Koh Phi Phi

A pair of small islands in the middle of the Andaman Sea, Koh Phi Phi is a major attraction for all sorts of tourists. Taking a boat from Rassada took a couple hours.
When you first arrive in Koh Phi Phi, you arrive in Tonsai, which is unfortunately also becoming quite commercialized. To get some more peace and quiet, I suggest heading to the northern tip where you can get away from the noise and ruckus. Who knows how long this will as though, as a couple resorts are being built in the area as well.

Getting up to the northern tip requires a longtail ride. If you book a hotel in the area, they should provide free (or at least cheap) transfer.

long tail boat, so named because of the long propeller in the back

and the main mode of transport around the beaches

view from the highest point on Koh Phi Phi

The two islands are Koh Phi Phi Don and Koh Phi Phi Lee, Koh Phi Phi Don being the larger island. There aren't any accommodations on Koh Phi Phi Lee, but there are plenty of tours from Koh Phi Phi Don to the smaller island everyday and half a day is enough to tour around the island.

Phuket

Phuket is so large, it's quite easy to forget that it's an island, but easy to see the beautiful beaches all around. Unfortunately the beautiful beaches are such a large draw that the island is extremely commercialized to the point that it's hard to get anywhere without someone trying to milk you of your money. Worse yet is the taxi mafia, charging rates that rival New York City (about US$15 just for a 5 minute trip to the supermarket) and coercing the government to push out any competition, including public transportation.

5-star hotel

5-star resort

Doi Inthanon

Doi Inthanon is the tallest mountain in Thailand and also where the two chedis Naphamethinidon and Naphaphonphumisiri were built to honor the King and Queen of Thailand.

view from Doi Inthanon

Naphamethinidon, built in honor of the King's birthday

garden around the twin chedis

Naphaphonphumisiri, built in honor of the Queen's birthday

Ayutthaya Historical Park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พระนครศรีอยุธยา), Thailand (part 2)

part 1

Wat Lokaya Sutharam

Wat Chaiwattanaram

Wat Chaiwattanaram

Wat Chaiwattanaram

Climbing up the main prang

view from the prang (inside is just a small buddha statue)

another view from the top of the stairs

Ayutthaya Historical Park (อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พระนครศรีอยุธยา), Thailand (part 1)

Ayutthaya Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Ayutthaya, Thailand and is home to ruins from the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351 to 1767). Ayutthaya is only a one hour train ride from Bangkok and can be done as a day trip though I ended up staying the night,

In Rama Public Park, looking towards Wat Phra Ram

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Wat Phra Mahathat

Wat Suwandararam Rajawaraviharn

inside Wat Suwandararam Rajawaraviharn

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Kanchanaburi Bridge over the River Kwai and the Death Railway

Bridge over the River Kwai

train passing over the bridge

riding across the Death Railway on the train

riding across the Death Railway on the trian

inside the train

Muay Thai at MBK | Bangkok, Thailand

Muay Thai right outside the MBK Center. Free admission every Wednesday night starting at 6pm.

Maeklong Market, Thailand

Maeklong market is located on active train tracks. This means whenever a train passes by, vendors have to move their goods out of the way.
Detailed instructions on getting to Maeklong Market can be found at the whole world is a playground.

Maeklong Market

Maeklong Market

train schedule

preparing for the train

incoming train

tourists on board

train at the station

on-board the train