Thailand offers some of the world’s best sport fishing in the Gulf of Thailand, and Fish Thailand is one company that can give it to you. Each morning at 6.00 a.m., a hi-speed boat will weigh anchor and head for the feeding grounds. A guide will be along to help with your rigs and tackle as well as reveal tips to help you land a big one. You get back around 4.00 p.m., and can then relax on the beach on in your bungalow, while your catch-of-the-day is prepared how you like it. The best time of year for game fishing is October through December, when the monsoons just end and winter begins to set in. (Fish Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 2936 6540 Mobile: +66 (0) 8 1447 0298)
02
February
Kayak Chang, Koh Chang
Let’s Play, 02.02.10Kayak Chang is the only company providing real deep sea kayaking. They offer up to 8-day expeditions to the islands south of Koh Chang led by professional guides and using the finest equipment, all imported from the UK. The first you thing you need for the longer trips is to be good condition. Following a training session, you set off on 2-3-hour paddles before stopping at uninhabited isles. Along they way, you can catch your dinner that will be grilled on an open fire before falling asleep under the stars. It’s harder to get any closer to the timeless natural beauty of this archipelago national marine park. (Kayak Chang.com Co., Ltd., Amari Emerald Cove Resort, 88/8 Moo 4, Koh Chang District, Trat 23170 Tel: +66 (0) 8 7673 1753 Email:[email protected]
02
February
Canopy Adventures, Koh Samui
Let’s Play, 02.02.10A few hours of thrills soaring among the treetops above forest tracks and rushing streams like wild topical birds or chattering monkeys can be awesome. Canopy Adventures can give you this near Mae Nam in the central mountains of the island. The adventures includes up to 6 long cable rides between 8 tree houses. There are professional guides to ‘teach you the ropes’ as well as blaze the trail ahead of you. You also get to cool off in a “Secret Waterfall” and quench your hunger and thirst with fresh fruit and other snacks. What makes this even nicer is they arrange transport to and from your hotel at no extra charge. (P.O. Box 28. Maenam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84330 Tel: +66 (0) 7741 4150-1 Mobile: +66 (0) 8 7046 7307 E-mail:[email protected]
02
February
Jet Ski: Pattaya & Hua Hin
Let’s Play, 02.02.10All along the beachfronts in Pattaya and nearby Jomtien Beach as well as at the south end of Hua Hin, you can find jet skis for rent when you feel like speeding across the Thai Gulf. Powered by engines similar to motorcycles, these can have a lot of kick and acceleration. If you have never driven one before, have the rental agent take you for a spin first. If you have kids, it’s best to tag along; Let them handle the steering and just hold on and scream with them. Make sure the life vest is in good condition. Check the jetski for any damages and agree on a price before you zip away.
02
February
Paramotor & Paragliding, Pattaya
Let’s Play, 02.02.10How would you like to soar like an eagle above the breathtaking coastline of Pattaya Beach and its rolling surroundings? It’s all made by possible by companies offering paragliding and paramotor services, including instruction. Once you have mastered the first, it’s easy to convert over. Remember, though, these are classified as extreme sports and so do include an element of risk. But with the right training and a sensible attitude, you can be flying at heights of 12,000 feet. The light early dawn and late afternoon breezes are perfect for greeting or bid adieu to the day while the midday thermals can create exciting thrills.
02
February
Sampanboak, Ubon Ratchathani
Let’s Have Fun, 02.02.10Approximately 120 kilometers from the provincial capital, during the monsoon season, Sampanboak remains a secret. Then, once winter comes, a stone peak begins to break the surface of the mighty Mekong River. By the dry season, it’s become a massive island of stone with as many as 3,000 pools, or Samphanboak in Laotian, the local dialect. Residents of this area have also called this natural formation which has taken thousands of years to create, the Grand Canyon of the Mekong, rising up to seven meters from the surface of the river and stretching as wide as 20 meters across.
02
February
Historical Sites: Sukhothai, Ayutthaya
Let’s Have Fun, 02.02.10The Thai kingdom dates back to 1238, with the founding of its first capital, Sukhothai, which means “Dawn of Happiness”. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can see why it got its name as you meander through the restored and ruined palaces, temples, moats, ponds, canals and dyke system. Ayutthaya, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the next Thai capital and ruled between the 14th to 18th centuries, until it was ransacked and burned by invading Burmese. Set on an island, during its heyday, it had a population of around a million, making it one of the worlds’ largest. This time has also been referred to as a Thai Renaissance and the impressive ruins do afford an amazing glimpse into this glorious reign.
02
February
Morakot Cave, Trang
Let’s Have Fun, 02.02.10Trang is a beautiful southern province on the Andaman coast. First known for its annual underwater wedding festivities, it really has much more to offer. One of the more amazing sites is Tham Morakot, or the Emerald Cave on Koh Mook. You need to hire a boat at Pakmeng or Chaomai, about an hour out of town. Then, it’s another hour or so by boat. But don’t let the boat take you in, better to swim or paddle a kayak through the dark cave entrance, which then opens to an emerald lagoon and white sand beach protected by limestone cliffs that reach like fingers for the blue sky above.
02
February
Yachting, Koh Chang
Let’s Have Fun, 02.02.10The waters are clear aquamarine to deep indigo. The winds blow steady during the winter monsoons, when the skies are brilliant blue. The islands offer pristine, protected anchorages, fringed by ivory white beaches and capped by thick rain forest. This is why Koh Chang, Thailand’s second largest island located off the Trat coast and the archipelago that forms Koh Chang National Marine Park offer some of the best sailing in the Thai Gulf. Both single hull and catamarans are available for charter. Lengths range from 32ft. to 56 ft. and are all fully equipped. There are also sailing schools where you can learn or brush up on your sailing and navigation skills.
