Imagine a scene where you find yourself in a state of euphoria, enveloped with harmony and rowing down a lake covered with alluring pink water lilies. Thailand houses one such lake – the Nong Han Kumphawapi lake in the Northeastern province of Udon Thani, one among the many must-visit tourist hotspots in Thailand.

One of the most important wetlands in Thailand, the Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake is spread across an area of 36 square kilometers (8,895 acres) and is covered with millions of pink water lilies. Apart from pleasing the locals’ senses, the lake also provides abundant freshwater, not just for agriculture but for drinking as well. This Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake covers most of the Kumphawapi district and a few parts of Prachaksinlapakhomand and Ku Kaeo districts. 

Location:

The Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake is situated North of the Kumphawapi district in the Udon Thani Province. You can gain access to the lake from the Ban Diam village, which is South of Prajak Sinlapakhom town. 

Best time to visit:

October to March is the best time to visit the Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake as the full bloom of the lilies is a most spectacular sight to behold this time. From 6 AM to 11 Am every day, the water lilies bloom completely, spreading their petals and radiating a vibrant pink color; this is also the best time to experience this breathtaking phenomenon, which is one among the many must-visit places in Thailand.

If you are a photographer, you can’t afford to miss clicking pictures of not only the blooming lilies but also a variety of birds and aquatic animals – which is one of the best things to do in Thailand.

Getting around the Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake:

Rentals boats can be availed from the following piers – Ban Don Kong and Ban Khon Sai in Kumphawapi district; Ban Diem, Chiang Wae and Ban Chaelae in Prachaksinlapakhom district, and Ban Non-Nam Yoi in Ku Kaeo district. 

A small boat that holds around two to three people can be availed for 100 Thai Baht ($3.21) per person. On the other hand, tourists can avail a bigger boat that has the capacity to hold around 10 to 12 people can be availed for 300 Thai Baht ($9.64) for one hour or 500 Thai Baht ($16.07) for two hours.

Thailand’s Tourism Ministry believes that the pink water lilies in the Nong Han Kumphawapi lake would act as a catalyst in wooing not just local tourists but international tourists as well. And so, they’ve laid out an open invitation asking tourists from across the world to come and experience the heavenly scenery. Mrs. Pawana Prajit, the Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) Udon Thani office stated that every tourist across the world must get an opportunity to experience nature’s beautiful gift to Thailand – the Nong Han Kumphawapi lake, which is one of the many tourist places in Thailand.

Udon Thani’s connection with History:

In the meantime, an exciting fact for history buffs – the Udon Thani region is also famous for its archeological wonders. The bronze artifacts discovered around the Ban Chiang village dates back to early 3600 to 4000 BC, i.e., these artifacts are around a thousand years older than the Indus Valley Civilization. Exploring the artifacts at the Ban Chiang World Heritage site is also one among the list of things to do in Thailand.

If you plan on touring Thailand, don’t you worry! iEagle has got you covered with cheap flights to Thailand.

The post Nong Han Kumphawapi Lake in Thailand: Romance Nature while Boating amidst Pink Water Lilies appeared first on iEagle.com Travel Magazine.

The prison-themed hostel in Thailand, Sook Station, is a perfect spot for travelers in search of something different during their trip to the land of smiles. Known as one of the best offbeat places to visit in Bangkok, this hostel does not just give you the feel of a prison, but it is also photogenic. There you go! Ready to spam your social media feed and startle everyone?

Located in Bangkok’s Bang Na district, the Sook Station is just around 15 km from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Touted to be one of the unusual things to do in Bangkok, the Sook Station offers the prisoners aka tourists black and white pajamas, a mug shot and a serial number upon check-in. Wearing the black and white pajamas inside the hotel is fine, but make sure to not flaunt it outside. You do not want to be mistaken for an escapee and chased by a police vehicle or two and at the worst, maybe spend time inside a real prison.

The walls and surroundings of the Sook Station are painted in dreary colors of black, grey and white to evoke the bleak atmosphere of a real prison, making it one of the most offbeat places in Thailand. Moreover, the open area has grey brick walls with concrete benches to lean against. Instead of a room key, you’ll be provided with an inmate number which can be used to lock and unlock your jail cell. The rooms are narrow and are furnished with bunk beds to give you the feel of a convicted criminal.

The hotel’s furnishings definitely bear similarities to prison but it holds none of the gritty and dank conditions here. You will have to spend as much as $75 to $91 per night in order to experience one of the best offbeat places in Bangkok. The inmates are also provided with the option to choose between a two-person room and a four-person family room. Imagine spending a night in a jail cell along with your family!

Apart from exhibiting the features of a prison, Sook Station also houses an outdoor Jacuzzi, office space, restaurant, a coffee shop and a lounge for relaxation. The hotel also functions as a regular cafe and co-working space for non-guests, so it is perfectly normal for the ‘inmates’ to co-exist along with the ‘law-abiding’ citizens. There is also ample car parking space for visitors, plus they offer lip-smacking food. Considered to be one of the best offbeat places in Bangkok, Sook Station also offers free Wi-Fi to its customers.

Prisons are known to have ‘lights-out’ time and Sook Station, one of the unusual places in Thailand, is no different. Sharp at 8 pm, the lights are switched off and doors to the hotel are locked. You’ll be witnessing a pin-drop silence, which is broken by occasional whispers and coughs from your fellow inmates locked up along the corridor.

Sook Station is the brainchild of the 55-year-old Sittichai Chaivoraprug, and his wife Piyanat Teekavanich, 49. Surprisingly, the couple left their technical careers to pursue their dreams of etching their names in the hotel industry. Even today, Sittichai proudly says that the movie ‘Shawshank Redemption’ is the inspiration behind building Sook Station, which gives a heavy competition to offbeat places in Thailand.

If you plan on spending quality ‘jail time’ at this prison-themed hostel in Thailand, worry not! We’ve got you covered with cheap flight tickets to Bangkok.

The post Offbeat Places in Thailand: Get a Taste of Life behind Bars at This Prison-themed Hostel in Bangkok appeared first on iEagle.com Travel Magazine.

1. Don’t touch monks in Thailand 

Monks are one of the most highly respected people in Thailand, which is why you should make sure that your actions or words do not displease them. The things not to do in Thailand include making any form of physical contact with monks; especially if you are a woman, as monks are not allowed to touch women. If touched by a woman, monks are required to perform a lengthy cleansing process.

You might even see a few monks exiting an internet cafe or playing games on their phones. However, if a monk approaches you – do not panic! But take advantage of the conversation as this might be your chance to know about their daily life in a temple or anything else that interests you. Another rule in the list of things to avoid in Thailand as a tourist is taking too much interest in their personal lives as it might displease them. Moreover, you should not place yourself in a position above a monk’s. For instance, if a monk is seated, do not stand near them as it puts you in a higher position when you are standing up.

2. Don’t badmouth Thailand’s royal family

Everyone might have their personal opinions, be it about politics or the royal family. You should refrain from sharing your personal opinions in Thailand when it comes to the royal family. Anyone who defames or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent or the regent will be punished with a jail term of three to 15 years. Furthermore, even stomping on a Thai coin is considered impolite as coins display images of Thailand’s royal family members and their ancestors. Make sure to read the list of things not to do in Thailand as a tourist before booking your flight to Bangkok, Thailand from SFO, USA.   

3. Don’t touch people’s heads in Thailand 

Back in your country, you might be used to pat or touch someone’s head to show affection. But when it comes to knowing things to avoid in Thailand, one of the most important things to remember is that you refrain from touching anyone’s head as the head is considered the holiest part of the body. Just like the Thai people, the Chinese consider it disrespectful when you pat or touch their heads. You can learn more about such things to avoid in China. 

4. Don’t point your finger or foot at anyone 

The moment you land in Thailand from your flight to Phuket from the USA, or any other port of entry, the first and foremost thing you should remember is to not point your finger at anyone, even while calling for a taxi. Moreover, sitting with your foot pointed at someone is considered as disrespectful. It is because the Thai people consider the head as the holiest part of the body and the foot as the dirtiest part. The things not to do in Thailand with your foot also include stepping on the Thai currency and holding a door with your foot.

5. Don’t wear shoes or slippers everywhere

The Thai people have their own customs and traditions and you must know what not to do in Thailand as a tourist, to make sure that you don’t violate anything. Back in your country, you might be used to wearing slippers or shoes everywhere but most homes, temples, restaurants, and shops in Thailand consider it inappropriate. When you see pairs of slippers left outside the main entrance of place in Thailand, do make sure to remove yours before you step into the place.

6. Don’t be careless around Buddha statues

Before booking your flight to Chiang Mai or any other Thai destination, you should know that more than 90% of the people in Thailand practice Buddhism and they highly respect the Buddha in any form. Along with the other things not to do in Thailand, make sure you respect Buddha statues and follow the local customs. While taking pictures of any Buddha statue, people are not allowed to lean on the statue or imitate the pose as it is considered disrespectful.

7. Don’t overstay your visa in Thailand

One of the most obvious things to know before visiting Thailand is not to overstay the duration of your visa. However, if you do, you’ll be fined up to a maximum of 20,000 Baht and on failing to pay the fine, you could be jailed. In addition, Thai immigration can also ban you from entering Thailand for up to 10 years based on the number of days you’ve overstayed.

Along with the things to know before visiting Thailand, Fly High also brings you much more information about other tourist destinations across the world. Fly High is a subsidiary of iEagle Travel, a leading international travel organization booking cheap flights to Thailand from USA.

The post Things to Know before Visiting Thailand: 7 Things not to Do in Thailand as a Tourist appeared first on iEagle.com Travel Magazine.