Using Your iPad on an Airplane With "Airplane Mode"

If you have ever flown on an airline, you will notice that during take off, and before landing, the flight attendant will ask that your turn off all your electronic devices such as your phone. This is done to protect sensitive airline electronics and prevent interference with flight navigation and communication systems. As a safety measure, this is the best way to guarantee that all devices that emit wireless signals are safely turned off. The iPad is more than just a wireless device as it allows users to watch movies, listen to music, play games, read books, and much more. And all this can be done without the use of the WIFI, cellular 3G, or Bluetooth antennas.

When flying on an airplane, you can put your iPad into a special mode called "Airplane Mode." This automatically turns off the transceivers for your iPad's WIFI, Bluetooth, and cellular 3G.

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To place your iPad on Airplane mode, please follow the very simple steps below to turn off your WIFI, 3G, and Bluetooth transceivers:

Step 1: You need to go to the Settings Screens. Touch the "Home" button if you are not on the home screen. Then touch "Settings."

Step 2: Touch the Airplane Mode On/Off switch to turn on this setting. Within a second, your iPad will disconnect and power down your cellular 3G network, Bluetooth, and WIFI network.

Notes: On your status bar where the signal strength and network icons are normally, you will see an Airplane icon when the Airplane mode is activated.

Using Your iPad on an Airplane With "Airplane Mode"

Love Affair - How to Approach Married Women

Many married women like to have an affair and seek new love with a new guy only to leave their families behind. Well, this is quite unethical to have an affair with a married one than a single woman who needs fresh relationship. Approaching a married woman is easier than approaching a single woman. This is because many married women are not happy with her husband and are worried with many other factors rather than love relationships with their partners. This article will show you why married women want to have an affair with new guy.

Married women usually have to deal with great pressure compared to a single woman. Life isn't as wonderful as they have thought it would be after being married. These women usually got the pressure from her husband, children, and career so they want to seek an affair with a new guy especially ones are younger than their age to get a new fresh start.

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Married women could easily fall in love with a man who can make her feel free of sadness and forget her stressful life. You can easily find them at a bar or pub, buy her a drink and act like a consultant for her to relieve from stress, make her feel comfortable and get used to you. Once she's hooked to you it is very easy for her to fall in love with you no matter how much she loves her husband.

Remember, you should be responsible for what you did. Approach married woman for an affair will suffer consequence. These women usually want to have fun with you but not taking you seriously since they know themselves they have got husbands and children to take care of. I suggest you to stay away from married women and look for a single woman.

Love Affair - How to Approach Married Women

Understand The Divorce Procedure And Protect Yourself

A divorce procedure is never easy to go through, but it is possible to end a marriage amicably with little or no difficulty at all. However, this is not the case in many incidents.

Divorce lawyers are usually the only ones that truly win in a long drawn out divorce proceeding, which tends to be extremely overwhelming for both the parties involved psychologically and as well financially. The longer it takes to settle a divorce case, the longer the conflict continues, and creating huge legal fees for both sides in the process. If both parties agree during the divorce procedure, on the settlement and other pertinent matters within a reasonable amount of time, with little or no intervention from an attorney, then the final dissolution can take place pretty quickly, before the mandated waiting period is up in many of the cases.

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Firstly, when reconciliation fails and no other options remain, many questions about the divorce procedure arise that need to be answered. A divorce procedure usually starts with a divorce petition that is initiated by one spouse (ie the petitioner) and served on the other (the respondent). The petition, which includes detail information about the marriage, is also filed with the clerk of court in the county where the petitioner resides at this time. The facts disclosed in the petition pertaining to the names of the husband and wife, the date and place of marriage, names of any children resulting from the union, separate or community property held by the parties, child custody, child support, spousal support, and any other issued to be addressed regarding the dissolution of the marriage. Proper divorce procedure mandates that the respondent spouse be given suitable notice that the divorce petition has been filed, either by the petitioning spouse or process server. The respondent then ordinarily has thirty-five days to answer or file a counter-claim if require. If both parties agree on the settlement, a court hearing is not required and the divorce will be final.

A minimum waiting period (usually six months) is mandated in most of the states, and is not waived during proper divorce procedure, even if the marriage is dissolved before this time duration has elapsed. Remarriage is also not allowed until the waiting period is over, which commences at the date of the case filing.

Issues arising out of marriage tend to be complex and the divorce procedure itself tends to be very overwhelming for most of us. Keeping physically and emotionally fit during this time will keep the stress levels down, and the less legal involvement, the more money in the bank when the procedure is all over.

Understand The Divorce Procedure And Protect Yourself

A Collection of Weird Massage Stories

Whenever I travel somewhere in Asia I always try out a local massage for better or for worse. Sometimes it was definitely for the worse, and here are some of my more bizarre experiences.

Bangkok massage trauma:

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I went to the tourist district on Kao San Road in Bangkok and went to a typical Thai massage shop. Many floor mats were lined up in a big room with many sessions going on simultaneously. I ended up with a male therapist. The first thing he did was turn on a fan that blew cold air on me in a room that was already air conditioned to arctic temperatures. When I told him that the fan made me cold, he insisted that he needed it since he felt hot.

A few minutes after he started my massage he got up and started to prepare a pot of tea. When he was done he came back to me and continued the massage without any explanation. A few minutes later another client was done with his session. Apparently my therapist was the main cashier since he got up and collected the money from him. Again he returned without offering any explanation and kept working on me.

At this point I felt like getting up and walking out. But I decided to stay just to see how far this could go. And incredibly enough the fellow kept stopping my massage every time someone needed to pay for their session. His main job was cashier and he also did massages as an afterthought it seemed. I felt like I was a piece of meat being pushed around mindlessly, I was freezing, and I even had to pay for the abuse.

Luang Prabang, Laos - What Kind of Oil is that?

I went to a massage shop in Luang Prabang to get an oil massage. There was nothing wrong with the session, but when I took a shower afterward to wash the oil off my body, I realized that the oil did not come off. After three rounds of soap and water, I decided they must have used petroleum mixed with super glue, because I still felt greasy and sticky. Soap and water had no chance against this incredible massage oil. It managed to prolong my experience way past the one hour session that I paid for.

Burma 'Hole-in-the-Wall' Massage

I was traveling in Burma and one evening I was excited when I saw a sign for a massage shop. I signed up for a session and was directed to a wall with a curtain. When they pulled the curtain aside, I saw a cut-out in the wall. It was a rectangular hole in the wall with the dimensions of a coffin, just higher. A super thin mat rested on regularly spaced pieces of wood. The effect was that the mat was sagging in all the spaces between the wooden slats and the slats dug themselves into my back.

A little old man showed up and I was wondering how he could give me a massage in a space that was just big enough to accommodate my own body. Somehow he managed to climb over me and squeeze himself in a squatting position between my legs. He pulled the curtain shut and did some pressing and squeezing on some parts of my body that he could reach from his contorted position. I would have gotten up and walked out, but I wanted to experience it just for the weirdness of it. After the session my body felt worse than before, but I had another memorable travel experience.

Vietnamese Massage with Happy End Offer

I was in Hanoi and wanted to experience a Vietnamese massage. Since I had heard dubious reports about massage shops in Vietnam, I went to the tourist office and stated that I was looking for a real massage without any sexy content in a classy establishment. They gave me the name and address of a spa. When I arrived there, it looked very clean and professional: nice reception, private massage room with individual saunas, uniformed therapists, and the massage was actually quite good.

Towards the end of the session, the girl put her hands on my private parts and asked if I wanted massage there. I declined and got up to get dressed. Before I left, she put her hand on my arm and asked what I was going to do now. To her disappointment I told her that I would go home - alone. She must have seen her big tip vanish and I hurried to get out of there.

Later I asked a Vietnamese friend of mine if there was such a thing as purely professional therapeutic massage. He told me that there was not much of a market for such incomplete work, since most Vietnamese men prefer the "happy end".

Bali - Younger Therapists

I was walking on the street in the city of Kuta and was accosted by a girl who wanted me to sign up for a massage. As a massage therapist myself, I am always interested in massage, so I followed her. She led me to a dingy and unclean room that would have been the last place where I ever wanted to receive a massage. So I turned on my heels and walked out. She chased me down and pleaded with me: "Mister, wait, we will give you a younger and prettier girl!"

I guess she did not know that my personal rule for female massage therapists in Asia is that the older and less attractive ones are generally the more experienced and more professional ones. If she would have said: "Mister, wait, we give you an old and ugly one and we will put clean sheets on the table", she might have had a chance, but she blew it with her offer.

Chiang Mai Belly Attack

I went to get a massage at a shop that is known for therapeutic work. An older woman who seemed quite experienced got to work on me. Everything was fine until she got to my belly area. There she started to press really hard with thumbs and elbows which was registered by my tummy as very painful.

So in a natural effort of self-preservation I kept my stomach muscles tense enough so that she could not do any serious damage. When she was done with the massage, she told me in a concerned voice that I had real issues in my belly area since I was so tense in there. She advised me to go see a doctor and come back to her for regular belly treatments.

Luckily most Thai massage therapists don't touch the belly. Otherwise I might end up needing a surgical belly replacement.

I have to say that later I received excellent massages in very professional settings in Bali, just to set the record straight. In Thailand I have received countless wonderful massages, and I have not totally given up on Vietnamese massage either. I will try again on my next trip, but then I will go with my girlfriend, just to be on the safe side.

A Collection of Weird Massage Stories

Discover The Many Uses Of Lemon Grass

Lemon grass is one of the useful herbs people can benefit from in a varitey of ways. What most people do not know is that lemon grass is one of the most commonly used herbs in almost every civilization.

Other names for the lemon grass are cymbopogon, lemongrass or fever grass.

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The lemon grass is a native of the Old World for it ideally grows in the warm and temperate tropics. This is basically a tall perennial grass that has 55 species at present.

Here are some of the uses of the lemon grass today.

Ingredient in Dishes

The lemon grass or Cymbopogon ciatrus is known for its use in cooking, especially for most cuisines of Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam.

Meal enthusiasts will surely appreciate the use of this tropical grass in bringing about an aromatic detail to dishes.

The flavor of the lemon grass can be achieved whether it is used fresh, dried or powdered.

The stalk is hard but it can be easily chopped finely to be added to your recipe. It can also be cooked as it is and let it release its oils for aromatic endeavors.

People can also use lemon grass in their teas, curries and soups. It can suit easily any poultry or seafood dishes.

This is especially significant for most South East Asian dishes as the flavor of the lemon grass helps balance the hot chillies that are staples in most cuisine.

Scents and Aromas

Aside from cooking, it can also be used for other purposes. In India, the lemon grass can be utilized as element in perfumes.

Most people may be familiar to citronella which is actually another popular name for lemon grass. The citronella is a common element for supporting the scents of soaps, perfumes and candles.

Citronella is also used as mosquito repellent. Even dogs are known to dislike the scent of citronella, making it an effective tool to keep away the pets in areas where they are not supposed to go.

Aromatherapeutic Use

The Palmarosa species of the lemon grass has distinct sweet-smelling oil that can be of significant use in aromatherapy. It has a calming effect that can relieve the stress and tension in the body.

One can enjoy the relaxing mood effect by the lemon grass by using it in massage or during bath.

However, caution must be taken to only use this in low dilution. This is not very advisable too to people who have high risks to skin allergy.

In some instances, the lemon grass can even be utilized as a mild depressant.

Medicinal Function

The lemon grass also has good effects to the body. It can help significantly in detoxifying the organs in the digestive system like the pancreas, kidney, bladder and liver.

This is made possible because the lemon grass aids in cutting down the cholesterol, uric acid and toxins in the system.

At the same time, this helps in stimulating digestion and blood circulation. Consequently, gastroenteritis and indigestion can be avoided.

In some countries, lemon grass is even used to minimize the pimples and acne on the face.

Conclusion

Lemon grass may sound and look very ordinary to you but there are many wonders you can get from this plant. So get to know lemon grass better and it may just be the answer to one of your needs today.

Discover The Many Uses Of Lemon Grass

Hong Kong - My Top 5 Favorite Places to Enjoy Night Life in Hong Kong

Experience a lively nightlife in Hong Kong with the many bars and cafés offering the best live music and exciting places where one can socialize with other people and have fun all night long.

Here are my top five choices for the best places to be in Hong Kong to enjoy an amazing nightlife:

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1.    1/5 NUEVO - is an exceptional cocktail lounge that offers casual dining and an ideal place to chill out. They also serve luscious cuisines such as Spanish cuisines that will surely captivate everyone's taste buds. Music is also wonderful here with soothing melodies playing in the background while you and your friends enjoy the fun night out together. This lovely bar is found in 9th Star street

2.    Zaza Bar - is a newly established bar in HK. This amazing bar offers first rate entertainment. It has a unique and state of the art sound system that makes Zaza bar very well known in Hong Kong. There are several branches of Zaza around Hong Kong, but its branch in Canton Road Hong Kong is the most famous of all.

3.    Beijing Night Club - located in the center of HK and is the very first choice of many visitors. It is three-storey bar lounge that offers good music and vibrant vibes. DJs playing music in the Beijing Night Club all came from UK so international music ans songs are to be expected here.

4.    Club No. 9 - also found in the heart of Hong Kong that is a place to relax and unwind after a busy day. The club offers relaxing and soothing music that will surely make everyone loosen up and feel at ease. They also serve famous and delicious cocktails. This a often visited by lavish people wanting to have fun and socialize with others.

5.    Madison's Bar - located in Queensway and is a very ideal place for everyone to chill out and have fun. The bar offers cast selection of famous wines that everyone will surely love.

Those are my top five places which will give everyone a truly enjoyable nightlife in HK. Choosing among the so many places for a fun night out in Hong Kong is pretty hard for there are lots to choose from. Hope these choices will give everyone a night out experience that they will surely remember.

Hong Kong - My Top 5 Favorite Places to Enjoy Night Life in Hong Kong

The Effects of Unemployment

The US market for instance is a highly unstable market in today's times. In fact, our current market trend is quite low. Although it is possible that we have higher economic growth compared to any other country and during our peak negative cycle, there is no doubt about it- we are in a recession right now. Millions of Americans are suffering such problems like job cuts, decreases in stock withholds and more. Although this is quite detrimental, this is actually a very common phenomena and occurs naturally in any global business setup and will regain its stability within a short span of time. In this article, we will evaluate the effect of unemployment on commerce and business so that we have a better understanding of these matters.

Our recent recession has globally affected unemployment and will continue to do so at astronomical rates. Many economists predict that the effect of unemployment has changed the inflation rate and the price of the commodities and has led to a very unstable market. once the job cuts in business and commerce took place the manufacturing of raw materials which needed to perform a certain output level gets decreased. Many companies have been forced to undergo such hardships like maintaining the global value of its companies. This has caused a tremendous effect on unemployment, commerce and business too.

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One might wonder then, how can we fix this problem? Well, here are a few suggestions that can inevitably help. First, we must convert the unemployment crisis into opportunities. For instance, if one finds themselves unemployed and unable to find work in their past industry, they should seek new opportunities or go into business for themselves. By doing this, more people can explore new areas and find other interesting careers that suit them. Second, we must have an evaluation plan of the companies global set up for the last 30 years. By doing this, we can carefully evaluate the key areas such as productivity, quality, workforce, marketing , customer feed-backs and then make significant improvements to the framework of the failing company/ industry Third, we must not be heartbroken about the recession and instead use it to our advantage. For instance, now is the time to invest in the market, buy foreclosed homes, etc. By doing this, you will be able to rebound when unemployment decreases and commerce and business profits increase.

Take Google for instance - they are a company to be followed and patterned after. Although they are consistently turnover employees, they have boasted that their profits are high as ever. This is because companies like Google, learn from their bouts of unemployment and are constantly figuring out ways to increase commerce and business. They are the leaders in innovation and not afraid to start and exploring new ideas.

Therefore, the question for you is this, will you be like Google and excel even in times of recession or will you be like the naysayer, who simply proclaim, "Whoa me. We are in a recession. Commerce and business are failing and the world is ending." Or will you use this experience to grow and build your business and financial security? The choice is ultimately yours - now get to it!

The Effects of Unemployment

The Monsoon Climate

Monsoon climate is found in India, Bangla Desh, Thailand, the Philippines, Southwestern Africa, French Guiana and southeastern Brazil.

The stations located in monsoon climate experience plentiful rainfall like that of the equatorial climate stations but almost all of the years rainfall is received in summer months. As they are located quite near the equator, the tropical monsoon climate experiences warm temperatures throughout the year and the average temperature of every month is usually over 70 F ( 21 C ).

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Temperature

The temperatures in the areas falling under the monsoon climatic zone remain high all year. For instance at Manila , the capital of the Philippines , the average annual temperature is 80 F (26.7 C) but the difference between the hottest and coolest month is only 7oF (4 C ). The monsoon climate's temperature range is somewhat similar to that of Equatorial climate but shows a slight dip in the cooler months.

Rainfall

The concentration of almost all of the year's rainfall in the summer months is the most prominent characteristic feature of the monsoon climate. Again referring to the climatic data for Manila we find out that it has total annual rainfall of 83 inches ( 2069 mm) of which summer rainfall is 76 inches (1918 mm) which accounts for more than 90 percent while the winter precipitation is only 12 inches ( 300 mm) which is less than 10 percent of the total annual rainfall. Thus the rainfall pattern is highly seasonal; typical of monsoon climates.

The monsoon Effect

The highly seasonal rainfall pattern of these areas is due to monsoon effect. The monsoon is a seasonal change in wind direction. In summer when the land gets much hotter than the oceans , the direction of wind is from ocean towards the land. As the wind is saturated with moisture which it picks up from the ocean, so it gives heavy rains to the tropical monsoon lands. In winter the direction of wind is reversed .Now the land is cooler than the oceans so the wind direction is from the lands towards the oceans. As the wind moves over the land so it is dry and so brings little or no rain to monsoon lands. This is the reason of the huge difference between the rainfall figures for warmer and cooler months.

This concludes a brief description of the climatic pattern of monsoon lands.

The Monsoon Climate

The Most Famous Food From Sarawak

If you love hot and spicy food, then on your next trip to Sarawak, especially to the capital city of Kuching, you must not miss the famous Sarawak Laksa. what food is it actually?

Well, it is actually rice vermicelli mixed with prawn or shrimp paste, topped with fried eggs that are cut into thin slices, blanched bean sprouts, steamed soft chicken slices and juicy tender prawns. Once all the ingredients are mixed together with thick Laksa gravy poured over it and ready to be served, you may want to squeeze a little lime over it and garnished with coriander leaves. You may also want to add in some "belachan" (spicy shrimp paste) before you consume it.

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Belachan is a popular ingredient in South East Asia. It is commonly used in South East Asia and Southern Chinese cuisines as a shrimp paste or shrimp sauce. In Indonesia, belachan is known as terasi, ngapi in Burma, kapi in Thailand and mam tom in Vietnam.

A bowl of Sarawak laksa depending on whether it is a large bowl or a small bowl costs around rm4 to rm6 . (rm3.6=usd1). This Laksa is so delicious that after eating it, it may even send you licking the bowl too. You may even order a second bowl thereafter. This dish will definitely warms up your stomach for the whole day.

When you are in Kuching, you can easily find Laksa being sold in many coffee shops. However, the well known coffee shops that sent people waiting and queuing up for hours are the coffee shops at Tabuan Laru, another stall at Bormill third mile and in the city centre located beside Grand Continental hotel. My favourite Sarawak Laksa stall is at Foody Goody coffee shop at Tabuan Laru vicinity. I would patiently wait for at least half an hour on Sundays as there were just too many customers waiting for their bowl of Laksa.

The Sarawak Laksa is available only on mornings as they would be sold out by lunch time. The best and most delicious Sarawak Laksa in the whole region of Sarawak is still in Kuching city.

You should go check it out if you are in Kuching for work, business or leisure.

The Most Famous Food From Sarawak

Customs and Manners in Foreign Countries

Whether you like it or not, you are a representative of the United States once you travel to a foreign country. Many have to come to associate such questions as: "Don't you have an American cup of coffee?" or "You don't speak English?" or "That's not how we do things at home." as typical American behavior overseas.

Nonetheless, there are several things you just can't do when you travel as they are regarded in bad taste: taking photographs of people without asking their permission, acting critical or amused by customs that are alien to you, getting too familiar, too fast (for example, slapping someone on the back, even if the gesture is well intentioned).

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To be regarded as a good ambassador (and save yourself from embarrassment), it's advisable to read a few books or research online about the culture and customs of the country you plan to visit.

Clothing: Wearing shorts in public is generally not acceptable in most parts of the world, including some European countries. In Arab countries, low necklines, sleeveless shirts, and short skirts are definitely a bad idea. When in doubt, dress conservatively. Also, while it is tempting to dress in the local style, like wearing a sari in India, be sensitive to the culture - sometimes the local citizenry will appreciate your attempt to fit in; sometimes it will be considered an insult.

Greetings/touching: Handshakes are an almost universally accepted form of greeting, although in some countries, like Japan, a traditional bow from the waist down is preferred. Be careful how you address someone; don't use first names unless you are invited to do so. In some countries, you'll see a lot of hugging and kissing going on among the locals (Greece, Italy, Latin countries, Slavic countries); an affectionate hug or peck on the cheek that you share with a new acquaintance is fine, but usually if you are responding to, not initiating it.

Language/Gestures: Taking a crash course in the language of the country you will be visiting rarely results in the mastery of the language. Instead, learn some polite expressions (hello-goodbye-thank you) and relax. English is pretty common worldwide, especially in tourist areas, and you can always include body language to get your message across. However, some American gestures have totally different meanings in other countries. For example, in Bulgaria, shaking your head horizontally means "yes"; shaking it vertically means "no". Also using the American gesture for "OK" (the thumb and forefinger making a circle with the other fingers pointing up) can be embarrassing. In Brazil that gesture means "screw you": in Japan it means "money": in Southern France it means "zero" or "worthless".

Food/Drink: You may find yourself staring down at a local delicacy - snake soup in China, a yak burger in Tibet, sheep's eyes in Saudi Arabia, calves' brains in France - and wonder what to do, particularly if you are a guest in someone's home. Be brave, take small bites, and pretend it tastes like something you like. When presented with a strong alcoholic drink, like ouzo in Greece, take small sips and stop when you must (you can refuse, citing medical reasons as your excuse). Remember that Hindus and some Buddhists don't eat beef (the cow is sacred); Muslims don't eat pork, and strict Muslims abstain from alcohol. If you are eating with Muslims, never touch food with your left hand (the left hand is for bathroom use and is considered unsanitary; using it would be very offensive).

Socializing/conversations: If you are acquainted with the history and culture of the country, you shouldn't get unnerved. In general, some topics can be touchy or controversial, like money, religion, politics, and sex. But the particular nature of the people is critical. The Japanese do not want to talk about World War II; the French scowl at the classic American question: "What do you do for a living?"; the Chinese call their country "China" or the "People's Republic of China" - not "the Mainland"; people in Scotland are "Scots" or "Scotsmen," not "Scotch" (the drink) or "Scottish" (the language or the terrier).

Customs and Manners in Foreign Countries

Thailand Employment

Termination of Employment

The Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998) ("the Act") applies to all businesses operating in Thailand. The employer/employee relationship is regulated under Thai law, including matters relating to the termination of an employee.

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The main reasons why Thailand employers may consider payroll cuts by terminating staff can be summarised briefly as economic, poor performance or misconduct.

It is common in the Thailand legal environment that the Labour Court tends to favour the employee and accordingly it is extremely important that business owners in Thailand adopt correct procedures insofar as termination of their employees.

Termination Payment Calculation Summary

The following is a summary of the quantum of severance pay which must be paid by an employer to an employee under Thai law if Section 118 of the Act is applied. This is calculated in accordance with the employee's length of service.

120 days but less than 1 year - 30 days pay
1 year but less than 3 years - 90 days pay
3 years but less than 6 years - 180 days pay
6 years but less than 10 years - 240 days pay
more than 10 years - 300 days pay
Exclusions to Payment of Severance Pay

A. Short or Temporary Employment Periods

Labour laws in Thailand afford business owners certain exclusions from the requirement to pay severance payments if the following conditions apply:
An employee has served the company for less than 120 days.
An employee whose employment is stipulated in a contract set for a definite period and the employment is terminated at the end of that period, if this form of employment is in compliance with the Thai labour laws and regulations (Section 118 of the Act).

Employment with a definite period is allowed only for the following categories;
Employment on a specific project which is not the normal business of the employer;
Employment for occasional or temporary work; and,
Seasonal employment.

A written employment contract is required for the above with clauses stipulating the commencement and completion dates. In addition, all tasks must be completed within two years.

B. Termination with Cause

Under Section 119 of the Act, there are certain exceptions which enable an employer to avoid the payment of severance to an employee and which are as follows:-

The employee performs dishonestly or intentionally commits an offence against the employer;
The employee intentionally causes the employer to suffer loss;
The employee causes serious damage to the employer as a result of negligence;
The employee violates the employer's working rules or regulations or the employer's orders which are legal and fair where the employer has already given the employee a written warning, except in a serious situation where the employer is not required to provide a warning;
The employee neglects to complete his or her duties by not attending work without justifiable reason for three consecutive working days; and,
The employee has spent time in prison by final judgement, with the exception of negligence or petty offences.
The exceptions to which employers are liable for severance pay are stipulated in Section 119 (1) - (6) of the Act.

If the employer terminates the employment contract of the employee for other grounds, the employee is entitled to receive severance pay.

Nevertheless, to terminate the employment of any employee on the grounds stipulated in Section 119 of the Act, the employer must provide a letter of termination to the employee with the reasons for termination. Note that in accordance with Thai law, the reasons provided must be real or relate to the actions for termination of employment.

Special Severance Pay

In the case where an employer relocates the place of business in Thailand which affects the normal living of an employee or his/her family, the employer shall notify the employee at least 30 days before the date of relocation. Thai law allows the employee to refuse to move and become entitled to receive severance pay. Failure to notify the employee may result in a special severance payment in lieu of the advance notice of 30 days.

With respect to the termination of the employment on the basis of reorganising the Thailand based business, production line, sales or services due to the adoption of machinery or technologies which result in a reduction of the number of employees, the employer has a duty in compliance with Thai law (Section 121 of the Act) to notify the employee as well as the labour inspector not less than 60 days prior to the contemplated date of termination. Failure to do so will result in a special severance payment in lieu of the advance notice of 60 days being paid in addition to the normal severance pay.

Thailand Employment

Thailand - Top 5 Best Places and Destinations in Phuket

Phuket, formerly known as "Tha-laang" is one of the provinces located in the south regions of Thailand. Phuket is Thailand's largest island which is almost the size of Singapore. It has an area of roughly 570 square kilometers. Phuket is made up of one large island, and 39 other small islands. The island is truly mountainous which has a mountain range in the western part of the island. Phuket is bounded with lots of beautiful and attractive sites where thousands of tourists from around the world love to visit.

Here are some of the best loved destinations in Phuket Thailand:

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o Nai Yang National Park - located only 20 minutes away from the airport in the island's north-western part. It comprises two beaches namely the Nai Yang beach and the Mai Kao beach. The park covers over ten miles of beautiful and attractive white sand beach which is adored by many. Nai Yang Park is famous for the amazing casaurina trees. The place is a perfect location for picnics.

o Patong beach - Patong Beach is the most admired and well-developed beach in Phuket Thailand, located in the west coast of Phuket. It is considered to be one of the world's Top places for diving. Phuket is Thailand's most visited tourist destination, presenting a variety of beaches, naturally appealing and stimulating night life.

o Phrompthep Cape - located in the southern part of Phuket. This place surely best place for viewing sunsets in Phuket. The place is mostly crowded in the evening with people witnessing the beautiful sunset panorama. This gorgeous looking place is truly favored in Phuket. Visitors coming to Phuket are always advised to come to Phrompthep; that will definitely complete their trip to Thailand.

o Ton Sai Forest Park - located in Bang Pang Kleua, in Ultradit province, Phuket. The park is one of the last remaining jungles in Phuket; swarmed with a variety of mammals including reptiles, bears, porcupines, gibbons, macaques, lizards and over a hundred species of birds. The forest had been a popular tourist attraction in the city.

o Rawai beach - Rawai was the very first tourist beach in Phuket. People of Phuket often drive their way to Rawai on weekends to visit the very gorgeous looking beach. It has also attracted many tourists coming from other countries. Definitely one of the best places in Phuket.

These are just five of the many best places to visit in Phuket. There are a lot more interesting places to see and visit in Phuket, Thailand; the home of world's wonder beauties of nature.

Thailand - Top 5 Best Places and Destinations in Phuket

Bali Government

Bali is one of the provinces of Indonesia. With an area of 5,632,86 sq. km and majority of the population involved in farming, the government has taken several steps to improve agriculture and tourism industry.

The early government that existed in Bali had more Indian influences to it. A hierarchical system was prominent in Bali, whereby in running the government, the king was assisted by a central advisory board called Panglapuan, which was later called Pakiran. The board of advisories included several commanders, senapatis, and Buddhist priests.

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Bali has eight districts collectively called Kabupatens, which comprise of Badung, Bangli, Buleleng, Gianyar, Jembrana, Karangasem, Klungkung, and Tabanan. Among all these districts, Badung is the most famous and highly populated one, with Despansar as its capital.

Bali has around 76 districts and each district is headed by a government official called Bupati. Districts are subdivided into sub districts called Kecamatans. And each sub district is headed by Camat. Every village has a headman called Perbekel and villages are further divided to form Banjars.

The total number of districts in 2000 was 88, and by the end of 2002, there were about 76 districts. There were around 51 sub districts in the year 2000, which rose to 53 in 2002. Villages were 577 in number in the year 2000, while in 2002, they increased to 598.

The total population of Bali in the year 2002 was 3,216,881. The number of men was 1,632,995, accounting for 50.76% of the total population. The other 49.24% were women, and there were 1,583,886.

Bali province government takes great measures to improve the tourism industry, since it is a major source of revenue for the government. The government has focused special attention towards the issue of wages. The province minimum wage has increased drastically (79.19%) from Rp.190.300 to Rp.341.000 from 2000 to 2002.

Bali Government

Thailand History

It is difficult to determine the type of culture which existed in Thailand before the Christian era, since no written records or chronologies exist but archeological excavations in the area north of Nakorn Ratchasima indicate that there were people living here over 4000 years ago. Thailand (previously known as Siam) has been populated ever since the dawn of civilization in Asia. There are conflicting opinions of the origins of the Thais. It presumed that about 4,500 years the Thais originated in northwestern Szechuan in China and later migrated down to Thailand along the southern part of China. They split into two main groups. One settled down in the North and became the kingdom of "Lan Na" and the other one is in further south, which afterward was defeated by the Khmers and became the kingdom of "Sukhothai".

In the early 16th century, the European visited Ayutthaya, and a Portuguese embassy was established in 1511. Portugal's powerful neighbor Spain was the next European nation to arrive in Ayutthaya forward the end of the 16th century. In the early 17th century they saw the arrival of two northern European, the Dutch and the British, and France in 1662.

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In the mid-16th century, Ayutthaya and the independent kingdom in Chiang Mai was put under the control of the Burmese, but Thais could regain both of the capitals by the end of the century.

The Burmese invaded Ayutthaya again in 1765. This time Burmese caused much fear to Thais. Burmase soldiers destroyed everything, including temples, manuscripts, and religious sculpture. After the capital fell in their hands for two years, the Burmese effectiveness could not further hold the kingdom. Phaya Taksin, a Thai general, promoted himself to be the king in 1769. He ruled the new capital of Thonburi on the bank of Chao Phraya River, opposite Bangkok. Thais regained control of their country and thus scattered themselves to the provinces in the north and central part of Thailand. Taksin eventually turn himself to be the next Buddha and was dismissed and executed by his ministers who did not approve his religious values.The British gained a colonial foothold in the region in 1824, but by 1896 an Anglo-French accord guaranteed the independence of Thailand. A coup in 1932 demoted the monarchy to titular status and established representative government with universal suffrage. At the outbreak of World War II, Japanese forces attacked Thailand. After five hours of token resistance Thailand yielded to Japan on Dec. 8, 1941, subsequently becoming a staging area for the Japanese campaign against Malaya. Following the demise of a pro-Japanese puppet government in July 1944, Thailand repudiated the declaration of war it had been forced to make in 1942 against Britain and the U.S.

The politics of Thailand took some significant turn on 24 June 1932 when a group of young intellectuals, educated abroad and imbued with the concept of Western democracy, staged a bloodless coup, demanding a change form absolute to a constitutional monarchy, Determined to avoid any bloodshed, His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) agreed to the abolition of absolute monarchy and the transfer of power to the constitution-based system of government as demanded. On 10 December 1932, His Majesty King Prajadhipok signed Thailand first constitution and thus ended 700 years of Thailand absolute monarchy. Despite the number of successive constitutions that followed in the span of just over half a century, the basic concepts of constitutional government and monarchy laid down in the 1932 constitution have remained unaltered.

Today Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty, the present king. The King has reigned for more than half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch. Thailand embraces a rich diversity of cultures and traditions. With its proud history, tropical climate and renowned hospitality, the Kingdom is a never-ending source of fascination and pleasure for international visitors and Thailand property investors. With the incredible number of visitors who simply fall in love with this mesmeric paradise of a country who find themselves returning year after year, its hardly surprising to hear of the high rental opportunities offered to any investor with a Thailand property and real estate. Combined with the fact that globally attractive Thailand boasts 1 of the worlds most empowered and foreign investment boosting economies. Contemporary apartment's flats and villas that are each ideal for property in Thailand investment or recreational purposes can be found in abundance within the country borders. With the country's infrastructure developing at a remarkable pace, land prices are on notably on the increase too which, for property owners, is nothing but reassuringly good news.

Thailand History

Asian Destinations - Interesting Facts About Thailand's Culture And Its People

Thailand is known for its well preserved culture. The country has been adored by people around the world with its captivating beauty and the country's culture. Here are some of the Thai customs which mirrors their culture.

The family is considered to be the foundation of Thai society. Thai family life is frequently more closely united than tat of the western cultures. The Thai family is regarded as form of hierarchy with the parents at the top.  Children are brought honoring and respecting their parents.

Thailand

The "wai" is a traditional Thai greeting, given by the person of lower status to the person of higher. Thais usually use first names rather than surnames, with the title "Khun" before the name. Khun is a form of address that is proper for both men and women. Visitors should always wait for your host and hostess to introduce them to the other guests. This allows everyone to recognize your status relative to their own. This also who will perform the wai and how low the head should be bowed.

There are also etiquettes for business travelers, which are very advisable to follow.  Business attire should always be conservative. Men must wear dark colored business suits, while the women wear conservative business suits or dresses. Women need not wear stockings or leg coverings, since Thai's judge people on their clothing and accessories. Visitors must also ensure that their shoes are always neatly polished.

During meals, a fork and spoon are the customary eating utensils, though; noodles are frequently eaten with chopsticks. The sticky rice, which is a northern Thai delicacy, is often eaten with the fight hand fingers. Most Thai meals are served in buffets or with serving platters in the center of the table. One may begin eating as soon as the hosts served.  One is advised to leave a little food on the plate after they have eaten to show that they are full. Taking in everything indicates that one is still hungry. Also, one must never leave rice on their plate as it is considered wasteful. It is also advised never to take the last bite from the serving bowl, but rather wait to be asked before taking a second helping.

These are just some of the interesting customs and cultures in Thailand. Visitors must observe these well to avoid being called as rude. But even so, Thais are very friendly people, and everyone will feel at ease around them.

Asian Destinations - Interesting Facts About Thailand's Culture And Its People

Thailand Marriage

Thailand marriages are comprised of two parts: the ceremonial and the legal.
Ceremonial part

"Sinsod" or the practice of paying a dowry is a distinct characteristic of a Thailand marriage ceremony. It is a symbolic act that shows the groom's financial capabilities. Another unique feature of traditional marriages in Thailand is the strong Buddhist influence. In weddings presided by Buddhist monks, food and prayer are offered and presented to Buddha images. With the advent of modernism, Thai families now have the option to follow the traditional Thai marriages celebration or not.

Thailand

Legal part

The legal aspect of Thailand marriages are performed in the amphur or civil registry offices. Marriage registration likewise takes place there.

Marriage eligibility

A. Both the bride and groom must be at least 17 years old. If one of them is a minor, there is a need for a court order.

B. The couple should both be psychologically and mentally fit.

C. Blood-related couples or those who have evident consanguinity relations cannot get married.

D. Likewise, couples that belong to the same adoptive parents are not allowed to get married.

E. Both should be free from any marital relationship prior to the marriage.

Eligibility requirements for Thai widows and divorcees

Widows and divorcees are allowed to get married 310 days after their husband's death or after the termination of the divorce proceedings. There are some exceptions though which are as follows:

A. If there is a court order that allows the woman to marry

B. A medical certificate showing that the woman is not pregnant

C. If a child is born

D. If the divorcee is remarrying

Required documents for Thai nationals

A. Identification papers

B. Certificate of house registration

C. In cases where the individual is a widow or divorcee, proof of the spouse's death and divorce papers are required

Required documents for foreigners

A. Clear copies of the passport and arrival card

B. Eligibility to marry or certification of the foreigner's marital status

C. Translated copies of the eligibility to marry

D. Proofs of death and divorce if the foreigner is a widow or divorcee

E. A passport showing legal entry to Thailand

Why marry in Thailand?

Thailand exotic locations and unforgettable spots are not the only reasons why you should marry in Thailand. Here are some unique benefits characteristic of Thailand marriages:

A. Less strict requirements in drafting prenuptial agreements

B. Easier visa acquisition for both the foreigner and the Thai spouse

C. Property rights

Points to ponder

Marrying in Thailand entails a huge responsibility. Several factors should be considered. First of all, you should be financially capable. This is especially true in situations where a divorce needs to be undertaken prior to the present marriage. Check your financial resources and determine whether it is enough to cover expenses that are related to alimony, child support, and similar others. Secondly, transnational marriages may require you to pay taxes. Lastly, prenuptial agreements, most especially if not well-written may lead to property losses. To avoid above problems, it is advisable for you to hire efficient lawyers to assist you before embarking on your wedding plans.

Thailand Marriage

Discover The Beauty Of Koh Samui, Thailand

How come people talk endlessly about Koh Samui, Thailand? Is it actually worth a trip? Well, Koh Samui is known to be the third biggest island of Thailand. It offers great new adventures which you will surely enjoy and keep you visiting even more to this wonderful place.

The place is not only excellent for a trip or visit, it's in fact one of the most beautiful places here on earth that you would like to live in. In reality, people who visited the place revealed that they have been already attached to the place and there are some who has the feeling of not wanting to leave this place anymore. Elevated number of emigrant retirees from Western countries have been planning and moving to dwell in the country of Thailand and the island of Koh Samui is always in their list of options. The island is truly an admirable destination because it does not only offers affordable services but also provides best living standards.

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Specifically, the great part about Koh Samui, Thailand is its excellent blend of marvelous climate, incomparable views, pure and clean sandy beaches, profuse and delightful dense, implausible plants, rare vegetation and animals, wonderful cuisine, numerous views, endeavors and experiences. The place has the friendliest people on earth. Healthcare is excellent and affordable while international schools are available to every one.

Koh Samui, Thailand is the best and safe place to roam if you have been searching for an excellent place. It has different comforts as well as facilities that you are longing for.

This place boasts different activities which you can learn from. You can acquire knowledge by diving to the clean crystal waters. You can also go and bathe under the sun and enjoy the genuine white sand beaches that are bordered with appealing palm trees. Visiting the coconut plantation, observe the amazing waterfalls, going on boat trips to other islands such as Koh Mae Koh, Koh Wua Talap and Koh Tao are some of the things you can do while you are staying at this place. The park for national marine is the best place to go on snorkeling. You could also choose to relax on refreshing spas available on Koh Samui.

There are abundant spas in Koh Samui Island and it provides tranquility, peace and complete anchors of expensive treatments which give you purified and refreshed feelings after the flurry of everyday activities.

Discover The Beauty Of Koh Samui, Thailand

Life Is Easy - We Humans Make It Complicated

Isn't that true? You sleep, you wake up, you eat, and at some point in time, you go to bed again. The sun rises and the sun sets without you contributing to it.

"Life is easy. We humans make it complicated." I heard this for the first time from Dr. Glenn Matthews, a great American psychologist who retired in Bangkok, Thailand.

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It took me a while to fully grasp the depth of this statement.

I grew up in Germany. In a culture that seems to advocate retirement as the ultimate goal in life. We Germans go through a thorough education to get a good job, and then we work as hard as possible until we reach retirement at the age of sixty-something. Then real life starts, and only then. Before that it's a struggle, and there is little time to enjoy life.

The problem is that once people reach the age of retirement, often they are physically no longer able to enjoy life as much as they wished. And of course many do not even reach this age. Like one of my classmates who died at the age of 29 in a bus accident in Turkey.

My past seven years in Thailand turned out to be a great learning experience. Thai people live in the moment. It's like the other extreme to my German roots. Often times when a Thai person encounters a problem at work, they will quit the job from one day to the other. They don't worry much about the future, and their amazing networking capabilities ensure that someone always takes care of them, somehow.

Buddhist monks teach us how little we actually need to live. And in fact it's no different in Christian believe: "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them." -Matthew 6:26

If life is actually so easy, why do we humans make it so complicated?

Once I met a lady from Bhutan. I don't know much about Bhutan, but I recalled that this country ranks highest on the global happiness index. I asked that lady why she thinks that is so. Her answer was as simple as it was stunning: "I think we desire less."

And that's probably true. Isn't the key to all suffering unfulfilled desires?

"Those who seek security chase it for a lifetime without ever finding it (...) Attachment to money and security only creates insecurity, no matter how much money we have in the bank," writes Deepak Chopra in "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success."

I admit I am not a very spiritual person; years of education in natural science have perhaps contributed to that. However, the moment I understood Deepak Chopra's concept of "detached involvement", I fell in love with it and it broadened my mind. Nowadays I apply it successfully in my life as follows:

I am an ambitious person. I enjoy pursuing goals (for instance becoming the best coach I can possibly be and adding massive value to my clients' lives). But I have learned that happiness does not depend on achieving a specific outcome. Happiness comes from what you are doing while you are doing it.

If for example your objective is to achieve a certain goal in five years from now, and you allow yourself only to be happy once this specific outcome is achieved in all its details, then you are practicing attachment. You are setting yourself up for trouble. Perhaps throughout the next five years you will not be happy because your happiness depends on this goal that is not achieved yet. Worse than that, no matter how hard you work, chances are that your goal might not be achieved. Or you achieve it and you realize it is in fact not the source for happiness. Wouldn't that be sad and a terrible waste of time? That's how you make your actually easy life very complicated.

Find out the source for your happiness and do what you need to do to be happy now. Find Buddha's middle path, be involved (act and do your best) while you practice detachment (be independent from a specific outcome).

Enjoy the journey and achieve happily.

Life Is Easy - We Humans Make It Complicated

Bangkok Canals - "The Venice of the East"

Bangkok was known as the "Venice of the East" in the past as it was filled with many canals. People used to live on water doing their day to day activities while floating on boats. Many of these canals were filled in to make way for new roads and buildings over the past years but even now many of these old canals still remain on the Thonbui side of the Chao Phraya River.

Along these canals, we can see even now many people dwelling and they are very much used to the life in their floating residencies. They are visited monks who do alms rounds, the postmen, and even vendors coming by boats. One can enjoy a long tailed boat ride for about 1,000 baht to have some good time in a quiet environment and even to have a closer look as in how Thai people used to live along the canals. And also it is possible to visit so many temples that have very historical background. While traveling through these temples and other ancient monuments one can gain a thorough knowledge about the history and the development of the entire city.

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More over, during the boat ride, it is also possible to stop at the Royal Barge National Museum, which is established along one of the main temples in the canals. That is also a major destination where most of the tourists intend to go in the hope of gaining more knowledge about the traditions and basic cultural aspects of Thailand as well as Bangkok. Therefore many tourists who come across Bangkok for their business purposes and to spend some good time do not miss the opportunity to spare some more time along the canals to relax them selves.

For visitors who opt to stay for a longer time Bangkok serviced apartments such as President Park will provide convenient access and comfortable stay to most of the other attractions in Bangkok as well.

Mentioning about more attractions that grab the eyes of the visitors are the monasteries called "Wat Paramal Ylkawat", "Wat Suwannaram", "Wat Chalo" and more near the canals in Bangkok. All of them are based on the history and various cultural aspects of Thailand which enhances the value of the nation.

Bangkok Canals - "The Venice of the East"

Living In Thailand - Taking A Closer Look

What is it like living in Thailand? What are the pros and cons? Who is this lifestyle for? This is a behind-the-scenes look at living in Thailand as a foreigner.

When I tell people that I live in Thailand, I often get feedback along the lines of "You are so lucky", "I would love to be able to do that too", "You live in paradise", or "What an amazing lifestyle."

Thailand

For those people who are not sure on which continent Thailand is and who have a hard time locating it on a map, here is a tip. China is easy to find on a map, it is plenty big enough. If you look for the lowest or southernmost part of China, you will see Thailand right below there along with some other small countries like Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam. This part of the world is called "Southeast Asia".

An easy way to find it is to google "google maps", and up pops a world map which you can easily move around on your screen. If you look at a globe, you can see that Thailand is at the opposite side of the planet if you are from America.

So why would anyone want to live half way around the world in a country where people speak a totally different language and have a very different culture and habits?

There are a number of reasons.

1. Money: Financially it makes sense to spend your time in a place where your dollars or Euros go a lot further than in your home country. Many retired people on fixed pension income realize that their dollars buy them a better lifestyle in a country like Thailand. Buying the same standard of living for a third of the cost is a very attractive idea, and millions of westerners have chosen an expatriate lifestyle for this reason.

Is everything cheaper in Thailand? No, some things are more expensive than in the West. Many electronics cost more. For example cameras can be up to 50 percent more expensive than in the US. Cars are also no bargain in Thailand, and especially second hand cars cost much more than they would in the US.

Although you would not save any money buying a car, you will be able to maintain it for much less than in the West since the cost of labor in Thailand is very cheap. For example my motorcycle mechanic charges me about US .- per hour, and there are little hole-in the-wall shops that only charge about .- an hour. A car dealership might charge .- an hour for service. So cost of labor is where your savings will be.

Thailand has very high import duties which makes many imported items very expensive. Western style food products and imported health food items can cost twice as much as in the US.

However if you eat Thai food, buy your groceries in Thai markets, and eat out in simple Thai restaurants, you will pay a third or a fourth of what you would pay in the US.

Accommodation is another bargain in Thailand. In Chiang Mai, one of the most popular cities in Thailand, you can rent an efficiency apartment from 0 to 0. Even more upscale apartments will be less than half of comparable western rentals.

Transportation is also very affordable. For example, an overnight sleeper train ticket from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, a 500 m (800km) journey, costs about .

2. Climate: If you live in a cold climate, you could live in Thailand instead and enjoy warm tropical weather. You could be suntanning at the beach instead of shoveling snow at home. This is an option for retired people or for people who have a business that can be run over the internet. Examples would be stock market investors, internet marketers, copywriters, travel writers, or ebay sellers.

Thailand has two seasons in the southern part: Hot and relatively dry for a few months during the winter, and hot and rainy for the rest of the year. The northern part has three seasons: Pleasant, relatively cool and dry from November to February, very hot and dry from March through May, and rainy and moderately hot from June through October. The rainy season in northern Thailand is an off and on affair, not a constant monsoon. It is actually my favorite time of the year. The clouds keep the temperature down, the rains keep the air clean, and everything is lush and green.

3. Relationships: Tens of thousands of western men have found partners or wives in Thailand. Before you make up your mind what is right or wrong with this, there is a very helpful series of nine articles on this subject that explore it from all angles.

4. Health care: Medical treatments, dental care and massage therapy all cost a fraction of western prices, and quality standards are high. Massage prices start at per hour in the northern part, whereas in the southern beach areas you pay almost twice as much, which is still a fraction of western prices. Dental and medical care are less than half of what you would pay in the western world. The best hospital in my hometown of Chiang Mai is Ram Hospital. One of the best known dental clinics which cater to westerners is Grace Dental Clinic. Both facilities are modern, have the latest equipment, and very friendly staff.

5. Studying Thai massage: Thousands of westerners come to Thailand every year to learn Thai massage which is enjoying a surge in popularity all over the world. Many have turned it into a full time profession by starting a new career or they enhanced their existing healing arts career.

In summary here are some pros for living in Thailand: the cost of living is much lower, the pace of life is slower, people are friendly and accommodating, the weather is always warm, health care and massage therapy are very affordable, there are many colorful festivals throughout the year, and for men it is easy to find a female partner.

There are some cons as well: The Thai language is not easy to learn for most westerners, and you will be mostly confined to contacts in the expat community. Thai culture might be interesting and fascinating, but it is different enough that you will never really become part of it. Thais think very differently from westerners, and they do not express their feelings. So most of the time you will not know what they are really thinking.

Thailand is a fairly modern and well organized country, at least by southeast Asian standards. You can get most everything you need or want. But you don't have the same rights as you do at home. You cannot fully own property or a business, and in most legal disputes you will lose against the Thais, even if you are right.

In the north of Thailand there are major air pollution problems during February, March and April due to indiscriminate burning practices in agriculture and other areas, and the heat can really get to you during that time of the year.

Thailand might not exactly be paradise, but it is a great place to be, and tens of thousands of westerners have found a lifestyle here that suits them well.

Living In Thailand - Taking A Closer Look

Rome: City of Seven Hills

Rome, the capital city of Italy, is historically known as 'City of Seven Hills.' According to Roman mythology, the seven hills of early Rome were the Cermalus, Cispius, Fagutal, Oppius, Palatium, Sucusa and Velia. But now the modern 'City of Seven Hills' includes Myrtle, Blossom, Clock Tower, Jackson, Lumpkin and Old Shorter hills and Mount Aventine.

In the beginning, all the seven hills were occupied by different small hamlet and were not grouped or recognized as a city called Rome. The residents of the seven hills started participating in a series of religious games which started bonding the groups together. The city of Rome thus came into being as these separate settlements acted as a group, draining the marshy valleys between them and turning them into markets. Rome became the most beautiful city in the world that soon started governing the whole world.

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Five out of seven hills of current Rome are populated with monuments, buildings and parks. The Capitoline now hosts the Municipality of Rome and the Palatine Hill is an archaeological area. The monuments of Rome still stand as a reminder of Rome as one of the greatest centers of western civilization.

The Eternal City is home to rich heritage and art. There are many lavish ancient palaces and one of them is the 'Golden House of Nero'. Built on about 200 acres of land, the palace has a 150 foot statue of Nero in the nude at the entrance. The only ancient building which remains intact today is 'The Pantheon' whose spatial concept makes it an architectural wonder.

Further, there are many more things such as Pantheon, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, Piazza Navona and Capitoline Museum that grab attractions of the visitors from all corners of the globe. The charming city has some of the best collection of inexpensive budget hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars and shopping arcade that promises to make your journey a pleasant one.

Rome: City of Seven Hills

DateInAsia Review - Is DateInAsia a Good Place to Look For Love?

DateInAsia is maybe the biggest dating site in Asia and is free for all members. It's main purpose is to connect foreign men with local Asian women. The site is most popular with Filipino women and Thai women, but it has members from all over Asia including China, Indonesia and Malaysia.

DateInAsia is a free site and has no hidden costs except for the usual Google ads. That's certainly a big plus, but free dating sites sometimes attract spammers and scammers.

Thailand

The site does not have a lot of facilities, but has the usual basic amenities. You can set up a free profile, fill out personal information about height, weight, job and so on. it's only possible to upload one picture and it's automatically cropped to only be a headshot. It is possible to send signs of interest to other members as well as messages trough the sites internal mail system. There's basic search options based on location, sex and age, but that's it.

DateInAsia has some selling points, most importantly being that it's free and quite big in Thailand and the Filipines. Besides that it's not a great site in my opinion. There's a drawback to free sites and that is that it's just to easy for insincere users to sign up. This includes professional scam artists mostly based in the Philippines. They lure money out of unsuspecting men by trying to get them to pay for a webcam show or send them money for their family or education, without ever having met them. Sometimes, it's not even women behind it but men.

That being said, it's worth a try if you're feeling particularly stingy with your money.

DateInAsia Review - Is DateInAsia a Good Place to Look For Love?

Thai Wai

Thai culture, Thai custom & Thai tradition.

What is wai?

Thailand

Wai is a form of Thai culture which represents various aspects of Thai honorific system. For example, wai shows Thai politeness, respect, honor, and friendship. Thais wai when greeting or leaving. Along with a wai, Thais usually say "sawasdee," which means "hello" in English. The wai tradition has been succeeded to the present generation since Sukhotai Period, approximately A.D. 1238). Wai can also be used in articulating apology or gratitude. For these purposes, a person who wais usually says, "khor-thod" or "khob-khun," respectively.

How to wai

1. Put the palms together. According to Buddhism, Thais call wai "pra-nom-mue" (keep waiing all the time) or "unchalee". When waiing, put your palms together, straighten and press your finger tips together. Raise your palms to your chest and keep your elbows close to your body. When talking to priests and the royal family, Thais always "pra-nom-mue." When leaving these respectful people, the younger usually "unchalee" them.

2. Bow your head. Wai can be in the form of "wan-ta." In so doing, Thais bow their heads and high their palms up until the index fingers touch their mouths or noses, depending on the person who they wai.

Tips

There are many kinds of Thai wai, depending on the social status, power, age, and prestige of a person/people who receive the wai. There are three major groups of people of higher status in the traditional Thai society.

1. Monks/priests/royal family

To wai people in this category, bow one's head and raise one's hands until the thumbs touch the forehead.

2. Teachers/parents

To wai these people, do the same as in (1). However, the waier's index finger must touch the nose. This is similar to a culture in which people raise their index fingers to touch their nose when paying respect to parents and touch their mouths when paying respect to the teacher.

3. Ordinary people/acquaintances with older age.

To wai someone who is older, simply raise the pressed palms to the lips/mouth.

For all these three types, keep your hands and elbows close to the body.

Do you know?

The most important thing when waiing somebody is that the waier must wai from their whole hearts. In other words, the waier should sincerely pay respect to the waied or the wai receiver both mentally and physically.

How to return/receive the wai?

If somebody gives the other a wai, it usually means that they pay respect toward him or her. To return their good manner, the wai receiver usually wai back. That is, the wai receiver does the same to the waier (i.e. put their palms together in front of their chests), but they do not bow their heads.

Thai Wai

How are Currency Values Determined?

And who determines currency values?

The answer to the second part is easy. Currency value is determine by the purchasers of the currency. These are primarily travelers, governments and Forex traders. FOREX stands for Foreign Exchange. There are many factors that currency traders, governments and businesses take into consideration in determining the Fair Market Value of a currency.

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Fair Market Value is the price at which a willing buyer and a willing seller come together. The buyer must factor in many elements and considerations to try to accurately assess a currency's value at any given time. There are approximately 180 different currencies in the world now. Let's consider some of the factors that are used to determine a currency's value.

Factors Affecting Currency Value:

1. Political Conditions in the Country - This includes the stability of the government, the amount of corruption, bribery and the degree of law and order. Also includes a country's relationships with other countries and especially their relationship to US, UK, China and Russia. The form of government in the country is also a factor used to assess the value of a currency. Consider the widely varying forms of government in Saudi Arabia, China, UK, Venezuela and Thailand, just to name a few.

2. Economic Situation - This includes factors such as jobs, unemployment, work ethic, infrastructure, inflation and direction of the economy. Is it older or newer in orientation; computers and high tech, or more farming and manufacturing.

3. Perception from Outside - The perceptions and attitudes of other countries toward a country are as important as the reality of the country's actual situation. News, media, movies, newspapers, rumors and spin can create perceptions. How much is known about a country? The less that is known, generally, the lower the value of a currency.

4. Demographics - A young population may mean better prospects for the future, people who are more open to change and development and a growing size of the workforce. The overall population of a country is a factor. How much weight does this country have on the world scene.

5. National Leaders - The openness, trustworthiness and likeability of visible leaders is a factor. This includes political leaders, sports figures, business owners and celebrities. Here are some national figures who affect their countries, either for better or for worse. Kim Jung Il, David Beckham, Nicole Kidman, Madonna, Osama bin Laden, Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin. These help form the world's perception of a country.

6. Isolation versus Openness - Continuum China is becoming more open, more transparent. This helps. Cuba is very closed and isolated. Venezuela is becoming more isolated by some of its recent actions. China's markets are becoming more open. Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Japan, all have differing levels of openness with the outside world, which affects the value of their currency.

7. Natural Resources - The kind of and amount of exploitation of a country's natural resources certainly helps create a perception of value, or lack thereof, of a country's currency. Mining of minerals, forests, oil, fish and other resources are considered. Also the level of technology to development these resources.

8. Weather Factors such as drought, tsunamis, earthquake and floods are taken into consideration. How frequent are they and how is the country's response to them. These also affect desirability, safety and perception of a country. Is it a tourist destination?

9. War and Conflicts - With which other country is a country at war, and who is it's allies? Their military strength and technology, their willingness to go to war and for what, are important factors in assessing a country's strength, stability and the value of its currency.

10 . Education - This includes languages spoken, level of computer know-how, Internet connectedness, culture and religion. Scientists, entrepreneurs, authors and inventors are all affected by the type and quality of education in a country.

In conclusion, currency values are determined by many factors. Not just one issue, but a composite of many must be considered. In trading currencies, such as in FOREX, trades are usually made in pairs. Values must be relative to something. So how is a country doing relative to another country is also significant. Common Forex pairs are US dollar and Japanese yen, Euro and US dollar, for example. These and other factors determine the value of a currency. Some are tangible, some intangible. Some are fixed and some are manageable. Sometimes it is the news of the moment and sometimes the long-term situation. That is why currency values are often changing and there is no one place or person who determines currency values. And why currency exchange, based on fluctuating currency values, can be an exciting, lucrative, volatile, fun or disastrous form of business or investment.

How are Currency Values Determined?