A few final notes on Thailand before I fly to New Delhi tomorrow. I went to see Jim Thompson's House in Bangkok advertised as "an elegant Thai design classic". Jim Thompson was an American who fell in love with Thailand after the second world war. He pulled together 5 or 6 original Thai buildings to create one Ideal-Home. The buildings are in lush gardens and beautifully furnished and decorated - an oasis of calm in the hustle of Bangkok. However, I find i...

Back in Bangkok.

Tomorrow I travel by bus back to Bangkok for a few days before flying on to New Delhi, so time for another update... Pattaya itself is an unexciting city completely dominated by the tourist industry. It has the usual collection of Shopping Malls, Restaurants and Bars, Currency Exchanges, etc. I visited Pattaya both during the day, but also at night when the place really begins to come alive. My guide book sums it up when it says "The city swarms with male a...

Arrived at the Ravindra Beach Resort & Spa, Nr Pattaya.

Tomorrow I head for Pattaya, so I should put down some notes on my time on Ko Samui before I forget. Firstly, the Hotel - weird and wonderful. The rooms are self contained, detached and semi-detached (duplex) structures scattered through the hotel gardens. Mine was en-suite with a (cool) power shower and otherwise cold running water. The main door is shut on the inside by top and bottom sliding catches, and from the outside by a padlock; there is no convent...