Category: Travel

travel tips to Thailand

Travel Tips to Thailand

Posted on by Ms. Elle
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)

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Affordable Hotels

Cheap to Free Admission Tourist Destinations

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Green View Village Resort

Posted on by Ms. Elle

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

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koh nang kham grand canyon

Koh Nang Kham Grand Canyon (แกรนแคนยอน เกาะนางคำ)

Posted on by Ms. Elle

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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GREAT QUALITY and EASY-ON-THE-BUDGET HOTELS

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kids in the pool

Lanta Cottage Hotel

Posted on by Ms. Elle

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

Posted on by Ms. Elle

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

 
 
 
 
 
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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!

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geysers by the road

Geysers by the Road in Northern Thailand

Posted on by Ms. Elle

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

Posted on by Ms. Elle

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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sunset, road trip

Tips for Planning a Family Trip

Posted on by Ms. Elle
tips for planning a family trip
https://pixabay.com/photos/family-trip-italy-alps-wander-789029/

Going on a family trip can be one of the best experiences for both you and your children. Trips provide opportunities to experience new environments together, and can open your children’s eyes to the world. However, without proper planning, traveling in large groups with kids can quickly turn stressful. In order to make sure you make the most of your vacation, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning a family trip.

Hold a Family Meeting

The first thing to do before starting off on any family trip is to hold a family meeting. Why is this important? According to the Center for Parenting Education, a family meeting is a great opportunity for children to feel like they have a voice in family decisions, and can increase family closeness. When it comes to planning a vacation, this is a great opportunity for family members to touch base on where they’d like to go and what they’d like to do. You can discuss dream destinations, as well as streamline and adjust vacation plans to fit family members’ schedules and expectations.

Plan Ahead

Once you’ve got an idea of where you want to go and how long you want to be away from, it’s time to start planning. While it may be tempting to leave things until the last minute, planning ahead will definitely save you a lot of worry and headaches in the long run. The Huffington Post recommends forward planning because it leads to less stress, as well as helps you spend less time and money. The earlier you start shopping around, the higher the chance you can snag rooms or tickets at a discount, especially if you’re looking at taking a trip during the holiday season.

Research Your Transportation

Traveling with kids can be difficult, especially when they’re young. You’ll need to do more research on your modes of transportation, as children have different needs compared to adults. If you’re renting a car, look at insurance packages and child safety regulations. For longer haul trips that require time in the air, an article by Aviation JobNet recommends comparing airlines before making a decision. Among the factors they suggest for consideration are ticket prices, luggage surcharges, customer satisfaction, and frequent flyer status.

Manage Expectations

Finally, before you head out on your trip remember to manage expectations. Traveling with children comes with unique challenges that will require a bit of creativity on your part, so you should be realistic about what you expect from this holiday. For example, child development psychologist Dr. Amanda Gummer recommends that international trips be reserved for children older than five, as they’ll be less likely to remember the trip at a younger age. Children also react differently to high-stress situations on the road, so parents should be patient and be ready to take lots of breaks. However, although being realistic is important, remember that vacations are supposed to be fun bonding moments. Leave some space for you and your family to have fun, and you’ll be sure to make tons of beautiful memories.

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AQUARIA PHUKET

A Submarine in the Newest and Biggest Aquarium in Thailand

Posted on by Ms. Elle

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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mummified fishes at rajamangala trang aquarium

The Most Affordable Aquarium in Thailand?

Posted on by Ms. Elle

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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