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Ever Thought of Visiting Chiang Rai? Here Are 8 Reasons Why You Should

 

In case you didn’t know, Chiang Rai is located in northern Thailand and, compared to its sister town Chiang Mai, it’s a much more laid-back city that’s perfect for a relaxing yet memorable getaway. Yes, locations like Krabi or Bangkok are great and everything, but if you prefer somewhere less crowded and a tad bit cooler (temperature wise), here are some reasons you need to visit Chiang Rai:

 

1. Baan Dam a.k.a. the Black House of Chiang Rai

 

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Despite the name, Baan Dam doesn’t refer to just one building or house, but a collection of structures with varying shapes, sizes and designs, all of which were designed by the national artist of Thailand – Thawan Duchanee.

What to expect:

  • Immerse yourself among the diverse, outlandish, thought-provoking, playful yet grim designs of Thawan by venturing through approximately 40 different structures
  • Spot the unique, out-of-this-world materials used by Thawan including animal skins, bones and more to create these structures
  • Have a blast interpreting Thawan’s art for yourself and what each structure means while taking a ton of photos

Location: 333 Moo 13, Tambon Nang Lae, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand

 

2. Forget about your Monday blues by visiting the Blue Temple a.k.a. Wat Rong Seua Ten

 

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Didn’t think it’d look that blue, didja?

Completed in 2016, this temple is still fairly new and definitely not something you can find anywhere else. What’s more, compared to other temples in Chiang Rai, the blue temple’s style of artwork and the structure itself looks and feels a lot more modern and contemporary.

What to expect:

  • Admire the intricate details of the paintings all across the walls and ceilings of the temple
  • Check out the larger than life Buddha statue situated inside the Great Hall
  • Because it’s still new, there aren’t as many visitors yet and entrance is free too

Location: 306 Moo 2, Rim Kok, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand

 

3. Get lost in beautiful Singha Park

 

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Owned by Boon Rawd Brewery, the company that produces Singha Beer, this park has everything (except beer). In fact, there are so many different attractions to check out, you’ll probably end up spending an entire day here. What’s more, because the soil here is so fertile, it was once used to grow barley for beer.

What to expect:

  • The fertile soil is now home to many different types of flowers, tea plantations, fruit orchards and more
  • You can opt to walk, run, cycle or even hitch a ride on the trams to get around this park (Note: The park is huuuge so you might want to consider cycling or taking the tram)
  • There’s also a petting zoo for all you animal lovers out there where you can feed zebras and giraffes as well
  • If you’re hungry, drop by the restaurant perched on an elevated hill for some authentic Thai food while getting an amazing view of park and plantations below

Location: Mae Kon, Meuang Chiang Rai District, 57000, Thailand

 

4. Can’t get enough of tea plantations and hilltop cafes? Drop by Choui Fong Tea Plantation

 

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Located on the highlands of Chiang Rai some 4,000 feet above sea level, not only will you be able to get a gorgeous view here, but the cooling weather will definitely make it an enjoyable experience too. Also, this plantation is actually larger than Singha Park.

What to expect:

  • Drop by the Choui Fong Tea Cafe for snacks and delicious beverages while enjoying a 360-degree view of the plantation
  • Stroll along the plantation and watch workers carefully pick the leaves by hand. If you have a good nose, you’ll probably be able to smell the scent of Assum, Oolong, green and even black tea leaves in the air
  • Take countless photos and shop for fresh tea leaves picked from the plantation itself

Location: 97 Moo 8, Pasang, Mae Chan, Chiang Rai, 57110, Thailand

 

5. Step into nature when you visit Doi Tung mountain

 

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I mean, who wouldn’t want to visit a mountain, right?

What to do:

  • Make sure you visit the 10-acre large Mae Fah Luang Botanical Gardens that was beautifully set up by Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra (the late King’s mother)
  • Check out the Princess’ royal residence by dropping by the Royal Villa and be inspired by her life and what it was like to live like royalty
  • For the thrill-seekers, make sure you give the Doi Tung Tree Top Walk a try where you’ll be able to get a bird’s eye view of the forest below and overlook trees, dams and even get a clearer view of distant mountains

Location: Daen Lao Range, Chiang Rai

 

6. Want some affordable yet authentic Thai food? Drop by the Chiang Rai night market

 

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Because the way to every Malaysian’s heart is through their tummies, ammirite?

What to do:

  • From fried insects, hot pots, to authentic Thai dishes, you can get them all here at affordable prices! (Most of the foods here range between 20 and 100 baht. That’s approximately RM2 to RM12 only!)
  • Eat and be entertained by traditional Thai performances
  • They also serve beer here! Besides edible goods, you can shop for clothes, fabrics, household items and more!

Location: Off Phaholyothin Road, Chiang Rai

 

7. Visit the most rusticly beautiful cafe you’ve ever seen at Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House

 

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Located next to a river and surrounded by gorgeous flora and fauna, it’s definitely an experience not to be missed, especially for all you cafe-hoppers out there!

What to expect:

  • English-country-style decor complete with high ceilings, vintage artefacts, a piano, water fountain, classic tables and chairs, even glass roof and windows!
  • You can opt to sit outdoors in the riverside garden or in the air-conditioned glass house
  • European style menu items with a unique Asian/Thai twist plus a wide range of alcoholic beverages. Yummy!

Location: 179 Moo 2, Rim Kok, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand

 

8. Teleport all the way to Japan when you drop by Ryokan Cafe

 

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Who says you need to travel all the way to Japan to experience the true Japanese culture? You can do it all right here in Chiang Rai!

What to expect:

  • A traditional Japanese experience awaits you at this cafe, complete with tatami mats and shared onsens
  • Tons of authentic and affordable Matcha infused food and beverages served in beautiful ceramic teaware
  • Feel free to wander around the Ryokan Farm and check out their paddy fields or even opt to stay overnight in this quaint Japanese spot

Location: 134 Moo 4, Ban San Pu Loei, Tambon Buasali Ampher Maelo, Chiang Rai, Thailand

 

How incredibly amazing do these places look? So much to do, eat and see! The best part is, they’re all found nearby Chiang Rai, Thailand wei. Don’t have to worry about long or expensive flights! The exchange rate in Thailand is also very Malaysian-friendly. 😛

Well, if reading this is giving you wanderlust and you’re thinking of dropping by Chiang Rai, you’ll be glad to know that AirAsia now flies direct to Chiang Rai and they currently have an awesome year-end promo for you.

Interested to book a flight ASAP, or want to find out more? Visit AirAsia’s website today!

Source: j.ontheroad.to.nowhere & marcfoery

Tourism

Interior Ministry Introduces New 180 Day Destination Thailand Visa

New Destination Thailand Visa

People from more nations will be now able to enter Thailand without a visa beginning Monday. This is part of an effort to increase tourism and encourage visitors to stay longer, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Friday.

According to Ms. Traisuree, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has signed four documents that will make it easier for foreigners to travel. These modifications will all take effect on Monday, provided they are published in the Royal Gazette.

The instructions include 93 more nations on the list of individuals who can visit Thailand without a visa, up from 57 previously. People from these countries can stay for a maximum of 60 days. Additionally, from 19 to 31, nearly twice as many nations will be able to obtain visas on arrival in Thailand.

To attract digital nomads, artists, and tourists interested in learning or practicing skills such as cooking and Muay Thai, the country will also introduce the Destination Thailand Visa service.

The new form of visa, which is valid for five years, allows travelers to stay for up to 180 days.

According to Ms. Traisuree, students holding visas for master’s degrees or higher will not be required to leave Thailand immediately upon graduation. They will be able to stay for an additional year to hunt for work or vacation.

In order to enhance the economy and tourism, the cabinet took a general decision on these additional measures in May. The statement was meant to be released in June, but it was pushed back.

Ms. Traisuree believes that this is the greatest sort of visa for persons who want to work from home in the Land of Smiles and explore the nation without the various restrictions and complications that come with conventional tourist visas.

Getting a DTV will give you a 5-year multiple-entry visa that lets you stay in Thailand for a total of 180 days a year, with the opportunity to stay for another 180 days.

Ms. Traisuree said that the Destination Thailand Visa is great if you want to work from home in the Land of Smiles and see the sights without the many restrictions and problems that come with a regular tourist visa. The Destination Thailand Visa will cost 10,000 THB.

Qualifications for the Thailand Destination Visa (DTV)

According to Thai Embassy, to be eligible for the visa, you must fulfill the following conditions (which could change):

  • You have to be 20 years of age or older
  • You have to be able to afford the cost of the visa
  • To sustain your stay in the nation, you must demonstrate that you have at least 500,000 THB in your bank account
  • Proof of your employment with a recognized company is required.

For digital nomads or remote workers who want to make the most of their travels and yet have the opportunity to work while they’re there, the Destination Thailand Visa is designed just for you. Additionally, it is ideal if you are traveling to Thailand in order to partake in any of the following activities:

  • Thai food prepared with Muay Thai
  • Instruction and conferences
  • Sports medicine therapy
  • International talent International music and art events

Thailand DTV Visa Benefits

Additionally, there is uncertainty about these details and they could change:

  • In comparison to other Southeast Asian nations that provide comparable visas, Thailand has less stringent income requirements and charges for the visa. For another 10,000 THB, you can extend the visa once, for a maximum of 180 days.
  • There are ninety-three foreign nations that qualify for the Thailand DTV Visa.
  • With this visa, you can lawfully operate remotely for foreign clients and companies while in Thailand.
  • Your spouse and any children under the age of twenty may accompany you.
  • You are exempt from paying taxes on your foreign income because the visa allows you to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days.

Drawbacks of a Thailand DTV Visa

You are unable to work for a Thai company that needs a Thai work visa, even though you are still able to engage in some activities and make money. Your DTV will end if you decide to change the kind of visa you are currently on.

Additional information on the visa’s release date and application process will be available in late June or early July of 2024. You will most likely be able to apply for it via the Thai immigration office, a Thai embassy, or a Royal Thai Consulate.

 

 

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Tourism

Hotels in Thailand Fret as German Itravel Group Files for Bankruptcy

Hotels in Thailand Fret

Thailand’s Hotels Association (THA) reports that another German tour operator has gone bankrupt, but that this will have a far less effect than the recent bankruptcy of FTI Touristik.

Following notification from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thai Hotels Association has now confirmed that the Cologne-based luxury tour operator Itravel Group has formally filed for bankruptcy.

Southern Thailand is home to numerous high-end resorts, which Itravel aims to attract, according to Thai Hotels Association president Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun.

As a result of Itravel’s bankruptcy, he said, the hotels association is currently collecting data from its members.

On Monday, the organization wrote to the TAT and the Foreign Ministry, requesting that they assist hotel operators in keeping up with legal developments surrounding the bankruptcy of the German tour operator FTI, which resulted in a loss of almost 111 million baht for hotels around the country.

Hotels having issues with Itravel

On Monday, during the THA monthly meeting, Mr. Thienprasit noted that they also emphasized the case’s urgency to Minister Sermsak Pongpanit of Tourism and Sports.

In response to allegations that hotel operators with business partnerships with Itravel were experiencing issues with financial transactions, the agency issued an alert to the industry, according to Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.

He speculated that the losses might be lower with Itravel, an online travel agency that focuses on the niche luxury market, than with FTI, the third operator.

According to the Bangkok Post, at Monday’s THA meeting, Mr. Sermsak stated that the ministry will look into measures to assist hotels, especially since the goal of 3.5 trillion baht in tourism earnings for this year is still very ambitious.

According to Mr. Thienprasit, the organization is opposed to the government’s plans to increase the legal foreign ownership of condominiums from 49% to 75%. This, he added, might lead to an increase in unlawful accommodations and make other condo residents feel uneasy about having more guests around the clock.

Unscrupulous investors

He said that some international investors are already breaking the law by renting out their rooms to day guests, even though the Hotel Act only permits rentals of at least 30 days.

An increase in the foreign ownership quota for condos, according to Mr. Thienprasit, could entice unscrupulous investors and lead to the construction of even more unlawful rooms, which now exceed the number of registered hotel rooms by a factor of two.

The success of Thailand’s hotel industry is highly dependent on the business of tour operators. These collaborations bring in a constant flow of visitors, particularly during busy seasons.

It is more convenient for passengers to book comprehensive packages offered by tour operators, which include hotel accommodations and activities. Because of this arrangement, hotels may anticipate a specific amount of bookings without having to spend a lot on advertising.

Additionally, hotels are able to provide more affordable rates, which appeals to guests who are mindful of their budget. But if tour operators go through slumps or start focusing on other places, this dependence might be disastrous.

Source: Bangkok Post, Thai PBS

 

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Tourism

Embracing Paradise: Your Guide to an Unforgettable Vacation in Los Cabos

Embracing Paradise: Your Guide to an Unforgettable Vacation in Los Cabos

Nestled at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Los Cabos emerges as a paradise where the desert meets the sea, offering a unique blend of natural wonders, luxurious accommodations, and vibrant culture. Whether you seek serene relaxation, thrilling adventures, or cultural explorations, Los Cabos promises an idyllic escape that exceeds expectations.

Discovering Pristine Beaches

Los Cabos is renowned for its stunning beaches, each with its own charm and allure. Sink your toes into the soft sands of Medano Beach, a bustling stretch perfect for sunbathing and people-watching. For a more secluded experience, explore the rugged beauty of Santa Maria Beach, ideal for snorkeling amidst vibrant marine life in crystal-clear waters. Enhance your beach experience with guided tours and snorkeling excursions offered by https://boattripsloscabos.com/, where you can explore the coastline and underwater wonders with expert guides.

Embarking on Aquatic Adventures

Venture into the azure waters of the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean for thrilling water activities. Dive into snorkeling or scuba diving expeditions to discover underwater treasures like colorful coral reefs and curious sea creatures. Set sail on a whale-watching tour during the winter months to witness majestic humpback whales breaching against the backdrop of the Pacific horizon.

Exploring the Baja Desert

Beyond its pristine coastline, Los Cabos boasts dramatic desert landscapes waiting to be explored. Take an ATV or jeep tour through the rugged terrain of the Baja desert, where towering cacti and unique rock formations paint a striking contrast against the deep blue sky. Visit the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve for hiking trails that lead to hidden oases and panoramic vistas of the surrounding desert.

Indulging in Culinary Delights

Los Cabos is a culinary paradise, offering a fusion of traditional Mexican flavors with international influences. Sample fresh seafood tacos at local taquerías or dine on gourmet cuisine crafted by world-renowned chefs at upscale restaurants overlooking the ocean. Savor authentic Baja cuisine with dishes like fish tacos, ceviche, and grilled octopus paired perfectly with locally produced wines and craft cocktails.

Experiencing Vibrant Nightlife

As the sun sets, Los Cabos transforms into a lively nightlife destination. Explore the vibrant nightlife scene in Cabo San Lucas with its array of beachfront bars, live music venues, and pulsating nightclubs. Dance the night away under the stars or enjoy a sunset cocktail overlooking the marina, where the atmosphere buzzes with energy and excitement.

Relaxing in Luxury Resorts

Los Cabos boasts a plethora of luxurious resorts and boutique hotels that cater to every traveler’s desire for relaxation and indulgence. Unwind in infinity pools with panoramic ocean views, rejuvenate with holistic spa treatments inspired by ancient Mexican traditions, or tee off on world-class golf courses designed by golf legends amidst stunning coastal landscapes.

Immersing in Local Culture

Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Los Cabos with visits to historic landmarks like the Mission San Jose del Cabo Church or art galleries showcasing local and international artists. Browse through vibrant markets selling handmade crafts, textiles, and souvenirs, or attend cultural festivals and events celebrating Mexican traditions, music, and dance.

Planning Your Los Cabos Escape

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a solo adventure, Los Cabos offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion. With its breathtaking landscapes, diverse activities, and warm hospitality, Los Cabos ensures a memorable vacation that leaves you rejuvenated and inspired, promising a return to its paradise shores time and again.

SEE ALSO: Thailand Named Top Spot for Most Popular Tourist Destination

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