When Buddhism came to Laem Thong in the South of Thailand around 2200, Indians and other foreigners such as the Persian, the Romans, the Chinese etc… increasingly migrated to the area. Their arrival helped the development of small towns in the South of Thailand and coastal areas.
These independent cities, these kingdoms with their governors, princes and kings prospered in the South until 13-14 when they were integrated by the central government, initially as a protectorate, then from 1896 during the reign of Rama 5, they were regarded as administrative districts of the territory. In 1933, they were divided into provinces of the kingdom of Thailand which still remains in effect to this day. Read more »

The Beer Bottle Temple at Khun Han close to the Cambodian border which also goes by the names of “The Temple of a Million Bottles” or Wat Pra Maha Chedi Kaew to give it its correct Thai name is an environmentalist’s dream.

There’s nothing original in the fact that the complete temple complex is made of recycled beer bottles, there are many differing structures around the world similar in this aspect, what makes the beer bottle temple unique is the beauty & intricate designs employed in its construction. Read more »

May 26th – June 5th 2012

It gets started on May 26th and runs through to June 5th, combining on-the-water competitions and festivities with a number of shore-based tie-in celebrations.

The regatta itself is held between May 29th and June 2nd, with the remaining days dedicated to transporting participants back and forth from the Ocean Marina in Pattaya, where the SailQuest school is based. Read more »

When you stay in Bangkok it’s easy to think Thailand is all about tourism and Buddhism, traffic chaos and highrises, but in fact the Kingdom is in an agrarian country – a large part of its population still works in the fields. May 9th – a Wednesday this year, somewhat inauspiciously – celebrates Thailand’s agricultural roots with the Royal Ploughing Ceremony on Sanam Luang, Bangkok’s Royal Field, opposite the Grand Palace. Read more »

Vang Vieng tubing draws thousands of travelers a year to central Laos. Set amid a stunning natural backdrop of green mountains and wild countryside, tiny Vang Vieng has earned a reputation as a place to party, take a break from the road, and enjoy the best outdoor adventure that Laos has to offer. Read more »

Visitors to Thailand may occasionally come across roadside vendors selling insects as snacks. It’s often a source of curiosity and amusement for many Westerners when they first see fried grasshoppers or roasted crickets being sold on the street. Read more »

The worlds most devastating martial art originated  over 700 years ago, known then as “Muay Boran”. It was taught to the Siamese military as a form of self defense and when combined with spears and swords made for a very effective form of combat known as Krabi Kabong. Read more »

At Essential Samui we know how it goes. You wake up on your final day in Koh Samui and then chat with your friends at the breakfast table (at 4pm) about how the impending Round the Island Jetski-elephant-kayak tri-waterfall-athlon will be completed in the day ahead. Read more »

It is not unexpected that most Thai people hold the Elephant in such high esteem and reverence. When one takes a map and looks at the geographic boundaries of present day Thailand, Read more »

Situated approximately 195 miles south of the Philippine capital city of Manila, Boracay is an island in the archipelago’s western Visayas region. As a holiday destination, the island of Boracay is among the Philippines’ most popular. Read more »