Thailand Island Travel Guide and Accommodations

Muay Thai Training Camps in Thailand

2010-09-04T10:48:00.001+07:00

Are you a Muay Thai aspirant? Want to master the Muay Thai techniques, and make it big in this fabulous game? Well, it is better you arrange for joining one of the various Muay Thai training camps in Thailand, as soon as possible.

Why Thailand?

You may ask - "Why Thailand?" Ofcourse it is a valid question. Muay Thai is now an international craze, with suitable training infrastructure in various countries. So what is so special about Thailand?

Because, the game has a special position in Thailand

Today Muay Thai might have spread its wings to various countries, with top class Muay Thai training camps in those countries.

However, the status of Muay Thai in Thailand is still very very special. For obvious reasons. This great martial art not only originated in this country, but also enjoys a widespread mass popularity there. It has been for long that Muay Thai has been enjoying a demi-god status in Thailand, with virtually every Thai being just crazy about it.

The depth of the Thai peoples' passion about the game can be understood from two factors - the huge number of Muay Thai events in the country, and the level of popular craze that every such event enjoys.

Every successful Muay Thai fighter, whether from Thailand or other country, is revered like anything in the Thai society. As we all know that Muay Thai is now popular in several other countries, with the successful fighters enjoying high social status in those countries as well. However, in all probability, they are no match for the honor and respect enjoyed by Muay Thai fighters in Thailand.

A state-of-the-art training camp in another country can offer you all those facilities that a Muay Thai training camp in Thailand offer. But the factor that will give the latter an edge over the former is the ambience. The feeling that you are learning this great martial art in its land of origin itself is something that can charge you up like anything.

Moreover, the special status of the game and its players in the Thai society will also be a highly inspiring factor.

At every moment you will feel the depth of love and affection the Thai people have for this sport. This feeling will boost your own love and passion for Muay Thai to a great extent. That will make it easier for you to identify yourself with the game. The environment will teach you to eat, sleep and breathe Muay Thai. This will make success in training only a matter of time for you.

So get enrolled in one of the Muay Thai training camps in Thailand

So do not waste time anymore. Get yourself enrolled in one of the best Muay Thai training camps in Thailand. Start your dream training, and a dream life. Transform yourself into a new personality.

Will there be language problem in Thailand?

You might be wary of facing language and communication problem in Thailand, as you cannot speak Thai. Do not worry about it at all. On an average the Thai people are quite fluent in English. So you are least likely to have any sort of any language problem.

Train Trips in Thailand

2010-09-03T10:30:00.001+07:00

Most people are familiar with the River Kwai Death Railway as being Thailand's scenic rail trip option. However it is really the infamy of the line that escalates this trip in the eyes of the visitor. Admittedly spectacular in parts and with beautiful scenery along the Kwai Noi River to Namtok at the end of the line, it is but a small segment of the SRT system and by no means the only memorable sector to be found.

The River Kwai services leave from Thonburi station with additional services from the main Hualom-phong station during the November festival time. The Thonburi station affords splendid views of the river and is close to the Royal Barge sheds as well as being an architectural wonder with its clock tower facade.

Whether you have an interest in railways or not, trains are still an immensely pleasurable way to view the Thai countryside and are also cheap. The rail fare to Nam Tok, at the end of the Kwai line is still only 60 baht for a one way ticket and the Wongwian Yai service can still be found at around 20 baht round trip.

On local trains and many of the long distance expresses, vendors still ply their wares at the various stops along the line and many will be already aware of the new Korean-manufactured sleeper carriages available on most routes. Sleeper fares are still a real deal and more comfortable than ever and all first class carriages now have a shower area at the end of each carriage.

The Korean rolling stock is but the latest progressive foreign intervention into the State Railway with Japanese Kawasaki train units and British Rail "Sprinter" trains having upgraded the quality of train services within the last 10 years. Of course, the whole system was German-built, being a dream of King Chulalungkorn to link the hinterland to Bangkok and create a united "Thai Land" as well as fortifying links to the weak border points. It has recently celebrated its operational centennial with services duplicating the original public service to Korat.

The climb to the Korat Plateau, after the lineside temple views at Ayutthaya and especially Lopburi, is another of the lesser-noticed scenic sectors of the system. Here the route skirts Khao Yai National Park and the slow ascent affords excellent views of the lush central plains disappearing into the distance to be replaced by the comparatively flat and bare Isaan rice bowl.

For scenic mountain ascents the Doi Khun Tan National Park has by far the best to offer. Most travellers will see it at its best if being an early riser (0600-0700) on the Express Sleeper from Bangkok to Chiangmai.

The morning light hits the deep forested valleys in an array of color that is difficult to find elsewhere in the region and the basically uninhabited area adds to the slow switchback trundle of the train up the mountain. The climax of the ride is the final ascent to Doi Khun Tan station through a 2km tunnel, finally arriving at, in this writer's opinion, the most beautiful, well kept station in the Kingdom. Basketed blossoms on the platform and green peaks in the backdrop give it a special feeling, especially when experienced in the atmosphere of Lanna's cool morning air. The tunnel itself claimed many lives during its construction over a century ago and a plaque in respect of those workers can be seen at the southern portal. Many will argue the point that Hua Hin, with its Royal waiting room, is the more pleasant (and certainly more photographed) station, but Doi Khun Tan, with its inaccessibility, is a credit to the people that created it and those who currently man it. It really is only visited by those hiking into the National Park and for that reason alone has far fewer visitors than the Hua Hin version.

Sprinter train travellers on the Chiangmai day service from Bangkok will see Doi Khun Tan in the evening twilight, which can be almost as rewarding. The Sprinter service has become popular since its introduction, allowing train travellers to see all of the countryside between the two major cities during daylight. A similar situation exists with the Surat Thani to Bangkok sprinter service where travellers are able to view the coastal section from the south in daylight, previously missed with only the overnight sleeper services available. Sprinter trains, with their large viewing windows and airline-style reclining seats are a comfortable and affordable way to view the countryside. There are no traffic jams and one isn't constantly watching for oncoming traffic!

The only criticism of the international express, and indeed all sleeper trains within the kingdom is the fact that first class sleepers have berths situated across the car. As trains tend to rock from side to side, actual sleep is only usually achieved in second class where berths are configured lengthways along side the carriage windows. The result in first class, despite the privacy of a double cabin, is one of being shunted up and down the bed in a traditional railroad manner. Check out the disembarking sleeper passengers when you are at journey's end. The upper class travelers always seem to have that extra jaded style to their morning arrival.

First class berths on the E & O Express are configured correctly i.e. lengthways and the luxury of this service far surpasses the SRT public trains and perhaps most other services in the world. The train is not a remnant of a bygone age, as are the sister trains in Europe, but a converted version of New Zealand's Silver Streak, Christchurch to Greymouth train of the 1980's. It blends well as a replica, but the minimum $1400 for the one way 2 night trip to and from Singapore is, to most, still expensive. Far easier to experience the train on the frequent Saturday night 5 hour dinner specials from both Bangkok and Singapore at $150 (6,450 baht) per head. Look out in the local press for departure dates.

For those looking for the alternative experience and not requiring E & O luxury, steam excursions ply the local Bangkok routes on the King's Birthday and Chulalungkorn Day as well as during the Kwai festival. The Ayutthaya specials usually cost around 100 baht for the round trip, a figure unheard of for European rail enthusiasts.

Thai Rail passes still exist but the complications of reserving seats and berths in advance can sometimes outweigh the good value from these visitor's special deals. No matter, as long as one observes the 60 day advance purchase regulation and recognizes the popularity of train travel at holiday times, it is a very rewarding and value for money means of seeing the kingdom. Not only that, the punctuality is what may be expected of an originally German built system, as with the new reliable Skytrain.

Mangosteen Fruit Juice - What Can it Do For You?

2010-09-02T10:19:00.001+07:00

Although readily available in season throughout Southeast Asia, many people in the United States have never heard of Mangosteen fruit juice.

Mangosteen is a tropical fruit grown in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and India. It's the size of a small apple, purple-colored when fully ripe with a hard rind. Inside there are typically five to seven seeds surrounded by a sweet, juicy cover. The pulp, which is described as tasting similar to pineapple or peach, has the reputation of being a delicious food. In Asia Mangosteen is sometimes called the "queen of fruits" in honor of both its flavor and its economic significance.

In Europe, the Mangosteen fruit is considered the finest, most exotic fruit on the planet. In fact, it was Queen Victoria's favorite fruit and it's been reported that she actually offered knighthood to anyone who could bring her one.

Mangosteen is marketed as a juice, as a supplement, and can also be obtained in capsule form. The juice is usually a combined mixture of mangosteen and other fruit juices, such as apple, pear, and blueberry.

Although the fleshy inside of the fruit is responsible for its reputation as the best tasting fruit in the world, the rind, or pericarp, of the Mangosteen provides a phenomenal number of health benefits when juiced or freeze dried. In fact, it's reported that the rind is much more beneficial to your health than the pulp.

Scientific research has discovered over 40 known xanthones in the pericarp of the Mangosteen fruit. Xanthones are natural chemical substances that demonstrate a number of pharmaceutical properties including potent anti-inflammatory effects in your body. Mangosteen juice has also been found to help heath conscience women bring their weight down. It is actually know as a weight buster in many foreign countries

Mangosteen, not to be confused with Mango, is considered to be an exotic fruit in the United States and can be difficult to obtain. However, you may purchase freeze dried Mangosteen pericarp or supplements that contain beneficial properties found in the fresh fruit.

Unless you're in Thailand, where Mangosteen is exported to regional countries, you'll likely not be able to enjoy the goodness of fresh Mangosteen fruit juice.

If you are fortunate enough to come up with a bottle of Mangosteen Juice, be sure and purchase a bottle that includes the whole processed Mangosteen fruit. The deep colored exocart of the fruit is considered to be the area that holds the highest nutritional value.

Our site has a vast amount of information concerning a huge quantity of different fruit health benefits as well lots of great healthy and delicious fruit recipes. Come and visit.

http://www.fruithealthbenefits.com

How to Find Work in Thailand - Earn Money in Thailand

2010-09-01T10:02:00.001+07:00

Below we take a look at some of the most common ways to earn money whilst travelling through Thailand. From the well known to less common methods of adding a little more cash to your travelling kitty.

Teaching English as a foreign language, scuba diving instructor, freelance travel writer, activity promotion, and I.T. are a few ways in which those wishing to enjoy an extended visit to the land of smiles can fund their adventures.

Jobs in Thailand for Travelers and Tourists:

As long as you have a degree and a TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) certificate finding a job teaching English in Thailand is the easiest route to take to become employed in Thailand. Depending upon your level of education and experience becoming a teacher in Thailand is a fairly easy task to achieve, and one of the most stable and profitable careers for the 'Farang' exploring old Siam. A quick search of the internet should provide a good starting point which numerous websites acting as portals to paid teaching opportunities.

Scuba diving instructor is another relatively easy path through which to gain paid employment in Thailand depending upon your level of proficiency at scuba diving. However many of the scuba diving centers based in areas such as Pattaya and Phuket offer live-in courses to allow you to gain PADI qualifications whilst staying in Thailand, with the potential offer of paid employment following completion for those who make the grade.

Work can often be found promoting activities such as scuba and tours for cash-in-hand commissions by asking tour operators etc. directly whilst on location. Don't be afraid to ask as this can prove to be one of the most profitable means of earning money in Thailand if you are the sort of person who likes to get out there and mix with others. Especially in areas such as 'Khao San Road' the backpackers Haven where tourists and travellers alike can make easy pickings, already seeking out adventures as they are.

I.T. positions are rarer but can be found either through contacts made in the English speaking community of Thailand or by searching Thai newspapers and websites such as the 'Bangkok Post'.

And perhaps the most profitable (long term) and most enjoyable means of getting paid to work in Thailand is to become a freelance travel writer or video blogger making money online from affiliate programs such as Google AdSense, eBay Partner program, and Amazon for sending traffic to related products for a cut of the profits. Find out how by clicking on the link below.

Spending Your Christmas in a Special Place

2010-08-31T09:45:00.001+07:00

There are many ways you can spend Christmas. The important thing is to relax and enjoy this wonderful time of the year. You should forget about work, about everyday problems, about all the things you normally do, and plan a perfect vacation for you and your loved ones. Some of us wouldn't even think about leaving home this time of the year, while others want to get as far away as they can from the city. Whatever you choose to do there are special places where you can go and enjoy the traditions without worrying about all the details. Choose a luxury location or one of the luxury hotels in Surrey, and reward yourself after a long year of hard work.

Here are four great ways to spend Christmas without having to host many parties at your house and accommodate all the guests.

1. Christmas with family. There is no better occasion to catch up with your relatives and remind them and yourself how important family is. If most of the times you hold the Christmas dinner at your house, you probably know that you are in for a lot of work in the kitchen just before the guests arrive. But there is nothing like having your parents, brothers and sisters near you on special occasions like this. There is a great alternative for your family dinner, without giving up the coziness and security you desire. Why not choose a luxury venue, where you can continue the Christmas night with a longer vacation?

2. Xmas office party. Probably most of the times your colleagues from work organize a party around Christmas. Even if you spend a lot of time with them, you can never say you know them very well. This year do something different. Pick a location outside the city and extend your stay a few days more. This way you do not have to worry about catering, about decorating the office and all the other details. You just have to relax and enjoy spending time with your friends from the office, without having to think about work.

3. Christmas party with your friends. You may think that spending Christmas out with your friends is something only younger people do. But if you think it better, hosting a dinner party at home mans a lot of work. This is the best reason to rethink the location, and choose a luxury setting, where you can have fun with the dear ones and also be treated like a VIP without lifting a finger. After all Christmas vacation is so short and you have to make the most of it.

4. Christmas with your loved one. There is nothing wrong if this year you decided to spend Christmas only with your partner. Go somewhere outside the city and enjoy some special moments in a luxury and romantic setting. You deserve some time alone, away from the hectic life.

Top 10 Best Places and Interesting Destinations in Thailand For Vacationing Family With Children

2010-08-30T09:36:00.001+07:00

Thailand is the best place to spend family vacations. The country has plenty of beautiful and attractive places which parents and their children will definitely love. There are top ten best places in Thailand where most families from around the world love to visit. Here is the list of the ten most recommended vacation destinations in Thailand:

1. Pattaya, Thailand - located along the Thailand Gulf. It is the most popular ocean site resort in the Southeast Asia. Pattaya has 300 affordable hotels to choose from, which are perfect for vacationing families of any size. There are also a number of markets and shopping malls. Lots of affordable restaurants are also found in Pattaya serving the delicious Thai delicacies.

2. Phuket - the most popular tourist destination in the country with its beautiful white sand beach coasts. Phuket is also known as the "pearl of the South". Here, one can find the best variety of restaurants offering the best of Thai cuisines.

3. Koh Samui - perfect to spend family summer vacations. Koh Samui has a large number of beach hotels where one can enjoy the amazing beauty of the white sand beaches along the coastlines. Resorts offer good budget accommodations which will surely please families.

4. Chiand Mai popular tourist destination mostly because of the best shopping experience it offers. Here, one can buy a lot with just a dollar. Tourists often swarm the market of Chiang Mai that opens from 5pm and opens until midnight daily. The night marketplace has many products that will surely suit and satisfy everyone. Goods such as clothes, baggage, souvenir items, shoes and a lot more can be found here. There are also clubs in several places which offers very affordable prices. This is definitely a place for any family vacation.

5. Koh Chang Thailand - is a marine national park which attracted thousands of visitors worldwide. The island has a nick name of "the last untouched paradise in the Southeast Asia", because much of its place are not yet been discovered by modern explorations and haven't been built in with establishments and infrastructures. Here, one can fully appreciate the pure gifts of nature. Koh Chang has everything nature has to offer. Perfect getaway place for families who wants to have a quiet and peaceful vacation. Families can rent natively designed bungalows where they can feel at ease and comfortable all throughout their stay.

6. Krabi, Thailand - an island territory of Thailand that has fine-looking coastline and offshore islands. This location was used in the movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo di Caprio. These beaches are truly pictures perfect panoramas, together with the coconut palm trees and the blue waters of the ocean. Krabi has been a favorite place for vacationers coming from different countries.

7. Hua Hin - a place which combines pleasure and beach holidays and also a place for several sports. Golf has been the most famous sport here wherein visitors can play under the shade of the coconut trees.

8. Chiang Rai - a located in the mountainous regions of Thailand, which are said to have retained much Thailand's culture. Popular attractions here include the White Temple, which is the only handcrafted temple in Thailand with striking botanical gardens. Visitors love to visit here and take a look at the Buddha statues built in Buddhist temples which truly spectacular.

9. Cha-am Thailand - located 160 kilometers south of Bangkok, about two hours drive via car. Cha-am beach resort is known as the longest white sand beach in Thailand. It is also a place for golfing which many of vacationers enjoy to play. Perfect for vacationing families.

10. Bangkok - the main attractions in Bangkok are the magnificent temples and shrines along the city. These religious buildings were made with artistic architecture design which are truly captivating to the eyes.

Original Excursions For Travelers in Thailand

2010-08-29T09:15:00.001+07:00

Thailand has received the attention of the media and has been on the top of headlines in international newspapers for nearly two months in 2010, with the red shirts' protest to demand resignation of the prime minister and parliament dissolution. The protest having ended, the country is safe again to visit. The following six highly recommended original excursions are worth joining:

Enjoying an eco-adventure cruise on the Chao Phraya river, on board of a traditional barge in teak from Bangkok to Ayuthaya is a good idea for those who do not want to go too far away from the capital and eat delicious Thai meals on board. Stops along the way enable travelers to go on bicycle trips and learn about the villagers' way of life.

Going elephant riding and bamboo rafting in the animal sanctuary of the national park of Umphang is a very enjoyable experience and the favorite excursion of many tourists wanting to be close to nature. A lot of activities amid greenery are possible like trekking in an amazing environment and the long elephant ride in the jungle is a kind of adventure just as the descent of the river on bamboo raft.

Scuba diving in the deep waters of Turtle Island situated in the Gulf of Siam, at the north of Samui Island is another option for scuba divers who want to enjoy wonderful sea floor with very colorful fish and corals. Snorkeling is also a nice possibility for those who haven't taken a scuba diving course and other activities are possible like the tour of the island in a dugout with a stop at Ko Nang Yuan, an island with 3 beach arms shaped like a star and the sea on all sides.

Participating in an eco adventure tour around the lake of Khao Laem in Kantchanaburi, at a few hours from the capital, is a nice way to experience nature and spend a night in floating houses. The tour can be done by bicycle, motorcycle or mini-van before taking a boat on the lake. Tourists can also experience rural tours in the countryside on board a farm-cart made of wood pulled by bulls and trek to discover the fauna and the rare birds that live in the tropical vegetation.

The discovery of Pai and its Lahu, Lisu and Karen minorities in the North of Thailand by motocross is an adventure that bikers won't want to miss with stops in villages of ethnic tribes, and discovery of the nature still well preserved in this region of Thailand. Pai is a very popular destination in the North and there is a four hours drive in curves to reach the place from Chiang Mai.

Enjoying a popular mountain-bike route over four days from the hills of Chiang Dao to the Mae Kok river is another top adventure trip for sport men. Biking enable visitors to see more of the villagers' life while passing wonderful settings and there are a lot of valleys and landscapes to discover.

These 6 travel ideas are examples of the unforgettable tours that can be enjoyed in the country. Thailand has a lot to offer to visitors who want more than the traditional visit of temples, sun bathing at the beach or the crowded visit of the floating market.

Thailand Luxury Hotels - Finding the Right One!

2010-08-28T09:00:00.001+07:00

Thailand offers you two very different experiences all in one place: a very vibrant city life, as well as a soothing, luxurious holiday. There are numerous first-class hotels all over Thailand's most popular tourist destinations, so it all boils down to which area you want to stay in. Thailand is especially popular for its beautiful natural scenery and beaches, and its vast cultural feel. The country is also known for its very vibrant night and city life.

If you are looking for a city holiday, places like Bangkok and Surat Thani are perfect. Bangkok is especially known for its very lively city life, especially at night - with some naughty acts, bustling clubs and bars. Surat Thani is a little more unique: while being a commercial hub, it is surrounded by beautiful scenery and sights.

Being the capital city of Thailand, there are many luxurious hotels here like the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, The Sukhothai Bangkok and many more. Some of the city's most upscale hotels are located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Bangkok is also a great place for looking for great shopping areas. Here, you can find things from international branded items, to precious, unique antiques.

For a city-seaside holiday, there are places like Pattaya, Hua Hin and Cha-Am. Pattaya is a coastal city, and has some great luxury hotels here like the Pattaya Marriott and amny more. Other than having a vibrant nightlife, great food, shopping and sightseeing, Pattaya has some great beaches and recreational activities available. Hua Hin and Cha-Am are just a short distance away from Bangkok, and also have some great hotels. You can visit historical sites, go shopping, or relax at the beach.

Places popular mainly for their breathtaking scenery and stunning seaside include Phuket, Krabi, Koh Chang island, and Koh Samui island. While these places boast their beautiful sceneries and attractions, all of them are equipped with a happening night life, recreational activities and shopping. These areas would be great, if you are looking for a relaxing, luxurious holiday by the seaside. Koh Chang island has some great temples and sights; while Krabi is known for its beautiful limestone caves, waterfalls and exotic wildlife.

For those looking for a more cultural feel, but near a city, there is Chiang Mai. This area is famous for its spectacular mountains and hills. But other than its very beautiful natural scenery, Chiang Mai is great for shopping for handicrafts and such, as well as its vibrant nightlife.

Thailand luxury hotels

Vacation in Pattaya Thailand - Travel Tips From an Insider

2010-08-27T08:45:00.001+07:00

Pattaya Thailand may not have the same glitz and glamour as Cannes France. Yet this seaside city on the southern coast of Thailand manages to pull over 1 million tourist a year. Pattaya invented its own category, its on special vibe and reputation for having one of the wildest nightlife scene in this tiny sliver of Southeast Asia. Sure it may be short on class when you compare it to the stuffy clubs and bars in Cannes with its $2,000 champagnes. But where else are you going to find bars with names like "Beavers" serving ice cold Tiger beer for $2?

Navigating amongst Pattaya's many sois or "Side Street" (in foreigner speak) of bars, clubs, pubs and massage parlors is not so difficult. Where ever you find gaudy neon lights you are bound to find some assortment of male recreation befitting all appetites. And of course outside of said establishments you can find a myriad of Thai women hounding you to patron their place of work, promising you a time you will never forget.

Pattaya city can be broken up into two sections; North Pattaya and South Pattaya. Most visitors to Pattaya converge on Walking Street located in southern Pattaya which is most well known for its no holds barred nightlife venues. The bright neon lights and skull jarring hip hop beats. Thai woman (and transvestites), tugging and pulling at your shirt sleeves make you feel like you are taking a stroll inside a life sized arcade pin ball machine. Walking Street is considered the epicenter, the crust of all that is unholy and seedy in this part of Pattaya. But upon closer inspection you will find Irish pubs, various other watering holes and well established restaurants run mostly by foreign expats. These are places filled visitors from all over the world just sitting and chatting, without a lady sitting on their laps. Then you realize Pattaya is not just all about sex and sin.

Pattaya is about rest and recreation, the famous R&R phrase used by US soldiers from the Vietnam war era who changed the face of this once quiet seaside fishing village forever. Where once army boots pounded the streets long ago, today are being patrolled by slipper wearing backpackers and even by elderly tourist who curiously peek at the go-go dancer, who lure men in like a seasoned fisherman.

Through the years Pattaya has set her own standards and charm as one of the world's foremost party and relaxation destinations. She may not have famous celebrities and movie stars sunning themselves on their million dollar yachts there, but Pattaya Thailand can still cast a charm on any soul beckoning them to return again and again.

What is Face?

2010-08-26T08:29:00.001+07:00

Western visitors to Thailand often find themselves struggling for an explanation to the mysteries of Thai behaviour. Why do they sometimes behave in ways that seem so strange to us? One common explanation often put forward is the Thai concept of 'face'.

Why won't they admit they are wrong? They would lose face. Why won't they admit they don't know? They would lose face. Why did I get bad service? Because you lost your temper and lost face. Again and again, when newcomers ask for an explanation to some strange facet of Thai behaviour, the old timers give this simple explanation.

I often wonder if the influence of face is not overstated. Are the concepts of face really so different from our own?

What is Face?

Face is a concept that is widespread across most of southern and eastern Asia. It is the idea that it is important to maintain your own reputation and not look bad in front of others. It is good to have high social status. It is good to have a good job, a position of responsibility or influence. It is bad to be seen to fail or do something stupid.

It is also bad to cause other people to lose face. So while maintaining your own reputation you should try not to demean others.

When you look at these ideas, there is nothing unusual about them. Doesn't everybody want to have a good reputation? Shouldn't everybody respect others? They seem like universal concepts. However, the belief is that these are far stronger driving forces in Asia than elsewhere.

How Does Face Work in Thailand?

How face affects Thai behaviour is a big subject. If you really analysed it you could write a book on the subject. We will only attempt to scratch the surface. The first thing to say is that the following are generalisations. Many Thais are not that strongly influenced by face. Still, there are a few ways in which face consistently affects Thai life.

Personal Appearance

Personal appearance is important. It is the first impression you make on people. Thais are generally well turned out, especially when working, going out or dealing with officials.

Many westerners in Thailand enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and like to dress casual in dirty old shirts, shorts and flip-flops. This is fine in casual situations but it can make a bad impression in more formal situations such as dealing with officials. Government officials and offices are positions of respect and if you turn up scruffy, they may see it as a disrespectful start.

You will make this bad opening impression worse if you have tattoos, body piercings or an unusual haircut. These are all things that in Thailand are associated with lower class people. Thailand is a hierarchal society and the impression you make does affect the response you will get from officials. Looking smart is not everything but it is a factor in getting good service.

Behaviour

It is important to act with a degree of dignity. Thais are not serious people but they still like to carry themselves with a little decorum. Joking and fooling around is fine within limits but you should not be too loud or make a spectacle of yourself.

Temper

It is bad to lose your temper or argue in public. That is not to say it doesn't happen. Thais are human and prone to the odd outburst like most people. However, generally they try to control their anger and keep their composure. If they find themselves in a dispute then they believe a strong word and a cold smile are better ways to get their point across while maintaining their face.

Respect Others

It is important to help other people maintain their face. Causing someone else to lose face can actually also cause a loss of face for yourself. The strange thing here is that it is very much to people's faces that you must respect them. Gossiping behind peoples backs is as common here as it is in the west.

Over-reaction to Losing Face

One strange thing about face is that Thais can overreact if they feel they have lost face. While we have already stated that losing your temper is a loss of face, when Thais do lose their temper they can lose it in a big way. They know they are looking bad and losing face and this can actually magnify their anger. The result can be extreme over-reactions and sometimes acts of violence.

Conclusion

The above are just a selection of the ways in which face influences Thai behaviour. However, when you look at them, none of them are that alien to western values. We like to look good, make a good impression, we want people to like and respect us. We do tend to believe it is good to control our tempers and respect others.

There is no doubt that face is a factor in understanding Thai behaviour. It does affect the Thai mentality in subtle and deep-reaching ways. However, I do believe it is a mistake to over-state its importance. The explanations of Thai behaviour are often much simpler. Human nature is still the greatest driving force. The things that influence our behaviour such as love, greed and ego are also the forces that influence Thais.

Thais really are not so different from us. The reason we often don't understand Thai behaviour is simple - people are complicated.

Thailand - Still in Turmoil

2010-08-25T08:15:00.001+07:00

Thailand's ousted Prime minister Thaksin Shinawtra arrived in Cambodia this week to claim Cambodian citizenship and start his new job with the Cambodian government. The current Thai government that was brought to power by a yellow shirted mob taking over Bangkok's international airport, must be fuming! Instead of focusing on repairing the country's economy that was brought to its knees by the airport sit-in, they have instead focused on trying to catch Thaksin, who has been spending much of his time in Dubai since being forced to leave his position thanks to a military coup.

To have him in a neighbouring country and not be able to get to him must be sending them frantic. At the moment I dare say there is little other political work going on other than wasting time trying to get Thaksin extradited.

So why do they want Thaksin so badly? Well, if you didn't know, he is the 'devil incarnate', totally corrupt and has gotten rich by making Thailand poor. To sum it up, he is a bad, bad man! Well that's what a lot of people believe thanks to the present government's control of the media! Before I go on anymore, I should explain why Thaksin is in exile.

Things in Thailand aren't always what they seem. When you first arrive its lovely and everybody is always smiling, but when you live there for ten years you get to see it for what it is. For those of you that don't know, Thailand has draconian lese majeste laws that mean if you say anything deemed to be insulting about the Royal family, you go to prison along with your family or perhaps worse! People always say "Thai people really love their king". Well yes, and in England there would be a lot more Manchester United supporters if there was a law saying you must support them or you'll end up in prison! So why do they need such a law if he is such a good guy? Make your own minds up. Another interesting fact is that the King of Thailand is the wealthiest monarch in the world! Forget the queen of England and the Sultan of Brunei, the king of Thailand is far wealthier! That seems a little strange considering that 90% of people in Thailand are desperately poor. It is widely believed that he was in on the plot to kill his elder brother when they were teenagers, but of course that isn't talked about much in Thailand for obvious reasons! Why would anyone want to kill his brother, Rama 8? Maybe, because he wanted democracy for Thailand?

There are so many other incredulous things about the Royal family, but to sum it up very briefly, Thailand is ruled by the king. The country's wealth is with the king. People live in poverty and can't do anything or say anything because of the lese majeste law. Thanks to the Royal family's publicity machine, the Thai people think he does so much for the country when in fact he is the reason so many of them live in poverty. So what has any of that got to do with Thaksin? During his time in office Thaksin became incredibly wealthy and was pretty corrupt. That is what is drummed in to people in Thailand every day until they believe it. Some things tend to get forgotten though. Yes, he became incredibly rich, but so did Thailand. He is an economic genius and while he was in power the economy was booming. He was taking Thailand out of the dark ages at such a speed, and actually helping so many people in poor rural areas. Yes, he did some bad things, but he did a lot more good things for the country. He was becoming so popular and powerful that the king started to feel threatened, thus he organized the military coup to oust him. During the king's reign he has backed a total of eighteen coups! He backed the yellow mob's eight day takeover of the airport. He wasn't worried about the crushing effect it would have on the economy, he was more concerned about staying in power. The present 'totally corrupt' government are just his puppets.

And the sad thing is, the Thai people really do love their king, but not as passionately as they used to. A lot of Thais want to see Thaksin come back and repair the damage done by its tyrannical monarchy.

Dental Tourism in Thailand

2010-08-24T07:59:00.001+07:00

Thailand has often been at the centre stage of the world for providing fantastic tourism to people from all over the world. Its beautiful locales, sandy beaches, and warm nature have often won the hearts of millions of people who have paid a visit to the country for business or leisure alike.

A new concept in Thailand is the dental tourism or the quality of dental services it offers to people who are residents or tourists alike. Thailand dental has been a progressive hub in the field of medical sciences by the day and the popularity it is gaining amongst the world is quiet staggering to believe.

Cosmetic dentistry in Thailand is almost dirt cheap if compared to that in Europe and the USA. And it is of equally good quality. Dental misalignment are taken good care of by experienced dentists all through out the country and especially in the capital city of Bangkok. The advancements in the field of cosmetic dentistry have scaled new heights by the time. But the problem most people face, especially those who live across Europe and USA are the sky high charges to avail facilities of this kind. That is when they resort to the concept of dental tourism. It is an increasingly popular phenomenon where by you can get your dental treatment taken care of at a comparatively lower cost and also take a vacation.

Special dentist insurance plans are available through out the Asian market to take care of your cosmetic surgery expenses. As cosmetic dentistry is a lengthy procedure, insurance covers in the USA can rocket up to a huge amount. But the same facility in Thailand can cost you almost 5 times less and that is why people are so aware and resorting to this concept. An orthodontic treatment in the lieu of cosmetic surgery is generally a lengthy procedure which may go up to 1-2 years to complete. It also depends upon the severity of the issue you have with your teeth though. But nowadays, there are packages available where you can consult your dentists every once a week to get treated and by that, the time period for the cosmetic treatment to conclude is shortened considerably.

Not always is dental tourism a fool proof concept. If the issue with your treatment indeed is severe, that may take a lot of sittings and you may not be able to afford such a prolonged vacation. So, in such a case, it's best to take the opinion of your dentist before embarking upon such a journey. Lastly, it sure is a progressive step in the medical world to treat people universally for a comparatively cheaper cost and at the same time maintain the quality of treatment as in Europe or UK. It will grow with time!

How to Ship Household Goods to Thailand For Retirement

2010-08-23T07:30:00.001+07:00

Whenever importing household goods for your retirement in Thailand, always remember that only second-hand or used merchandises may be shipped in without paying the required taxes and duties.

Thus, under Thailand law, brand new household goods shipped inside the country will definitely be subjected to the necessary taxes and tariff provided by Thai law.

In order to be exempt from said taxes, the Thai law requires that said used household items being transported from another country and into Thailand was used by the importers themselves at their former country of residence. The law also provides that the origin of the shipment be the same as the origin of the importer.

Goods must arrive within six months to Thailand

The importers must also take into consideration the fact that the said goods or personal items are not allowed to be shipped before the arrival of the Thai retirement visa holders, nor six months after arrival of said importers.

In the case of used electrical machines or appliances like air conditioners, television sets or microwave ovens, the import of these electrical devices shall be limited to one unit only. Thus, if the importer brings in more than one unit, then the excess shall be subjected to Thai taxes and duties.

There is however, an exception. If the importer is a whole family planning on changing residence and living in the Kingdom of Thailand permanently, they will be given the privilege of bringing into the country two (2) units of each item.

Certain items may not be important into Thailand such as narcotics or drugs, firearms, plants, and pornographic material. It is strongly recommended not to import vehicles due to the complex process needed to clear Thai Customs as well as environmental clearances. It is simply best to purchase a right hand drive vehicle in Thailand after you arrive.

Documents Needed for Thai Customs

You will need your passport, retirement visa for Thailand, inventory list showing the brand name, model & serial numbers, and your shipping documents. It will be helpful to have the original sales receipt of all the electronics items. When the shipment arrives the Thai Custom official will ask to see your original passport. Typically the shipping company that you use will coordinate with the Thai Customs officials in clearing your household goods through the customs process.

Scuba Diving in Thailand - World Famous Diving Location

2010-08-22T07:16:00.001+07:00

One of the most diverse sites in the world for marine life is Thailand. There is plenty of diving in Thailand with 4,500 square miles and 300 major reef groups to dive on. Dive sites range from pinnacles to submerged rocks to softer sites with coral gardens and sheer walls. Diving in Thailand has something to offer ever level of diver. With its huge diversity of creatures and wide range of diving locations Thailand has become one of the most popular dive sites in the region and the world.

Thailand has a number of popular diving destinations and these will offer a wide range of well equipped, highly experienced dive centres. The dive centres will offer a wide range of leisure trips from day trips to full live on boards as well as all the training you will require from open water to diving instructor.
Phuket is probably the most famous location in the region which has excellent dive sites which are reachable within a day of Phuket, bust if you really want the best diving in Thailand then a trip further a field is a must. Places such as Similan Islands, Burma Banks and Mergui Archipelago are the finest dive sites in South East Asia and are a must do for any diver. These typically involve a live on board.

On the West side of Thailand in the Western Gulf have a different type of diving and have become very popular as locations to learn to dive. Islands such as Koh Tao have developed an entre tourist business around diving. Other dive locations nearby such as Koh Samui and Ko Pha-Ngan are boh developing an tourist industry a like Koh Tao.

Other world class dive sites though out Thailand are places such as Richelieu Rock, Chumpon Pinnacle, Pattaya, Krabi, Ko Chang. As you can see it is the sheer number of world class dive sites that make Thailand I truly popular and world beating diving destination for any diver.

Today Thailand has become a world class beating dive destination and large numbers of overseas divers from countries such as America, UK, German and others are flocking there every year. The sheer diversity of marine life and terrain as something for all levels of divers ranging from beginners to the more experienced. The wide life also ranges from big whale sharks, mantas to the smaller micro stuff such as nudibranches and sea horses.

Visit Ubon Ratchathani Thailand

2010-08-21T07:01:00.001+07:00

Ubon Ratchathani is the easternmost province in Thailand. On the banks of the Mekong and Moon rivers you will find a sign that states, "be the first to see the sunrise in Thailand." Ubon Ratchathani is located in the Northeastern or Isaan region of Thailand. It is the largest Thai province in terms of land mass. Most of the land is either rice fields or forest. It began its Thai life as a Monthon first known as Ubon Monthon and later as Isaan Monthon and served as the capitol.

The original residents were Laotian refugees who gave the local food, language and culture its flavor. When you visit Ubon you will discover a culture that is slightly different from the other four regions of Thailand. The music and dance are livelier. The cuisine is spicier. The friendly people truly make a difference. You will find a wide variety of Thai Buddhist temples in the province. Ubon Ratchathani is known for having the highest density of temples in all of Thailand. You will enjoy the Candle Festival held in Ubon Ratchathani each year in July, centered around the full moon.

It is to celebrate the beginning of Thai Buddhist Lent which coincides with the start of the Monsoon season. Ubon Ratchathai is a convenient jumping off place on your way to Cambodia or Laos. There are border crossing to both countries within a two hour drive from the provincial capitol. Nature has blessed Ubon with many natural attractions. Take some time and visit the rock formations of Pha Taem or lunar-looking craters of Sam Pan Bok on the Mekong. You will find it very convenient to get to Ubon Ratchathani.

The local airport is host to several daily flights between Ubon and Bangkok. The rail service includes a variety of times and classes, from express to overnight sleeper and the truly economy third class. Buses arrive and depart from Bangkok and other locations around Isaan and Thailand. Accommodation in Ubon range from luxury pool villas on the banks of Mekong river in Khong Jiam district to a room with a bed for less than $10US per night. Getting around town is quite easy by mini-bus, tuk tuk or motorcycle taxi.

And if you want to venture out in the surrounding countryside to visit small towns or villages you should have no problem finding a bus that will get you there. You might fall in love with Ubon and want to extend your stay. That is no problem as there is an Immigration office just a 45 minute drive from downtown. Do yourself a favor and think about Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand when you are making your travel plans.

Thailand Islands -- The Five Reasons that Make Koh Phangan the Perfect Choice

2010-08-20T06:45:00.001+07:00

The islands of southern Thailand are widely known as "Island Paradise". Their picturesque beaches, moderate tropical climate and unique, extremely relaxing lifestyle account for this reputation. Travelers from all over the world come to these southern Thailand islands to experience the famous transition to another dimension, as they gradually absorb the overwhelming serenity and ephemeral separation from the dynamic and straining modern life style.

In the eyes of the inexperienced traveler at the very first stages of planning his or her trip to Thailand, all "paradise islands" may look exactly the same: all the islands are tropical (in the classic sense and climate wise), picturesque and serene. But in fact, a more thorough perspective would reveal that each island, just like every individual traveler, has its own set of unique qualities. The cost of stay in some islands can turn out to be a surprisingly expensive experience, while visiting other islands can be quite a bargain; some islands are dramatically peaceful while others are loaded with exciting nightlife activities; some islands provide the perfect conditions for divers while others are ideal for backpackers.

After years of intensive research, and after exploring every dark corner on every island in southern Thailand, my final conclusion is that Koh Phangan is no doubt and by far the perfect choice for the perfect vacation. Koh Phangan is the perfect choice because it has this unique ability to adopt itself to the likes and needs of every individual traveler in the limits of being an island (except from providing the ultimate urban environment. But nobody visits the Thai islands to relive his urban daily lifestyle). Here are the five elements that make Koh Phangan the ultimate vacation choice:

1. The best value for your money. Until recently, Koh Phangan had a strong reputation of a backpackers' island. As a result, the island's costs of living had been adjusted to the target audience. Food and accommodation on the island cost surprisingly low, so that even a backpacker with a budget of 30$ per day can provide himself or herself with a reasonable, almost western life standard on the island, which includes air conditioned rooms and delicious cuisine. During the last several years, when more spoiled tourists discovered this island, local entrepreneurs began to invest in luxury accommodation. Nevertheless, the best quality accommodation in Koh Phangan is still cheaper, on average, compared to the same standard accommodation offered on other islands.

2. The rare opportunity to experience the "old school" island paradise. Even the sworn lovers of Thailand will agree, that the days when the "paradise islands" were the place in which one can sit on a lonely beach and share his or her thoughts with a single coconut tree, are a thing of the past. Still, in Koh Phangan one can find some "reservations" of remote picturesque beaches with only a limited choice of accommodation, such as Haad Thong Reng, Haad Yao and Haad Sadet. Some of these forgotten venues feature about three dozens bungalows hidden in the midst of the jungle. These "old school" beaches make you fell like merging with a "real" paradise, created by true nature and not by wise and experienced tourism industry entrepreneurs.

3. Breathtaking diving sites. The Gulf of Thailand is considered to be an excellent diving area, due to its clear lucid water and the huge variety of underwater life. Until recently, the consensual opinion stated that the only place for "real" scuba divers in the Gulf of Thailand is Koh Tao Island, next to Koh Phangan. Nowadays, more and more divers are choosing Koh Phangan as a launching ground for their preferable diving sites: a small island Koh Ma, connected to Koh Phangan by a sand bar; the neighboring beaches Haad Salad, Haad Yao & Haad Chaophao, offering a hugevariety of tropical fish and coral reefs; and Ang Thong National Marine Park - a group of 42 islands, protected as a National Park.

4. The Full Moon Party. The full moon party, held in Koh Phangan since 1989, attracts thousands of travelers every month coming from all corners of the globe. Even if you are not the classic partygoer - the full moon party could be a unique and unforgettable opportunity to join thousands of joyful, exhilarated people dancing together in the most beautiful place in the world to the sounds of the best music.

5. To experience radically unique travel activities. Koh Phangan is quite a small sized island (about 170 km2), but it offers a widest variety of activities. You can come on a Sunday, as a backpacker to Sunrise Beach, become a professional diver on Monday in Koh Ma and turn into a seasoned partygoer on Tuesday as you take part in the exhilarating full moon party. If you're able to wake up on Wednesday morning, you can meet local people in the fishermen's village Chaloklum learn and experience their traditional way of life. Additionally, you can join forces with your sportsperson alter ego and go trekking on Thursday; and on Friday you'll have the unique opportunity to pretend being a Mowgli riding an elephant's back in Phangan Safari. On Saturday, you can try living as a sheikh in a luxury resort with a spa...and maybe get the chance to write a novel on the seven most unforgettable days of your life.

Political Unrest in Thailand

2010-08-19T06:32:00.001+07:00

The situation in Thailand reminds me the old saying - be careful what you ask for you may just get it. In September of 2006, Thailand went through a military coup. The military asked for the Prime Minister to step down. After the coup, the provisional government investigated the ousted Prime Minister and charged him with many things, mostly related to a misuse of his position as PM, which lead to a huge increase in his and his family's personal wealth.

I had the fortune to be seated next to another expat on my travels from Thailand recently, he from the UK and me from the US. He lived in Thailand outside Bangkok and me living in Bangkok. We had a discussion about ousted PM Taskin. He indicated that he believed Taskin did great things for Thailand, giving more money to people living outside Bangkok. I believe ex-PM Taskin did give things and money to people living outside Bangkok. However, the amount of wealth distributed in these outlining areas is quite small compared to ENORMOUS increase in personal wealth of ex-PM Taskin and his Family.

In a capitalistic economy, wealth is distributed by competition. Basically if something is desired by the people, the person/company that can manufacturer the item better and cheaper will sell more, gaining wealth. The company produces more of these items and hires more people. These people spend their money on food and things they desire and the economy hums along. When normal competition is interfered with by governments, the distribution of wealth becomes skewed and the wealth tends to stay in the hands of the few with power. We have all heard of countries where the upper class grows unusually large and the middle class grows small and the lower class becomes huge.

Ex-PM Taskin used his political power and turned it into wealth for him and his friends. His political power came from his campaign promises to the people outside of Bangkok which led to his election. So, while he was PM he had to make it seem that the people living in these areas benefited. But did they benefit? Well, yes and no. Yes, they benefited directly by decreased taxes or a new blanket or other some such item. However, the amount of wealth distributed to the people was very small compared the amount of ENORMOUS wealth which went to his friends and family instead of making its way by unimpeded economic forces.

Now, a little over a year later after the coup, there is still political unrest in Thailand. The new democratically elected Prime Minister has invited the Ex-PM back to the country. There are many questions arising about the ability of the current Prime Ministers ability to govern, such as:

There is a question concerning the validity of the elections that put the current PM into office;

There is a question concerning his ability to remember past important events; and

There is a question concerning his ability to deal with Thailand's neighboring countries and their human rights abuses.

Now, the old PM has returned to Thailand and pleaded not guilty to the charges of abuse of power. I can almost feel the Thai people taking a big breadth, waiting to see what happens. I originally came to Thailand because it feels like a safe place to live and the people are polite and friendly. I can only hope it can stay that way.

Hmong of Thailand

2010-08-18T06:15:00.001+07:00

Hmong are one of the hill tribes that live in Thailand. There are two major sub groups in Thailand namely the White and Blue. These people are found mainly in China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. The Hmong have supposed to have migrated to Thailand from China and Laos. They settled in the hills of Thailand and carried out their traditional shift cultivation in relative peace and isolation. There are approximately 60,000 Hmong living in the northeast Thailand. In addition, there are another 50,000 living as refugees in Thailand. They came in small groups, crossing the Mekong River. Later they moved to the northern province of Phetchabun and joined their relatives in Ban Huay Nam Khao.

They live in houses that sit on earth not on stilts like other hill tribes. Their main occupation is cultivating opium poppy. After a government initiative, the Hmong have gradually changed their ways and have started to sell needlework, which is exquisitely designed.

The Hmong people are experts in needlework. They make clothes for themselves as well as sell them. Their clothes are decorated with rich embroidery work and silver. Each sub group has its own way of dressing. The Blue Hmong women wear rich embroidered clothes with attractive colors, while the White Hmong women wear black baggy pants and simple jackets. The Hmong men produce musical instruments and items of wood. They are also skilled as blacksmiths and gunsmiths.

The Hmong people are animists and are strong believers in spirits. The Hmong shamans perform many unknown rituals to invoke spirits.

A Beautiful, Amazing Must See Place in Thailand, Chiangmai

2010-08-17T06:03:00.001+07:00

Among the many places in Thailand Chiangmai comes well recommended, and for very good reasons. Travelers point to the many amazing sights and things to do in this laidback city situated in the Himalayan foothills. For visitors exploring Thailand, Chiangmai never ceases to amaze. Small wonder luxury hotels (like Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai) near this destination are frequented by travelers who want to be near where the popular sights and activities are.

With Buddhist temples and other historic sites to the majestic mountains, the handicrafts, the shopping finds, people, the food and bustling night life, Chiangmai offers no dull moment for the curious and adventuresome traveler.

While in Thailand, Chiangmai is the kind of place that will strike you as serene because most of the people are not rushing about as they do in other key cities around the world. It may as well be referred to as a pastoral paradise, the kind you are likely to read about in books. Imagine getting all cozy in a nice, well-appointed villa that looks out to hushed paddy-fields and lush hills and mountains beyond them. It's a perfect place to commune with nature and feel close to God.

Actually, for people who visit Northern Thailand, Chiangmai offers respite as a spiritual haven. Pilgrims visit one of the most revered temples of the Thais - the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It is actually an awe-inspiring 14th century Buddhist architectural showcase. The temple was erected in 1386 by King Keuna the Great. Legend has it that the temple's site was chosen when an elephant carrying half of a holy relic ascended the mountains after several days and circled the temple spot before kneeling down and dying. A visit to Thailand Chiangmai particularly, will not be complete without seeing the sacred temple.

There are other lovely temples in Chiangmai. You can explore the oldest to the noblest ones, including the Wat Suan Dok, which holds the ashes of Chiang Mai's former Royal Family members. In another chapel lies one of Thailand's largest icons in metal - a 500-year old bronze Buddha. You may also want to visit the temple compound where the divine Lai Kham chapel, with its remarkable murals and woodcarvings, is situated,

For a dose of history, there is another must-see while exploring Thailand Chiang Mai National Museum will fascinate you no end with its collection of Lanna Thai artworks, ancient, war weaponry, and antique Buddha images.

Shopaholics are also bound to have a heyday at Thailand's night bazaars. For those who would rather watch artisans at work in the villages, a number of cottage industries and handicrafts ranging from parasols, silk weaving, jewelry, woodcarving, silverware, and lacquerware, to name a few, may suit you fine.

Are you raring for an anthropological adventure? Try a river cruise that travels down The Chang pier. This is where elephants used to haul logs from the river in the old days. The pier derived its name from the king's elephants, which used to bathe on that site. You will see some of Thailand's firsts - first bridge, first post office, and other interesting sites and get a whiff of the including lifestyles of the locals who dwelled on opposite sides of the river, plus some historic spots along the riverbanks. All these you can enjoy at a leisurely pace. Check out online travel resources for Thailand and you are bound to have a fantastic experience you will be able to delightfully recount to your family and friends.

How to Renew Your Passport at the UK Embassy in Thailand

2010-08-16T05:49:00.001+07:00

Holders of a UK passport who are in Thailand when their passports expire will need to proceed to the British Embassy in Bangkok to have their passports renewed and wait for around ten (10) working days for the processing.

The British Embassy in Thailand is located along Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan in Bangkok, and accepts applications for the renewal of UK passports from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

The processing of passport renewals is strictly on a first come-first served basis. This means that the applications are processed precisely in the order they are received.

New rates for the renewal of a UK passport are as follows:

For a 32-page passport, fee is Baht 7,221. On the other hand, for a 48-page passport, the fee is Baht 8,729. For a child's passport, fee is Baht 4,611.

Procedure

Generally, the procedure is similar, whether for the renewal, replacement or for a first time application of a UK passport.

Applicants who are sixteen (16) years of age or over, must complete the C1 Form.

Embassy officials will not accept the application and may refuse it outright if it is not correctly completed by the applicant.

The applicant should write his initials on the small box provided in every page of the C1 application form. If applicant could not write, he must provide a letter from a responsible person to confirm the reason why applicant cannot write.

Applicant must bring the following requirements

- 2 recent 35mm x 45mm photos with light-coloured background. (white, light grey, or cream will do)

- Completed application form

- Consular fees

- Current passport

Upon submission of the completed C1 application form and the required documents, the corresponding passport fee must be paid by the applicant.

The applicant may either renew his passport in person or by post. If in person, he must bring the application form, the supporting requirements, as well as the fee at the Consular Section of the British Embassy in Bangkok.

If, however, the renewal is by post, the application must be accompanied by a Banker's Draft equivalent to the amount of the application fee plus a Baht 200 administration fee, or a money or postal order payable to "British Embassy."

The Lotus Festival Of Thailand

2010-08-15T05:33:00.001+07:00

The lotus flower is a very important part of Thai life. It is also the most commonly found flower in Thailand. It is found in ponds, swamps, canals and also in the temples of Thailand.

Lotus is a flower that is associated with heavenly beings in Thailand literature and holds a special place in Thai life.

Besides being used in temples and prayers, lotus also has medicinal properties and is used extensively in traditional Thai medicine. Besides this, many handicrafts across Thailand are inspired by the beauty of this flower.

Every year on the 14th full moon night in October, the Lotus Flower festival is held at Bang Phi in Samut Prakan district of Thailand. This festival is celebrated one day before end of the Buddhist Lent. Bang Phi is renowned for its lotus flowers which grows in abundance here. People from all across Thailand come here year in and year out, collect the lotus flowers and offer them to the monks. This Lotus Flower Festival is considered as one of the merit making festivals in Thailand.

During the festival, the image of Buddha is carried on a boat. This image is a replica of Luang Poh To Buddha image. People stand on either sides of the canal and they throw lotus flowers on the boat carrying the Buddha image. These flowers are meant as homage to Lord Buddha, Dhamma and Sangka. The local people also throw lotus flowers on the boats' of the visitor as a gesture of welcoming them to join the festival.

As per traditions, Buddhist from across Thailand come to this district to pick flowers to offer to monks. The local people consider this as an honor and believe they will be blessed so they volunteer to keep the flowers to distribute it to the visitors. This tradition has become known as the Lotus Receiving Festival or Rap Bua festival.

Winter Blues? It's Nothing A Luxury Spa Break In Thailand Can't Cure

2010-08-14T05:18:00.001+07:00

Whilst the UK's unpredictable weather is as much a part of its identity as fish and chips, it can cause many people to feel down and depressed when the dark, winter months kick in.

But in the summer months, many parts of the UK actually experience perfectly good weather and extended periods of sunshine. So, why do so many people choose to holiday abroad at a time when the UK weather really isn't all that bad?

Well, this is why many people are now deciding to take winter holidays instead, with over a quarter of people now taking their main holiday between October and the end of the year. Not only is it, in general, an easier period to get time off work, it's normally cheaper too and it provides two weeks of respite from the gloomy British winter. And as it is a cheaper time of year to travel, this means that more emphasis can be placed on 'lavish' rather than 'budget', with a luxury spa holiday providing the perfect remedy to beat the winter blues.

Thailand, for example, is a popular destination for winter sun and not just for a simple beach holiday either. There are many luxury destinations available within Thailand, be it a Phuket spa holiday resort or a Koh Samui spa holiday resort.

Indeed, a luxury Thailand spa holiday [http://www.kuoni.co.uk/holiday/Far_East/Thailand/index.html] can be found to suit most requirements. For example, many people choose to travel to Thailand for the superb diving on offer and it's possible to narrow the search by features such as on-site dive schools or even the availability of water sports, ensuring the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.

But what makes Thailand a real 5 star holiday destination is the ability to combine a luxury spa holiday with a true cultural holiday experience. When not unwinding or being pampered, there are golden temples, busy markets, excellent food, mountain scenery and a plethora of glorious beaches to explore. Furthermore, the one aspect of Thai culture that ensures so many people return year after year is the warmth and friendliness of the local people. And this is what makes Thailand truly stand out from other destinations in the world.

So, with the nights drawing in, many people choose to take their main holiday later in the year. And as it's generally cheaper to travel 'off-season', that luxury spa holiday in Thailand may be just the thing to ease those winter blues.

Savor an Asian Paradise With a Yacht Charter in Thailand

2010-08-13T05:00:00.001+07:00

If you are looking for the prefect blend of exotic vibrance and luxurious accommodations, then taking a yacht charter in Thailand is sure to provide everything you are looking for. Regardless of whether you take an afternoon boating trip, or an extended cruise, you are sure to find that each day is filled with delightful experiences, sights, and sounds. As you visit the neighboring islands, and view all of the tropical wonders housed in this region of the world, you will wish that you could stay in this paradise forever.

When you charter a yacht in Thailand, you are sure to enjoy dozens of water sports and adventures. This includes being able to enjoy the sight of Angel Fish, living coral reefs, and many other aquatic species as the yacht moves through pristine waters. At the same time, you are also sure to savor being able to watch the sunrise and set on emerald waters surrounded by pristine beaches and luscious flora.

Depending on the yacht charter route that you choose, there may also be opportunities to leave the boat for shopping, sightseeing, and other activities. For example, if you visit Ko Muk, you will have an opportunity to swim through a fascinating rock tunnel that opens out onto a stunning oasis. If you have ever dreamed of a tropical paradise with a secret entrance, Ko Muk should be the first place you visit once you decide to charter a yacht in Thailand.

Individuals looking for opulence will not be disappointed. Aside from delicious meals and cordial cabin service, you are sure to find that each yacht offers all the comforts of home. No matter whether you want to access a gym, wireless internet, or other amenities, you are sure to find that a luxury yachts ithat will suit your needs.

While you are booking your yacht charters, it will be to your advantage to consider choosing the longer cruises. Typically, these arrangements will give you a better chance to see the islands surrounding Thailand, as well as enjoy more time at each destination. Without a question, if you want an opportunity to sample the different cultures, foods, and scenery found on each island, it will take more than a single day to achieve your goal. In fact, you may find that you will want to come back and enjoy yacht charters in Thailand year after year.

Today, few places on Earth can rival the unspoiled tropical beauty of Thailand. That said, if you don't want to spend all of your vacation on one island, you will find that a Thailand yacht carter will provide you with a much wider selection of experiences. No doubt, as you embark on your adventure, you will find hundreds of fascinating sights and experiences to remember and cherish for the rest of you life. You may even find that this will be one place at the top of your list to move to once you retire, or the opportunity becomes available for other reasons.

Thailand Famous Tourist Attractions

2010-08-12T04:46:00.001+07:00

Thailand has become one of the most well known and popular sites for holiday makers around the world. It is just because of its charming nature, and many tourist attractions offered to holiday makers. Lots of tourist sites can be found throughout the country and each of them has got uniqueness for itself which also provides tourists with interesting knowledge about Thai culture.

In Thailand, there are a great number of Buddhist temples that tourists can visit to learn about the national religion of Thailand. For Bangkok, it is the capital city of the country where there are many important temples situated around the city. One of the most important temples is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, where a Buddhist image made from a large Emerald is kept. All important issues about Royal family and country will be held within this temple. The temple of Dawn is also in Bangkok on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, where one can see a very beautiful ancient architectural art within the temple. There are many more temples throughout the country, which each of them has an amazing story and background.

For people interested in watching live sport, Bangkok is the home to the two largest Thai Boxing stadiums, or Muay Thai stadiums. Muay Thai has become a popular sport around the world and the best fighters in the world appear in Lumpini and Rajadamneorn stadiums. The stadiums hold weekly matches which most of famous and best fighters will be appeared in these two stadiums. There are many boxing schools teaching Muay Thai to interested people.

Another popular activity of tourist is water activities. Thailand is so well known for the home of many beautiful beaches throughout the country, where tourists can go swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, or sun bathing on nice white sandy beaches. At the same time, tourists can enjoy buying things from local venders who sell delicious fruit, local foods, and souvenirs on the beach. Samui, Phuket, Pattaya and Hua Hin are some of great tourist destinations for having beautiful beaches and relax atmosphere that tourists are looking for.

Moreover, Thailand is also a great place for nightlife. Most entertainment venues are closed very late. Some of them may be opened until dawn for parties. There are lots of famous DJs and high-quality musicians, and other entertainers that perform in the numerous nightclubs in the most popular tour sites throughout the country.

Thailand has got so many things to offer to tourists or holiday makers. It has become one of popular tourist destinations which are waiting for tourists to visit and discover the beauty of the country and its uniqueness. Thus, don't forget to visit Thailand "The Land of Smile" for the next time you are planning a vacation!

Traveling Through Thailand on a Budget

2010-08-11T04:30:00.001+07:00

Four years ago, one dollar would have purchased 40 Thai baht but recent currency conversion data has your dollar about 25% weaker with 30 baht being equal to one dollar. What is true in Thailand is also true in many of the other Asian countries.

Thai merchants are used to overcharging American and European tourists for years and while the Euro maintains its strength, your dollar is not but they will still charge you the same prices as they always have. This suggests your trip will be 33% more expensive than it should be.

Traveling on a budget is critical and there are several areas with which you can save money. The first issue is to only wash your clothes but then let the clothes dry in the sunlight. Thailand is extremely hot that your necessity for drying them is not critical. Washing one piece of clothing is 10 baht. With it being hot, the average person will have 3 pieces of clothing or $1 a day.

The next critical issue to save money on is food. If you purchase the food from local merchants with prices posted, you won't get ripped off. If you go to a restaurant, they will give you the "tourist menu" with significantly higher prices.

Another area to save money on is housing. There is no need for the fancy housing, a cheap place that does not speak English will do just fine. All you need to let them know is date of departure, whether you want internet access, and how much per month. You should not pay more than 500 baht per day if you are really trying to cut back. If you get a fancy hotel, it can range from 2,000 baht to 10,000 baht.

Clothes and other products can be bargained. We recommend you driving out away from the Bangkok area to do your shopping. Since they are not used to tourists, they will give you deals.

Thinking of Thailand? - Think Krabi Villa

2010-08-10T04:17:00.001+07:00

We are pioneering the trend towards fully-serviced homes in the majestic Krabi region. These are homes owned and designed by seasoned vacation travelers who instinctively know what a sophisticated guest demands. The latest addition is Baan Zoe---a 580sqm (6,000 sq. ft) three-bedroom, four-bathroom villa with separate guest bungalow surrounded by a lush tropical garden featuring a freeform salt water pool.

The villa, owned by Didier and Corinne Wittmer, a Swiss couple who, after living in South East Asia for many years wanted to create a home fusing "the best of all worlds". They themselves designed the property while the 2008 construction was meticulously overseen by TonCompany, one of the regions top respected companies which manage the property today.

Indoors, Baan Zoe melts "East meets West" effortlessly explains owner Corinne Wittmer. "In the kitchen we included all modern appliances particularly a top of the line range kitchen into the Thai-roofed property." The villa's impeccably stylish interior design boasts both modern and antique furniture including; a solid teak wood dining set from Chiang Mai standing alongside plush, oversized Italian leather sofas.

The villa comes equipped with LCD television screens and Wi-Fi connections. Plus, all three bedrooms enjoy; bath and shower, private terrace, and a pool view.

But at Baan Zoe it's really the outdoor space that makes staying in this home a life-altering experience. Stroll through the garden past the massage pavilion which leads directly to Mr. Wittmer's favorite area---the barbecue, bar and pétanque court. "We created many little corners where we strategically placed a sleeping Buddha, or a wonderful antique vase surrounded by fruit trees overlooking a beautiful swing for two. This outdoor space is truly stunning."

"Baan Zoe is a unique property," says Pierre-Yves Loriers, the managing director of Ton Company. "Its size is ideal for families, groups of friends, or for a company business trip." Designed initially as a luxury home at the outset, Baan Zoe was meticulously created to separate itself from the standard run-of-the mill vacation rental. "I am confident," Pierre-Yves promises, "that Baan Zoe will surpass the expectations of even our most demanding clients."

Post-Tsunami Phuket

2010-08-09T04:02:00.001+07:00

Although it would misrepresent the facts to say that today's Phuket - Thailand's largest island and one of the world's top tourist destinations - looks the same as it did before the 2004 tsunami that was the greatest natural disaster in Earth's recorded history. But reliable anecdotal evidence does confirm that visitors to Phuket would have little reason to think that the island and its famous beaches were ever struck by the deadly wave.

Think what you will about ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, much of the credit for the remarkable recovery, arguably the most thorough of any of the places hit by the tsunami, belongs to him. In a move redolent of his effort to pay off Thailand's debt to the IMF for its recovery from the 1997 financial crisis, Thaksin determined early on that Thailand would attend to its own recovery - and not wait for international relief funds to arrive.

Some of that recovery has been laced with controversy. Chief among them are the charges that many of the former prime minister's friends became the recipients of the country's largesse, extra-legally taking over rights to lands that belonged to longtime Phuket residents whose documents of ownership were destroyed along with so much else during the catastrophe.

Still, contrary to dire predictions by many about the long-term negative effects the disaster would have on Thailand's important tourist industry, they have not come to pass. For the most part, tourists have returned to the beaches and resorts on the Patong Beach side of the island, on the Andaman Sea coast, and new or rebuild resorts are there to accommodate them - and to provide essential work opportunities for Thais in the tourist industry. No appreciable drop in tourist numbers has been reported in this critical region.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for all of the parts of Thailand's Andaman coast struck by the tsunami. Reconstruction has been slower and more fraught with controversy in Khao Lak to the north, Phi Phi Island farther north, and coastal Krabi across from Phi Phi. Longtime visitors to many of those locations have, in various ways, tried to prevent the original owners of tourist properties there from losing their land and licenses. Not all of the efforts have been successful, and lawsuits regarding lands are choking Thailand's cumbersome court system.

Even so, the dramatic recovery of Phuket has become a beacon of hope for similar places on both sides of the Andaman and Indian Oceans, for whom recovery has been slower and fraught with even greater troubles.

The Birthday Celebrations of HM - The King of Thailand

2010-08-08T03:45:00.001+07:00

There's no way that a birthday celebration of a person who is a painter cum musician can be an unexciting one. Especially when this special someone is the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history, considered by many as the father of the nation. On the 5th of December every year which is the auspicious occasion to commemorate the birth of HM The King, Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Grand Palace would come to life with decorations and coloured lights. Fireworks would adorn the night sky. Buildings and homes too will be spectacularly illuminated as an expression of the love and reverence of the young and old Thai citizens towards their king.

Born of the 5th of December 1927, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great is considered the living symbol of the nation and is held in high esteem all around the world for the relentless service he has done to the people of Thailand. His birthday is considered a public holiday on which his subjects rejoice and demonstrate their loyalty and respect for the king. His portraits and statues will be decorated with flags and lights while many attend the religious rites praying and wishing that the Holy Triple Gem would bless him and grant HM the King with good health and strength to reign for many more years.

These nationwide celebrations would predominantly use the colour yellow for decorations while the aroma of marigolds would fill the streets during the event. Festivals of music and cultural shows will be synchronized into the celebration as well. These events will take place at the Sanam Luang, which is the area in front of Wat Phra Kaew. Prisoners sentenced to minor charges would be freed on this special day.

Down Sukhumvit Road, there is no difficulty in finding a Bangkok Hotel. Bangkok President Solitaire is near the Plaza Indonesia Shopping Complex, Convention Centre, Grand Indonesia Shopping Complex, and many other shopping malls and embassies. This popular hotel is one of the most comfortable and convenient Bangkok accommodations at hand.

How to Understand the Various Sorts of Land Title Deeds in Thailand

2010-08-07T03:31:00.001+07:00

Grasp The Several Sorts Of Land Certificates In Thailand

Are you a foreigner, married to a Thai National and planning to retire in Thailand? In that case, in particular if you are contemplating to buy land and build a retirement house in Thailand this could be of interest.

To start with I am obliged to give you a few warnings!

Warning No. 1: All land in Thailand is does not have the same legal grade!

Warning No. 2: I am not a solicitor. This article is gained from my own research and is offered as is.

I have vigilantly checked the correctness of my investigations, but I can not be responsible for any consequences arising out of you making use of it. Please make certain that you conduct your own checks

Warning No. 3: Things in Thailand on occasion turn out in unexpected ways.

Just because the law says A, some people may take it as B!

The Significance Of Checking Title Deeds On Land In Thailand

You would be well advised to verify the title deeds before you agree to any land transaction in Thailand. Instances have been reported where some people understood they would actually fully own the land, yet they just received possessory rights. Other people understood that they were acquiring a particular amount of land however they really received a smaller size.Yet more people understood that the house is on the land they were buying, but the property was on somebody else's land.

Right Of Possession And Ownership Of Land In Thailand

There are two completely separate rights that people can possess on a plot of land in accordance with the law in Thailand.

One is the right of ownership, the other is the right of use.

A person are able to have the right of use of land for whatever purpose even though it does not actually belong to them. Yet, the rights that you can hold over a plot of land, such as ownership or right of use, depends upon the sort of title deed. Accordingly it is critical that you can distinguish between the limitations of the varying types of land title deeds and what is the actual kind of title deed held by the land you are contemplating purchasing.

The Several Kinds of Land Title Deeds In Thailand

1. Sor Kor 1
2. Por Bor Tor 6
3. Por Bor Tor 5
4. Sor Por Kor 4-01
5. Nor Sor Saam
6. Nor Sor Saam Gor
7. Nor Sor 4 Jor (Chanoht)

1. Sor Kor 1

Sor Kor 1 is the form required to inform the State of a possessory claim to a plot of land.

This first appeared in December 1954 and was a tool of the state to confirm claims upon the land with the ultimate issuance of Nor. Sor 3 or Nor. Sor. 3 Gor documentation (see below). There are plans to get rid of this title and raise all Sor Kor 1 land to Nor Sor Saam. The form recognises the right for the holder to occupy and farm the land. The land can not be disposed of, it may only be moved to immediate heirs of the individual who owns it.

2. Por Bor Tor 6

This is certification that is mandatory for all land to have so that a tax number can be issued and tax be paid upon the use of the land. There is no inference of title, ownership or possessory right of the land, just that it has been recorded as taxable.

3. Por Bor Tor 5

This is farming land not documented as having ownership by the appropriate land office. The local village headsman will be used as the one and only Official and he needs to know about who owns the land by possessory rights title, and moreover the borders of the land. When disposed of, funds are handed over with the knowledge of the sheriff. By law development is not permitted, but often property developments have appeared with full knowledge by local Planning officials.

4. Sor Por Kor 4-01

This relates to land fixed by the Land Reform Committee. Land with this documentation cannot be purchased or disposed of, and may only be moved to rightful heirs of the individual who owns it.

5. Nor Sor Saam

This identifies that the land has been discharged to the holder by the administration and the land can be utilised for its benefits by the certificate holder of this title deed. Nevertheless, this is not an unambiguous document, and is appropriate only to the particular the holder of the land. Problems occasionally appear when aiming to confirm the real extent of such plots covered by this type of document as no coordinates are indicated and it refers to an identifiable piece of land with no reference to adjacent plots of land. Land of this form can be traded, but the extents are only marked with respect to the adjoining pieces of land and survey mistakes abound. Should you be constructing on land of this status, I suggest that you build well inside the boundaries so that you can be certainly positive the property is really on your land, not your next door neighbors.

6. Nor Sor Saam Ghaw

This type of land deed possess similar lawful status as Nor Sor 3, however, in this case the extent is marked by means of coordinates and is precisely drawn displaying neighbouring plots on a plan using a standard scale of 1:5000.

7. Nor Sor 4 Jor. (Chanote)

This grade of land is the ideal certification for investing in land in Thailand. This is a deed defining the official owner of the land. It shows the GPS-verified extent of the plot of land. The property owner identified upon this type of title deed frequently uses the title deed as corroboration of ownership in official transactions. Lenders are regularly prepared to lend cash using this documentation as collateral. Land of this kind customarily has distinctively numbered government concrete posts to define the boundary of the area of land and maybe other locations as well. These will be shown on the title deed.

It is usually particularly O.K. for non Thais to acquire land of this class and you will commonly pay a premium over Nor Sor Saam Gor as it is so desired.

Thailand Travel - 10 Interesting Facts About Thailand

2010-08-06T03:15:00.001+07:00

It's certainly the mesmeric land of Thais that attracts more visitants than any other country in the Southeast Asia. Thailand is the country known for beguiling scenic beauty, stunning beaches, impressing culture, commendable hospitality, fantastic temples, ruins & souvenirs of fabulous ancient kingdoms, gastronomic riches, and lovely, smiling, and welcoming people.

Thailand certainly the destination that appeals you, bewitches you, captivates you, enthralls you....! It's the place that makes you visit it again and again. It's the vacation destination that you dream of. Surely, you can find oodles of interesting things in Thailand, but here are the 10 most interesting facts about Thailand.

It is often nicknamed as the "Land Of Smiles," because of the perceived gentleness of its people. The country is really populated by smiling, inviting, and receiving people. Thais are really gentle, polite, soft spoken, friendly, and hospitable human beings.

Siam was the old name of Thailand. It was the official name of the country until 1949, when it was changed to Thailand by official proclamation. 'Thai' in the Thai language means 'freedom'. So, Thailand means "land of freedom" or "land of the free".

The Mon ruled over what is now known as Thailand. The area was also held by Khmer. The Mon Empire was a great Buddhist empire, and the empire had trading relations with Indians for centuries.

Thailand retains much of its original culture, because it is the only Southeast Asian nation that has never been colonized. Thai culture is kin to the Cambodian culture & religion, which was adopted by Thais in the 13th century, after the fall of the Khmer Kingdom.

King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, established Bangkok as the capital in 1782. Bhumibol Adulyadej, the current King of Thailand, is also a Chakri Dynasty ruler. He is also known as Rama IX. He is the longest serving monarch in the Thai history.

95% of the Thai people are Buddhists of the Theravada tradition. 4.6% of the people are Muslims. Malays are mainly concentrated on the southern tip of Thailand. 0.75% of the people are Christians, mainly Catholics. Sikhs & Hindus are tiny, but influential. The nation also has a small Jewish community.

Thailand is also known as the "Land of white Elephant." White elephants were highly esteemed and valued by the Thai Rulers. Elephants are still highly revered in Thailand. They are considered as the symbol of peace and prosperity.

Thais do not like someone touching them on head. They believe that soul, which is considered extremely sacred, resides in head. So, don't ever touch a Thai on the head, not even a Thai child.

Thailand is the 49th country area wise, with its total land area of 514,000 km² (198,000 sq mi). It is comparable to the size of France, and it is somewhat larger than the California State of the United States.

Thailand has 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which include Ban Chiang Archaeological Site near Udon Thani, Dong Phayayen - Khao Yai Forest Complex, Historic City of Ayutthaya & Associated Historic Towns, Historic Town of Sukhothai & Associated Historic Towns - including Kampang Phet and Si Satchanalai, and Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries.

The Real Healthcare in Thailand

2010-08-05T03:00:00.001+07:00

Many from North America and Western Europe have chosen to immigrate to Asia. These immigrants have become enamored not only with the people and culture, but also the way of life in the country. Foremost among the Asian countries that have become a favored destination is Thailand. While there are many positive benefits in moving to the country, one of the most prickly issues was healthcare in Thailand.

The country is officially called the Kingdom of Thailand and is located right in Southeast Asia. The country is nestled on the Gulf of Thailand and is bordered to the east by Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos. To the west is found Myanmar and the Andaman Sea. The country's capital is Bangkok and is a constitutional monarchy.

One of the problems about healthcare in Thailand is that there is no primary health care system. Most of the doctors in the country are specialists and there is a dearth of general practitioners in the country. This makes minor health care a problem in the country. These specialists also do not work full time as they are consultants for other hospitals. These specialists also have private clinics, thus making post treatment medical care a problem.

Another problem is the lack of an established medical insurance system in the country. Many of the transactions concerning medical services in the country are done on a cash basis. While there are some medical insurance companies that have made inroads in the country, the premiums though are quite high, some even worth double the normal premiums for the same services.

Another major problem is emergency transport facilities in the country. Many of the hospitals in Thailand have mobile intensive care units allowing for treatment of emergencies. Emergency ambulances cannot be seen in the country and instead volunteer organizations provide the rescue services. This is due to the congested traffic situation in the country's streets.

For proper health care in Thailand, you need to have one of two things, either money or insurance coverage. Many foreigners have the obligatory medical insurance but it would not hurt to have cash or credit on hand for medical emergencies. It is an unwritten rule in the country that you need to put money up front for any medical assistance that you need. In other countries, because of medical insurance, many hospitals admit emergency cases and provide medical care. This is not the case in Thailand, as the system of health care in the country still is in its infancy and very much scattered.

In general, living in Thailand is very pleasant experience. It is called the land of smiles with a beautiful landscape and favorable climate for rest and recreation. One issue that is of great concern for many tourists and expats is the system of health care in Thailand. As advised in the Expat Forum, "see to it that you already have applied for an international health care system insurer. That way, you will not have to worry about anything, especially in medical emergencies." Once properly covered and with a piggy bank for emergencies, your stay in Thailand would be devoid of medical issues and health care problems.

Thailand Divorce Or Stateless Divorce

2010-08-04T02:45:00.001+07:00

Statelessness is the legal and social status of a person having no state to recognize his nationality. The term is often associated with refugees and asylum requests. A STATELESS divorce, on the other hand, is a term I had just made up to refer to a divorce petition which could not be filed anywhere. It is the status of a married couple having no state to recognize their petition for divorce. Normally, a petition for divorce is filed before the very civil registry office which registered the marriage. But what happens if foreign elements become involved?

Take the case of Robert and Kim. Robert and Kim were married in The Netherlands. Robert is a Dutch citizen while Kim is Canadian. When their marriage fell apart, Robert moved to Thailand while Kim moved to Singapore. Several years after, they decided to file a divorce.

Upon inquiry, it was found that The Netherlands require that both parties must be Dutch citizens or, if not, one of them must have resided in The Netherlands for the last six months before a petition may be filed. Neither of them could go back to The Netherlands and stay there for six long months as their jobs are located elsewhere. Canada requires minimum residency of one year. Singapore requires a minimum of three years of residency. Finally, Thai courts would not take cognizance of the petition since the marriage was not registered here.

Robert and Kim were trapped in a circle of conflicting laws. Clearly, they deserve to get that divorce in Thailand but their circumstances would not allow them to. Justice and fairness dictates that the law must have reserved some sort of protection. What then is their remedy? Apply the rules on Conflict of Laws.

Conflict of Laws is that part of law which comes into play when the issue before the court affects some fact, event or transaction that is so clearly connected with a foreign system of law as to necessitate recourse to that system (Cheshire, Private International Law, 1947 ed., p.6). Simply put, these are set of laws which require the court to apply the laws of another jurisdiction, or to refer the case to that jurisdiction.

In the case at bar, Kim tried to file the divorce in Singapore but was refused for the obvious reason that she is neither a citizen of Singapore nor was their marriage registered there. She resolved to obtain a statement from the Singaporean lawyer to the effect that the Singapore courts would not recognize the petition and consequently requesting The Netherlands court to accept such. Robert did the same thing with a Thai lawyer and a Canadian lawyer. This was a logical thing to do to. What Robert did was to seek refuge from his own country, which luckily is the same country which registered their marriage. The Netherlands court would most likely admit the case to its docket for fairness' sake.

Applying the conflict rules can be intricate, but never exacting. Different jurisdictions succumbed to a universal principle of truth and justice and had in fact made this a part of their legal system. Bottom line is, there is always a legal remedy for every legal problem.

Finding a Florist in Pattaya, Thailand

2010-08-03T02:30:00.001+07:00

There are a lot of things that the internet is good for, some of them pretty obvious - paying bills, trading stocks, taking online classes, ordering books. But, did you also know that when you are using the internet that you have access to a huge network of florists all over the world? You may have already used the large floral networks to order flowers in this country, but you can also use selected networks to find a florist in Pattaya to deliver to your girlfriend, mom, or anyone who just would love flowers.

If you have never been to Thailand, then you can't imagine the beauty that is Pattaya. This seaside town sits on the Gulf of Thailand and is home to over 100,000 people. Even though it is not nearly as large as Bangkok, there are still plenty of florists, waiting to deliver your flowers.

But, if you are trying to find a florist in Pattaya, one that can deliver to your particular area of town, on the particular day of your choosing, you might find it difficult. Calling Thailand from the United States can be difficult enough, but if you don't speak the language, ordering flowers is virtually impossible.

The best way to find a florist in Pattaya that can deliver to your loved one is to use the internet. We have all used the internet to order flowers in this country and you can do the very same thing in a place as far away as Thailand. The process is the same, except you have to make sure that the company you are using delivers internationally. Confirm that they deliver to Pattaya and be sure to specify the occasion and type of flowers that you want delivered. Then, just pay online and your flowers should be delivered on time.

Thai Marriage - Visa Application Inside Thailand

2010-08-02T02:15:00.001+07:00

Ordinary expats in Thailand wishing to extend their stay in the kingdom may find it difficult fitting themselves in the various Thai visas offered by the Thai government. However, those who are married to Thai locals have got little to worry about.

Marriage Visa in Thailand

Immigration privileges are among the countless benefits of being married to a Thai.

A foreign spouse of a Thai national is entitled to apply for a Thai marriage visa aka Non Immigrant Category O visa. This particular Thai visa can be applied for immediately after marriage, subsequently allowing the foreign spouse a renewable yearly stay in Thailand. Fortunately, the process for the Thai Marriage Visa application is rather straightforward and the requirements are quite minimal.

The most important requirements when applying for a marriage visa to Thailand are; you are married to a Thai national and you or your Thai spouse is financially capable of supporting your stay in Thailand. To prove your on-going marital relationship with your Thai spouse, you have to show the original of your marriage certificate and have your Thai spouse accompany you when submitting the visa application as the visa officer will be interviewing her about your marriage. This is especially required when doing the visa application inside Thailand. On a positive note, medical certificate and police record are no more required when Thai Marriage Visa application is done in Thailand.

Financial Requirements

As far as the financial requirements for marriage visa in Thailand are concerned, there are two ways to meet them. One is to open a bank account, deposit 400,000 Baht into it and then wait for at least two months prior to making the Thai marriage visa application. The 2nd option is to show a proof of 40,000 Baht monthly /pension income. To do this, you need to obtain a pension/ employment letter stating your job or source of your pension and monthly income. This you bring to your embassy in Thailand for verification. Your embassy in turn will provide you an affidavit of income which you use for the visa application. In addition to this document, you may be required of your income tax and latest bank statements by the Visa officer. In case you don't qualify for the income requirement but your Thai spouse is, she can just as well handle the financial requirements. She just needs to present employment letter and income tax if she's employed and business registration certificate, balance sheet and business tax if she's self-employed.

Application Process

The actual application procedure is simple. An applicant who has 21 days left in his/her current visa can apply a 90 day visa initially then have this visa converted into One year Marriage visa before it expires. Those who have non immigrant Thai visa can proceed to visa conversion directly as soon as their visa is due to its expiration. You and your Thai spouse can go to the nearest Thai immigration with your documents to proceed with the visa application. Those who are not qualified to do the Marriage visa application in Thailand because of their invalid current visas can go to bordering countries to secure new entry visas and then apply marriage visa in Thailand as appropriate.

Summary

Obtaining the Thai marriage visa can be accomplished by following the guidelines outlined above. If you have yet to marry your Thai fiancee you should research the laws and procedures for Marriage Registration in Thailand for your respective nationality.

The Magical Sights and Sounds of Thailand

2010-08-01T02:00:00.001+07:00

The mention of Thailand brings to mind extensive rice-fields and patches that form the key characteristic used to define the county owing to the fact that it's the world's largest rice-producer. Dubbed as a newly industrialized country due to rapid economic growth, Thailand has flourished owing to the firm policies that define the export as well as the tourism industry. A one thousand year long history has been incorporated with the ultra-modern society to make many people want to visit Thailand hence making the country one of the world's most sought after travel destinations. Statistics produced in regards to Tourism show that, it (tourism), accounts for about six percent of the country's economy, a feat many other countries are yet to even come close to. One's ability to travel in Thailand is propagated by the availability of great transportation infrastructure as well as means including some of Thailand attractions such as canoes.

With great emphasis placed on Tourism, Thailand attractions are unique and rarely disappoint due to the integration of ancient civilization. With over one hundred sites and unique attractions, a number of people who visit Thailand more often than not leave without exhausting the possibilities. Renowned attractions such as the celebration of the Sondkan, a national holiday that incorporates a whole range of festivities, are marked in various brochures and websites that give a Thailand Guide to key events to witness. To travel in Thailand, one can not only use the modern means such as cars, but also use express boats and canoes as characterized in another star attraction in Thailand dubbed the floating market. Set in the heart of Thailand's capital city, Bangkok, the floating market as the name suggests, is characterized by a traditional market set up by merchants afloat in water, on canoes. Historical infrastructures such as palaces and temples moreover form part of the ample attractions. The Royal Grand Palace built in the early 18th century for instance, is a masterpiece and a leading tourist attraction site in Thailand owing to the enormous structure as well as architectural genius and opulence that display the true ancient Thai civilization. Other major sites are available in a number of Thailand guide resource books as well as on-line journals.

With the number of tourists who visit Thailand increasing by the year, Thailand has ensured that the numbers keep growing through offering first class level hospitality to every individual. Hotels and resorts are characterized by pure bliss and luxury with not only splendid but also unforgettable personal service offered by the staff and managers as well as the local people. The Hotels and resorts further more have incorporated modern facilities and technologies to facilitate the efforts of the tourists to communicate with them and the outside world.

Flower Photography Spots in Thailand

2010-07-31T01:45:00.001+07:00

If you are planning on a trip to Thailand and wanting to start marking your itinerary with some of the most amazing spots to capture the unique and mysterious flowers that Thailand has to offer then, be sure to place these places high on your list. The best places to take photographs of some of the worlds most vibrant and amazing flowers would have to include a trip to the Chiang Mai Flower Festival. Held in February each year this is a festival that gives thanks to nature for providing us with so many of her spoils.

The Chiang Mai flower festival is a brilliant place to get some of the most creative flower arrangement shots. Decorated floats and displays of orchids and traditional Thai flowers are everywhere. It is almost a fail proof way to ensure that your shot is full of vibrancy and happiness.

The Rose garden Riverside is a slightly more subdued opportunity to practise your photography prowess. At less than an hour from Bangkok, you have 70 acres of some of the most lush garden settings in the entire country. Whilst it is a luxury resort, there are a good mix of day trippers that come to marvel and escape in the amazing gardens and serenity. An interesting fact is that The Rose garden Riverside grows all the flowers and herbs that it then uses in all of the facial and spa treatments that they offer.

Heading to the northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai will have you thankful that you made the trip. This is an area with the greatest abundance of botanical exploration in one single area. A mountainous region there are some unforgettable day trips that can be hiked through the mountain in search of the elusive parrot flower.

Regardless of the direction you take with your photography adventure, Thailand's rich mix of botanical gardens and beach side escapes can offer your photographs some magnificent presence to be shared for years to come.

Backpacking South East Asia - Thailand - Lesser Known Destinations For Your Thailand Itinerary

2010-07-30T01:15:00.001+07:00

Are you planning a backpacking trip to South East Asia? Here are some lesser known destinations to consider when creating your Thailand Itinerary.

Ko Samet - A few hours from Bangkok lies this tiny island getaway. This cozy quiet island, where many Bangkok residents vacation, provides an excellent opportunity to escape the touristy feel associated with most of Thailand's Islands. Ko Samet's lack of commercialization is great for relaxing on the stunning white sand beaches and having a few drinks. If desired, you can stay just meters from the ocean's edge.

Chiang Mai - Far from the beaches of southern Thailand is Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai has plenty to do for every backpacker. Day trips to the surrounding jungle, allow opportunity to visit the native hill tribes. If Thai cooking is your thing, several companies offer day or week long Thai cooking classes. You can also visit an Elephant Camp, where the Elephants perform many tricks, from playing football to painting on a canvas. The Sunday night market, bamboo rafting, and the many stunning temples around Chiang Mai, are some other reason to visit this stunning destination.

Ko Phi-Phi - One of the most stunning islands in all of Thailand is Ko Phi-Phi. This island provided the background for the movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo Dicaprio. Aside from catching some rays on the beach, you can go snorkelling, diving, and even hiking.

Ko Tao - If you interested in learning how to dive in Thailand, then Ko Tao is the place to be. Most backpackers travel to Ko Tao strictly to scuba dive. If you are new to SCUBA diving or looking to obtain diver certification training, you will find many companies offering both of these services on the island. While there, most travellers enjoy the laid back atmosphere, especially after visiting the full moon party on the neighbouring island of Ko Pha-Ngan.

Thailand Expat Life - Visa Run to Vientiane, Laos

2010-07-29T01:00:00.001+07:00

A few days ago, I made my first visa run to Laos, by bus.

Normally I go to Singapore to get a 60-day tourist visa, but the last time I went, they refused to give me a 60-day visa because I have an open e-ticket back to Canada. They now want a confirmed ticket, and will not accept an open ticket. This is stupid, if you ask me. I told the lady at the front desk that if the violence in Bangkok gets bad, I can phone Air Canada and be on my way next day, so an open ticket is much better than a ticket for a particular date. No dice. So I had to fly back to Bangkok and got the usual 30-day entry at the airport. The entire trip cost me 18,000 baht, counting hotels, flights, meals, taxis, etc. What a waste.

I did a couple of visa runs by bus to Cambodia, and find that a pain in the bum, since you only get 14 days and then have to do it again, and it costs 2000 baht each time.

So this time, I signed up for the bus to Vientiane.

I must say that the service by the visa run company was excellent; the bus (a 40-seater) was full, and it was the same comfortable bus they use for the Cambodia runs, with the same driver. The driver is relatively conservative, seems to be mindful of the fact he's got 40 farangs on board, and is as careful a driver as you would want.

The bus left PB Tower on Sukhumvit Soi 71 exactly at 8:30PM.

There was a pee break about an hour later at a service centre, and then another 2 hours later, and so on, throughout the night. These gave the driver a chance to relax a bit, which I thought was a good idea.

Unfortunately, I have never been able to sleep on a bus or airplane, and this trip was no exception. While my seat mate happily snored away the night, I sat there bleary eyed, shifting in my seat periodically as my bum got sore. I appreciated the rest breaks as well.

A DVD movie was played at the start of the trip, but after it finished, it was after 11PM, so no more movies were shown.

We arrived at the border early, before 6:30. I watched the sun come up. We had to sit around for a while until the border office opened, and then one of the bus company ladies got all our passports processed. She had previously collected them on the bus.

After being stamped out of Thailand, we took 3 mini-buses (vans) across the bridge (Mekong River) into Laos, where again we waited while the lady got our passports processed by Lao immigration. In less than an hour, we took the mini-buses into Vientiane, and arrived at the street for the Thai Embassy about 7:30 or 7:40 AM. There were already at least 200 people lined up along the sidewalk, and it was hot.

The embassy gates opened about 8:15 AM, and we all filed into the embassy compound. There was a ticket machine at the front, and we joined the queue.

However, our erstwhile visa run lady ushered us up the stairs into an air-conditioned area and handed out low-numbered tickets from the machine. Our numbers started around 95, whereas the people at the ticket machine were getting tickets numbered over 350. So I presume she had some contact in Vientiane who stood at the beginning of the line at the gates at an early hour, and then passed the tickets to her when she arrived an hour or more later.

The ticket numbers were called out over the public address system in both Thai and English, and repeated once: "Ticket number 37, please proceed to counter number 2".

I soon noticed that there was no pause in the number callout, the announcements came non-stop, and soon reached the 80s. We all rushed downstairs to the counters and were there when our numbers came up. But the numbers just kept on rolling by. Our lady collected our passports and tickets, and lined them all up along the counter, and then told us to go wait in the other building.

Over there, we found there were four more counters, numbered 3 through 6, but only one, counter 4, was active, and there were at least 100 people waiting, sitting on chairs. This waiting room was also air conditioned.

Again, the numbers were called out, but this time there were big gaps between, and there was a substantial pause after each number was called. When a number was called, a person went up to counter 4, received a paper receipt, and then exited stage left.

After every batch of 10 or 12 numbers, there was a 5 or 6 minute delay. That was when I noticed that the Thai lady behind the counter was printing out and then separating the receipts. Clearly, the passports and applications were being processed in the other building, entered into a computer, and then the receipt was printed in this building at counter 4.

After about 30 or 40 minutes, my number was called; I went up to the counter, got my receipt and exited. The guy next to me had a lower number, but his number was not called, so he got a little upset and went up to the counter, where the lady told him to wait.

I went out the exit, and there was my visa run lady collecting the receipts, and then ushering us over to one of the vans. My receipt had shown "60 days double entry tourist visa" and "fee: $0", so I was happy.

The van took us to a local restaurant where we had a Thai/Lao food breakfast or brunch of fried rice and whatever. This was free, paid for by the visa run company, but soft drinks were 20 baht extra.

In Laos, you can use Lao kip, Thai baht, and US dollars interchangeably. If you pay in Thai baht, you get change in Thai baht. If you pay in US dollars, you get change in Lao kip, which, like Cambodian currency, has very high denominations and no value. A Pepsi was 20 baht, which was reasonable, but no diet drinks were available. By the way, ATM machines in Laos only dispense Lao kip.

After brunch, we were taken by van to the hotel, which turned out to be quite acceptable, maybe 2.5 stars. There was no pool, just a room, but it was a big room, private bathroom, and cable or satellite TV with many Thai, a few Lao, and some movie channels, including HBO and Star Movies.

The bathroom was typical Thai-style, with no shower stall or bath, and a shower head on the wall. There was a flash water heater which worked, and the toilet worked. The towels were large, red, fluffy, and obviously new.

I had paid an extra 200 baht at the front desk for a private room. The visa run fee of 5000 baht includes a shared room (2 per room). The fee will increase to 6000 baht after the free tourist visa promotion ends June 5.

In bed by 1PM in the afternoon, I slept for several hours, got up, showered, watched a movie, then went out in search of dinner. I walked up and down the main street near the hotel, but there was nothing appealing. However, the office complex 20 meters from the hotel had a restaurant, so I went in there and found 5 other farangs from the visa run also there. The food was good, the prices were not expensive, and I was able to pay with Thai baht. The young lady behind the bar was probably the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on, and I have been to Thailand off and on for 20 years. She made me wish I was 25 again.

Next day, I had breakfast at the same restaurant, and then around 1PM, we piled into the vans again and were taken to the border. There are a lot of "duty free" shops at the border. We waited about 45 minutes or so, and then the visa run lady showed up, and we all went through Immigration with the Lao border people just looking at us, not asking to see our passports, which the visa run lady had.

Back across the bridge to Thailand, where we waited another 45 minutes or so, then it was back on the bus for the return trip. Within an hour, we stopped at a restaurant, where we had another Thai meal, again free, soft drinks extra, 20 baht.

The return trip seemed much faster, as several DVD movies were played, which occupies the time and the mind.

We arrived back in Bangkok at 1:30 AM. You can get dropped off anywhere along the route; some exited at Ramkhamhaeng. I waited until the end, which is just beside Ekamai BTS station, where I quickly discovered that the BTS was closed. An 80 baht taxi ride later, I was home again.

Would I do it again? Definitely, yes. The whole process was pretty much automatic. The company took care of everything. You do have to book a seat in advance, though. One farang apparently called to find out the price and time, showed up and was angry that there was no seat for him. But he had not made a reservation, had not left his name or phone number, so was out of luck. Of course, he had left it until the last day of his visa, so he would have to leave the next day somehow and pay the 500 baht overstay fee.

To summarize: you leave at 8:30PM, spend a night on the bus. Then it's half a day waiting around, with brunch included. Check into the hotel, sleep a bit or, if you have the stamina, explore Vientiane. Not much there, though. Have dinner, sleep one night at the hotel. Next day, wait around for a morning or visit Vientiane, then bus it back to Bangkok, arriving about 1:30 AM.

If you want to do this yourself, the company I used was "Quick Thai Visa Run", 6th floor, PB Tower, Sukhumvit Soi 71. The contact is Phillip, who speaks perfect English, at 02-713-2498 (office hours) or 09-0245-255 (24 hours). They have a web site at ThaiVisaRun.com, but it hasn't been updated in a while, and only mentions their Cambodia run, not the Laos run.

Stress Less, Lose Body Fat

2010-07-28T00:45:00.001+07:00

Stress is a word often thrown around the office in relation to workload or relationships. We often don't even realize that we're stressed or what we are doing in relation to our stress in life. Many women may realize that they eat more when stressed or reach for fat loaded foods full of sugar in response to their stresses. Men also tend to eat when stressed. There are then those people who eat less when they are stressed. No matter which type of person you are, stress levels have an impact on the body and often times they are negative impacts.

For those of you, who desire a six pack, think again. If you're suffering from chronic stress you can forget about it. Without going into too much technical detail, the body releases a chemical compound called cortisol in response to stress. It is believed that cortisol actually increases the body's fat storage mechanism. Carol A. Shively, PhD, professor of pathology and comparative medicine at Wake University School of Medicine in Winston Salem, NC states that cortisol causes visceral (belly) fat to accumulate. In a study that she published in the Journal of Obesity, she found that animals that had more social stress developed more fat in the abdominal cavity. (Oxygen Magazine, Spring 2010).

But there is hope. It all starts with identifying the culprits of your stress and dealing with them head on. Once you have identified your stressors you can best pinpoint how to deal with them; either through elimination, management or acceptance. Elimination is the easiest of the three as you discard whatever it is in your life that stresses you. Unfortunately, this is not always that easy to do so we're left with management and acceptance.

To better manage your stress levels, try eating a cleaner diet for one. A diet rich in essential fats and balanced nutrients will help your body manage mood better and energy levels. The body will also function better and the increased function will pay dividends to your health and fat loss.

Breathe deeply. Often times we breathe quite shallow and don't use our entire diaphragm. When we are stressed we tend to tense even further and this lack of deep breathes reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to the brain. Not only that, but the tension build up that we often don't notice brings added stress, creating an unnecessary fight or flight reaction in the body.

Acceptance can sometimes be hard to do, but if we accept the things that are out of our control as parts of life, we can move forward and focus on the things that really matter. To summarize Maya Angelou, if you don't like something then change it, if you cannot change it then change yourself.

Your fat loss is closer than you think and it all begins with you. Pay attention to your body and learn to understand its needs. You are the captain of your vessel so by better understanding the finer points of your vessel, you can better guide your ship on your fat loss mission.

Thai and US Visas

2010-07-26T23:15:00.001+07:00

Traveling to Thailand or taking a loved one back to the USA from Thailand are two endeavors which require preparation and patience.

In comparing and contrasting the Immigration systems in both the United States of America and the Kingdom of Thailand, it becomes immediately apparent that Thailand's immigration system is far less complex than that of the USA. Further, the Kingdom of Thailand allows much greater immigration access than does the United States. Currently, Thailand allows people from many different countries to enter the Kingdom visa free. Those entering the Kingdom without a visa are granted entry based upon a visa exemption. These entrants are required to leave the country usually within 30 days. However, should one enter Thailand using a visa exemption at an Immigration checkpoint on one of Thailand's land borders, then they will only be granted 15 days presence in the Kingdom.

Those who wish to remain within the borders of the Kingdom of Thailand for a longer duration can apply to obtain a Thai visa at a consular post outside of the Kingdom of Thailand. Common Thai Immigration Categories are: Business, Tourist, Education, and "Other" which is used as something of a catch-all category.

By comparing the Immigration process of Thailand with the USA, one can easily see that the methods of controlling immigrant activity are not similar. Where the Thai model is relatively permissive, the United States has been in the process of tightening Immigration regulations. At one time, it was possible to obtain a United States tourist visa without being subjected to a visa interview. After the tragedy of 9/11 regulations have required that those seeking tourist visas to the USA be interviewed by an American Consular Officer.

Royal Thai Immigration does not have a visa category for foreign fiances of Thai Citizens. Bi-national married couples wishing to reside in Thailand are permitted to apply for an "O" visa, if one of them is a Thai Citizen or resident in Thailand. However, a visa based upon an intention to marry a Thai citizen will not likely be approved. Conversely, many foreign fiancees of US Citizens travel to the United States of America each year. Thailand sees many fiancee visas processed through the American Embassy in Bangkok. Thai-American couples who make it through the fiancee visa process generally get married in the United States and the Thai citizen takes up permanent residence in the USA. Unlike Thailand, US permanent residence is somewhat easy to obtain for those married to a US Citizen.

Phuket Island - Popular Travel Destination in Thailand

2010-07-25T19:15:00.001+07:00

Phuket has grown into one of the premier holiday destinations in South East Asia and is one of the busiest travel destinations of Thailand. It has replaced Bali as the most popular holiday island in the region.

What makes Phuket island such a great travel destination?

Phuket is first of all an inexpensive holiday destination. Phuket hotels, resorts and guesthouses can be found in all price categories and ratings and prices are considerably cheaper then what one would encounter in Europe or America.

Dining in restaurants or buying drinks in bars or clubs on Phuket is also less expensive then what most tourists are used to paying back in their home countries.

Phuket Beaches

The palm tree lined beaches of Phuket Island are of course world famous due to its crystal white sand and clear water of the Andaman Sea. Some of the nicest and most popular beaches found on Phuket Island are the beaches at Patong, Kamala, Karon, Kata and Nai Harn.

Phuket Nightlife

The Phuket nightlife is another reason why many tourists visit Phuket each year on holiday. Many tourists seem to keep coming back each year for especially the nightlife and bars of Phuket.

Most Phuket island nightlife venues can be found in Patong beach along the well known Soi Bangla. A number of large clubs are located along Bangla road in Patong including the very popular Tiger disco and the new Seduction Disco.

You can also find along Bangla road and the many small streets leading into Soi Bangla hundreds of beer bars. Each beer bar has a number of beautiful Thai ladies working for them who there to please the clients.

Phuket Shopping

Going shopping in Phuket in the past was not one of the most interesting activities for tourists due to the lack of a good variety of shops and products. Most of the shops sold the same tailor made clothing, bootleg movies and software and fake designer clothing.

Over the last few years however, a number of large shopping malls have opened on Phuket housing well known international retailers, unique local boutiques as well as international restaurant outlets such as Outback steakhouse and Burger King.

If you are going to visit Phuket for a holiday then please make sure to visit the brand new Phuket Junkceylon mall in Patong or the Central Carnival Mall along the Phuket by-pass road.

Budget Hotels in Bangkok, Thailand

2010-07-24T14:30:00.001+07:00

You may be a tourist, who has come to enjoy your holiday in Thailand, but it is inevitable that you will get tired at the end of a hectic day of sightseeing. So, you need a comfortable place to rest and regain your energy for the next day. However, not everyone can afford five star accommodation. Many people are looking for budget hotels as accommodation is one of the biggest expenses a person has during a vacation.

So, here are some budget hotels in Bangkok which can provide you with good accommodation.

The Old Bangkok Inn is on Rattanakosin Island. This budget hotel will make you experience the real Thai culture. The ambiance and the furniture are created with great care. The rates of the inn start from 3,190 Bahts for one room. There are 10 rooms in the hotel and every room is decorated uniquely. The rooms have a satellite television, broadband facility for Internet connectivity, and a DVD player. If you stay at this hotel, you will also be doing some community service as the hotel is active in the Support the Community Initiative program.

The Buddy Lodge on Khao San Road of Bangkok is for the people who are crazy enough to enjoy the night parties which are noisy and go on the whole night. It is an average hotel with no proper ventilation and cleanliness. TheBuddy Lodge with its boutique style is the best place on Khao San Road though. It is close to all the tourist places like Golden Mount, Chao Phraya River and the Grand Palace. It is also situated near all the shopping centers. It has seventy-six rooms with furniture of high standard, a swimming pool with a rooftop, a snack bar beside the pool and also a fitness center.

If you have a really low budget, then go for The Oakwood Residence or The Fraser Suites which are both situated at Sukhamvit. These hotels are good, and room tariffs are reasonable. You can also get rooms to accommodate more than three people per room.

Tips on Etiquette in Thailand

2010-07-23T07:00:00.001+07:00

Thailand is a lovely country populated by very friendly people. It is fact populated by many different races of peoples, far more than in the UK or any other European country for example. However, they all seem to get on well together on the whole and generally share common traits. The overwhelming majority of the population is Buddhist and so everything below applies to them, but these points of etiquette are observed by all Thais - the Muslims, the Chinese, the Hill Tribes and the smaller groups.

Temple Etiquette

If you go to Thailand, you will see many Wats (the Thai word for a temple). In fact, even every village has a Wat inhabited by monks. You are allowed into the Wats, but you must dress neatly, which means no running-style vests. It is best if your shirt covers your armpits. Short trousers are allowed, but not preferred and some Wats will refuse entry to people wearing shorts. You must also take your shoes off outside. Once, inside, remember that all Buddha images are sacred to such an extent that a foreigner may not take one out of the country - not even a 50c plastic Buddha from a market place. With that in mind, you should not pose for pictures in front of the Buddha inside the temple and don't allow children to clamber over anything.

Women are welcome in any Wat, but women may not touch a monk and monks may not receive anything from a woman. If you want to give a gift, place it within easy reach of the monk; sometimes there will be a 'receiving mat' before him to place the gift on. Entrance to a Wat is usually free, but not always, especially in Bangkok. If there is no charge, it would be nice of you if you made a donation in one of the boxes available.

Never point your feet at a monk or a Buddha image. If you want to sit down, adopt the 'mermaid' posture, so that your feet are pointing backwards.

The Waai

The traditional Thai greeting is the waai, which looks like the way children pray in infant school with their hands together just below the chin with the head very slightly inclined. However, many people shake hands with foreigners, especially in the larger tourist cities. I live in a village in the north and people do not waai each other every day. It is quite formal for everyday friends.

Head and Feet

The feet are considered dirty in Thailand and for most Thais, that is quite true. Most people wear open-toed sandals and Thailand is a hot, dusty country. People consider it a very serious insult to have feet, especially the soles of the feet (or shoes), pointed at them. Some men might consider it bad enough to hit you. It really is very bad - don't take it lightly.

The head is at the opposite end of the body and is considered sacred. Never, ever touch anyone's head or hair. I would never even ruffle a child's hair, although you might get away with that. I am even very careful when I touch my wife's head. I asked her what was acceptable years ago and she asked me not to touch her forehead. I once accidentally flicked her head with my finger tips because the bus took a corner violently, she was very upset all day and I got the silent treatment. I only found out why when she complained to her friend what I had done. So again, heed the warning.

Having said all this, Thais are extremely tolerant and put up with a lot from well-intentioned, but ill-informed foreigners. You shouldn't worry about 'putting your foot in it' too much, but if you can remember the above advice, it would help a lot.

Shortcoming In The Healthcare System In Thailand

2010-07-21T14:00:00.001+07:00

As Thailand is becoming a destination for medical tourism, attempts are being made to promote Thai health facilities quite actively. However, the average Thai is not deriving any benefits from the medical tourism as there are certain shortcomings in healthcare and hospital facilities which provide medical treatment to the locals.

Efforts are underway to improve the healthcare system in Thailand but a lot has to be done before we see some concrete results.

The first shortcoming in the healthcare system in Thailand is that there is no primary healthcare system. Most doctors in Thailand are generally specialists. So, it usually becomes difficult to find good general practitioner for minor ailments. If a person is suffering from common cold and cough, a visit to the general hospital means being examined by a doctor who is specialized in one of the medical fields and the doctor may not be able to handle such a small ailment.

However, critics beg to differ. They say they most private and university hospitals have general practitioners and one only needs to ask for them.

The other problem is that most doctors working in hospitals in Thailand do not do so full time. Most physicians and surgeons end up working in several hospitals across Bangkok. Besides this, these doctors also have their own private clinics. Therefore, post-operative care can be a nightmare if you doctor is communicating with the nursing staff on a mobile phone. Another grievance that a Thai patient might have is that he does not see his doctor as often as he would like during his stay in the hospital. And if he does, it is at unusual hours after the doctor finishes his clinics in various other places.

The Secrets of Creating a Great Web Design Portfolio

2010-07-20T12:45:00.001+07:00

"First impressions last," as the old saying goes. When it comes to web design in Australia, top web developers and website design firms display their best works through a portfolio. The purpose of this is to allow a web design company to convince potential clients them of the quality of their web design.

A company's capabilities in providing quality websites that meet the clients' needs and preferences can be shown in a good portfolio. Showing excellent sample works can influence the choices of potential customers because a good quality portfolio can give them the idea on the company's level of expertise. Typically if a web development company doesn't have a strong portfolio, then they are unlikely to be able to deliver on a high quality brief.

Providing screenshots is a good way of showing customers a preview of each websites without the need to visit each one of them. As for redesigned websites, it is effective to show screenshots of the changes and improvements being made on the new website. From this potential customers have a strong idea on what services to expect from the new company. Follow these points to stay ahead from your competitors:

Provide Detailed Information
Websites are a complex product and it is important to provide detailed information so that businesses will know if they want a simple web design or website development undertaken or a more complicated one.

Try Different Designs
Try having different graphical elements and a more visually appealing layout. Avoid drab and boring colour combinations and cluttered designs. Customers are turned off if they see a portfolio that looks like a mess. Apply your own creative touch to the style and theme of your portfolio by trying different designs such as a Flash-based web design, an e-commerce web design, or an online gallery.

Always Update Your Portfolio

An outdated portfolio is a big "no-no". Presenting a web design portfolio with outdated works will work against you. Since websites change content and features frequently you need to respond to changing needs and priorities. Make sure that the web portfolio is relevant to the current customer demands by providing updated information.

User Friendly Presentation
When presenting your portfolio, it should be user friendly and intuitive. Sleek and streamlined user interface should provide more functions such as sort and search functions. When a user clicks on a thumbnail, a large screenshot of the website will show. In a creative way, a slideshow or an interactive portfolio would also appeal to the customers because it gives them greater freedom to check out each of your work in greater detail.

Greater Search Options
Even if your portfolio is visually appealing, it should be searchable as well. With so many images, a complex information hierarchy, as well sample sites across a range of categories, users may possibly have problems finding web design that appeal to their tastes. As such you need to provide user friendly ways for visitors to locate sites.

Keep It Organised
Aside from being searchable, your web design portfolio should be organised by keeping appropriate categories for websites, mini-sites, graphics, blogs, portals, and graphics designs.

A good company should focus on a small number of high quality websites rather than a large number of average sites. As your business grows, your portfolio should also grow. Finally, always encourage visitors to contact you if they want to see web designs in their industry. You may have sample websites that aren't in your portfolio that you can show a customer after expressing an interest on the phone or via email. Your portfolio is unlikely to include all of your designs.

Thailand Visa Update

2010-07-19T04:00:00.001+07:00

As the holidays approach in Europe and America, many Europeans, Britons, Americans, Canadians, and Australians begin to ponder the prospect of a holiday in the Kingdom of Thailand. Long term immigration and visa issues are a major concern for many prospective long term tourists.

However, much like Shangri-La there seem to be more impediments to returning to this paradise. Most notable among these obstacles is the plethora of competing visa regulations being promulgated from the ordinance drafting machine that is Thai Immigration. To add confusion to complexity, many of the regional Consulates and Embassies are running things according to their own rules in a similar manner to the way a local chieftain runs his own fiefdom.

The rules get more complicated, but the game continues. Hopefully this will provide some insight for those looking to stay in the Kingdom for a long (or short) period of time.

Thailand Visa Exemption Stamps

First and foremost on the minds of short term travelers is the issue of Thailand visa exemptions. The visa exemption stamp is the 30 day stamp given to most tourists arriving at the Airport. Currently Thai Immigration is giving 30 day exemption stamps at the airport to anyone holding a passport from a country on the exemption list (US, UK, CA, most EU, AU, NZ, etc). Technically, these stamps are supposed to given an infinite number of times, provided the entrant is always coming through the airport. That being said, I have heard reports that this is not the case and more than about 3 entrances will get your passport heavily scrutinized (they can always turn you away as well).

Currently, at land borders, entrants seeking visa exemption stamps are only given 15 days of lawful presence. This is important to note because local immigration requires at least 21 days of status to process a visa extension or conversion. Therefore, the immigration officers have effectively barred long term status to those entering Thailand via a land border without a proper visa. If you are looking to stay long term, do not go about it this way.

Thailand Tourist Visas: Free If You Can Get One

After the less than spectacular tourist numbers last year, the Thai government announced a fee waiver for all Tourist visas sought abroad. This led to something of a backlash from Consulates overseas as the workload increased and the resources decreased. However, the plan seems to have had some positive effects as there has supposedly been an increase in tourist visa applications (possibly due to the fact that visa exemptions are now harder to come by).

Even though first-time tourist visa applications are being reluctantly approved, later applications for the same category are being critically reviewed. The Royal Thai Consulate in Penang, the on-again off-again visa run destination for most farangs in Thailand has made the policy that they will not issue multiple tourist visas. This seems to be the prevailing attitude throughout the region, with some exceptions. As a consequence, those wishing to remain for a longer period than 3 months might be wise to seek out a non-immigrant visa rather than using exemptions or tourist visas.

The Rise of the Non-Immigrant Visa

It appears that non-immigrant visa applications are on the rise. Although tourist visas technically are classified as non-immigrant, for these purposes we are talking about B visas, O visas, and retirement visas. O visas are always popular with those staying in Thailand long term as they allow for 90 days per entry. Should one acquire a 1 year multiple entry visa, then it could be utilized 4 times for a duration of stay amounting to 90 days per entry. The Business visa is also popular for those who may be looking at making their vacation more full time by attempting to gain employment and applying for a work permit. Acquiring a Thai business visa can be a difficult task, particularly if one does not have company sponsorship, but it is a highly flexible visa from legal standpoint. Finally the retirement visa: perfect for those over 50 who can prove financial resources to cover their living expenses. The only major downside to this one is the fact that employment is prohibited, but in general it is much easier to obtain than some other categories. Those interested in possible employment should look at the Business visa.

In my opinion, the non-immigrant visa categories will become more popular as the border run is slowly phased out, but then again this time next year we could be talking about how no such visas get issued anymore. Acquiring long term Thai immigration status in the Kingdom of Thailand can be difficult. Therefore, one should plan accordingly if still at home because: prior planning prevents police detention.

3 Places You Must Go in Thailand

2010-07-17T16:30:00.001+07:00

For people seeking sun, sand and plenty of adventure, Thailand is amongst the top places in the world to visit. The beautiful scenery of the coastal islands compliments the rich culture and mountainous regions to the north, not to mention Bangkok, one of South East Asia's most intriguing cities. There's a multitude of places to visit and things to do in Thailand, and whether you're a tourist or a backpacker, you're almost sure to never get bored by the country's rich offerings. Indeed, you could choose to spend a week bronzing yourself on a beach in the south, or spend months exploring the highlands to the north and the borders with Laos and Cambodia. If you've got a trip to Thailand in store for this year, then take a read of this article to find out about some of the top destinations.

Phuket
Located to the west of the country, Phuket is the largest and most popular island in Thailand. The island was hit hard by the 2004 Tsunami, but recovery has surged through tourism in the time since. With miles and miles of idyllic beaches and a collection of hotel resorts that wouldn't look out of place in a list of the world's best, tourists pour here by the bucket load. Some of the top resorts lie in the northern town of Ao Bang, where serious pampering comes at a serious price. This is home to a 7km long white beach and the Laguna Phuket golf club. Further south is Patong, a popular resort that lights up with neon during the night while providing home to the island's most popular beach - Hat Patong.

Ko Chang
An island for those who want a little more than the offerings of the more tourist centric islands, Ko Chang is a rock that soars out of the sea, complete with jungle, rugged terrain and of course, many of its very own beaches. Located to the East of the Gulf Thailand near Cambodia, you won't find the regular sellers of knock off Ray-Bans and DVDs in a hurry, and the tourist hubbub is replaced by a more natural tranquillity. The island is home to an array of stunning wildlife that inhabits the scenery. Sea eagles, Andaman kites and hornbills all nest here, while you may even see a reticulated python if you venture inland! When visiting make sure you take on of the dirt pathways for a nature adventure.

Krabi Province
Most travellers choose to breeze through Krabi town, as people are keen to move on to the paradises of Ko Phi Phi and Railay. These two gems of the Andaman Sea boast some of the most stunning scenery in the whole of Thailand, which is a spectacular feat if you consider the extent of beautiful coastland and mountains in the country. Railay is located behind a layer of impenetrable cliffs, and it is only possible to get there by boat. Surreal limestone formations make it a fantastic place for rock climbing, while the beach is possibly the revered in the country. Ko Phi Phi don, meanwhile, is an island 30km to the South West of the mainland of Krabi. As the backlot for The Beach, staring Leonardo Di Caprio, it's not difficult to see why the place is thought of as one of the world's top island paradises.

Thailand Travel - The Phi Phi Islands

2010-07-16T15:00:00.001+07:00

Visiting a new place or country can be fun and exciting. One very beautiful country to visit is Thailand. There are so many places to see and so many things to do, it will be hard for your to decide which part of Thailand to visit first! The Phi Phi Islands should definitely be on your "to visit" list.

The Phi Phi Islands are a great tourist destination. They're between the large island of Phuket and the western Andaman sea coast of the mainland. If you go snorkeling you can see the most amazing fish and beautiful coral, it's absolutely breathtaking! Activities include shark watching, cliff jumping, shopping, and exploring. You will never have a dull moment. If you are the type who enjoys a tour, there are many available at super cheap prices.

The Phi Phi Islands was the location used for the 2000 movie The Beach. Thanks to this film the touristy in the area really picked up. Although the area was badly destroyed in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, almost everything has been completely rebuilt.

The area boasts only two seasons; the hot season that lasts January to April, and the rainy season lasting from May to December. The temperatures during the year average 77°F to 89.6°F, not bad for visiting! The rainfall in the area comes down quite heavily over short periods, with a yearly rainfall average of 2568.5mm.

The beauty of the Phi Phi Islands is what draws in tourists and keeps them coming back. The affordability of the area is what allows so many people to travel to this area. Hotel costs are a lot lower than what most people expect.

If you like the nightlife there are many bars and pubs to enjoy. They are easy to find, centrally located, and not what you would expect. While bands in the bars may stop playing at 2am, bars tends to serve drinks as long as they have customers. Unlike other areas around the world, you feel safer in the bars and everyone wants to have a good time.

No matter if you want to see fish, watch sharks, or party the night away, the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand could be the destination you are seeking. Prices are super affordable and the area is beautiful. What more could you ask for!

Thailand Travel Packages

2010-07-15T12:45:00.001+07:00

Thailand is truly a fascinating country that you need to explore to gain a new traveling experience. This country is well known for its exotic and breathtaking natural beauty, finest beaches, moderate weather, and inspiring temples.

For people who wish to save money, it is better to opt for Thailand Travel that offers all sorts of travel packages at affordable prizes.

Thailand has been ranked among other countries as the most scenic and reasonably prized place, ideal for a seaside vacation. Beaches and islands in Thailand provide a combination of recreation, leisure, pleasure, and entertainment that visitors often desire. Stupa-studded mountains located in Mea Hong Son and limestone islands located in the Andaman Sea offers great retreat for people who wish to spend their time at the seashores.

Travelers will get everything out of the box in Thailand for sure. Before you could plan for your Thailand Travel, it is good to choose Thailand Travel package well in advance that satisfies your budget.

Oriental fantasy is Thailand's famous attraction, which is a combination of tradition and contemporary. There are so many exciting places to visit in Thailand. Among them, Bangkok is a famous cosmopolitan city with glittering malls and vibrant nightlife that takes to a new world of entertainment.

Make sure to visit the Grand Palace in this city and experience the holiness of the temples in Bangkok. Pattaya, which is two hours away from Bangkok, offers the tourists with variety of water sports, beach sports and Tiffany Show in the evening. Plan your dream vacation and enjoy our travel to Thailand.

Talking in Thailand

2010-07-14T10:30:00.001+07:00

Thailand is a beautiful and varied country and its people are warm and friendly. However, if you come from the West, as I do, some aspects of Thai life are strange and some are baffling. Not in a bad sense, just different.

For example, when speaking English, Thais rarely seem pr finish their words off, so you get 'how' for 'house'; 'sket' for 'basket'; 'row' for 'road'. It is very strange at first and can become annoying, until you realize that words in the Thai language can only end with one of about six sounds. The most common of these are 't, k, p, n', so if the word they are trying to use does not end in one of these letters, they just leave it off.

The letters 'r' and 'l' are unusual in Thai. For a start, no word ends in 'l', which is a shame for the word 'football' as it is Thailand's most popular sport (or maybe Thai Boxing is, I'm not sure). However, the word 'football' has been adopted into Thai, much like 'maisonette' has been into English, so they say 'footbon'. However, there are worse problems with 'l' and 'r'.

Some people have a problem with 'r', as do the Japanese, but not as bad. I have never heard anyone say 'velly good', but I did hear one man trying to show off in front of me once and he made a point of saying very loudly 'Herro' to us all. However, they have a word 'sri' as in 'Sri Lanka'. Some people find it easier to say, 'si', others will say 'sli' and others will say 'sri'. If 'r' is the second consonant, it can become an 'l' of be dropped.

This is one of the reasons why some conversations with a Thai can be baffling and hilarious (or frustrating, depending on your demeanor)., because, believe it or not, it is not always obvious from the context. If someone is talking about 'gaa', it can take quite a while to work out whether they are talking about 'gas', 'grass' or 'glass' or even 'glasses' as in spectacles. I know, I've had hundreds of these conversations over the years.

One cultural feature which can seriously affect a conversation is face. Thais do not like to admit that they do not know something and they do not like to disappoint either. This can have undesirable consequences, because you can be talking with someone for a while, before you realize that they do not have a clue what you are talking about. Despite the fact that they have been smiling and nodding during your monologue. They do not want you to think that they are too stupid to understand, even though you will probably find out soon enough that their command of the English language is not quite what you had been lead to believe.

These points are humorous, perhaps mildly frustrating sometimes, but the worst one is asking directions. That can be really, really frustrating. Because a Thai will not admit to not knowing something and because he does not want to disappoint you, if you ask for directions and he doesn't know, he'll just smile and nod. If you try to help by asking 'Is it up here?' and point. He'll say yes.

He will walk away not having lost face and happy because you are happy. You will walk away happy and grateful, but where you are walking to nobody knows. Thais do not, under any circumstances, ask another Thai the way anywhere.

Thailand Visa

2010-07-13T08:30:00.001+07:00

n this article, we have chosen the outstanding Thai Visas that foreigners take an interest particularly.

1. One Year Multiple Entry Non Immigrant Visa

This one year visa will allow you to stay 90 days for each entry, with in the One Year Period. If you would like to stay in Thailand for longer than 90 days then you will only have to do go cross the border or leave Thailand and come back to renew your 90 days Visa. It is not difficult to extend your stay, you just cross the border and when the Immigration officer proves your visa in your passport. They will automatically stamp a visa in the passport. That means your visa has been already extended. You may travel in Thailand's neighbouring countries or you can immediately back to Thailand.

With this One Year Non-Immigrant Visa from oversea, you will be able to obtain a work permit and apply for the Business Visa in Thailand or if you are qualify; you can also convert this to a Retirement or Marriage Visa while you are in Thailand, which will give you a One Year uninterrupted stay in Thailand.

In addition, if you utilize your visa the last time just before it expire, you will get an extra 3 months, so the total validity of this one year visa will be nearly 15 months.

2. Business Visa

All aliens who intend to work/conduct business in Thailand, they are required to provide the following documents from companies, affiliates or institutes in Thailand:

2.1 Original Invitation Letter from companies where you will participate in them
2.2 Business registration
2.3 List of shareholders
2.4 Company profile
2.5 Details of business operation
2.6 Map of the company
2.7 List of alien employees
2.8 Balance sheet, statement of Income Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50) and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 30) for the latest year

3. Retirement Visa

To apply for a Retirement Visa in Thailand, you must be able to show your financial evidence between :

3.1 THAILAND BANK ACCOUNT SHOWING THB 800,000 (must be able to show the evidence of transfer the money to your Thai Bank account and this sum of money must be depositted in your bank account at least 3 months) OR

3.2 PENSION/MONTHLY INCOME OF AT LEAST THB 65,000 (must present a letter from your embassy to prove the pension and the letter from the government or social security) Both of documents must be certified by your embassy in Bangkok as well.

In case you do not have the pension, I would recommend you to open a Thai Bank Account as soon as possible because as I suggested you, your money of at least 800,000 Bahts or more must be depositted in your Thai Bank Account for 90 days before applying for a Retirement Visa. Then you have to ask your Thai bank to issue the certified letter and also need to show the evidence of transfer your money from your side when you submit the visa application at the immigration office.

For the processing procedures of a Retirement Visa, we will first help you to receive a 90 Days Non Immigrant O Visa, we will send your our questionnaire email for the visa application. Then you have to respond us your personal information for us completed in the application form. The next step, we will send you back our prepared documents and you have to print them out, sign your name in our prepared application form and other documents before mailing your passport and documents to the Thai Consulate in your country as we instruct. You can receive a visa stamped on your passport within a week once the Thai Consulate received your visa application's documents. When you arrived in Thailand with a 90 Days visa, we will accompany you to your embassy in Bangkok for getting the pension certified letter. Once you got the certified letter, you just have to wait until your 90 days has remained at least 3-4 weeks before it expires. The final step, we will go together with you at the Immigration Office along with your financial evidence for extending from a 90 Days Non Immigrant O Visa to a One Year Retirement Visa.

4. Marriage Visa

To apply for a Marriage Visa, you need to show your financial evidence as the monthly income of at least 40,000 Bahts. This income can be shown as a "combined income" and also able to include both the husband's and wife's income.

Requirements:

- Married to Thai Citizen, must provide a marriage certificate

- 40,000 Baht per month income.

For the financial evidence, you can choose the most appropriate evidence from the following options:

Option 4.1 In the case of working inside Thailand: You must provide your work permit and taxation records.

Option 4.2 In the case of Working outside Thailand: You must provide a certified income statement from your embassy. You may also be requested to provide a letter from your employer, or other documents to support the proof of income such as: your bank statements.

Option 4.3 In the case of Spouse's income: Spouse must provide his/her taxation records.

For the processing procedures of a Marriage Visa, it is similar to a Retirement Visa. We will help you to receive a 90 Days Non Immigrant O Visa from your country before converting to a Marriage Visa when you arrived in Thailand.

5. Education Visa

To apply for an Education Visa, you must provide the original acceptance/invitation letter from the schools, universities or institutes in Kingdom of Thailand specifying the name of applicant, passport number, latest educational background and duration of the course. The applicant should also provide the schools/universities or institutes's registration notarized by authorized director.

As in above-mentioned informations, I hope that you would have the appropriate visa in your mind. Nevertheless, if you are looking for other types of Thailand Visa or you are interested in using our service, please contact the Siamese Visa (Thailand) through our following contacting details:

Thailand - One of the Best & Cheapest Places to Live and Travel in the World

2010-07-12T05:18:00.001+07:00

If there's a place in the world where you can get the greatest clothes at the cheapest price that would be -- Thailand! Similar to China, Thailand offers a lot of great cuisines and a host of other things one can enjoy. Beaches are located almost everywhere.

Tourists and locals alike can enjoy diving and para sailing at a price relatively cheaper than its neighboring Asian countries. Since the climate in Thailand doesn't change very much, it is an ideal place to stay.

During summer months, March to June, most people will either go for the beach or go temple-tripping. While it's ok to wear sleeveless and shorts in other countries on a hot summer, in Thailand, it is generally considered inappropriate especially for women. It's ok to use sandals though since it is required for both locals and tourists to remove them when they visit the temple and view it from the inside.

The main religion of Thais is Buddhism. As you may know, there are a lot of temples or wats as they would call it are ornately decorated. There are also such things as spirit houses. In Thailand, each house has a spirit which guards that house. One exceptionally famous shrine is Erawan Shrine, which was previously an execution site.

In terms of art and designs, Thai art closely resembles those of India and its neighboring countries. Their art usually involve religion, music and dancing. In sports muay Thai, more commonly known as Thai boxing, is their king. Thai boxing is actually a kind of marital art which sprung from Thailand's ancient warriors.

Thailand provides its people with an excellent value for money. With low labor costs, and a weak currency, foreigners and locals can enjoy available products and services at the least and most affordable cost. Popular tourist destinations, like Phuket and Ko Samui, though will have a slightly higher price than other locales. But with a budget of 800 baht, which is about $24 USD, one may already actually have enough for three meals, a dorm and transportation.

In terms of shopping, the skill one must know when one goes to night markets in Bangkok is the art of haggling. Whether it be Thai silk you are after, or the intricately woven clothing, or the smallest handicrafts that would fit nicely in your bedroom, you will most likely be succeed in getting the best price if you're patient enough to haggle.

Finding a job in Thailand is generally harder for foreigners, but knowing diving and English are a major plus. Thailand is currently in demand of diving instructors and English teachers since English is also being used as a form of formal instruction in most Thai schools.

Being a tropical country, Thailand also has its share of diseases one should watch out for like malaria and dengue. It is also uncommon to get HIV or AIDS. It's good to know that it's easy to get condoms though when one needs it.

Why You Should Visit Northern Thailand

2010-07-11T04:15:00.001+07:00

Most people associate Thailand with Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and the islands. However there is much more to the country than the beaches of the south, a whole other world in fact.

700km north of Bangkok lies the capital of the North - Chiang Mai, the launching pad for any travelers journeys around the North. So why should one make the journey up there?

Well for those seeking a more cultured, authentic and historic experience the North is the place to go. The North shows a different side to Thailand - less touristic and commercialised than the south means that it is often cheaper too. Another advantage is the cooler climate, during winter daytime temperatures are a more moderate 25-30 degrees, in the highlands temperatures can even dip to as low as 10 degrees something unexpected for the tropical temperatures most people associate with Thailand.

The hub of Chiang Mai is much more laid back than it's Bangkok counterpart, yet has the same endless possibilities for activities and sightseeing. It is a great destination for soft adventure activities such as; ziplining through the forest, cycling, white water rafting and elephant riding. Trekking is probably the most popular activity here due to the pristine nature and variety of hilltribe villages scattered throughout the area. Then there are countless other cultural, historic and natural wonders ranging from temples, caves, museums to waterfalls.

Outside of Chiang Mai one could spend weeks exploring the rural provinces of Mae Hong Son and Chiang Rai visiting remote areas and villages near the Thailand Burma border. This area is rich in traditional culture, hilltribes and breathtaking scenery.

The north of Thailand is characterised by it's sweeping mountain landscapes, forests, waterfalls and temples. The pace is much slower and outside of the towns there is an air of serenity and calmness. Another important facet are it's people - Northern Thais are renown for their gentle nature and kindness perhaps a result of their surroundings in fertile and abundant countryside.

Even beach lovers end up falling for the lure of the north and many make repeat visits. The north offers something for all ages and tastes, it is somewhere where you can surround yourself in the lush nature, kick back and relax or be as active as you want.

US K1 Visa Thailand - How to Get it the Surest Way

2010-07-09T16:00:00.001+07:00

A US K1 Visa Thailand is also known as the Thai fiancée visa. This is a perfect visa for engaged American man and his Thai fiancée to acquire so that the Thai can easily come to the US for marriage. However, obtaining a US fiancée visa is tough ordeal because of the many requirements and complex procedures which it entails. There are many hoops to jump through indeed. But if the applicant follows the proper path and have a true relationship with her petitioner, then getting the K-1 fiancée visa will be the joyful outcome.

The US K1 Visa requires a great deal of information about the American petitioner as well as the Thai fiancée. The American will have to complete an affidavit of support, proving financial capability to support the Thai fiancée in the United States. The last three years of tax returns, a letter of employment, bank statements and more are required.

The relationship between the Thai fiancée and the American must be fully substantiated. It is important to provide proof of the relationship and the more of this evidence the better. This can be in the forms of photos together, plane tickets, phone bills and anything else that might prove their relationship. Letters of how they met each other and fell in love may also spell the difference.

Once all this information had been compiled, the US citizen must submit a K1 petition on behalf of his/her Thai fiancée with the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). Assuming that the K1 visas petition has been approved it will be sent for visa processing at the National Visa Center (NVC). From there, the entire package will be forwarded to the US Embassy in Thailand for the penultimate step, the interview.

The interview is the highlight of the process because it will result either in the approval or denial of the K1 visa from Thailand. The US embassy usually provides the appointment as soon as the visa fees have been fee paid. The applicant must show up on time and have all of the information presented in the original petition. This means copies are really important in case something was lost along the way. During the interview it is important to be honest and upfront providing all the information requested by the interviewing official at the US Embassy in Bangkok. If the relationship can easily be proven then the K-1 visa is not that difficult to obtain.

However, despite the notion that the application can be accomplished by the applicant with simply following the instructions, it would be still be wise to consult a professional trained and experienced in US immigration concerns for assistance. She would need a US visa attorney in Thailand to help him/her, because the Thai fiancée applicant is not usually trained to carry out the complex processes involved in the application. It is important to remember that once a mistake is made, it might be too late to rectify and come up with a possible remedy.

Many people have filed their K1 visa Thailand by themselves only to find out that they made costly errors on the application that resulted in long delays or oftentimes denials. Thus, it is important to plan ahead with a US Visa Lawyer in Thailand to assist the Thai fiancée applicant so the problems with the Embassy or USCIS, can be avoided. The US visa attorney in Bangkok can identify and prevent the red flags from becoming problems, before the USCIS or Embassies make them issues that could permanently prevent the beloved Thai fiancée from ever coming to the United States. Simply stated sometimes the Thai fiancée can say the wrong thing to the interviewing officer at the US Embassy in Bangkok without realizing it.

History of Thailand

2010-07-08T14:30:00.001+07:00

The history of Thailand dates back many thousands of years to the Paleolithic era. Throughout its tumultuous past, Thailand slowly emerged to become one of the leading economic and cultural centers in Southeast Asia. Also known as "The Kingdom of Thailand," this fascinating country has a story filled with rich tradition, bloody revolutions, religious disagreements, and many other complications. Despite the turbulence, today Thailand is regarded as a popular tourist destination and has achieved a formidable economic and political presence in today's global village.

Sukothai is the namesake of today's Thailand. Originally known as a Buddhist religious territory, the area was once divided in many different kingdoms - including Sukhothai, Lanna, and Lan Chang among others. It was not until the late 1700s that the modern Thailand of today actually emerged from its complex political-geographical origins. When this finally did occur, the city of Bangkok was established as the capital and the first Chakri dynasty was created under King Rama the Great.

During this period in history - which some historians refer to as the Enlightenment or early Modernity - major world powers like France and Britain were working very hard to colonize countries throughout the world in a concerted effort to develop robust empires. Thailand, however, managed to avoid much of the external control exerted on territories in Southeast Asia. With very powerful rulers at its helm, Thailand managed to preserve its independence and identity throughout the many years of aggressive colonization. Meanwhile, Thailand's neighboring countries were slowly absorbed into the empires of Western Civilization.

The 20th century was quite a roller coaster for Thailand as surrounding world events impacted its economy and its people in a variety of ways. With a new constitutional monarchical government established in the early part of the century, Thailand's government structure took on a new identity and the face of the country changed dramatically. Perhaps the last event to have a notable impact on Thailand's course for the 21st century was the well known Asian Financial Crisis, which hit all of Southeast Asia but affected Thaland more than perhaps any other country in its wake.

Today, Thailand is on a strong course for the future. Despite the financial crisis of many years past, the country continues to occupy a leading position in Asia's financial, economic, and political scene. Like any other country in the competitive global village, the future of Thailand will rest upon how well it can adapt to rapid change and constant growth.

Thailand's Short Term Economic and Political Perspective 2010

2010-07-07T05:30:00.001+07:00

BANGKOK

Feb. 21st 2010

Thai economic growth is projected to rise between approximately 4 to 5 percent on higher exports and rising economic fundamentals in 2010, reflecting increases in tourist arrivals and employment, as well as the new AFTA Asian Free Trade Agreement. However, political difficulties and domestic turbulence should also be factored in. The current situation is littered with the potential for highly unpredictable events and creating an uncertain climate.

Gold has recently decreased about $50 per ounce on lagging demand in world markets with an overall 11% drop in demand in 2009 from 2008. Locally, current prices have relaxed with prices in Bangkok at 17,300 baht for buying rates, while gold was selling at 17,400 baht earlier this week.

This week the baht was trading at just under 33.2 to the dollar while the Japanese yen traded at 100 yen to 36.33 -36.45 baht. The battered euro was trading at near 45 baht to the euro.

On the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), shares have recently declined about 10% from their 9 month highs on January 10-11, 2010 to current market levels of approximately 700 points for the main index. Friday in Bangkok the SET was up over four points to close at 700.44.

Most European and Asian markets lost momentum Thursday, plunging in response to the U. S. Federal Reserve Bank's surprise announcement of a.25% rise in the emergency loan rate it charges to banks.

Negative risks weighing on Thailand's economic prospects include the uncertainty posed by the fate of approximately 65 industrial projects worth billions of dollars still awaiting the Central Administrative Court's ruling on whether they will be allowed to continue due to environmental lawsuits brought by local villagers, threatened protests by the UDD/ Phuea Pandin and Thai Red Shirt allied activists at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport and other venues, as well as fears of political threats and uncertainties regarding the asset seizure of former deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's $76 billion baht against senior political figures and Supreme Court judges involved in the final decision, due on February 26. The assets were seized amid allegations of corruption and Mr. Thaksin's failure to return in August 2008 to appear to face charges after being allowed to fly to Hong Kong after posting bail to travel to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Since then, Mr. Thaksin has made a variety of countries his temporary home including London, Dubai, China and Cambodia, while recent tensions between Cambodia and Thailand have also emerged at a variety of international high level meetings, such as the recent ASEAN meeting in Hua Hin. Hun Sen has dubiously offered the former Thai prime minister free access and a safe haven while appointing him Cambodia's economic advisor, a move the current Thai government in Bangkok considers interfering in its sovereignty, judicial system and internal politics, allowing that Thailand and Cambodia have extradition treaties, which Cambodia has failed to fulfill in regard to Mr. Thaksin.

Mr. Thaksin, his wife Pojamarn and their three adult children have faced numerous corruption investigations which political activists, rural supporters and allies supporting the former prime minister's camps view as politically motivated. The final verdict is due to be decided shortly now that final arguments have been delivered.

Thai-Cambodia Relations: No Love Lost

While relations with Cambodia were at near crisis levels last month, neither Hun Sen nor Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiiva seem willing to reconcile their positions.

Some political analysts and Thai media lay partial blame on Mr. Abhisit's government for the appointment of its foreign minister, alleged to have overtly insulted the Cambodian leader, for getting its diplomatic relationship with its neighbor off on the wrong foot.

The Cambodian Prime Minister and his wife attempted to visit a Buddhist religious site near disputed border areas along the Thai- Cambodian border in early February, sparking fresh Thai government initiatives to calm the issue, where forces fighting border skirmishes had left approximately a dozen Thai and Cambodian troops injured or dead within the last year.

Last week a Cambodian government website launched a fresh war of words in its spat with Thailand, making a variety of volatile accusations against the current Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejajiiva. It was also reported in Thai media that Hun Sen's wife had invoked curses aginst the Thai prime minister at a temple near their border. Hun Sen is also reported to have invoked occultic curses against the Thai leader.

Trouble in Paradise...

The largest Thai bank, Bangkok Bank was prescient to close its main office and headquarters to customers at noon Friday, Feb. 19 after about 1000 protesters gathered and a police contingent of approximately 500 officers closed traffic to the area. The protesters, from the Red Shirts/UDD, or the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship are seeking revenge and garnering support for what they allege is financial support for Prem Tinsulanonda by the bank's owners.

Meanwhile, last week in Bangkok between Saturday night and Sunday morning, a pair of explosive devices were intended to gain publicity in the upcoming case involving former Prime Minister Thaksin. In the first, an M-79 grenade was detonated in a parking lot near the Government House, where officials and leaders, including the prime minister, frequently work.

The second explosive was a 3 lb. C-4 bomb that had been placed near the perimeter of the Supreme Court's Division for Holders' of Political Offices, where the asset seizure case will be decided. It is widely thought that violent acts and protests will likely increase before the upcoming case is decided. The device was safely removed and disabled by the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau's bomb squad. More protests have also been taking place in venues throughout Bangkok and in outer provinces, but so far have remained mostly peaceful.

How to Make a Good Income When You Live in Thailand

2010-07-06T05:15:00.001+07:00

The one thing that most (western) people don't know about living in Thailand is that you're a bit limited to what sort of work you can do. You can't take the job of a Thai, nor would you want to, because the wages are way too different to our western country wages. And you need the income. So, what sort of work can you do?

Well, a lot of westerners rock up in Thailand and immediately start teaching English. Now that's definitely a job you CAN do in Thailand, especially if you come from a country where English is widely spoken. Some westerners can teach English and love it. For others it's about as foreign as a Thai person feels trying to understand the meaning of English jokes.

Instead of trying out for the 'school teacher' job, there's a much better way to earn your dosh. And this is simply by tapping into the Internet, and either setting up a website, or just doing some effective online promotion. And actually it's not that difficult. Nor is it easy too, but hey - you won't know until you try.

What's particularly great about using the Internet for earning an income is that more often than not you'll be paid in US dollars or an equivalent. And remember, you're living in Thailand so the cost of living is pretty low compared to back home. As an example, if you were to earn a mere US$30 a day, that'd be around 1000 Thai Baht, which will go a LONG way in Thailand.

Plus the Internet is basically universal too. So you can have customers all over the globe, promote your product or services to a targeted market, communicate to your customers before USA even thinks about waking up, and all the while be kicking back in a healthy, sun-filled location where the food is absolutely divine. What are you waiting for?

A Visit to Malaysia - Thailand Border Area

2010-07-05T04:45:00.001+07:00

My thoughts recalled my visit to Southeast Asia some time back on the invitation of then Sri Lankan High Commissioner for Malaysia, Mrs. Rosy Senanayake. I wanted to crossover by land the Malaysia-Thailand border, though many friends advised me it was too risky. Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand is a major problem in Southeast Asia.

Though I had the visa to travel to Thailand from Malaysia, I stopped my journey from Kuala Lumpur at the Butterworth station and visited the Penang Island of Malaysia, the one-time British colonial capital of Malaysia. I thought of the risk at that time as the turmoil was very high in crossing the Malaysia- Thailand border. I had to study more ground realities and situations before I stepped into the border.

While I was waiting for the Kuala Lumpur Express at the Butterworth station, there was a Malay young lady waiting for the same train at the next table. My casual chat with her had given me a chance to weigh the ground realities better than I assumed. She was from the neighboring Keda state of Malaysia bordering Thailand's Muslim province.

When I spoke to her about the political unrest of Thailand's southern Muslim areas, she came out with sorrowful stories. She told, "The Muslim province in southern Thailand was annexed by Thailand in 1902 as a buffer against British Malaya" and she further went on, "the Islamic Sultanate of Pattani is considered by some to be the cradle of Islam in Southeast Asia".
She told about the history of the origin of the Muslim insurgency in Thailand. She said with a smile that the southern Thailand Muslims are only a reflection of Malaysia's rural Muslims.

I little understood her worries and as she had visited these areas, she was not only well informed about the problems but emotionally attached to those areas and problems too. She came out in a disappointing voice that the Thailand government's oppressive policies had not been beneficial to the Muslims. She pointed out, "the southern provinces of Thailand where the Muslims are located are some of the country's poorest and undeveloped provinces to date".

She continued, "The reason for this is the corrupt officials pilfered funds earmarked for development. The mis administration of the government combined with the high- handedness of the army personnel aggravated the alienation that was already prevalent. The daily life in the urban areas was affected by common banding and lawlessness making it difficult for the authorities to differentiate activities from that of the separatists or militants".

After a brief interval I asked her what their needs were if the situation was prolonged without any solution. She thought for a moment and came out with the fact that southern Thailand remains relatively poor, alienated, and misunderstood by Bangkok's government and military officials.
The Muslim way of life is based on survival and they are not benefiting from the development of large industries in their provinces.

She also pointed out importantly that in fact, as these industries continue to expand, the Pattani are being pushed farther and farther out of their markets. Agriculturists were needed to teach the small-scale land owners how to get the most out of their land. She further went on to say that the Muslims do not object to the government or its representatives but they do object to the oppressive and exploitative nature of these entities' presence.

She enumerated some of the flawed policies of the government such as, the village fund programme and legalization of lotteries in the area which are against the tenets of Islam.

What to Do in Trang - Far South West Thailand

2010-07-04T00:45:00.001+07:00

At first glance, you'd probably think the sleepy town of Muang Trang, or Trang, in far south west Thailand, is just full of rubber trees and not much else. But you'd be mistaken, because there's a lot of magic in this little Thai town, as you're about to discover.

But just to clarify, Trang has got a few rubber plantations. Well, actually, more than a few. More like as far as the eye can see, along with millions of looming palm oil trees too. But that's a story for another day. Let's talk about why Trang is a quite possibly an undiscovered paradise.

Firstly, Trang is so off the radar that not many tourists or travelers get there. And if they do, usually they're just passing through on their way to get some island snorkeling in and catch some laid back beach sun. However this is possibly what makes this Portuguese/Chinese influenced town so different.

With no real 'tourist' stuff such as you might find in nearby Phuket, Trang is as normal a Thai city as you'd ever get. Peek outside around 6 am and you'd see breakfast time is bustling and busy, monks doing their daily walking rounds, and a whole lot of folks on their way back from milking the heck out of those endless rubber trees.

About 30 minutes outside the town you're confronted with rock scattered waterfalls winding their way down the mountains, huge underground caves that seem to go on forever, and the occasional fluorescent green rice field. Go the other way and it's all beach. Maybe not the perfect white sand beaches you'd imagine, but still swimmable and great for exploring.

So, although it looks smallish on the map, Trang has its share of delights and a few big secrets too. Of course, the best way to get a feel for it is to go there and stay for a week or two. That way you'll know exactly what I'm talking about!

Holidaying in Thailand

2010-07-02T17:15:00.001+07:00

Thailand shares its borders with Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia. It presents ample opportunities to discover to the tourist. One can travel and explore the country by any means sea, air or road, whichever means suit the traveler's pocket. Thailand is divided into four key regions, namely North, Central Plain or the Chao Phraya River Basin, North East (Korat Plateau) and South or Southern Peninsula. Thailand holidays are synonymous with complete freedom to live, learn and enjoy. So in Thailand you actually enjoy like a free bird. When a person comes to this beautiful country for a vacation, he can expect to see plethora of breathtaking sights and spots to behold such as the country's beaches, culture, and heritage areas. Well-known for its out of this world natural beauty, stirring temples, and the finest beaches of the world, Thailand is one of the best, most economical places for a seaside vacation. Thailand's beaches and islands offer a mixture of thrill, unusual locales, recreation, entertainment and leisure that one longs for. From Stupa-studded Mountains of Mae Hong Son to the limestone islands of the Andaman Sea, from dance clubs of Bangkok to the tranquil villages, Thailand has enough to offer to every type of traveler.

A bountiful land replete with green rice paddy field, heritage palaces and well known temples, modern Thailand may come as a nice surprise for the international traveler. Thailand presents traditional architecture with a picturesque backdrop of beaches and islands. It has shop-till-you-drop kind of extravagant and budget malls and shopping centers. It offers amazing variety of local foods and gourmet cuisine. Exotic hills, tribe villages, age old ruins for the touch with history, it has everything what a traveler can ask for.

Air travel to Thailand is the chosen mode for most travelers with majority opting to arrive through Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, connected by daily flights to almost all-major airlines. Trains links are also present between Singapore and Bangkok with intermediary stops at Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth and major southern Thai towns.

Phuket, Koh Samui, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Chang and Koh Samet are favorite stops in this rich and vibrant country. Accessible by boat, places such as Krabi, Koh Libong, Koh Hai offer beautiful landscape for photographic memoirs of Thailand as a tour destination. Pattaya and Bangkok are famous for local and international products like hand-embroidered/woven fabrics, decoration pieces, jewelry, house hold items, souvenirs, exotic foods etc.

Backpacking in Thailand - Visiting the Unseen Trang

2010-07-01T15:45:00.001+07:00

One more thing nearly every backpacker or traveler-on-a-budget doesn't know about traveling in Thailand is that, way down in the far south west, there's a little town the like you've never seen before. Sure, you might be thinking 'all Thai towns are the same' but I can assure you, this one is different from most.

That little town is called Muang Trang, or Trang for short. Now if you go rushing down there looking for English language bookstores, Starbucks coffee shops, or huge multi-level department stores, you won't find any. What you'll find instead is a real, laid back Thai town that has its own unique breed of Tuk Tuks, and curious architecture.

Look further afield and your eyes will take in thousands upon thousands of rubber gardens and palm plantations. Literally, as far as the eye can see. It's certainly different, and beautiful too, especially when you catch the rubber workers in the misty early hours of the morning with sunlight glistening through the trees.

The thing that makes this district magical is that it's not really a tourist or backpacker hangout. I mean, backpackers do come here, but they're usually on their way somewhere else. And the odd tourist visits too, but the town isn't really set up for tourists too much, so many find there's not much to do.

However, Trang is a little paradise unseen in Thailand. In 30 minutes you can be exploring beaches that only a few have seen, walking through huge cavernous caves, or exploring massive bouldered waterfalls to your heart's content. Plus Bangkok is only a 1 hour flight away, and Krabi a short picturesque drive too.

Get up early enough and you'll be able to taste the Trang delicacies for breakfast... Think I'll try the delicious roasted pork with a sweet tea today! So, keep this magical place secret, and I'll see you down here soon enough!

Learn Thailand Language

2010-06-30T12:30:00.001+07:00

So you want to learn a new language. How exciting! I am sure you will find that learning any new language, whether it be Thai, or French, or Italian, or Greek, opens up whole new worlds for you that were never available to you before you learned a language.

When you learn a second language, all of a sudden, you can go traveling in the country where that language is spoken, and you can converse with the natives! You can order food in restaurants in the native tongue and not get dirty looks for speaking English. You can barter with cab drivers for the best price, in their language, so that they will actually respect you! You can ask for directions if you are lost in some remote part of the country and no English speaking people are around. You can strike up random conversations with people in coffee shops. Yes, for traveling, learning a new language can give you all sorts of opportunities.

But traveling is not the only reason to learn a new language. By learning a new language, you develop your mind; you use mental muscles that would not have been otherwise used; you become a more well rounded person. There are lots of social activities even in this country for people who speak other languages, so it can be a great social activity as well! Plus, if you ever want to talk about someone who's in the room but doesn't speak your second language, to someone who does, you have a great and easy way to talk behind their back without them even knowing.

Learning a new language is not as hard as you may think. There are all sorts of tools and classes that can help you. You can take a class, either in person or online; you can buy workbooks; you can buy tapes of people speaking in their native tongues; you can play language games online; you can go to conversation groups to help practice. There are even immersion classes where you spend three weeks in a foreign country where they speak your new language; being around people who speak it is shown to help you learn the new language much faster. Most universities offer classes in a variety of foreign languages. To find one near you, you can try to use Google to search for both local and online classes. You'll be speaking like a Frenchman, or Spaniard, or Dutch person in no time! Hey, you can even learn how to speak Thai.

Looking For Natural Breast Enhancement? Read This Triactol Review

2010-06-29T12:15:00.001+07:00

Women around the world, young and not so young, are unhappy about their breasts. Breast size affects the proportions of the body, and small breasts can make anyone look pear-shaped. Women with small breasts tend to avoid certain styles of clothing too, such as low-cut blouses or T-shirts, because they just don't fill them out as well as larger-busted women do.

Breast enlargement surgery is not only expensive, it carries the same risks as any surgery. Unfortunately, although exercise can help lift breasts by tightening the muscles around them, it cannot enhance the size, as breasts are mainly fatty tissue. Triactol is an exclusive serum containing unique, clinically proven ingredients that claim to lift the bust and increase the size within weeks.

Probably the most important point of a Triactol review is that this product contains only natural ingredients. There are no added parabens, petroleum, artificial colorings or preservatives in Triactol. The serum contains no synthetic hormones, believed to contribute to a number of health problems.

Triactol is made with Mirofirm, the proprietary purified extract of Pueraria mirifica. Pueraria mirifica is found in the deciduous forests of an area of Thailand called Chiengmai. It contains miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol, isoflavines and coumestrol. These compounds help to strengthen the milk ducts, stimulate and expand fat tissues. This results in firmer, well-shaped breasts.

The Pueraria mirifica compound helps to promote fibroblasts in the normal breast cells resulting in soft, smooth breasts. In addition, Triactol Bust Serum also contains Vitamin E to help to stabilize cell membranes and protect against the damage caused by free radicals. Triactol has been dermatologically tested to ensure no allergic reactions or irritations will occur.

Clinically proven in case studies conducted in 2000 by the Medical Plant Research Institute, Department of Medical Science, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, a typical Triactol review includes reference to an increase in fullness, firmness and size. The studies showed a significant change in breast enlargement (82.35%) and breast firmness (88.23%). Some users have reported a full cup size increase, and the uplifting effects of Triactol are particularly welcomed from mothers who have breastfed and women who are feeling the pull of gravity and aging.

Triactol is easily absorbed, leaving no sticky residue or stains on clothing. It is also odourless, so there is no lingering scent to worry about. A Triactol review reveals that the claim of noticeable lifting in 7 days and a size increase of up to a cup within weeks seems to be believable.

Rather than risk surgery and the unnatural look and feel of implants, try Triactol Bust Serum, for natural results. Alternatives such as padded bras and bra inserts are uncomfortable and embarrassing - especially when removing them in intimate moments. Synthetic hormone creams can be dangerous, and the expense and risks of surgery put many women off this route.

As this is a Triactol review, it is only fair to mention one drawback. It is recommended that Triactol be used for at least 8 weeks, and the effects will gradually disappear if the serum is not used regularly. However, with its easy application, Triactol Bust Serum can easily fit into a normal beauty routine, and the rewards are certainly worth it.

No more avoiding particular clothing styles, or the beach! Get the bust you want, the confidence you deserve, and enjoy life.

Planning Your Thailand Vacation

2010-06-28T02:15:00.001+07:00

Thanks to its rich culture, amazing beaches and crystal clear oceans, delicious food and friendly people Thailand has been one of the top tourist destinations for many years. Millions of visitors flock to the beaches, cities and temples of Thailand each and every year to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of this wonderful SE Asian destination. And as you might imagine, along with the huge influx of tourists has come a huge number of Thailand hotels catering to the needs of Thailand's visitors.

If you're considering a Thailand vacation then I would suggest that you plan your trip during Thailand's dry season which runs from November through March. Rainfall is quite unusual during this time and temperatures are a bit lower as well making for a much more comfortable vacation for those from northern climes. The only downside you'll have is that many other travelers will also be visiting during this time making crowds and unfortunate reality.

No matter what part of Thailand you choose to visit you'll find friendly smiling Thai faces, great food choices and rich cultural heritage. From Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north where you can sample traditional Thai Lanna foods and culture, visit the incredible Thai temple Doi Suthep and even see elephants in their natural habitat down to the islands and beaches of the south such as Koh Samui, Krabi and Ko Phi Phi where the sand is like a powdery white sugar and the waters are crystal clear aquamarine you're certain to have a wonderful time when in Thailand.

You also won't want to miss the glittering capital city of Bangkok where East meets West and the traditional Thai culture meets modern ideas and concepts. Bangkok is home to hundreds of Thai temples, more restaurants than you can count and of course world class hotels. If you've got money to burn then check out The Oriental Hotel nestled on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and voted one of the best hotels in the world numerous times. Of course there are also many more lower cost options when it comes to Bangkok accommodations. Try the Pathumwan Princess hotel if you're looking to stay close to Chinatown, one of the more interesting ares of Bangkok. Or if you're looking to be closer to the nightlife of Bangkok choose a Sukhumvit hotel or one near Khao San Road, the famed backpacker haven of Bangkok.

Regardless of what type of vacation you're looking for, beach holiday, mountain retreat, natural wonders, nightlife and parties or some combination of these, Thailand has the answer to your holiday needs. Come and find what millions before you have discovered...Amazing Thailand.

Thailand Has More to Offer Than You Think

2010-06-27T02:00:00.001+07:00

It is hard to imagine anyone getting bored in Thailand; there is just no excuse for it. No matter what type of holiday you prefer you will find something in this land that was once called Siam. Most holiday makers make their way south to the island. If the idea of lounging around on tropical beaches is exactly what you expect from a holiday then this is where you will want to go. Thailand attracts many visitors, but it is still possible to find some stunning isolated beaches. On most of the islands you will also find accommodation to suit every budget.

Backpackers like to stay on islands like Koh Pan Ngan or Koh Lanta, because here you will find the cheapest accommodation. Koh Pan Ngan is the scene of the Full Moon Party and if dancing the night away is your idea of heaven then this will be the island to visit. If you have a bit more money to spend then you might like to visit Koh Samui or Phuket. Here you will find some real high class hotels, but you can also find reasonable deals as well. All of these places will have wonderful beaches where you will be able to work on your tan.

If you want to have the best possible night life in Thailand then goes to Pattaya; this is not called sin city for no reason. First timers to this part of Thailand can be quite shocked by full-throttle hedonism that exists in a place like this, but Pattaya is also increasingly becoming a place for family holidays as well. Some of the best resorts and hotels can be found in this area, and you will also get the best in western dining; there is no reason to ever get homesick in this city. Pattaya is the sort of place that you will either love or hate; many visitors love this part of Thailand so much that they would never consider going anywhere else.

If you would like more of an adventure holiday then you should head up north the Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. This is a great area for trekking and visiting the local hill tribes. If you love bookstores then you will love Chiang Mai. This is also a great city for doing courses like massage, Thai cooking, Thai language, or even yoga. This northern part of the country differs a lot from the south and tends to attract a different crowd. If you wish to travel up to the mountains then a real treat will be Pai; this has become a real backpacker's hangout.

Many visitors use Thailand as a base while they explore other parts of the region such as; Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, or Burma/Myanmar. It is the most modern country in the area and it offers a level of luxury that is just not possible in these other countries. Many visitors do a circular tour of South East Asia that starts and finishes in Thailand; this can be a great way of doing it but you will need at least few months if you want to see even some of what is on offer.

Best Thailand Travel Guide

2010-06-26T01:30:00.001+07:00

This Best Thailand Travel Guide combines useful information about Thailand in many aspects in order for travelers who wish to experience this country to have a brief view of the nation. The Guide will first explain about the country in general before describing what it has in each region so that travelers can decide where they want to go to make the most out of their trips.

One of the distinctive points about Thailand is the Thais. Many people know this nation as the Land of Smiles as the Thais are easy-going and always smiling. Thai people are normally kind, warm and welcoming to foreigners. Tourists can feel quite comfortable asking for directions or helps from Thai strangers during their trips. Some believe that this is the influence of Buddhism, which is the religion that approximately 90% of the population is believed in.

Besides the friendly people, the country has a great combination of unique culture, interesting long history, amazing cuisine and beautiful nature. As a result, Thailand has a vast variety of holiday destinations and activities for tourists to enjoy. Tourists can choose to experience many things in this territory from thick jungles, all-night parties, stunning beaches or something else that would appeal to everyone. Besides the tourist attractions, Thailand is also an excellent place to shop due to the incredibly low price items available. To make this article the easy and the best Thailand travel guide, the content in terms of attractions will be divided into regions, North, Central and South; due to the distinctive characteristics of each part of the country.

As mentioned, each part of Thailand has different characteristics and cultures. To the north of Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai, you will find some beautiful mountain landscape with many orchid farms and elephant training camps which would give visitors some unique experience that hard to find elsewhere. Up To Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle area, travelers can visit the hill-tribe people that still have strong native culture and rituals. With the extremely different way of living for these hill tribes, travelers can experience another world on this same planet. In addition in this area, tourists can have a chance to see nice view of Me Kong river, one of the World's greatest rivers originated from Tibet area and divide Thailand territory from Laos. Moreover, if ones wish to enjoy camping in the greenish forests up the hills, this can also be done in the northern region due to plentiful of the green areas that still beautifully exist in this part of the land.

Next is the best Thailand Travel Guide in the central part of the country. In this part, there are still a lot of natural attractions in boundless national parks with some stunning waterfalls. Additionally, there are more of the ancient cities with the existed ruins in Ayutthaya and Sukhothai that can say a lot about the long history of the nation. Last but not least, the capital city, Bangkok, is also located in this region.

To introduce Bangkok separately as it is the place where most visitors begin their journey in this country due to that Bangkok International Airport is the major arrival spot from flights around the world. Bangkok is one of the most crowded cities in the world with lots of traffic congestion, large amount of population and high-rise buildings; yet, it is the city with complete facilities, convenient transportation systems and large shopping malls and streets.

Finally for this best Thailand Travel Guide is the southern region, the slimmest and longest area of Thailand. This region is the land in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea so that beaches are the highlights of this area. Tourists are guaranteed to experience amazing beaches, stunning beautiful tropical islands and sparkling blue water. Moreover, many alternative western-standard accommodations are available from world-class hotels to backpacker places that can be matched with every taste and budget. Due to the existed beautiful reefs and underwater creatures, Scuba diving and snorkeling are normal activities visitors often choose to enjoy in this area.

There is a Thai joke saying that there are 3 seasons in Thailand: hot, hotter and hottest. Normally, most Thailand travel guides would say that the most recommended season to come to Thailand is during November to February as it is the least hot period, yet, the sun still shines beautifully. March to May is considered too hot as it is the hottest period, which could be less tolerable for visitors especially westerners. And as the rain would then arrive during June to October, it is considered as too wet in the monsoon season of Thailand. However, this Best Thailand Travel Guide would choose to also recommend travelers to consider this wet season because this would be less crowded time to visit many attractions such as well-known beaches, ancient cities or temples. The best thing is that during this time with occasional rains, travelers can pay for much less for air fares and accommodations. Well-known hotels can reduce their rates up to 50-60% so that visitors can enjoy superior facilities at minimal expenses.

Thailand Travel - December Events

2010-06-24T23:15:00.001+07:00

December is a great time to take a trip to Thailand as the area is packed full of celebrations, festivities, and holiday traditions. Over eleven million people travel to this great country each year, and December is one of the busiest months for tourism.

The Ayutthaya World Heritage and Red Cross Fair takes place in Mid December at the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Histirical Park. There are exhibits, booths, a showcase of Buddhist art open to tourists, and a food fair. This is for sure a great family event that the whole gang will enjoy.

Late December is the Star Of David festival that celebrates Christmas, the holidays, and even Santa! There are beautiful light displays, religious displays, and a parade. See religious statues and set ups like you won't believe. This area has some of the prettiest holiday decorations you will ever see.

The 7th annual Chantaburi World Gem Show will take place this month. See stunning gems and one of a kind jewelry creations. Brag to your friends about all the great treasures you will see on display.

December 5th will be the celebration of the King's birthday, his majesty will be turning 83! There will be a fun ceremony followed by a festival of music. Expect a big turnout for this event.

The Laguna Phuket Triathlon takes place in December. This is an "iron man" competition with contestants from all around the world. Watch the competition as the competitors swim, cycle, and run a marathon.

One of the most popular celebrations of the year is Thailand's New Year Countdown. There are celebrations is almost every area, but Bangkok goes all out. If you attend one of these celebrations you can expect classical dance performances, folk songs from the many provinces, and musical concerts. It's a sight to see and everyone enjoys themselves.

The great country of Thailand has amazing white beaches, blue clear water, and lush tropical rainforest. If you are one of the many tourists who visits this year, don't forget to turn out to one of the many parties, gatherings, and festivals. The people are friendly, and there are many free and low cost things to do.

Real Estate Property Investment Series: Focus Thailand 2007

2010-06-23T20:15:00.001+07:00

There is no denying the appeal of Thailand - from a travel and tourism perspective, from a retiree perspective and theoretically from a property investor's perspective. The country is under priced, it is stunningly beautiful, it has increasing numbers of visitors annually and slowly but surely it is building up an international retiree community...however, a great deal of the nation's investment appeal has been taken away from the market for a number of reasons.

Firstly the government does not want short term speculation in any of its investment markets and this includes the property market. As a result there are very strict restrictions in place preventing an investor from owning land in Thailand for example or from owning over 49% of any particular development. There are of course ways around this restriction such as the use of a well structured Thailand special purpose company (or SPV) but for smaller or one time only investors the fact that you have to enter into legal contracts over and above those to buy property limits and reduces the appeal of Thailand property as an investment commodity. Furthermore, the knowledge that you're investing in a country where the government is not too happy for investors to derive a good income or strong profits makes investors wary of commitment in case policies change in the future and make it harder for them to take their investment gains out of the country.

Secondly the Thai economy, just like many in Asia, is currently directly affected by the Chinese manipulation of their currency - and in a bid to remain competitive Thailand has recently had to exact incredibly strict controls on inward investment to prevent their currency from rising. This has of course helped Thai exporters - as was the desire of the government - but it has not helped the appeal of Thailand as a good location in which to invest. While the property industry is not affected by the new measures it has sent a shockwave through the international investment community who are concerned about what could happen next.

So - why are we even discussing property investment in Thailand I hear you ask!

Well, because there is just SO much appeal in Thailand.

Firstly, as previously stated there is demand for property in Thailand from many sectors and this demand is actually increasing. On the one hand there is residential demand in the main employment centres in terms of rental and resale property, there is massive tourism demand for accommodation across the nation and this is increasing annually, there is even huge commercial demand for property and because in recent history the levels of investment in Thailand have been relatively low there is actually an undersupply in many quarters representing instant investment appeal.

Add to this the fact that the real estate industry in Thailand is now actively taking it upon itself to promote the delights and opportunities available in Thailand and lobby the government for amendments to rules affecting investors and you could quite possibly have reached a perfect time to enter the market in Thailand with very carefully researched purchases that you are willing to hold for the long term.

There are definite and definable risks and rewards for a property investor in Thailand. It's just up to the individual to decide which outweighs the other and make their decisions accordingly. Ultimately there is much to be gained from property in Thailand over the long term but investors should be aware that this is not a market for short term focus nor is it a market for amateurs.

People in Thailand

2010-06-22T19:30:00.001+07:00

The modern Nation of Thailand is a multicultural society. The predominant Thai culture, identity and civilization emerged as a by product of the interaction of the indigenous population with Tai and other immigrant peoples [ including Chinese and Indian ]. When people call themselves '' Thai '' they mean they are in the political sense, subjects of the Thailand nation. If explored further the word has a cultural and, for many, a linguistic sense. However not all Thailand citizens speak Thai and of those who do so it is a second language for them. This Thai identity in its present form is relatively recent.

The first inhabitants are described in the Prehistory link. After prehistoric times there were the Mon, the Khmer and other Austro-Asiatic tribes such as the Lawa, H' tin, etc. Their defining moments are up until 1300 and the arrival of the Tai tribes. The Khmer who established the Kingdom of Chenla and Angkor are described in East Thailand People although Khmer influence was significant elsewhere as well.

The Austro-Asiatic speakers including the Mon are considered in North Thailand People and Central Thailand People regions. The Mon had separate kingdoms in each region. The other Austro-Asiatic speaking tribes are considered but these were less significant. In North Thailand People we describe the smaller groups of Austro-Asiatic speakers such as the Lawa, H' tin and other hunters and gathers of that region.

The Tai tribes [of which we identify 30 groups] are considered in the regions of Central Thailand, North Thailand, South or Southern Thailand and North East Thailand. These regions are relevant in that ethnic diversity is also varied through out the regions of Thailand. Modern Thailand is a modern political Nation now comprising what were historically numerous ethnic cultures and Kingdoms. The ethnic characteristics, belief systems, languages and lifestyles of each of all the tribes are compared also within these links. As between the Tai tribes the points of comparison are language and script, culture and art and architecture style. As between all the other ethnic tribes the points of comparison are language groups, monogamous and polygamous cultures, animist and non animist beliefs, ancestor worship or not, indic script or Khmer based text, highland dwellers [dry rice farmers] or lowland farmers [wet rice farmers], heirarchical and non hierarchical societies, spirit beliefs and religion [Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Taoist, animist, etc].

Ban Bo Luang of Thailand

2010-06-21T18:45:00.001+07:00

Ban Bo Luang is a village in Bo Klue District in Nan Province in northern Thailand. For centuries now the people of Ban Bo Luang have been producing salt from the brine they have been collected from two wells in the mountains, which are situated some 1,900 meters above sea level.

The people of Ban Bo Luang still make salt the good old way. They boil the brine until it crystallizes and then they dry the crystals in bamboo baskets on boiling pans. The salt that is produced using the age-old method is pure, clean and perfect for consumption. Even iodine is added to the salt before it is packaged. The wells are truly unique. Although some years the brine is less, the wells never dry up.

In Ban Bo Luang, there are 20 families involved in producing salt. All the families have access to the brine without any problems and they produce salt and sell it to customers all over the country.

According to legends, the salt was first discovered in Nan when a hunter accidently finds reserves while chasing wild animals. Later, Chao Luang Phu Kha, the first king of Nan, came to know about the salt reserves so he dispatched his aide Chao Bo Luang to check out the area. The aide returned with affirmative answer and then the king decided to develop the area into a village. People from Chiang Saen were requested to move to Ban Bo Luang and this led to the digging of the two wells, which we see even today.

Every year in February, the people of Bo Klue hold a three day ceremony to pay respect to Chao Bo Luang, who is considered to be the guardian spirit of the district.

Tat Hueang Waterfall of Thailand

2010-06-20T18:30:00.001+07:00

Loei is around 520 kilometers from Bangkok offering some of the most spectacular spots for tourists to enjoy. Although the province is located in the northeast, it has many things common with the northern region of Thailand, including its high hills and mountains which are home to many waterfalls. One such waterfall that is worth visiting in Loei is Tat Hueang Waterfall.

Tat Hueang Waterfall, also known as Thai-Lao Waterfall, is fed by Hueang River and this means that you can see it right around the year. The Hueang River marks the boundary between Thailand and its neighbor, Laos, and the waterfall is jointly owned by the two countries. In fact, Tat Hueang Waterfall marks the border between Thailand and Laos.

The waterfall is definitely breathtaking and impressive. It plunges 30 meters down and is approximately 40 meters wide. It is set amid thick verdant forest so getting there can take a little effort but you will find that the time and effort it takes to get to the waterfall is definitely worth it. The view and noise of the water pounding to the lower realms is truly amazing and incredible.

In order to get to Tat Hueang Waterfall, you need to travel around 7 kilometers on the Na Haeo-Rom Klao Road and then another 10 kilometers on the way to Bo Mueang Noi

Once you reach the waterfall, there are things that will keep you busy. You can decide whether you want to trek, sit down and relax, have a picnic or go for a delightful and fun-filled swim.

Deep Fried Critters in Thailand

2010-06-19T18:15:00.001+07:00

Southeast Asia is definitely a location where you can experience a different way of life. This includes some of the things you can find to eat on the streets of the cities.

There is a certain aspect to being a tourist that can make you wonder a bit. The issue is whether some of the things you experience are things the locals really do or just something setup to see how gullible tourists are. In Southeast Asia, this often centers on the food being eaten.

You've probably watched a few travel shows or perhaps Bizarre Foods that have centered on Asia. The show will focus on the daily meals of locals, but also bring in the oddity that seems primarily to be tailored to the tourist crowd. You know - fried cow testicles, eyes and what have you. The Thailand version of the mystery meal is found with the odd deep friend critters you find in kiosks on the road.

Let's start with the basics. Can you really buy fried spiders and other bugs on the side of the road? Yes, you can. The stranger the food stuff, the more likely it is to be found crisped up on a stick. The food ranges from big spiders to crickets to roaches to...well, anything you can stick on the pointy end of the stick.

The eating process is also fairly uniform. The kiosks tend to be in locations where tourists congregate. More pointedly, the locations are ones where tourists tend to congregate to consume adult beverages. You don't see fried spider kiosks outside the local museum, but they can always be found outside of the bars. This should tell you a lot.

So, what does fried spider taste like? It tastes like fried cricket, roach and so on. The basic cooking approach seems to be to fry the insect until it is extremely overdone. There is no taste other than the oil. This should also be another clue as to whether locals eat these things.

Having spent many months in Thailand, I can tell you that locals will occasionally eat the odd cooked insect. That being said, it is very rare. The fried critters you find on the side of the road outside of adult beverage establishments tend to be tailored for the tourists. This tends to be true around the world, so it shouldn't be a surprise that the same goes for Thailand.

If you feel like trying a deep fried spider in Thailand, have at it. Just don't assume the locals munch on them every night!

Christmas Holidays and Vacation Tips

2010-06-18T17:00:00.001+07:00

Short days and long cold nights, Christmas is on its way. If you are willing to escape the cold UK Christmas and spend this vacation in some Far East countries, under sun and enjoying Christmas to its fullest, here are the two best options.

Thailand:

Thailand is attracting most number of tourists and visitors in Far East Asia. Spending Christmas holidays in Thailand means exploring and enjoying mesmerizing landscapes along with colorful and rich culture. Thailand has a lot to offer every tourist visiting during Christmas.

Thailand is highlighted with stunning monument, exotic beaches and nature's fresh beauty attracting a lot of tourists throughout the year.

Suitable for all tourists ranging from those who are looking for a budget Christmas vacation to those who are looking for a luxury holiday.

Thai people lead a very traditional, contemporary style of living. During Christmas, the climate here is dry and clear with no signs of shower or humidity. Thus a very ideal climatic condition for enjoying a great Christmas with photography.

If you want to see elephants playing soccer, you must visit Thailand a little before Christmas. This traditional festival of Thai is known as Elephant Roundup and is worth viewing.

Christmas in Thailand has a wide array of activities to offer such as trekking, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, sailing, wind surfing, sea canoeing and parasailing as well.

Thailand Christmas cuisines include a very tempting and inviting range of cuisines enhanced with various flavors of spices and herbs. You can try a variety of chicken, beef, and pork, along with salads, noodles and vegetables on a base of fried rice or boiled rice.

Singapore:

Singapore is a perfect, pleasant and idyllic spot for spending this Christmas. The Lion City has a very unique combination of cultures thus making your vacations more exotic.

While visiting Singapore, You must visit China town, Marina Bay, Little India and Sentosa Island. Little India is an Indian market place with small shops selling some Indian goods at a very cheaper rate. Sentosa Island has ten most popular attractions including the most famous dolphin lagoon. This island also has three beaches named as Palwan beach, Siloso beach and Tanjong beach

You can witness a spectacular view of dazzling fairy and pipe lights along every street of the city. But you can experience the best sight along the Orchard road. Orchard road has the largest concentration of elegant and posh shopping malls, hotels and eateries.

Christmas in Singapore is celebrated with a great enthusiasm and the main attraction during Christmas is the gala events that are held. Such events usually include countdown parties, dancing, live performances and various shopping promotions and treats.

You can also be part of the colorful and vibrant parade of decorated lighted floats. You can also enjoy shopping in Singapore's most famous Orchard road and Marina Bay.

If you are interested in learning about ancient civilization, then Singapore has something for you too. It has renowned art galleries and famous museums. To name a few are The Asian Civilization museums and Royal Selangar Pewter Museum. Both the museums display various cultural and archaeological Chinese treasures.

Visiting these destinations will be wonderful Christmas gift for you and your family.

Thailand - The Land of Smiles and Cheap Travel

2010-06-17T08:23:00.001+07:00

Thailand is known as the land of smiles, which is amazing considering the traffic jams in Bangkok. For budget travelers, Thailand simply can't beat on price alone.

Thailand

Thailand is an odd mix of contrasts. It can be extremely stressful while trying to get around in Bangkok and gloriously relaxing while laying on practically any of the beaches that populate the coast of the country. Regardless of the situation, the Thais have a habit and custom or smiling regardless of what you ask or how you ask it.

Beaches

The beaches of Thailand need no introduction. Used as the setting for hundreds of movies, they come in a variety of styles. The beaches of Phuket and Phi Phi fall along the lines of traditional beach resort areas like you might find in a place such as Cancun, Mexico or Tamarindo, Costa Rica. On the other end of the scale, you can find more rustic beach areas in places like the island of Ko Chang where you'll have a few beach bungalows, a couple of bars and one or two stores. If you're looking for a little of both styles, just ask around.

Da North

Infatuated with the beach life, many people fail to head up country when in Thailand. This is a mistake as the north is the host to such locations as the city of Chang Mai, the Summer Palace of the King of Thailand and interesting little villages. For the outdoor enthusiasts, rafting, hiking and mountain biking are very popular and widely available.

Prices

If you're on a budget, Thailand is a perfect travel destination. For some reason, flights to Thailand are particularly cheap with my recent flight on Korean Airlines running roughly $650 round trip. Once in country, your money will go a long, long way.

I think a note of caution is need at this point. Please beware. If you decide to take a trip to Thailand, you won't want to come back to your native country. You will, however, definitely come back to Thailand!

Thailand Vacation

2010-06-16T07:00:00.001+07:00

If you are planning your vacation, you want to consider Thailand. Thailand has become one of the most loved travel destinations in the world. It has many types of landscape on offer. The mountainous regions of the north, the plains in the central, eastern and northeast area, and with southern Thailand offer some of the most attractive beaches and islands on the planet. Thailand's infrastructure is one of the most modern in the region. Transport, banking, and telecommunications are all excellent and it makes Thailand's remotest regions convenient and easy to visit. Thailand's nightlife is legendary and a major attraction for visitors and its restaurants and bars help complete an irresistible package with some of the best cuisine and entertainment available. The numerous galleries and museums housing treasures of bygone ages offer visitors a genuine visual delight.

Thailand's climate is tropical, high in temperature and humidity, and dominated by monsoons. April and May are the hottest months. June sees the beginning of the South West Monsoon, which continues intermittently until the end of October. From November to the end of February the climate is better, with a cooling North East breeze and a reduction in the humidity level. This is also the main tourist season, and the best time to visit Thailand. The north and north-east are generally cooler than Bangkok in winter, and hotter in summer. Annual rainfall is about 1520 mm in the northern, western, and central regions, about 2540 mm or more on the Thai portion of the Malay Peninsula, and about 1270 mm or less on the Khorat Plateau.

Thailand Company Registration - How Does it Benefit a Would Be Expatriate?

2010-06-15T01:46:00.001+07:00

Those seeking information about going into business in Thailand can be confused and frustrated by the seemingly contradictory information on the subject. This brief article is meant to act as a primer for those thinking of starting a Thai company as well as living and working in the Kingdom of Thailand.

There are a lot of critical matters that are involved in maintaining an expatriate life in Thailand. A Thailand visa as well as a Thailand work permit are two critical concerns for those wishing to remain n the Kingdom of Thailand on a long term basis. Regrettably, visas and work permits that are promulgated by employers can be taken back should the employment be terminated. This could be a major issue for people who would like to seek out different employment in Thailand. When Thai Immigration issues a Thai visa extension based upon the existence of a Thai work permit, then the visa will expire 7 days after the work permit is canceled, regardless of the remaining validity of the visa. Therefore, if a visa and work permit are "tied together," and one's employment comes to an abrupt end, then the loss of employment could mean being forced to leave the country (for a length of time long enough to secure another visa).

This is why a Thai Company can be a boon to foreigners staying in the Kingdom of Thailand. A foreigner in control of a Thai limited company can essentially control his or her Thai visa and work permit. In a way, the foreigner is self employed. This is a particularly popular method of maintaining lawful status in the Kingdom for those who work in the service industry. For example, a computer programmer working in Thailand could set up a Thai company and have other employers utilize his services as a subcontractor. The employer would pay the company and the company would pay him a salary. Significantly, if this employment comes to an end, then the programmer would not automatically lose his or her work permit and long term visa status, but would simply lose the incoming revenue. As a result, that person could go search for employment elsewhere while still maintaining a valid work permit and visa.

Taxes can be an issue if this type of endeavor is undertaken as the taxes of a company must be kept up to date on a yearly basis. Further, in the case of the Thai Value Added Tax, it may be wise to be certain that these taxes are paid on a monthly basis. There are also employee requirements in order for a visa extension to be issued, but a work permit could be maintained without meeting this requirement if the foreigner maintains a long term multiple entry Thai visa. Although, obtaining advice from a professional in the legal field might be beneficial before following through with this course of action.

Health Tourism in Thailand

2010-06-14T01:00:00.001+07:00

Private healthcare in the West is notoriously expensive, for some, prohibitively so. Commonplace medical items like dentistry or health check ups are high-priced, while surgery and major operations can completely bankrupt many individuals. Thus, the rapidly-growing practice of traveling across international borders to obtain healthcare.

Many have found their solutions in Thailand, spurring a trend in "health tourism" within the country. Why Thailand? Because the Thai medical profession is one of the most advanced in the region. Thailand's hospitals and clinics are world class. Investments in equipment and management standards are so high that major hospitals are "internationally accredited".

The following are some "ball park" cost comparisons. The cost of surgery can be one-tenth of what it is in the United States or Western Europe, and sometimes even less. A heart-valve replacement that would cost $200,000 or more in the US, for example, goes for $10,000 and that includes round-trip airfare and a brief vacation package. Similarly, a metal-free dental bridge worth $5,500 in the US costs around $500. A knee replacement in Thailand with six days of physical therapy costs about one-fifth of what it would in the US. Lasik eye surgery worth $3,700 in the US is available for around $730. In the US cataract surgery for one eye runs around $8,000, but at a prestigious International hospital in Thailand cataract surgery can be performed on both eyes for around $2,500. Cosmetic surgery savings are even greater: A full facelift that would cost $20,000 in the US runs about $1,200. A thorough dental cleaning and checkup runs around $10.00.

Tourists are drawn to Thailand for many reasons - tropical beauty, splendid beaches, and a fascinating culture. Now however, health is yet another reason that lures visitors to the kingdom. Thailand has become the spa capital of Asia. The country abounds in health clubs and spas, and offers an incredible amount of sporting activities, everything from golfing to scuba diving, and from biking to cave exploring.

Thai Airlines features what is known as Royal Orchid Holidays. Medical checkups, has become so important, Royal Orchid Holidays has added medical checkups to its package tours. It's an unusual theme for a package tour, perhaps, but a very practical one, giving travelers the opportunity to have a comprehensive medical checkup while they are in Thailand for business or pleasure. Quality healthcare combined with a tourism holiday at a low price attracts patients from all over the world.

On the medical side, an Internet search of the International hospitals in Bangkok will provide all the information necessary regarding medical procedures available and the related costs. While the list is long, to start, your search should include the popular Bumrungrad Hospital, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej Hospital, and Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital. They are all internationally accredited hospitals.

On the tourism side, Thailand is known as The Land of Smiles. It is often referred to as the most exotic country in Southeast Asia. In Bangkok a visit to the Grand Palace is a must see. Trips to a floating market or to the Bridge on the River Kwai, or other popular destinations, are easily arranged and inexpensive, even with a personal driver. A short flight or overnight train trip and you can be enjoying the pristine beaches in the Southern Islands or the Northern mountains with its waterfalls, elephants bathing in mountain streams, and Hill Tribe villages.

Consider Health Tourism in Thailand. You will readily see that you can have a medical procedure, and a wonderful holiday, all at less cost that you would have paid for the medical procedure alone in the West.

How to Stay Safe During a Vacation

2010-06-12T19:23:00.001+07:00

When it is time to head off on vacation, you are probably so excited you may fail to think about precautions. You might get caught up in the fun and the hustle and bustle of getting to your destination, and it could result in putting yourself in dangerous situations. There is also a tendency to do things while traveling that you would not have the nerve to do while at home. Even if is not normally considered dangerous activities, it may result in poor judgment and suddenly you are faced with a bunch of problems you would have never imagined before hopping on the plane. Once you have arrived at your destination, there are still a number of things that can happen that may endanger your safety. People may drink more than usual while on vacation and their alcohol consumption could cloud their judgment. They may speak with strangers without even realizing they should be as cautious while away as they are when they are home. In other cases, people make such poor decisions they find themselves in need of a Criminal Defense Attorney or a Criminal Defense Lawyer. There is something about Sin City that brings out the animal in a lot of people and while they may be the most meager, law abiding citizen while in their hometown, they may make crazy decisions while partying on the strip. There are a few things to consider while vacationing that will ensure staying out of trouble for you and those people around you. In order to have a trouble free and fun trip that is full of great memories, use a little caution and plan ahead.

Getting lost while you are traveling is common. You are in unfamiliar surroundings and you probably want to see as much as possible. These two factors combine to get more than one out-of-towner lost while traveling. Even with a great map, you can still miss a turn or be forced to deal with construction, and suddenly you are cruising around the worst part of town. If you are planning a driving vacation, it may be a good idea to invest in a GPS system. If you have flown to your destination and you are renting a car, these are often available for a small fee. These systems allow you to program your destination and follow the step by step driving instructions it provides while you make your turns.

Another precaution to consider while traveling is to choose a trustworthy travel companion. Family vacations will involve you, a spouse, siblings, kids, and maybe several other people. As long as you all stay together, there is a good chance you will be protected. However, if you are thinking about traveling alone, you may want to drag along a travel companion. This ensures the two of you can look out for one another and enjoy the trip together. Taking the necessary precautions while traveling to a new destination is one of the most important things you can do. Enjoy your vacation and have a safe, fun time.

Mouth-Watering Thai Desserts

2010-06-11T19:00:00.001+07:00

Thai cuisine is famous for its intriguing delicacy and spiciness. However, Thai desserts have been overlooked. The three Thai desserts famous outside of Thailand are mango with sticky rice, deep-fried bananas and coconut ice cream. There is a broad tradition of desserts in Thailand over the centuries which offers many ideas and choices.

Thai desserts have long been with the Thai people, certainly back to the Sukhothai period (1238-1350). Thais had long traded with China and India, which helped in exchanging cultures and traditions as well, including food. In the Ayuthaya period (1350-1767), Thais started trading with Western countries. The Portuguese were the first westerners to introduce the use of eggs and the oven. Thai desserts like Thong Yip (Pinched Gold), Thong Yod (Drop of Gold) and Foi Thong (Golden Threads) originate from Portugal, not Thailand as most people would guess, including Thais.

Thai desserts are renowned for intricacy and elaborateness, their organization, and the punctilious and patient care with which they are created. Characteristic of Thai desserts is not only a range of sweetness, but also other elements such as a good fragrance, achieved starting delicately and exquisitely from the ingredient preparation to the final product. There are many methods to make Thai desserts, varying from steaming, baking, boiling, or deep frying, to complex processes like cooking egg yolks in syrup. The main ingredients for most Thai desserts include coconut milk, sugar, flour, eggs, salt, food coloring and fragrance.

To make high quality Thai desserts, fresh coconut is a must. Back in the old days, only fresh coconut was used in making Thai desserts. And at present, to make coconut milk, finely grated coconut meat is still steeped in warm water, not hot water. It is then squeezed until dry. The white fluid from the first press is called "Hua Ka Ti". Warm water is then added again to make the second and third pressed coconut milk, which is called "Hang Ka Ti." Finely grated coconut meat is generally used about 3 times and then discarded. Freshly pressed coconut milk has a better taste and aroma than commercial coconut milk in a can. However, with a fast pace of life, or the focus more on other elements of life, it becomes more common for a family to use commercial coconut milk.

Sugar is one of the main ingredients in Thai desserts. The two common sugars used in Thai desserts are Coconut Palm Sugar and Palm Sugar. Coconut palm sugar is made from coconut palm, whereas palm sugar is made from the sap of the sugar palm or palmyra palm, called Taan in Thai. Palm sugar is often used interchangeably with coconut palm sugar but they are different in many ways. For instance, palm sugar is dryer and more solid than coconut palm sugar. It is also more expensive than coconut palm sugar. In some dessert recipes, coconut palm sugar is often replaced with palm sugar. The replacement may lend the same general look to the dessert but the dessert will be different in taste and aroma.

Thai desserts are well known for their intriguing light tones. Generally the colors used to attract people are made from natural flowers or plants. The following are examples of the most common color sources used in Thai desserts:

Pandanus leaf (Bai Toey): giving a dark green color;
Spathe of coconut or palmyra palm leaf (Kab Ma Prao or Bai Taan) : giving a black color;
Turmeric (Kha Min): giving a yellow color;
Flower of Chitoria Tematea Linn (Dok Un Chun): giving a blue color (adding lime juice will give a purple color);
Flower of Aeginetia Pedunculata (Dok Din): giving a black color (but the flower is actually a dark purple color);
Saffron (Yah Fa Rang): giving a yellow-orangish color;
Roselle (Kra Jiab): giving a dark red (maroon-like) color;
Lac (Krang): giving a red color;

Fragrance is another unique characteristic of Thai desserts. There are many ways of making good aromas with Thai desserts but the most common ones are using jasmine flowers (Dok Ma Li), rosa damascene (Dok Ku Laab Mon - roses family), cananga odorata flowers (Dok Kra Dang Nga) as well as fragrant incense candles (Tien Ob). Since the old days, Thais love using jasmine water in desserts because of its aroma. Thais would pick jasmine flowers around 6pm and gently rinse with water so that the flowers do not get bruised. The jasmine flowers (Dok Ma Li) are then soaked in water with a closed lid, and left until around 6am-7am the next morning. The resulting scented water is then used to make the dessert. Keeping the jasmine flowers for more than 12 hours will start to bruise the flowers and the water will not have a good aroma. Rosa damascene (Dok Ku Laab Mon) is used in a different way. Thais only use the pedals. Each pedal is torn into 2 or 3 pieces and then placed in a closed container that has a dessert in it for a certain period of time, usually overnight. For cananga odorata flowers (Dok Kra Dang Nga), Thais first burn them with a fragrant incense candle, and then place only the pedals in a closed container that holds the dessert. For some desserts, burning fragrant incense candles next to desserts in closed containers will be enough to give the desserts an intricate aroma.

What are the common desserts that Thais eat? Thais loves desserts (called Khanom in Thai). The well known dessert is Mango with Sticky Rice, but it is a seasonal dessert, around April to June. Deep-fried banana fritters (Gluay Tod in Thai) or bananas in coconut milk (Gluay Buat Chee) are also well known desserts in Thai restaurants in the U.S. In Thailand, there are all kinds of desserts, both non-seasonal and seasonal, from deep-fried to steamed. Some of the most common Thai desserts include the egg-yolk desserts; Thong Yip (Pinched Gold), Thong Yod (Drop of Gold) and Foi Thong (Golden Threads). Thong simply means Gold. The color of these three desserts is a yellow-like golden color from the egg yolk, and is used to signify prosperity and auspiciousness. These "three musketeers" desserts are often used in wedding ceremonies or commemoration of a new house as well.

Khanom Chan or layered dessert is another common dessert. The name of the dessert comes from the fact that it has 9 layers with color variations. The dessert uses only 2 colors: white and a light tone of a color like green or purple. White is used in every other layer. This dessert is also used in important ceremonies like weddings or the grand opening of a new business. Thais believe the number "nine" is an auspicious number which represents progress and advancement.

One of my favorite desserts is Luk Choob. Made from mung dal beans, this dessert is a collection of miniature replicas of fruits and vegetables. The fruits and vegetables are colorful and glossy, artistically carved, and styled with vegetable dyes and glazed in the gelatin-like agaragar. Bua Loy Benjarong is another interesting dessert. Bua Loy Benjarong is gluten balls in coconut milk, a dish that has been with Thailand for over 200 years. The little balls, the size of the tip of the pinky, are made from sticky rice flour mixed with natural colors. Benjarong refers to 5 natural colors: green (from pandanus leaf), purple (from taro and Chitoria Tematea Linn flower), yellow (from pumpkin), blue (from Chitoria Tematea Linn flower) and white (from jasmine water).

Additionally, tapioca and black beans in coconut milk (Sakoo Tao Dum), coconut custard in a hollowed pumpkin (Sangkhaya Fak Thong), grilled coconut cakes (Paeng Jee), mung dal beans and lotus seeds with coconut topping (Tao Suan Med Bua) are desserts, to name a few, that are common in Thailand.

Thai desserts have always been a part of Thai culture. They reflect caring, patience and an enjoyable way of life. Unfortunately, as time passes, some of the traditions and beliefs are being forgotten in Thai society, although most kinds of desserts still exist. Their tempting and satisfying tastes leave a lasting impression - which is in turn an integral part of why Thai desserts have not been lost with time.

Facts About Thailand

2010-06-10T18:46:00.001+07:00

The Kingdom of Thailand is spread across 513,115 square kilometers. It is equal to the size of France and a little smaller than Texas. The capital of Thailand is Bangkok. Other cities of Thailand are Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai and Muang.

Population of Thailand is more than 63 million. Most Thais are Buddhist while there are also Muslims, Hindus and Christians but are in the minority. The language of Thailand is Thai. However, English is spoken in isolated pockets.

Thailand has rich soil conducive for agriculture and most people in the rural areas make their living by cultivating rice in the central, northern and north-eastern part of Thailand. The climate of Thailand is tropical. However, Thailand is developing and industrialization is taking place resulting in a lot of people migrating from rural areas to cities.

The Thai language is similar to Tai, the language spoken by the people who live in Southern China. This has led to a belief that the Thai originally came from southern China before migrating to South East Asia in the 6th or 7th century. Until 1938, Thailand was called Siam. It has a very close relationship with United Kingdom which signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1938 with Thailand and ended up being the first time that this country was recognized by a western power.

Japanese occupied Thailand during World War II. In 1945, after the Japanese were defeated, Thailand started having close relationship with the United States, which helped the communist regime to come to power.

Economy of Thailand is based on exports. Rice is the major cash crop and it is exported to many countries around the world. Fishery and other affiliated products are a major industry and along with rubber, corn and sugar it forms a large part of the export market.

Money Number One in Thailand

2010-06-09T11:23:00.001+07:00

If ever "money number one" was set in time as a national catch cry, it would have to be in Thailand where the phrase "money number one" is used countless times daily by many of the Thai people in dealing with the thousands of foreign tourists they regularly encounter.

Neil Hutchinson, an Aussie expat living in Pattaya has been instrumental in writing a series of books around the money number one catch cry, which have become extremely popular best sellers in recent years...

The first of the books actually entitled "Money Number One", was first penned some years ago and has been updated several times to suit the ever changing influx of emotionally and sexually starved hordes of single men who have made places like Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Sumui, Chiang Mai and of course Bangkok among others, a regular "watering hole" over the past 50 years or so.

While the Money Number One Books including his other titles such as "A Fool in Paradise", "The Fool is Back" and "A Fools Diary" are written somewhat tongue in cheek, they epitomize the humor in the sometimes ridiculous and other times tragic relationships which spring up between the local inhabitants and the dyed in the wool westerners who attempt to introduce western cultural ways and ethics into a society based on thousands of years of immense cultural difference where money number one has been a way of life long before the modern western man set foot in the beautiful country known as Thailand.

Mainly set in the seaside resort city of Pattaya situated on the eastern seaboard of The Gulf Of Siam in Southern Thailand, the stories contained within the Money Number One book series and their corresponding sequels and additions, vary in length and subject but are all for the most part based from true instances and events gathered over the years by Neil's own personal experiences and those of others either relayed to Neil or told in person in one of the many bars and haunts he frequents in order to carry out his somewhat clandestine research.

Dubbed by many as "The Single Man's Survival Guide to Pattaya" and "The Pattaya Bible" the Money Number One series are a recommended read by thousands of experienced Thailand visitors both male and female when advising potential new visitors about the who, what, where and whys of Thailand long before the bags are packed to go, and indeed long after they have been unpacked on their return home.

Although the Money Number One books are available in paper back from the shelves of many of Thailand's reputable book stores, they can sometimes be a little late to procure in order to learn the valuable lessons contained within them after arriving in Thailand and are now available for instant download in PDF format.

Essential Tips to Buying a Home in Thailand Part 2

2010-06-08T11:00:00.001+07:00

The best lesson I learned about buying a home in Thailand is that it really pays big time to think through exactly what you're doing before you go do it. This may sound common sense, but believe me, it's easy to get big headed about spending a lot of money in Thailand - especially when you have a substantial income from a western country!

It's easy to get ambitious when your dollar is worth many times the Thai baht! Overnight you're a millionaire (in Thailand at least), and you can build a huge home with no expenses spared, using all the best materials money can buy. But wait a second - before you go do it, here's a few things to keep in mind...

The first thing is that you should be careful about over-spending, and keep to some sort of budget. Sometimes materials and prices of things (builders, carpenters, wall tiles, cement and furnishings for example) can fluctuate wildly. One day you're paying $300 for those beautiful doors, and tomorrow you're charged $700 for the same thing. Ouch. You ordered, they delivered.

The other thing that can catch you out is falling into the trap of impressing everyone around you with your wealth, and beautiful new home. Sometimes it's better to stick to the budget, and just build your home to lockup stage - and do the interior essentials (like painting and furniture buying, and that essential hot tub) down the track a little, or at a later date.

Ultimately it's better to get the home completed (albeit in a simple style), so at least you can move in and start living the great Thai life, rather than stressing out over building and material costs because you blew out your budget. The point is to crunch your numbers carefully. Don't be tempted by the emotional 'got to have the best home in the street' side of things and you'll do well with your new Thai home!

Buying Land in Thailand

2010-06-07T10:23:00.001+07:00

After a wonderful vacation from amazing Thailand, you are so elated by its astounding beaches, beautiful people, and culinary delights that you decided to buy a piece of it and call it your own little place in tropical paradise. You excitedly turned on your computer, keyed in Buying Land in Thailand and pressed enter. Thousands upon thousands of entries beckon you for that miraculous "click". BUT, before you get carried away, do you have sufficient information about property acquisition in Thailand? Are you well protected from the common Thai property problems prevalent in this country?

For the past two decades or so, Thailand has seen an influx of foreigners spending their hard earned monies to acquire property in this land of beauty. Unfortunately, those acting in ignorance of Thai laws helplessly witnessed their monies go down the drain of non-recoup. Now, with reason restored, you wonder: Are Foreigners allowed to own land in Thailand? Generally, foreigners are not allowed to directly purchase land in Thailand. Simply put, Thai laws prohibit foreigners from owning land in their own name, although theoretically there is an exception but it is yet to be seen in practice.

This notwithstanding, there are alternatives available to foreigners for successful land acquisition. The most common option is to set up your own Thai Limited Company to own the land on your behalf. Another option is to enter into a long term leasehold with the Land owner. It is a commonly unknown fact that although a foreigner cannot own land in Thailand, he can own the house or structure built thereon. One only has to apply for a construction permit to build the house in his own name.

The next step is to get well acquainted with the process of buying real estate in Thailand. It is also important to understand the different types of Thai title deeds in order to determine the extent of the owner's rights over the land you are interested in. Also, it is advisable to know the cost of transfer and Thailand property taxes in advance. Use the property transfer calculator to determine the over-all purchase cost.

Most importantly, use the Thai legal services for property acquisition of registered and reputable lawyers in Thailand to protect your interests and ensure that your own tropical paradise will soon become a reality.

Best Breast Enhancement Product to Make Your Breasts Bigger and Firmer Naturally

2010-06-06T10:00:00.001+07:00

Most men women are not really happy with the size of their breasts and would love to them increased somehow or the other. Though surgery is an option not many women consider it due to the extent of risk and pain involved.

Other breast enhancement products include various sort of pills and creams. However, they might contain synthetic hormone which can be quite detrimental for your overall health and well being.

The best breast enhancement product ever created is a bust serum that seems to have taken breast enlargement to an entirely new level.

Not only is is extremely easy to use but is also highly effective in increasing your bust size. A single application every morning can stimulate growth and ensure an increase of up to a cup size within four weeks!

I am sure you wondering, how could it be possible!

There are some herbs that women have been using since hundreds of years to make their breasts bigger and fuller. It is well known that harem girls in the Middle East used to have fenugreek to get more fuller breasts. Other herbs that produce a similar effect include wild yam, saw palmetto, damiana etc.,

However, Pureria Mirifica, is the most effective of all such herbs.

It is cultivated in Thailand and Myanmar and has been used by the local women for hundreds of years to increase their breast size. The tuberous root of this plant is rich in phytoestrogens which makes it extremely effective in breast enhancement.

Mirofirm is an extract of the same plant that is used to formulate such a breast serum which can:

Expand the fat tissues and increase breast size naturally
Firm up your breasts and help you get a noticeable lift within a week of use
Remove wrinkles from the bust area etc.,

Such a serum also contains Vitamin E and this can be great for your skin. It keeps your breasts well moisturized.

What makes it even more credible is that it is a clinically approved and tested product. There are no side effects of this all natural serum.

Besides this, it has no additives or preservatives. Neither does it leave any residue behind so you do not have to worry about getting your clothes spoiled.

No wonder, such a serum has become a huge hit with women who are buying it in large numbers. Though you can notice the effects within a month, it is highly recommended that you use it for at least 5-6 months for best results. And if you do so I am sure life would never be the same again for you!

So, If You Want to Get an Extended Bust Line, Check out the Best Breast Enhancement Product Ever!

Where to Stay in Pattaya Thailand

2010-06-05T08:47:00.001+07:00

Pattaya Thailand is located on the southern coast of Thailand. Just a few hours away from Bangkok by taxi and it is as easily accessible by taxi from Suvarnabhumi airport. The taxi drivers will charge you a flat fee of 1500THB to 2000THB which is roughly $45US to $60US. If you can speak a little bit of Thai than you will have a good chance of bargaining the price down. Taxis can be found at the airport or just flag one down in Bangkok.

There are many reasons why someone would vacation in Pattaya though most stay there as a weekend side trip from the main tourist city of Bangkok . But the main reason why hordes of visitors come to Pattaya is to witness and partake in the raucous nightlife that presents itself like a buffet to ravenous survivors on a deserted island. And there are other reasons to visit Pattaya such as for the close proximity to Pattaya's beaches. Though Pattaya officials are trying to clean up the pollution on their beaches I highly suggest that you take a tour to the outer islands like Ko Lan. Ko Lan is a 45 minute boat ride away and the island is a paradise for swimmers as Pattaya's main beaches might not have ideal conditions suited for snorkeling and scuba diving. But it will certainly do just fine for a bit of splashing around and water sports.

The most popular question asked is when is the best time to visit Pattaya. October to February is ideal because the heat and humidity is bearable. But this also means that you will be paying more for accommodations as those months fall within the high season. So book ahead to get the rooms you want. During the low season you will experience heat and humidity that will certainly make your holiday uncomfortable. Rain will happen in Thailand regardless of the season, but the showers do not last too long.

You will know when you have arrived in the city of Pattaya when you see streets lined with go-go bars, snooker clubs, bars, pubs and clubs. You will certainly know you're there when women pull you this way and that way towards the establishments they work in. It is a sight that you can't miss especially when the neon lights illuminate the sky and the scantily clad women light up the streets. This is certainly no place for kids but it is not an uncommon sight to see Thai children with their parents walking hand in hand gawking at all the tourist. However you will see often western families wandering around the red light districts with parents covering their children's eyes.

The great thing about Pattaya's assortment of accommodation is that you can be decently far away from all the nightlife scenes or you can be exactly right in the middle of all the action. And what ever budget you can afford, there is no doubt you will find an accommodation that is suited to your pocket book and life style. The general rule of thumb is the more secluded the accommodation is the more expensive the rates will be. There are two main stretch of beaches in Pattaya. Pattaya Bay which is the largest and most crowded and Jomtien Beach which offers a little bit of seclusion. So keep this in mind when you choose a hotel in Pattaya whether or not you want to deal with the noise or over crowding.

Now, if you are going to Pattaya only to enjoy and experience the nightlife, then you should stay anywhere near or adjacent to Walking Street. You cannot miss this street because this is the major tourist attraction hub. This seedy street is filled with plenty of outdoor bars, indoor bars, beer bars with Muay Thai matches, disco clubs and a smattering of massage parlors catering to men. Whatever your intentions are of visiting Pattaya you will surely find it on Walking Street. One word of warning though, Walking street can be too noisy and if you don't mind being harassed by Thai transsexuals called lady-boys or drunken tourist then you might want to book your accommodations just a little bit away from there as it can get quite rowdy.

Are you into water sports but don't want to pay big bucks to stay in all inclusive resorts? Kayaks and Jet Skis can be rented on the beach for a very decent price. You can even get an affordable body massage on the beach just a few feet away from the rolling waves. The great thing about vacationing in Pattaya and Thailand overall is that a small budget can go a long way. Beer and food can be had at a very cheap price thanks to the favorable exchange rates.

Pattaya started out as a little fishing village and today it is ending up as a major tourist destination with big name hotels that are standing should to shoulder with mom and pop operations. Rumors of corporate big wigs are trying to move in to spruce up the value of Pattaya. But they will never succeed. Pattaya will always remain one of the best places to party and its unique essence and charm can never be changed.

Some Reasons For Renting a Car While in Kho Samui Thailand

2010-06-04T08:23:00.001+07:00

Koh Samui is a small Island, the many resorts are spread out over this valuable coast line. Samui town itself is the central evening attraction with a host of bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Given that your resort may be miles from the town center and that Samui offers many other attractions such as day spas or healing centers you really do need a hire car. Whilst your resort may have a first class restaurant Samui town offers a wide selection of seafood restaurants all of equal quality, the seafood is displayed on ice in the front of the restaurants to entice you in.

Tip Budget and Thai Rent A Car have depots at the open air tropical airport , both offer first class cars and good insurance cover. Cars can be rented direct from our resort but quality and age will be an issue.

Koh Samui at one time was very cheap and catered mainly to the backpacker that is no longer the case with 5 star hotels in abundance, however some resorts do still cater for the budget traveler. Samui is also popular for the healing or spa type holiday with many first class spa resorts situated along the coastline. They offer all forms of alternative medicine including colon cleansing . If you are on a traditional holiday it is still possible to go along and experience a day of spa treatments.

A rental car is not expensive to run as petrol is cheap in Thailand and parking is free. Do book your car hire in advance with a reputable company to avoid ending up possibly with a car with worn brake pads, no power steering and possibly no or limited insurance cover.

If you decide not to rent a car the you can avail of the local taxi service which comprise of open back pickups with 2 rows of seats ( no seat belts ). These can be flagged down just like a taxi and will bring you back to your resort, do agree a price upfront to save on any misunderstanding, a copy of hotel name card will also help.

Tip : Samui Island is full of local and tourist on motorbikes, do give them the right of way and a wide berth as most will not be wearing safety helmets and some may have been drinking.

Metal Detecting - Where to Hunt?

2010-06-03T04:00:00.001+07:00

Primarily, you will want to search with you metal detector at places where a lot of people have been. And, you will not just want to confine your research to current locations where there are a lot of people. Find out where people congregated in the past.

Here are some suggestions:

Find out where the state fair or carnival has been held for the past 50 years.
Search where the old train station used to be.
If your city is putting in new sidewalks, hunt the torn up area before they lay new concrete.
Search the grassy area between the street and the sidewalk.
With permission, search old farms, churches, houses, and other private property.
Hunt in shallow rivers and creeks.
Detect near the raft or the rope swing at the old swimming hole.
Camp sites - especially if they are used by local boy and girl scouts.
Baseball, football, soccer, and track fields.
Under the bleachers.
Around big, shady trees.
Ghost towns.
Plowed fields.
Parking lots
Old battlefield sites.
Behind baseball backstops and dugouts.
Around picnic tables.
Boat docks and ramps.
Volleyball courts.
Outdoor concert areas.

Remember to check local metal detecting rules and regulations and get permission when hunting on private property. Laws vary from state to state and city to city. You may or may not be allowed to metal detect in public parks or you might have to get a permit. Check before you dig.

Re-fill any plugs or holes you dig and take away any trash you find. Always leave an area in better shape than when you arrived. You want the area to look like you have never been there.

Happy Hunting.

Demystifying Thailand Visa Terminologies

2010-06-02T00:46:00.001+07:00

The use of a Thai Visa application to generally refer to visiting the immigration office or Thai embassy/consulate overseas to obtain, renew or extend an entry permit is a common misnomer among baffled neophyte expats in Thailand. While the difference doesn't really matter to the common Thai visa applicant whose main concern is to successfully obtain his pass, it certainly helps to be familiar with these different terms especially for future reference in relation to the maintenance of your long term visa in Thailand. Moreover, it also facilitates a more efficient communication with your visa agent who may be well-versed with these common terms and may be using it to explain the procedures to you.

Below are the common terminologies that are used in applying for a Thailand Visa:

Thai visa application as the word implies generally refers to obtaining an entry permit from the Thai embassy or consulate abroad. Depending on your circumstances and the type of entry permit being applied for it can also be done inside Thailand. Thai Visa application is the initial procedure prior to Thai visa extension as current entry permits are subject to extensions when needed. For example, the usual retirement visa application procedure starts with a NON O Visa application from the Thai embassy applicant's home country. This is usually a 90-day pass. The same process goes with the Non B application. An initial 90-day B visa is given to the applicant during the application. These initial visas are then extended into one year retirement or one year or another 90 day B visas as long as the requirements are met.

Thai Visa extension, therefore, is carried out to lengthen or extend current entry permits whose validity is due for extension. The extension is granted as long as requirements are met. Extensions are normally done at any immigration office across the kingdom. A 60-day tourist visa for example can be extended for one month at the at the immigration office for a fee of 1900 Baht.

Thai Visa Conversion refers to the switching from one visa type to another. Say a business to a retirement visa. There are certain travel documents that can be switched without the necessity to leave Thailand. If you have a competent visa agent then you may need to go out of the country anymore when switching the said travel document into another type.

Thai Visa renewal is another term you may need to wont yourself to especially if you are not a Thai PR holder in Thailand. Most long term entry permits are good for one year however they are subject to renewal with the proper requirements. A retirement visa for example is renewed for another year as long as you have the required funds. A marriage visa can be renewed as long as you are still married and you have the required funds. The good thing about this type of renewal is that it's simple and straightforward as long as you have the requirements.

Thai Visa Validity refers to the entire period the visa is valid. This is normally stamped in your passport when you enter to Thailand so you have to be wary with this date to avoid overstay fine later on. This should not be confused with the validity of the visa (or the grace period) prior to entering Thailand once the visa is obtained from the Thai embassy abroad. This is normally indicated with the phrase "ENTER BEFORE (DATE)" in the visa itself.

Thai visa terminologies are best understood as you do them or experience them in context. The next time you apply, extend, convert or renew your visa you should be able to know these differences already. Having yourself informed with these basic terms would make you feel at ease and confident in your next Thai visa application.

Siam Legal International provides Thailand lawyer services to foreign nationalities who desire Thailand Visa services. You can also locate the location of the Thai embassies and consulates at the Thai Embassy website.

Honda CRV Test Drive in Thailand

2010-05-31T22:46:00.001+07:00

The New High-Tech Honda Accord with Euro Looks

Is it a BMW? Maybe the Audi A-4? Or the VW Passat? Le Peugeut? No! It's the new Honda Accord! Acc-ord! The name reminds me of French d'Accord! (Agree, OK in English).

And I agree. The new 8th generation Honda Accord looks sleek, dynamic, sporty and has a lower and a wider track for that solid, planted feel. Look at the new low slung, chromed angular grill, the new cool, clear projector type headlights and the muscular pronounced wheels arches housing the 17 inch alloy wheels.

The side view also reveals new higher waistline matching the perfectly raked roof line. The rear break light cluster is very BMW'ish. The new Honda Accord takes on asharp European design. Perhaps, the best looking Honda ever.

Furthermore the new Honda Accord has been upsized. The floor space is now lower and the wheel base is longer to provide more space, especially for the back seat riders. There's enough room back there to be comfortable, even when front seats are far back. The luxurious leather upholstered cabin environment is quietandvibration free thanks to the ANC (Active Noise Control) system and is a very comfortable place to be.

Our demo, the Honda 2.4 EL (NAVI) the top of 2.4 litre models fully loaded with all the goodies: dual-zone air-conditioning, front power seats with memory, (and lumbar massage for the driver) electric rear sunshade, cruise control and a sporty Formula One inspired paddle shifter on the steering wheel.

But it was the communication in-car infotainment centre that caught my attention. A real-time IT package: hands-free Bluetooth, CD/MP3/WMA (auxiliary input jack for connecting portable music players), and a premium sound system with a subwoofer. Only the high speed internet "Google" connection was missing!

And the "navigator" the Honda Accord GPS connected to a 40 gigabyte hard disc. For the music fans that's 3.000 songs. Enough music for Phuket to Bangkok back and fourth! The Accord 2.4 EL "NAVI" is probably is the best Navigator in the market.

The navigation screen is large and easy to read with a user friendly joystick and command wheel. No more maps everything is click-on: the highways, (byways) expressways, the u-turns and the bypasses, the attractions, the "aroy-aroy" restaurants, the hospitals and the police stations. When the car is stationary you can watch DVD movies or your digital "home movies" and when reversing it switches automatically to R mode: parking camera. A real time parking movie.

Everything connected to the on-board info-centre including your pertinent driving information: fuel consumption, average speed, distance to destination etc.

For the driver there is lot's of buttons to push on center console and the steering wheels. Every car should have multifunction steering wheel. Always two hands on the wheel.

Under the bonnet (the hood), the main focus is the new, second-generation Honda i-VTEC in-line four cylinder 2.4 litre 5-speed motor packing 180 horsepower. More powerful than the previous and more frugal. During our test-drive we managed 13 kilometer per litre on the highway and about 9 liter per kilometer in the city. And the good news. The new Accord is E 20 compatible (alcohol & gasoline). That's 20 percent Johnny Walker Red or Stolichnaya and 80 percent unleaded petrol (gasoline) 91or 95.

Honda Accord's four-wheel independent suspension features a double-wishbone design in front and a new multilink setup in back. On the road, the Accord is taut without being punishing, and the sedan recovers quickly without any extra bobbing after hitting a bump or dip in the road.

The safety package is comprehensive with dual i-SRS front driver and side airbags including side curtain airbags with OPD (occupant position detect ant) system. Plus VSA vehicle stability assist combined with ABS and EDB making those slippery curves less challenging.

In conclusion the new Accord feels refined and solid and is perfectly suited for Thailand highway cruising or urban driving. Just perfect for a Bangkok-Phuket, Bangkok-Samiu 8-9 hour long haul, if only the fuel, E20 gasohol had been cheaper!

Latest version of the Accord is ready to take on the prestige imported rivals from Germany. And really good news for potential buyers is that all the improvements and additional IT features haven't pushed up the cost.

The sticker price for the new Honda Accord 2.4 EL (NAVI) is 1.6 million THB. The two litre base Accord model is priced 1.2 million THB and the flagship Honda Accord 3.5 G (NAVI) V6 sets you back a cool 2.8 million THB.

Thai Massage Sydney - My Experience of Finding an Authentic Thailand Massage in Sydney

2010-05-30T22:00:00.001+07:00

As I travel quite frequently I really enjoy finding a local Thai Massage centre wherever I may be, and seeing how their service varies from the many I've experienced, and in particular how they compare with an authentic Thai Massage experience in Thailand. So on my last trip to NSW Australia, I thought I'd see if I could find a great experience of my favourite kind of Massage in Sydney.

Of all the forms of massage therapy that exist, none intrigue me so much as Traditional Thai Massage. Though I am a qualified massage therapist myself, the system that the Thais have developed still fascinates me more than any other. Possibly the only thing that fascinates me even more is how those rather small Thai women can manipulate a man of my size with such strength! That was certainly my experience in Thailand, I wondered if it would be the same if I got a Thai Massage in Sydney.

Thai massage interestingly began in India. It is a system utilizing both Meridian pressure points and stretching in tandem with an ancient breathing method known as "Pranayama." The breathing techniques cleanse and relax the muscles while at the same time strengthen the nervous system.

Many Asian massage systems are actually ancient healing rituals which were created and developed over hundreds of years in India and the Far East. Asian massage systems are becoming increasingly more popular in western countries. This is in conjunction with the west's growing interest in holistic forms of relaxation and exercise such as yoga and pilates.

I think that's one of the reasons I love Thai Massage so much, I love the history and culture that it stemmed from.

So back to my story. When last in Sydney I wanted to find a Thai Massage Therapy centre that was not one of the more commercial centers that I would find advertised in the daily paper. So I just asked around wherever I happened to be, and after a few days I was told, "you must try this little Thai Massage place not far from here". Ah ha, this could be what I was looking for.

Well, after finding it in the suburb of Burwood, not far west of Sydney CBD, I was greeted by a small lady, clearly a native Thai and I immediately felt very comfortable in this small buy very cosy place. I resisted the urge to go for the more relaxing oil massage or reflexology, and booked an hour long Traditional Thai Massage.

Needless to say, the experience was absolutely delightful and yes I was once again amazed at the strength of this small in stature woman. I will certainly go back on any subsequent visit to get my essential Massage in Sydney.

The one sad element to this story is in a conversation with the lovely Thai woman after the massage, she said that it's frustrating getting phone calls nearly every day from men looking for "special services" or "happy endings". This is clearly a genuine and legitimate business and everything on offer is strictly non sexual.

For a wonderful massage experience that is as close as you will find in Thailand, I could not think of a better place for a real Thai Massage in Sydney.

The Best Time to Travel to Thailand

2010-05-29T21:46:00.001+07:00

The best time to visit Thailand depends on the reason why the person wants to visit the country. The Thailand seasons are divided into three seasons - hot, cold and wet.

The hot season lasts from March to June. The hottest of all these months is April. If you love to be on the beach, this is the best time to visit the country. The sun is present for the whole day. Trekkers may find it hard to trek and they must beware of dehydration and sunstroke. Also, since this the peak tourist season in the country, hotels become expensive.

The wet season is from July to November. When there is a transition of climate from hot climate to wet climate, Thailand is the worst place to be in. As it is both hot and wet, the humidity is unbearable. You will feel like being in the shower all day long. After a month, the wet season starts and it rains daily, sometimes resulting in floods. If you are budget conscious, visit in the wet season as hotel accommodation will be inexpensive and the number of tourists will be less.

The cold season in Thailand starts in December and lasts till February. Thailand experiences snowfall in this season. Ice skating is a popular activity during this season. Bangkok's temperatures fall to 15 degrees Celsius in the nights. The weather is cooler in the northern part of Thailand, dropping to 2 degrees Celsius. It is not so cold in the southern part and you will be able to bear the cold weather with a light jumper or cardigan. This is the best time to visit Thailand.

So, if you want to visit Thailand, figure out the reason for visiting. It may be to trek or to get a tan or to shop. Thailand offers everything, but according to season. For instance, do not visit Thailand to trek in the mountains in the months of March to June as they will be bereft of snow.

10 Unknown Facts About Thailand

2010-05-28T21:24:00.001+07:00

1. Rainmaker King
Some years ago the rice farmers of Thailand experienced a severe drought period. The king, who since many years had been involved in helping the rural population of Thailand invented a method to make rain, for which he also filed an international patent. Airplanes are used to shoot silver iodide chemicals into the clouds in specific ways, so that they are stimulated to rain. This method did proof successful.

2. Mysterious Fireballs
At a certain time of the year, a strange phenomenon occurs that hasn't been scientifically explained yet. Well, there were scientific theories, however, scientists in are still baffled by this phenomenon and unable to explain it properly. It's in the north-eastern part of Thailand, and the locals there have their own explanation for the mysterious fireballs that emerge from the Mekong river: they say these are fireballs from the legendary Naga serpent.

One time a TV team tried to uncover "the hoax" and said that the phenomenon was simply Cambodian soldiers shooting into the air. However, they quickly got proven wrong. There are records of this phenomenon occurring for hundreds of years, and It's kind of Thailand's version of the "Loch Ness"

3. Thai Bonsai
Most people are aware with the Japanese bonsai trees. But Thailand also has it's own tradition of miniature trees, which is called mai dat. Historic evidence shows that this tradition has been around already since the 13th century. Mai dat have their own style - there are not as tiny as the Japanese bonsai, but rather often bigger. Also, while with Japanese bonsai the aim is usually to make the small tree look at natural as possible, mai dat are supposed to look particularly well-trimmed. It is the aim of the mai dat artist to create a tree which is made according to human shapes. Thailand is a country which used to be covered almost completely in forest and swampland - it was a tropical wilderness. Only in recent decades have the forests been cleared and turned into farms and cities. Thus, imitating nature is not what Thais consider beautiful.

4. Demigod-King
It is a traditional Thai believe that the King is a human reincarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. All kings of the present dynasty, since the 18th century, have been called "Rama" - the current King being Rama XI. Rama was the name of a halfgod from the Indian epic Ramayana, which has it's own Thai version, the Ramakien.

5. Can't Touch This (Monk)
It is forbidden for woman to touch a Buddhist monk. Some women feel offended by this or think that this is because woman are considered unworthy, but this is not the case. It's simply about avoiding to stirr up feelings that wouldn't be appropriate for monks, feelings like sexual desire.

6. Bangkok Tram
There once was a tram in Bangkok. Nowadays, Bangkok is known for chronic traffic-jammeritis, and pretty much the only way to avoid being stuck in traffic is the ultra-modern skytrain (BTS) or the even newer subway (MRT). However, once upon a time, there was a tram running through Bangkok. The Tram network in Bangkok was established in 1894 and got closed down in 1968. Actually, even as early as 1888 there was a guy called Alfred John Loftus (Phraya Nithetcholthee) who operated a tramway line in Bangkok - drawn by horses! However, after a couple of changes of ownership, the horse-drawn wagons where replaced with electric wagons. New routes were opened and built, until in 1968 the last tramway in Bangkok was stoped.

You can still see some of the railways in the area of Thanon Charoenkrung Soi 39.

7. Thai-Tomboys
While almost everybody knows about the ladyboys in Thailand (and quiet a few men can tell stories of surprise when they found that the "woman" they were hitting on all night was actually not a woman at all), not so many people know that there are also a lot of tomboys: woman or girls who dress, act and look like men. Whole books have been written on Thai gender roles, and while some ladyboys and tomboys and gay feel that they are not treated equally, they are treated much more tolerantly than in probably any other country in the world. For example, I know of the case of a 15 year old boy who decided to be a ladyboy - and indeed dressed, talks and behaves like a woman now. However, schoolmates never made fun, teased or bullied him about it. This being a remote village and not modern Bangkok, it speaks a lot of the tolerance of Thai people towards people who decide to "be different".

9. Long-nailed Fingernails of Men
This might be odd: but many (completely straight) men grow long fingernails. Most commonly is the nail of the small finger. Part of this is because in rural Thailand, long fingernails where indeed a sign of a certain social status: a farmer can't grow long fingernails, because they will simply break during the hard work on the fields. In fact, in Isaan (North-East Thailand) it is even believed that a long nail at the small finger is lucky. Apart of that, many men also told me upon my question why they had a long fingernail that it is useful: it's easy to scratch yourself with a long fingernail, and sometimes just useful to open something.

10. White Is Beautiful
While in the Northern hemisphere, many people would like a stronger tan and use every opportunity to lay in the sun and make their skin darker and more exotic, for Thai's, white and bright skin is beautiful. In fact, Thai's spend about 50 million US-Dollar a year on skin whitening products.

Bringing Western Values to Thailand

2010-05-27T21:00:00.001+07:00

More and more westerners are making Thailand their home. We all bring with us our own set of core values deeply rooted from our upbringings and the societies from which we come. They are the rules by which we live our lives; the principles and moral guidelines that govern our actions and decision making process. We do not all have the same set of values but whatever values we hold, the likelihood is they are different to those held in Thailand.

Many ex-pats in Thailand are the breadwinners for their families, own their own businesses or are employed in management positions. We therefore often find ourselves in a position of authority or influence over Thai people. This leads us to a dilemma. To what extent should we enforce our own set of western values onto the Thai people over whom we have influence?

I greatly respect and enjoy Thai culture. I happily embrace many of the values of my new homeland. However, I also have my own set of values and I cannot leave them all behind just because I am now in Thailand. Many of them are too deeply entrenched in my psyche. Enforcing my set of western values into my life inevitably means also forcing them into my wife's life. My wife is Thai and does not always believe in the same things I do.

A good example of westerners and Thais holding contrasting values is the subject of road safety. Most Thais do not believe in wearing crash helmets or seatbelts. They usually do wear them but they do so to avoid a police fine rather than for the sake of safety. Westerners generally accept that safety precautions are a good idea. We may not like our governments enforcing them on us by law but still we believe in the principle of taking safety precautions.

It is easy to understand the reasons for this difference in outlook. Thais are fatalistic. It is part of their Buddhist religion. They believe that what will be, will be. If something is going to happen then it will happen and there is little you can do about it. In the west, we believe in controlling our own destinies. We believe our actions have implications that will affect future actions.

So we have a possible cause of contention. I know some ex-pat westerners who will not start their car until all their passengers have put on their seatbelts. I know others who will not take pillion passengers on their motorbike unless they wear a helmet. These are not only commonly held western safety principles but also laws of Thailand. But still these westerners are forcing their values on Thais who do not hold the same values. We are coming to their country and forcing them to act like us. Is this right?

I have no doubt that our western outlook is the right one on this subject. I am sure most accidents are avoidable and if not you can at least take safety precautions to reduce their impact. However, that is not the point. It is not a question of who is right or wrong but whether it is right to force western values on people in our host nation who do not believe in them. One of my moral beliefs is that it is wrong to force my beliefs on other people. So I take the attitude that if people want to ride in my car or on my motorbike without taking safety precautions then it is their choice.

But what if you are responsible for that person's safety? What if that person is a child?

When we had our first child I assumed we would buy a baby seat for the car. It is what we would do in the west. My wife was surprised when I suggested we go shopping for such an item. Why would we want to strap our baby into the back of the car? She would hold the baby while I drove.

I still believed a baby seat was a good idea so we went shopping. Of course, you will not find baby seats in most Thai shops. They are something most Thais would not think of buying. We went to look at the selection in Robinsons Department Store. They were expensive and they all needed rear seatbelts to attach them. Our car does not even have rear seatbelts so as well as buying the baby seat we would also have to get the car modified. At this point I accepted we would not buy one.

I still believed we needed one but it was just proving too hard working against the Thai belief that we didn't. Even the sales girls agreed it wasn't necessary.

There are many ways that westerners settling in Thailand bring parts of their home country's lifestyle with them. In Phuket we can get western style houses, furniture, kitchens, appliances and satellite TV. I love Thai food and in our household we eat Thai food most of the time but still sometimes I want to eat western food. That will never be a problem in Phuket.

There is nothing wrong with building your own little piece of home in your new country if that is what you want. The problem is when your home values start invading the lives of Thai people who do not want them.

Western culture is very invasive. We see western fast food outlets popping up all over Thailand. High profile advertising campaigns make them seem trendy and exciting ignoring the fact that the food is not as good or nutritious as the local fare. The result is lots of little fat Thai children. New 7-eleven convenience stores are popping up in every neighbourhood while the local Thai grocery stores close. The Christian religion has a history of vigorously promoting itself in non-Christian countries. The United States has a policy of promoting 'the American way' across the globe.

We seem to have an ingrained belief in our own rightness. We do not easily accept other nation's cultures or values. We expect them to change to be more like us. It is an issue about which we need to be careful when living in another culture. We do not need to lose our own identities and values but we do need to find a way to integrate them into our lives without smothering the local culture or offending local people.

A Brief Description of Thailand Food and Thailand Culture

2010-05-26T20:23:00.001+07:00

Thailand food
It is beyond any doubt that food is a part of any gathering, thus, becoming the part of social occasions or itself the reason to celebrate. Normally, as per the western culture, a normal meal in any restaurant consists of starter, main course and then dessert. But in Thailand, the custom is a bit different with regard to Thailand food, as there is no single dish for a single person. As a general, all present in a gathering share the same dish together. So, it's better to have many guests together around the table than to enjoy with one or two as eating alone is considered a bad luck in the country.

One of the good things about Thai food is that they never dispose away the leftover food, as they consider it inauspicious and an enraging act to a female deity, 'God of rice'. Generally there are four seasonings in Thailand food- sweet, sour, salty and spicy. The food is satisfied only if it contains all the four tastes. Thai dinner mostly include meat, fish, noodles, vegetables and soup followed by desserts including fresh fruits and colorful rice cakes. Besides meals, there are snackers consisting of chicken or beef satay, spring rolls, salads, raw vegetable with spicy dips and sweets.

Thailand culture
Thailand culture is highly influenced by Buddhism in addition to some influence of Hinduism and other Southeast Asian neighbor. Thai art is the main item included in Thai Culture. Buddha image is the main constituent in different period having distinctive styles. At present, there is a fusion of traditional art with modern techniques. India has also laid much influence on Thailand literature. It includes the most notable work, Ramakien, the version of Indian epic, Ramayana. The poetry of Sunthorn Phu is also quite famous in Thailand.

Spoken drama is not given any importance in Thailand, but instead there is Thai dance, divided into three categories- Lakhon, Likay and Khon. A form of shadow pay, Nang Drama, is popular among southern Thailand. Folk music and classical music both are have their significance in addition to pop music.

Apart from it, one of the common customs included in Thailand is Wai, a common gesture that is similar to Indian Namaste. The hospitable and generous people of Thailand pay a lot of respect and homage to their elders, as it is the core of their faith and spiritual belief. Seeking blessings from the elders is considered important mark of respect.

Cultural Activities in Bangkok, Thailand

2010-05-25T20:00:00.001+07:00

Thailand is known for being one of the friendliest Asian countries in the world today. Also known as the land of smiles, Thailand is usually a "must go" for most people who want to visit Asia. Most frequently visited for its mix of modern and tradition would be Thailand's beautiful capital, Bangkok.

Bangkok is a real gem if you spend enough time exploring it thoroughly. Exploring the city through its rivers can be a great way to start the visit. The Chao Praya River, or "the river of kings" is probably the most famous river in all of Bangkok. A lot of Thailand's history can be found on the shores of the Chao Praya River, which makes it an even better way to get to know Bangkok. Unlike the modern city, the river gives you a glimpse of how the people here still stick to their old ways and traditions. Canals, or "Klongs", show the wooden houses on stilts with Sampans and floating kitchens nearby.

Further down the river, you can see the famous floating markets which sell all sorts of knickknacks and Thai craft, popular to tourists but yet as much a part of everyday life as it has been for the locals for decades. And if you're not sea-sick by the time you get through the crowded narrow canals, head for the Royal Barges Museum. Beautiful barges which are a distinct trait of Thailand line the area, reminding you of movies like the King and I.

Back on land there is as much to see as there is to do. One thing most tourists who've frequented Bangkok come back time and time again for is the Erawan Shrine. Adorned by hundreds of locals and tourists everyday, this shrine located at the corner of Ploenchit and Ratchadamri Road is one to not miss out. Though it isn't a temple (Wat), its one of the most famous sights in the bustling streets of Bangkok. Many pay their respects and give offerings in hope that their wishes would come true.

For those looking to see a totally different side of Bangkok and something totally unique to Thailand, head down during the Songkran ( Thai New Year ) or also known as the water festival. Held on the hottest days of the year, the streets of Bangkok suddenly line up with people carrying water guns and water balloons, preparing to aim for anyone and everyone. This festival has been part of even the oldest traditions combined with the Thai's spirit of showing people how to have a good time just like they do.

Shopping Thailand For Bargains

2010-05-24T19:46:00.001+07:00

Sure, travelers can find some great bargains in Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai. But a lot depends on what you want to buy, what you know about what you want to buy, where you are and when you want it. A bargain is finding and buying what you have been looking for at a price that makes you happy. There have been times and places when I thought that ten dollars for a cool drink of water would be a great trade but most of the time I can find a drink for a lot less. The same goes for shopping anywhere, including Thailand.

The days are long gone when the simple native folk would part with their treasures for a handful of trinkets. I think they ended just about the time the wheel was invented. Now the steady stream of tourists in Thailand is met by some of the most skilled small traders and well managed large retailers anywhere. This isn't necessarily bad, the competition does keep prices within reason but don't expect to find the buy of a lifetime when the sellers know that another tour bus is due in fifteen minutes.

I live in Chiang Mai, in the north of Thailand and see the tourists come and go, they are good for the economy and I feel good that the vast majority leave happy. Their money gets spread around to hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions and the things they take home with them are usually purchased at the large (high overhead) tourist shops or at the large (high overhead) Night Bazaar. There's nothing at all wrong with this. I go to those places myself for the entertainment value but I don't expect to find any real bargains. When my family visits I take them to those places to have a good time but we go somewhere else when it's time to buy souvenirs or "Made in Thailand."

Silk is often high on the list of thing to buy and it's possible to get some really great buys. A small amount of time invested can pay good dividends. Ask the people who know where to find good quality at a good price. The desk clerk at your hotel may can be a good source of information and it never hurts to ask. A taxi driver may know but he may also offer to take you to the factory that will pay him the highest commission. Maybe better yet is to buy a necktie in a small local tailor shop and ask where he buys his silk. You can expect him to arrange a commission also but you will find a good buy and at least you won't end up in one of the tourist traps.

For other goods produced locally, whether in small factories, workshops or in village homes go where the locals shop. The large permanent marketplaces that aren't on the tourist trail, like Woororot Market in Chiang Mai, are where the locals go to buy the daily necessities; food, flowers, clothes, cloth, shoes and just about everything else. For handicrafts, decorating items, T-shirts, small antiques, food, music, a great foot massage and more than you can remember plus a relaxing evening of entertainment, the place to go is one of the one-day markets. These can be found in several areas of the city and in small towns one or two days a week. The best one that I've ever found is the Sunday Walking Market on Ratchadaemon Road in Chiang Mai.

The market gets into full swing in the cool of the evening on the plaza in front of Thapae Gate, the main entrance to the walled city, and continues across the city moat, covering more streets than can be explored in one evening. If something is small enough to carry into the market area (and small enough to fit in your suitcase) there is a good chance that at least one small-trader has staked out a place on the cobblestone pavement and is doing a brisk business. Whether you go to buy or to just soak up the sights, sounds and tastes, this is where you will find a bargain.

Thailand - Situation Update

2010-05-23T19:23:00.001+07:00

Having lived in Thailand for the last two years I have experienced their military coup of 2006 as well and their path back to democracy. The coup was bloodless and the only person I am aware of getting hurt was a taxi driver who rammed a tank park in the street because he was frustrated with it being in his way. The Thai people's path back to democracy was well planned and quite structured by the military who was governing Thailand after the coup. Initially a new constitution was written that afforded more protection against governmental abuses. This constitution was accepted by the Thai people through a referendum vote. After accepting this constitution, the people then had a general election where the same ruling party (renamed as the PPP Party) that was ousted by the coups was voted back in. This party was voted back in for several reasons; one being the people living outside of Bangkok was enamored with the promises of money through governmental programs and tax cuts. The second reason was, as it turns out, there was vote buying, which we found this out in a recent conviction of the leading party's leader of voting fraud.

The current Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has made some huge political blunders both internally and internationally such as bringing Thailand close to fighting with Cambodia over the border line surrounding the Preah Vihear temple which was settled in 1962 by the World Court. The Thai People always felt cheated about this and PM Samak had "solved" the problem in a one day meeting with the Cambodian leader about six months ago. There has been a military build up on the border near this temple in the last few months...

So ... between the conviction and some actions and decisions that are not particularly cared for by the general population many Thai People are not happy with the current Prime Minister. The opposition party is staging protests and has been for the past 3 or more months (as of early September 2008). Peaceful protesting is a healthy expression of democracy, when the government allows people to express themselves in the open. The protests became unhealthy last week. The protesters were met with a rival group of "anti"-protesters supporting the current government. The two groups clashed and resulted in a death and over 40 injured people. The clash led to a "state of emergency" declaration by the government causing concern for the situation throughout the world.

But to put things into perspective, Thailand is still a very peaceful place to live, for everyone. The clash of political groups was an isolated event and seems to be remaining just that. Thai people should be commended for not allowing the situation to get out of control and allowing the violence to escalate. The emergency declaration, however, is worrying people wishing to visit and therefore hurting the economic situation here by impacting tourism. So we are all waiting to the politicians to solve their conflicts so Thailand can return to "the Land of Smiles".

Where To Stay In Thailand

2010-05-22T19:00:00.001+07:00

Thailand is all about beautiful sandy beaches, lush green jungles, secluded hill tribes, mysterious caves, ornate temple, friendly people and mouth-watering food. Although these things are worth seeing, the fact remains that you will still need a place to stay at night. There are many opportunities in Thailand to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences but you still need to figure out where to stay.

Deciding on where to stay in Thailand can be a tricky thing if you do not handle it correctly. There are so many places to choose from but you need to figure out whether the hotel or guesthouse you select meets your needs.

Thailand has world-class hotels and you need to do your homework well before leaving for your vacation. Only then will you truly enjoy your stay in a hotel in Thailand. Here are some places where you can think about staying while you are in Thailand.

Where to stay in Thailand:

o Anantara Resort

This resort is located at the famous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. It is surrounded by scenic jungle and offers a lot of comfort and hospitality to visiting guest. The resort also has its own elephant camp, spa and Lanna Cooking School to make your holiday a memorable one.

o Chiva Som

Is peaceful and secluded resort if you are looking for peace and solitude. However, you will never be bored with the array of wellness treatments the resort has to offer to rejuvenate yourself before returning the chaos of modern life.

o The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

The hotel overlooks the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok and is over 120 year old. It is considered to be one of the best hotels in the world with its award winning spa, fitness facilities, wellness center and high luxurious accommodation.

Thailand Cuisine

2010-05-21T18:46:00.001+07:00

If you are looking for an internationally famous food then it is none other than Thai Food. The Thai cuisine is very famous worldwide as it constitutes amazing blend of aquatic animals, plants and herbs. One can find all the five elementary tastes: sweet, spice, bitter, salty and sour. While tasting the popular Thai dishes you will find lime juice, garlic, chilies, lemon grass and fish sauce as common ingredients. Basically the distinctiveness of Thailand Food depends upon, by whom it is cooked and for what occasion it is cooked. One can see a little influence of Chinese cuisine on Thailand Food.

Rice is one of the principle food ingredients that is omnipresent in all kind of Thailand Food. The jasmine rice and sticky rice are the kinds of the rice taken by Thai people. The fresh herbs are used while preparing Thailand Food as it increase the quality of the aroma of the food. A single time meal consists of a hot cup of soup, a curry dish with condiments, a dip accompanying fish and vegetables. Also you can add some spice salad to the meals to make it heavier. The balance of spicy taste is maintained by the cooks while serving the spicy and non-spicy dishes. For desserts you can enjoy the Thai sweets and fresh fruits.

The tools utilized normally by Thai people to have their meals are spoons and forks. Thailand has maximum number of Buddhist population, so one can see the impact of Buddhism in Thailand Food.

The Thailand Food is served with roasted duck or pork topped on it. In that case one needs to have a fork obviously. If you are having a noodle soup then you can have it with the help of chopsticks too. One can see the influence of Chinese, Indian and Japanese styles in Thailand food culture.

If we take a look at Thailand food menu we will find that some of the dishes are really tempting and delicious:

o Titbits: Hors d'oeuvre and snacks like rolls, puffed rice cake, satay etc.
o Dips: Made from chilies, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce etc
o Curries: The ingredients in Thai curries are powdered dried spices and fresh herbs.
o Salad: The Thai salads are normally sour, salty and sweet which are topped by different kind of meat textures.
o Desserts: No Thai dish is complete without sweet dishes. The Thai people like to take something very sweet after a spicy treat.
o Soups: Soup is the main dish when accompanied with rice is preferred to be taken by Thai people. One can find the quality of herbs and spices used in the soups.

Thai people are usually fond of eating rice with their meal and therefore whenever you stay with a Thai family, then be very cautious because you might end up putting on too much weight. Tastes of Thai Food can be amended to suit individual desire. All those who have eaten exotic Thai Food will in no way fail to order them again whenever their preferred dish is available.

1 Year Thailand Retirement Visa - Frequently Asked Questions

2010-05-20T16:25:00.001+07:00

Q: What are the requirements?

A: You must be 50 years old or above and must have a monthly pension of at least 65,000 baht or money/savings in a Thailand Bank minimum of 800,000 baht. You must have no criminal records and must be able to enter Thailand.

Q: What are the documents needed?

A: - Passport with the non-immigrant O visa
- Departure card
- Proof of meeting financial requirement
- Thailand Bank Book (original) and the letter from the Thai bank where you have the account
- Certificate from your embassy stating your monthly pension from your home country
- Photos, three pieces (4 x 6) in business wear (taken within last six (6) months)

Q: Can I use my US/UK savings bank account as a requirement for the Thai Retirement Visa?

A: No. The money/account must be in Thailand.

Q: Is there a minimum time requirement to deposit the money in the bank before you can apply for the 1 Year Retirement Visa?

A: The money must be deposited in the bank 2 months prior to the actual 1 year retirement visa application. Normally if you will apply outside of Thailand, you will be first issued a 90-day non-immigrant O visa. Upon converting the 90-day non-immigrant O visa, you must have 21 days remaining validity period in your visa. It is recommended that you will open a bank account right after arriving in Thailand so you can complete the time requirement.

Q: If my partner will go with me to retire in Thailand will he/she need the same financial requirement separately?

A: Yes. Both of you must deposit 800,000 baht in a Thai bank totaling 1.6 million. If in case your partner is below 50 years old, he/she can just be a dependant. This way, you will only need 800,000 baht as financial requirement.

Q: Can I bring my household items to Thailand?

A: Upon entry to Thailand, you will have six months allowance to bring in your household items from your home country.

Q: How much is the tax to bring my household items to Thailand, if any?

A: Once the 1 Year Retirement Visa is granted, your belongings will not be taxed. However, if you are only permitted to stay in Thailand for less than a year, there will be a tax of 20% import duty plus the 7% VAT.

Q: How many times do I have to appear at the Thai Immigration Office during the whole application process?

A: If you will do the application yourself, you may need to go to the Immigration Office several times. If you will hire an agency to assist you, your first and only appearance at the Immigration will be upon the approval of the visa where you will need to sign the visa document with the presence of the immigration staff.

Q: What are the restrictions if I will be granted the 1 Year Retirement Visa?

A: This type of visa is designed for the retirees, thus, holders are not allowed to work or engage any employment activity in Thailand. You are also required to report at the Immigration office every 90 days to verify your current address or status in Thailand.

Q: Can I travel outside of Thailand during the 1 year period?

A: 1 Year Thailand Retirement Visa issued inside Thailand is normally just a single-entry visa. But on the same day the visa is issued, the applicant may apply for a "multiple re-entry permit" that will allow him/her to travel outside of Thailand anytime within the validity period of the visa.