Thailand - The Golden Land

Thailand is often described as the 'Golden land' and no clearer is this depicted than in its hundreds of idyllic islands. South of Bangkok on the Kra Isthmus peninsula dotted between the Gulf of Thailand on one side and the Andaman Sea on the other, tourists are spoilt for choice. Thailand's islands are the prime reason it has such a strong tourism sector. Tropical Islands with clean white sand beaches, lapping warm waters, coconut trees and amazing scenery, the hundreds of thousands of visitors that come here each year can't be wrong. The Tsunami was devastating to some parts of Thailand's islands, such as Phi Phi, Phuket and Samui but the Thai people are resilient and have rebuilt the islands that were affected in this tragic event we all remember.

The islands known to the tourist, such as Samui, Phi Phi and the most known Phuket are a clear example of the diversity of the islands, their character defined by the tourists they attract. The diver loves Ko Tao, an up and coming island only a couple of hours north of Samui. Phuket is a loud island, accessible in that it has its own airport and has a wide range of accommodation needs. It has an abundance of bars, clubs and many of a seedy nature as does Pattaya. It is a great jump off point to the Similian islands for some world-class diving.

Samui, located on the east coast Gulf of Thailand is a clear example of how quickly Thai tourism develops as once a backpacker haven it now has its own international airport and is awry with world-class accommodation and facilities. It's a mesh between the busy Pattaya and the backpacker's Koh Phangan Island where the full moon parties of yesteryear are famed, having busy beaches such as Chaweng and Lami to quieter Bophut and Buddha beaches catering to every type of traveller.

The Phi Phi islands are famed from the appearance in the Movie 'the beach' and while some parts were affected in the tsunami, they offer an amazing destination experience for their raw beauty which never can be taken away. Racha Islands are popular with divers and day trippers as is the Coral Islands. Head to Ko Lanta for some Rest and relaxation, located between the gorgeous Krabi province and Phuket Island. So whether you head to Koh Chang, the newest popular Thai island destination due to its proximity to Bangkok or you fancy the popular young Thai destination hotspot of Koh Samet you'll have a fantastic time.

Thailand's islands offer something for everyone and every taste from Holistic sanctuary to eco-lodges, basic hut to 5 star all inclusive hotels. The islands landscapes are equally diverse, with many island interiors allowing great day trips on your mopeds to explore hiking trails and waterfalls. By night sip a drink in your hammock watching the red roaring sunsets, by day float in the calm warm waters. While Thailand is a safe friendly destination to visit is does have many large protests between military and opposing factions in the public realm so keep current on affairs in Thailand before going.

Why Men From Western Countries Are Interested in Dating Thailand Women

It would not be a problem if you were about to date someone who has completely different culture and way of life from what you have. The only thing that matters is how you will understand and how you will act upon those beliefs that they believe in. We all grew up from different environment and this is the main reason why people have different views about life, values, culture and traditions. Among Asians, culture, family, values and traditions were very important because these are the reasons about who they are and how they act today.

What is so special about dating beautiful Thailand Women

Thailand is the land of smiles and Thai ladies are among the most beautiful women on the globe. Thai brides are well known for their grace and charm, and devotion to their husbands. This is the reason why some men are mostly attracted to a pretty Thai girl and why they are interested in dating Thailand women. First of all, if you are interested of meeting a lot of Thai girls, the best way for you to do that is to sign up for an online dating account which can help you out on dating lovely Thailand women and soon enough upon meeting them you'll be able to know someone whom you can share your life with and also can love you back truthfully and sincerely.

How to start dating a beautiful Thai Woman

All you have to do is to get a new account that you can use for introducing yourself by creating your photo personal ad, you can post things or information about you so that if someone will take a look on your account they can read all of the things that you have written. If an exotic Thai bride is interested to know you or if you're interested to know someone you can just send them some private messages or chat with them. It's so easy to start a conversation, just say "Hello" to your sexy Asian girl.

How to find Thai Women looking for husbands

Dating beautiful Thailand women for marriage has become really popular over the past years. Nowadays there is a great variety to meet quality Thai ladies online who are seeking for their husband or life partner. However, Thailand dating sites are not exclusive to Thai people. Most Asian dating services are created to meet single personals of different cultures and backgrounds. In particular more and more single or divorced Thai women join these services to meet and date European and American singles for friends, relationship, romance, love and marriage. There is a great chance for any Western guy to meet most beautiful women in Thailand. The only thing you have to do now for dating Thailand women is to sign up for a membership at a reputable Asian dating site.

Golf In Thailand

Almost everyone is familiar with the beautiful beaches of Thailand, but it would be too many people know that, surprisingly, tourists flock to Thailand for recreational golf.

Golf has become very popular in Thailand and as a result many golf courses have come to class in the country. These golf courses are set up with full service and commitment against a breathtaking backdrop. Most golf courses in Thailand to offer their patrons great food,luxurious accommodation, carts, caddies and full equipped pro-shops with knowledgeable pros. The courses are also equipped with saunas and massage centers. Most golf courses in Thailand are located quite close to beach resorts, making it a win-win situation for tourists who can play off golf and then go to the beach and relax.

The climate is conducive to golfing right round the year. One can even go for a golfing holiday during the rainy season as it seldom rains for more than a couple of hours at a time. In winter, northern part of Thailand does get a bit chilly and it is advisable to pack a sweater for your golfing holiday to Thailand. Many golf courses have installed floodlights so that golf enthusiasts can still be on the green even after the sun sets.

Green fees in Thailand are well below international standards and playing golf is not an expensive affair. Golf courses may charge a paltry amount of 250 baht on weekdays with the amount increasing marginally at weekends. Phuket has the highest green fees in Thailand, which is still lower than what one would pay in golf courses in other parts of the world.

Thailand - Chang Mai and the Night Market

Chang Mai is the largest city in the north of Thailand and well worth a trip. In many ways, Chang Mai is similar to Bangkok, but without the mass of people.

Chang Mai

Chang Mai is perhaps the most serene big city I have ever had the privilege of visiting. Located at the foot of a large mountain, the city nicely meshes older areas with modern conveniences. Serene Buddhist temples stand only a few blocks from bustling universities. Much of the city can be walked, but moped rentals are cheap and plentiful. Street markets are common, but the hustle and bustle of Bangkok is not.

The night market is perhaps the most noted thing about Chang Mai. Located in the eastern side of the city, the night market runs about a mile down the length of street dwarfed by malls, restaurants, stores selling art and spas. The stalls on the side of the road tend to sell cheap touristy products, but you should check them out anyway to sample some of the food items. Thais seem to take great humor from cooking anything they can get their hands on so long as they can gross out the tourist. Yep, you can munch on fried roaches, spiders, crickets and so on. For a good laugh, one can hang out around the stalls and watch tourist try the delicacies. It's like the show Fear Factor without the washboard stomachs and breast implants.

To find the "good stuff" at the night market, you should head off the street and up into the open air malls. As you move towards the back of the malls, the quality of the products goes up dramatically. You'll find artist not only hocking their wares, but also creating them before your eyes. There is some serious talent in the back of those malls.

If silk is your material of choice, Chang Mai is a good place to purchase it in bulk. Do not buy it at the night market. Instead, ask your hotel for a recommendation to a shop. Prices are low, but quality is high.

Traveler's Tip

Guidebooks will tell you the best way to get to Chang Mai is to take an overnight train from Bangkok. Liars! Flying domestically in Thailand is very cheap. A one-way flight from Bangkok to Chang Mai will run you about $40US. There is no need to book ahead. Just walk into the airport in Bangkok and buy a ticket on the spot.

If you prefer to spend the night in a bunk on a train, knock yourself out. Just keep in mind Thais tend to have smaller body masses than Westerners. Much smaller.

Of all the cities in Thailand, Chang Mai is my favorite. Yes, even more so than Bangkok.

Muslim Marriage in Thailand

The availability of religious institutions to carry out various marriages in Thailand is one of the reasons the country is popular not only to 'mainstream' couples but also to minority ones who would like to tie the knot in the Kingdom following their own religious and cultural traditions. True enough, foreign couples with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds flock to the Land of Smiles to get married hassle free. Let us take the case of Muslim couples or a Muslim marrying a Non-Muslim.

Muslim couples who would like to get married in Thailand under Islamic Marriage procedures will be happy to find out that the procedure is quite simple and straightforward. Some embassies would require their Muslim citizen to get married under the Islamic marriage before it issues the Affirmation of Freedom to marry which is a requirement for the Thai marriage. If the Muslim party is marrying a Non-Muslim, the non-Muslim should be converted into Muslim first before the marriage takes place. This conversion procedure normally takes 10-15 minutes. Muslim couples have the option to do Muslim marriage or Thai marriage while in Thailand whatever they would like to accomplish while they are here or depending on the purpose of the marriage if any other than true love.

Muslim marriage in Thailand can be accomplished in a day. The couple would have to call the National Islamic center in Bangkok for an appointment. The requirements for the marriage include:

a. Passport

b. Divorce certificate (if any)

c. Photos (1.5x1.5, 6pcs)

The marriage takes place in a mosque so you would have to dress appropriately. If you are bringing guests with you, inform them about appropriate clothes for the occasion. The ceremony usually lasts for an hour or two. A certificate will be issued by the marriage officer to the couple after the marriage. This document is English so it's no more necessary to translate it into Thai.

The fees that you have to anticipate are government fee which is around THB 4000 and transportation fee as the center is quite far from the city center. If you are using a visa agent then you also have to expect service fees.

If you are new in Thailand and you have a tight schedule, it would be wise to enlist the services of marriage professionals who will assist you with organizing your Muslim marriage i.e. liaising with the Islamic center on your behalf and accompanying you the center for the actual marriage registration. You have to be aware about language and cultural barrier in Thailand so it's best to have a Thai and English speaking person with you to walk you through the marriage process.

Thailand Island

With a tropical climate, beautiful beaches and a unique and diverse culture, Thailand is a must for all tourists like you and old! It is often called "gold country" for tourism and the export / import industry.

The cool season in Thailand runs from November to February, and with its low humidity, clear skies and cool temperatures, the best time to visit. The term "cool" is relative, however, and on average in the high 20s and low 30s. This timeyear is the busiest, as it is peak tourist season, so expect the popular spots to be packed.

The capital of Thailand is Bangkok, which is in complete contrast with the quiet seaside villages that come to mind when Thailand is mentioned. It is a sort of metropolis, complete with screaming traffic, huge shopping centres and the sensibilities of most first-world countries mixed with a devout approach to Buddhism. Chiang Mai, Thaland's very own Bohemia, is where the Thai culture is showcased and taught to all who wish to learn. Mae Hong Song is where you will find mountain ranges ideal for hiking, with stupa-studded-peaks and remnants of post stone-age culture.The coast is home to the limestone islands of Ko Tao and Kho Phi Phi Don, consisting of some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand.

The culture in Thailand is a mix of Chinese, Lao, Burmese, Cambodian, and Indiana, and all of the present traditions incorporate elements from these cultures in them. The national religion is Theravada Buddhism, and is an important part of modern Thai culture. The official calendar in Thailand is based on the Eastern version of the Buddhist Era, which is 543 years ahead of the Western calendar. For example, the current year in all western countries is AD 2010, but in Thailand, it is 2553 BE.

People come to Thailand to laze about on the white sand or surf some of the best waves in the world, and they find that the journey is not so much out and is more of a life-changing experience that will be part of their memories.

Retirement in Thailand - Cheap to retire in paradise

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

The Most Popular Thailand Retirement Locations Are:

Bangkok
Pattaya
Phuket
Chiang Mai
South Of Thailand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Much Money Do You Need In Thailand?

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

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