RussellAbroad; The latest Thailand Blog...enjoy

Maya Bay Phi Phi Island

RussellAbroad

I have lived in Thailand on and off for 20 years and have been involved with the Travel industry nearly all that time. I have had houses in Phuket and Phi Phi Island (on the Indian Ocean) and have travelled widely around Thailand.

Arriving as a traveller myself in the southern islands, hopping between resort and bungalow, I remember the incredible emotion of Thailand. That happy state where you cant believe your luck.... everybody was smiling and polite, the weather was simply gorgeous and the food was to die for. As I run my travel business hotelatm.com I continually try to remind myself that this is what makes Thailand special. It's a unique travel destination, a place where you can be excited, intrigued, enthralled, or if you just need some down town, a place where you can kick your shoes off, relax and let the day take your worries away on the wind.

It is with this in mind, I come to write this blog. I hope some people might be interested in this view of Thailand, a place where everything seems possible for those on a well earned break.


Two other aspects will be key to these missives, local news and hotel stays.

Thai News

Bangkok Skytrain

Not all of Thailand can be seen through the rose coloured spectacles of holiday life, as, underneath the charm of the fine resorts and hotels, runs another life, something more dynamic and rich. Thailand is a democratic monarchy whose king is greatly revered. Thai society is a traditional Asian one with great elegance, structure and not without it's foibles. In this Thai Blog I will endeavour to comment on the interesting aspects that make travelling in Thailand such a rewarding experience. From local news to national events, Thai life often plays out in ways not expected by those from outside the Kingdom.

Thailand is not without it's problems, but when you dig deep enough, which country can't put it's hand up and say, so has ours? However, what has always struck me over all these years, is the way Thai people push through to a solution. Very rarely confrontational unless provoked, the Thai way is for consensus and harmony. This doesn't mean a perfectly ordered solution, and often by western standards, the solution might not be considered fair, but society does get through a lot of life with a smile on it's face and a desire to get on.

Hotels, Resorts, Guesthouses and Hostels in Thailand

The beach scene at Zeavola Phi Phi Island

I will also point readers to some of the best hotels and resorts in Thailand. Thailand has a huge number of places to stay which vary wildly in quality and value, from 5 star international chain hotels to wooden tree houses, from elegant locally run hotels with character to perfect beach villas. Sometimes it is just good sense to pick up some tips from people who have been round the Thai tourist Industry.

The key tourist destinations of Thailand are Bangkok, Chiang Mai Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket, Phi Phi, Samui and Koh Phangan. The perifery tourist destinations of Krabi, Khao Lak, Phang Nga and Koh Tao will also recieve mention.

When I first arrived I was a backpacking traveller and came down after a stint in the Himalaya and so got to learn how to survive on a budget as my other blog Cheap Hotel or Guesthouse on Phi Phi Island testifies.

Since then I have travelled around Thailand and done countless site inspections of Hotels and Resorts. This has given me a broad view of Thai accommodation and allows me some knowledge in calling quality and value.In the RussellAbroad Blog I will take time to describe Resorts Hotels, Guesthouses and Hostels that come under the heading of good value as it is great to arrive at a holiday destination knowing you have got a great deal.



So, if you have a little time, or are happy to dip in every now and again, please see what's going on in the land of the RussellAbroad Blog.










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Phil Russell

Wat Chalong Phuket