This morning, I took a boat trip from my resort on Koh Phi Phi Don to Maya Bay. Koh Phi Phi Lay has only recently reopened to tourists after been closed for just over three years. This is a short THREAD of that experience.
[2] Boats are no longer allowed to enter Maya Bay and moor on the beach. They can go to the entrance to the bay for taking pictures. Boats have to then go around to the back where there is a jetty. We were there at 9:30am and I counted 40 boats. Mainly long-tailed boats.
[3] As Koh Phi Phi Ley is part of the national park, you have to pay an entrance fee. 400 Baht for foreigners and 40 Baht for Thais. When you arrive at Maya Bay on the other side, there is a viewing platform to look down on the beach and a snack shop. #Thailand
[4] when we arrived at around 9:40am there weren’t that many people. Maybe around 70 people. But as we were leaving this went up to about 150 people. I think by 10am boat tours from Phuket and Krabi are arriving. My advice is to come early and leave from Phi Phi Don. #Thailand
[5] You are no longer allowed to swim in Maya bay but that has the advantage that you can see young sharks from the beach. I think it’s better this way as it protects nature and is more sustainable. Anyway, we swam elsewhere and so no need. #Thailand
[6] The rangers at Maya Bay told me that at present there are around 1,000 visitors per day compared to at least 4,000 pre-closure. Which isn’t bad considering the Covid situation. Really I think this is a perfect number if it can be maintained. #Thailand
[7] When Maya Bay first re-opened, they limited the numbers by asking people to book in advance. But they are not doing that at the moment. If you come in the future, and I do highly recommend you come sooner rather than later, I do suggest you check to see if you need to book.
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The Bangkok Tourist Division has selected 150 restaurants and #ThaiFood shops in famous areas in #Bangkok.
This is a THREAD 🧵 of these shops with pictures and maps. Retweet to be automatically entered to win one of five books. Everyone who retweets will also get a PDF.
1/22
📌 The Yaowarat area in Chinatown, is a vibrant district in Samphanthawong. Established in 1782, it's one of the largest Chinese communities outside China. It offers a diverse range of businesses like gold shops, eateries, restaurants, general stores, and hotels.
2/22
Yaowarat is renowned for its delicious food, earning it the title Heaven of Roadside Food by CNN News. It boasts famous restaurants popular with Thai and foreign tourists. Some are even featured in the "Michelin Guide". The vibrant and unique seafood market is a must-visit.
I recently embarked on a train journey from Bangkok to Vientiane, and then continued on the Laos-China Railway to the Chinese border and back.
Here is a THREAD 🧵 with all the details. Feel free to repost and share it with your friends.
#RailTourism #Thailand #Laos
1/25
My journey started at Krung Thep Aphiwat Station in #Bangkok. There are three trains you can catch to Nong Khai. The day train starts at only 251 Baht, but I recommend Special Express No. 25. It leaves at 8:25pm and arrives at 6:25am. A sleeping berth start from 894 Baht.
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At Nong Khai Station, you need to switch to the shuttle train to cross the Friendship Bridge into Laos. This goes at 7:30am. Don’t worry, they wait for the Bangkok train if it’s late. Thai immigration is at the station. Quick and easy. The 15 minute journey costs 20 Baht.
🚂 Good morning from Rapid No. 135 train going from Krung Thep Aphiwat to Pak Chong in Northeastern Thailand. The journey time is 3 hours and 40 minutes. Ticket price for 3rd Class is 85 Baht.
This is a live THREAD 🧵of my 3-day trip to Khao Yai by train.
[2] The train journey into Isaan is quite scenic as you have to climb over a hill. As the train has to go slowly due to the hills, they are building a tunnel and a 50 metre high viaduct as a shortcut. This will be opened next year and should provide some fantastic views.
[3] Our train arrived a little late at Pak Chong Railway Station. Waiting for us was a songtaew driver from Greenleaf Guesthouse. We will be staying with them and as we booked a tour as well, they offer a free pick up at the station.
🚂 Good morning from Hua Lamphong Station. Today is the 126th anniversary of the opening of the first railway in #Thailand and the founding of the State Railway of Thailand on 26th March 1897.
This is a live THREAD of my steam train trip to Ayutthaya.
[2] There are six steam train trips a year on important dates. They go to three different locations: Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao and Nakhon Pathom. Tickets are 299 Baht for 3rd Class (8 carriages) and 799 Baht for 1st Class (2 carriages).
[2] To buy tickets for the #KiHa183 excursion train, go to the D-Ticket website dticket.railway.co.th/DTicketPublicW… and click on ‘Exploring Thailand by Train’. There’s a different destination every week. Call 1690 for more information.
[3] Our trip today is to Ayutthaya. The ticket cost is 1,499 Baht and includes breakfast, lunch, bus and boat tours, and souvenirs. The price of other tours might vary. Sometimes cheaper sometimes more expensive.
[2] The State Railway of Thailand are now planning on doing one-day excursions every weekend to destinations and festivals. This weekend is to Ratchaburi. Next weekend is to Chachoengsao and the weekend after is to Phetchaburi. Click for more information: thaitrainguide.com/excursion-trai…
[3] The price of the ticket on the #Kiha183 excursion train varies each time. Today’s trip is 1,499 Baht which includes breakfast (see photos), lunch and a coach tour. The Phetchaburi trip is 699 Baht as it only includes drinks and snacks.
[4] Our first stop in Ratchaburi was at Chulalongkorn Bridge. The railway bridge was built in 1901. They are now building a new bridge as part of the double track project. However due to unexploded bombs in the river they had to build it without putting pillars into the water.