Leaving Koh Chang, now being so close to the Cambodian border, I figured it was time for a quick visa run. And so it was back to Trat for a minibus transfer to the Hat Lek-Cham Yeam border in the Southeastern-most part of Thailand along the Gulf. Based on my past experiences with various scams at Cambodian borders such as Aranyapathet-Poi Pet, I think I emerged relatively unscathed this time, hurt only by what I think probably was just a slightly overpriced (USD4) moto ride from the border to the nearest town of Koh Kong, some 10 km away. Koh Kong, with its relatively untouched and government-controlled beaches, mangroves and waterfalls, is part of a larger designated national park, but is otherwise (yet another) rather sleepy riverside town. It had in fact been on my to-go ... read more

After almost two weeks in the capital, I hit the road again towards what could be the last area of Thailand that I haven't quite yet covered -- the Eastern Gulf. My main objective is to check out the much talked about island of Koh Chang, to do a quick visa run to neighbouring Cambodia, and also to check out Koh Kong on the Cambodian side which I'd missed during my first foray back in late 2012. But first, a stop en route in Chanthaburi - a relatively quiet riverside town in a province better known for its fruit orchards and gem markets. It also happens to be the birthplace of my grandmother, though having left eons ago, I doubt she would recognise it today (she once told me there was no need to visit -- ... read more

Moving on the quick overnight "transit" in Phi Phi, a short 2h ferry ride brought me to my next destination in Southwest Thailand. Now, some eight years after a memorable first trip here with some friends, I'm finally back again in Patong Beach of Phuket Island, Thailand's original island paradise, and undisputed powerhouse of the Thai tourism industry. As with every other place, economic success brings inflation, and conniving tuk-tuk touts aside, the jacked-up prices of even the humble street food vendors put even Bangkok to shame. It is of course impossible not to compare Phuket with the likes of Samui and Pattaya, similar in so many ways, and even Bali in Indonesia. The gargantuan resorts fronting the beach, and the supporting tourist infrastructure of mega malls, restaurants, tour agencies all combine to remind any visitor ... read more

Hello to all, I'm back on the road again! But only a relatively brief month-long trip or so this time, back to my favourite destination Thailand again, where I hope to check out some parts that I'd missed earlier. And my first stop was in the laid-back riverside town of Krabi, pretty much renowned among backpackers as the launchpad for the pristine beaches of nearby Ao Nang, as well as the cluster of islands Koh Phi Phi, immortalised in Leonardo di Caprio's movie The Beach. It is the latter that I will be heading to after two days of lazy wandering around the quiet streets of Krabi Town in the low season. Apart from it being my first time here, I'd also taken the opportunity to check out a trade fair in town, and planned an ... read more

Being already at Sanur, it made perfect sense to take the quick 1h boat ride eastwards to the island of Nusa Lembongan, the smallest of a cluster of three that lies just offshore. This was where LP promised lay "the Bali that people imagine, but never really find". Before that though was a matter a boarding the slowboat. Because of an absence of proper piers at Sanur beach, the slowboat berthes slightly offshore in waist-high waters. So getting on is a matter of timing your approach in between the approaching and receding waves. Despite the crew's best intentions of assistance, I failed miserably at this test and boarded with soaking wet shorts. That wouldn't ruin my stay at Lembongan though. It's not nearly as quiet or remote as an old edition of LP might have led ... read more