"Beautiful Thailand!!" Top 5 Page for this destination Thailand by herzog63

Thailand Travel Guide: 36,444 reviews and 75,419 photos

Thailand is a dream come true!

I first went to Thailand in 1984. It mesmorized me from the first hot humid air that I felt when the flight attendants opened the doors at Don Muang! I remember going out past the taxi drivers and hopping onto bus #59 heading to Khao San Road which I had read about in LP's South-East Asia on a Shoestring. There is a Temple a short distance from the airport and when I saw it I was thinking I've got to get off the bus and go check that out! Then after I decided not to get off the bus I thought to myself that I'll have to rememer where it was and come back to it! I did'nt realize that there are hundreds of beautiful Temples like that in Bangkok! I was still a young traveller with only limited travel experience and was kind of paranoid of Asia and all that it had to offer! Like Don't drink the water and watch what you eat! I wondered if the food was safe!! Gosh when I think back to that I laugh at myself!! But I got over all of the paranoid stuff and got addicted to Thailand and Asia! I actually took a while for me to adjust to the food too! But now put me in front of a plate of Thai Food and it will disappear! I have a soft spot for Ayuthaya as I made some very good friends there in 1984 and lost touch with them in 1987 and now have been back to visit them in 2001, 2002, 2003! I still remeber how I felt the first time I laid my eyes on the Grand Palace! I thought I'd fallen asleep and was in some sort of Fairy Tale! I know the picture is low quality but I wanted to post a picture of my First day in Thailand.

Grand Palace

This is my first Glimpse of the Grand Palace. I was really in Awe of what I was seeing! I thought it was so cool to see a Huge Palace hidden behind these very tall walls.

1984- Sanam Luang

Grand Palace from Sanam Luang

I quickly discovered Sanam Luang! (Sanam Luang is a big Park area near the Grand Palace) Which at the time had lot's of people hanging out, walking around, and picnicing in the evenings. And on the weekends had lot's of kite fliers and families enjoying a picnic lunch. It has seemed to have changed because I have been back in 2001, 2002 & 2003 and have gone there in the evening to find it almost deserted. If any local knows why or maybe it is only certain days of the week that people go there. But I know for sure that it used to have hundreds of people there every night. As I would walk there and walk around until a group of people would invite me to sit down with them. We would enjoy small snacks and soft drinks! It was a great way to meet people! And the people seemed so friendly that it never took very long for me to be invited to sit down! I wanted to share that experience with my son but....The people have gone! Maybe they are hanging out at a different park now???? Please let me know. As I hope to be back in March 2003!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Great People!
Cons:There are a few con artist's !! well...more than a few.....
In a nutshell:Great Place!!

Last visit to Thailand: Mar 2002
Intro Updated Feb 5, 2006
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Reviews (68)

View from Wat Saket Favorites (24)

There are some great panoramas to be had from the top of Wat Saket! more travel advice

Anandhasamakhom Palace Favorites (24)

This palace looked a little out of place as it is built of the europeon style and doesn't look Thai at all. One of the... more travel advice

Wat Saket (Golden Mount) Favorites (24)

In Bangkok another of my favorite Temples is Wat Saket. It is built on an artificial hill. From the top you can get some... more travel advice

Wat Arun Things to Do (17)

When in Bangkok I think Wat Arun is a don't miss place! It is across the river from Wat Pho so it is actually in... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (7)
See All Never pick fruit from the trees in the...
Local Customs (6)
See All The King is very loved!!
Transportation (4)
See All Roadside stands
Sports & Outdoors (1)
Tubing at Nakorn Sai Yok

Restaurants (4)
See All Eating on the water
Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Elephant loaf!
Nightlife (2)
See All Muay Thai (Thai Boxing)
Hotels (1)
Guest Houses

Comments (55)

junecorlett May 29, 2009 at 4:44 AM Report Abuse

Lovely Thailand page-I am going back there in July (Phuket) Hi from South Africa.
crazygal59 Mar 18, 2009 at 6:35 PM Report Abuse

Going to Bangkok in 2010. Great pages. How long was your flight there?
volopolo Dec 31, 2007 at 11:26 AM Report Abuse

Happy new year 2008! Nikos from Greece and Emmy from Thailand
Aliseeya Jan 17, 2006 at 2:55 PM Report Abuse

I thoroughly enjoyed reading through all of your tips, and your pictures are beautiful. Thailand seems amazing, I would love to visit someday. Wonderful travel pages!
Wann Sep 24, 2005 at 2:00 PM Report Abuse

Thanks Scott !!! and warm welcome back toThailand !!!!!!!!!
pysyka Apr 24, 2005 at 6:14 AM Report Abuse

So, I'm not the only one inlove with Thailand. Reading your stories made me smile and brought back nice memories.
Gili_S Jan 14, 2005 at 1:09 PM Report Abuse

I was just enjoyed so much to read your Thailand adventures.
cazz38 Sep 22, 2004 at 3:50 PM Report Abuse

wow your thailand pages are fantastic.
RoyJava Aug 31, 2004 at 7:20 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for coming by,... VT is addiction and got lost at your Thailand... TERRIFIC! The "chicken-man" is a holy spirit,... and loved the pic, greetzzz RoyJava
kyoub Aug 23, 2004 at 7:51 AM Report Abuse

Great page and photos. Hope you are having a super birthday today.