PSA: What should tourists to Thailand expect after the King’s death?

by Chris | Oct 14, 2016 | Thailand | 5 comments

A quick note to my awesome readers: a lot of this comes from what I’ve read on the internet, what friends are reporting, and what I know about the country in general. As I type this, I am in Atlanta, Georgia, and like most of you am seeing things unfold from...

Destination: the Thai temple with the bizarre illustrations

by Chris | Jul 25, 2016 | Eastern Thailand, Thailand |

You can thank Thong Thipcha, a folk artist from Maha Sarakham, for this one. Probably built before 1917, the sim (chapel) was influenced by Vietnamese craftsmanship. It was officially proclaimed as an Ancient Monument by HM the King on December 21st, 2001. With the...

December 24th: where to buy a machete, from Offbeat Thailand

by Chris | Dec 24, 2015 | Thailand |

(This is an excerpt from my newest book, Offbeat Thailand. More on that in a minute.) Ayutthaya sword village: Buy a machete at wholesale prices 84/4 Moo 3 Tachang, Nakornluang, Ayutthaya, 13260 (GPS: 14.50167,100.65150) Admission: free. Hours: best visited from...

December 23rd: a weird plastic surgery museum, from Offbeat Korea

by Chris | Dec 23, 2015 | South Korea |

BK Plastic Surgery Museum Seoul, Gangnam-gu, Nonhyeon-dong, 1-2 (2nd floor) BK 성형외과박물관 – 서울특별시 강남구 논현동 1-2 2층 (GPS: 37.516090, 127.020452) Admission: free. Open 9am-7pm Monday-Thursday (until 9pm on Friday), 9am-5pm on Saturday, 10am-2pm on Sundays and holidays. More...

December 22nd: an awesome vintage market, from Choose a Way Bangkok

by Chris | Dec 22, 2015 | Thailand | 1 comment

(This is an excerpt from my book, Choose a Way Bangkok. More on that in a minute.) Papaya Vintage Market 306/1 Soi Lat Phrao 55/2, Lat Phrao Rd, Wang Thonglang GPS: 13.794239,100.597225 – link to Google Maps Admission:  free – open 9:30am-6pm everyday Yes, that is in...

December 18th: Clothing, from Korean for Tourists

by Chris | Dec 18, 2015 | Life in Korea, South Korea |

(This is an excerpt from the newest book, Korean for Tourists. More about that in a minute.) Clothing Korea remains a trendy place to shop, and a fine place to pick up the high-end names (either the real thing or a very good fake). Do you have…? …있어요?...

December 17th: the Pak Ou Caves, from 5 Days in Laos

by Chris | Dec 17, 2015 | Laos, Places |

(This is an excerpt from my newest book, 5 Days in Laos. More on that in a minute.) Pak Ou caves Unnamed dirt road about 7 kilometers from route 13, northeast of Luang Prabang (GPS: 20.04867,102.21050) Admission: 20,000 kip (add 13,000 kip for the round-trip ferry...

December 16th: about Buddhist temples, from an Introduction to Thailand

by Chris | Dec 16, 2015 | Places, Thailand |

(This is an excerpt from my newest book, an Introduction to Thailand. More on that in a minute.) Buddhist temples No introduction to Thailand would be complete without a quick word on Buddhist temples, or wat. Typically walled off from the outside world, all temples...

December 15th: an oddball museum of lights, from 51 Daytrip Destinations from Seoul

by Chris | Dec 15, 2015 | Places, South Korea |

  (This is an excerpt from the newest book, 51 Daytrip Destinations from Seoul. More about that in a minute.) Feelux Lighting Museum Gyeonggi-do, Yangju-si, Gwanjeok-myeon, Seok-u-ri 624-8 필룩스 조명박물관 – 경기도 양주시 광적면 석우리 624-8 (GPS: 37.835724, 126.967509) Admission: 5,000...

December 11th: the sheep farm, from 7 days in Northern Thailand

by Chris | Dec 11, 2015 | Northern Thailand | 1 comment

(This is an excerpt from my newest book, ‘7 days in northern Thailand’. More on that in a minute.) Hug You Sheep Farm 96 Ban Watgate, Chiang Mai (GPS: 18.792167,99.002989) If your camera wasn’t already getting full of pictures, it will be after this stop....