Mai Pen Rai Attitude Mai pen rai, I don’t know how many times I have heard it and hear it or use it myself, at least once a day, and it is not possible that during your stay you will not hear it. It is an expression that is most often a response to “thank you” the equivalent of “you’re welcome” or “please”. But not only and like a lot of things in Thailand, it’s not as simple as it seems, it means more than that, it’s okay… it’s all right… don’t worry… never mind. It can seem rather annoying and disturbing but useful because it can reassure Thai people that even if they messed up your order at ..read more

Soft Opening On 30 April, which was the date foreseen for the end of the semi-lockdown, the state of emergency decree has been extended to May 31, as well as the curfew from 11 pm. to 4 am. The soft opening date chosen, Sunday, may 3, coincided with a long weekend, the 1st, and the 4th which is the anniversary of the coronation in 2019 of King Rama 10. Despite the number of safety regulations, for many it has been a deliverance, back to normal, meaning return to work and salary for employees and business for the self-employed. The schools remained closed and will open on July 1st. Only a few b ..read more

La Thaïlande en a vu d’autres, mais… la Thaïlande n’en est pas à sa première crise, elle en a vu d’autres, Le Sida depuis les années 80, 9/11 qui a changé le monde du voyage avec des mesures sécuritaires parfois extrêmes, le SARS entre Novembre 2002 et la fin de 2003 (9 cas, 2 décès), le tsunami en 2004 qui après le choc a très vite vu les touristes revenir. La crise de 2008 qui était purement économique et malgré des difficultés importantes s’était assez rapidement redressée. Mais avant cela, il y avais eu la crise du “Tom Yam Kung” dont vous pouvez voir les vestiges d’immeubles inachevés, co ..read more

Thailand Has Been Through Others, But… This is not the first crisis in Thailand, it has been through others. AIDS in the 80s, 9/11 which changed the world of travel with sometimes extreme security measures, SARS between November 2002 end of 2003 (9 cases, 2 deaths) the Tsunami in 2004 which after the shock, soon saw the tourists coming back. The crisis of 2008 which was purely economic and despite significant difficulties, had recovered fairly quickly, but before that in 1997 went through the “Tom Yam Kung” crisis, whose vestiges can be seen of unfinished buildings, such as the unique 49-story ..read more

Visit and Discover Differently Thailand is rich in landscapes and tourist destinations not to be missed. Beaches, park and jungles in the south, mountains in the north, waterfalls, caves, hiking, indigenous ethnic groups, the golden triangle. The rice fields and national park in the center, the Mekong in the east, not to mention the Isan country the largest region that covers a third of the country, the overlooked in terms of tourism, which, however, is not without attractions. Beautiful Khmer temples and countryside, folklore, but above all a very welcoming population. It is true that today T ..read more

Hipsters Bars Chinatown is well known for its festivals, shopping, the gold market and of course the street food, but have also its nightlife with hipsters bars for those who want to escape from the tourist districts to meet the locals and expats, friendly atmosphere. Although this is not the new hidden trend in the night scene that appeared a few years ago, it remains one of the most vibrant in Bangkok. The place not to be missed for a good night out, but more expensive compared to the city’s popular nightlife areas. All staff speaks English. 10 minutes walk from Hua Lamphong MRT station is t ..read more

Hua Lamphong Since 1916 the famous Neo-Renaissance Italian style railway station (Annibal Rigotti and Mario Tamagno) has been living its last years. The arrival or departure place for destinations within the country, which sees 60,000 passengers per day but also the luxurious, international Eastern and Oriental Express. Almost all travelers passed through Hua Lamphong Station (wild oxen) during their trip to Thailand, this will no longer be the case in 2021 and will have to go to the new modern Bang Sue station. No one knows what will happen to this historic monument, however, part of it would ..read more

Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market The Bangkok Flower Market called Pak Khlong Talat “market at the mouth of the canal” originally at the beginning of the 18th century (under the reign of King Rama 1) it was a floating market, which then became an auction and a large fish market in the 19th century. In the 1950s, local authorities due to the fish smell that permeated the area, flower, fruit and vegetable vendors were allowed to set up and the business eventually developed into Bangkok’s current flower (dokmai) market. The area is, in fact, a set of 3 distinct markets. The private market of Yodpima ..read more

Kudee Jeen a Portuguese Heritage A stroll back in time in one of Quarter the city’s oldest districts. Kudee Jeen a quarter with a Portuguese cachet which, in the 16th century, were the first Westerner to establish relations, friendship, trade treaty, and “military” with what was then Siam, and to establish a presence in the capital Ayutthaya, 120 of which were part of the king’s personal guard, as well as to practice Catholicism. It was after the Burmese ransacked the former capital at the end of the 18th century, where they took part in battles, including the conquest of Thonburi, that more t ..read more

Growing up with Superstitious and Beliefs Many Thais grew up believing that the superstitions heard (sometimes taught) were all true. Some still believe it, even as adults, while others often use it as a joke or to tease friends. Some superstitions are no longer really taken seriously, although many are still, especially by the elderly, not only in rural areas but also in large cities. However, Thais are very superstitious and most of them – even young people – believe in ghosts/spirits (phi), and there are many rules to follow to limit bad luck and optimize the chance that they stay out of th ..read more