Health Tourism in Thailand

Private healthcare in the West is notoriously expensive, for some, prohibitively so. Commonplace medical items like dentistry or health check ups are high-priced, while surgery and major operations can completely bankrupt many individuals. Thus, the rapidly-growing practice of traveling across international borders to obtain healthcare.

Many have found their solutions in Thailand, spurring a trend in “health tourism” within the country. Why Thailand? Because the Thai medical profession is one of the most advanced in the region. Thailand’s hospitals and clinics are world class. Investments in equipment and management standards are so high that major hospitals are “internationally accredited”.

The following are some “ball park” cost comparisons. The cost of surgery can be one-tenth of what it is in the United States or Western Europe, and sometimes even less. A heart-valve replacement that would cost $200,000 or more in the US, for example, goes for $10,000 and that includes round-trip airfare and a brief vacation package. Similarly, a metal-free dental bridge worth $5,500 in the US costs around $500. A knee replacement in Thailand with six days of physical therapy costs about one-fifth of what it would in the US. Lasik eye surgery worth $3,700 in the US is available for around $730. In the US cataract surgery for one eye runs around $8,000, but at a prestigious International hospital in Thailand cataract surgery can be performed on both eyes for around $2,500. Cosmetic surgery savings are even greater: A full facelift that would cost $20,000 in the US runs about $1,200. A thorough dental cleaning and checkup runs around $10.00.

Tourists are drawn to Thailand for many reasons - tropical beauty, splendid beaches, and a fascinating culture. Now however, health is yet another reason that lures visitors to the kingdom. Thailand has become the spa capital of Asia. The country abounds in health clubs and spas, and offers an incredible amount of sporting activities, everything from golfing to scuba diving, and from biking to cave exploring.

Thai Airlines features what is known as Royal Orchid Holidays. Medical checkups, has become so important, Royal Orchid Holidays has added medical checkups to its package tours. It’s an unusual theme for a package tour, perhaps, but a very practical one, giving travelers the opportunity to have a comprehensive medical checkup while they are in Thailand for business or pleasure. Quality healthcare combined with a tourism holiday at a low price attracts patients from all over the world.

On the medical side, an Internet search of the International hospitals in Bangkok will provide all the information necessary regarding medical procedures available and the related costs. While the list is long, to start, your search should include the popular Bumrungrad Hospital, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej Hospital, and Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital. They are all internationally accredited hospitals.

On the tourism side, Thailand is known as The Land of Smiles. It is often referred to as the most exotic country in Southeast Asia. In Bangkok a visit to the Grand Palace is a must see. Trips to a floating market or to the Bridge on the River Kwai, or other popular destinations, are easily arranged and inexpensive, even with a personal driver. A short flight or overnight train trip and you can be enjoying the pristine beaches in the Southern Islands or the Northern mountains with its waterfalls, elephants bathing in mountain streams, and Hill Tribe villages.

Consider Health Tourism in Thailand. You will readily see that you can have a medical procedure, and a wonderful holiday, all at less cost that you would have paid for the medical procedure alone in the West.

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Thailand and Some Food For Thought

Yes, it's true.

Thailand is a Third-World country, but the capital city of Bangkok certainly doesn't fit your mental picture of what a Third-World country should look like.

Do you require to spend a million (U.S.) dollars on a condominium? No problem. there's hundreds to select from.

Ever experience the desire for a Starbucks coffee, McDonald's Big Mac, or a 7-11 hotdog?

Don't worry; they're all here in Bangkok. In fact, there's about 4 thousand 7-11s in Thailand.

Starbucks now has 100 locations in Thailand.

McDonald's won't let you forget that they're here.

So, on a "Western Level," Bangkok is civilized and it's not the only city or beach area in Thailand that reminds you of home, or at least the big city.

In the first 3 months of 2008, over 250 thousand people in the Kingdom of Thailand have been reported to be sick from eating and drinking contaminated food.

Having lived in Bangkok for a few years now, I was shocked to learn about a report from the Thailand Public Health Ministry, a.k.a., The Health Department.

The public is being warned about diarrhea, food-poisoning, typhoid fever, cholera, and rabies.

A total of 37 people have died from the contaminations.

Street vendors seem to be a bigger source of possible food contamination than the established store fronts, but a recent inspection of restaurant cutting boards revealed that 50 percent of them are contaminated with bacteria and fungi.

The Public Health Ministry of Thailand says, "The hot weather and drought are perfect conditions for germs and bacteria, in places where hygiene and sanitation are inadequate."

In lots of parts of the world, handling meat, bread, chocolate, donuts, and other food items with the sellers "bare hands" is common.

If you're in the United States, you take for granted how regulated the food industry is.

Go to the weekend market in Amsterdam and buy bread and meat. they pick it up and put it in a bag after they handle your "clean" funds. It's the way it's and Holland is not a Third-World country.

I admit that i have had diarrhea after eating a meal occasionally, but it's all apart of the greater experience.

Carrying hand sanitizer that contains Ethyl Alcohol is a smart idea and when I know I'll be dining from a stall vendor or at a public fair, event, or market, I usually have a small bottle with me.

I'm not paranoid about the health issue, but i am happy to see that the government agency is addressing the issue and suggesting steps to help reduce the problem.

Thailand is a country of about 65 million people and millions of people from all around the globe visit this warm and friendly paradise. Personally, i like living in Bangkok and I know the city like the back of my hand, having spent a lot of time here since 1991 and finally moving here in late 2004.

High temperatures do mean a greater chance of getting ill from unsanitary conditions, but don't let news like this keep you from a fabulous place to vacation, shop, or retire.

a mention of common sense; if it looks dirty, it probably is; if the food isn't cooked thoroughly, you might have some discomfort later; and wash your hands often, 'cause you'll never know when or if I'll be shaking your hand.

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Thailand – The Land Of Smiles And Cheap Travel

Thailand is known as the land of smiles, which is amazing considering the traffic jams in Bangkok. For budget travelers, Thailand simply can’t beat on price alone.

Thailand

Thailand is an odd mix of contrasts. It can be extremely stressful while trying to get around in Bangkok and gloriously relaxing while laying on practically any of the beaches that populate the coast of the country. Regardless of the situation, the Thais have a habit and custom or smiling regardless of what you ask or how you ask it.

Beaches

The beaches of Thailand need no introduction. Used as the setting for hundreds of movies, they come in a variety of styles. The beaches of Phuket and Phi Phi fall along the lines of traditional beach resort areas like you might find in a place such as Cancun, Mexico or Tamarindo, Costa Rica. On the other end of the scale, you can find more rustic beach areas in places like the island of Ko Chang where you’ll have a few beach bungalows, a couple of bars and one or two stores. If you’re looking for a little of both styles, just ask around.

Da North

Infatuated with the beach life, many people fail to head up country when in Thailand. This is a mistake as the north is the host to such locations as the city of Chang Mai, the Summer Palace of the King of Thailand and interesting little villages. For the outdoor enthusiasts, rafting, hiking and mountain biking are very popular and widely available.

Prices

If you’re on a budget, Thailand is a perfect travel destination. For some reason, flights to Thailand are particularly cheap with my recent flight on Korean Airlines running roughly $650 round trip. Once in country, your money will go a long, long way.

I think a note of caution is need at this point. Please beware. If you decide to take a trip to Thailand, you won’t want to come back to your native country. You will, however, definitely come back to Thailand!

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HAND-CRAFTED PRODUCTS OF THAILAND'S VILLAGE COMMUNITIES

With thousands of tambons (village sub-districts) the length and breadth of Thailand each producing their own distinctive products, in 2001, the Thai government initiated the nationwide One Tambon One Product (OTOP) project aimed at improving incomes in village communities to help alleviate rural poverty.

Drawing its inspiration from Japan's successful One Village One Product (OVOP) scheme, Thailand's OTOP project encourages village communities to produce and market unique products and handicrafts hand-made from locally available materials utilising local wisdom and skills handed down from generation to generation.

WHAT’S OTOP?
What exactly are OTOP products? Typically they are handicrafts, cotton and silk garments, pottery, fashion accessories, household items and many other articles indigenous to each community. The essential ingredient is they are all painstakingly hand-made, frequently with great skill.

So far a number of product groups have been classified for promotion; these include food items and beverages, textiles and clothing, woven handicrafts, artistry items, gifts, household and decorative items, and non-edible herbal products. These cover traditional items made in village communities, each lovingly crafted with the inimitable flavour and style of their localities.

Different regions are noted for specific types of products:

NORTHERN THAILAND
Superb handicrafts, particularly carved wood, silverware, specialty paper products, ceramics, bamboo baskets, cotton fabrics and silver jewellery from hill-tribe minorities.

NORTHEASTERN THAILAND OR I-SAN
It is a tradition in the Northeast for villagers to make two sets of clothes - everyday work clothes and high quality silk items created with outstanding skill for special occasions like weddings and festivals. These latter items are being selected as OTOP products. Silk and cotton fabrics, especially tie-dyed mudmee designs. The most famous are Lai Khid and Phrae Wa silks. Other items include reed mats, baskets woven from water hyacinth and triangular pillows.

CENTRAL THAILAND
Traditional handicrafts of bamboo and bai lan, great earthen pots, Dan Kwian and Koh Kred pottery and terra cotta items.

EASTERN THAILAND
Famed for its fruits, fresh and processed, as well as bamboo and rattan baskets, reed mats and mudmee fabrics.

SOUTHERN THAILAND
Batik fabrics, woven products from lipao, bulrush and panan pandanus, mother-of-pearl inlays and carved wood products.

OTOP QUALITY
Village-made OTOP products are selected for promotion because of their quality and export potential. Many of the silks and Benjarong ceramics, for instance, are works of art, intricately and lovingly crafted by hand.

The project has strong government support on many levels -- identifying potential OTOP products, providing advice on production, quality control, packaging and designs that make them even more attractive to domestic and export markets. The entire OTOP product cycle comes under the supervision of a National OTOP Committee, with regional and provincial level committees to assist in identifying, developing and grading OTOP products.

OTOP CITY

he inaugural OTOP City held in December 2003 was one of the largest exhibitions ever held under roof in Thailand, giving the general public their first true glimpse of the massive extent of the OTOP project and the wide variety of products coming out of it. To highlight the quality available throughout Thailand, the Interior Ministry selected only four and five-star star products, inviting the best OTOP producers from all of the country's 76 provinces.

Just to underline this quality, the event's eye-catching OTOP Hall of Fame featured 20 items selected by the organising committee as the best of the best in the show. Included in the selection was the astounding Thai silk woven in Surin province that was used to make the famous shirts worn by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and every head of state attending the 2003 APEC Summit in Bangkok.

Although specific details of OTOP City 2004 in December have yet to be announced, it portends to be an even bigger and better event, most certainly providing the best opportunity for visitors to discover and buy some of Thailand's fine OTOP products.

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Traveling to Bangkok: the Art of Muay Thai

Muay Thai, the Sport of Kings

The people of Thailand are as interested in their national sport, the art of Muay Thai, as people from the USA are about Baseball, or people from the UK are about football. Just because it involves fighting, don’t dismiss it as a blood sport. Muay Thai is an ancient martial art, possibly one of the first, and has a noble past.

Evidence suggesting the age of Muay Thai is over 2000 years old, it has been practiced by the countries great kings and was once used as a art of defense from foreign attackers. The people of Thai are that passionate about the sport that before the 1920’s it was mandatory to learn the martial art in school.

In the past Muay Thai’s blood sport reputation has been well deserved. Until the 1930’s very few rules and regulations where put in place. There where no rests between rounds, and protective gear wasn’t widely used, with the exception being a groin protector, since kicks to that groin where allowed. Boxing gloves where introduced to create a safer spot in the late 1920’s. Before that hand raps where sometimes used, often soaked in ground up glass and resin for optimal damage.

A fighting style designed for war, each move in muay Thai copies and ancient weapon of war. The punches, painful combination’s, turn the fists into spears.The Roundhouse Kick can break vial bones and turns the leg into a devastating weapon. Elbows delivered to the face, or knees shoved into an opponents abdomen copies the motions of a large battle axe. Finally powerful front kicks can imitate a large variety of weapons.

In a professional match fights are five three minute rounds, with two minute breaks splitting each one up. Judging of a fight is done on a point scoring system, with whoever scoring most points in a round winning that round. It should be noted that generally wins in the later rounds are given more wieght then wins earlier in the fight, since judges see the art of Muay Thai as a marathon, the winner being the best over all 5 rounds. The winner is determined by a majority. Fights can also be won with a knockout, defined where the opponent can’t continue to fight.

A ritual you might see is the dancing before a muay Thia match, called the wai kru or the ram muay (Though these terms are used interchangeably, the word wai kru means a homage to a trainer.) The ram muay is a tradition to honor the supporters of the fighter and his deities, as well as giving both opponents the chance to warm up for the fight. Both opponents will walk around the ring with one arm over the top rope, ’sealing out’ any ‘bad spirits’ saying a short prayer at every corner. They will then kneel down in the direction of each fighters birthplace, and then do a specific set of movements. Fighters can be largely superstitious and will wear a great many good luck charms, on the head and arms, when going into battle. The music you will hear is a live band, with the musicians closely watching the fight to speed up the pace of the music at interesting parts of the fight, or to egg the fighters on.

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Dairy and cowbow festivals

Dairy and cowbow festivals

Saraburi province’s Muak Lek district surprises visitors with its own version of country western culture.



Dairy farming has been associated with the rolling hills of Saraburi since the 50s when pioneering farmers experimented with imported cattle. Today it is an important industry that supplies most of the popular milk products that are sold in supermarkets across the country.
Farms are concentrated mainly northeast of Saraburi town in Muak Lek district all the way to the Pak Chong intersection on Highway 2 heading towards Nakhon Ratchashima.



With the mountains of the famous Khao Yai National Park in the distance, diary meadows nestle between hills on both sides of Highway 2.
Not surprisingly, this undulating country is the home of the National Dairy Cows Festival that runs from 16 to 25 January. All of the celebrations and activities that will interest visitors will take place at the foot of Tapan Hill in Muak Lek district, approximately 39 km northeast of Saraburi, or 145 km from Bangkok.
Festivities begin with a royal visit from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who will graciously open the event which will feature seminars, a fair and concerts.

Visitors are probably most familiar with Chok Chai Farm one of the pioneers of the cowboy culture in Thailand. Today the farm has expanded to offer farm tours with various attractions including a zoo that appeals to families and groups. In the grand tradition of the cowboy the ranch is proud of its rustic timber restaurant serving up tender T-bone steaks.

While individual farms in Saraburi run fine restaurants and adopt a country western themes, come 20 January they unite to host the annual Cowboy Night at the Tapan Hill venue in Muak Lek district.

The event launches with dairy cow contests, but quickly takes on a carnival atmosphere with light hearted rivalry to declare who is sporting the best cowboy or cowgirl costumes.



According to Saraburi province’s tourism office the cowboy festival evolves into an amazing scene as hundreds of “Thai cowboys travel from different parts of the country to enjoy country western music, an exhibition of dairy and beef cow farming, cow contests, whip-cracking, roping and lariat show, and fancy gun handling. The festival venue even uses haystacks instead of tables and chairs.”



Muak Lek district has three resorts, a health spa and a couple of campsites catering to international visitors. The district is best known for its picturesque landscape, vineyards, river rafting, ATV expeditions, hot air ballooning, mountain bike trails and even a farm where children can learn to ride horses. Most of the resorts are in Muak Lek district on the rural road 2089 that winds around 300-metre high hills from the intersection on Highway 2.

Tags: cowbow

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Wat Mahathat

Wat Mahathat, one of the few places in Thailand which keeps records of its students, says enrollments in its meditation courses rose from 540 in 1998 to 871 in 2002, falling back in 2003 to 596 due to global factors like the SARS crisis and the war in Iraq, which affected travel movements across the world. Women outnumbered men by a ratio of 52:48. Of the 659 students who signed up between March, 2003, and March, 2004, a total of 161 were from the United States, 87 from the UK, 78 from Germany and 45 from Canada. Altogether, there were students from 45 countries, including such distant places as Ecuador, South Africa and Scotland.

To capitalise on the trend and a growing number of inquiries, the Tourism Authority of Thailand recently produced a guidebook which lists places of Buddhist learning throughout Thailand. While many training centres are located in Bangkok, others are forest retreats. Courses range in length from just a weekend to 10 days and four weeks, depending on the level the individual wishes to attain. Students can also choose from a broad range of categories and techniques of learning meditation.

Certainly, the process is an intrinsic part of the search for enlightenment. According to Wat Mahathat’s Phra Suputh Kosalo, students seek to get away from the competitive stress of modern life. They dress in unadorned white attire, eat simple food, abstain from alcohol, avoid exposure to the mass media, maintain as much as possible an elegant silence, clean their own living areas -- all part of the process of expunging pride, arrogance and egotism while acquiring humility, modesty and simplicity.

While it was once difficult to find instructors in English, this is changing. Not only is the new generation of Thai monks more familiar with English, many former students have become skillful enough to instruct others in a variety of foreign languages. At the same time, many foreign students find it more challenging and enlightening if they learn Thai. There is no official ‘charge’ for the various courses; finances are usually handled via donations that are at the discretion of the student.

Dominique Whitehead, 34, a Briton, took a four-week meditation course at Wat Mahathat in April. He says the experience in Thailand was far superior to similar studies he had undertaken in France where he lived for 20 years before moving to Hong Kong. His regular visits to Thailand and the friendships he made got him more interested in Buddhism. Stressing that it is critical and essential to have a good teacher, Dominique says schools that offer ‘meditation classes’ in the West need to obtain some kind of certification about the levels of qualification their instructors have attained. Asked how the classes were helping him in his daily life, he responded, “They help me stay sane.”

As interest grows, Thailand is bringing its neighbours into the fold. Tourism authorities of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand recently launched the concept of ‘Four Countries - One Destination’ which includes joint marketing and promotion programmes based on the region’s shared culture, history and religious background. The officials agreed to identify and link various spots along a Buddhist Pilgrimage Trail, such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, That Luang in Vientiane, Mandalay in Myanmar and Ayutthaya in Thailand.

This linkage will soon be extended to India and Nepal, where Buddhism took root before being spread eastwards by the Buddha’s disciples in subsequent centuries. The Asian Development Bank is also funding a Buddhist pilgrimage circuit that will include India and Nepal, plus Bhutan and Bangladesh. The bank is seeking to fund transportation linkages and attract long overdue infrastructure investment in some of the world’s holiest spots. The two primary sites are Lumbini in Nepal, where the Buddha was born, and Bodhgaya in India, where he attained enlightenment. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

By dint of its unique geographical position, Thailand will remain at the heart of these efforts. And its biggest asset will be word-of-mouth promotion. Mr Whitehead says he plans to bring at least 10 of his friends to introduce them to meditation classes in Thailand. As long as the world continues to slide into turmoil and conflict, there will be no shortage of takers for solutions that transcend the conventional.

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Thailand… One of the world's most exotic locations…

Over the last couple of decades Thailand has become one of the most loved travel destinations in the world. Each year many thousands of people visit Muang Thai (as it is known locally) for a travel experience they do not easily forget. Why though is Thailand such a popular destination? Why do visitors love this country so much? Perhaps the main reason for Thailand's popularity is its diversity - it doesn't matter which aspect of Thailand you consider, you are confronted by extremes wherever you look. Although there's no snow (unless of course you count artificial snow!), Thailand has many types of landscape on offer. The mountainous
regions of the north with its valleys filled with swirling fogs and mists
create a stark contrast to the plains of central and northeastern Thailand. Eastern Thailand's plains and hills offer fertile land ripe for jungle and

agriculture, and as with southern Thailand, offers some of the most attractive beaches and islands on the planet. Of course, all this nature is set against Thailand's metropolitan areas; Thailand is home to some major cities, Bangkok, the country's capital, certainly the largest and the most formidable.

Culturally, Thailand is equally diverse as its geography. Unlike other countries in the region, Thailand has never been colonized and its history and culture have remained intact to develop a natural course. A predominantly Buddhist country, Thailand is a place of ritual and practice that are unfamiliar to most visitors and enhance the country's exotic appeal. Influences throughout the country (Chinese influence in the north; Islamic influence in the south, etc.) add further to the intrigue Thailand generates. Many parts of country are home to hill tribes and traditional peoples whose traditional ways of life remain untouched and present a fascinating insight into the development of this country.

Of course, Thailand's nightlife is legendary and a major attraction for visitors. The risqu? nightlife (go-go bars, etc.) on offer about the country has its place, but doesn't constitute even a fraction of what's on offer. Cabaret Shows and entertainment areas abound, even in the country's less touristy areas. Of course, Thailand's restaurants and bars help complete an irresistible package with some of the best cuisine and entertainment available.

Another reason for Thailand's popularity as a travel destination is likely its accessibility. Although steeped in tradition, history and culture, Thailand's infrastructure is one of the most modern in the region. Transport, banking, and telecommunications are all world class and help make even Thailand's remotest of regions convenient and easy places to visit. This accessibility helps Thailand draw a very diverse group of visitors to Thailand - budget travelers, business people, people taking training courses… they are all here in their masses!

By far one of the key reasons Thailand is such an attraction to visitors is the Thai people themselves. Thai people are blessed with a character and temperament that are often the exact opposite of those found in the 'west'. You see little in the way of confrontation between people here; the famous Thai smile replaces the temper and aggression that might be shown elsewhere. Despite the furry of modern life, Thais remain placid and calm amongst the turmoil creating a tranquility many visitors find infectious and an important part of their Thailand experience.

Whatever your reason for visiting Thailand, DiscoveryThailand.com hopes to give you the information you need to get the very best out of your trip… Get the most out of your Thailand experience with DiscoveryThailand.com…

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Shopping Advices

A great variety of souvenirs made from local products are available at fair prices in Thailand. For those who haven't got very much time and don't want to bother bargaining, they are available at fixed prices inseveral department stores while a bargain can be made at small shops or withstreet vendors. Some of the preferred items include silk products, leather products, silverware, ceramics, and wood products carved mostly out of soft woods. Another favorite one is jewelry for with Thailand is renowned for craftsmanship and relatively low prices. In a bid to provide impressive shopping experience for tourists, especially in purchasing jewelry, here are some useful advices.

- Disregard all stranger's offers of free assistance or services, especially in purchasing jewelry, of you might find out later that you have made your purchases at relatively much higher prices than what it should be now that the shopowners will have to pay a 10-30% commission to the jewelry prices.
- Make your purchases just to satisfy yourself, your relatives or friends. Do not expect to gain Profit from the goods now that jewelry prices change in accordance with times and places of purchases. The jewelry prices vary owing to its different values and popularity
- Compare and negotiate the prices of jewelry of the same types and sizes in several different shops before making a decision to buy so as to be assured of possessing the goods at fair and reasonable prices.
- Please be informed that any claim made by the shopowner that the purchases could be refunded at That embassies, consulates, or other government agencies abroad is not ture nor practical.
Shopping Advices

- Make sure that all documents such as receipt, quality certificate, and you customer slip (if paid by credit card) contain all negotiated data, be it the prices in Thai embassies, consulted, or other government agencies abroad is not true nor practical.
- In general practice for jewelry trade in Thailand, all purchased goods cannot be returned. However, in case of a possible refund, 25-30% of sold prices will be de-ducted as a cost of damage. Some reputable companies will take back jewelry form a full refund, although usually some time limit, such as 30 days, is placed upon that return privilege.

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Long Leases in Thai Property Market

Because of the longer stay - usually one month to three months in a year - they spend four to five times more during their visits in comparison with other tourists. This target group is therefore a segment that Thailand should concentrate upon, looking for quality over quantity. Ninety-nine per cent of the buyers of high-end resort homes - costing US$ 3million (Bt94.5 million) to $10 million - are foreigners. However, Thailand does not permit non-Thais to own freehold land and limits the lease term accepted by law to a maximum of 30 years.

It is quite common for such buyers to buy villas in Thai resort areas on leases of 30 years, along with two to three choices for renewal by 30 years each (30+30+30), and the prices happen to be similar to the freehold value. However, with this structure of lease, in the 30th year, 60th year and 90th year, both the freehold owner and the lessee will require to physically meet each other to renew the lease even though the complete amount has been paid.

It would therefore be advantageous to all parties if a less taxing and simpler process was established to enable long lease terms to foreigners. It is believed that, the most suitable lease period is 99 years, which would imply that such leasehold properties could be sold at near to freehold values. The lease would be registered for 99 years with the land department, once the payment of the lease value is over. This would make Thai property market more favored for overseas investors than other Asian countries and would definitely create more demand for resort homes in Thailand, in the mid- and high-end market.

In other markets such as Vietnam, which is one of Thailand's major rivals in the tourism and real-estate industry, long lease of 70-years is being offered to foreigners, with choices of multiple extensions. Meanwhile, China offers up to a maximum long lease of 70 years and Singapore, in some promoted areas such as Sentosa Cove, offers long lease of 99-years to foreigners. Malaysia offers both freehold and long lease of 99-years to foreigners considering the location. In Europe, lease terms of 99 years are common.

The increase in the lease term for foreigners will also benefit the investment market. As of now, foreign institutional investors, such as foreign property funds, who would show the desire to invest in large office buildings or hotels, may bypass Thailand, where freehold ownership is not allowed and the current lease term of 30 years is too short for it to be economically possible to own or develop large projects. Longer leases would stimulate investors to secure properties.

To boost the Thai property market in the long term, the basics of the law and regulations should be according to the transforming market environment. Such regulations could be applied to particular segments of the market that need changes to be made to live up to demand. If the government is looking at other measures to assist the real-estate market and long-stay tourism, it should address the issue of prolonging lease terms for foreign buyers. Long lease terms in Thai property market is almost inevitable. The sooner the government acts accordingly, the better.

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Thailand Travel Information

Million of travelers visit Thailand yearly. In fact, Thailand draws more travelers than any other country in Southeast Asia. Why? There are million of travelers, because Thailand is a very beautiful country. Thailand is known for its renowned hospitality, sacred temple, and breathtaking natural beauty. Thailand offers something for all type of travelers.

When is the best time to go? If you plan to visit Thailand between July and November, the weather can be uncomfortably for you. Around July and November, it will be rainy season in Thailand. It rains a lot, and the weather can be unpredictably sticky. The weather is at its best from February to March. It is perfect time to go to the beaches.

The peak seasons are August, November, December, February, and March. There are secondary peak months in January and July. The tickets to Thailand around the peak seasons are usually high. If you plan to visit Thailand during the peak seasons, it will be a good idea to plan in advance. If you buy the tickets in advance, it will be much cheaper.

If you can travel during the least crowded months (April, May, June, September, and October), you will save big time from low-season air plane tickets and discounted rooms. If you avoid popular destinations like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket during prime time, you will probably find a good deal.

Tags: Thailand Travel, Thailand, Travel

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Thai-Style Fragrant Water And Thai Hom Mali Rice

This very popular form of fragrant water is made from freshly gathered flowers and contains no alcohol. The flowers used are selected for their sweet and lingering fragrance, some of the more common ingredients being the flowers of damask rose (Rosa damascene Mill.), jasmine, “lam-chiak” (Pandanus tectorius Bl.), “kradang-ngaa-thai” (Cananga odorata Hook.f. & Th.), orange champaka (Michelia champaca Linn.), “chammanaas”(Vallaris glabra Ktze.),bullet wood, “lamduan” (Melodorum fruticosum Lour.) and “chan-ka-pho” (Vatica diospyroides Syming.). Other ingredients used include the leaves of fragrant screw pine, the inner bark of “chaluut” (Alyxia reinwardtii Bl.bar. lucida Markge.), sandalwood, Siam benzoin, jasmine and hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis Linn.)oils.

Thai-style fragrant water is applied liberally onto the face, chest and arms during the hot climate. It is also recommended for use in cases of fainting. A thick made by mixing scented marl with fragrant water is used as an anointment in various ceremonies.

Thai Hom Mali rice is indigenous to Thailand. In the past, it has been variously labeled as "fragrant rice", "jasmine rice", "aromatic rice" or "scented rice". This variety of rice can only be grown in the hot, sunny climates of Southeast Asia. However, Thailand has developed three varieties of Thai Hom Mali called Khao Dok Mali 105, Khao Jao Hawm Klong Luang 1 (KLG1) and Khao Jao Hawm Suphan Buri (SPR-A), which have produced higher yields and higher resistance to diseases and insect pests. Therefore, Thailand has become internationally recognized as a leading exporter of this unique rice.

Thai Hom Mali Rice

Thai Hom Mali Rice has enjoyed an international reputation for its aroma and the texture which is tender and versatile to blend effectively with a wide variety of dishes. Grown only in Thailand, Thai Hom Mali Rice is the world's only indigenous rice with a natural fragrance.

Hom Mali, generally known as "Fragrant Rice" or "Jasmine-scented rice", grown in Thailand has quality that its variety grown in other parts of the world does not have!

Thai Hom Mali Rice is a traditional strain of rice which originated from a small village in central Thailand called Bang Klar. In the early 1970s, co-operation between the private and government sectors, seeking alternative rice varieties for export, saw Thai Hom Mali Rice planted in the Northeastern Region. the result were excellent and today the Northeastern Region produces the finest quality Thai Hom Mali Rice.

It is also very nutritious. Thai Hom Mali Rice is a high fibre grain containing vitamins B1, B2, Niacin, Carbohydrate and protein. It is also rich in minerals such as Iron, Calcium and Phosphorous.

Thailand is the top rice exporting country in the world, averaging 6 million tones a year, about a quarter of which is Thai Hom Mali.

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