by PhotoMann
A visit to Thailand is a must for anyone who loves
to experience and photograph exotic lands. Thailand is one of my favorite
countries to visit. The capital city of Bangkok in addition to the
tropical beaches in the south and the mountains in the north offer
a wide range of destinations to meet the desires of any 
tourist. In this article I will briefly introduce Bangkok and Chiang
Mai. If traveling to Thailand you should also consider one if it's
numerous beach resort areas.
Bangkok is where most visitors to Thailand start
their visit. This bustling city can be a bit overwhelming at 
first with it's gridlock traffic jams and air pollution but under
the surface it's a city that has plenty to offer. There's the Grand
Palace, numerous Buddhist temples, interesting side streets, the constant
activity in the numerous canals and of course shopping to fill your
time. There is an endless supply of opportunities for every photographer.
I will limit my comments to the must see sites. There are about 400
temples in Bangkok. The temples not to be missed are Wat Phra Keo
(Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha),
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple) and
Wat Saket (Golden Mount). Each of these temples will provide you with
many photographic opportunities.
A visit to Bangkok would be incomplete without exploring
some of it's numerous canals. You can hire a longtail boat for a private
tour or take one of the many of the public longtail boat transports.
My preference is to hire a private boat which makes it much easier
to photograph than the opportunities you would have in a crowded boat
which make frequent stops. The public longtail boats also have curtains
to reduce splashing water which can impede your view.
I would highly recommend taking two day trips out
of Bangkok to see the floating market at Damneon 
Saduak and the River Kwai. The Damneon Saduak floating market is a
tourist trap but it's better than the one in Bangkok and it provides
excellent opportunities for photography. If you take a tour to the
River Kwai you will see scenic landscapes, old railroads, beautiful
river scenes and sobering World War II history.
Chiang Mai and the entire North of Thailand offer
breathtaking scenery and colorful hill tribes plus lots of shopping
opportunities at handicraft factories. Chiang Mai is the second largest
city in Thailand but can 
be considered a small town when compared to Bangkok. Chiang Mai is
one of my favorite places. It has a laid back atmosphere and has much
to offer. The highlights include the Old City, the hill-top temple
of Doi Suthup, hill tribe villages, elephant work camps, handicraft
factory tours and the night market. The old part of Chiang Mai offers
centuries of history (one temple dates back to 1296). Parts of the
original walls, gates and moat are still visible. The Doi Suthup temple
is a must see. It's gilded pagoda and marble floors are the makings
of outstanding images. The hill tribe villages and elephant work camps
are tourist traps but worth the visit. Taking an elephant ride can
be done at the work camp but I much prefer going to a private farm
for a ride through the jungle where you and your companions have the
jungle to yourself. 
The handicraft factory tours have yielded many colorful images of
artisans at work and many filled shopping bags to carry home like
a pack mule. Last but not least is the night market which lines the
streets in Chiang Mai that offers an incredible variety of goods at
very reasonable prices (with good bargaining skills). You can take
a look at an old article on Chiang
Mai for more details on places to visit.
Those of you who love pristine beaches must make
a side trip to Ko Samui. The pure white sand and crystal clear waters
make it a beach lover's paradise. The island economy definitely is
structured 
toward the tourist but Ko Samui lacks the highrise hotels and bar
scene that is prominent in Phuket. You won't find any buildings higher
that two or three stories. Most of the accomodations are bungalo style
near the beach. It's a great place to just hang out, relax and forget
about the stresses in your life!
Photography Stuff:
Good quality slide and print film is readily available throughout
Thailand. The high humidity and dust should be considered
when deciding what to bring. Carry a towel to dry off equipment
(or maybe the sweat from your brow) that might get wet in longtail
boats.
Travel Suggestions:
A trip to Thailand can be inexpensive once you get
there. In Bangkok I usually stay in the Dynasty Hotel, Ambassador
Hotel or Nana Hotel. The rates run from $20-40 per night
Transportation around Bangkok is easiest by air conditioned metered
taxis which are cheap. Your alternative is to play 'Lets Make a Deal'
with other taxis or Tuk Tuks. Alternatively you can take the public
transport boats through the many canals if you can figure out the
routes. In December 1999 an elevated monorail opened. It also provides
a fantastic alternative to bypass the traffic gridlock if a stop is
near your destination.
Flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai are frequent and
inexpensive. A round trip flight to Chiang Mai takes about an hour
and costs US$130 round trip. In Chiang Mai you can stay in the upscale
Chiang Inn which will run you less than US$40 per night for a double
room. The Chiang Inn is a nice hotel which is conveniently located
in the middle of the night market area. I generally stay at the Park
Inn Tana which is a couple of blocks away and offers clean rooms for
about US$26. Flights from Bangkok to Ko Samui run several times daily
on Bangkok Airways and will cost you about US$170 round trip. There
is a large variety of accomodations available. On a recent trip we
stayed at the Baan Chaweng Resort. A bungalo 50 meters from the beach
was about US$30 with frigid air conditioning. Bungalos with fans are
available for less.
Suggested Thailand Travel Guides
(Order directly from Amazon Books - Click on the book title)
Insight
Pocket Guides Thailand
The Insight Pocket Guide series of books is my favorite
for short stays at any destination. The book highlights the must
see destinations in full day and half day itineraries. This includes
detailed maps and suggested walking routes. This Thailand guide
is a must have especially for a short visit. Insight also published
individual guides for Chiang
Mai and Phuket
but they're currently out of print.
Lonely
Planet Thailand (8th Ed)
As with most Lonely Planet guides, this Thialand edition
is an invaluable resource for planning your journey. It offers you
the most up-to-date information about where to go and where to aviod,
how to get there and get around, where to stay at a reasonable rate.
The guide provides everything you'll need to know for a rewarding
visit.
Fodor's
Thailand
A lively, graphic, full-color guidebook to Thailand. The
author provides solid travel reporting on every region including
what to see and do plus recommended tours. It's rating system identifies
the not-to-be-missed sights.
Koh
Samui and Environs: Thailand's Tropical Haven (3rd Ed)
Koh Samui is a tropical paradise with pure white sandy
beaches and crystal clear water. I highly recommend this beautiful
island over the touristy/over-built Phuket. This guide book is one
of the few to provide detailed information on this treasure.
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