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.

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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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