Amazing & Exotic Thailand

AMAZING & EXOTIC THAILAND -
Thailand a beautiful country, This country has amazing natural beauty. There are hundreds of places that one have to see and visit. The world know Thailand only in one light that is sex trade but that is not true. It is face that they have given freedom about sex but that does not mean that their economy only runs on sex trade. That is big myth about this country.

This country has amazing strength, capacity, opportunities and tourism potential. They are one of the top 3 rubber exporters of the world. They are one of the top exporters of ready made garments and lather goods. They are largest exporter of decorative items. They are larges in count in Tourism, Hotel industry, health services. Thai people are devoted Buddhist and Thailand have thousands of beautiful Buddhist Monasteries. They are also best in fruit exports, flower exports.

I use to think the same way about this great country Thailand until I met girl from Thailand, who is pursuing PHD in Pune. I have interacted with her and came to know about many facts and all my myths about this country are vanished. She has shown me many facts and figures about Thailand and its economy, which has actually enlightened me and has cleared my misconceptions about this country. Based on discussion I have decided to visit Thailand for myself and planned my journey last year in the month of March. So this is my journey and travel blog / information I am sharing with you all.

I have planned my journey and started gathering information about, how to reach? Where to reside ? How to travel ? when to travel? What is good season? How much finances will I require? What is culture ? what are do's and don'ts ? etc.

Then accordingly I have started looking for websites that helps to book hotels there and after surfing through many such websites, I have finalized to book my  hotels through Booking.com. Booking.com is very helpful site, where I got to see hundreds of Hotels and Lodges, its GPS location, its approach to market, charges, amenities, reviews of the guests who stayed there and finally their grade points. Then accordingly I have decided to shortlist only those hotels which have grade points 8 and above.

There were best and maximum discounts available in the month of March so I preferred to visit Thailand in March. Once my hotels were booked, I have then planned for my Air Tickets and for that I got best deal from Via.com and booked my tickets from Thai Air, where again I got best deal.

I have also discussed with few of my friends who have been to Thailand but which was actually confusing and negative because their purpose of Thailand visit was absolutely different than my purpose.

anyway lets talk about my journey to Thailand - 

SWARNABHUMI AIRPORT - The flight landed on time and after alighting from flight I went through Visa on arrival counter, it took around 1 hour for me to go through the process. Once i got the visa documents, I went our and went to phone connection and data connection counter. there are many of such counters available of different service providers. I got the new sim and i recharged it. It was quite easy process than I thought of.

TRAVEL TO PATTAYA - Then I went two floors down from where Buses starts for Pattaya. I took the ticket which costed me for just 220 bath. The bus was due at 8.30 am so I went on the canteen available on the same floor. I had some breakfast and got fresh in restrooms. The bus arrived and I boarded the bus. The journey started. The bus went through the Bangkok city and I was amazed to see surroundings and beauty. The hightway started. it was wide 4 lane each side high way but was very disciplined one. No horns, no sudden breaks and no rash driving too. We did face at one point traffic jam but, no one was trying to push their vehicles ahead unlike India. There was sufficient space between two vehicles. The cities and towns enroute were all away from main high way and proper interconnect were there to cut the direct crossing. No small restaurants and no shops, no public near road. it was really odd for me and different experience than India. Then Bus ultimately reached to Pattaya.

After getting down the main problem I faced is, people hardly speak English and understand English. Some how I shown them my hotel address, so they just indicated me that go on this road you will reach but no one could tell me how far or how close my hotel is.

Then I hired a taxi who charged me 200 Bath for hotel drop and I had no alternative than reaching the place as soon as possible. The Taxi person experience is no difference than India, he exploited me by charging 200 bath for just 1 and half km distance. But it was ok.

GREEN PARK RESORT - I reached to my resort around 2 hours before my check in time. The staff was quite polite and welcoming. The girls standing on reception requested me to keep my luggage and get fresh. I did so. Then after around an hour the staff intimated me that my cottage I booked is ready and took me to my cottage. The cottage is surrounded by absolute greenery and lawn and beautifully located near big circular swimming pool.  It was big bedroom, attached with huge bathroom, and big varanda (entrance lobby). I was astonished with the beauty and nature around my cottage. One thing I loved is there were many sweet and loving cats. I love cats. I got comfortable and after taking bath took a walk around. There was a Indian Sikh Punjabi shop just across the road, I bought swimming trunk from him, then adjacent to it there was a Thai Spa, I immediately went there and had good relaxing spa. The therapist was good and was known about India and knew about Salman khan and Shaharukh Khan. After good spa i went back to my hotel and had bath and then went for swimming. Then got ready to explore the city further. 

FIRST EVENING - I started walking and exploring the near by area. I love to walk so I most of the time prefer to walk and that is best way of exploring any city, at least I think that way. The evening was very much life and young. So many bars and joints were on both side of the street. Lighting and loud music was played and thousands of beautiful girls and females were gathered and with them there were thousands of expats were hanging around. I decided not to go in immediately. so was just walked around 4 kilometers like that. Then I asked one two wheeler rider lady about where is beach road and the famous walking street of Pattaya. Instead of showing me road she just told me to ride back and told me she can drop me near walking street. All the road she rode was full of lights and bars and discos and go go bars. It was dream come true for me. 

SOI OF PATTAYA - The way we have lanes in India, in Thailand the lanes are called Soi and the soi 1, 2, 3 like that there are many lanes. Each of the lane have many food joints, go go bars, Spas, pickup bars, pole dance shows, massage parlors, bubble bath centers etc. In market area Soi there are so many ready made garment shops and the clothing is really cheap but of good quality. I was amazed to see rates. The rates were practically one fourth of India. The designs were totally new and nice one. If you are going to Thailand and your purpose is shopping then please do study which Soi you should go and which you should avoid. Because some Soi is really not good and one may be looted or robbed if you are not careful. Some Soi are specially for sex and prostitution. it is totally depending upon you what you are looking for you will get. 

AL-CAZAR SHOW - Al-Cazar show is a beautiful dance form and fold dance of native Thailand and all the participants here are lady boys or transgenders. The set is huge and performance is amazing beautiful. Any one visiting Thailand should not miss this dance show.

NONG NOOCH PARK - This park is man made wonder, In my opinion if we could add number of wonders to 7 wonders of the world I would suggest this park to be added to the list. This park is developed on thousands of acres with beautiful landscaping and plantations. Dummies of worlds all animals, birds and insects were installed but they are so realistic that you will tempting to take selfies or photographs, Cactus park which is part of this establishment is amazing. There are hundreds of types of cactus kept and they are so beautiful that I don't have words to explain. The Park charges as entry fees somewhere around 500 baths but it is worth spending that amount. There is Elephant ride available as well as battery operated cars that ferry tourists all over the park. Not everyone can walk all the park as it may take more than 5-6 hours to see this park. A must visit place as per my opinion. 

FLOATING MARKET PATTAYA - Floating market of Pattaya is very popular all over the world for its construction on the lake and made out of wood. All the food shops are on boats and vendors selling their articles through the small boats. There is entry fees to enter this market. There are many bridges connecting to different shops and all made out of wood. Articles here are little expensive than actual market. But still people enjoy here. There is a tea vendor who dress up like actor Johny Dipp and sells ICE Tea. There are some other food articles that we Indian can not even think of eating, like fried scorpions, fried grass hoppers, roaches. But dimsums are really tasty. Taking photographs is real fun here. It takes around 2 hours to roam around this floating market. Do not come under Must Go place.

CONVEYANCE IN PATTAYA - Conveyance in Pattaya is little cheaper. You can stop a taxi tempo and sit in it and reach any destination by paying just 20 Bath. Its very convenient too. If you want to travel through the city soi areas then you should go for bike taxi where you can  just ride back to bike man or woman and he/she can drop you at your desired destination. In addition to this  you can hire two wheeler here at reasonable rate and can ride any bike right from moped to sports bike. you get these kind of bikes practically at every corner of city. Rent is paid per day in advance. If you know roads and confident enough then you should hire some bike only.

 

SEA BEACH - Pattaya has got beautiful sea beaches with many sea sports. There is big circular road near beach that is called beach road. It stretches around 12 kilo meter. Big footpath, beautiful tree plantations, and other side of the road, there are many hotels, and vendors along with go go bars. Shopping on this road is very economical and Jeans clothing and lather jackets, purses and belts. Even sports ware and fashionable female clothing is really good and cheap. A must go place. You can stay on this road. Its fun to stay on this road and taking evening or morning walk is real fun. And yes you can can see or pick up beautiful girls on this road but beware you may end up hooking with lady boy or shemale too. As the lady boy and shemales here are far more beautiful than a females are.

WATER SPORTS - There are many water sports activities, skying, water scooter, scuba diving, snorkeling, deep sea diving, glass bottom boats and even some cruse ships are there that take you in evening for over night party and drops back in the morning. Its kind of dream come true and heaven on earth. It is fun filled night in all sense. Dance, Disco, Drinks, Food, Party, Girls, Lady boys. You have to choose your fun style. A must experience thing.  

WALKING STREET / PLAZA - A person going to Pattaya and not visiting Walking Street is like wasting his time and money and trip. This place is absolutely fun filled place. This is typical night spot. The fun starts here by 10 night and is in full swing till 4 am. The strip bars, pole dance, lady boy show, nude bubble bath, pickup girls, Indian Mujara, Russian Bale, playboy bunnies and hundreds of Go Go Bars where you will see and experience Thailand's most beautiful girls, females and lady boys dancing around and calling you or tempting you to with them. It is surprising that you are not attracted to them. They woo you so sweetly and talk in sweet voice.

PUBS AND BARS - Pubs, Bars, Live Music, Disco, Dance Floors, Go Go Bars, Pick up Bars are ample in Bangkok and Pattaya, rather every road and every lane you will find such bars and its heaven for Night Life Lovers. Just go to any bar, buy a Beer or Drink of your choice, you will find many girls dancing there. If you click then just smile and raise your glass, she will join you. Buy her a drink of her choice, start discussion and she may join you for night over. At some other bars the girls are dancing over there and if you like any girl you can call her, pay her cover charges and take her with you. Many Bars and Pubs have private rooms available for fun. You can pay from 150 bath to 300 bath for room, which is absolutely clean and presentable and have your fun for hour or two. Same with Ladyboy bars. Specifically in Nana red light district there are most of the Lady Boy bars. so beware before you enter.

 LADY BOY - Lady boy community is part and parcel of the Thailand life. Every 3rd girl you see could be a Lady boy. The only country in the world where Lady boy or third gendered people have equal rights, and are absorbed in to main stream jobs, business, Government Services, Management etc. The receptionist standing at the front desk, you find her attractive and beautiful but she could be in reality a Lady Boy. People around the world are attracted towards these lady boys and come to enjoy with lady boy. It is said that sex with lady boy is better than even females but I only heard it. But an Italian boy staying in my hotel said he has experienced it and he loves lady boys. As I wrote above that there are many Go Go bars and Pick up bars and many girls are there waiting for you but there are chances that some of them could be lady boys. Lady boys are at many cases more beautiful than a normal female. You can identify lady boy by their gestures and behavior. They are more stylish, wear more sexy clothing, more fashionable, wear more makeup, the waste and ass movements are more than a normal girl. If you see their hands, there are more veins visible than a girl. Even if you see their throats you can see voice box (adam's apple) is visible, Their voice is most of the time Husky, manly and many time to hide the voice they speak in very low volume. Many Thai Massage Parlors are run by lady boys. There are hundreds of lady boys standing on foot path on every road after evening to woo foreigners. 

You don't need to worry about them. Unless you show interest in them they don't trouble you or follow you. I have heard many false stories that lady boys looted single males but not a single lady boy tried to come in my way when i was walking on the roads, even in dark lanes. If you walk straight and show no interest in them, they don't trouble you. 

Many foreigners hire them, even females, males or couples around the world hire lady boys to full fill their fantasy. One more thing I want to warn you is if at all you are looking to hookup with lady boy then negotiate with them prior to take them back, because they may demand excessively and if you do not pay then you may land up in trouble. Whether girl or lady boy, when you take back to your hotel always keep your valuables in electronic lockers for safety. There were incidents where girls or lady boys stole valuables or bag of passport and visa. 

So if you are going there for fun and enjoyment then please be careful and alert.

THAI SPA / MASSAGE - Thai Spa and massage is very popular all over the world. They have unique technique of doing massage with special aromatic oil that gives you relaxed feeling. You run around whole day and get tired but before night life starts, in evening go to spa and get a good spa and you feel your energy is restored to full. The way they give stretches and pressure points, your whole pain vanishes. The Thai foot spa is excellent. You can go to any spa at any point of time and get the foot spa done and you will be fresh to walk some more. Thai Spa saloons are established all over the world and you can even enjoy Thai Spa in all metros of India. You going to Thailand and missing Thai Spa means you have not experienced best of Thailand. 

TRAVEL TO BANGKOK FROM PATTAYA BY BUS - The way we have buses from Mumbai to Pune after every half an hour, there are buses from Pattaya to Bangkok. Ticket is just 180 Bath. This is Government operated Bus. There are regular announcements about the bus number and time. The journey is of 3 hours. The entire rout is beautiful and scenic. It is cheapest mode of transport one should prefer. If you travel by Taxi then it will cost you around 3000 Bath, which is way too expensive. Definitely you will have to bear little inconvenience but it is damn cheap. 

BANGKOK METRO - Excellent and most preferred transport within the city of Bangkok. It is even cheaper too as compared to Tuk Tuk or Taxi. There is Metro running every 5 to 7 minutes and very convenient too. All the instructions are given in English and even you can see next station on display in every compartment. You can catch the metro from Airport itself. 

HOTEL IN BANGKOK - To book hotels I have preferred Booking.com and I just filled in dates and my budget and it has suggested me few of the best hotels. Even when I went it was off season so I bagged a deal of 60% discount. So I got very good accommodation at just 2200 per day. The hotel was NO Smoking one. No Tea or Coffee inside the room. If you wanna smoke or have coffee you have to come down to ground floor lobby and there is 24 hours free coffee or tea vending machines and Smoking of course at your own cost only.  

EVENING IN BANGKOK - Evenings in Bangkok are fun filled with hundreds of hangout places, Bars, Pubs, Dance Shows, Life Bands, Lady boy shows, music, lighting and glamour. Beauty practically overflows on the road. Beautiful Thai Girls and lady boys are wooing you to fall in love with them. Footpath market is at full swing and you get best deal on many clothing items or on electronic goods as well as on Sun Glasses. Fashionable Sun Glasses, Umbrellas, LED Lighting, Toys, Sex Toys, Ladies under garments, lather jackets, lather purses, lather belts and many more lather goods. The market is young all night. The market picks up momentum after 9 pm and is there till 4 am. There is rush all over the road, market, hotels, restaurants, eateries etc. Even  by just walking around the market when it will be past midnight you won't realize. 

INDIAN FOOD - In Thailand and mainly in Bangkok or Pattaya there are various joints available that serve South Indian & Pubjabi Food. When I reached Bangkok and was looking around for food I came across a name Dosa King and went in. The place is owned by some Pubjabi Sikkh guy. I called in for fixed menu Thali. It was good one but cost was very high. He charged me 300 bath for that. After that when I was walking around in Ashok, Sukhumvit and Nana area I saw many South Indian, Gujrathi and Pubjabi food joints. But frankly be ready to shell out more cost because in foreign country you are looking for Indian food so that has to be expensive. 

THAI FOOD - There are some really good Thai food joints available. Though we Indians can not eat everything that they serve. The main portion of Thai Food consist of Beef and Pork, Ham which we cant eat. But I fortunately happen to go to Thai Kitchen just at the entrance of Soi 7 of Nana. This place is just above Sub-way on first floor. The girls there are so good and welcoming and charming that you feel comfortable immediately. The smiling faces and polite behavior makes you feel good. I use to order Phad Thai Noodles with Shrimps, Chicken or prawns etc. Very tasty food. There are hundreds of vendors that are serving fresh food like Dimsums, Springrolls, Some fried noodles etc. 

But beware most of the food contains pork, ham, beef or sea food. Prefer vendor that has good crowd around because that is sign of fresh and good quality food. Practically at every joint you get beer. Beer is costing right from 50 bath to 200 bath depends on location. At food joint its generally cheaper but at Go Go Bars or Dance Bars it is 200 bath. As traveler and being alone I did not take risk of going for hard liquor. But it is depending upon your choice.  

MARKET & SHOPPING - It is totally depending upon you. But I found it quite cheaper than India. After visiting the market there I realized that, I should not have gone there with luggage, rather it would have better I had shopped there itself. Specially the MBK market, it so economical and you can bargain too. Siam Centre, Street Market, LED lights, decorative items etc. every thing was so economical. I would suggest travelers not to carry heavy luggage while going to Thailand.  

WHAT TO SEE THERE -

1) BUDDHIST MONASTERIES -There are many beautiful Buddhist Monasteries, that are so well maintained, well kept, clean and very well managed. No flowers, No garlands, no scented sticks, no dirt and garbage any where. One has to pay minimum TB 20/- for entry. So the maintenance of the monastery is done from this entry fees. There is no list of donors, no names of trusties, no exploitation by the monks. I loved the pattern and management of this kind.   

2) GOLDEN MOUNTAIN - Golden Mountain is again a beautiful place and a Buddhist Monastery which is constructed on a Hill. The the temple of buddha is totally painted in Golden color. You have to buy a ticket of TB 40/- and climb around 200 + steps. It feels so peaceful and beautiful there. You can see and witness great view of Bangkok from this place. A must visit place for travelers.

3) HINDU TEMPLES & CULTURE IN THAILAND - There are many Hindu Gods and Goddess temples available to see in Thailand. I have visited Ganpati Temple, Vishnu Temple, Kali Temple and Mahalaxmi Temple. There temples are also very well kept and managed. You can see Hindu Cultural Traces in Thailand.

4) KING PALACE - King Palace is beautiful one, it is mesmerizing and articulately constructed. The architecture and construction is unique and you can see Buddhist cultural touch in everything. One must visit the Palace and experience the beauty. There is entry fees to see it.

 5) WAR MEMORIAL - This is a big square near King Palace, where Memorial is constructed and at one corner of the square, A full First Thai King Statue sitting on Throne is installed. Huge and wide square and ample of space in front of the King Statue. But everything is absolutely clean. No Hawkers, Thelas, Panwala or any kind of vendor you witness there. You can actually seat on floor without hesitation.

6) BIG SWING

7) FLOATING MARKET

8) CRABI ISLANDS 

THREATS & CARE - Otherwise its all safe there but some incidents are always there.
If you are going for sex fun then please do negotiate initially then only take the girl with you.
Keep your valuables in digital lockers provided by hotel,
Do not carry all your money along with you,
Do not drink pre prepared drinks from any one.
Do not go into unexplored areas at night time.
If you are not in to Lady Boys or Shemales then ask the lady or girl upfront that are you lady boy or Kethoy ? if she says yes then say sorry and move immediately, do not argue.
While taking some girly to hotel, follow procedure and tell her to deposit her ID card with hotel reception.
If you are Indian then please avoid eating street food, even if you are non vegetarian because the non veg served there may be a Dog, or Monkey or Pork, mostly which we do not eat in India.
Do not talk about King or criticize King.
Do not throw money on road.
Do not use Narcotics or Drugs because once you are caught then it is impossible to get you out.

Carry less baggage,
Carry sanitizer in you bag,
Carry a Napkin as its humid there, sweating is more .
Carry necessary medicines along with prescription.
Carry a umbrella as it rains there quite often.
Always keep extra t shirt in bag.
Prefer walkers shoos.
Carry a International Cash Card (As our Credit / Debit Cards are not useful most of the time.)
Keep 2-3 extra copies of your passport and Identification proofs,

RETURN JOURNEY - On last day, which I kept for Shopping at Bangkok, I was shopping till last moment. Then I reached hotel with all luggage, checked out the room and preferred to reach Airport by Metro, So I caught metro, which I need to changed at one junction, from there the metro directly halted at Airport. It was good that I did my E Checkin done otherwise it would have been difficult for me to reach in time. After checking in I went ahead, the main area where Scene of Amtrit Manthan is created with Devas, Asuras, and Bhagwan Vishnu in Mohini Awatar, there are many other Hindu Culture statues and Idols are installed. I shopped from Duty Free few Liquor Bottles and boarded flight and reached Mumbai. It was owsom feeling to reach our home land. 

sharang pande