Tag: thailand travels

sai thong resort

Sai Thong Resort (ทรายทอง รีสอร์ท)Trang

Posted on by Ms. Elle

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

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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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towers at Khuan Ron hills

Khuan Ron Hills (ควนหรนฮิลล์)

Posted on by Ms. Elle

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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Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel

Ibis Phuket Patong Hotel Review

Posted on by Ms. Elle

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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History of Bor Sang Umbrella: Chiang Mai Thailand

Posted on by Ryan

Bor Sang Umbrella Village Location: Chiang Mai-San Kampaeng Highway (Route 1006), 9 km from Chiang Mai Old City

It is a famous place in Chiang Mai Province in Thailand and a go-to for most tourists.  It is a small village in the district of Sankamphaeng popular for what is now called the Bor Sang umbrella. Umbrellas are part of Thai ceremonies and the people’s daily life and protection from rain and the sun.

designing umbrellas at Bor Sang Umbrella Village

History of Chiang Mai’s Umbrellas

According to history, a Buddhist monk by the name of Pra Khru In-Tha went to a pilgrimage to a village near the Burmese border. In this village, he observed the people’s lifestyle, who were Thai-Lue descendants from China.  It was in this village where he learned about umbrella making. This was Pra Khru In-Tha’s personal interest. And so he observed and studied the whole process intently, and shared it with the villagers in Borsang.  He provided them with the needed materials for them to practice.  Initially, Borsang umbrellas were made to be offered to monks and used of their domestic convenience.

Bor Sang umbrellas, due to its beauty and uniqueness have gained so much popularity that Borsang villagers developed methods to improve its quality for mass production.  Since then Borsang umbrellas have been sold and are still one of Chiang Mai’s trademark souvenir.

As a result, Bor Sang umbrella making has become a livelihood by some villagers especially during post-harvest season.

Fast-forward to the present

Currently, Bor Sang umbrellas are at a salable condition designed not only to protect one from rain or from the scorching heat of the sun, but also for decorations in homes and other establishments as well as religious, royal, and political ceremonies.

These beautiful hand-made umbrellas are patiently made with care that takes several processes.  If you want to learn how to make these please head to hand-made umbrellas of Chiang Mai.

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