Thailand travel Tips

Thailand has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. The Southeast-Asian country has gone straight through 3 prime ministers in the last 12 months, faced an influx of refugees from Bangladesh and Myanmar and endured a week-long airport closure due to anti-government protesters. It sounds like to last place on earth where population should spend their holidays. However, Thailand is actually a great escape, especially now in the winter season.

Not long ago, Bangkok's international airport was fulfilled, and all flights in and out of Thailand cancelled for over a week. Several hundred thousand tourists were stranded without any flights taking them where they needed to be. As a result, many tourists that were about to leave to Thailand cancelled their flights and went elsewhere. This has lead to hotels in Thailand reporting very low occupancy rates and flights into Thailand are half empty as well. This slump in examine has been reinforced by the global economic downturn and the trend towards short-haul holidays.

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However, because there is so much unused hotel and flight capacity in Thailand, operators offer critical discounts on holidays to the country. Flights to Bangkok can be had for up to 30% less and some hotels in Thailand's resort areas like Pattaya or Phuket offer rooms for up to 70% less. So for holiday makers in Europe or North America who what to leave the winter cold, Thailand is the best deal this winter season.

The country is well knows of its pristine beaches, friendly population and authentic cuisine. English is widely spoken and for many nationalities no visa is required to enter the country. Despite the up-to-date unrests, travel within the country is carefully to be very safe.

International flights ordinarily arrive in Bangkok where population can join together to flights throughout the country by one of the local airlines. Thai Airlines, Bangkok Airlines and Nok Air have manifold flights a day to all major cities and tourist resorts in Thailand. All these airlines currently offer promotions from Bangkok to most of their destinations.

Since many neighboring countries also similar problems like Thailand, this season might also be a good chance to discover some of the other countries in Indochina. Flights from Bangkok are ordinarily cheap, especially since now many low-cost airlines offer flights to Thailand.

Travelers should discover the situation in Thailand intimately before making a decision to go there. However, this winter season the country is more affordable than under normal circumstances. So visit Thailand now!

Thailand travel Tips

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How to travel to Siem Reap From Laos Or Thailand

Chong Sa Ngam lies about 40 minutes from Sisaket in Thailand and the road is wholly sealed on both the Thai and Cambodia sides. Chong Sa Ngam is the town on the Thai Side of the border on the Cambodia side the border is known as Along Veng. Once you have completed Visa formalities it takes only about 1 and a 1/2 hours to reach Siem Reap or 120 Km!!

What does this all mean well of course if you are travelling from towns in Isaan such as Ubon, Surin or Sisaket you would be looking at only about a 3 hour drive to Siem Reap isn't that great!!. If you are advent from Pakse you are looking at a travel time of about 6 hours. Well this is the route from Pakse for those curious in travelling overland.

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Leaving Pakse at about 8am travel 44 Km to the Thai border at Chong Mek this only takes about 40mins but probably 1 hour to faultless Visa formalities (Thai Visas are Issued free and on arrival). Next travel via Det Udon to Chong Sa Ngam there is of course no need to go to Ubon there is a sealed road that goes directly to the border and it is only 200km and takes just under 3 hours together with a toilet stop or two.

Now you have to cross the border into Cambodia again Visas are issued on advent but there is a fee of nearby Us. Once across the border you can stop to see the cremation site of Pol Pot just a few metres away down a small path. This way his last stand while the Khmer Rouge Reign. You are now in Along Veng and from here it is only an additional one 1 and a 1/2 hours to Siem Reap or about 120km passing Banteay Srei temple along the way. This is a great alternative to traveling the route via Kampong Cham which will take over 15 hours!

This is great news for travellers or tours who are looking for alternatives to the flight from Pakse to Siem Reap. Or for those who would like to include a little of Isan in there tour program! Isan Northeastern Thailand is stunning and the people are very friendly and hospitable, eco-resorts like Kong Jiam are a excellent hideaway, and there are also some great temples to visit as an introduction to the Khmer Empire.

On an additional one note the actual route the Khmer Empire travelled from Wat Phu Champasak in Laos to Siem Reap in Cambodia is of course only 240km and plans are underway to faultless this road so in a few years the route from Pakse to Siem Reap may only take about 3 hours watch this space!!!

How to travel to Siem Reap From Laos Or Thailand

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