Living in Thailand

Living in Thailand might be something you are considering at this time. There are many questions and areas to consider before you pack up and leave your home country for Thailand. This article will review some of the major considerations you will need to put thought toward if you are serious about living in Thailand for a long or short time.

Income?

Thailand

Unless you are going to live in Thailand off your savings, you are going to have to figure out a way to make money to pay your bills. Yes, you have bills in Thailand but, they are quite affordable. Rent for a house might cost you two hundred dollars in a town away from Bangkok. In Bangkok an apartment might be four hundred dollars. Food outside Bangkok will be about three hundred dollars. In Bangkok, the sky is the limit.

Most choosing to live in Thailand are teachers. In Bangkok, with a bachelors degree and a TEFL (Teacher of English as a Foreign Language) certificate one could make ,500 per month on average. Some teachers make quite a bit more than that. Outside Bangkok the average starting teacher salary is about ,000 per month.

Finding a teaching job in Thailand is quite easy if you have a bachelors degree from your home country and English is your native language.

If you do not wish to teach English then the other primary option is to work in Bangkok with one of the many companies there which need English speakers. There may be companies from your home country with an office in Bangkok that need employees. Use online research to find these positions.

Choosing a Place to Live in Thailand

Thailand is quite a large and diverse country in terms of climate and terrain. There are mountain areas, virtual desert areas, and lush tropical jungle. Where you live in Thailand will be a major consideration. The right place for you to live is here - the issue is just choosing where to live.

The warm months in Thailand are February through June. The rainy season runs May through December. From November to January it is usually cool.

Northern Thailand is characterized by mountains, heavy rains, and very cool temperatures in the winter months. It never snows in Northern Thailand, and it gets quite hot in the summer.

Central Thailand is mostly flat and includes Bangkok and surrounding provinces. The central region is very hot when it is not raining, and when it is raining - floods often. Bangkok is known as the hottest city in the world due the night time temperatures remaining very warm. You will need air conditioning in Bangkok.

Northeastern Thailand is flat and very dry, even during the rainy season and the summer months are blistering hot. During winter it does get very cool and if you are riding a motorbike you will need a winter jacket to remain warm enough.

Southern Thailand is lush jungle and, though it's quite warm even during winter months, the nights are cool enough that no air conditioning is needed. The land is mostly flat in the southern provinces with rolling hills and stunning limestone mountain topography.

If you need to be near the ocean, the southern provinces are where you will need to be. If you like the mountains, the north is for you.

If you are concerned about the friendliness of people in Thailand, you need not be. Thai people are friendly across the country, but most visitors say the northern and northeastern Thais are the friendliest.

Safety?

There are a number of safety considerations you should be aware of. Thailand is a country far different from wherever you hail.

Thailand has 45 species of poisonous snakes, 9 types of scorpion, and many other stinging animals like jellyfish, spiders, and insects. One of the smallest biting pests is the most troublesome... mosquitoes.

Malaria, Dengue Fever, Chikungunra, and encephalitis are all found in Thailand and transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Mosquito repellant is a must - and anything with DEET 28+ usually works well.

Driving in Thailand is a real horror-show, and you would be wise to ease into it. First, you will be driving on the left side of the road, which might be a change for you. Secondly, the driving habits in Thailand are quite different from anywhere you have probably been. To say driving in Thailand is dangerous is vast understatement.

If you are a person that intends on enjoying the nightlife in Thailand there are numerous considerations to take into account. Use and possession of illicit drugs are penalized very strictly in Thailand and for anything with heroin or methamphetamine you might be looking at more than ten years in a Thai prison.

Fights often erupt in bar situations and you really should know what to do in these instances.

There are many safety issues that confront the visitor or person wishing to live in Thailand long-term. Below I have linked to an entire survival guide dedicated to the topic of safety in Thailand. It just might save your life.

Living in Thailand

Property Investments In Pattaya Thailand

Many investors are looking for stable properties to invest so that they can get high profits. Statistics show that almost half of the rich people in the world made their money by investing in real estate properties. Although stocks and currency can drop, the value of property in Thailand is relatively stable. After you have bought the property, it is up to you live in it or rent it to someone. There are many reasons why you should buy properties in Thailand. Many foreigners have live and work in Asia since a long time ago. Thailand has many tourist attractions so it is an attractive place to retire. Foreigners who aged above 50 years old can apply for the retirement visas. In Thailand, there are many good schools. It also has a high quality health care system. The people in Thailand are friendly so they will surely welcome you with a heartwarming greeting.

Thailand is a great place to plan your holiday because it gets warm weather between November and February. The prices of the properties nearby tourist attractions such as beaches and mountains make them cost far lesser than the properties in the European markets. Foreigners will be able to purchase properties with higher standards than in their native countries. The luxurious properties in Thailand are much cheaper so you will surely get the best value with your money. Many popular real estate properties are available in Pattaya and can be purchased at about 30 - 40% below market value. By purchasing a property in Thailand, you will be able to reap a high profit when you sell it away.

Thailand

The process of buying a property in Pattaya is easy and straightforward. If you already have finances, it will be easy for you to buy a property in Pattaya. There are several documents that you need to prepare in advanced. It is best that customers hire a real estate agent when shopping for properties in Pattaya. Since you are a foreigner, you will need to provide document evidence that the funds are legally brought into Thailand. You must include the T.T.T.3 form to prove that the money is legally brought into Thailand. The T.T.T.3 form must be prepared when you plan to sell the property in Thailand and export the funds.

Normally you have to pay tax to the Thailand government if you successfully sell the property in Thailand. When shopping for a real estate property, you must decide how much money to set aside. There are lots of properties in Thailand so it shouldn't be difficult to find what you are looking for. According to Thailand law, foreigners own the rights to purchase condominiums. You don't necessarily have to buy properties in order to live in Pattaya. People who don't have money to buy properties can rent properties. Pattaya is a great place to live because it is equipped with various types of facilities. Pattaya has many tourist attractions places. The weather in Pattaya is warm and cool throughout the years.

Property Investments In Pattaya Thailand

Higher Education in Thailand

Thailand is a land of excitement and adventure, and Webster University. Thailand is located in the heart of Southeast Asian mainland and its covered area is about 511,770 square kilometers. Thailand's modern capital is Bangkok or ancient capital of Ayutthaya today. Origin of Thai is from northwestern Sichuan in China about 4,500 years ago and later they have migrated south to their homeland today. The climate of Thailand is warm and rather humid tropical. Temperature is highest in March and April and lowest in December and January. The average temperature can be majored about 28.1o C.

This is a beautiful country surrounded by beaches, mountains and untamed rivers and Thais welcome foreign visitors. Thailand is also called the land of smiles, people are very friendly and they keep smile on their face. The official national language is Thai but English is a compulsory subject in public schools and it is widely spoken and understood in all major cities including Bangkok.

Thailand

In Thailand colleges and universities offer about 685 accredited international programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. Now the trend is being changed and Thailand is also in priority when parents want to send their children abroad for higher education apart from of UK, USA, AUSTRALIA and CANADA. Specially Asian prefer to come Thailand for higher education because students bear half of the price and get same lifestyle and education as UK, USA or Australia. Student can find many colleges and universities in Chiangmai, Khon Kaen and other locations apart from metropolis Bangkok. Many of the Universities are recognized and affiliated with other universities at global network. Students and lecturers come here to study and work from around the globe.

Thailand has a wealth of international academic institutions and Bangkok University offers a Business English BA three year course at about £6,600 total course fees. The accommodation varies as well, some universities have their own dorms on campus and some don't have but living costs in Thailand are among the cheapest in the world. However finding a cheap place to live near the university and also which is near transportation is not something to be worried about. The cost of living is almost half the price of London. If you are on a tight budget you can share a place with friends and save substantial amount of cash or if you are concerned about your privacy then you can find out affordable places for living, their people will be always happy to help you.

There are many degree programs in English offered in Thailand from all major universities such as accounting, arts, architecture, biotechnology, business administration, hotel management, tourism, international business, engineering, medical, information technology, law, mass communication, journalism and many more. Thailand follows the US degrees with all Graduate and Under Graduate courses. Most of the foreign students prefer Business Administration, Marketing, Business English Language, International Business Management or General Management on Undergraduate and Graduate level.

Students can earn good amount of money by doing some part time jobs when they study in Thailand. The most common part time job for students in Thailand is teaching private tutoring English and primary subjects to the local Thai children. Jobs can be found on the net or by local newspapers.

Since 1990s the number of private colleges in Thailand has increased to 49 and national universities have opened satellite campuses in various provinces. Thus, Thailand's higher education has entered the masses-oriented stage in terms of numbers of students. Thailand is top most choice for student and parents as well today for higher education.

Higher Education in Thailand

Thailand Travel Ideas

When you arrive in Thailand, you'll probably fly into Bangkok and be thrown into a world of organised chaos. This city is the essential way to begin any Thailand trip. Street vendors selling fried scorpions and huhu grubs, tuk-tuk drives zigzagging their way in and out of the traffic and the amazing aroma at every street corner of spices and incense. Bangkok has a marvellous choice of temples, Wats and Buddha's and haggling at the markets for a fake Gucci watch or the price of a tailor made suit is an experience I would recommend to everyone travelling in Thailand. However In the last 15 years or so Thailand has been evolving from faraway destination for hardened travellers to what is becoming a package holiday. With air travel so readily available Thailand is now also a family travel destination. Thailand is also a great place to travel for the elderly and the inexperienced gap year traveller alike, and of course at a budget price. However, travelling in Thailand has something other than just the tourist route to follow and this article will give you some of those hidden gems that the throng of Thailand travellers will not have found... yet.

The majority of international flights to Thailand arrive in Bangkok and although this is not an area to miss, once you have seen the golden temples, Wat's and floating markets why not head a little out of the city to the north east to a street called Soi 1. Although it was previously a dirty little street with a smell rivalling that of open sewers things have now changed and in 2007 it was cleaned up and serves the most amazing local food to the locals and few Thailand travellers lucky enough to stumble across it. Intestines and entrails may be on the menu on many of the stalls but when travelling in Thailand why not try everything! And of course there is an array of locally cooked curries, pad thai and sticky rice for those Thailand travellers with slightly weaker stomachs. The cost to eat is minimal as it is off the tourist trail and you will get a true experience of what Bangkok used to be like before the Weston invasion.

Thailand

From Bangkok you have many options at your disposal for your Thailand trip and with a travel agent on every corner offering you jungle treks and trips to the River Kwai you can quickly get sucked in to their sales patter. My advice is to avoid the mass route and if you are looking for something different on your Thailand trip jump on a bus to Sida, 3 hours north east of Bangkok passing through the stunning jungles of Koh Yai on the way. In the little village of Sida get off the bus and arrange a night in one of the few guest houses. From here the guest house owners will help you organise a home stay with a family in the local area - an unforgettable part of any Thailand trip. You can visit schools, live in with a local family, go frog hunting and depending on the time of year see how they harvest their crops, celebrate festivals and get a true idea of how a typical Thai family lives in the country side. A true Thaiand travel experience.

Travelling to the north of Thailand is a must as the jungle are dense and teaming with wildlife, but rather than stop at Chiang Mai where the majority of travellers in Thailand get off, keep on going. A night in Chiang Mai will give you time to visit local markets and explore the old town but don't stay too long as there is so much more to offer in this region. Heading North West by bus you will travel through some of the most beautiful serene country side and the winding road up through the mountains will make you feel a little queasy but the views and little towns you pass through will make this journey well worthwhile. Mae Hong Son a little further west is the home to the Paduang hill tribe famous for the numerous golden rings around their neck, "The long necks". Exploring this area by motor bike is the best way to see all the little hidden gems, meet the locals and with the Mekong River flowing along the border there is the opportunity to go white water rafting with a local guide. These experiences really will help you get hte most out of your Thailand trip.

The first thing many people think about when travelling to Thailand are the idyllic white sands of a picture perfect tropical island and with so many to choose from the question is which is the best. Well to be honest with such a large number of islands there is something for everyone travelling in Thailand. However if the thought of sharing a beach with a hundred other backpackers drinking Chang Beer and riding jet skis isn't your cup of tea then why not try one of the islands off the south west coast. There appears to be a trend of Thailand traveller who will go to a certain distance and explore no further but taking that extra little effort will open up and array of empty beaches, less developed little islands and friendly genuine locals. Taking the sleeper train from Bangkok south, almost every backpacker gets off at Surat Thani which gives you great access to the east coast islands but instead of following the crowds, stay on that train for another couple of hours to the station of Trang. From here you are reaching an area which has been largely kept out of the Thailand tourist route. The train station is 20 miles or so to the west coast and so getting a taxi to the port of Pak Meng and jumping on a boat out to one of these remote islands is easy to do. Koh Ngai which less than a 1 kilometre wide and with only 3 or four resorts is a great spot to start and an amazing place to relax during your Thailand trip. You can spend your day's snorkelling in the warm waters, reading your book under a palm tree or simply taking a walk along the white sandy beaches to one of the restaurants that serve an array of fish caught that morning. You truly will feel like you have found paradise.

Thailand Travel Ideas

Temple Boys Of Thailand

In the country-side of Thailand one will find many boys working in the temples as temple boys. These boys help monks in their alms collecting as they go from village to village. A temple has the responsibility of the monks alms bowl and food career. The temple boy accompanies the monk when they are their daily rounds of alms collection.

If a temple has many monks and novices, then the alms collection is normally divided into several routes. On certain routes only one temple boys assists the monks while on others there can be two or more. This usually depends on the quantity and amount of food offered by lay people.

Thailand

On return to the temple, temple boys prepares food for the monks and novices. As a religious rule, monks are not allowed to eat food unless it is presented by a lay person. This excludes water and liquids. After the monks finish eating, temple boys will keep some food the monks for their second meal which must take place before midday. However, if some monks for the Buddhist precepts strictly, they will eat only one meal a day. The leftovers are eaten by the temple boys as it is considered a sin for lay people to eat before monks and novices. After midday, the only food consumed by monks and novices is liquid like water or pasteurized milk.

A temple boy undertakes work of a housemaid in a temple. The only difference is that the temple boy is not paid for the work. A temple boy gets free food, accommodation and merit in exchange for work. Mostly poor farmer families send their boys to the temple to live temple boys. It is their way of ensuring that their sons gets free food and accommodation. However, there have been cases when boys from affluent families live in temple compounds.

Life of temple boy in a village can be difficult when the farmers in the village are poor. As a result the food offered to monks would be extremely limited and it is quite common for little food to be left over for the temple boys after monks and novices finish eating.

Temple Boys Of Thailand

Retire in Thailand - Affordable Retirement in Paradise

Thailand is a favorite retirement location for many westerners and retirees from other parts of the world. Not only is it affordable but it offers so much to the adventurous soul who seeks a place to retire. Thailand has so much beauty everywhere and so many exciting places to visit.

The Most Popular Thailand Retirement Locations Are:

Thailand

Bangkok Pattaya Phuket Chiang Mai South Of Thailand

....that's not all...Retirees also choose other locations in Thailand like: North East Thailand 'Isaan', Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Khon Kaen, Hua Hin or some of the beautiful Islands in the south of Thailand.

Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are just a few of the beautiful islands in the south of Thailand with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you don't want to live on an island it is nice to have the option of visiting an island for a few days or weeks.

Visiting Thailand for a longer stay before retiring in Thailand is a good way to find out if this is the Paradise for you. Some people come to Thailand for 6 moths to one year to find out if they want to retire in Thailand and find the area of Thailand they like.

There are things about Thailand that may be a little difficult for some to live with. The Thai Visa requirements are confusing but need to be understood. A foreigner can own a condominium in Thailand but not land. As a foreigner you will always be a foreigner.

Thai people treat everyone with respect yet they will always refer to you as farang -foreigner- which is not meant to insult you but it is deeply engrained in Thai people and it is the way they refer to white people.

The list of good things about Thailand is seemingly endless and outweigh the 'negative'. Thai people are one of the most sociable nations on the planet and have an extremely carefree attitude. They love to joke, have fun and eat delicious food.

So, to sum it all up: If you like to see beautiful things and places, have fun, you are laid back, you like to eat delicious and exotic dishes and you would like to have all of that for pennies on the dollar....you may want to consider Thailand as a retirement location.

How Much Money Do You Need In Thailand?

The answer is; how long is a piece of string? There are people who can live very comfortable for well under $ 1,000 a month and then you have people who think $ 5,000 is bare minimum.

There are people who pay $ 100 a month rent for an apartment and are happy and then there are people who own a one million dollar condo and are happy or still think they could have done better.

Retire in Thailand - Affordable Retirement in Paradise

Thailand Tourism

At least until recently, tourism has been the third most important sector of Thailand's economy, after agriculture and exports. Among 'industries,' tourism is listed in first place. The country is without doubt one of the world's favorite tourist destinations, in part because of its magnificent natural beauty (of many varieties, not just the famous islands), in part because of the natural friendliness of its people, in further part because of the relative ease and safety of traveling in Thailand, which is easily done on both high and low traveler personal economies.

This situation is now in considerable flux, and concerns about the viability of Thailand's major tourist industry are growing. Currency fluctuations and new economic policies have put a significant dent in exports as a source of GDP, and increasingly severe and unpredictable weather - primarily floods and droughts - throughout the country are an increasing concern to its agriculturalists.

Thailand

Those changes make the viability of Thailand's tourist industry all the more important. While the country has so far survived threats to the industry such as SARS, bird flu, and the 2004 tsunami relatively intact, tourism officials and operators are only too aware that a more large-scale bird flu epidemic or another tsunami (in a region where earthquakes in Indonesia such as the one that caused the one in 2004 are increasingly frequent) could have a devastating effect on the industry.

Additionally, the relocating of the country's main airport, an expansive new facility called Suvarnaphumi planned by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to make Bangkok the 'hub of Southeast Asian travel' has been a only slightly mitigated disaster for the country and the source of considerable national shame. Hurried construction, corrupt construction practices, and overall bad planning have yielded a facility many find far inferior to the 95-year-old 'old' airport in Don Muang, for which longtime Thailand visitors had developed an affection, and which worked with seasoned efficiency. The new airport is daily news nationally, with alternating reports about its safety (primarily of the runways) and inconvenience. It is much farther out of the city, making it much more difficult for tourists to get to their Bangkok destinations and to others on their travel itineraries.

There are great fears among observers of Thailand's tourist scene that it will take just one more major problem such as the ones described above to drive tourists to seek other travel destinations in Asia and elsewhere. The effects on Thailand's economy would be devastating if tourism were to drop even a small amount.

Thailand Tourism

Children's Day in Thailand

The National Children's Day is celebrated every year on the second Saturday of January. However, initially it was celebrated on the first Monday of October. From 1955 to 1963, the children's day was celebrated in the month of October. Later in 1963, day was moved to January.

Children are the assets of any country. They are the future generation. Childhood is about innocence and playfulness, joy and freedom. But today's education system does not take care of all these aspects. The teachers concentrate mainly on the studies, and studies alone. Children are not at all permitted to play and studies are considered to be the most important part of any child's life. Children's Day is a day for children and on this day children are permitted to do whatever they like.

Thailand

Children's Day is about giving children the right to enjoy and grow into healthy and educated citizens of the country who have an equal mix of studies and play. Thailand uses Children's Day as an opportunity to teach children about moral values so that they grow up into responsible adults.

On this day, children are allowed to enter any government office including those which are prohibited to visitors on the ordinary days. Many entertainment parks in Thailand allow children to enjoy themselves with a minimum fee and at times, they allow children to enter for free on Children's Day. Every year the King, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, and the Prime Minister of Thailand give speeches addressing the children.

On Children's Day, the Bangkok Bank in Thailand offers stationary to the children. Whenever a child enters the bank on Children's Day, he / she is given pens, pencils, and books. This is looked upon as a community service. The bank also takes this opportunity to educate children about saving money and the benefits it can reap.

Thailand has a unique celebration and most probably this type of Children's Day is not celebrated in any other country.

Children's Day in Thailand

TEFL in Thailand: Not A Native English Speaker? You Can Still Work In Thailand!

I'm not a native English speaker, can I work as a TEFL teacher in Thailand?

The simple answer is yes. If you are from a country like Sweden, Norway, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands or the Philippines which all have a pretty high level of English (particularly with younger folks) then it will be pretty straightforward for you to find teaching work in Thailand.

Thailand

You won't be as limited as you might think either. Schools (large and small) along with English-language centres, tourist organizations and hotels will all hire anyone (including Thais) with a sufficiently high level of English. As it happens, I worked in an international school where the Chinese teacher was proficient enough in English to allow her to teach both Mandarin and English to students from all over the World.

Why is it more difficult for non-native English speakers to find TEFL work in Thailand?

Thais are very big on appearance. If you drive a big truck with chrome wheels and lots of flashing lights then you must be rich! This is deeply engrained in Thai culture and unfortunately, the fact that you have Dutch citizenship could hinder your chances of obtaining work even if you speak perfect English.

The reality is that a lot of Europeans speak better English than many folks from England but as far as a Thai employer is concerned, an English person can speak better English than anyone else and you need to set yourself apart in order to ensure they hire you!

How can a non-native English speaker increase their chances of finding teaching work?

Be professional, dress smart and learn basic Thai manners. The fact that Thais are very keen on your appearance will work in your favour in some respects. Although a native English speaker might be more attractive on paper, they might be more inclined to work with a non-native English speaker who presents themselves well.

Whenever meeting an employer, casual business dress is recommended at a minimum. Wearing a shirt, closed shoes and long pants or a long skirt will win you a lot of points with an employer if your competition turns up with a shaved head, facial piercings on show and tattoos all over their arms and legs.

Do the visa and work-permits differ for non-native English speakers teaching in Thailand?

Thai law is constantly in a state of flux and cannot be depended upon for too long. For all nationalities, employment is prohibited on a tourist visa (although you will be working on your tourist visa for a while until your school gets your paperwork in order) and none should have any more or less difficulty obtaining a work permit over any other.

One thing that is worth knowing about is the visa exemption. For economical and political reasons, Thailand exempts 48 (at the time of writing) countries from the need of a visa in order to enter the country as a tourist. This list includes:

Australia Austria Belgium Canada Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Israel Italy Luxembourg Netherlands New Zealand Norway Philippines Singapore South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom United States

Be sure to do a quick Google before you take this article as gospel however, things change all the time!

TEFL in Thailand: Not A Native English Speaker? You Can Still Work In Thailand!

Thailand Travel - Features and Famous Attractions

Over the last two decades, Thailand has been one of the most preferred travel destinations that grab the attention of many of tourists every year. Nearly millions of tourists visit Muang Thai every year in order to get a different travel experience.

The key aspect that makes Thailand Travel a favorite destination is its diversity. Though there is no snow in this region, different types of landscape in this place have loads to offer to its visitors. It is famous for its mountainous regions with swirling fogs and beautiful climate.

Thailand

The plains and hills of Eastern Thailand offer fruitful land ripe for agriculture and tropical forest, which makes Thailand Travel a popular vacation destination. This country is renowned for its rich heritage and diversity.

Beautiful beaches and islands in this region are sure to attract many people round the year. It is a Buddhist country, full of tradition and ritual. People out there live a traditional way of life and thus present a charming insight into the progress of this country.

Thailand is well known for its nightlife, which is a major tourist attraction. Thailand's restaurants and outstanding bars offer irresistible package with the best cuisine ever. Another reason that makes Thailand Travel, a popular destination is its accessibility.

Though this region is rich in tradition and culture, its infrastructure is considered to be the most contemporary aspect in this region. Transportation, banking, and telecommunications facilities in this country helps many tourists to visit even remote regions very easily.

This accessibility draw the attention of diverse group of visitors to this place of wonder. Plan for Thailand Travel well in advance and get a memorable experience.

Thailand Travel - Features and Famous Attractions

How To Stay Safe From Crime In Thailand

Is Thailand safe? By many other big cities in the world, so long as you keep your common sense with you, you should not encounter any troubles in Thailand. The two most common crimes you will encounter are theft and pickpockets. This should not be surprising as the majority of the local Thai population live on less than US five dollars every day.

For the average tourist in Thailand, the most common worry is the rising number of conmen who dupe naive tourists into parting their cash.

Thailand

As a preventive measure against theft, you should carry your valuables with you at all times. It is also possible to use a locker in the hotel room or your guesthouse to keep your belongings. The safest are that require your own padlock. Nonetheless there are some occasional reports of theft by hotel staff. Always padlock your luggage when leaving it in the hotel or a guesthouse room, as well as when taking it along on a public transport. Having your own padlock is also useful as an extra security measure for your room especially on the doors of beachfront bamboo huts.

There are also some reports of cases of theft resulting from overnight long-distance bus travel. However most of the reported incidents happen on cheap private run bus companies. These buses usually run from Bangkok's Thanon Khao San to places such as Surat Thani and the southern beach resorts. There are government designated stations that buses are supposed to depart from. So do not be tempted. It is best to go direct to such designated bus stations for your travels.

If you're not sure, you should also ask around to ascertain such buses.

When you're traveling on any bus or on the train, you should never keep your luggage out of sight if it contains any valuables. For your personal safety, you should be careful of accepting any food or drink from any fellow travelers you're not familiar with as it may be drugged.

Paranoiac as it may seems to be, the tourism Authority of Thailand has seen so many cases that it has to publish warnings about such crimes. Your drinks can also be spiked in bars and nightclubs, even so especially at popular beach full moon parties on Ko Pha Ngan. There have been reported cases of sexual assault on Western women. Some men have reported that Thai prostitutes may also spike their drinks so that they can steal from the victim's room.

There are very little cases of violent crime against tourists in Thailand. However low crime doesn't mean no crime. Recently, there have been reported cases of some serious attacks on Western women travellers. Every year, 14 million visitors travel to Thailand. Considering this, the statistics of such crimes are extremely low. Common sense should prevail for travelers which includes locking up the windows and doors at night. And you should not be traveling alone at night either in a taxi or a Tuk-tuk.

When in Bangkok, never risk using an unlicensed taxi. Stick to using the prominent license and metered taxis.

For women tourists, avoid spending time alone with a Thai monk. There have been reported cases of rapes and murders committed by people wearing the saffron robes. Not all men bearing the saffron robes uphold the high morality of monkhood and Buddhism.

How To Stay Safe From Crime In Thailand

The Symbolism of Lotus Flowers in Thailand

When we think of the symbolism of flowers in Thailand I am instantly drawn to that of the Lotus Flower. A traditionally Buddhist symbol the Lotus Flower has many meanings. Not a particularly difficult flower to grow or find, it can be found almost anywhere that water is. Ponds, puddles, ditches by the roadside, they can even be found in jars on the door step or placed on the top of pillars in local temples.

When we look back on Thai literature there are five different types of Lotus that is mentioned. It has been a prominent symbol in literature for many centuries. The Lotus is directly related to heavenly beings. If we look back at the early art that came from Thai inspired artists and indeed depictions of the Brahman goddesses, lotus blooms are prevalent in these paintings.

Thailand

There are a variety of water lilies that share the same Thai description and name as the Lotus. They are Bua, Pathum and Ubon. You may meet many Thai people with this name as it has been a popular choice for parents for many years. Monasteries, provinces and villages and districts will also share the name.

Man has been compared to the four states of the Lotus by Buddha. Still today, Thai Buddhists will offer the lotus as a symbol of paying homage to Buddha. when this is done, three Lotus blooms are offered in exchange for three gems or Rattanatrai.

Not only is the Lotus a significantly religiously symbolic flower, it has medicinal properties to share. scientists have found that the petals, stem and root all have value within medicine. Many Thai people enjoy eating the seeds of the Lotus and the leaves of an immature plant are especially tasty. The leaf can be used as an insulator to wrap food and cook in it.

The Symbolism of Lotus Flowers in Thailand

Thailand Travel - 10 Interesting Facts About Thailand

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.

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.

Thailand Travel - 10 Interesting Facts About Thailand

Learn Thailand Language

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.

Thailand

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.

Learn Thailand Language

Thailand Airlines

Travelling is the most amusing means of getting away with redundant routines at home and office. Everybody loves to grasp some vacation in the form of tours and adventures. While tourism creates a big bulk in a nation's economy, recent developments in terms of transportation and hotel accommodation. To complement the growing tourism needs of tourists visiting Asia, Thailand airlines make every trip as safe and exciting as possible for the jetsetters.

Operational Thailand airlines include Thai Air Asia, SGA Airlines, PB Air, Thai Airways International, Orient Thai Airlines, Bangkok Airways and Nok Air. All are geared towards providing a hassle-free and safe sky travel. They offer passengers with the most convenient way of releasing airline tickets, boarding and unloading, baggage deposit services and tour assistance.

Thailand

Thailand airlines deliver the high standards of flying tourists from all over the world. Thai Airways serve flights from Bangkok and Phuket to any point of destination cities in the US and Europe such as Los Angeles in California, Munich in Germany, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia, Rome in Italy, Paris in France, Madrid in Spain, London in the United Kingdom, Athens in Greece. Connecting flights via Doha in Qatar, Manila in Philippines and other Asian cities are also given as options.

Serving flights to and fro all continents of the world, Thailand airlines afford hospitality and high quality of services to every jetsetter. The eminent culture of congeniality is apparently seen in how the flight stewards reach out to their passengers. Because Bangkok is considered as the aviation hub of Asia, more flight schedules are opened by Thailand airlines to give the travelers wider choices to reach Thailand.

It is said that wherever Thailand airlines fly, the authenticity of Thai culture and heritage travels along with it. Cheap flights are now being offered online through international travel agencies. Online booking is the quickest and most convenient way to get your tickets at slashed rates. Lower than usual, air ticket prices are only enjoyed by those who link with Thailand's accredited travel companies.

Although Thai has its own native tongue, Thailand airlines are competitive in terms of employing competent flight attendants who have the ability to speak the universal language. They are carefully trained and equipped with strong verbal skills using English as the medium of interaction.

There are more than 70 destinations in 40 countries now that Thailand airlines are flying back and forth. This goes to say that Thailand is keeping up with the world tourism trend of vacationing not only during summer but all seasons of the year. Whether it is for business or amusement, travelers seek to fly to Thailand to discover its cultured means, English education progress and eco-tourism boost.

Thailand Airlines

The Best Time to Travel to Thailand

Probably the most common question any foreigner living in Thailand will hear from people planning to visit the Kingdom is "When is the best time to come to Thailand"...not an easy question to answer without knowing "why" a person wants to come to Thailand.

There are basically three seasons in Thailand (though of late the cold season seems to have gone missing), the seasons are, The Hot, The Wet and The Cold. Cold being a rather subjective description though, the shots of emergency blankets being handed out in the northern provinces when it drops to a chilly 10 degrees...that's 10 degrees Celsius. So what does each season offer.

Thailand

The Hot

March to June : The hottest month is April when even the geckos stay inside and most expats look outside at lunch time and decide to not eat rather than melt on the walk to a food stall. The Hot season is beach season, if that's your thing then this is the time to come to Thailand, guaranteed sun sun sun all day long day after day. For Trekkers you might find this to be a tad hot to go trudging up hills unless mounted on an elephant, sun stroke and dehydration are high up on the list of things to beware of. Bangkok turns into a molten vat of pollution as the winds die and the smog just hangs around choking up the oxygen. Hotels are at their most expensive during the hot season and weekends will see many of the mid range ones fully booked.

The Wet

July to November : The change over from hot to wet is the worst time to be in Thailand regardless of what you're into. It's Hot, it's wet and the humidity is ruthless. You'll be desperate to take three showers a day at a minimum...living in a shower for a month might not be a bad plan. If you can imagine living in a sauna for a month then you get the right picture of Thailand at the start of the wet season...unless you're in Bangkok, then get in a sauna and pipe your car exhaust into the sauna to get the right idea...hmmm yummy. Then thankfully the skies really open up, the wind blows and things freshen up . Rain is pretty much a guaranteed feature on a daily basis and usually kicks off in the afternoon, sometimes lasting all night, Floods are common along with power cuts. So why come to Thailand now...the cost.... hotels are empty, tourists are away, it's a great time to see Thailand with fewer tourists than usual and get the best prices as even the Thai people stay home at the weekends.

The Cold

December to February : Thailand freezes over, snow falls from the sky and ice-skating is the nations most popular sport...well if you watched the TV or the Thai people running around dressed in winter jackets, boots, gloves and scarves you may start to think it's true.. in Bangkok it can drop to a bone chilling 15 degrees Celsius at night, and up north it has on occasions dropped down to 2 degrees, the south gets off much lighter and you can escape with a body warmer and a bobble hat. Thailand again is swarming with tourists who have come to take advantage of the cool weather to do see Thailand without burning up. This is the best time of the year to actually "see" Thailand, you'll enjoy seeing the sights and touring the cities and trekking will be at its best. Again prices will be up and hotels fairly full.

So in a nutshell the best time to come to Thailand is the time that suits what you want to do, Trekkers and Tanners will have different needs, those looking for bargains will have different needs. Just add that there are occasional down pours even in the hottest parts of the year and even the wet season can be dry for a week or more.....but leave your skis at home...there will be no snow.....guaranteed.

The Best Time to Travel to Thailand

Rivers Of Thailand

The major river of Thailand is the Chao Phraya. It has low alluvial soil which marks the plains of Thailand. Chao Phraya originates from the meeting point of two other rivers Ping and Nan. The main tributary to Nan River is the Yom River.

Wang River is another river which flows in northern Thailand and this is 335 miles long. It originates from Ping River.

Thailand

The longest river in Thailand is the Chi River which is 765 km but the water flow is very low. It runs through the Yasothon province of Thailand.

Chao Phraya runs for 372 km from Bangkok to the Gulf of Thailand. It bifurcates into two in a place called Chainat. The main portion of the river, known as the Chin River, flows parallel to Chao Phraya and ends in the Gulf. It is called by many names. In Chainat, it is called Makhamthao river and when it passes through Suphanburi, it is called Suphan. It becomes Nakhon Chaisi river when it enters Nakhon Pathon and after that it is known as Tha Chin river when it reaches the mouth of Samut Sakhon. Many canals are diverted from Chin River and the water from the canals is used for irrigation.

Nonthaburi Uthai Thani, , Singburi, Nakhon Sawan, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya and Chainat Pathum Thani are the cities along the flowing river. Nakhon Sawan is the city where the two major rivers Nan and Ping meet. Ang Thong is an agricultural land and Chao Phraya and Noi River meet in this city.

Rivers Of Thailand

Magha Puja Day In Thailand

Magha Puja Day is celebrated on a full moon day of the third lunar month which invariably falls in the last week of February or beginning of March. In general, most Buddhists are not aware of the significance of Magha Puja Day. As a result, the number of people in the ceremony may be less than those at Visakha Puja or Asanha Puja Days. However, Magha Puja Day carries an equal meaning and importance to all Buddhists.

Magha Puja Day marks four events that took place during the lifetime of Lord Buddha. These events are:

Thailand

1. 1250 Buddhist monks from different places came to pay homage to Lord Buddha at Valuwan Vihara in Rajgaha, the capital of Magaha State. Each monk came on his own initiative without prior notification.

2. All monks were enlightened monks

3. All 1250 monks had been individually ordained by Lord Buddha

4. They assembled on the full moon day of the third lunar month

In the evening of that day, Lord Buddha gave the assembled monks a discourse, laying down the principles of his teachings and summarized into three acts - to do good, to abstain from bad action and to purify the mind.

There is no indication as to when the Magha Puja ceremony actually took place. However, King Rama IV ordered the royal Magha Puja ceremony to be performed in the Emerald Buddha Temple in 1851. Later the ceremony gained popularity and was performed through out the kingdom. In Thailand, the day is public holiday so that people from all walks of life can participate in the religious activities.

In the Emerald Buddha Temple, the king of Thailand presides over the religious ceremony and leads a candle lit procession within the temple's compound. This procession take place at 8:00 p.m. in Bangkok and is led by Buddhist monks.

Magha Puja Day In Thailand

Driving in Thailand

Many people like the thrill of riding fast motorbikes and driving rally cars, some enjoy driving 4 X 4 vehicles in wild terrain at speed or just seeing how fast their 10 year old car can go, whilst others prefer a complicated game of Mah Jong or chess, maybe even the occasional game of Russian roulette. The psychology of Thai drivers includes all these traits and more.

Driving in Thailand is not for the feint-hearted. If you happen to be from one of the few countries in the world who drive on the Left side of the road you have a slight mechanical advantage because you are used to driving on the “wrong side of the road,” and with the steering wheel on the “wrong” side, but even these benefits will not help you much in Thailand.

Thailand

Whilst the laws of the road are very similar to your home country’s, the Rules of Engagement are quintessentially and pragmatically Thai. Compared with Western countries the passing of a driving test is a minor formality which takes around 10 minutes in a car park with red cones. Until you pass this “test” you can drive anyway without ‘L’ plates if you are with another driver.

The general knowledge of any sort of Highway Code is virtually non-existent and such things as undertaking at speed and a total lack of signalling, even when turning across several lanes of traffic is normal practice.

In towns and cities motorbikes will cut you up left and right at the same time. Another will probably pull out in front of you and expect you to stop for it, whilst pedestrians weaving between traffic queues do not seem to notice cars or motorbikes heading for them at 50 kms per hour and only inches away.

In country districts where the roads or tracks seem to be appallingly potholed in places, any rules of the road are entirely forgotten by the local drivers who have been driving round these hazards for years. They will of course use the bit of the road without holes which may or may not be the correct one. It is possible to find yourself on entirely the wrong side whilst someone going in the opposite direction passes you on his wrong side. 4 X 4 vehicles are a must for country tracks as cars suspensions and ground clearance just won’t cope.

If you have a driving licence from your own country as well as an international one, you have the patience of a holy-man, have eyes in the back of your head, the reflexes of Michael Schumacher in a Formula 1 Farrari, a crystal ball for checking out the local traffic and to make sure that the ‘puddle’ in front of you is not a metre deep, then you may wish to come to South-East Asia to check out this dangerous pastime [http://dangerousdestinations.com]. It’s actually very good fun!

Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same [http://dangerousdestinations.com].

Driving in Thailand

Thailand Hotels - Some Interesting Facts About Thailand Hotels

Accommodations From Pattaya Hotels to Phuket Resorts

The tallest hotel is the Baiyoke Sky Hotel at 88 stories. Novotel Svarnabhumi Airport Hotel has the largest lobby in the world. The Imperial Queen's Park Hotel has one of the largest suites in the world, which takes up an entire floor of a building. The Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel in Pattaya has the most rooms numbering 4,210. The oldest hotel in Thailand is The Oriental Hotel built in 1876. Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai, has one of the most incredible spas in the world. Travelers who are looking for a sensible and comfortable environment, The Peninsula is considered one of the best all around hotels in Bangkok. The Marriot Royal Garden Riverside Hotel is one of the only resort hotels in Bangkok. Andaman White Beach Resort Phuket might be the most famous unknown hotel. This is where Leonardo DiCaprio's movie "The Beach" was filmed. One of the most chic and obscure hotels is Indigo Pearl Hotel Phuket for travelers who like unique settings. Young, trendy, and hip travelers should check out the Luxx Hotel in Silom, Bangkok. This is a small boutique style hotel for the anonymous but classy city adventurer.

Thailand

When going to China Town in Bangkok, it is recommended that you find the finest accommodations to recover in. Grand China Princess Hotel offers some of the most exquisite service available in this area. For those who would like to experience an "adventure expedition", there is the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle. This hotel is supposed to be reminiscent of the opium trade in the area during the 19th century. If travelers would like to experience Thai culture face to face, they can go to Joy's House Chiang Mai.

There are many excellent Thailand hotels offering superior accommodation, impeccable service, and a wide range of delicious cuisine. Many Thailand hotels have convention and meeting room facilities which provide business travelers with superb amenities. From city center hotels such as Dusit Thani Bangkok, to Pattaya hotels like Jomtien Thani Hotel, every kind of hotel is available. Travelers who need convenient access to an airport can stay at 13 Coins Airport Grand Resort near Suvarnabhumi International Airport, or Amari Don Muang Bangkok Hotel next to Don Muang Domestic Airport. Vacationers going to Phuket might consider Kalim Resort or Katathani Phuket Beach Resort. Honeymooners should consider hotels offering free nights and other specials such as Kantary Bay, The Racha, and Kata Poolside Resort.

Pattaya hotels that offer excellent accommodation in a beach environment are Cosy Beach Hotel and Ravindra Beach Resort and Spa. Those travelers that would like premium resort style service near the Suvarnabhumi Airport can stay at Thong Ta Resort and Spa. Not far from Bangkok is the beach port town of Hua Hin. Travelers can get out of the city and recuperate at The Sea-Cret Hua Hin and the Hua Hin Hillside Resort. Visiting Thailand is exciting and caters to every kind of traveler. There are infinite varieties of Thailand hotels to satisfy everyone's needs.

Thailand Hotels - Some Interesting Facts About Thailand Hotels

The Bridge Over The River Kwai In Thailand

One of the most famous tourist spots in Thailand is the Bridge over the river Kwai. This famous bridge is about four kilometers from Kanchanaburi, across the river Kwai. A great tragedy occurred during the construction of this famous bridge. It was constructed by prisoners of war who were captured by the Japanese during World War II. It is believed that during the construction of bridge, 16,000 war prisoners and 49,000 forcibly employed laborers died.

The construction started in October 1942. During the construction of the bridge, there were no sophisticated machines to aid the construction. The workers building the bridge used dynamite to break rocks and boulders leading to accidental deaths of many. Once the bridge was built, the railway played a major role in opening the area for cultivation. Before the bridge was constructed the area was a forest and people were afraid to enter it.

Thailand

However, today the bridge is a famous tourist spot. There are many places to look around and enjoy a day around river Kwai. In Tambon Tha Sao, a place near river Kwai, visitors can hire a boat which can carry a maximum of 10 to 12 to visit the Lawa Cave and Sai Yok Yai Waterfall. The trip takes a total of 4 hours to go and return and is well worth the time spent traveling.

There is also a war museum located near the river Kwai bridge. The museum houses a collection of weapons, tools, and utensils used by the prisoners of war and the Japanese army during the construction of the bridge and World War II.

The Bridge Over The River Kwai In Thailand

Thailand - A Land of Secrets

As the vacation started every one wants to visit best tourist destination. Meanwhile there are many tourist destinations but no one is as good, fantastic and wonderful like the Thailand. It has its own amazing facts due to which it is city of many secrets. Let me clear myself by telling you some amazing facts of Thailand.

Rainmaker King:
Once in the city of Thailand is facing the lots of problem due to the droughts. There us a King who is very famous for its cleverness. He planned to spread the silver iodide chemicals into the clouds so, that they can kindle the rain. The whole Thailand is save from sever starvation.

Thailand

Mysterious Fireballs:
It is land where the continuous striking of the fireball is seeing and the wonderful secret is that no one knows from where these balls have come and silently this mystery continuous.

Thai Bonsai:
This is not the description about the Japanese bonsai trees. Thailand also has its own history in this bonsai trees. They are very big then the bonsai tree of Japanese. You will be amazed more when you are going to see the attractiveness of those trees.

Demigod-king
It is believed that the Lord Vishnu is in the place of king so. In behalf of this they have named their King AS Rama I, Rama II and this story continue till the Rama XI.

Can't Touch This Monk:
This is the place where the women's are not allowed to touch the Monk of the Lord Buddha. This is simply because after becoming the saints they are not allowed to have any type relation except doing the prayer of Lord Buddha.

Bangkok Tram:
This is the tram which becomes famous when once the Tram running from Bangkok suddenly comes to rescue the peoples from great damage. Then the people believe that it is the God who has come to rescue therefore they made Tram for the help of people.

White Ts Beautiful:
Thai spends 50 million Us-Dollars a year on skin to get white but for the other people the white is not so good tan for their body. So, they sit long in the sun to get the skin color changed.

I hope after reading this article you would love to visit the Thailand to witness the amazing facts of it. So, what are waiting for hurry up pack your bags and enjoy your trip to the Thailand a land full of mystery and secrets.

Thailand - A Land of Secrets