With new venues popping up on a weekly basis, Koh Samui is steadily gaining a reputation as one of the top nightlife destinations in southern Thailand. The possibilities for a memorable (or unmemorable, depending on your alcohol consumption) night are plentiful, with pumping nightclubs, trendy lounges, beachside bars and friendly pubs flooding the island’s most popular party areas.

Chaweng is undoubtedly the most renowned party spot on Koh Samui, attracting internationally acclaimed DJs to its crowded nightclubs. A night out on the town can easily last until dawn, despite the law mandating a 02:00 closing time. With countless venues to choose from, there are plenty of clubs known to bend the rules. Conveniently, abundant taxis roam the streets, making the ride back to your accommodation easy at any hour.

Kick off the evening with some casual drinks and dinner at one of the various bars lining the main beach road. The music starts fairly early, setting the scene for a night of revelry.

Chaweng’s most famous disco, The Green Mango, appeals to party-goers of all types with its massive dance floor, billiards and lounge area with tables and chairs. This nightclub attracts globally known DJs and is consistently filled to capacity with a lively crowd determined to have a good time. For those seeking out a more modest joint, the street in front of The Green Mango is crammed with a series of small bars blasting out music to suit all tastes. More on Samui bars.

Koh Samui’s oldest nightclub, Reggae Pub, still holds one of the most popular parties on the island. At the start of the night, reggae music creates a chilled out atmosphere that is slowly phased out as the house music and crowds take over after midnight.

Travellers not looking to break in their dancing shoes can head to Sweet �n Soul Bar, where the smooth music is complemented by a dark and seductive setting. The Jazz Junction is another lounge-type venue, known for its fantastic cocktails and jazz music. There’s also a Brazilian bar which is proving popular with its imported dancers.

Lamai is the little sister of party animal Chaweng – smaller, a bit cheaper, and with a friendlier vibe. Besides the standard nightclubs and bar beers, Lamai has also become known for its raunchy mud wrestling contests and racy lady-boy shows, which now attract a wide range of people looking for offbeat fun. Nightlife guide to Samui

The Night Plaza and Round Bars areas are the centres of nightlife in Lamai, filled with bars and clubs that have a beach party feel. For live music, Bikers and Rockers Pub is the place to be, well known for its high quality rock shows.

Big Buddha Beach holds the consistently popular Sunday festival at The Secret Garden, boasting excellent live music acts (both local and visiting), open jam sessions, food stalls and stands selling souvenirs and crafts. Held weekly from 16:00 to 20:00, this party guarantees a good time.

Travellers looking for a more low-key night should head to Maenam, which has a relaxed but solid nightlife. The Bophut area is also less raucous, drawing more of a local crowd to its pubs and bars, which offer high quality drinks.

Go Go bars on Samui

A thriving, imaginative playground for those travelling with children, a paragon of ultimate clubbing experiences for night owls, and a city of sin for others, Pattaya is many things to many people. Pattaya can also be a relaxing home-away-from-home for expats and those in their retirement. Because everything is so cheap and the smoky-eyed Pattaya girls are so friendly, it is a paradise for those who decide to settle down here.

Only a 1-hour, 30-minute drive from Bangkok, or about 150kms, this exciting oasis provides a cheap and comfortable home for all ‘farangs.’ Pattaya has everything, from lip-smacking, inexpensive food, to vibrant nightlife, top-notch golf courses and a wide range of other spine-tingling indoor and outdoor activities, not to mention a lot of hanky panky business.

If living in Bangkok is paradise, living in Pattaya is seventh heaven. The cost of living isn’t as expensive as in Bangkok or Phuket, with the price of food commonly very low. The most authentic food can be found at local street vendors, which are everywhere in Pattaya.

A plate of famous phad thai noodles with big, yummy shrimps and egg costs less than £1 (about 70 baht), while less than £2 (about 140 baht) can get you a sumptuous plate of chicken fried rice and a big bowl of tom yum kung spicy soup. If you are lucky, you might be able to throw in a watermelon shake with this budget. For more information about sumptuous Thai food, visit our Thai food section.

If your stomach cannot adjust to spicy Thai cuisine, McDonald’s, KFC and Pizza Hut serve the same food as your hometown, but at much lower prices. Pattaya is also home to a dizzying array of authentic Western restaurants. From tangy American prime rib, and creamy and cheesy French onion soup, to English fish and chips delights, you can find everything in this city of food-a-plenty.

Finding a place to stay in Pattaya isn’t exactly a Herculean task. Guesthouses and cheap condominiums have been mushrooming in Pattaya in recent years. There are many studios that start from 5,000 baht per month, but if you are picky and would like something overlooking the water, several apartments in Jomtien are up for grabs for about 10,000 baht per month.

If you are very new to Pattaya, real estate agents can be helpful. However, just like any other places in the world, Pattaya has its fair share of scammers. Ask around for a reliable agency or check out the Pattaya Mail, a local newspaper, for useful tips, news and classifieds. More on Property.

Shopping in Pattaya proves to be a fun experience. A great number of fresh markets are scattered around the city while there is also a wide range of chain supermarkets and Westernised department stores. Tesco Lotus and Big C are very popular among locals and expats, where you can buy goods at wholesale prices.

Foodland and Tops supermarkets have good quality food and many imported products while Pattaya Outlet is where you can buy both local and brand name clothes at a discount. For an all-in-one department store, nothing beats the newest addition to the shopping scene, Central Pattaya, a big shot store that monopolises the shopping scene in major cities in Thailand.

Pattaya boasts tip-top infrastructure, with good and inexpensive transportation operating throughout the city. If you have the privilege of staying downtown, several places are located within walking distance. However, if you feel the need for a ride (no pun intended), Pattaya has a wide range of transport options such as songthaew taxis or pick up truck taxis which have padded rail seats and go all over Pattaya for less than 20 baht.

Motorbike taxis are also a popular mean of travelling when you are in a hurry. With a skilled biker, you will be able to zip through the traffic and reach your destination within a wink of an eye. Just remember to hold on tight and wear a helmet.

Once you have settled in comfortably, it’s time to explore to the heart of Pattaya. Known as the naughtiest city in Thailand, Pattaya offers memorable nightlife experiences for all who come to visit. The main clubbing scene is along Walking street, in the South Pattaya, while Central Pattaya is also fringed with a number of bars and cafés. More about Pattaya bars here. Pattaya is also very gay-friendly. If you would like to join the club, head to Boyz Town, the most famous gay area, located around soi Pattayaland 1 and 3.

Staying in Pattaya can be bliss if you know where to go, what to do and who to hang out with. With so many things and venues to accommodate retirees and expats, Pattaya is an ideal place to live and settle down. If you need more information about living in Pattaya as an expat, Pattaya has the Pattaya Expats Club (www.pattayaexpatsclub.com) which holds meetings regularly. No man is an island in Pattaya.

Bangkok and Pattaya are inseperable, those in the capital love to come to Pattaya for the week and those spending part of their holiday or time by the sea can’t help being lured to the big city for a weekend of shopping, nightlife, culture, sightseeing and sophistication. It’s worth planning time in your itinerary for a Bangkok stopover.

Sightseeing, sports and other activities including courses, shopping, amusement parks and nightlife are all close at hand in Bangkok. There are temples, monuments, palaces, museums and galleries as well as a river to cruise and parks and neighbourhoods to explore such as Chinatown and the famous backpacker area of Khao San road. Try one of the city’s many organised tours or explore on your own by taking the Skytrain (BTS), the new subway (MRT) or a river boat.

The spectacular Grand Palace with Wat Phra Kaew, and Wat Pho and Wat Arun are on top of the list of things to see in Bangkok. There’s detailed information on these and other temples to be found in our temples section. If your interest is in museums and galleries, there is plenty on offer from the Jim Thompson House, with its collection of fine Thai artefacts in a traditional Thai wooden house, to the Vimanmek Teak Mansion, the former home of King Rama V and the largest teak mansion in the world. Then of course there is the enormous National Museum, one of Asia’s finest. An interesting blend of Thai history and culture can be found at these and several other museums and galleries around Bangkok. Read more on Bangkok museums.

For visitors who are looking for things to do of a physical nature, there’s a variety of sports options available including state-of-the art fitness centres, tennis and swimming facilities and great golf courses. You might also want to try your hand at Thai boxing (Muay Thai), and there are courses offered on this popular sport. Maybe you’d prefer something a little less physical, like a course in Thai cooking or Thai language.

There’ll be no problem filling your evenings with the many entertainment options that Bangkok features. From world-class dining, to sampling the local food, live music venues to the more hedonistic night-time pursuits, there’s an endless array of night attractions and things to do. Sukhumwit road is popular with expats for its choice of fine restaurants and bars, and those looking for some of the city’s famous naughtiness (if you haven’t already been worn out by Pattaya’s) head for Nana Plaza or Patpong on Silom road. Clubbers should take a taxi to RCA, a remote area set aside for a dozen or more clubs in one location.

If shopping is what you’re looking for, Bangkok is a paradise. Everything you can imagine is for sale, from well-priced top-of-the-line designer goods to small handmade items that make for great souvenirs. Be sure to practice your bargaining skills at any of Bangkok’s markets because the asking price is always negotiable.

Emporium, Siam Paragon and Gaysorn Plaza are a few of the ultra-chic shopping centres where designer labels dominate. The all-encompassing mega-malls such as Seacon square or MBK have an endless selection of things to buy. If technology and gadgets are more to your liking, head to lively Pantip Plaza (Petchaburi road) or the slightly less frenetic Fortune Town (Rachadapisek road) for the latest in everything.

Shopping opportunities in Bangkok don’t stop at these shopping centres. Your experience isn’t complete without a trip to one of the many night markets or the gigantic Chatuchak market which is probably the most popular place to buy Thai arts and crafts. It is a vast and busy place with hundreds of small stalls selling goods from all over Thailand. Make sure to bargain hard here; bargaining is part of the fun and you’ll be sure to come away with some great finds and even better memories.

So, you would like to come and live in Thailand? Chiang Mai is a popular place to retire or simply come and live, and many foreigners already live here legally. To do this you need to apply for a non-immigration visa, which is the first step towards a permanent or ongoing visa, and it allows you to remain in Thailand for periods of between three months and one year, with the option of renewing the visa continuously.

Firstly, you will need to apply for a non-immigration permit, which can only be issued outside of the country. Consulates located in countries bordering with Thailand tend to be stricter with the paperwork, so you are advised to apply in your home country. There are several types of non-immigrant visas; the ‘OA’ visa is for retirement or spouses of Thai citizens, ‘B’ is for business or work and ‘IB’ is for investment, among others. Non-immigrant visa information

An application form (known as the T.M.7) should be submitted with a 500 baht processing fee and 4 x 6cm photographs, along with your passport. The processing usually takes less than a week. You may even mail the documents to your local consulate. The most important criteria for retiring here is that you are over 50 years old and that you can show a sum of 800,000 baht ($20,000/€16,000/£12,000) in order to support yourself here for 12 months. Alternatively you can show proof of a monthly income of 65,000 baht. Those, of any age, who have married a Thai national, can also apply for this visa – with the same financial criteria.

If you are applying for a ‘B’ visa, you will need a letter of intention to employ you from your prospective employer, and they may ask to see a copy of the company’s registration certificate and tax number. Those interested in starting a business here can also obtain a visa, but there are much higher financial implications and these are co-ordinated by the Thailand Board of Investment.

Once you have obtained your non-immigration visa, you may enter Thailand and remain here for three months maximum, by which time you should have undertaken the necessary paperwork to have this extended for the maximum 12 months (from the date of original entry into Thailand). If you have been issued a multiple re-entry visa, it is possible to extend it for a further three months, after which you must leave the country and return again in order to gain a further three-month extension, which can be extended locally once more (this effectively makes it possible to remain here for up to a year on one visa.) If you have the correct documentation, then you should report to the Immigration Department to have the full 12 months issued. In the case of a retirement visa, this is quite straightforward and these days it can be issued on the spot. You need to show that the 800,000 baht financial security is now in your Thai bank account, or that there is evidence of your minimum 65,000 baht monthly income coming into Thailand. They have been known to accept as little as 400,000, particularly in the case of a spousal visa. Often a medical report is also required to prove you are not a major health risk. A fee of 1,900 baht also applies. After this, the annual renewing of the visa should only be a formality; however, every time you wish to leave the country, you will need to pay 1000 baht for a re-entry permit, or you can obtain an annual multiple re-entry permit for 3,800 baht.

Those who opt for a spousal visa will have to present a copy of their marriage certificate, proof of sufficient funds to support their Thai spouse. Usually you will be interviewed too. Visas for Thailand

The process of getting a visa differs from one case to another and some people find all the red tape very frustrating. In recent years the Immigration Department have tried to make their service more efficient and ‘customer friendly’, but plenty of patience to deal with multiple visits and requests for further paperwork is required.

Chiang Mai Immigration Department is located on the road to the airport and opens Monday to Friday 08:00 – 16:00.

Pattaya is notorious for the go-go girls that swarm Walking and South streets, however, this self-acclaimed sin city isn’t all about hanky-panky business. There are a wide range of activities to be had while amazing performances await your visit both in the daytime and nighttime.

Nothing can put a huge smile on your children’s face like entertaining animal shows and Pattaya is definitely an ideal place for it. Perfect for a family day out is the Million Years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm where you can gasp at rare species like albino bears and other ubiquitous animals like elephants, tigers, lions and crocodiles. Animal shows include mind-blowing performances of crocodiles and elephants doing tricks. The farm is also home to fantastic collections of flowers, plants and rocks. Guide to Pattaya attractions.

If gigantic, big-eared, friendly animals are your thing, Elephant Village is a must-visit venue. It’s a fun village where you can have fun with everyone in your family. Expect a variety of shows that will wow tourists away including well-trained elephant shows and spectacular ancient ceremonial re-enactments. You can also hop on the back of the elephant and take a ride around the village or opt for a longer trek.

Your boys will be over the moon to get a glimpse at these fascinating animals and their cubs at Sriracha Tiger Zoo, only half an hour away from Pattaya. Your little girls will probably have something to boast to their friends about to see relatives of Aladdin’s Princess Jasmine’s Bengal. Sriracha Tiger Zoo isn’t only for children as adults will enjoy extraordinary shows like elephants playing basketball and jaw-dropping crocodiles wrestling with women.

If the shows of wild animals aren’t too appealing to you, you can always opt for gracious horse shows at the Horseshoe Point. Series of impressive shows await curious tourists including a matador show which uses a horse instead of an angry bull and a horse giving out red roses to the ladies.

After a packed day of children-friendly animal shows, you would think that would be all for your family fun vacation, think again. Surely your children won’t be too interested in a-go-go, pole-dancing performances but quality musical shows performed by skilled transvestites might do the trick. Pattaya is home to several cabaret shows, including Tiffany shows, which put together the humour of your lovely Thai drag queens and awesome musicals. It’s not exactly West End production but it will definitely jazz up your evening. Pattaya night shows.

Those wishing to soak up on Thai culture will be very pleased to know that Pattaya is also home to the state-of the-art theatre, Alankarn, which boasts a fantastic combination of a 70-metre long show-stage, huge movie screens, a fascinating 30-metre of water track for performances on water and advanced sound systems. Here, you can gasp at one-of-a-kind spectacular cultural shows with skilled performers in their dazzling costumes. The theatre seats up to 2,000 visitors and also serves delectable Thai-styled dinner.

Mini Siam is one of several great theme parks With a plethora of fun animal shows by day and fascinating cabaret and cultural shows by night, Pattaya is in fact one of the places where you can have hearty, unadulterated family fun. Even though it is more famous among those looking for ultimate nightlife and naughty business, Pattaya definitely has its friendly, child-centred sides to attract the innocent minds. Simply ignore the aforementioned t-shirt and enjoy your quality weekend in Pattaya with your family. Of course, you can always come back on your own and get yourself one of those black tees.

Many people think that owning a bar in Thailand is a highly enjoyable way to make a living and have a permanent vacation too! Well, a few of the financially strong might succeed but the majority of the newly opened bars are not protected by the law quickly disappear again, often within less than a year.

For about three years, I owned a music pub in Chiang Mai and I still remember all those holidaying customers saying: “Cool man, you live our dream”. Many people believe that running a bar in Thailand is the most comfortable life you can live, and as a bonus, that you make some easy money too! I’ve heard so much ‘bar talk’ from young people coming from the US, Australia, Canada, Israel, the UK and almost every Western European country. The more beers they washed away, the wilder became their plans about saving money at home and then returning to Thailand to open a bar.

Well, let me tell you, it isn’t that easy! Leaving your family and friends and trying to start a business in a far away, culturally different country is a big and risky step that most folks only talk about. Five years have gone by since I decided to close my pub and until this day, not one person has returned to realise one of their ‘brilliant’ business plans they so loudly bragged about.

However, the enthralling three years that The Doors Music Pub existed was probably the best time of my life. It is really enriching to meet so many different types of customers, coming from so many different countries. It was also most pleasant working with my team of three young, pretty and helpful girls. It really was a great feeling to see these former Akha hill tribe bar girls, who I did not allow to go with men during working hours, change into motivated staff with huge self-esteem. They really did their best in establishing a good reputation for my alternative-style music pub and after a while, they even started to like my music! Guide to Chiang Mai bars

It was the only pub in the area attracting (alternative) music fans, instead of all the other bars who’s customers were mostly single, horny men pulled inside by one of the many bar girls hanging around ‘their’ bar. It was a great and unforgettable experience sharing my passion for music with other true fans. Sure! It was also great fun to get loaded almost every night in the company of newly made friends, and to play the customer’s song requests all night.

However, there were also many issues that were not so pleasant. Once in a while I had to deal with drunken customers who started to behave annoyingly and thought that it was okay to touch staff anywhere they wanted. Somehow, I fortunately always managed to verbally convince these troublemakers that they were making a complete fool out of themselves and that they would never find a girl who wanted to hang out with such a brainless moron.

Then there was the monthly visit by a scary, after-dark, sunglasses-wearing civilian dressed cop, who came to collect a certain amount of money. When I asked him politely what the money was for, he answered that is was for the improvement of the their ‘sporting facilities’ and for the beer bar area’s crime-preventing surveillance (I never saw any surveillance).

For a few months one of the neighbouring bars was experiencing financial problems and for the last three police visits was not able to pay. One day, three Thais pretending to be customers started playing cards in that bar. Only a short time later, three policemen suddenly popped into that bar and ‘arrested’ the card players while the two female owners were told to immediately close their bar and get into the police car. After that I knew what to expect if I didn’t pay for their ‘protection’.

Another member of the tourist police came two or three times a month to chat with one of my staff while drinking a few Thai whiskies. When he left, he never paid for his drinks because apparently he always ‘kept an eye’ on my place. Than there was another kind. Twice per year a five-man strong team popped in unannounced. They were always very rude and checked every drawer, the liquor and cigarettes licence, the bar’s ownership documents and the IDs of the girls, and had a long telephone conversation with my Thai wife, who officially owned the bar. They always told me that if I ever served one customer, I would be persecuted by law as I did not have a work permit. I always answered that I was just a visitor of my pub and the only purpose of my daily visits was to drink some beers and talk with the customers. I also know they never believed me.

Then there were the increasing problems with my Thai wife. Officially, she was the owner of the bar, as a ‘farang’ can not own a bar and always needs a reliable and trustworthy Thai partner who is willing to have the ownership papers arranged in their name. My Thai Isaarn wife, who sold refrigerators in Thailand and formerly worked at a laundry in Holland, suddenly transformed into an expert with regards to successfully running The Doors Music Pub.

Heavily pressured by her almighty family’s instructions, she first of all demanded that I should fire all of the staff. Her reason; they were uncivilised Akha people who I could never trust. She insisted our son had to go to Ubon Ratchthani (more than 430 miles from Chiang Mai) where he could live and grow up with her infertile oldest sister, who finally and eagerly could raise the child she would never have. This way my wife could fully dedicate herself to running the bar. Of course, I refused to agree with these idiotic, family ordered plans, and after an exhausting and long-lasting conflict, she finally gave up. Her only reason for backing off was that she knew that our son was in fact Dutch and that he only could stay in the country as long as it was together with his father. Her choice to back up her family, instead of me, was the beginning of the end of our marriage.

Another issue future bar owners should bare in mind is the incredible competition you will have to face from the other bars in your area. No matter how nice, unique and attractive your promotional actions are, they will be copied by the often jealous nearby owners. I realised some ideas like movie nights on Thursdays, three small Chang beers for only 100 baht, pop quizzes where you could win a CD, a music book library and darts tournaments. Each of these successful actions was soon copied by others. All of the four bars located in my direct area expanded their poor disco CD collection with a: ‘Best of the Doors’ CD!

With mixed emotions, I decided to close The Doors Music Pub. The owner of the Chiang Inn Hotel, who owned the land and had three months earlier offered a new contract for another year, suddenly did not own the hotel and land anymore. The new and powerful owners had big plans. The Chiang Inn Hotel was drastically renovated and the new owners did not want noisy beer bars nearby their superior establishment. Each beer bar was compensated with three months ‘free’ rent and assistance in finding a new (and much more expensive) location. The contract I signed three months earlier with the previous owner became totally useless.

Despite all the negative events, I had the best time of my life running the bar and when I look back, I have no regrets at all. Living in Chiang Mai advice. If you dare, try yourself to open that unique Chiang Mai bar.

Thailand’s capital can seem daunting at first and it’s certainly not difficult to find yourself spending a day going round in circles and sat in endless traffic if you don’t know the city. If you know where to go and what to do however, a whirlwind day in Southeast Asia’s most extrovert capital is hard to beat.

Kicking off the day, the first thing to think about is beating the rush hour traffic. Either eat close to your guesthouse or hotel, or eat nearby to where you plan to spend the morning. Avoid travelling between 07:30 and 08:30, if possible.

Heading to Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace makes for a great way to spend a morning and there is a very good authentic Thai restaurant overlooking this splendid, vast complex of Buddhist temples. Na Phra Lan on the road of the same name opens at 10:00, which is perfect if you want to enjoy a lie-in (after all, it will be a late night) and it offers the usual Thai favourites such as fried rice, curries and fried noodles.

After breakfast, head over to the Grand Palace and explore the many gold-gilded stupas and Buddhist images that adorn this 225-year old national treasure. Make sure you’re covering your shoulders and are dressed respectively and get ready to pay the 200 baht entry fee, which includes admission to the whole site.

If you’re still keen on more temples before lunch, it’s just a short walk south to Thaiwang road to see the elegant reclining Buddha at Wat Po or an equally brief stroll north of Wat Phra Kaew onto Na Phra That road for the National Museum.

Culture addicts can supplement their intake of Bangkok’s landmarks further by continuing north to Phra Pin Klao road and heading west across the bridge that spans the Chao Phraya River before taking the first major left onto Arun Amarin road to see the Royal Barge Museum.

By this time, it’ll be time to eat again and like most areas of Bangkok there are plenty of choices. If you’re looking for a treat, have lunch right on the river by heading to Supatra River House just off the same road as the Royal Barge Museum on soi Wat Rakhang. The views of the river here are excellent and extend across to the Grand Palace, so you’ll see a different side again of Bangkok’s most popular attraction. Bangkok sightseeing guide.

Recommended dishes on the menu here include the excellent salmon satay with peanut sauce and cucumber or indeed any of the coconut curries � all the dishes here are very tasty. Lunch for two with drinks will cost around 1,000 baht, so if you fancy something cheaper or indeed non-Thai then get your next taxi journey out the way first. Next stop, lots of shops with plenty of alternative eating options.

Tell the taxi driver to take you to either Siam square or Siam Paragon, the latest edition to Bangkok’s mega-mall circuit. In the words of one American expatriate resident in the Thai capital: “Paragon is beautiful, sleek and ultra-modern� make sure to bring your savings though as things aren’t cheap.”

Whether you’re window-shopping or splashing the cash, Paragon is a museum of everything Armani, Prada and Gucci that has fast become a must inclusion on a Bangkok shopping tour. The Rama I road mall strip also includes Siam Discovery Center and the Siam Center on the eastern side of the road, while there are smaller ground-level boutiques on the opposite side to explore. Shoppers looking for something a little cheaper also have the option of making the short walk north to the Mah Boon Krong (MBK) mall right next to the National Stadium BTS Skytrain station. Complete guide to shopping in Bangkok.

After all that shopping, it’s surely time to take a breather and grab a quick coffee break in any one of the malls before heading back to base to shower up ready for a Bangkok night out.

Start with a good meal, which throws up any number of options. After a day of Thai food, it makes sense to try something different. Why not head to Sukhumvit soi 3 for some excellent Middle Eastern food. In a number of places here, you’ll instantly feel like you’ve been transported to Egypt or Lebanon, so atmospheric are some of the dining venues here.

Most of the venues here are almost exclusively frequented by the local Middle Eastern population and serve excellent kebabs, salads with yoghurt dressing, falafel and biryani. Alcohol is usually off the menu so order a refreshing lassi drink and finish the meal with shisha, a traditional Middle Eastern pipe in which different flavoured and very smooth tobacco is smoked.

After dinner its time for a short walk along Sukhumvit road a couple of blocks to soi 11 to the ever-present watering hole Cheap Charlie’s, a Bangkok institution. This tiny, peculiar-looking hole-in-the-wall type bar requires you to pull up a stool in the road while ordering is done at the bar, with just about any drink on offer.

Keep heading along the same street for the latest edition to Bangkok’s ever-expanding night scene, Bed Supper Club. This space-age dance venue has a strict dress code of no sandals and expects smartly dressed clientele. If you pass this test, it’s a steep 300 baht entry fee which includes one or two free drinks depending on the night. With two rooms available, each featuring DJs and a bar, Bed often recruits internationally-renowned DJs for special nights a couple of times a month and specialises in various forms of house music until about 01:30. Bangkok nightlife guide.

If you still want to carry on after that, the options are limited given Thailand’s strict crackdown on late night venues in the past 5 years but there always something going on so ask a taxi driver for his thoughts. From there on, it’s just pot luck.

On the night of each full moon, thousands of music and dance-loving backpackers from all over the world congregate at Haad Rin beach on the southern tip of Kho Phangan for the iconic ‘Full Moon Parties’.

Origins

When a group of friends traveling in Thailand noticed the beauty of the full moon from Kho Phangan, they hosted a small, impromptu celebration that was to quickly become one of the most legendary music festivals on the planet. Soon Sunrise Bunglalows on the beach began making it a monthly event back in the early Nineties and the rest, they say, is history.

The event is now a popular date on the backpacking calendar and between 5,000 and 25,000 people gather each month at Haad Rin for a night of famously chaotic partying. The festival is still free for all to enjoy, which proves another major attraction for budget travelers in Thailand!

The Lowdown

The dates of the party follow the lunar calendar, with one event hosted every month on the night of the full moon. Each event begins at dusk when thousands of lamps and fires are lit all along the sand and then, as evening falls, the sound-systems and beach bars begin to crank up their music to really get the revelry underway.

Originally the tunes was dominated by psytrance and the 90s Goa scene, but recently the DJs have begun to play a wider range of electronica. Although trance is still prominent, you can also expect to hear techno, drum & bass, reggae and much more over the course of the evening.

In addition to the hectic music, there are usually fire-eaters, jugglers and fireworks entertaining the crowds. There’s also a variety of stalls on the beach selling an eclectic mix of food and drink, from cream cakes to falafel.

With so many young, international backpackers gathered together in one place, the party always has a high-energy, hectic vibrancy that’s impossible to find anywhere else in the world.

Part of its uniqueness, however, is also down to the different atmospheres and genres which blend together along the beach, allowing festival-goers to pick and choose the vibe and sound which they fancy at any one time. There’s even plenty of scope to chill out, with a handful of ambient bars and the soothing sound of the ocean providing respite from the hedonistic dancing.

One word of warning, though: the Full Moon Party may be renowned for its friendly, bohemian atmosphere but it’s important to exercise the same caution as you would at any festival. Watch your valuables, be careful when accepting drinks from a stranger and remember that drugs, as in most countries, are illegal. The police are particularly strict about drugs, and though you might smell a joint or two while on the island, don’t be caught up in any of the roadblocks leading to the beach.

Where to Stay

There has long been an abundance of budget accommodation in Thailand catering to the crowds of backpackers drawn to the beautiful beaches and great water sports every year, and Koh Phangan hostels are no exception, boasting thousands of cheap beds between them.

However, backpackers head down to the island from hostels all over Thailand exclusively for this event, so it’s advisable to book a place to stay in advance, particularly during the high season.

Scattered across the island, ar other beaches mainly providing cheap private bungalows, many of which are right on the edge of the idyllic beach. You needn’t stay right at Haad Rin, which isn’t that paradisical anyhow it’s much better to enjoy the peace elsewhere and put up with a 30 minute taxi ride to the party beach.

Although there are plenty of places to stay in Haad Rin itself, any travelers hoping for a spot of relaxation after their all-night raving will find that the northern side of the island is more peaceful. The hostels are aware of the draw of the Full Moon Party and usually offer convenient free shuttles to and from Haad Rin beach for the event.

Next parties at Haad Rin

Wednesday 12 November 2008
Friday 12 December 2008
Thursday 25 December 2008
Wednesday 31 December 2008

Does the idea of eating some of northern Thailand’s tastiest specialties while enjoying the graceful movements of beautiful women dancing with candles sound like a good night out? Then don’t miss the chance to catch the unique dinner-dance combination known as Khantoke while you’re visiting the Rose of the North.

Chiang Mai is famous throughout the kingdom for its incredible cuisine and rich Lanna culture. But did you know you can experience the best of both these worlds in one evening at a Khantok dinner? Many visitors dismiss Khantoke venues as overpriced tourist traps, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Unless you’ve got a local friend guiding you around Chiang Mai, you won’t find a better representation of true Lanna cuisine than at a Khantoke dinner.

Guests will be treated to northern-style dishes in traditional Thai fashion by sitting on the floor and eating off large low round tables known as toke. While you sample the many dishes offered, skilled dancers will perform traditional Lanna dances such as fon lep (finger dancing), ram dab (sword dancing), and fon thean (candle dancing). Truly skilled cultural performers like those employed by Chiang Mai’s leading Khantoke venues are a dying breed, so whether you come for the food or the dancing, don’t pass up this unique experience.

Khantoke is a Lanna Thai tradition, not something cooked up to lure in tourists. The name Khantoke refers to the low round teak wood table used to hold the food, and its origins can be traced back to 1953 when Ajarn Kraisee Nimmanahaeminda held a dinner party for some important guests. She brought in traditionally dressed singers and dancers to add some flair to the evening, which was so well-received that she turned it into a regular event. Even among average Lanna people, a Khantoke meal is always served at important occasions such as weddings and graduations.

Five different Lanna dishes, accompanied by a big basket of sticky rice, are traditionally served in a Khantoke dinner. They include gaeng hung-lay (Burmese pork curry), gai tod (fried chicken), paad pugg (fried cabbage), nam prik ong (tomato, chili and minced pork dip) and keb moo (fried pork rinds). Sliced cucumber and other fresh garnishes round off the scene. You should use your fingers to pull clumps of sticky rice from the basket and scoop out a bit of each dish. However, forks and spoons are always available if this proves too challenging.

Halfway into your meal, the traditional dancing will begin. A classical Thai orchestra using time-proven musical instruments set the scene as small groups of dancers dressed in beautiful clothing move across the stage. The dances performed at a Khantoke dinner are authentic creations unique to northern Thailand. You will see them nowhere else in the kingdom. They are rooted in the history, stories and culture of this region of Thailand and are very old.

The dances range from sublime visual creations like the candle dance, where women hold tiny candle bowls in their palms as they twist and swirl around the floor, to more virulent acts such as the sword dance, performed by a single, dexterous and brave young man. Dances such as the magic fowls dance and silk reeling dance represent the folklore and daily life of traditional Lanna culture.

Even if you’ve seen a tourist dinner dance in Bangkok or elsewhere, it won’t compare to an authentic Chiang Mai Khantoke dinner performance. Even Thais from other regions make a point to enjoy these entertaining and mouthwatering evenings when they visit Chiang Mai.

There are a handful of reputable and professional Khantoke venues in Chiang Mai. The Old Chiangmai Cultural Center has been hosting these dinners for the longest, and offers an impressive selection of shows and dinner options. Khum Khantoke, housed in a magnificent and massive Lanna building, is the newest addition to the scene and has developed an excellent reputation. Other noteworthy venues include the show at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, and Nakorn Lanna 1296.

More on Thai culture in Chiang Mai

Information details for the venues are listed below:

Old Chiangmai Cultural Center
185/3 Wualai road, Chiang Mai, Tel: +66 53 275 097

Khum Khantoke Chiangmai Business Park
130 Moo 4, Nong Pakrung, Chiang Mai, Tel: +66 53 304 121 2

Nakorn Lanna 1296
84 Changklan road, Chiang Mai, Tel: +66 53 818 428 9

Mae Ping Khantoke (Imperial Mae Ping Hotel)
Imperial Mae Ping Hotel, Seedonchai road, Chiang Mai, Tel: +66 53 283 900

Pattaya is Thailand’s sex capital – it also has other tourist attractions – and not only does it attract punters by the busload but also plenty of young sexy girls who come here to earn a living off the visitors. It all happens in a pretty open and honest way that is tolerated by the typically accepting way that Thai officials approach law enforcement. Everyone in Pattaya understands the deal.

Pattaya has been a place for visiting men to meet girls since thousands of GIs on R&R from Vietnam started coming in the sixties and the city owes its prosperity to the girls. Therefore, by the time you get here, forty years of sex tourism would have shaped Pattaya and the system is well developed for the maximum benefit of both the punter and girl. It is less sleazy than your average city red light district, far more relaxed and friendly, cheaper and open for business. Complete Pattaya bar girls info

First, finding a girl in Pattaya is easier than finding a tourist map! There are whole areas packed with bars full of girls, both during the day and evening and you can literally walk out of your hotel and have a companion within 30 minutes, no complications, rip offs or misunderstandings. Of course, remember that these girls are earning money and should be treated with respect and dignity. Also Pattaya is a vacation town for many regular people who haven’t come for the sex and wish to enjoy it without sleaze everywhere they look, so be mindful of that.

Areas where you will find girls include; the lanes between Beach road and second road – really can’t miss them, along the famous Walking Street, selected lanes in Jomtien, Body massage and some karaoke venues further out nearer the Sukhumwit road, in discos and in some of the hotels ‘massage services’ (not all massage ladies are ‘available’ but some services are set up exactly for that).

The easiest first step for finding a girl in Pattaya is to wander among the beer bars of the sois (lanes) off Beach Road. It has a festive atmosphere, the girls might accost you with ‘hello, Welcome’, but mostly they are harmless. Away from this ‘party central’ you will find less ‘in your face’ beer bar areas where you can sit and enjoy a drink while sizing up the girls, without any obligation to buy ladies drinks. The girls vary from very young and very sexy (costing 20 euros and up) to the tired has-beens in the quieter bars (costing as little as 10 euros out of season).

The sexiest girls are found in the go go bars, which are more discreet and not opened up to the street-front. Here you will find girls in bikinis, sometimes topless or even naked dancing on the stage and these too can be taken home, but they are more expensive (40 euros and up). The atmosphere here is less down to earth and these girls are ‘in it for the money’. There is another level of girl altogether which is provided by private escort services, which can be ordered over the internet and come directly to your room – they are true professionals but are over-priced. If you need to be discreet this is one option. Online Pattaya nightlife guide

You can also go to body massage and karaoke bars (ask the taxi driver), if you are sneaking away from your wife for the evening. Here you get to select a lady from behind a ‘fishbowl’ and for about 30 euros you get two hours of bath, massage, soapy ‘experience’ and sex. But be warned, these women go with a lot of men and the whole thing is rather ‘mechanical’. A better bet is the karoake bars with lots of pretty women outside to choose from, and they cost about 5 euros an hour to be your hostess on comfy sofas and often can be taken out to a short time motel or back to your hotel, but these girls like to think of themselves as premium and charge a lot more (40 euros about).

Then there are the freelancers who work outside of the bars for the freedom. These girls can be cheaper and often more fun since some of them are just regular girls or students looking for a fun evening with a handsome foreigner who will give them some pocket money. They haven’t slept with dozens of men and become bored with sex, so can be more genuine. Some hang our on the promenade along beach road. You will also meet them in the discos a lot.

How it works is like this; when you’ve found your sweetheart for the night, and after a few drinks to loosen thing up, you needn’t hesitate in asking her if she wants to leave – of course she’ll say yes, but first comes the sudden serious look, and ‘how much you pay me’. Well, that’s up to you, depending on how sexy she is and how generous you are, but expect to pay between 1000 and 2500 baht. You’ll also be expected to pay the bar fine, which is between 200 and 500 baht, so you can take her away. This is paid immediately, the girl is paid in the morning, but make sure you have the exact amount. Hopefully your hotel doesn’t kick up a stink bringing her back, sometimes this can be settled for another 500 baht, if they ask for more raise hell and they’ll back down. She gets to leave her ID at reception as security!

Bangkok party and nightlife scene