Topics about Working In Thailand
Thailand - An Extreme Travel Experience - Filipinos in Thailand
When Bangkok residents and those in neighboring provinces like Ayutthaya, Hua Hin and Ratchaburi were gearing up for the hottest season in Thailand, 6 young, adventurous Pinoys set out from Manila to fulfill part of their goal ? to tour the whole of South East Asia. Their destination? Thailand!
But little did they know it?s going to be more than just a taste of the spiciest meal they?ve ever had in their life, or that it?s going to be more than just a beach experience. Here is a story of six friends who came to Thailand for the first time. Their experiences have been so much more than they hoped and planned for, and how they did it would be something you could learn from if you yourself plans to travel Thailand.
Thailand, The Land of Smiles
The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia. Thailand borders Laos and Cambodia to the east, the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia to the south, and the Andaman Sea and Myanmar to the west. Vietnam is a close neighbor of Thailand. Thailand means ?Free Land?.
Thailand was known as Siam until 1939. Thailand is also known as the land of white elephants. The White Elephant have always been important symbol of royal power in Thailand.
Thailand is also dubbed as ?the Land of Smiles? after the perceived gentleness of its inhabitants. Thailand is truly the ?Land of Smiles?. A smile seems to be a continuous part of life in Thailand.
Budget Travel In Thailand: How to Travel in Thailand With Style and Without Bankruptcy
Thailand was my first tourist destination outside Europe and North America. Based on the sage advice of my Thailand-experienced friends, I was sure that this paradise vacation would be carried out on ridiculous costs. However, back home, I have found out too late, that during my little Thailand adventure I have spent almost the same amount of money as one of my regular surges to Europe. If only I knew that carefully planning your trip to Thailand can manifest itself in huge savings. The following list includes some solid advice that can help those novice Thailand visitors to save significant amounts of cash and still enjoy their vacation:
1. Season choice. Traveling in Thailand Islands during the low season can save you up to 25% of the accommodation costs (up to 25$ per bungalow per night if you choose high standard ? not luxury - accommodation). Similar to many other world locations that are based operate seasonally there is a significant price fluctuation across seasons. Not less important is that fact that the weather in Thailand is quite pleasant even during the low season. The temperatures? difference between the ?hot season? and the ?peak season? is miniscule, and during the ?wet season? one can experience only a mild occasional rain. Therefore, in Thailand one can lower accommodation costs by avoiding the peak season without paying the price of suffering from unbearable cold or coping with endless monsoon.
2. Transportation. Getting from Bangkok to your final destination in one of the Southern Islands by train or bus instead of by plane can save you up to 80$ each way. You can save a bundle if you arrive to Bangkok International Airport in the evening. In this case you save, besides the gap between relatively expensive airfare and train or bus ticket, the first night?s accommodation cost as well (40$ - 100$ per bungalow per night in high standard ? not luxury - accommodation).
3. Food. In Western style countries, the more you pay for your dinner the better it is, so everyone can make a personal decision about getting an appropriate cost ? benefit balance. In Thailand, and especially in the Southern Islands it is much simpler: in most cases, the cheaper the better. Expensive restaurants in Thailand Islands usually specialize on Western food that is neither authentic nor of superior taste a standard dinner will cost you 10$ - 30$ in a restaurant of this kind. Alternatively, the dinner in a cheap restaurant with plastic chairs will cost you 3$ - 8$ and it is usually both tasty and authentic. My most disappointing Thai dinner was served in a fancy restaurant in Bangkok and had cost 120$ for a couple, whereas my best dinner was served in a cheap family restaurant in Koh Phangan. The owner - young mom named Mam ? prepared the meal for us exactly as we wished it would be and charged us with measly 5-6$ per person.
4. Air Conditioning. The presence of air conditioning in your room can make a huge difference in accommodation rates. For example, the same room rates in the same resort can vary from 15$-30$ for a bungalow with a fan to 40$ - 100$ for an air-conditioned bungalow. Although choosing an air-conditioned room during the hot season (such as March ? April) is crucial, if you visit Southern Thailand during the rainy season ? a bungalow with a fan can both satisfy your needs and cut your expenses in more than a half.
5. Location choice. Similar to the principle held in most places in the world, the accommodation rates in Thailand Islands depend on your location choice. The bungalow in the central beach, close to the airport or seaport full of thriving nightlife will probably be twice as expensive as the same bungalow in a remote quiet beach. However, accessibility is an issue in the Thailand Islands, and the taxi fares and taxi boat fares operate under the same principal as the accommodation rates. So there is a rule you may adopt: if you are looking for social activities and busy nightlife? stay close to the airport or seaport otherwise make a little effort and move after your arrival to a remote beach. You will save up to 60% on the accommodation rates this way.
6. Communication. It will probably not come as a complete shock, but the use of cellular phone from outside of Thailand could be extremely expensive. To save on communication costs you can either buy a local cellular phone with prepaid SIM card or use the Telephone & Internet centers services. Mind you that the cost of these services may vary. As usual, if you?re calling overseas from your resort?s office ? it will be more expensive than using a call center in the town. The cheapest solution is probably giving your phone number to your friends or relatives overseas since every call center has a phone number that can be used for calling back.
7. Price negotiation. In tourist locations in Thailand negotiation is a necessity or a way of life. Likewise, in the less touristy islands and areas price bargaining is accepted as well. Just try it ? in Thailand price negotiation isn?t considered an embarrassing behavior, so you have nothing to lose.
8. Psychology. Although, in Thailand everything is perceived to be cheaper than in your home country, don?t be fooled by the seemingly low prices and control your expenses. Buying an enormous amount of inexpensive things can really add up to a surprisingly large sum of money.
Fame and Racism in Thailand
?I think it has stemmed from a history of class comparisons, where the wealthy upper classes had fair skin from lounging around their mansions, and the working classes had darker skin from working outdoors in the fields. Someone from the upper class was seen as being more desirable due to their social status, and so accordingly, their fair skin was seen as a being a good trait,? says 28-year-old actor and musician Montonn Jira when quizzed about why there may be a social stigma with regards to having darker skin in Thailand.
Playing Golf in Thailand: Expert Questions and Answers
Without doubt Thailand is becoming one of the fastest growing golf destinations for visiting tourists throughout the world. Only recently, the association of world golf travel agents voted Thailand the best up & coming destination, enhancing the excellent reputation it already has.
In order to assist you in planning your Thailand golf holiday, I have detailed below the most frequently asked questions.
When is the best time to visit?
Without doubt, the best time of year for golf is from November ? February/March. This is the ?cool? season, although is also the peak season for visiting tourists. As such, be prepared for busy golf courses and try to plan your holiday well in advance.