Travel to Thailand – Episode 129
categories: asia travel
The Amateur Traveler talks to Eric about his recent trip, his first trip, to Thailand. Learn about the Royal Palace, Temples, water taxies, an elephant park, the Chiang Mia Flower Festival, and Parade, and attending a Thai Cooking School.
Eric says, “my wife and I have traveled in western Europe a good bit. We decided we wanted to go someplace really different and the first thing that came to mind was Asia. I have always wanted to go to Asia. We picked Thailand honestly because we heard it was one of the easier places to go for your first time in Asia and also for the fact that it’s really affordable.”
The highlight of the trip was a visit to the Elephant nature park near Chiang Mai. This is not a place that puts elephants on show while threatening them with pointed sticks nor even lets you ride on the elephants. This is a place more about caring for than exploiting elephants.
They also enjoyed a cooking class they did in Chiang May. “We really enjoyed Chiang May more than Bangkok. Bangkok is very interesting. It has a lot of things to see but Chiang May was a little more relaxed. A little nicer really.”
News
Put Down The MacBook Air And Step Away Slowly
Welcome Home… Glad You Weren’t Murdered
Show Notes
click here to download (mp3)
click here to download (iTunes enhanced)
The Travels of Eric and Lorna – Eric’s travel blog
Elephant Nature Park
A Lot of Thai Cooking School
Thailand
Official Thailand Tourism Site
Grand Palace in Bangkok
Wat Pho
Bangkok National Museum
Chiang Mai
Baan Orapin bed and breakfast (Chiang Mai)
Jim Thompson House and Museum
TripAdvisor on Thailand
WikiTravel Thailand
Internet Resources
Save Money, Know When to Go
Community
Live Show – April 12th – noon PT, 3pm ET
Tamar learns about Voluntourism
Do we need more shows about the United States?
Travel to Thailand – Episode 653
Elephant Sanctuary – Chiang Mai, Thailand
Thailand in 60 Seconds – Video #78
An Artist in Thailand – Thailand through the Eyes of a Painter
by Chris Christensen
Chris Christensen is the creator of the Amateur Traveler blog and podcast. He has been a travel creator since 2005 and has won awards including being named the "Best Independent Travel Journalist" by Travel+Leisure Magazine.+Chris Christensen | @chris2x | facebook
9 Responses to “Travel to Thailand – Episode 129”
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Tags: audio travel podcast, podcast, thailand, volunteer travel
Shelly
Says:March 18th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
A comment on episode 129, the Thailand trip. I’d recommend Eric read “Thailand’s Boom and Bust” by Pasuk Phongpaichit and Chris Baker. Not to try and stir anything as I’m glad to hear of your trip to Thailand [and I am envious since I’ve never been international] but this book will explain to you if you don’t already know, the reason for ALL those malls in Bangkok.
The book is a good read, I’m studying Thailand in this last bit of my International Development class in University and I’d recommend it regardless of whether or not you’ve traveled to Thailand, it is quite an eye opener.
Great podcasts, I can’t wait for the next one!
Thanks,
-Shelly in Canada
Stefan
Says:March 18th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Hi Chris,
yes I think it would be good to have more travel stories for trips inside the USA. Since I’m leaving at the West coast (bay area) I’d prefer to learn about the states and cities at the East coast.
Cheers.
Stefan
Barbara Wallace
Says:March 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 am
Great episode on Thailand. Had never considered traveling there but now I want to go! So far as more shows about travel in the US my vote is for some but I prefer to keep the majority about international travel. Thanks Chris and keep up the great work!
Norris Hall
Says:March 23rd, 2008 at 9:13 am
Hi. If you are interested in cooking Thai food try
http://www.thaifoodtonight.com
It’s got about 30 recipes each one with a cooking video to go along
Good if you like to try cooking Thai food at home
Cheers
Somchai
Says:April 24th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Hi Chris.
Great epsisode about Thailand. I am Thai from Thailand. It is wonderful and interesting to know how foreign tourists feel about Thailand and Thai people. Eric did point out many truths about Thailand, affordable and fun.
Thanks.
Somchai.
Violette
Says:August 25th, 2009 at 8:05 am
This is a nice episode about Thailand, but I’d also recommend really investigating the Indian side of Thailand.
Also, watch out for getting your backpack stolen in the train station in Bangkok! Don’t take your hands off it.
In Chaing Mai the most amazing place to stay (and a great price) is Gap House. This place is BEAUTIFUL and cheap. Only a few rooms, antiques, beautiful art. A great find.
There are also some quaint, beautiful, fun language schools in Chaing Mai. If you can, do 2 weeks at them.
Also, monkey temple in Issan near Roi-et is very memorable.
Also, the food — sumtum & khow neeouw!
Violette
Says:August 25th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Also, chatachuk market — largest flea market in the world!
Kathryne Eacret
Says:December 4th, 2010 at 11:59 am
Thank you, that wasvery interesting. I was born in Thailand in 1972 but my parents fled the country and settled here in Britain. To be honest, I didnt really care much about my Thai heritage until my mum died recently, now I’ve been trying to find out as much as I can. Seemed like food culture was as good a place as any to start from! Anyway, I found a ton of thai food recipes here that your readers might be interested in .
Jessica
Says:October 7th, 2018 at 10:24 am
Violette is right, getting your backpack/purse/etc stolen in Bangkok is a huge problem. But please don’t let that put you off from visiting Bangkok or Thailand. Just keep an eye (and a hand) on your things and you will be fine.