One of the many questions Thais may ask a foreigner visiting Thailand is ‘Have you been to Chiang Mai yet?’, underscoring the feeling that Chiang Mai is a keystone of any journey to Thailand. Along with Sukhothai further south, it was the first Southeast Asian state to make the historic transition from domination by Mon and Khmer cultures to a new era ruled by Thais.

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HAT YAI (Hadyai), the transport axis of the region, is a concrete mess, but attracts a million tourists a year, nearly all of them Malaysians who nip across the border to shop and “get laid”. It’s only 50km from the border with Malaysia, and you can get to many destinations from here by direct share taxis, air-con minibuses and trains.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
Sex trade and shows are a staple in this country, so if you’re offended by pimps coming up to you, then Thailand is not a country to visit. But it has so much more to offer in way of the smiles and friendliness that these people exude.

Shopping and Bargains:
Bargains are aplenty and haggling is very accepted. If you like something, try to point on another before settling for that something you like at a bargain price and always use a calculator to bargain with them. Cost-wise, it’s a bang-for-your-buck destination. Visit the only Hatyai market located in downtown for cheap clothes and leather goods.

Language:
Sawadee Khab” (Hello, Welcome) if you’re male. “Sawadee Kha” if you’re female.
“Kop Khun Khab” (Thank You) for male. “Kop Khun Kha” for female.

Favourite Spots:
I enjoyed swimming in Samila Beach that located about 20km away from Hatyai downtown.
Book a ‘Tuk Tuk’ for half a day and go to Songkhla. A nice getaway.

Massage:
This is the main attraction for this small town. I have been to so many other countries and i must say Hatyai has the cheapest massage in the world. A traditional Thai massage will cost you as low as Baht 100 per hour or Baht 200 for two hours.

Accommodation:
There are many reasonably priced hotels in Hatyai. Price range can be from as low as Baht 600 to Baht 2,000. It is recommended to stay in the town area which is more convenient.

Hangouts:
You must visit KISS CHANNEL PUB. They have friendly staffs, good live music…and attractive dancers. The best pub to hangout at night in Hatyai

Best Way to Get Around:
Tuk Tuk
Best way is by the local taxi called a “Tuk Tuk” (pronounced Took Took). It’s cheap and they zip you around anywhere in the city. Just hail any of these colourful motorized tricycles and hop on board. Normal price for a ride is Baht 20. Beware of ‘overpriced’ Tuk Tuk.

Walking
Walking is another form of getting to know your bearings. A grid of 4 by 6 streets doesn’t seem much, but there’s always something around the corner that will catch your eye and you would have lost your bearings for a moment…or two.

Thailand’s capital is an exciting and frenetic city, home to more than seven million people, endless traffic, choking pollution and 24-hour entertainment. But for those that linger, it gets under your skin - you’ll never get bored. It’s exotic, it’s unique and it’s fun. It’s Thailand.

Highlights:
I’ve been to Bangkok many times, and here are some of the things that continue to hypnotize me - the things i can’t wait to do each time i return:
Hop on a boat, any boat: The public boats that ply the Chao Phraya and smaller khlongs are a cool way to sample Thai life.

Visit “Temple-Town”: The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Mahathat are just plain awesome. Come and explore these classic monuments to Buddhism.

Go Market Mad: This is the city for markets. They’re everywhere. From tiny flower and local produce markets lining the khlongs to “Market Disneyland” and 9000 stalls at the weekend Chatuchak arm-wrestle.

Chew on a Chilli: Bangkok is foodie heaven. The unmistakable freshness and spice surrounds you with thousands of choices. Cruise the river dining on fresh seafood and their famous “Tom Yam” spicy soup to an encore of gilded temple spires and and orange sunset - all for a few dollars!

People Watch: This one’s free. You can do it anywhere, but the frenzied lanes of Chinatown and relaxed open spaces of Lumphini Park are two of the best locations to observe Thais at work and play.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
WHEN TO GO: Bangkok is hot. At night it just gets dark. Dark and hot. November to May is pretty dry, then the monsoon hits until October. I visit between November and February when the weather is coolest and it’s least humid. At this time the nights are wonderful.

WHERE TO STAY: This is the best tip. Stay by the river. It’s cooler, there’s less pollution, the scenery constantly changes, and you can travel almost anywhere by boat down the river and khlongs. I’ve uncovered a couple of gems for under USD35.

EXPLORING: Bangkok’s climate will sap your energy. Always carry plenty of water. But there are a few other general tips for negotiating the city: Buy Nancy Chandler’s Map, the key to unlocking Bangkok’s hidden treasures. Pace yourself - leave time for relaxing, and check opening times of attractions you plan to visit - they can be as fickle as European churches. Oh, and grab a hotel/guesthouse card with Thai printed directions for those late-night taxi or tuk-tuk drives - not many of these guys speak English.

BUDGET: I manage to live well on around Baht 800 (USD21) a day (for two), everything included.

Best Way to Get Around:
There’s no simple answer to the best way to get around. Here’s some of the options i have used and why:

Boats: Cheap and plentiful, they’ll get you to many of the places you want to visit and are my first choice. Beat the heat, pollution and traffic for the price of a public bus - a few cents.

Tuk-tuks: Use them to cover short distances away from the heat, mayhem and polluted, gridlock traffic of the main roads. Avoid catching tuk-tuks at peak hour, you’ll probably die of lead poisoning. They’re about the same price as a taxi.

Taxi: I’ve used them a few times to travel back to my hotel at night and they’re quite cheap - i’ve never paid more than Baht 150 (USD 4) for a trip anywhere in Bangkok.

Skytrain: If you want to get there in a hurry and grab some great views, this monorail-like transit system is the option for you. Although its purpose is to serve business commuters, some stops are convenient for major attractions.

Walking: No, I haven’t gone crazy. Many of Bangkok’s narrow lanes and riverfront areas are best explored on foot. It can be a walker’s city.

What can I say, well, Koh Samui is the most paradise like place I’ve ever been, and i’ve got to tell you, I’ve travelled through places and nothing beats Koh Samui. Koh Samui is simply my most desired island destination of all time. It must be as this is my fourth year in a row returning to this island! Koh Samui is a small, relatively unspoilt tropical island paradise off the southern coast of Thailand, in the Gulf of Siam, and its tallest buildings rise no higher than the tallest palm tree. The interior of Samui is hilly and covered with tropical jungle, having spectacular views and waterfalls that sweep down to perfect white-sand beaches and an azure blue sea. The north coast of Samui witnesses some of the finest sunrises and sunsets in the world.

Highlights:
(1) Round Island Trip (via Suzuki jeep or scooter)
(2) The Full Moon Party (world’s most exotic and coolest dance party)
(3) Spa Massage (one of the cheapest in the world with top class facilities)
(4) Bophut (The Old Fishermans Village)
(5) Big Buddha (awesome Buddha statue)
(6) Northern Coast (witness the finest sunrises and sunsets in the world)
(7) Thong Krut (quiet local village)
(8) Watch the tourists on Chaweng Main Strip at night. (Even better, join them during the day on Chaweng Beach

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
Whilst Chaweng and Lamai are becoming relatively spoilt by tourism, the smaller coastal villages are still untouched–-look at Thong Krut on the south coast and Maenam in the north. Don’t miss Nathon, the island’s unspoilt capital (a good place to get a ferry to either the mainland Surat Thani or the islands of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan). Nathon is nowhere near as touristy as Chaweng and has great food, a lively market, and every evening, lots of local food stalls on the ferry car-park harbourfront, where you can eat well alongside the locals for a few baht.

WHERE TO HAVE FUN: On Samui, you’ll find a few nightclubs and discotheques if you like that kind of entertainment. I can recommend Green Mango, Reggae Pub (on Chaweng Beach) and Bauhaus, Super Sub (on Lamai Beach). There are also smaller pubs and bars all over the island. Enjoy! So called girlie bars are common and a little more expensive. If you are a man, do not be surprised if one of the girls wants to follow you to your room. Normally she is not too serious if she says that she is in love with you though. She is doing it as a work to support herself and sometimes also her family.

WHERE TO EAT: For top dining that doesn’t bruise your wallet, try:
The Ninja Crepe: This outlet opens 24 hours, serves the best and cheapest seafood in Koh Samui with exceptional hospitality. Owned by a Japanese and his Thai wife.
The Mangrove: The Menu is short, but excellent from this young, talented French chef–my first choice.

Best Way to Get Around:
The best advice is to hire a car or motor bike or even take a taxi (after hard negotiating); even better, jump on a songthaew (local pick-up bus) and travel around the island.