Top 5 Cities To See During A Holiday In Thailand

In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, one of my jobs is to ensure every client has the best tour possible, so here are my top 5 suggestions for cities to visit in Thailand during your holiday.

1.Bangkok is a fascinating city which has managed to keep it’s ancient eastern traditions whilst embracing the modern progression of the western world. Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and offers a host of experiences which include floating markets, modern bars, top of the range shopping, gastronomical delights and ancient temples steeped in the city’s history.


The Chao Phraya River separates the city and has a series of canals. The new ‘Sky train’ railway is something which should be experienced whilst in the city should you fancy avoiding the bustling traffic.

One of the largest floating markets is on the outskirts of Bangkok and you’ll greeted by the aromatic smells and the age old tradition of the locals and their way of making a living along the busy canals.

There is an array of beautiful and ancient buildings not to be missed whilst in Thailand. Although I did not personally experience all of the nightlife, it was made obvious to me that all of my entertainment needs would be taken care of by all well informed taxi drivers wishing to proudly show off their culture.

2. Phuket is the biggest island attraction that Thailand has to offer. It is the perfect place to retreat to and enjoy a tropical paradise. Although the west coast of the island was almost destroyed by the tsunami of 2004, there is very little evidence remaining to show that it occurred.

Not to be missed are:

Old Phuket Town. Chinese immigrants from the 19th century, who were lured in the past by the tin mines, left behind them a host of amazing Sino-Portuguese mansions along Dibu and Thalang roads.

Thai Boxing. A personal favourite of mine, this national sport is violent and very fast paced. For regular matches the Saphan Him Stadium in Phuket City is the place to be.

3.Krabi. Krabi Province is in the middle southern part of Thailand. It is situated in the aquamarine water of the Andaman Sea. It is one of the most stunning places in all of Thailand.

Krabi Town is situated near the mouth of the Krabi River. The Mangrove forest is something to experience and is a must for avid bird watchers. Krabi Resort is set among a curtain of palm trees on the Ao-PhraNang beach. This is a delightful place to be if you are looking to soak up the natural beauty that surrounds you.

4. Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is a city full of traditional heritage that shares its secrets with all who wish to discover them. It is a city with stunning natural beauty. It is amazing to see plants that we have to protect from the frost, growing in their scores, naturally along the roadside.

The people of Chiang Mai are a wonder in themselves with exceptional handicraft skills producing magical souvenirs for the endless throng of visitors. Chiang Mai houses the Inthanon Mountain, standing 8,448 feet above sea level making it the highest mountain Thailand.

5.Sukhothai. When visiting Sukhothai the main attractions for the area are Phra Mae Ya Shirne which is located in the Muang District. You will see a long haired figure made of stone that resembles an ancient queen. There is also a museum and National park as well as monuments of great interest inside the city walls.

By: Stuart Cheese

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Custom Made Clothing In Thailand- Is It A Good Deal???

You are on vacation and you wander by a clothing shop and someone sitting out front says to you. "Good Evening sir, you want a nice suit?".

This happens often here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit each year and are drawn by the culture, prices, delicious food and shopping bargains.


There are hundreds of custom clothing shops in this city. They look alike with a person of Indian descent sitting out front trying to entice visitors into the shop. Inside the shop are rolls of fabric from which to select material for dresses, shirts, overcoats, suits, slacks, and pants.

Would you know if the prices and quality are a deal?

I wouldn't have know until I did some research and actually visited a number of these clothing shops. What I discovered is the following:

The clothes are extremely well made and can even be ordered over the internet and delivered anywhere in the world at a savings over the price in the home country.

The suits that I saw which had been completed and ready to be picked up or sent abroad were similar to what I would have seen in Canada. The differences that I noticed are that you can have the suit made exactly the way you want, and to fit you perfectly.

If you are short you may want longer pants so you appear taller. If you are overweight you may want the suit longer and larger than normal.

For the ladies the same applies. The clothing can be made to bring out your best physical characteristics and hide the qualities you do not like in your physical makeup.

That is one of the main features of buying custom made clothing.

The other is price. Here in Chiang Mai you can buy a tuxedo for less than the rental price back home. Should you need to dress up for a fancy restaurant or theatre or opera the tuxedo is there waiting for you. When you go to a restaurant dressed in a tux you will be given the best table.

I noticed shirts that were custom made and I really liked them. The lapels were rounded in one shirt and stiff and I loved the material. I also noticed that they can embroider your initials on the lapel or on the sleeve and that is a nice touch which shows people that you are wearing a premium custom made garment.

For ladies, men and children clothes are custom made and everyone in the family can look their best at a price that is lower or much lower than back home.

Why buy off the rack a suit that does not fit perfectly. Even a suit off the rack that is altered will not look as good as a custom made suit.

So if you are even visiting Thailand, and Chiang Mai visit the clothing shops. Free transportation if you buy something and they all speak English.

Go back home with extra clothing in your luggage and you will probably not even pay any sales taxes or duty on the articles you purchased.

We recommend FASHION KING Custom Tailors in Chiang Mai after visiting 6 different clothing shops.

You will be treated like royalty when you enter the shop and look like a prince or princess when you put on the clothing you ordered.

A great vacation and part or most of it paid for by the savings in custom made clothing.

Often customers are so pleased with the clothing they re-order by phone or over the internet.

By: retirementgeorge

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Getting A Hair Transplant In Thailand: The Good And The Bad

It is commonly knowledge that many people travel to Thailand to been seen for plastic surgery and for hair transplant procedures. They are known for providing the very best in medical care so they are leading the industry in these areas. However, there are some good and bad issues to be aware of before you head off to Thailand.

Since Thailand offers such amazing health care services, they offer surgeons who have trained in Europe or North America. They are certified in specialty areas including hair transplants. Many of them belong to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons. They offer the same types of hair transplant procedures as the United States. You can choose from FUE, micro or mini transplants, FUT, or a combination to get the best results. Thailand surgeons do take on other procedures that many United States surgeons don’t including beard transplants and body hair construction.


The process of scheduling a hair transplant in Thailand is very simple. You can fill out the paperwork and then soon be scheduled for the surgery. You won’t have to wait for weeks or months as you do in North America. Probably the most common reason individuals choose to have their hair transplant done in Thailand is the difference in the cost. Almost all insurance companies refuse to cover such procedures so the individual has to pay it on their own.

The cost in the United States ranges from $2,500 up to $10,000 depending on the procedure and the number of grafts to complete. If you chose to do it in Thailand, you can cover the surgery, your travel including hotel and still be saving a considerable amount of money. Many people choose to schedule a vacation in Thailand prior to the hair transplant as an added bonus.

The largest drawback to getting a hair transplant in Thailand is the distance you are from the surgeon should you experience any complications. It will be hard to schedule another trip so soon to see them if you need to. Most people are willing to take that chance though because hair transplants and cosmetic surgeries are safe, easy, and cost less than in the United States. If you decide to do this, make sure you take the time to do a reference check on the surgeon, get any questions you have answered before you schedule the procedure, and talk to others who have used that same surgeon. Try to schedule some vacation time in Thailand as well!

By: Judy Wellsworth

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Buying Property In Thailand

When thinking of overseas property for investment purposes the British have invariably and predominantly looked to Spain and France in the past. More recently Bulgaria,The Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, Croatia and with their accession into the EU on the first of January 2007 Romania now seems a viable option and alternative. For some of the more pioneering Americans Eastern Europe is also a favourable choice for affordable real estate, offering a low cost and comfortable standard of living. Furthermore the majority of the emerging economies within the Eastern bloc and real estate markets are pro active and working hard to attract foreign investment.

A growing number of US citizens are choosing to move north to Canada where real estate can be cheaper,taxation can be lower, healthcare is far cheaper and the standard of living as high as in America. Countries such as Mexico, Panama and Belize are well known as lower cost locations for US citizens seeking an affordable overseas location. Living costs, real estate and taxation are all low. However the main consideration is the affordability and accessibility of healthcare and of necessary treatment and care, each of the three countries mentioned fails in one way or another. Furthermore, younger Americans may struggle to find decent employment or education for their children in Mexico, Panama or Belize.


The British have always been obsessed with property and the expression 'an Englishman's home is his castle' has never rung more true. With the cost of housing within the UK out of the reach of most first time buyers and those first time buyers continually vying for property with buy to let investors more of the early twenties are putting down roots in more affordable countries. As always though anyone considering these locations are advised to act sooner rather than later.

The Sofia Echo in early January reported that developers have worked on entire apartment and villa complexes in smaller and less popular regions with significant funds allocated to such projects. Investors, it seems, showed more interest in getting a new apartment close to a major city, rather than an old house to refurbish. as a result of continual development the price of property in such regions remained almost unchanged throughout 2006. In some regions, the price of property even went down. Varna region registered a 15 per cent price decrease. The average price per square metre in the region dropping from 600 to 510 euro. Supply also brought down the prices of property in the Bourgas region.

With the advent of cheap air flights this has further enhanced the idea of a dream home in the sun. However can accessibility be correlated directly to sustainable investment potential. Thailand is approximately 10000 miles from the US and approximately 6000 miles from the UK, With flying times of approximately 21 hours and 11 hours respectively. Perhaps not suitable to the masses and ensuring a restricted and select ex-pat presence.

Thailand has three main seasons per year. Northern climatic conditions are preferred by Thais countrywide as the coolest and most comfortable. Generally northern temperatures are between 3-5 degrees lower than the rest of the country, Chiang Mai city is a favoured location and the climate is perfect for visitors. Cool mountain air and bright sunny days ensure that this Shangri-la setting will remain a favourite for many years to come. The North also differs during the rainy season and continuous rainfall is quite rare. It will usually rain heavily for a period between 30 minutes to one hour, once or twice a day and soon dries up after the sun appears. The area is then left feeling fresh and cool. The average temperature throughout the year being approximately 26 degrees.

Chiang Mai has a significant expat community and some figures put the number of "farangs", or westerners at 5,000. Chiang Mai is much of what Bangkok is not. Instead of the flatness of the Maenam Valley one is treated to ranges of forested mountains that sweep northward to Burma. Hill tribes in colorful costumes are common sights hawking their handicrafts around the night market. As Bangkok has no definite city centre, Chiang Mai's is clearly defined by a moat.

Chiang Mai is certainly easier to negotiate than Bangkok. Walking, bicycling and motorcycling are realistic alternatives to driving. Or if you prefer, tuk-tuks are prolific. A relatively well organized system of songtaews (pickup trucks with benches and canopies) run a sort of shared service around greater Chiang Mai. Some can be hired much as a taxi service. Chiang Mai stands on the banks of the Maenam Ping (river) and quite a number of good restaurants are perched along the banks.

There is also a strong emphasis on healthcare and Chiang Mai has several quality hospitals including Chiang Mai Ram,Chiang Mai University and the McCormack Hospital. Along with the presence of US and UK consulates. ATMs are everywhere and currency exchanges are commonplace. Interest earned on fixed deposit accounts is taxable at 15% and collected by the banks.

By: Martyn Witt

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10 Reasons To Visit Thailand

You can travel to Thailand, if you want to experience lovely smiles and gentleness of Thai people and scenic & cultural treasures of Thai land. Thailand certainly is the “land of smiles,” which can make you smile, too. It’s really is enamoring and exotic country, known for its inviting people, culture, scenery, cuisine, and overall lifestyle.

Thailand, also known as Siam, is a jewel of South East Asia. Surely, it is your destination for great food, tropical climate, captivating culture, temples, and great beaches. Thailand apparently gives you numerous reasons to travel & explore it, but your top 10 reasons to visit Thailand are here!


Famous for beautiful temples and shopping malls, Bangkok is one of the major draws of Thailand. The Thai capital & primate city, on the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand, is the world's most popular tourist destinations. Its Old City on Rattanakosin Island has most of the tourist sights. Bangkok’s top attractions include Wat Arun (The Dawn temple), The Grand Palace, featuring Wat Phra Kaew (the Emerald Buddha temple), and Wat Pho, famous for the world's largest reclining Buddha and a massage school.

Some 85 km to the north of Bangkok stands Ayutthaya, a historical city and the old capital city of Thailand, which certainly gives lots of reasons to visit Thailand. The city is world heritage site known for a number of historic, beautiful Buddha temples, museums, and parks. Some attractions are Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopitah, Ancient Palace, Chao Sam Phraya Museum, Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre, Phra Ram Park, and Khun Phaen Residence.

Some 150 km south-east of Bangkok is Pattaya, a popular resort on the North Gulf Coast of Eastern Thailand. Pattaya is very famous for its entertainment points, shopping centers, go-go & beer bars and nightlife, and sports & beach activities, such as golfing, horse riding, bungee jumping, karting, shooting, scuba diving, jet-skiing, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Some tourist attractions are Underwater World Pattaya, Institute of Marine Science Aquarium & Museum, Oasis Seaworld, Elephant Village, Bottle Art Museum, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, and Gems Gallery.

Chiang Mai, the gateway to Northern Thailand, is often dubbed as the “Rose of the North”. Surrounded by mountains and lush green countryside, Chiang Mai is known for museums, temples, and two Elephant sanctuaries. Some attractions of Chiang Mai are Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center, Hilltribe Research Institute Museum, Chiang Mai Numismatic Museum, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (magnificent temple), Wat Phra Singh (Chiang Mai's best-known temple), Elephant Nature Park, and Maesa Elephant Camp.

About 820km north of Bangkok, Chiang Rai is another popular destination in Northern Thailand. The town serves gateway to the Golden Triangle border region of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Major attractions of Chiang Rai include Gate of Siam, Wat Santhaat, Wat Phra Kaeo (beautiful Buddhist temple), Wat Thoeng Sao Hin, Princess Mother Hall and Doi Mae Salong, Doi Tung Royal Villa, Mae Fah Luang Garden, Wat Doi Tung, Doi Tung Zoo, and Phucheefah – a place for great sunset view.

Phuket, the paradise island in Southern Thailand, is a popular beach vacation destination. It is famous for its bars and beaches including Bang Tao, Surin Beach, Laem Singh Beach, Kamala Beach, Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Kata Yai Beach, Kata Noi Beach, Ao Chalong, Rawai Beach. Patong Beach is known for its vibrant nightlife. Wat Chalong is a beautiful Buddhist temple located on the southern end of the island. Phuket is also known for its Vegetarian Festival.

Some 700km south of Bangkok, Ko Samui is a popular destination for beaches, water sports, adventure activities, shopping, and fine food. Some of the Island’s notable beaches are Nathon, Mae Nam, Bophut, Bang Ruk, Choeng Mon, but Chaweng and Lamai are the most popular beaches. Other attractions include Wat Phra Yai, Ancient House, Hin Lat Waterfalls, Snake Farm, Aquarium & Tiger Zoo, Two Crocodile Farms, Tamarind Spa, and Naga Pearl Farm.

Ko Tao, a beautiful island in South in the Gulf of Thailand, is a heaven for scuba divers. Scuba diving certainly is the major attraction on Ko Tao. You can enjoy watching turtles, stingrays, barracudas, lots of small fish, and reef sharks at Ko Tao. The island is popular destination for water sports, beach activities, and island cruises. Shark Bay is a good place for snorkeling.

Off the eastern Gulf coast of Thailand, halfway between the islands of Ko Samui and Ko Tao is the island of Ko Pha Ngan – the land of coconut trees, known for the world famous full moon parties. Haad Rin is site of the famous Full Moon Parties. Thong Nai Pan is a scenic home to the beach resorts of Ao Thong Nai Pan Yai and Ao Thong Nai Pan Noi. Herbal sauna at Wat Pho is also a great tourist attraction.

About 330 kilometers from Bangkok floats the island of Ko Chang, which has grown dramatically popular over the last few years. The island is known for its scenic beauty and nice waterfalls. Some of the tourist attractions of Ko Chang are The Mu Ko Chang National Park, War memorial monument, Klong Plu, Klong Nonsi, Klong Nueng, Khiri Petch, Kongoi (wonderful waterfalls), and The Thanmayom.

By: james@holiday-velvet.com

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