Where to eat

Despite their obvious, a lot of tourists eschew the huge range of Thai places to eat and opt instead for the much ''safer'' restaurants in guest house and hotels. Almost all tourist accommodation has a kitchen, and while some are excellent, the vast majority serve up bland imitations of Western fare alongside equally pale versions of common Thai dishes. Having said that, it can be a relief to get your teeth into a processed cheese sandwich after five day's trekking in the jungle, and guest houses do serve comfortingly familiar Western breakfasts.