The Patmail Website - Thailand

On 11th February I departed from Heathrow with Singapore Airlines, bound for Thailand, on the Contrasts of Thailand tour ( SAGA ). The initial flight was via Singapore to Chiang Mai.

At Chiang Mai I stayed at the RatiLanna Spa Resort, not far from the Airport, on the Chiang Klang road ...which leads up to the Night Market. Unfortunately the Chiang Mai Flower Festival had been held the weekend before arrival, but has been covered on a previous visit.

The snapshot SD card storage failed just before leaving Chiang Mai and I lost about 90 pictures of in and around Chiang Mai - orchids, Wats, night market and more.

It is many years since I have been to Thailand and a lot had changed - especially in Phuket. I recall kantoke dinners and more classical entertainment, particularly in Chiang Mai. One had to travel out from the Phuket resort to reach the quieter beaches.

Front entrance to the RatiLanna, a "spirit house" and the vertical flower wall ( to save space ? )

The " infinity" swimming pool looking onto the River Ping - and the view from my balcony

Sadly many of the views were spoilt by the ugly high voltage distribution - supported on concrete posts - and more recent development.

The low voltage and telephone distribution had to be seen to be believed - a real jumble of wires - again spoiling many a view.

There is a good example of such an eyesore later.

Visits were made to various Wats, the market and flower market, the elephant camp at Mae Sa, Lamphun, the walking street market and more. Due to the loss of stills the following three pictures have been borrowed from Google, Wikipedia and other sites.

Wat Doi Suthep, the refurbished Chedi, and the famous steps - for those who don't want to go up the easy way

There are now several lifts for those not wishing to walk up some 300 steps.

This and the heavy increase in commercialisation have caused Wat Pra That Doi Suthep to lose some charm, in my opinion.

However, it is still a great attraction for tourists to Chiang Mai, and the viewing terrace gives good views over Chiang Mai and the airport......but similar views can be had from Wat Doi Kum ( Kham ), which is also less crowded due to restricted access, and which also has a big Buddha image.

At Phuket I stayed at the Kamala Beach Resort - last seen in more unfortunate circumstances in 1995 ( post tsunami ), when I stayed at Bangtao Bay.

The Resort stretched all the way to the beach, with several swimming pools and restaurants. Saga guests stayed in the Beach
Wing. Coconuts and bananas grew well in temperatures of 30 - 35 degrees C !

The Kamala Beach Resort was certainly a contrast to the RatiLanna ! But the food was equally as good - if not better.

The beach was about twelve to fifteen metres away, with a walkway/promenade stretching the length of the bay. Although there were many umbrellas etc. outside the hotel, at one end of the bay were sea scooters and longtail boats.

There was an orientation tour seeing the many bays around the West and South of Phuket, the favoured tourist area, also Wat Chalong and a Cashew nut factory.

The cashew nut is below the "fruit".

Use is made of the fruit to make drinks - while the cashew nut itself is processed, roasted and split, to become the product we all know.

It is claimed that the cashew has many healthy properties.

Another trip went to the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project in the North of the island, near the Bang Pae waterfall. A lake at the GRP provided a cool alternative to clambering up to the waterfall - small due to lack of rain.

................................................................................................... The Bang Pae waterfall

The lake and one of many flowers. The GRP is on the land of The National Park Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.

On Fridays there is a market just over the road from the Resort, selling everything - watches, clothes, food, bags and more. It is quite a large market, and well attended by the locals.

One day I caught the Kamala Beach Resort courtesy bus to Patong, now a large commercial centre with shopping malls ..... apart from the Bangla Road drinking venues and many small shops which still existed.

There was cabaret entertainment at the farewell party, hardly traditional - but enjoyed by many ! ( Photos by Tom )

A videoclip of the elephant camp at Mae Sa will be on patrickclips shortly. Meanwhile a couple of stills.

Give us bananas ................................................................... Waiting for bath time