Khao San Road-The Backpackers Guide to Bangkok - Travel Tips

Khao San (the name meaning raw or husked rice) is the backpacker's paradise which came to prominence in the early 80's, when budget travelers who couldn't afford Bangkok hotels but still wanted to be near to the Royal Palace to watch ongoing celebrations, convinced local residents to rent out rooms and beds.

Guest houses, hostels, pubs and shops soon started to pop-up on the road offering cheap beds, rooms, food and booze laying the groundwork for the area that exists today. With the current cooling economic climate casting chills through our pockets, now is as good a time as any to revisit Khao San on the next trip through SE Asia. The area is still the cheapest in Bangkok, with accommodations varying from mattresses in a shared space (some as cheap as $2USD/night) to private hotel rooms with all the amenities.

The street still has everything Bangkok is famous (and notorious) for; ubiquitous shopping stalls offering "famous" names; hawkers offering pirated CD's, DVD's, diplomas and ID's; food stalls selling some of the best in local cuisine; and with travel and tour agencies, massage parlors, bars, pubs, and tourists in town from every corner of the globe, this is still Bangkok's primary party spot.

And the street isn't just for farangs anymore as local Bangkok residents are rediscovering Khao San. Artists and designers have returned, setting up shops and studios to show off recent creations.

One of the best times to experience Khao San is in April, during Songkran (Thailand's New Year celebration). For three days (April 13-15) the road is the ideal place to enjoy the Thai water festival. One monstrous water fight, nothing is left dry during the festival as everybody on the street celebrates by soaking the person standing next to him or her.

With all the wildlife alive on Khao San, what makes it so unique is the melting pot of world travelers that use it as a way station for their next journey. This mixture of nearly every nationality on the globe, stopping in to relate travel tales and create new ones, is what makes Khao San so special. Thailand's welcoming smiles and hospitality provide the backdrop for an ideal spot to meet the rest of the world. The collective Khao San experience is what you'll remember as you move on to your next destination…well that, and the food.

Article By: Agoda - Asia Online Hotel Bookings

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Spice Yourself Up in Ox's Chinese New Year in Cool Chinese Destinations!!

Another year is in the bag, and the Chinese New Year is quickly approaching. The world’s largest annual family reunion, Chinese New Year is the most important date on the Chinese calendar.

Let's talk a little bit about Chinese New Year history, the Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-year cycle).

This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.

Prior to New Year's Day, Chinese families decorate their living rooms with vases of pretty blossoms, platters of oranges and tangerines and a candy tray with eight varieties of dried sweet fruit. On walls and doors are poetic couplets, happy wishes written on red paper. These messages sound better than the typical fortune cookie messages. For instance, "May you enjoy continuous good health" and "May the Star of Happiness, the Star of Wealth and the Star of Longevity shine on you" are especially positive couplets.

Chinese families from around the globe migrate home to celebrate and exchange gifts with friends and loved ones. This year the parties start early, as the Year of the Ox begins on January 26th and includes 15 days of the most food, fun and firecrackers this side of…er, China .

It’s a fantastic time to visit Chinese destinations and revel in the festivities. The period is marked by parades, dragon and lion dances, lanterns, fireworks and food, food, food! Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Shanghai and even Singapore are some of the best places to really enjoy the celebrations.

It is the single biggest 15-day party in the world, and the best time of year to enjoy China’s famed sights and sounds.

Discover Hong Kong in this Ox's Chinese New Year to spice your life up a little bit, will ya!!

Great Advice for Travelling Thailand on a Budget

A trip to Thailand should be on everyone's list. Not just for the beautiful people, fantastic weather, amazing sights and outstanding food, but because it's completely affordable. With the world’s pockets now feeling a lot lighter, Thailand should be on the hit list for those who still want to escape, but can't escape their budget. Here are some hints on travelling cheaply through the Land of Smiles.

Travel at the Right Time

The cheapest way to travel is to go during the 'green' or low season. In Thailand this season tends to run from mid-late April to the end of October for the majority of the hotels (depending on the location some hotels may extend it to November). Air travel, rooms, and tours all tend to be cheaper during this period.

Choose the Right Hotel

Budget hotels conjure up images of shared bathrooms, roaches and bad smells, but in Thailand you tend to get more for less. In Bangkok, check for hotels in the Khao San area. Known as a backpacker haven, a shared room with a mattress on the floor can be had for less than $2USD. If you are looking for private accommodations, a single room with an attached bathroom can cost less than $15 USD for a night. Families may want to skip Khao San and look for accommodations around the Sukhumvit area, where rooms with all the amenities can still be found for less than $50 USD.

Travelling in Bangkok

Without doubt, public transportation saves money. The trains (BTS and MRT) are well connected to major tourist areas throughout the city. Another inexpensive and fast option is the ubiquitous motorbike taxi. It is also the most effective mode of transportation when the notorious Bangkok traffic comes to a standstill. Taxis are everywhere and in comparison to North American rates, the cost is minimal. Just be sure drivers use the meter. Taxis are also available to be rented for day trips outside of Bangkok if you're looking for a cheap tour guide to sites nearby.

Getting out of Bangkok

Whether heading south to the islands of Samui or Phuket or north to Chiang Mai, flying during the low season is generally inexpensive. Low cost carriers such as Air Asia and Nok Air offer great savings during the green season. Often you can end up flying nearly for free (before taxes/surcharges of course). Overnight trains are another option, but only if you travel in third class (regular prices are similar to those offered by the airlines).

Samui and Phuket tend to be more expensive (and getting there even more so), so for a budget beach trip, check out locations closer to Bangkok (Hua Hin, Pattaya, Koh Samet). Bus service to these towns is quick (1.5-2 hours) and cheap (approximately $3USD).

Know where to Eat

Overall, food tends to be cheap in Thailand, and most locals eat at stalls and small restaurants that line Bangkok's streets. The food is cooked fresh, and a plate of rice and chicken can be had for less than a dollar. If you're worried about hygiene, stick to the busiest stalls. It's a good indication of which are the cleanest.

Water is readily available at all local marts, and a one liter bottle costs as little as $.50 USD. Alcohol runs up a tab anywhere, but you can save by ordering local brews or just buying a bottle of spirits instead of highballs and/or cocktails (most bars will save what you don’t finish for your next time in!).

Know Where to Shop

Just like the food, shopping is everywhere in Thailand. Pick up souvenirs at Chatuchak market, instead of shops lining Sukhumvit. For clothes, the cheapest option is Pratunam Market, an area also popular with wholesalers. The more you purchase, the lower the price per piece. You can even pick up brand name clothes at outlet malls with sales that tend to go throughout the year. For shoes and bags Siam Square or MBK are the popular spots. For t-shirts, jeans and shorts there are stalls everywhere. And always remember always to bargain!

Article provided by Agoda: Online Hotel Booking