One Month Later

I have visited the Grand Palace of Thailand. This was a free trip provided by the business department at Chulalongkorn University for international students. The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. The Grand Palace is nowadays used only for occasional ceremonial purposes and is no longer the royal residence. Admission to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Central Court of the Grand Palace is 400 Baht (13.00 USD).

I visited the island of Koh Larn located near Pattaya. This Island was very tourist oriented and was overcrowded by holiday vacationers from Bangkok. Not really the best Thailand has to offer. My trip to Pattaya and the island of Koh Larn was interesting as it was my first trip out of Bangkok. Pattaya is a beach resort area popular with tourists and expatriates. I observed that there were many Russians in this area. It is located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok. A bus trip to this area from Bangkok cost 200 baht or about 7 US Dollars. Koh Larn is not far from Pattaya City, only approximately 7.5 kilometers out to sea, as visitors can see the island from Pattaya Beach. Koh Larn’s Beaches are very beautiful with white sand and clear waters, a nice relief from Bangkok.

I took a trip to the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. Ko Phangan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in South East Thailand, and located in Surat Thani Province. It is famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach. I especially enjoyed snorkeling off the coast of a small peninsula off the northeast quadrant of Koh Phangan. The area was Koh Ma. The islands of Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui were quite relaxing and the islands reminded me of the San Juan Islands in Washington State. Koh Pha Ngan is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in Southeast Thailand, and located in the Surat Thani Province. It is famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpacker’s destination. Koh Samui is a resort area and has abundant white sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut trees. My travel to this area included a plane ride to Surat Thani then a bus ride to Don Sak and a ferry to Koh Pha Ngan. The total cost incurred for transportation was approximately 2400 baht or 80 US Dollars for a one way trip. Ko Samui island was more of a relaxation place for me and I stayed at a very nice resort using my parents timeshare.

I have played golf several times at local courses in Bangkok. Golf here is very interesting as you are required to attain a course caddy. The fees are similar from course to course. I usually play on Mondays which is generally a discount day. The green fee is usually 1000 baht (33.33USD) and the caddy is generally 300 baht (10USD). The courses are usually well maintained.