BKK Outer Limits

Ko Samet Island-Koh Samet

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Attraction | "Ko Samet Island Invigorates"

Evening Beach Scene Photo - Ko Samet Island-Koh Samet, Rayong, Thailand

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Departing Bangkok at 3pm, we arrived at the bus terminal in Rayong at 6pm. Two motos were waiting for us to take us 20 minutes south then down a dirt road to our friend's restaurant called Pol's Bamboo Restaurant. The wind blowing through our hair, we pointed out the small elephant being walked down the shoulder and how we could see and hear the gentle waves.After a couple of margaritas and a mai tai, we enjoyed dinner with plenty of laughs and young boys whirling batons of fire on the beach. Billy and his wife Kaye and all of her family were the best company you could have had. A massage here, a flick of the bic there, peanuts here and a jacket there. This, as Billy said, is why you want ...Read More

Departing Bangkok at 3pm, we arrived at the bus terminal in Rayong at 6pm. Two motos were waiting for us to take us 20 minutes south then down a dirt road to our friend's restaurant called Pol's Bamboo Restaurant. The wind blowing through our hair, we pointed out the small elephant being walked down the shoulder and how we could see and hear the gentle waves.

After a couple of margaritas and a mai tai, we enjoyed dinner with plenty of laughs and young boys whirling batons of fire on the beach. Billy and his wife Kaye and all of her family were the best company you could have had. A massage here, a flick of the bic there, peanuts here and a jacket there. This, as Billy said, is why you want to stay in Thailand. No cars, no flood lights, just streams of huge lanterns floating like spaceships and fading into oblivion. Kaye found as a place to sleep next to the restaurant where we had a good night's sleep and got up for a long beach walk in the morning. Content from a great breakfast, we were taken by a single motto with something akin to sidecar to the pier where we ventured off to Koh Samet Island.

Rayong is easily accessible and offers beaches with lots of picnic tables and trees. In essence, locals visit the beaches. Yet, there was so much open space. You could visit on a day trip as transportation in taxis aren't that expensive and van pools don't have set times like the buses. Or Rayong can be used as the stopping off point for a trip to Ko Samet Island. The choice is yours.

Thirty minutes of slow motoring from Rayong pier brought us to Koh Samet. The island is shaped like an elongated triangle with the wider part being the furtherest north and closest to the Raynong pier. We arrived on the island at Nadan, the northwest pier. This is the most frequent ferry route as well as the closest. Although there are some hotels here, there really isn't a beach and with the water traffic, most people move on. You will quickly be asked if you need transportation. A truck type of taxi took us to the other side where for 200B we entered Koh Samet National Park. The park entrance is within walking distance, taking about 45 minutes, but the dirt road with luggage may not be something you want to undertake. However, it appears people that are walking are not asked to pay the fee. This might be because people at the kiosk figure you have just gone for a walk and had already paid.

We stayed at White Sands Resort for 600B located on the beach. While I can't rave about the accommodations, the location at the beach, nearby shops and restaurants was good.

The generator is rather loud and you will hear it all night long as you would the music from the bars. The humidity and salt from the nearby beach is most likely the reason for corrosion around the fixtures.

On the beach you can rent floats for 100B, go parasailing, jet skiing, rent snorkel gear or just float in the pristine waters. ATV and motorcycles were cheap at 100B per hour and 300B per day, but be weary of being charged 2000B for supposed damages. Thai massages at 250B were slightly more than in Bangkok, but the convenience store food and drinks were twice the price.

The dance floor was packed and people held drinks while dancing. Both the live band and the DJ music repeated the same songs 4 times. Leaving at 3am, I have no idea how much later they remained open.

Guaranteed the beach in the morning offers a very quiet stroll and a good time to photograph the statue that so many of us were enchanted by during the day. Heading south Ao Thian beach ended at shear cliffs and crashing waves. A path headed upward where the views of the beach were breath taking and the locals were fishing with makeshift equipment. The rocks were sharp and volcanic looking. This is the best spot for watching the sunset.

The other direction passed upscale cabins with private beaches (unless walking) where small huts on stilts with wrap around porches were barely visible around all the trees. Continuing further lead to sharp cliffs where tide pools caught your attention.

Without the crowds of beach resorts, this was truly a diamond. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 12, 2012

Ko Samet Island-Koh Samet
Gulf of Thailand
Rayong, Thailand

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Samutprakan Chedi

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Drum Roll Please Photo - Samut Prakan, Thailand

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Phra Samut Chedi is a 5-minute boat ride from Samut Prakan (aka Paknam) Pier a short distance south from Bangkok. Originally on an island, if you will, in the middle of the Chao Prayer River, silt deposits on the western side connect it to the land. When you arrive by boat, the wall that keeps the Chedi from being engulf in the waters is evident.Puttawarat just across the street is a monastery for monks. I was both enchanted and envious of the environs. Not only were the meditation halls magnificent and certainly beckoning the meditative soul, but the living quarters were fabulous. They were small, spartanly decorated two story houses that overlooked a stream and surround by gorgeous ...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on February 17, 2012

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Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo

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Attraction | "Truly Famous Croc Farm"

Tail-less Croc Photo - Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo, Bangkok, Thailand

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Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm is so much more than the name implies. Perhaps I envisioned several cages with varieties from all over the world. While there were enclosures with abnormal crocodiles such as tailless or ones with 6 feet, the huge meandering lagoon was unbelievable. Walkways and platforms above the lagoon provided a very close look of thousands and thousands of small and large crocs sunning themselves.During the regularly scheduled show, men walked in water with some 30 crocs pulling them up to an island where they put there hands and heads into the jaws of the animal. Apparently there is a way to "train" a croc as to when to snap their jaw shut and when not to.The e...Read More

Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm is so much more than the name implies. Perhaps I envisioned several cages with varieties from all over the world. While there were enclosures with abnormal crocodiles such as tailless or ones with 6 feet, the huge meandering lagoon was unbelievable. Walkways and platforms above the lagoon provided a very close look of thousands and thousands of small and large crocs sunning themselves.

During the regularly scheduled show, men walked in water with some 30 crocs pulling them up to an island where they put there hands and heads into the jaws of the animal. Apparently there is a way to "train" a croc as to when to snap their jaw shut and when not to.

The elephant show brought to mind the term 'gentle giant" as these sweet creatures lumbered up the stairs for tips to give to their trainers or food for themselves. Partly closing my hand requiring more effort from the elephant, he gladly accepted the treats. Posing on a stool or balancing on their trunks seemed so exhausting at that weight, you couldn't help but smile.

Other animals included tapir, hippos, ostrich and a personal favorite the cassowary of Australia, which seems to be from the prehistoric dinosaur era.

Photo ops holding snakes or petting tigers also existed. Maybe an elephant or camel ride is more to your liking. The souvenir shop offers many items from shoes and purses and belts made from crocodile skins to crocodile oil. Judging by the condition of a croc's skin, I fail to see what good the oil would do my skin. Nonetheless, sucker that I am I purchased a small bottle. I smelled strongly of camphor which I decided was better than the gamely smell of an animal I suppose.

The park was founded in 1950 by a man who desires to preserve the animals from extinction while providing crocodile products to the world. What a strange combination.

They advertise over 10,000 crocodiles and being the largest croc farm in the world. While I had my doubts, right up to point of entry, I haven't any more.
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Member Rating 3 out of 5 on January 12, 2012

Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo
555 Moo 7 Taiban Road Taiban Sub-district, Amphur Muang
Samutprakarn, Bangkok 10270
+66 2 703 4891-5; 70

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King Rama IX Royal Park

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Attraction | "Kingly Park Indeed!"

Evening Exercise for all Photo - King Rama IX Royal Park, Samut Prakan, Thailand

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King Rama IX Park is worlds away from the noise and concrete of the main street only 10 blocks away. I was given the advice to see it and to go after 5pm it would be free. Had I known the size and depth of the park, not to mention the entrance fee of only 20B, I would have spent the entire day there.The first area I came across was the local gardens. This slowed me up considerably. Orchids in bloom with colors ranging from bright purple to green dripped down the sides of tree trunks. The tiny white ones and tiger-spott5ed ones were surprisingly fragrant. The ground was covered with a plant containing tiny round lime green leaves. Various ferns sprang up at the base of the tree trunks. I kn...Read More

King Rama IX Park is worlds away from the noise and concrete of the main street only 10 blocks away. I was given the advice to see it and to go after 5pm it would be free. Had I known the size and depth of the park, not to mention the entrance fee of only 20B, I would have spent the entire day there.

The first area I came across was the local gardens. This slowed me up considerably. Orchids in bloom with colors ranging from bright purple to green dripped down the sides of tree trunks. The tiny white ones and tiger-spott5ed ones were surprisingly fragrant. The ground was covered with a plant containing tiny round lime green leaves. Various ferns sprang up at the base of the tree trunks. I knew I had better pick up the pace if I had only two hours.

I quickly discovered this was more than a large park for joggers and those practicing Tai Chi and yoga. I found an indoor cactus garden that I passed by noticing others in the distance.

There was an Italian Garden with a 3-tiered fountain and a statue. The Spanish Garden contained several fountains. The English Garden contained a variety of small rose bushes carefully manicured which an archway fit for a queen. The Japanese Garden housed bonsai and pagodas while a tea house completed the Chinese Garden.

Throughout these gardens a waterway meandered around leading to a huge lake with a temple in the center. Here swan-shaped boats were available to rent. Other gardens with waterfalls and bushes trimmed to look like animals and gigantic mushrooms were all around.

After 5pm droves of locals come in to exercise. While many of them opt for walking around the park, more choose to go to the gym where every muscle can be worked on the variety of equipment. Young and old hit the circuit twisting away their waists, building their biceps and thinning their thighs. In the grassy area next to the gym people were using hoola-hoops while having conversations with their friends. In the middle of an intersection on the main path a raised platform served as a stage for an aerobics instructor who had people in front of, behind and on either side follow his moves while a loud speaker blasted work out music. Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on January 12, 2012

King Rama IX Royal Park
Sri Nakharin Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10210
+66 2 328 1857

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Ancient City

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Attraction | "Thailand in less than 8 hours!"

Orchids decorate trees Photo - Ancient City, Bangkok, Thailand

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Ancient City isn’t very crowded, possibly due to the 350B admission or that Bangkok doesn’t offer any tours complete with transportation. You have to take bus 511 from the Khao San Road area to Samut Prakan in front of the "can't miss it" harbor and take the small #36 truck which is clearly marked on the front and back. In spite of the seemingly long distance, it is very much worth the price and time.A bicycle is included in the price of admission and I am torn as to whether I thought it a help or a hindrance. You will also get a map that lists over 100 sites. For about the first 2/3 of the park, the sites were so close together I wasn’t even bothering to get back on the back. The last ...Read More

Ancient City isn’t very crowded, possibly due to the 350B admission or that Bangkok doesn’t offer any tours complete with transportation. You have to take bus 511 from the Khao San Road area to Samut Prakan in front of the "can't miss it" harbor and take the small #36 truck which is clearly marked on the front and back. In spite of the seemingly long distance, it is very much worth the price and time.

A bicycle is included in the price of admission and I am torn as to whether I thought it a help or a hindrance. You will also get a map that lists over 100 sites. For about the first 2/3 of the park, the sites were so close together I wasn’t even bothering to get back on the back. The last 1/3 of the park is where the bike was appreciated. There replicas of entire complexes and not just individual structures were much further apart.

Ancient City contains replicas of crumbling historical sites as well as magnificent religious temples and royal palaces. Contrary to what I thought, these are not scaled down models. You are able to walk inside buildings where murals and statues are just as is the real buildings.

One of the first places you arrive at is an example of an ancient Siam Main Street. A detailed map indicates what each building is there. You get a chance to walk inside a barber shop, complete with barber chairs, cutting tools and cologne. The performing arts stage included old masks, costumes and elaborate head dresses. A music store displayed drums and other decidedly ancient oriental instruments. All the trade shops contained antiques. Of course, it would not have been complete had it not been for the Opium Den at the end of the street.

Whether you get to see real a real floating market or not, this scaled down version where you can dine is adorable. Pagodas on stilts above the water are connected to each other by walkways. Choose one, sit down at a table and wait for the vendors to bring their boats up to show you what they have to offer. Boats had soup, beverages and more the more popular ones offering meals would simply tie up to a pagoda and wait for the diners order.

In the center of the park, just to the south of the floating market, are the royal gardens. Several waterfalls cascaded into pools and eventually into a large lake with a purplish gazebo in the center. Bridges from both sides of the lake fed to the gazebo. Statues of heroes on horses stood regally atop waterfalls. Orchids in every size and color burst forth from the bark of palm trees. Smaller gardens of sweet williams and marigolds dotted the park. It was plenty spacious to find yourself completely alone. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 12, 2012

Ancient City
Sukhumvit Road, Kilometer 33
Bangkok, Thailand 10400
+66 02 323 9253; 244

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