopover in TRANG. We immediately started thinking of an accommodation that would not break the bank as we already have booked a nice resort in Krabi, Green View Village Resort. While we were discussing the plans for the day we remembered a resort our university booked us in during our annual university sports meet held in Trang a few years back.  Sai Thong Resort is located at 8WJ+64H, Mai Fat, Sikao District, Trang 92150.

Sai Thong Resort (ทรายทอง รีสอร์ท) was a good experience the first time we stayed so we decided to spend our stopover night there.  We walked in and booked for a night. The family room that we got costs 800Thb (23.8USD) per night. We opted for the cheapest family room thinking that it’s only for a night. Not really the best decision. ^_^

Room

The cheapest room is part of a quadruplex bungalow, one of the older structures the resort has. Inside the room is like a time machine that brings you back to the late 90s to early 2000s with the dated items you can find inside. A picture tube TV attached to a TV Box, old switches and electrical outlets, a vintage shower head, and the room itself is showing its years. The good thing is that they retrofitted an Air conditioner which seems to have been added recently. With all that being said, for us, as long as it works we don’t really mind. ^_^

Bathroom

The bathroom was clean. Old but clean. The bowl and sink are either new or just well-maintained. As for the shower set, the bidet, the mirror and the rack beneath it have seen better years.

Amenities/Complimentary 

We had at least 3 water bottles when we got in the room and presumably will be replenished daily.   A roll of toilet paper and a bottle of body shampoo. There’s a mini ref to store your drinks and food.

Wifi:  The room has free WiFi, but connecting our mobile phones was a struggle. Two out of four phones could connect and get decent feed. The moment a third and fourth phone logs in the feed starts to lag. This is something the management needs to look into. At this day and age we all know that having a good wifi signal is akin to having air to breathe. ^_^

Swimming Pool

This resort does not have a pool but is very very near Pak Meng beach. We also did not mind this aspect since it’s only a stopover for a night. ^_^

Food

They did not offer breakfast during our stay but we clearly remember a buffet breakfast was available during our first stay. I think they only offer breakfast to big group deals or something like that. But it does not matter though since it is surrounded with restaurants with affordable prices and with actually good food. ^_^

Recommendation

Do we recommend Sai Thong Resort??? ABSOLUTELY!!! You have options to either save money or be comfortable in your stay.  We opted to save money and we got what we paid for but they do have better rooms for a higher price. This resort is not only near Pak Meng Beach and restaurants… it is also near Rajamangala Trang Aquarium, an affordable place where you can have a bit of an educational fun with the kids. It’s a very convenient resort to be in with your family. A good place for a short getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Affordable Family-Friendly Hotel/Resort

  • Sai Thong Resort (ทรายทอง รีสอร์ท)Trang
    On our way to Krabi we decided to have a stopover in TRANG. We immediately started thinking of an accommodation that would not break the […]
  • Green View Village Resort
    Green View Village Resort is located at 2RMM+R98, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000 (2RMM+R98 ตำบล อ่าวนาง อำเภอเมืองกระบี่ กระบี่ 81000). It is comfortably situated […]
  • 2021 Family Staycation Ao Nang Krabi Thailand
    After the twelve-month lockdown restrictions have been partially lifted, we got to take our annual family staycation. Although it was short, it’s a much welcome […]
  • Lanta Cottage Hotel
    Accommodation: Lanta Cottage Hotel It is located at Sala Dan, Koh Lanta District, Krabi 81150 Thailand. We had our first getaway here after the travel […]
  • Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang: Hotel Review
    Accommodation: Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang, a family and pet friendly modern hotel, is conveniently located at 725 Moo2 Ao-nang, Nopparat Road Muang Krabi, 81000 […]
  • Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel Review
    Accommodation: Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel Location: 10 Chaloemphrakiat Riad, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand. ☎ +66(0)76303888 Room We stayed at a family room with queen […]

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Green View Village Resort

Green View Village Resort is located at 2RMM+R98, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000 (2RMM+R98 ตำบล อ่าวนาง อำเภอเมืองกระบี่ กระบี่ 81000).

It is comfortably situated at the heart of Ao Nang, surrounded by tropical trees and picturesque mountain cliffs. It is a pretty big resort with two main buildings and several bungalows spread around the resort. And true to its name, this place is surrounded by all sorts of greens. Although there are so many foliage, it doesn’t feel like there are scary animals or insects around.

We booked a family room for 3 nights to celebrate Songkran, Thailand’s water festival. The booking was made online through booking dot com just a few days prior. Having only a few days left before the holidays, I thought it’s going to cost us a lot, but to my surprise, we booked the room, a family room at that, for just 149 USD (5000 THB). Honestly speaking, I didn’t have so much expectation considering the price.

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Here’s our experience in Green View Village Resort

Hotel room

The family room is really large, high-ceiling, and clean. It’s got two large beds, which are not too soft nor too hard. They were comfortable. The room has two large sinks with a wall-sized mirror in front, maybe a powder area or wash area, it’s nice (watch the reel to see what I mean). It also has a balcony with a massive wooden table and benches. We had our brunch here, and despite the hot temperature, it was relaxing and refreshing with the trees around.

Bathroom

The bathroom was something I did not expect because all I really prayed for was a clean bathroom, however to our surprise, did we not only have a clean bathroom, we got TWO bathrooms! And each has two sets of showers, one attached to a heater (on the wall), and a rain shower attached to the ceiling.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Ajarn Mitch (@mitchryansblog)

Amenities/ Complimentary

It has the usual free bottled water, and toiletries . It also has free coffee and tea, which are replenished daily. Having coffee is how we start our day, so having free coffee is big for us. I’m saying this because we’ve been to a hotel on a similar price range and yet does not offer free coffee. Of course, the room has an electric kettle, a small fridge, drinking glass and coffee cups, closet with hangers, a hairdryer, and a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.

WiFi connection

The room has free WiFi, but connecting our mobile phones was a struggle. We managed to connect our laptop eventually. Although some guests might have their own internet connection on their mobile phones, others don’t. This is something the hotel management has to look into. In this day and age, it is necessary to have a reliable internet connection.

Swimming pool

Most often we book a hotel with a swimming pool. Our kids love swimming and hanging around the pool. Green View Village has TWO swimming pools. One has a great view of the mountain and a wide lounging area for sunbathers. There’s a swimming area for toddlers, and the adult area has a depth of 1. 20 to 1.70 meters. The water is clean and clear. The other pool is around 1.60 meters deep all through out. It’s rectangular shape makes it perfect for swimming laps. Since it’s situated in front of one of the buildings, it is shaded in most part of the day, totally perfect for those who want to swim but don’t want to get toasted by the sun. But keeping the water clear and clean is something the hotel has to improve on.

Food/ Restaurant

The hotel restaurant is spacious and high-ceilinged. What’s unique about this is that, it is decorated with ornamental plants and flowers of all sorts. Beautiful! The food is another surprising thing. We’ve had a bad experience regarding breakfast in one of the hotels in Ao Nang, since then we opt-out breakfast in our bookings. This time we had room service for brunch, honestly speaking it tasted way better than the takeout we had from one of the popular resto near Ao Nang beach. Plus the price is local rate and the serving size is good at just 60THB (roughly 1.80USD).

Do we recommend Green View Village Resort?

It’s a big YES for us!

From experience, we tend to go back to a place where we are familiar and at home with. Over the past years, we’ve stayed a couple of times at Rimlay Park Resort in 2017 and again in 2019 we went back to Rimlay Park Resort. Another resort we feel at home with and booked twice is Ibis Styles Ao Nang Krabi , in 2019 and we had our 2021 family staycation when the lockdown was lifted. This year although we really wanted to go back, we also thought of exploring other hotels. Luckily, we had a great deal with Green View Village Resort through Booking dot com.

Other Hotels in Krabi

  • Green View Village Resort
    Green View Village Resort is located at 2RMM+R98, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000 (2RMM+R98 ตำบล อ่าวนาง อำเภอเมืองกระบี่ กระบี่ 81000). It is comfortably situated […]
  • 2021 Family Staycation Ao Nang Krabi Thailand
    After the twelve-month lockdown restrictions have been partially lifted, we got to take our annual family staycation. Although it was short, it’s a much welcome […]
  • Lanta Cottage Hotel
    Accommodation: Lanta Cottage Hotel It is located at Sala Dan, Koh Lanta District, Krabi 81150 Thailand. We had our first getaway here after the travel […]
  • Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang: Hotel Review
    Accommodation: Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang, a family and pet friendly modern hotel, is conveniently located at 725 Moo2 Ao-nang, Nopparat Road Muang Krabi, 81000 […]
  • Aonang Regent Hotel, Krabi Thailand: Hotel Review
    Accommodation: Ao Nang Regent Hotel, Krabi Thailand is located at 262/24 Aonang soi 11 Leela Valley Moo. 2 Aonang Muang , , 81000 Ao Nang […]
  • Phutara Lanta Resort Koh Lanta Krabi
      Accomodation: Phutara Lanta Resort. The best family hotel we have gone to so far. Location: 693 Moo 2, Saladan,  Koh Lanta Krabi 81150 Thailand: […]

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koh nang kham grand canyon

Koh Nang Kham Grand Canyon (แกรนแคนยอน เกาะนางคำ)

Type in แกรนแคนยอน เกาะนางคำ on Google Maps for direction.

Plus code: 995V+QX Ko Nang Kham, Pak Phayun District, Phatthalung

We had loads of fun!

FEATURED WRITER

Naruebate Kaekpong

Writer

English Major

Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Songkhla Thailand

Koh Nang Kham Grand Canyon (แกรนด์แคนยอนเกาะนางคำ), also known as “Bodin” or “Napa” by the locals, is located in Bankohnangtong village, Kohnangkham sub-district, Pakpayun district, Phatthalung province. The Koh Nang Kham Grand Canyon is considered a new landmark of Phatthalung. The highlight of this place is a stunning stone cliff with unusual rock formations, set in a broad and tranquil field ideal for leisure.

Back in the day, this location was known as “Khuansaotong,” and it served as a reminder to navigators that they were going to arrive at Pak Payun. This mountain is rather tall, so the navigators can see it well from the lake. In fact, if you ascend to the highest peak, you will be able to take a glimpse of Songkhla Lake, which surrounds this island. You can also see the opposite villages, Ban Rakang and Ban Tahin, both of which are in Songkhla. Later, soil, rocks, and other minerals were quarried leaving these enormous, unusually shaped rock formations as we see it in the present. This location is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Koh Nang Kham. Locals and tourists alike frequently visit this place. Some come here alone, while some come with friends, or with their families. The majority of them come to snap photos, picnic, or go on a walk.

Aside from the amazing strange stone, there is also a steep incline that challenges the local resident bikers and cyclists from other villages or provinces to come here to ride bicycles. Furthermore, during the rainy season, the marsh at this place is filled with sparkly emerald water. This, together with the colorful rocks underneath, creates a very magnificent sight. Kids around the neighborhood come here to swim with their friends. Some people come with their picnic baskets and enjoy a meal or a drink, and others come to unwind and enjoy the moment.

Koh Nang Kham Grand Canyon is one of the most remarkable sights in Phatthalung because of its unusual rock formation, and with its lush greenies around it provides a pleasant ambiance that is ideal for recharging your lungs. Having gained popularity, it is frequented by visitors time and again. Now, Koh Nang Kham sub-district municipality intends to develop it more comfortably, and the villagers believe that Koh Nang Kham Grand Canyon will serve as a landmark of their community and make other people more familiar with Koh Nang Kham in the future.

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towers at Khuan Ron hills

Khuan Ron Hills (ควนหรนฮิลล์)

Khuan Ron Hills (ควนหรนฮิลล์) is located in Sathon, Na Thawee District, Songkhla. This is one of the newest places to go to for a day trip or for camping. In your map app, copy ควนหรนฮิลล์ for direction; typing the English translation is not recognized by google map as of now.

Day Trip

If you’re going there for a day trip, I strongly recommend arriving there really early in the morning. If possible before sunrise, this way, you’d be able to witness the sea of mist around the hills. Beyond this time, the mist would have dissipated as the temperature rises. Then, you’ll feast your eyes on the greeneries that surround the tower. It’s pretty scenic, though I saw a few brown patches on the hills, which I hope would be reforested as the occurrence of mist is heavily dependent on the number of trees around. The tower is quite high above the ground, and certainly not for people with acrophobia. On a lighter note though, the path is made of steel (not glass) with tiny gaps in between. So, the distance is not immediately apparent.

Camping

If you’d like to stay overnight this is certainly possible. Camping is allowed, and it has a designated place. You can park your car near the campsite. There are pitched tents to rent (450THB) or you could bring your own. If you’re uncomfortable with tents, you could rent out one of the tiniest and cutest hut straw bungalows for 500 THB (15USD) a night. It’s good for two people only. Restrooms/bathrooms are communal, and certainly not the hotel bathroom type.

Recently as of the writing of this blog, camping is discontinued. The management had closed down the camping site in favor of developing the area and building a hotel.

Important notes

  • Entrance fee 20THB per person
  • Parking fee 20THB
  • Bring proof that you’ve been vaccinated (hardcopy or digital)

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stainless steel temple

Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol: Stainless Steel Temple

Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol is located up on a hill (Khao Kho Hong) behind Prince of Songkhla University in Hatyai City, Thailand. A chartered/private vehicle is the best way to come here. The already paved winding road is narrow, and traffic going up would have to yield to cars moving down.

I found this pagoda really fascinating. Hanging around are metals that chime as the wind breezes around. Together with the natural sound of the forest around, the overall ambience is that of calm and tranquility. Totally peaceful! A great place for meditation.

Here’s a short clip of Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol. Watch this before you go to have an idea of what’s in store.

Phra Maha Chedi Tripob Trimongkol

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snorkeling in ao nang krabi

Snorkeling in Ao Nang Krabi: Reminiscing it this CoVid-19 Pandemic

It was 2019 just a few months before the news of CoViD-19 broke when we and our families from the Philippines visited Ao Nang Krabi. One of the activities we had in mind was to go island hopping in a longtail boat in the morning, and snorkel in the afternoon.

And so we did.

We booked a day-long island hopping trip at one of the shops outside of Ao Nang Regent Hotel, the hotel where we stayed in. For 13 people, the longtail boat rent cost us 173USD. With this amount came a lunch set with fruits and bottled water, and snorkeling gears. Renting a long tail boat or a speed boat is the best way to go Island hopping if there are more than 10 people in your party. This way, you’ll have the entire boat to yourself and you can be yourself without having to worry about disturbing or offending other people, well, especially if you have children with you.

Our snorkeling experience was totally great. The children enjoyed it so much that they want to go back. Unfortunately, two years after this awesome experience the world was immobilized by the CoViD-19 pandemic.

Now (late 2021), Ao Nang and the whole of Thailand is starting to open its border. We had the chance to go and have our annual family staycation at Ao Nang. Although many shops and hotels were open, several have been hit economically hard by the pandemic. Ao Nang beach as well as Nopparat beach were quite, so quite. There weren’t many tourists, and there were little to none island hopping and snorkeling trips.

To have an idea how lonely and quite Ao Nang Beach and Nopparat Beach in 2021, watch this short clip.

Have you ever been to Ao Nang Krabi? If you have already, how did you find your visit then? Are you considering of coming back anytime soon? Tell us on the comment section.

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swimming pool at Phutara lanta resort

Phutara Lanta Resort Koh Lanta Krabi

We stayed in one of the Two-Bedroom Luxury Poolside Suites on the second floor of a two-storey  duplex building.

children looking at fishes in a big aquarium

Kids Fed the Fishes in Aquaria Phuket: Exploring the Largest Aquarium in Thailand

Aside from island hopping, this could be a great destination, especially for families or a group of friends. Aquaria Phuket is divided into four distinct zones, namely Station Aquarius, South China Sea, Coastal Heaven, and Mystic Forest.

Koh yai grand canyon park swimming pool

Koh Yai Grand Canyon Park: Krasaesin Songkhla Thailand

Koh Yai Grand Canyon Park is another great place to create memories with family and friends. It’s a refreshing recreational place amidst the greens of Krasaesin District Songkhla.

Two girls playing chairball

Chairball a Popular Game in Thailand

For someone who’s into basketball and maybe a bit of football, chairball sounds, well, odd and different. It’s different from chairbasketball and certainly not Tchoukball.

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Koh yai grand canyon park swimming pool

Koh Yai Grand Canyon Park: Krasaesin Songkhla Thailand

Koh Yai Grand Canyon Park is another great place to create memories with family and friends. It’s a refreshing recreational place amidst the greens of Krasaesin District Songkhla. It is quite and peaceful. From Songkhla City, Koh Yai Grand Canyon is an hour and twenty minute drive by private car. In your GPS or Google map just type in the name Koh Yai Grand Canyon or เกาะใหญ่แกรนด์แคนยอน, you’ll have no problem locating it.

We visited the park two years into the CoViD-19 pandemic. There were only a few visitors, and it seems like we had the whole place to ourselves. By the way admission is free! You get to enjoy nature at no cost at all.

Accommodation

The park has accommodations for guests who wish to stay overnight. It is quite big, and perfect for families and group of friends. There aren’t many of them, though we observed that constructions are still going on. So by the time when the world is totally free to move around, Koh Yai Grand Canyon Park would be more than ready to accommodate us.

Recreational Activities

Paddle Boat. One of the prominent feature of the park is its huge pond. So it’s but right to have paddle boating here, and feed the fish as you pedal the boat around. We wanted to do this but it seemed like they haven’t opened this to comply with the government’s CoViD 19 protocols.

Outdoor pool. Kids and adults alike could enjoy a good late afternoon lounging in their outdoor swimming pool. It’s not big though, but it has a medium size swimming pool slide that would surely draw attention. Our kids were thrilled but unfortunately due to social distancing they weren’t able to swim. There were group of friends who were already there when we arrived. One useful tip on travelling during the CoVid-19 pandemic is to keep our distance. Instead, we head on to the park’s restaurant and had a late lunch.

Restaurant

The park’s two-storey restaurant has got both airconditioned and al fresco options. It also has lounging structures made of woven ropes, and these literally are the only ones holding you from falling down into the pond. Honestly, it’s quite exciting but surely not for people with acrophobia.

If you’d like to know how Koh Yai Grand Canyon looks now, and if you’d like to have an idea of what it is for future travel, have a glimpse of it through our experience in this short clip.

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ibis styles ao nang krabi hotel for family staycation

Krabi

Many businesses have closed down over these years, and we’re just glad Ibis Styles Ao Nang Krabi is still open. We’re the type of customers who prefer something that we already know, and are comfortable with for our 2021 family staycation.

Asian Cultural Village Sadao Thailand

Songkhla

The Asian Cultural Village is a theme park that consists of 5 different parks namely- Dinosaur park, Farm Animals, Rabbit Garden, Futuristic Park, and the Water Fun park

Chiang Rai

Zipline for the first time, and it is the most exhilarating outdoor activity we have done to date. That moment you realize “HOLY MOLLY I’M HANGING HERE” and that there’s no going back.

hotel landscape

Phattalung Thailand

Longkang Chomdaw Resort is a hotel by the river. The bungalows along the river are the best.

Ao Nang Beach Krabi 2021

2021 Family Staycation Ao Nang Krabi Thailand

After the twelve-month lockdown restrictions have been partially lifted, we got to take our annual family staycation. Although it was short, it’s a much welcome interruption from the monotonous online work and classes. A 5-hour road trip was definitely a refreshing change of scenery from the four corners of our house to the natural beauty of Ao Nang Krabi. It’s also great to contribute to the eventual economic recovery of the country.

Let me say, it’s not as easy as before  because we have to be mindful of COVID-19 protocols like wearing of masks, sanitising our hands, and social distancing. We’re glad Ibis Styles Ao Nang Krabi is also taking these precautionary measures seriously, which is absolutely important.

The pandemic has taken a good two years of our lives, and has made havoc to the economy. Many businesses have closed down over these years, and we’re just glad Ibis Styles Ao Nang Krabi is still open. We’re the type of customers who prefer something that we already know, and are comfortable with.

In 2019, we came here for the first time, and was totally impressed. They’ve got the cleanest and clearest swimming pool we’ve ever gone to. The kids love to swim and play around the pool. If you’re planning of coming to Krabi and are trying to find a good place to stay that is easy on the budget here’s a detailed review of our experience at Ibis Styles Ao Nang Krabi.

We also visited Ao Nang Beach (a 2-minute ride from the hotel), and Nopparat Thara Beach (a 5-minute ride from the hotel). As usual the beaches here do not disappoint. They are still as gorgeous as before, in fact, the shores are cleaner.

What was so obvious though is that visitors have significantly dropped. There are lesser visitors than last year. Many of the hotels and commercial establishments have closed down including 7 11’s and Mc Donald’s. The Burger King place right in front of Ao Nang Beach has closed down. Luckily there’s another one, although smaller but it’s open. It’s near the police station right in front of the bus stop where monkey statues are.

To see how Ao Nang Krabi looks like these days, here’s a short video of our 2021 family staycation in Ao Nang Krabi.

From 0.00 to 2.03: A glimpse of Ibis Styles Ao Nang Krabi Hotel, where we stayed for the second time. From 2.04 to 5.30: A glimpse of Ao Nang Beach and Nopparat Thara Beach

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kids in the pool

Koh Lanta Krabi

Lanta Riviera Villa Resort as advertised online caught our attention as it was one of the cheapest family friendly resort. We booked through Booking.com.

disney-esque temple in Thailand

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai’s Disney-esque Temple: Wat Huay Sai Khao has a Disneyland and Saint Basil’s Cathedral vibes. When inside, the mixtures of so many different styles and sizes of multi-colored stupas and shrines towering around will give you a feeling of being in a totally different place. 

United Residence Serviced Apartments

Bangkok

United Residence Serviced Apartments has the usual amenities you’d find in other hotels but what sets this apartment apart from other below 100USD accommodations is the fully-functioning mini kitchen. 

mermaid statue at samila beach

Songkhla

Samila Beach is one of the two beaches in Songkhla Province in Thailand, the land of smile. It is famous to locals and tourists alike; one’s visit to Songkhla is never complete without stopping by Samila Beach.

unusual Thailand temple

Chiang Rai’s Disney-esque Temple: Wat Huay Sai Khao

Wat Huay Sai Khao, definitely one of the unusual temples of Chiang Rai, but less popular than its better-known counterparts The White Temple, Blue Temple, and Wat Huay Pla Kang. This was suggested to us by Garage hotel, where we stayed during our visit. It is 20 kilometers or so south of the White Temple. So on our way home, we stopped by and marvelled at how colorful and different it is.

It has a Disneyland and Saint Basil’s Cathedral vibes. When inside, the mixtures of so many different styles and sizes of multi-colored stupas and shrines towering around will give you a feeling of being in a totally different place. There are several viewing points which are publicly accessible. The above photo was taken on the second level of one of the shrines. And the one below was taken on the third level with a beautiful view of the temple structures and the lush green mountain from afar.

Wat Huay Sai Khao is at Highway 1 Phan District, and if you are coming from the south, this would be a great stop as it is on the west side of the road. This and The White temple would be a great morning itinerary. However if you missed this coming in, it would also be an awesome last stop on your way out of Chiang Rai.

Tell us on the comment if this something you would be interested in.

Hey Lovelies! For More of Budget Travel in Thailand check these out

kids in the pool

Lanta Cottage Hotel

Accommodation: Lanta Cottage Hotel

It is located at Sala Dan, Koh Lanta District, Krabi 81150 Thailand. We had our first getaway here after the travel ban was lifted. Businesses had just started to open, and the entire place felt like it had just woke up from a keep slumber. Going into Lanta Cottage, you’ll see untrimmed plants, dried leaves all over the place, padlocked sheds, and dusty receiving/canteen area.

Room

Nothing fancy about the room, it’s air conditioned and pretty spacious. There’s a mini kitchenette with sink. Plates and utensils are also provided. It’s a family room with one double bed and a bunk bed. Both are pretty hard on the back. But at least they’re not rickety. Please take a look at Lanta Cottage in the video at 4.25.

  • Other room amenities include a flat screen TV, a fridge, a wooden wardrobe, and towels.
  • Complimentaries are the usual coffee and tea, bottled water, and toiletries.

Bathroom

I’m personally not so fond of the bathroom. It is large but the design is not so well-thought of. The toilet is placed very near the wall that you won’t be able to sit well. The bidette spray is placed at the left side of the toilet cramped up in between the toilet and the wall. It’s just way too uncomfortable. It’s not so clean too.

WIFI Connection

Wifi connection is important these days more than ever. Due to the pandemic, several jobs have transitioned online. And we are one of them. However, to our great dismay, this hotel’s Wifi connection had been severed by the provider. We didn’t want to complain thinking it might be an aftermath of the lockdown.

The Pool

Pool is life for our children. They love to hang out by the pool, and have been trying to learn swimming. This hotel’s pool is one of its strength. Kid’s pool is 2.5ft deep, pretty safe even for toddlers. Adult’s pool is 4.5ft deep. Although, not so clean, but we’ve seen worst than it.

Breakfast

Lanta cottage has restaurant area, but didn’t offer breakfast during this time. So we ended up eating in a restaurant overlooking the Bamboo beach.

Parking Lot

There was no designated parking area. Cars can be parked on any vacant lot any where around the hotel area.

Clientele

Lanta Cottage may be preferred by families or group of friends who prefer to cook or bring their own food. And it could also be a nice choice those who opt for a budget-friendly accomodation.

Price

We booked Lanta Cottage for a little over 60USD, definitely cheap. If you don’t mind a few inconveniences here and there, then, it’s a good choice.

Although it wasn’t what I expected, we were just thankful to be out of the house and enjoy the outdoor. We hope Lanta Cottage can bounced back to its feet.

Hotels with Swimming Pool

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Ibis Styles Ao nang Krabi

Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang: Hotel Review

Accommodation: Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang, a family and pet friendly modern hotel, is conveniently located at 725 Moo2 Ao-nang, Nopparat Road Muang Krabi, 81000 Ao Nang Beach, Thailand (725 หมู่ 2 ถ.นพรัตน์ เมือง กระบี่ (หาดอ่าวนาง, 81000)– and can be reached at +66 75 626 388

This is our second after-covid-19 staycation and boy did we get the best bang for our buck!

Hotel room

          We stayed in a family room with a great view of the mountain and vegetation below (watch the video to see how lovely it is). Definitely not the largest room we’ve stayed in so far but it is well designed that it doesn’t feel cramped up. The double bed and bunk bed for our kids were soft and relaxing. We slept like a baby.

Below are photos of the hotel as of 2021 November

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ajarn Mitch (@mitchryansblog)

  • Amenities: It has the usual amenities like flat screen TV, fridge, air conditioner, towels, and hairdryer.
  • Additional amenities: Since it is a family room, it has an X-box console for the kiddos and kiddos-at-heart. Also, it has an intercom if you need assistance and whatnot.
  • Complimentaries include coffee and tea, bottled water, and toiletries.
  • Bathroom: I personally love it. It is dainty, functional, and squeaky clean. There wasn’t any cringy smudges and mildews. Towels are neatly folded on the towel rack. And the wall-mounted mirror adds charm to its entirety.

Overall, the room was lovely, comfortable, and smells great!

WIFI Connection

The hotel had a strong WIFI connection. It was very important during that time as there were things we need to care of online. The hotel did not fail us. No hiccups logging in. And we stayed connected everywhere we went around the hotel even in the pool area.

The Pool

One of the things we look for in booking a hotel is the swimming pool. We’re not great swimmers. But we love hanging out by the pool, especially that Derick and Summer have been self-learning how to swim. The pool in this hotel is the best we have ever been in so far. It’s big, super clean, and certainly well-maintained. The kid’s pool is 0.6 meters deep, safe for toddlers. Adult’s pool measures 1.4 meters deep all throughout, which we think is safer for young children, and those who are not good swimmers.

Derick and Summer had an awesome time, and eventually were able to learn to swim. Yehey!!!

Breakfast

We always opt out breakfast in our bookings. We had a bad experience with another hotel regarding this. However, “The Cliff” restaurant, aesthetically, looked inviting in the first place. Plus, we were informed that the kids will be charged half the price only. Wonderful!! So, we had our breakfast at the hotel during our entire stay. To see the food choices please watch the video.

Parking Lot

Driving is our thing, and so parking is essential for us. The hotel parking is located inside the hotel area, not by the road side. There are designated parking for cars and motorbikes. You can rest well at night knowing your car is safe and secure.

Clientele

Ibis Styles may be a great choice for families, group of friends, couples, and oh pet owners. Great stopover for roadtrips and family staycations.

Hospitality

Another strong point of this hotel lies on the people who, apart from their usual job, go the extra mile to assist and make guests comfortable. They’re accommodating but not in a nosy and instrusive way.

Price

We booked Ibis Styles Krabi for three nights for a little over 150USD. Considering how well-maintained the whole hotel is, and how nice everything is, we definitely got a great value for our money.

Do we recommend this hotel? CERTAINLY!

Hey Lovelies! You Might Wanna Check These Out

  • Green View Village Resort
    Green View Village Resort is located at 2RMM+R98, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000 (2RMM+R98 ตำบล อ่าวนาง อำเภอเมืองกระบี่ กระบี่ 81000). It is comfortably situated […]
  • 2021 Family Staycation Ao Nang Krabi Thailand
    After the twelve-month lockdown restrictions have been partially lifted, we got to take our annual family staycation. Although it was short, it’s a much welcome […]
  • Lanta Cottage Hotel
    Accommodation: Lanta Cottage Hotel It is located at Sala Dan, Koh Lanta District, Krabi 81150 Thailand. We had our first getaway here after the travel […]
  • Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang: Hotel Review
    Accommodation: Ibis Styles Krabi Ao Nang, a family and pet friendly modern hotel, is conveniently located at 725 Moo2 Ao-nang, Nopparat Road Muang Krabi, 81000 […]
  • Aonang Regent Hotel, Krabi Thailand: Hotel Review
    Accommodation: Ao Nang Regent Hotel, Krabi Thailand is located at 262/24 Aonang soi 11 Leela Valley Moo. 2 Aonang Muang , , 81000 Ao Nang […]
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      Accomodation: Phutara Lanta Resort. The best family hotel we have gone to so far. Location: 693 Moo 2, Saladan,  Koh Lanta Krabi 81150 Thailand: […]

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Asian Cultural Village Sadao Thailand

Asian Cultural Village: Sadao Thailand/ Dannok Malaysia

Let’s watch the 5 Amazing Parks in this video

Asian Cultural Village is conveniently located in Sadao, Thailand/ Dannok Malaysia. This huge and amazing tourist destination is something you don’t want to miss when visiting the South of Thailand. It has so much in store for all it’s visitors, not only it has accomodations and restaurants to choose from, but it also has 5 different, amazing theme parks.

Dinosaur Theme Park is arguably the most visited of the five. It is a favorite among children and of course those who are kids-at-heart. This place always makes to the list of places for school field trips, science club exploration, or Dinosaur enthusiasts getaways. Speaking of Dinosaurs, this park has life-size dinosaurs of different species. Together with each display is a detail information about them They roar and move! Recently additional features were added like the dark cave with velociraptors and super huge dinosaur eggs, and the dinosaur mascot! Kids just go nuts; they love to touch it, poke it, and even cling on to it. Well, not all though, little ones cry their wits out. Dinosaur park is not only a fun haven to bond with families and friends, it is also educational and informative.

Dinosaur Theme Park

Farm Animals theme park is popular among animal lovers. Here, you’ll find plenty of farm animals from the most common to the rarest, huge to the tiniest, and from the ordinary to the most exotic looking ones. Like the dinosaur park, animal farms is also vast, with ponds, cages, lush trees, benches, and a hanging bridge. Animal enthusiasts would definitely have a great time here.

Rabbit Garden theme park is next in the list, from the name, it has a lots and lots of rabbits. In a gated garden, rabbits are free to roam around, and visitors are also allowed to play with them. Aside from rabbits, this park also has other equally fascinating animals – turtle, fish, otter, and variety of reptile species. Although, we were not able to play the rabbits when we visited, we had a blast with the giant iquanas and snakes.

Futuristic Park may just be the place for Avengers fanatics and enthusiasts. It got giant replicas of The Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, Thanos, and so much more. And what’s so interesting about this replicas is that they are all cleverly made using scrap metals. The best time to visit is at dusk to early evening when the colorful lights are on as they are open from 9AM to 9PM. There are so many superhero replicas that visitors might run out of poses for their instagram photos.

Water Fun Park is one of the most visited theme parks in the Asian Cultural Village. Aside from the fact that it is located near the entrance, the enormous fountains are just too magnificent to ignore. They are as if calling very eager children to come and have fun. It also has a large water tank elevated and built high up on the main pool that splashes water into the pool. Children wait happily as the tank fills up and splashes water unto them; they would then giggle and laugh their hearts out. This place is indeed a fun park.

Have you gone here? Please do share your experience on the comment section.

For more information visit their facebook page Asian Cultural Village亚洲文化村

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shicked kids- A Submarine in the Newest and Biggest Aquarium in Thailand
A Submarine in the Newest and Biggest Aquarium in Thailand

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Two girls playing chairball

Chairball a Popular Game in Thailand

For someone who’s into basketball and maybe a bit of football, chairball sounds, well, odd and different. It’s different from chairbasketball and certainly not Tchoukball. Chairball is a popular game in Thailand.

It is definitely a big thing here. The first time I heard of it, was during a sports week. Fellow teachers who were in their 50’s were playing and they were good at it. It was a bit strange to watch because they were passing the ball without dribbling it. I didn’t understand how it was played and I was totally uninterested.

Recently, my daughter got into this sport and join her team for their school’s sports week. Although she’s been training for basketball, she apparently was able to adapt to chairball. This time, the sport got my attention. Unfortunately there is not much information (in English) about this game in the internet.

Here’s a short video clip of a chairball match played by primary students in Thailand.

What do you think of the game?

For now having watched the game there are few things I’ve learnt about Chairball.

  1. It is definitely a team game. So the one-man show in basketball is a no-no in this game.
  2. The ball is passed from one player to another without dribbling.
  3. Once a player has received the ball s/he has to pass it without moving her/his legs from where she’s/he’s standing.
  4. The player standing on the chair holding the basket is allowed to catch the ball. In other words, the player could bend forward, sideward, backward, and could tilt the basket towards the incoming ball, as long as s/he stays planted on the chair.
  5. The team that earns more points in a given period of time wins the game.
  6. For every ball that gets into the basket earns the team two points.

Have you heard of chairball game before? Have you played it?

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restaurant with view cliff sunset budget thailand travels

Restaurant with a View: Cliff Sunset, Koh Lanta Krabi

Restaurant with a View: Cliff Sunset, Koh Lanta Krabi

Cliff Sunset Restaurant is another restaurant in Koh Lanta with a fantastic view of Kantiang Bay Beach and has a great view of the sunset.

Four years back (2016), there was only Ploypailin restaurant on the cliff of Kantiang Bay, a very simple, small shack made of wood. Now, the beautiful trees that were once residents there are all gone and are replaced by tiny, thatch-roofed kiosk restaurants lining Kantiang Bay cliff. Where have all the trees gone; the environmentalist side of me is crying.

Moving on, as mentioned, there are several restaurants to choose from. The increased number of infrastructures in what already a tight place has caused parking problems, which restaurants owners have taken advantage of. Their signage reads: No eat No parking. Another sad effect of this business competition reads: No eat No photo.

Even our 9 and 6 year old children caught up and said “Why not? They don’t own the beach. “

restaurant with view

Anyway, we had lunch there, felt the cool breeze from Andaman sea and took delight in the beauty around us. With the cool breeze coming from the sea gently touching our skin, rustling our hair, and the rushing seawater below us, it really felt like we’re on top of the world. It gave such a carefree feeling. It’s nice to lounge for a while a forget about the worries of the world. What a lovely feeling!

There’s always a silver lining at the end of the tunnel, after this COVID-19 pandemic, it would be great to go back experience these all over again.

restaurant with a view

Cliff Sunset Restaurant offers a wide range of Western and Thai menu. We stuck to the basic and ordered food we’re familiar with.

Stir-fry Vegetables: @$2.97 (99 baht)

Minced chicken with holy basil (Pad Krapao): @$ 2.97 (99 baht)

Coke in can: @$0.90 (30 baht)

Scrambled egg (Kai Tiaw) : @$ 1.77 (59 baht)

Strawberry smoothie: @ $ 1.80 (60 baht

Pretty much affordable.

We wanted to go back and have an early dinner to witness the sunset. However, the weather changed just a few minutes after lunch. It rained cats and dogs all through the rest of the day. This didn’t ruined our short stay though, my children and husband hang out by the pool most of the after at our accommodation, Phutara Lanta Resort while I enjoyed a much needed alone time in our room.

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Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel

Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel Review

Accommodation: Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel

Location: 10 Chaloemphrakiat Riad, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand. ☎ +66(0)76303888

Room

We stayed at a family room with queen sized bed and a bunked bed for the kids. The bunked bed is great, it is usable. I mean, we’ve been to Nadivana Serviced Apartments and it got a bigger and better looking bunk bed but our kids ended up cramped in the lower bunk because the aircon is just a few inches away from the second deck of the bed, which means it’s blowing air directly at you. Anyway, Ibis Phuket Patong’s family room is more than ok. It isn’t that spacious but neither it is cramped up. In terms of space, we think it’s smartly designed. It even has division for the kids’ mini computer area, where a playstation 4 is installed, and the cabled flat screen TV on the side of the parent’s area. It got a balcony over looking the pool.

Bathroom

It is small. However my husband said it didn’t feel cramp up. Also, I didn’t feel claustrophobic despite my dislike for small and tight places. So it is well-designed I should say. However, I have one hiccup that I couldn’t help but mention here. The area where the sink and toilet are, doesn’t have a drain, so water pools there. And to get rid of it, you’d have to mop or “kick” it into the shower area.

Compliments

It got the usual coffee, tea, hairdryer, electric kettle. It also got free bottled water, toiletries, bathroom towels, and pool towels. The room also has an intercom which makes communication with the front desk easy.

For the Children

We stayed in a family room, Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel knows just what children likes. Aside from the bunk bed, the hotel also has installed playstation 4. This is a sure hit for kids. Another one is “Teddy”, a stuff toy our kids lovingly named. It has become their playmate during our stay there, that saying goodbye is hard. Watch the video to see what happened.

Price

It is affordable! It’s a pretty big, well-maintained hotel with great service and an English speaking front desk (broken but comprehensible). Every inch of the hotel is clean and tidy. So with these, paying 176USD for a three-night stay in a family room is already a great deal!

Breakfast

We opted out breakfast. But when there, we decided to have breakfast in the hotel restaurant, TASTE Restaurant. I guess it’s pretty popular in Phuket. Anyway, ended up having breakfast there during our entire stay. We paid a little over 11USD per breakfast for all four of us. We learned later that the kids’ breakfast were free. WOW! Isn’t that awesome?

Pool

Most often than not we book a hotel that’s not only affordable but has a pool especially kids pool. Our children are simply big suckers for it. We appreciate that the hotel keeps their pool clean and tidy in spite of the surrounding trees. The size is pretty decent as well.

Overall

Oh we forgot to mention that the heating system is centralized, even the pool side shower is warm.

We had a wonderful stay. Our children obviously loved it. As for me, everything was perfect except that water pooling on the toilet area.

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United Residence Serviced Apartments

United Residence Serviced Apartments Review

Accommodation: United Residence Serviced Apartments

Location: 414 Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Ekamai 26), Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110

Telephone: 02 711 5010

United Residence Serviced Apartments

Bangkok, Thailand

www.UnitedResidence.com

Room

We stayed at room 83, on the eighth floor of the building. This super clean, non -smoking room is good for 2-3 occupants, the third being a child younger than 12. It has the usual amenities you’d find in other hotels but what sets this apartment apart from other below 100USD accommodations is the fully-functioning mini kitchen. It has a two-door fridge, a microwave, and a front-open washing machine.

It is also equipped with the following:

  • Coffee and coffee maker
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Cupboards
  • Flat-screen TV with English channels
  • Wall-sized mirror
  • Built-in wardrobe
  • Mini terrace with clothes rack
  • Intercom
  • Towels
  • Toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Mini safe
  • Drawers

Bathroom

It is a OK. It’s super clean and comfortable. There’s warm water in both shower and tap. I, personally felt at home immediately using the bathroom. There are no weird stains on the walls and especially no mildew. The drain system is good, so water doesn’t pool around the toilet area unlike Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel.

WIFI

It is fast. Fast enough to stream videos from YouTube and other websites. There weren’t any hiccups logging in.

Parking

It is private and gated. So you could sleep sound in the evening knowing your car is safe in the garage.

Staff

They are friendly and speak English. They are quick to respond when we can’t get the washing machine to work.

Price

We stayed for two nights and paid 66 USD. If this isn’t a great deal, I don’t know what is then.

Overall

We love the room, the staff, and the location. We definitely recommend this.

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geysers by the road

Geysers by the Road in Northern Thailand

geysers by the road
Geysers by the Road in Northern Thailand

Looking at these geysers by the road in Northern Thailand as cars pass by is but incredible!

Wiang Pa Pao is a district southwest of Chiang Rai, and a common stop-over for buses, vans, and private cars traveling to and fro. Chiang Mai is a three hour drive from Chiang Rai, and so this stop-over is definitely a welcome one. And why not! Wiang Pa Pao’s geysers are awesome.

Any one who’s passing by will definitely give this place a second look after all, it’s free. Definitely a budget Thailand travel! From a distance you could already see random white steam patches against the greens as you travel up and down the hills. If you’re new to the place, these would seem like smoke as if someone’s burning something except that it doesn’t dissipate in the air.

Innovation

What we like about Wiang Pa Pao, is that they actually took advantage of these wonders without ruining it. They’ve paved the surrounding ground and constructed a fence around it. They also built satellite pools where people could dip their aching legs. It has become a great tourist attraction of the place and consequently a decent source of income. And we believe the entire length of the road that stretches from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai was so design having the geysers in mind.

Source of Income

As mentioned, these geysers by the road have attracted so many tourists. Thus increasing the district’s revenue. Here, you’ll find restaurants, souvenir shops, Seven Eleven, Accommodations, and even jewellery shops. Some locals sell hard-boiled eggs cooked in one of the pools. Water’s temperature is at 98 degrees celsius. Really hot!

Foot Spa

The place has at least 3 to 4 pools where you could dip your feet or legs. The water is so warm! It took us a while to get used to the temperature before we enjoyed the dip. A lot of people enjoyed it too, and really took their time while chatting with friends and munching on some tropical fruits.

Is it a great place to visit?

Absolutely!! One, the place is free. It requires no money whatsoever to enjoy this rare phenomenon called geyser. Second, the foot spa is relaxing and refreshing and you get to do this amidst the trees around. The geysers are by the road, so accessible. You need not hike hundreds of kilometers into the mountain just to see one. Lastly, it would be a great financial help for the people of Wiang Pa Pao who so graciously share nature at no so much cost.

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singha park chiang rai

Singha Park Chiang Rai: A Must Visit

Boon Rawd Farm, famously known as Singha Park, sits a few kilometers away from the center of Chiang Rai. It is less than 10-minute drive from the White Temple. Singha Park Chiang Rai is one of the visited attractions in the city. Aside from it’s vastness and beauty, going in and exploring the place is free of admission.

Singha Park/ Boon Rawd Farm/  บุญรอดฟาร์ม.

It is a vast open land with so many beautiful attractions.  A giant effigy of a Lion (Singha in Thai) greets visitors at the entrance with numerous variety of colorful flowers prettily landscaped behind. There’s a designated place for parking. Cars are allowed during low seasons. There are however two means of going around the park,  biking and by trams. There are different types of bikes for rent -mountain bikes, grandma’s bike,  and double bikes at 120 baht an hour.  Trams are scheduled at regular intervals and it cost 1.67 USD (50 THB) per child and 3.34 USD (100 THB) for adult. This takes tourists around the park and stops at the park’s destinations.

Telephone: 091 576 0374

Opens: 9.00 am to 5:00 pm from Saturday to Sunday

Attractions in Singha Park

  1. Flower Park. Different species of beautiful, colorful flowers are displayed here for at least a week or two and mostly during the first two weeks of January. The flowers were totally breathtaking.  The park is quite big that a couple of hours, which was the only time we had, is definitely not enough to leisurely roam around. And I suggest that you fully charge your mobile phones and cameras before coming,  The place is so amazing you can’t stop clicking.  I would certainly go back as I have not really fully enjoyed the place due to lack of time. I’d also make it sure that I have the appropriate camera. The photos I’ve taken of the flowers and the place are not great due to again lack of time and limited battery life.  In fact there were several attractions I haven’t photographed.  
  2. Swan Lake. Next stop is the swan lake. From the name itself this huge lake has plenty of white swan, and giant coy fish. Children could feed them through bamboo tubes that piped the sides of the lake. And just recently (as of November 2019) at the opposite side of swan lake is a large effigy of a rat made from hay.
  3. Tea Plantation follows. Here, you’ll see vast field of tea plants, such a pleasant sight of well-contoured greens. There’s a tiny station around here that sells tea powder. They also got customs and baskets tourists could use to take photos with.
  4. Zoo. Watusi cattle and short-legged horses are the main attractions in this part of the park.
  5. Strawberry farm. During the winter season that is from December to February, strawberry is aplenty. They are big and sweet in this part of Thailand.
  6. Mushroom and Herbs. As of 2019, they have develop a certain variety of mushroom (please see video). They also have variety of herbs like rosemary, thyme, basil, and many more.
  7. Zipline. Oh yes, I guess one of the highlights! We Zipline for the First Time, Made the More-Than-24 Hour Car Drive Worthwhile! This is the last stop of the tour. This place has a very nice restaurant that opens until the night. They also sell their own-made ice cream, the Boon Rawd Ice Cream. The zipline has a separate fee of 10 USD (300 THB). Aside from the zipline, they also offer other activities like wall climbing, biking, and survival trail.

Here’s a short video clip of the rock climbing activity in SIngha Park.

There you go folks. Hope you’ll have a great time there.

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kids ziplining at singha park chiang rai thailand

Zipline for the First Time. Made the More-Than-24 Hour Car Drive Worthwhile!

Zipline for the first time, and it is the most exhilarating outdoor activity we have done to date. Zip-line consists of a pulley attached to an inclined steel metal cable secured on a slope. The person is attached to a free moving pulley and moves through the cable aided by gravity from point A to point B. In this case, point A is from an 8-storey tall building stretched to point B on the ground across a vast field of Singha Park. Yep, we did it. Zipline for the first time, and it made the more-than-24-hour car drive to Chaing Rai so worthwhile!

Chaing Rai is the northern most city of Thailand, just a few kilometers away from Myanmar in the west and Laos in the east. It is home to the famous Singha Park where this awesome Zipline activity is found, and where the annual Winter Balloon Festival is held.

How’s the experience?

Well, we geared up and took the elevator up. We watched the structures below get smaller and smaller. Anticipation is building up. This is our first time. We’ve arrived, 8-storey above ground. Cool breeze brushed our blushed skin, waiting for our turn. Hooks checked and put in placed, we positioned and got ready to go. Gates opened and with our hearts in our throats down we went. That moment when your feet leaves the platform and into the open seems like forever stuck in a few seconds. That moment you realize “HOLY MOLLY I’M HANGING HERE” and that there’s no going back. And so without any choice, you decide to let go and give the loudest scream of your life. We screamed at the top of our lungs, laughed, screamed, laughed, and screamed some more without reservation. We landed on the opposite side a bit shaky but safe, intact, and SO thrilled and exhilarated! What an experience! We’d like to do it again. And so we did.

We’re looking forward to our next zipline activity. It was awesome and something worth trying!

two kids geared up to zipline for the first time
Singha Park Chiang Rai Thailand

The takeaway for us from this zipline for the first time experience.

  • We thought it’s way too scary for us because of the height. But realized that we’re stronger and bolder than we thought we were.
  • It was a feat to try something out of our comfort zone, and actually loved it.
  • It is great to invest on giving our children experiences they could treasure forever.
  • For us as parents, to give our children a bit of a slack and let go of the worries, the “what ifs”, and just let them have fun.

Have you tried zipline before? How was your experience?

Please let us know by sharing it on the comment section down below or on Youtube. Thanks.

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coke experiment

Five Fun Ways to Use the Coke and Mentos Experiment In

Back in the day, say 15 to 20 years ago, mad science came out; and it rocked the kids science world. At that time, the coke and mentos experiment wasn’t just incredibly fascinating and entertaining, it also seemed difficult and restrictive. There was an impression that it should be done in the laboratory only, with strict supervision of an adult. Well, this was the impression I got. Now with the internet, many have popularized it with different variations that even young children could do it on their own. At present, any one could do it anywhere, anytime. Below are five fun ways to use the coke and mentos experiment in.

slow motion coke geyser- Five Fun Ways to Use the Soda and Mentos Experiment With

Here are Five Fun Ways to Use the Coke and Mentos Experiment In.

  1. Kids crazy science experiment. In school, students are asked to conduct experiments whether be a class activity, a big science project, or for a science show, knowing which is more explosive coke vs mentos or coke vs baking soda could be an incredibly educational and entertaining experiment. It doesn’t use toxic chemicals. There are only two simple and easy steps to follow. Little ones would surely be able to follow and even experiment on their own.
  2. Kids party. A mad science theme party is unconventional but it doesn’t mean that it couldn’t be done. Parties are all about fun. What could be more fun than to let kids have fun blasting off sodas with mentos and baking soda in the backyard, the messier the better. Yeah right Mommies? Lol. I could already picture it out in my head. Four to five fun science activities, one of which is the fun coke and mentos experiment, kids hopping from one experiment to the other.
  3. Family bonding moments. Derick and Summer took an active part in planning the kids experiment coke, pepsi, est, big cola vs. mentos and baking soda challenge from purchasing of materials down to cleaning the place afterwards. Changes were made from the initial plan to give way for their suggestions. They wanted a spontaneous, free-flowing sort of way in conducting the challenge. And so they took care of the video introduction. They also decided on the whats and the hows. It was a learning experience for all of us. We, as parents learnt to let go, and trust their capabilities.
  4. Kids outdoor activity. With the kind of pull screens have on our children, parents need an activity that is so fun and interesting, children couldn’t say no. And this experiment could definitely tickle their fancy.
  5. Great for slow-motion videos. And as you can see we have a family Youtube channel. Doing the soda and mentos experiment was like shooting two birds with one stone. It gave us time together; we had a blast. Derick and Summer loved and enjoyed it. As a Youtube content, we hope to inspire families out there to do the same. And with the present technology, we were able to render it in slow-motion, making it even more interesting.

Here’s a short video of the coke and mentos slow-motion. Have fun watching!

So these are the five fun ways to use the coke and mentos experiment in. Do you agree with the list? Is it something you’d fancy doing one precious weekend?

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shocked kids- A Submarine in the Newest and Biggest Aquarium in Thailand

Kids Fed the Fishes in Aquaria Phuket: Exploring the Largest Aquarium in Thailand

The new Aquaria Phuket is now the largest aquarium in Thailand, as advertised. It is located in Central Phuket Floresta, right at the heart of metropolis Phuket. Phuket is home to hundreds of expats and welcomes thousands of tourists each year. Aside from island hopping, this could be a great destination, especially for families or a group of friends. As expats ourselves, we had the chance to experience it. We had so much fun in Aquaria Phuket. Fish feeding is one of the most enjoyable activities you can do. Explore the largest aquarium in Thailand.

Kids Fed the Fishes in Aquaria Phuket: Exploring the Largest Aquarium in Thailand

Aquaria Phuket is divided into four distinct zones, namely Station Aquarius, South China Sea, Coastal Heaven, and Mystic Forest.

  1. Station Aquarius is a semi-interactive zone as kids are allowed to touch the different species of star fish in a medium size, shallow pool, which occupies most of the space in this zone. You are required to wash your hands before touching them. It is important to note the grabbing is not allowed. In this area, there are also variety of jellyfish, sea shells, and insect preserves.
  2. The South China Sea Zone. This probably takes the biggest chunk of the aquarium. One of the interesting features of this zone is the USS Lagarto, a USA submarine wreckage from World War II, which was found in the gulf of Thailand. Read more of the submarine in the newest and biggest aquarium in Thailand or watch the video straight away of the submarine in the newest and biggest aquarium in Thailand. Here, children are allowed to feed the fishes. So, it has got a walk-in platform that goes all the way into the center of one of a tank. With a bucket of fish worth 20THB (0.65USD), kids can have a top view of the tank and feed the fishes there. Also found in this zone is the largest underwater restaurant in Asia, the ANDASI Restaurant. It has a spectacular view!
  3. Coastal Heaven features marine animals like penguins, red sea turtles, otters, and reef sharks, and many more. My daughter was pretty excited to see sharks in the aquarium. Their advertisement shows a large shark, and so she wasn’t so thrilled to see the reef sharks. Of course, we had to explain everything to her.
  4. Mystic Forest features variety of fishes segregated; one tank for all colorful tiny ones, the other for the gentle giants. On the second floor of this zone, are wide selections of rainforest insects like spiders, centipedes, millipedes, and frog. It also got chameleons and snakes.

Here’s a short video of Derick and Summer Thailand in Aquaria Phuket. This video shows the Station Aquarius and The South Chine Sea Zones only.

Would you consider bringing your family and friends here? What feature of this aquarium would you be looking forward to seeing?

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AQUARIA PHUKET

A Submarine in the Newest and Biggest Aquarium in Thailand

Aquaria Phuket, Thailand’s newest and biggest aquarium opened in Phuket Island just last month (August, 2019). It’s located at Central Phuket Floresta shopping mall. This state of the art aquarium surprisingly incorporated a submarine wreckage from World War II called the USS Lagarto. A Submarine in the Newest and Biggest Aquarium in Thailand? How cool is that!

Watch this short video to see the USS Lagarto inside Aquaria Phuket. Enjoy!

USS Lagarto (SS-371), a Balao-class submarine, was a US Navy submarine named after a lizardfish. Its wreck found in 2005 was missing a starboard torpedo, suggesting it went down fighting.

A Submarine in the Newest and Biggest Aquarium in Thailand

I must say, the USS Lagarto definitely adds drama in that aquarium. Watching fishes swim around it coupled with the ambient sound of a submarine certainly gives an eerie feel. The concept is new (well at least on this part of the world). It is interesting. And it’s something educational. A great springboard to discuss a piece of history to children.

Kids and adults alike were awed by the huge structure inside the aquarium. It is something to marvel at.

What we really appreciate!

  1. Submarine wreckage. For us this is the main attraction of Aquaria Phuket. Whoever thought of this must be a genius. We love the idea. It’s refreshing, certainly different from the other aquariums we’ve gone to.
  2. Great Edu-tainment. Coming to any aquarium for that matter is certainly educational. But having this piece of history right in front of your eyes, gets into your emotions. And it actually gets you thinking of its history. Kids would start asking the whats, whys, and the hows.
  3. Basic information. Around the area are basic information about the displays and the sea animals in the tank. Plus additional information about the environment.

What’s more?

Aquaria Phuket also houses the biggest underwater restaurant in Asia, the Andasi Lounge and Restaurant. It is located right in front of the biggest tank, so you’d have a great view of the aquarium while enjoying a meal or snack.

people sitting outside an underwater restaurant in front a tank with A Submarine in the Newest and Biggest Aquarium in Thailand
ANDASI Lounge and Restaurant

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Songkhla Night Market: $10 Feeds a Family of Four

If you’re on a budget travel to Thailand , one important thing to plan is where to eat. This touristy country certainly has so many restaurants to choose from but one sure place to get super affordable food is the Night Market.

Please watch this short video to find out where you could get the best value for your money.

Night Market is the place to go. Night markets or night bazaars are street markets, which apparently opens at night. It is certainly cheaper than regular restaurants, or fastfood chains. Aside from this, the night market is the best place to experience Thai food and delicacies at an affordable price. Also, most night markets promote local traditions like the Thai puppet show, folk songs and dances, so this is the place to go to feel authentic Thai vibes.

a boy holding strawberry smoothie at the night market
Derick and Summer Thailand @the night market

As seen in the video, 10USD has bought a family of four enough food for dinner. And below are the food they bought in the night market.

  1. Fried rice with vegetables and salted fish.
  2. Bamboo shoot spring rolls
  3. Roasted pork
  4. Deep fried chicken
  5. Crispy fried seafood with vegetables
  6. Local french fries
  7. Strawberry shake
  8. Crispy pancakes
  9. Bottled water

It is a tradition and certainly a great one. Going to a night market, especially in big cities is like one-stop shopping as it also has shops for Thai souvenirs and memorabilia. Definitely the best place to go if you are on a budget travel to Thailand or to any Asian country.

One downside though, which by the way is being looked at for solution, is the amount of plastics used.

Have you ever been to a night market?

If you are looking for an affordable place and at the same time loaded with so much fun to visit with your family, you might want to consider going to the most affordable aquarium in Thailand.

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outdoor breeding aquarium rajamangala trang aquarium

5 Reasons You Should Visit Rajamangala Trang Aquarium

rajamangala university trang aquarium lighthouse
Lighthouse just outside Rajamangala Trang Aquarium

Rajamangala Trang Aquarium is probably the most affordable aquarium in Thailand. With a 1.63 USD (50THB) for adult and 0.98USD (30THB) for kids entrance fee, I bet this is the cheapest there is in the world. Anyway, you might think that because it is inexpensive that it has nothing much to offer. On the other hand, it has loads of fun features and educational elements. Below are 5 reasons you should visit Rajamangala Trang Aquarium on your next visit to Trang.

Here’s a short video of a tour of Rajamgala Trang Aquarium.

5 Reasons Why You Should visit Rajamangala Trang Aquarium

  1. It has a wide selections of Catfish species. Catfish is very popular in this part of the world. Certainly one of the favorites is called Crispy Catfish with Green Mango Salad. We’ve never seen as many species of Catfish before as in Rajamangala Trang Aquarium. Their collection is simply unbelievable ranging from smallest to largest ones.
  2. Great collection of seashells. Children love seashells and most often they have collections of shells picked from the beach. Rajamangala Trang Aquarium’s seashell displays are awesome. Your kids would be amazed!
  3. It’s a stone throw away from Rajamangala Beach. After all the fun in the aquarium, you could frolic in the sun or play sand castle on the beach.
  4. It’s five minutes away from Pak Meng Beach. It may not be known for swimming but Pak Meng beach has a pretty sight to behold with all the beautifully sculpted islands just a few meters away from the shore. Sunset at this beach is also pretty spectacular.
  5. Trang is home to many unspoilt, untouristy islands in Thailand, Koh Kradan, Koh Petra, Koh Mook, Koh Ngai, and Koh Libong to name a few. These islands are accessible by long tail boats from Pak Meng Beach.

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mummified fishes at rajamangala trang aquarium

The Most Affordable Aquarium in Thailand?

The Rajamangala Trang Aquarium lies just a few meters away from Rajamangala Beach inside the Rajamangala University Trang campus. With 1.63 USD (50THB) for adult and 0.98USD (30 THB) for kids entrance fee, this is probably the most affordable aquarium in Thailand if not in the entire world.

Don’t let this fool you. This humble admission fee is too meager for the loads of fun you’ll get; for the attractions you’ll surely enjoy, and for the information you’ll learn.

Please watch this short video and find out what this full packed, cheap aquarium have in store.

Here are some of the nicest things we found enjoyable at Rajamangala Trang Aquarium.

  1. Wide variety of seashell displays and all size types of catfish located in the main atrium.
  2. Aquatic Animal Recuperatory Center. It’s amazing that they’ve got their own clinic for these marine animals. Visitors are allowed to go inside.
  3. Sea Animal Skeleton Exhibit which is located in the same building as the recuperatoty center. Their collections are wide range. Children and adults who are into Zoology, Zooarchaeology, or are simply amazed by the morphology of bones, well, this is the place to go.
  4. Breeding Area. The aquarium has allotted a great amount of space for this.
  5. Animal Show. They’ve got more than a couple of animal show namely Turtle, Seal, Freshwater Otter, and the soft-back turtle.

This no-nonsense, no fancy aquarium is the best choice for family trips, educational excursions, and for science enthusiasts. It is not only the most affordable aquarium in Thailand, it also scores very high on fun, education, as well as health. Yes, it is healthy to come here! The place is surrounded by thousands of trees, and it so near the beach you could actually hear the sea waves rush in and feel the cool breeze brush your skin.

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pool at rimlay hotel

Update: We went back to Rimlay Park Resort

Our summer getaway in Ao Nang Krabi, where we went island hopping and stayed at Aonang Regent Hotel, was apparently not enough especially for the kids who were due to go back to school in a weeks time. As their final summer activity, we went back to Rimlay Park Resort.

Our second visit to this out-of-town, away from the hustle and bustle haven had been a great success. The kids as usual had so much fun just like the first we went for an unplanned staycation. Please head to Rimlay Park Resort Hotel Review to know about this place.

After two years the place still looks scenic, and pretty. Clearly the lovely Thai lady who owns and manages the place did an awesome job maintaining it.

Rimlay Park Resort is certainly one of the best places to stay whenever you happen to be in Phattalung, Thailand.

Two Important Updates

  1. Room rate has increased but still affordable. The lady-owner was very kind, and offered us an extra bed free of charge. She was also very generous with our breakfast, and gave us fresh coconuts.
  2. She offers room packages and promotions through direct booking. To avail these, you need to book via email. I’ll gladly forward her email to those who are interested, just comment your email address below.

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ao nang regent hotel

Aonang Regent Hotel, Krabi Thailand: Hotel Review

Accommodation: Ao Nang Regent Hotel, Krabi Thailand is located at
262/24 Aonang soi 11 Leela Valley Moo. 2 Aonang Muang , , 81000 Ao Nang Beach, Thailand. We booked this hotel through booking dot com.

Hotel Room

My family and I stayed in a Deluxe Triple Room, which was pretty spacious for a family of four. The overall design was simple, functional, no nonsense type. It was fitted with wooden cabinets with built-in, wall size mirror,  wooden dresser and tables. Walls are clean with no photo frames whatsoever. The private balcony over-looking the mountain and pool below was where we had our snacks and light meal. The large, clean bed was on a solid wooden platform. It was so comfortable; we woke up refreshed and relaxed.

The bathroom was large with dark-colored tiles, but I could tell they were clean. We love the huge shower which gives off large volume of water but lands softly on the skin. The standard, american-size toilet needed upgrading though. It was clean but there were corroded portions around the seat that were rough and stained. It looked a bit icky.

songkran at aonang regent hotel

Amenities and Complimentary

It had the usual amenities like coffee maker, hair dryer, medium-size fridge, and freebies like toiletries, coffee, tea, and bottled water. But take note, there were two sets of bottled water, the ones in the fridge are for sale. This room’s aircon unit is big and strong. The flat-screen TV has English channels to choose from.

A hanger rack for drying clothes was also provided which was really convenient as we were there to celebrate Songkran 2019, and to go island hop as well, so, you could just imagine the wet clothes that needed drying.

Aonang Regent Hotel also offers free Tuktuk ride around Ao Nang, twice during the day from 8 a.m until 5 p.m. If you avail this beyond these hours, a service charge of 50 Baht per person is incurred.

The flat-screen TV had a few bilingual channels to choose from. These are pretty convenient channels as you have the option to choose the audio. But there will be a need for you to tinker with the remote before getting to it. The channels are usually in Thai as it is the standard setting and the English audio is the secondary choice.

Wifi is strong. The internet connection in this hotel is excellent. We were able to log in immediately without problems. We were able to stream movies and even play mobile games.

Fitness Center is open to all guests. It has the usual equipment like treadmill, benches, dumbbells, pulldowns and machine fly, as well as hula hoops which the kids had fun using.

Kids pool was a jacuzzi-converted type. It was originally meant to be a jacuzzi so having it right next to a hotel room was a grand idea. A guest would just have to jump into their swimwear, open the door and just jump right in to the jacuzzi. But, having it converted into a kids pool presents a bit of a problem. You could just imagine the noise the guests had to bear, and water coming in the room floor as children play and splash water around. I think this is something the hotel management has to look into.

Food

We opted out breakfast. The breakfast was a bit pricy. Although, the rate is comparably higher as this is a touristy area, there are still places that sell food at a slightly cheaper price. So we decided to walk around and explore the place.

Clientele

Aonang Regent Hotel is popular to both local and foreign tourists. It’s a pleasure looking and listening to people talking in different tongue.

Staff

The lady in the receiving desk could speak English and was accommodating and friendly. She patiently answered our inqueries regarding the hotel, island hopping itinerary, and many more.

Overall

We had a great stay at Aonang Regent Hotel. We would certainly recommend it for guests who are on an average budget. And for those who would like to have an easy access of the beach but would like to have peace and quiet during the night.

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reading comprehension practice

Reading for Comprehension Practice

Reading is one of the best ways to acquire new vocabulary and learn grammar structures.

When reading, it engages the imagination. It is like having motion pictures in your mind. With this, details are printed deeply in memory that retention and recall may be long term, and comprehension may be achieved. Frequent and thorough reading are best in attaining overall linguistic competence. However, quick reading is necessary as tests and exams are time restrained.

Two reading skills related to quick reading are skimming and scanning.

Skimming is a reading technique used when you want to quickly get the gist or idea of a text, thus reading for gist. Skimming refers to a quick browse of the entire text, paying more attention to the content words – like nouns, verbs, and adjectives, as they provide meaning. In this manner, you are able to get the ideas or messages the writer is trying to convey quickly.

Example: Rescue teams were slow to respond and poorly equipped.

Scanning is another technique related to quick reading. It is used when reading for details. Here, readers scan the text for more specific information such as, names, time, date, day, percent, and other specific data in the text.

Example:

On 15 November 2022, the world’s population reached 8 billion people, a milestone in human development. While it took the global population 12 years to grow from 7 to 8 billion, it will take approximately 15 years—until 2037— for it to reach 9 billion, a sign that the overall growth rate of the global population is slowing. 

Reading for Overall Linguistic Competence Techniques

  1. Read frequently
  2. Pay attention to new words and grammar structures
  3. Immediately use new words in a sentence or in conversation
  4. Test your comprehension by answering guide questions if available

Reading for Comprehension Techniques

  1. Read for gist
    • look for nouns, verbs, and adjectives
  2. Read for details
    • look for specific details like names, dates, day, numbers, etc

READING EXERCISES: Click the link below. Read the texts and answer the guide questions after.

  1. Past stories
  2. Announcements
  3. Article 1 – Mobile Phones
  4. Article 2 – Vaccination

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writing skills in English

Writing Skills in English

Writing is an important and a necessary skill to develop. And to improve one’s writing skills, practice is the key. Download the writing skills practice book below, and start honing your writing skills.

group discussion

Group Discussion

Discussion is a process where people talk, converse, and discourse about something trivial or significant wherein the end result is to express ideas, make decision, or solve a problem.

Good vs Bad Group Discussion

Video by PolyU ELC

Lesson 1

  • Characteristics of an Effective Group Discussion
  • Roles of Each Member in a Group Discussion
  • Steps in Conducting a Group Discussion

Instructions

  • Watch the video
  • Answer the following questions for the class discussion later
    1. What are the things to avoid in a group discussion? Make a list.
    2. What would make a group discussion successful? Make a list.
    3. Name/describe the role of each of the members in the group?
    4. How does a good discussion should start? Describe it.
    5. How does a good discussion should end? Describe it.
    6. Suggest ways on how to keep the discussion going.

Suggested Topics for Group Discussion

Make a list of the advantages of marijuana

Make a list of the disadvantages of marijuana

Talk about the benefits and challenges of the use of marijuana

Discuss about the feelings of the general Thai population about same-sex marriage

Why was same-sex marriage approved by the Thai government?

How can Thai people preserve their culture and tradition in the midst of changing times?

Lesson 2

  • Deciding on a topic for group discussion
  • Mind mapping topic for group discussion

Instructions

  1. Watch the video on how to mind map topics for group discussion
  2. Together with your group members map out your topic on a paper or on your electronic device.
  3. Submit your mind map for consultation, marking, and approval.
  4. Save your work and compile them on your portfolio (paper or electronic)

Lesson 3

  • Group Discussion Script Writing
  • Finish product: group discussion script

Instructions

  1. Meet your group members
  2. Go through the guidelines in writing a script for your GD.
  3. Write/ organize ideas and information, questions and answers
  4. Submit for approval, and practice for the GD presentation (onsite or recorded in a video).

Guidelines for GD Script writing

  1. Moderator/ facilitator open the discussion
    1. greetings
    2. set the objectives/goals of the discussion
    3. explain briefly but concisely the significance of the topic (why do you need to discuss the topic)
    4. take the attendance (can done immediately after the greetings or before the greetings)
    5. begin the discussion (use transitional phrases to move from this step to the next for example, without further ado let’s begin the discussion….)
  2. Discussion proper
    1. Members at this point share their opinion(s), ask for other’s opinion, express agreement, disagreement or partial agreement, ask or give explanation, ask or express clarification, and ask or give suggestion. You may find helpful phrases for group discussion here.
    2. The exchanges among members should resemble a web of opinions, ideas, and questions, answers that are being thrown around rather than a two-way traffic of question and answer just like an interview (refer to the illustration below).
    3. While discussions are going on, minutes are jotted down or recorded by the secretary or any one assigned.
    4. The GD is completed/ finished when the objectives/goals set in the beginning have already been achieved. The moderator will then transition from this step to the next.

3. The moderator summarizes the discussion and mentions important and salient points from the discussion.

  1. review objective(s)/goal(s) of the group discussion
  2. enumerate the decision reached
  3. closing remark (thank members and bid goodbye, and remind members of their responsibilities, or schedule of the next group discussion/ activities).

Group Discussion Notes HERE

MORE HERE

English Conversation

Survey Test/Activity

    English Conversation Structure

    basic parts of a conversation

    Lesson 2 Getting to Know You

    sample conversation
    sample conversation

    ACTIVITY #1. Answer these questions with your partner.

    1. Take a look at your conversation e-book, name the different ways of introducing yourself? Introducing other people?
    2. What is SMALL TALK?
    3. What are topics you should not talk about during small talk?
    4. What are good topics to talk about during small talk?

    ACTIVITY #2. Do this activity with your partner.

    1. Look at conversation samples 1 and 2. Label the parts of the conversation according to the basic conversation structure above.
    2. Write and act out a conversation between two people meeting for the first time at a conference.
    • follow the basic conversation structure – kickstart, body, leave taking, goodbye.
    • small talk topics – nationality, home, occupation, workplace,  and the reason why they come to a conference

    HELPFUL VIDEOS

    Lesson 3: Request, Permission, Offer

    • Making a request (การร้องขอ)
    • Asking for permission (ขออนุญาติ)
    • Offering help (ให้ความช่วยเหลือ)

    Activity #1

    1. Familiarize the common expressions used for making a request, asking permission, and offering help.
    2. Practice using the expressions – Go to MAKING A REQUEST PRACTICE and ASKING PERMISSION PRACTICE.
    3. Complete the conversation exercises below.

    Activity #2

    1. Write and act out a conversation involving making a request, asking permission, and/or offering help. (Be mindful of the structure of your conversation)

    HELPFUL PHRASES

    Making a Request

    polite request in english
    polite request in english

    Asking Permission

    simple sentence pattern for asking permission

    Offering Help

    CONVERSATION EXERCISES – 1

    Somchai: Good morning, Madam. ________(1 offer help)____________?

    Nattawadee: Good morning. __________(2 permission)__________________?

    Somchai: I’m sorry, he’s out of the office at the moment.

    Nattawadee: Oh, well, never mind.

    Somchai: _____________(3 offer help)_______________________ for you tomorrow?

    Nattawadee: Oh, yes please. For 10 AM.

    Somchai: Just a minute… _____(4 decline)_____________ he has another meeting at 10 AM. Will three in the afternoon be all right with you?

    Nattawadee: No, thank you. I’ll meet him at his residence tonight. It’s something urgent.

    Somchai: ________(5 offer help)________________ him anything?

    Nattawadee: Thanks. You could tell him that Ms. Nattawadee was here.

    Somchai: I will tell him.

    Nattawadee: Thank you.

    CONVERSATION EXERCISES – 2

    Tom: Hey Jerry, going somewhere?

    Jerry: Yes. I need to pick up the new guests at the airport.

    Tom: ______(1 offer help)___________________?

    Jerry: That would be great! It can be pretty lonely driving alone you know.

    Tom: I certainly know that. Ok, ______( 2 permission)______ quickly grab my bag.

    Jerry: Ok. Oh by the way I forgot to bring my wallet. ___(3 request)___________ bringing it. It’s on my table next to the computer.

    Tom: Sure thing!

    Jerry: I’ll wait for you in the car.

    Tom: OK.

    CONVERSATION EXERCISES – 3

    Follow the conversation in the video. Fill in the missing conversation lines.

    HELPFUL VIDEOS

    Lesson 4

    Complaining, Clarifying, Apologizing, and Thanking

    Instructions

    1. Go over your e-book, unit 4.
    2. Define the following complain, clarify, apologize, and thank.
    3. List down words and phrases used for making complaints, asking for clarification, apologizing, and thanking.
    4. Use 2 to 3 of these expressions in a sentence. Share your sentences with your seatmate.
    5. Complete the conversation in the video below. Practice and present your conversation with the customer service agent.

    MORE HERE

    Helpful Phrases to Remember for an Effective Group Discussion

    Discussion is a process where people talk, converse, and discourse about something trivial or significant wherein the end result is to express ideas, make decision, or solve a problem.

    .

    MORE HERE

    toddler reading

    Vaccination

    Getting a vaccination could soon be as simple as eating a potato. Researchers at the University of Maryland, led by Dr. Carol Tacket, are developing edible vaccines that could grant immunity against some diseases.

    To be inoculated against a virus, bacterium, or toxin, the antibodies of our immune systems must be exposed to the illness-bearing agent, or pathogen. Vaccines work by exposing the body to pathogens that have been killed or disarmed. Once sensitized, antibodies can mobilize rapidly against familiar enemies by binding to them and preventing their growth and activity.

    Most vaccines are delivered in shots or pills, but the new one will be incorporated in raw potatoes. The potatoes have been genetically engineered to produce the key piece of an E.coli toxin that causes acute diarrhea. As the spuds move through the intestinal system and are digested, the toxin fragment is released and exposed to the immune system, which then generates antibodies against the toxin.

    Dr. Tacket’s group is waiting for approval from the FDA to test the potato vaccine on humans; it has already been tested successfully in mice. The next step would be to genetically modify bananas to carry vaccines, because raw bananas taste better than raw potatoes.

    The potential for edible vaccines is tremendous, especially in developing countries. Whereas current vaccines are expensive to produce, store, transport, and administer, an edible vaccine could be grown where it is needed in the quantity desired, and requires considerably less medical expertise to use.

    EXERCISE 1: Below are list of vocabulary from the reading article. Complete the table by providing the definition and sample sentence for each of the given vocabulary. You may download, link below.

    vocabularymeaningsample sentence
    edible fit to be eaten as foodFruits found in the forest may not be edible.
    grant (verb)to giveTheir request for monetary allowance was granted.
    immunitythe condition that permits either natural or acquired resistance to diseaseVaccines help the body build immunity to diseases.
    disease
    inoculate
    toxin
    antibody
    immune system
    expose
    pathogen
    genetically engineered
    generates
    potential
    tremendous
    current
    administer
    quantity
    desire

    EXERCISE 2: Reading Comprehension Questions

    Download questions to test your reading comprehension.

    EXERCISE 3: Write a short essay on any of the following topics.

    1. How a CoViD-19 vaccine works?
    2. Benefits of CoViD-19 vaccine
    3. Advantages of a vaccinated person over unvaccinated individual
    4. Importance of vaccination
    5. How are CoViD-19 vaccines administered?

    Related Posts

    toddler reading

    Mobile Phones

    Just a few minutes’ chatting on a mobile phone reduces the brain functions of children for almost an hour, according to new Spanish test results quoted in Norwegian media.

    The tests, conducted by the German investigator Michael Klieeisen at the Spanish Neuro Diagnostic Research Institute in Marbella, are the first to show how children’s brains react to the use of mobile phones. With the help of a scanner, Klieeisen was able to create pictures of how the brains of an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl reacted while they used a mobile phone. The results were compared with similar tests using adult subjects.

    The tests showed that the brain activity of the child subjects was reduced significantly, especially on the side where the mobile phone was held, a few minutes after the call was begun, the report said. Also, brain activity was lower than normal in large sections of the brain for 50 minutes after the end of the call, the test results showed.

    “My advice to all parents is not to allow children to use mobile phones.” Klieeisen was quoted by Aftenposten as saying. “Not only are electrical activities affected, but also bio chemical processes. We do not know if it is dangerous, but we do know that children’s brains, which are not fully developed, are more vulnerable than adult brains are,” the researcher added.

    Researchers in Britain confirm the Spanish results, and Norwegian and Swedish experts are also studying the health risk posed by mobile phones.

    Reading Comprehension Questions

    MORE HERE