Our 26m boat is Pattaya’s largest and most popular, with fresh hot meals, soft drinks, hotel pickup, showers, sun deck and more! At the Baiyoke Pattaya Hotel you are centrally convenient to the beach, to the largest shopping area and to the resorts exciting nightlife arena. Our hotel has all facilities that guarantee a quality accommodation while in Pattaya. Our hotel is a new quality 62 room budget Pattaya’s hotel with tropical garden and swimming pool. We seldom ate in the hotel, preferring to dine at small resturants around the resort and in the center of Pattaya. About 240 meters hight that you can see Pattaya view, hotel and bungalow accommodation are also available. Select a Pattaya hotel below to find usefull hotel information, check hotel rates and room availability. Travel Library always lists the real direct contact details for every Pattaya hotel including email, web site address, telephone and location address. This hotel has the best and most convenient location of all the luxury resorts in Pattaya. Book your Pattaya hotel stay safely, securely and without worries. Book your hotel in Pattaya before you leave home and save money! That Pattaya is not your average package destination was illustrated when I checked into the hotel.

The bar is located on Pattaya Beach Rd so it’s the ideal location to call in for afternoon drink or to spend your evening. But whatever the seedy side of Pattaya’s nightlife is like, the city is still one of Thailand’s more popular beach resort communities. With such beginnings, its hardly surprising that Pattaya quickly gained an image as one of Thailand’s seedier beach resorts. Today Pattaya is Thailand’s premier beach resort and attracts annually more than a million tourists from all over the world. Even in the very heart of Pattaya you will be able to find long stretches of clean and sandy beach. Today, Pattaya is Thailand’s premier beach resort and annually attracts hundreds of thousands of pleasure-seeking tourists from all over the world. The resort has its own private beach, the only one in Pattaya, where one can explore the Island situated around the resort. It is located at the heart of Pattaya near the beach and next to best shopping boutiques and restaurant. The over-abundance of jet-skis and speedboats has contributed towards the pollution of the water along Pattaya Beach. There’s no doubt Pattaya Beach is a fun destination, but one that needs some consideration before a visit. We are situated within easy walking distance from the beach / seaes and the bustling shopping and nightlife in downtown Pattaya. For instance, as a beach wear some Russian women love those large adorned scarfs, sold all around Pattaya. People say that Pattaya Beach Road has a street life like no where else in the world, and it does.

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This is a personal site providing nightlife reviews and a snapshot of articles that illustrate life in Pattaya. More infornation about the nightlife in Pattaya, the best places to enjoy a party… Conveniently sited close to a great number of Pattaya shopping centers and tremendous nightlife entertainment complex. Nightlife Pattaya beer bars along the waterfront Pattaya is renowned for its nightlife, much of which revolves around its massive sex oriented industry. Although this is the part of Pattaya that has most accommodation available, the nature of the nightlife can put families off. Especially, Pattaya nightlife entertainment is the most favorite attraction one should not miss. When it comes to nightlife in Pattaya, the go-go bars and beer gardens dominate. Probably more has been written about Pattaya’s nightlife than any other place on the planet. Night life and entertainment Pattaya is famous for its nightlife and the bay is lined with lanes full of fun bars and friendly people.

Non-stop excitement in the sun, shopping, entertainment, sports and excellent night life, Pattaya is a true world class destination. For shopping, fashionable boutiques and ready-made garments are flocked in the main street of central and South Pattaya. Les grands magasins et autres bazars de Central Pattaya offrent une autre vision du shopping. Shopping Pattaya has some surprisingly fashionable boutiques and shops selling clothes, silk, coral and shells, paintings, handicrafts, gemstones, jewellry and souvenirs.

Thus you have your car hire in Pattaya for sure and you avoid troubles on arrival by not finding the hire car that suits your needs. Don´t wait for the final call to book your car hire in Pattaya! car hire country guide Thailand lloguer de cotxes pattaya, autonoleggio pattaya, autoverhuur pattaya Beneluxcar wants your Pattaya car hire experience to be as enjoyable as possible. For cheap car hire Pattaya, find and compare prices from leading car hire companies. Find lowest car rental rates and best discount deals for car rental Pattaya. Just ninety minutes by car from Bangkok, Pattaya allows you to shed your suit or the city stress and let your hair down.

In Pattayaland you will find every service imaginable starting from the traditional karaoke bars to the impressive dance clubs and strip clubs. These are just some of the hundreds of so called beer bars that litter the streets of downtown Pattaya. Many ex-pats own bars in Pattaya, where the prostitutes work (you have to pay the bar a fee to take the girls home). Some end up staying in Pattaya for years and becoming mamasans, or recruiters for the bars.

The whole reason I went with them was because I thought that it would be exciting to get sex for free in Pattaya. Gerd Cornelius and his porn ring harem were arrested for producing live internet sex shows in Pattaya. However, Pattaya is still home to many international resorts and is crowded primarily with sex tourists. But even for those who have no interest in hired sex, Pattaya is still a fascinating place. There is no shame in Pattaya, sex is not a vice here, it’s as normal as eating or sleeping. By night, Pattaya isn’t short of entertainment and is well known for its sex scene.

Watersports, off-beat museums, wildlife and amusement parks and extensive sports facilities, including 10 superb golf courses, have added to Pattaya’s fun and sun. There are several highly recommended golf courses to choose from in the Pattaya area. Then, indulge in breathtaking adventures on the water, below the waves, on the golf course, or among the exciting sites of Pattaya. Justly famous for its night-time party zone, Pattaya’s also has first class golf courses and surprisingly, lots of family attractions. (coming) Golf around Pattaya is pretty close to golfers heaven for high and low handicappers alike. Twenty or more international standard golf courses are within an hours drive of Pattaya. http://www.rabbitresort.com

Ko Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 84 kilometers east of Surat Thani Province, or approximately 700 kilometers south of Bangkok. Known as the Coconut Island, Ko Samui is one of the most famous and popular attractions of Thailand. With an area of 247 square kilometers, Ko Samui is the third largest island of Thailand after Phuket and Ko Chang (of Trat Province). The topography of the island is that of a plain with a mountain range in the middle and 7 important streams. In addition, there is a 50-kilometer paved road that encircles the island. Moreover, the area of the island stretches to a group of 48 surrounding islets.

Despite the fast pace of development, Ko Samui has been able to maintain its charm its classical image of a tropical beach resort fringed by coconut trees. Travelers to the island can enjoy a mixed blessing of vibrant day and nightlife along side with tranquility which can easily be found across different parts of Ko Samui as the archipelago is a peaceful home for fishermen and a natural den for seagulls and other rare birds.

Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai are Ko Samuis most beautiful and most popular beaches. Both have a huge selection of accommodations suitable for every budget. Please note that room rates increase during the high season, from December to July, when Samui sparkles. The nightlife of each beach is different: Hat Chaweng is better for couples, women and families, while single men are drawn to the beer bar culture of Hat Lamai. These resorts, as well as Na Thon (Samui’s main town), have communications, exchange and car/motorcycle hire facilities. Other beaches include Hat Choeng Mon, Hat Mae Nam in the north and Hat Na Thon, the island’s major seafront settlement where shops, restaurants and tour agencies are concentrated.

Apart from its many lovely beaches and tranquil bays, Ko Samui is also noted for its high quality coconuts that grow densely everywhere. The best time to visit Ko Samui is from February to April when the sea is calm. The Southern dialect and the standard Thai language are spoken while English is widely understood in tourist areas.

From Surat Thani to Ko Samui

1.Express boat

1.1 An express ferry boat of Songserm Travel departs from Tha Thong Pier in Surat Thani at 8.00 a.m. and arrives at Na Thon Pier in Samui at 10.30 a.m. every day. For the return trip, the boat leaves Na Thon Pier at 2.00 p.m. and reaches Tha Thong at 4.30 p.m.

1.2 Express boats of Seatran Express operate three times a day between Ban Don and Ko Samui. Departure times are 7.00 a.m., 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. The trip takes two hours.

2. Ferry Boats of Seatran

Seatran Ferry, which can accommodate 60 cars and 400 passengers, operates several trips per day between Don Sak (Surat Thani) and Ko Samui, from 5.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. The trip takes about 1.30 hours.

3. Night ferry

A slow night ferry leaves Ban Don Pier nightly at 11 p.m. and reaches Na Thon Pier at Samui around 5 a.m. (6 hours). For the return trip, the boat leaves Na Thon Pier at 9.00 p.m. and arrives at Ban Don Pier at 4.00 a.m. (7 hours).

Getting to nearby Islands from Samui

1. Ko Pha-ngan

1.1 Na Thon Pier (Ko Samui) — Thong Sala Pier (Ko Pha-ngan)

Songserm Travel Co. operates ferry boats and express boats between Na Thon Pier on Ko Samui and Thong Sala Pier on Ko Pha-ngan, four times a day. The trip takes about 45 minutes for express boats, and one hour for ordinary ferry boats.

1.2 Bo Phut (Ko Samui) — Hat Rin (Ko Pha-ngan)

There is a ferry boat leaving Bo Phut for Ko Pha-ngan twice daily at 9.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. The return trips depart Hat Rin on Ko Pha-ngan at 10.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.

2. Ang Thong Islands

Visitors can hire a boat on Ko Samui to Ang Thong. The charge depends on the boat size and number of passengers. The trip takes 1.30 hours. It is also possible to join a full-day excursion organized by tour operators in Ko Samui.

3. Ko Tao

Boat services for Ko Tao are available at Na Thon Pier of Ko Samui.

Ko Samui – Animal Farms and Shows

Phang Ka Snake Farm

at Tambon Taling Ngam, has daily shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., 250 baht per person, Tel: 0-7742-3247.

Samui Buffalo Village

At Tambon Na Mueang, has daily shows at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., 350 baht per person, Tel: 0-7741-8680.

Butterfly Garden and Honey Farm

In the south of the island, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 120 baht per person, Tel: 0-7742-4020-21.

Monkey Training Center

At Tambon Bo Phut, has daily shows at 10.30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., 150 baht per person, Tel: 0-7724 -5140.

Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo

At Ao Laem Set, opens daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., 250 baht per person, Tel: 0-7742-4017-8.

Crocodile Farm

Near Na Mueang Waterfall, daily shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., 250 baht per person.

Buffalo fighting

This is an exciting bout that attracts a huge crowd, both local residents and tourists. Held monthly, it serves as a traditional festival on the island.

Monkey & Elephant Shows

At the show, it is actually possible to see how monkeys collect coconuts and present their other exceptional abilities. In addition, visitors will be impressed by the intelligence and loveliness of elephants that can perform many lovely tricks, or even play football.

On Ko Samui, the coconut island, the monkey is considered man’s best friend. Local people have used monkeys to climb up and pick the ripe coconuts for centuries. At present, monkeys are not just good at picking coconuts, they are also good at entertaining.

Snake show

A stunning show that is not suitable for a people with heart diseases. The show offers a thrilling experience especially when the poisonous reptiles are skillfully caught by a handler with bare hands. Shows feature snakes indigenous to Ko Samui as well as centipedes, scorpion and cock fighting shows.

Samui Crocodile Farm

Siam crocodiles, Caimans, Saltwater crocodiles, snakes, lizards, monkeys and many others are gathered here for entertainment.

Samui Aquarium

Located at Laem Set Bay, the Aquarium features a wide variety of tropical fish and marine fauna.

Samui Go Kart

Looking for fast-paced action? Visit this site in Bophut, on the ring road opposite the Samui Euphoria Resort, and enjoy circling the track at over 100 kilometers. Call 077 425097 for more information.

Samui Golf & Country Club

Ko Samui offers an absolutely overwhelming experience for golfers. This par 72 course was jointly designed by Edward Theile and Pirapon Namartra. The challenge is its relentless, tumbling diversity and its degree of difficulty. The par-3s range from 155 to 214 yards, highlighted by the shortest (the audacious 6th, with a vertical drop and waterfall). The 10 par-4s are whimsical and attenuated and querulous and lengthy. The par-5s start at 458 and end at the signature 17th with 622 yards of downhill travel. The fairways are tilted and the greens are uniformly gyroscopic.

Samui Nightlife

Its never ending. Koh Samui offers spectacular evening entertainment for all ages. This includes traditional beach bars (popular with families), western-style pubs, which feature music, videos and satellite television, and free to enter nightclubs, which are more active after midnight and usually continue through the pre-dawn hours. Bars, cabarets shows and discos are mainly located in Chaweng and Lamai. Green Mango, Raggae Pub, Full Circle and Bauhaus are the main discotheques, some open until sunrise.

The most vibrant nightlife activities can be found around the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai. Resorts also provide magnificent entertainment such as dinner cabarets, where professional singers and dancers display their talents in stylish surroundings.

Samui Paintball

A non-water based activity worth trying, Samui paintball offers a unique opportunity to take a shot at families and friends without having to go to jail.

Scuba Diving

There are many scuba diving schools located around Ko Samui, offering a wide range of dive facilities. There are also tours available for snorkeling, fishing and excursions. The area of Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Pha-ngan and Angthong Marine National Park are very famous dive places.

Spa experience at Samui

Samui now boasts many excellent, world-class spas set in a truly Samui ambience. From aromatic floral baths, steaming and body masque with Thai herbs, to face and body massage, reflexology, and other well-being therapy, Samui has everything that caters to your needs rejuvenating, pampering and relaxing in utmost luxury and comfort.

For more detail or recommendations, visit http://thailand-vacation-info.blogspot.com

Planning a trip to Thailand appeals to travelers of all shapes, sizes and budgets because it is quite easy to navigate about the different cities and main attractions. The travel is also inexpensive, leaving you with more money to explore the booming silk industry, as well as the delicious cuisine. Thai food melds a combination of mind, body and soul into their spicy and sweet balanced meals, offering some of the best dishes in the world.

Why Thailand is So Popular

When planning a backpacking trip to Thailand, you may have heard of what attracts tourists to the various areas about the country. In the North, trekking through the mountains is quite popular. More than 300 temples can be located in the beautiful natural surroundings of Chiang Mai. Top-notch quality and inexpensive stays can be found at every corner, offering flavorful food and interesting shopping outlets.

As a backpacker, you will find an abundance of places to stay at in the area, including Julie’s Guesthouse. At this establishment, you will be able to sign up for a couple of days trekking through the jungle that features lovely views and a first-hand look at how the locals thrive. To avoid getting hit by the monsoon rains, plan an adventure for this area between the months of October and April.

Central Thailand brings the allure of Bangkok, which overflows with shopping, addicting cuisine, palaces and temples. The Chao Phraya River provides a great scene to explore. Main attractions to consider include the Royal Palace, the Wats and Chinatown, as well as the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Notable festivals can be experienced in Ayuthaya, where scenic riverside gardens await in Sukhothai. The endless possibilities for exploration are mind-boggling. The islands of Southern Thailand bring you closer to white sands and warm waters. The largest of the bunch is called Phuket, where other notable selections include the Phi Phi Islands and the waterfalls of Krabi.

Nightlife

Many tourists enjoy the overall aspect of Thailand nightlife. This is one of the main reasons a large amount of travelers backpack throughout the country: nature, culture, food and fun. If it’s a good time you’re looking for, try the many go-go and beer bars in Pattaya, as well as Chaweng Beach (Ko Samui) that parties into the wee hours of the night. Koh Phangan is the site where thousands of locals and tourists gather to celebrate by the light of the full moon. It’s a world famous beach party that never seems to end, offered once every month. It is one of the best places to experience the food, drink and dance of Thailand island life in an event that literally rocks the senses.

The law of the land states that bars and nightclubs close at 2 in the morning when visiting Bangkok, but there is always somewhere to go, whether it’s just a delicious restaurant tucked away on a side street. The largest area to explore is called Patpong, which provides three streets to explore. For more information on the ins and outs of Thailand, check out the latest information posted on www.jeng-thailand.com.

Visitors to Thailand can take advantage of a feast of new offerings for 2007-08, including new restaurants, nightclubs, cafes, hotels and shopping centres.

Highlights of the 2007-08 tourist season include Breeze, a new alfresco fine-dining restaurant from Lebua on the 51st and 52nd floors of the sky-scraping State Tower in Bangkok, 70’s disco funk nightclub Superfly, a private sea plane service between islands surrounding Phuket in the Andaman Sea and the upscale Maze Cafe in Chiang Mai city.

Jungceylon, a vast new shopping and entertainment complex at Patong Beach, Phuket, is expected to attract hordes of holidaymakers, with more than 200 local and international brand shops, cinemas, a fully-equipped sports zone, night entertainment venues, restaurants and a Thai handicraft centre.

Thailand offers travellers high quality, value-for-money, products and services, while lesser-known resorts such as Koh Yao, Trang, Koh Chang, Koh Racha and Khao Lak are becoming increasingly popular, with a raft of new boutique offerings and must see attractions opening in 2007.

With something to offer all travellers, from sunshine, paradise beaches, spas and scuba diving, to shopping, trekking and festivals, Thailand is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations for year round travel.

If you are planning to fly over, Traveljigsaw offer great deals on rental cars at the airport. Boo konline to save up to 10%!

Thailand has gained world fame in entertaining people and its wildest nightlife scenes are no more a secret in the whole of Southeast Asia. Every tourist, regardless of the age, comes from different corners of the world to dance, party and drink the night away. The ultra modern clubs always remain filled with beautiful ladies and handsome gentlemen and bass thumping tune blasting in high volume. Plethora of people rushes to take part in international club scenes of the city.

Thailand map can prove to be of some help, if you are visiting the city for the first time and if you are the one loving social gatherings and all, it is better to stay close to the most famous nightlife hot spots. One can easily come across some famous nightlife spots and attraction through Bangkok city map. It is always advisable to stay within commercial areas. If you are visiting Bangkok for the first time, search for some hotels in vicinity of the Nana Entertainment Plaza (NEP). It is a three storey complex building comprising cluster of bars, watering holes and pool tables. Go-go bars are quite common and easily accessible on all three floors. The area is also circumscribed with many brand name hotels.

Through Thailand city map, one can easily come across several hotels in proximity to this area. It can be five star hotel or budget hotel, but you can be provided with every type of modern comfort amid excellent service and well spoken English conversation of the front staff. These hotels are highly preferred by tourists as it is in proximity to NEP. Another famous nightlife area is Patpong, situated in Silom district. The area is famous for its street, so called sios by Thais. Live bands and go go bars are quite common in this area. The place is also known for the sale of fake brand name hand bags, clothes and watches. Here, vendors expect you to bargain at the things, so be cautious.

To enjoy the region of Patpong, one can choose the hotel along Silom and Surawong. The tourists, who turn up to Bangkok for the enjoyment of nightlife, should look for some commercial area for their stay. There is no doubt that Bangkok is safe Southeast Asian city as compared to others. Hence, if you want to come to Bangkok, be aware that scams by local Thais and language problem can be bit problematic, so be bit careful in this regard. One can get the best enjoyment of nightlife and its maximum pleasure by staying in the hotel in Nightlife districts.

When most people think of Thailand the first thing that comes to mind is a third world country where most of it’s population lives in acute poverty. These same people would never consider living in Thailand for fear of living without the necessities of life.

I moved to Thailand in November, 2004 and decided to make it my new home while in retirement. Now that I have lived here for approaching two years I can tell you exactly what it is like to live here versus Canada where I resided for 53 years.

Climate:

For starters I am now living without the drastic change in temperatures that occur annually in Canada where half of the year it is warm or hot and other half of the year it is freezing cold. The temperature differentials require residents to buy clothing for all seasons. To live in Canada you need summer jackets, winter coats, sandals, shoes, boots, and suits and overcoats and the list goes on including hats, gloves and scarves.

Here in Thailand you have your different seasons but basically the temperature is either warm or hot, and for three months of the year you will see virtually no rainfall at all and during the rainy season you will witness rainfall almost daily. The type of clothing that I wear during the seasons does not change one iota.

One gets used to the heat here just as one gets accustomed to the cold weather in Canada. Surprisingly the evenings are cool and during the night with the window open a blanket would be necessary during most months of the year.

So if I had my choice where to live in terms of climate alone it would be here in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Score Thailand 1 Canada 0

Food:

In Canada I ate my share of fast foods and junk foods. Potatoes in one form or another were present in most meals from hash browns in the morning, to french fries at lunch, to mashed or fried potatoes at dinner.

Now I still eat potatoes which are priced higher here than in Canada but I do not eat them as regularly. French fries or potato soup now and then and I am content.

Thai people eat rice the way I ate potatoes. It is evident in almost every meal. I seldom ate rice when I lived in Canada but I enjoy it now particularly because of the sauce that is added. A rather ordinary fried vegetables with rice dish becomes a very tasty meal with their secret sauce added to the dish.

Overall I eat much healthier foods now, more rice, less potatoes, more vegetables, seafood and fresh fruit and less junk food. So on the basis of health, and taste Thailand scores another point, and that is not even taking into consideration that the food is priced much lower here than in Canada. Expect to pay about 60-70% less on groceries here and yet eat as much or more of foods that are delicious and fruits that are locally grown.

Score Thailand 2 Canada 0

Transportation:

In Canada my main means of traveling from point A to point B was my car, something most people in the world cannot live without, well at least if they stay where they are.

Because of the distances between places that I would normally go to in Canada a car was an absolute necessity for me.

For most North Americans the car is a necessity and an expensive one. It isn’t just a means of transportation but also a status symbol. If we get a raise at work we reward ourselves with a new car, the neighbor gets a new car prompts us to do the same, and a sporty car is always necessary to impress the girlfriend.

The actual cost of operating their motor vehicle in total is unknown to most drivers, and I estimate that the depreciation or lease cost, insurance, gas, repairs would add up to over $10,000 for most decent vehicles. Now think about this. I can show you how to retire here in Chiang Mai, Thailand on less than $10.000 and live comfortably, eat healthy foods and enjoy yourself. Does your motor vehicle contribute as much to your life?

If you live here you do not need a car. The tuk tuk (three wheeled motorcycle with bench seat at back) or Red taxi (pick up truck with covered back section with bench seating on two sides) can get you around town for next to nothing. Should you want to go out of town then on those occasions you can rent a car.

So forget about a car if you live here. Forget about the insurance costs increasing every year and also expensive fuel costs. Forget about speeding tickets, parking tickets and car washes.

The advantage here definitely goes to Chiang Mai. Getting around town is both quick and inexpensive. For those residents that buy a vehicle it is normally a pick up truck as the pick up trucks are taxed less by the Government perhaps many are manufactured here and thus become more affordable. Auto insurance costs here are about 33% of what I would pay in Canada and if you did not have any accidents in the first year then expect a reduction in your premium which would reduce the cost to 23% of what you would pay in North America for very good coverage on a decent vehicle.

So sorry Canada, another point for Thailand.

Thailand 3 Canada 0

Living Necessities:

Don’t know about you but internet access 24 hours a day and a TV are absolute necessities in my life. I can live without food for 24 hours but I am not sure if the same could be said for TV and internet. In Canada I had hi speed cable for $50 monthly, and cable TV for another $50 monthly for a total of $100 a month.

Doctors and dentists are living necessities. You would never want to live anywhere for an extended period of time without both easily accessible. In good old Canada one has to make an appointment to see a family doctor, if after repeated visits the family doctor doesn’t know what ails you they will finally make an appointment for you to see a specialist who will probably know in 15 minutes what the problem is and how to treat it. Unfortunately the appointment to see a specialist is normally a 6-8 week wait.

What else is a necessity? Hmmm.. Accommodations. In terms of accommodations in Canada houses prices have ballooned as elsewhere in the world in the past few years. And we all know what can happen to balloons. When house prices go up it is accompanied by or followed by an increase in rental prices. So why shouldn’t the apartment or condo owner not get a chance to gauge the consumer.

Let’s see how Chiang Mai fares versus Canada in these categories.

I have internet and phone here for about $22 Canadian monthly. The internet speed is slower than what I had in Canada but I can upgrade to a faster speed if I want, at present this speed is perfectly satisfactory on most occasions and a bit slow when there are more users on line in the late afternoons or early evenings. We had 54 channel cable TV installed recently. Not as many sports or movie channels but the monthly cable cost for 2 TV’s is about $ 9 Canadian. So for telephone, cable TV and telephone the total is $31 compared to $130 in Canada. Canada wins out on having better channels, but with cost included as a factor I would call it a tie. As for internet the speed is fine with me and the cost much less that I give the point to Thailand.

Medical care is CHEAP here. I will probably be treated by a doctor who received their training overseas and who speaks excellent English . A doctor can be seen the same day and a specialist within a few days. I can expect to receive prompt treatment for a fraction of the cost in North America. A dental cleaning here was $9 versus $50-$100 in Canada and repairing a broken veneer set me back a whole $18 here and I would guess it would have cost me $100-150 in Canada. So a sure point for Thailand.

Accommodations are a hands down winner in Chiang Mai. Not only are the accommodations CHEAP I repeat CHEAP but they also provide me with everything that need and want. Shortly arriving in Chiang Mai I stayed at a serviced apartment for 2 months at $250 Cdn. monthly for rent which includes water, utilities, cleaning and change of linens and towels twice weekly and also cable TV. The serviced apartment had a swimming pool on the top floor, massage on 4th floor, restaurant, beauty salon, motorbike rental on main floor. It was clean, comfortable, the owners were extremely hospitable and it was located within walking distance of the largest mall and also numerous restaurants many of which had superb entertainment in the evenings.

Food is another necessity. Even though I resided in the Niagara Peninsula area of Canada which is blessed with an abundance of fruits, and vegetables the point here goes clearly to Chiang Mai. Many fruits are grown locally here also, and you get the added benefit of fresh seafood, So adding up the score Canada ½ point for the tie on TV, Thailand 1 point for doctor and dentist, one for accommodations , 1 point for internet and ½ point for TV.

Score Thailand 6 ½ Canada ½

Things to Do:

I lived most of my life in and around Toronto, a city that has a reputation for being very clean and safe, a city which is home to a diverse population that intend to stay in Canada and a city which is in a great location for both summer and winter activities. Niagara Falls is but a 1 ½ hr. drive away, lakes for boating and fishing a mere 1hr. drive north of the city, and skiing in the winter a short 1 hours drive away. Overall, a great city in my opinion and one that fares well in surveys of best places to live.

But looking at it honestly I can do all that I could do back there except for the skiing here and do it for less money. A trip to the reservoir here is similar to going to a trip to the beach in Hamilton. The children swim, play with inner tubes, the drive there is quick and without traffic, there are areas to walk around, and the restaurant food by the side of the reservoir is plentiful and inexpensive. So after I leave the reservoir I have paid for the meals, drinks, entrance fee, inner tube rental and this is what I would have paid for the parking to gain entrance to the beach in Canada.

The singers in the restaurants and nightclubs here copy local hit songs to perfection. The malls have the latest movies at the theatres. There are pool halls, bowling, an abundance of restaurants, and many things to do from shopping for bargains at the Night Bazaar, hot springs, elephant rides, Chiang Mai zoo, parks, many fine golf courses and much more.

There is something amusing that I want to share with you. We were watching a new program on TV where three singers go on stage and each sings a song. The same song is performed by all three but only one was actually singing and the others were merely pretending. So then the judges guess who was the real singer and explain the logic behind their decision. This one night they played a Patsy Cline song. I swore Patsy had come back to life God rest her soul. One performer was in her early twenties, one in her late twenties and one merely a child who looked like she was only 11 years old. I quickly discounted her as the song required a mature voice and the hosts of the program were just trying to put a member of the family on TV so I thought. Well, wrong again. After the judges finish guessing the three performers go back on stage and sing the same song at the same time and then gradually one stops singing and then another leaving the actual singer left singing the song. Well I could have bet a dollar to a donut as the saying goes that the youngster was not the singer. Glad I didn’t. A very entertaining program.

Oh and a Thai movie that we rented recently came to mind not that I speak Thai but it was rented for the amusement of the others in the family. To get to the funniest part of the movie, you have two groups approaching a bridge. Both want to cross first. One group is a funeral procession and the other a wedding procession. A Buddhist monk comes to the rescue. He suggests that one group cross in single file on one side of the bridge while the other group crosses at the same time on the opposite of the bridge. Well it works but what is amusing is that one group is smiling, joyous and happy while the other is sad, crying and grieving. The more the grieving side sees the other side laughing the more they cry. I guess you have to see it for yourself to appreciate it.

The final score for those of you who are keeping track is Thailand 7 ½ and Canada ½.

When I was in Canada I viewed it as a fantastic place to live. It was safe, clean, with a reasonable cost of living, and with numerous activities through the year. Now that I have lived here in Chiang Mai, Thailand in all honesty I have to say I feel safer here, it isn’t as clean but it’s not nearly as bad as some would lead you to believe, and the cost of living here is so much lower that you can actually live here comfortably, and happily for less than you ever imagined.

So for the benefit of those who thought they would never want to live here for fear of living without I would say the following. Chiang Mai, Thailand is already home to thousands of foreigners who have realized that this city has all that they need and want, and best of all they can also live here affordably with many things to do in and around this beautiful city that in Thailand is commonly referred to as “The Rose of The North”. What I am living without now are the snow, freezing cold temperatures and high costs of living and these items I can live without.

One of the most picturesque countries of Asia, Thailand is a top-notch global tourist hotspot. Be it the coastal lifestyle or the mainland Thai locales, the entire country is full of amazing spots that allure you no end. Thailand’s major USP is tourism and the government knows this fact and has always promoted it on a global scale.

The response from tourists flocking to the country has been overwhelming and they seem to return to Thailand in abundance year after year. Political uncertainty notwithstanding, tourists tend to flock to the country on a year round basis. Though the country is not quite open to full foreign ownership of Thai property, there is no dearth of investors’ interest in the Thailand real estate.

The charm that is Thailand

The special Thai charm assumes much greater significance for the development of the entire Southeast Asia. The miles and miles of pristine sandy beaches, including the world famous Pattaya Beach, dotted with exquisite palms have a unique magical effect on the visitor, which makes it a favourite honeymoon destination for couples tieing the knot!. Phuket and Koh Samui occupy the pride of place on the coastal regions Thailand.

Thai spa’s are world famous for their soothing, calming, and relaxing effects on a tired body. This makes the country one of the best getaway spots in the world to relax the tired mind, body, and soul. The Buddhist monasteries make for a profound experience and worth visiting at least once during your stay. Being the major Thai religion, Buddhism is all-pervasive in the lifestyle of people here. And it’s an open secret how much the Westerners are attracted towards Buddhism and the Buddhists.

Though not an absolute monarchy, yet Thailand has the longest reigning monarchy of the world since 1946. And this has been a constant cause of several coups in the country in the recent years. The country has also seen some of the worst natural disasters in recent times, like Tsunami, SARS, and Bird Flu. But all this has virtually zero effect on the minds of visitors in Thailand.

The capital Bangkok is just like any other advanced European city, with casinos, nightclubs, pubs, bars, cafes, restaurants, theatres, cocktail lounges, and massage parlours easily accessible. Thailand is also a haven for the shopping freaks with quality leather and electronic equipments available at much cheaper prices than Europe and the USA.

The regular flights to and from Thailands Airports connecting major European, American, Australian and Asian cities have spelled boom time for Thai tourism and economy.

Property Investment in Thailand

Unfortunately, Thai government is not so open when it comes to inviting global real estate players for developmental purposes. There is a bar on property investments by foreigners in the Thai real estate. As an individual, you cannot own any land, and even as a company, only the Thai partner is allowed to own land and that too with considerable amount of restrictions. The government is particularly strict in this regard post-2006 coup.

The freehold land might not be available for direct purchase by a foreign national, but you certainly can lease the property on a 30-years lease period. The foreign purchasers of condominiums may buy the freehold so long as total foreign ownership does not exceed 49% of the whole structure.

Investment in Thailands real estate should never be completed without soliciting the help of local expert adept in property transactions. This is because the Thai real estate industry is largely unregulated and you’ll hardly find any regulations governing real estate transaction in the country. While a lawyer is not a necessity in completing the contract, if the documents are in Thai, it’s better to hire either a good translator or a real estate expert.

The best property to invest in Thailand is the holiday resorts and other vacation property at prime tourist centres. A beautiful Thai villa can be yours for just £121K at ChiangMai, while a resort property is available for upwards of £50K. Condominiums in Pattaya are available at £30K onwards, while villas for slae in Phuket are heavily priced at a minimum of £480K.

These properties will ensure you get a commanding rental income throughout the year, and you can also enjoy an annual stay for a couple of weeks (or more!) in these accommodation sites.

It’s better to research the country for an appropriate and legally acquirable property because tourism potential notwithstanding, there can be lots of crooks and goons on the prowl waiting for the gullible foreign investors. Make adequate inquiries and research about the individuals and property you are dealing with. The lax political and administrative will has resulted into several criminal elements making Thailand their den. However, if you approach the real estate transaction with due diligence, chances are you’d be able to strike a good and legitimate deal.

Thailand means “the land of the free” lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world and one can only experience the exotic beauty of the place when you get there. The fresh air kissing your face when you walk on the beach, the mouth watering dishes and the rush and madness in the market is something you will perhaps not get to see anywhere else.

Thailand’s geographical region is divided into four parts:

The mountains and forests are in the north. You can find fascinating handicrafts and multicolored orchids.

The central part where you will find paddy field, farms and all kinds of fruits.

The northeast plateau is famous for its rich archaeological and anthropological heritage.

You will find tropical islands in the southern peninsula. The people on this place are involved in fishing, rubber cultivation and tin mining. The people of Thailand are very friendly and hospitable. This place is rich in monumental heritage and famous for its beaches. Thailand is an ideal holiday destination for all, from those who are looking for a romantic holiday, to shoppers to the food lovers as you get to taste varieties of sea food, down in the street to the most expensive restaurants. It offers something to every traveler.

Many travelers also come here for adventurous holiday. As this place offer all kinds of sport for all ages like scuba diving, snorkeling, wind-surfing and water-skiing .After all these activities you can simply relax by lounging on the beautiful beach sipping your favorite drink with a good company.

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand.Bankok means ?city of angels?, it is a small Thailand in itself. It is the centre of commercial, industrial and cultural activities. If you are looking for peace and simplicity you can visit the Buddhist temples and the amazing part is it stands by side by side with nightclubs and café³® You can see monks walking in their red robes all over the place and one can only wonder how they can attain such peacefulness in this rush and hectic world.

Another main attraction in Thailand is Phuket known for its exotic island. The nightlife there is lively with its multicuisine restaurants and bars always filled with tourists. But of course if are looking for a quite meal you can do that by going to the right place.

Chiang Mai is another place which is a combination of modern city life and the old village charm. There are elaborate temples and cultural relics some of which are very old close to 700 years. On the top of the mountain is Doi Suthep monastery which overlooks the fertile valley embracing Chiang Mai.The local night bazaar is the favorite shopping place for tourists where you can get hand made local stuff, tribal wears and also latest modern junks for a good bargain.

You will have no problem communicating as most of the hotels, restaurants and tourist places speak English and other European languages. There are various modes of transportation. You can either hire a taxi to go around the city, or take the city bus .There is also something called Tuk-Tuk, a three wheeler. You would definitely enjoy the open air ride on this three wheeler and for longer destinations there are trains always running to all the places.

Thailand is blessed with three seasons-summers from February to May, Rainy season from June to October with plenty of sunshine and the cold season from November to January. A lot of people go for holidays in Thailand during December and January as it is the perfect season to relax and party. Thailand becomes a mini world as people from all over the world come here for holidays during this season.

The Thai resort island Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand after the famous James Bond island of Phuket. The island is roughly circular in shape and is located just off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus which is near the mainland town of Surat Thani and it is also one of the most popular tourist attraction in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Each year many travelers from all over the world head to Bangkok for business and travel, especially in November through April which is the high season in Thailand. All hotels in bangkok tend to be fully booked during that period. For your convenience, you should plan ahead and make your hotel reservations at least a few months in advance.

There are many hotel options in Bangkok. If you are looking for a big, high quality and affordable hotel, you would do well to locate yourself in the business center, which offers great shopping and entertainment. The sky train provides rapid and easy transit. You will find many excellent downtown hotels in the area around Sukhumvit, Silom, and Siam Square.

For a more peaceful, less central situation, you can admire the beautiful scenery along both sides of Chaophraya River. You can travel easily by boat or by road, not far away from areas of historical interest. Those travelers desiring a more laid-back experience will appreciate many of the nice hotels in the Bangkok Riverside area.

Sukhumvit Road

Sukhumvit is always the number one choice in tourists’ mind when they looking for hotels in Bangkok. Along this road you will find various lanes (or Soi) packed with shopping zones, delicious foods, and night entertainment. It is a heaven for tourists. From Nana (Sukhumvit soi 3-4) to Asoke (Sukhumvit soi 21), you will find many shops offering jewelry, leather, souvenirs, costumes, tailors, clothes, car rental, etc. but the most attractive for tourists is Nana Plaza (soi 4) and Soi Cowboy (between soi 21-23). Sukhumvit Road has many foreign residences and hotels for tourists. Hotels and serviced apartments line the road. Leading or economy 3-5 star hotels provide the best choice for tourists and businessmen who want to stay comfortably within easy walking distance of the sky train.

Siam Square

Called “Siam” for short, this downtown square is the hub for fashion, the world of shopping, trendy entertainment, and international food. No wonder this is the most popular shopping center in all of Thailand: it can respond to the shopper’s need for any selection. If you are after original brand name products, you can go to Siam Center, Siam Discovery, or Siam Paragon. If you want a cheaper product, you can find it at MBK. But if you are looking for economy price products like in the Sunday Market, you’ll do well in the retail shops in Siam Square. For entertainment, this location can offer you anything from modern cinema, bowling and karaoke, to a variety of restaurants with menus from all over the world. Hop easily from Siam Square to another shopping center (Central World Plaza, Gaysorn Plaza, The Emporium) or to the business center with rapid and convenient transportation by sky train.

Silom Road

Silom is one of the main business centers of Bangkok, named “Bangkok Wall Street.” Silom has banks, hotels, offices and big department stores lined up along both sides of the road. You will find souvenirs and other goods for sale along the sidewalk at night or in Soi Lalaisap (Silom soi 5). And Silom also offers famous night entertainment that is very popular for all tourists like Silom soi 2, Patpong, and Soi Taniya. Though the traffic on Silom Road is heavy, you can travel by sky train and subway, economical and very convenient transportation connecting to other business and shopping centers like Sukhumvit, Siam Square, Jatujak Sunday Market, Sathorn, and Riverside.

Riverside

Another interesting area to find hotels in Bangkok. These days boat travel along Chaophraya River is very popular. Besides the beautiful scenery and traditional Thai life style along the river, you will journey through the history of the region. It is no surprise that many tour agencies always include boat travel in their program. Along with many restaurants, the banks of Chaophraya River boast luxury 5 star hotels such as The Oriental, The Peninsula, or Shangri-la, as well as 3 star hotels that can respond to the needs of tourists who prefer a peaceful location, far from the downtown bustle. The scenery along the river at night is so beautiful, not to say romantic. Sites such as Wat Phrakaew (The Temple of Emerald Buddha), Wat Po, Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn) can be reached by ferry boat. And if you want to pop back into town for shopping or business at Silom or Siam, you can take the sky train at Taksin Station.

Ratchadapisek

Is the main road for entertainment and business. Especially entertainment at night: pubs, bars, cabarets, foot massage, and restaurants. This place is very popular among tourists, in particular Ratchada soi 4 with its many bars and pubs. Plus department stores and low price shopping centers that are very popular for shoppers. With convenient transportation by bus or subway, you can travel easily to other locations like Sukhumvit, Silom, Siam, and Jatujak Sunday Market in 15 minutes. Most of the hotels are located not far from the subway, making Ratchada well worth considering if you are looking for a base to stay.