Thailand Travel

Chiang Mai Ram Hospital

This is the premium private hospital in Chiang Mai, and with the price range to match: but then again, you get what you pay for, though the Ram is not necessarily where you might want to have your check-up or physician appointment if you are a backpacker traveling on a limited budget. The Ram has comprehensive departments: Obstetrics/Gynecology, neurosurgery, pediatrician, dentistry, and all the specialists you would expect to find at any modern hospital. Indeed, Thai doctors tend to come with much better bedside manners and as a rule are friendlier than their western counterparts thanks to the emphasis on hospitality in Thai culture as well as the Ram’s direction as part of the service sector. The staff speak fairly fluent English, usually give prompt, helpful service, and the hospital as a whole is one of the most reputable in the country (overseas patients who come to Thailand for cheaper medical expenses and operations are common). The Chiang Mai Ram is located in the Old City area, near the Central Kad Suan Kaew shopping mall, and boasts a roof that has been built to accommodate emergency helicopter landing. All reputable hotels in the city often have a contract with the Ram and default to them for ambulances and emergencies.

Chiang Mai

Rajavej Hospital

Located opposite a hotel, the Rajavej Hospital includes highly specialized service clinics, including liver disease clinic, hemorrhoids clinic, digestive system disease, diabetes/thyroid and cholesterol clinic, dermatology, geriatric clinic and a menopause clinic. Their service centers range from cancer to endoscopy, and they have surgeons who specialize in orthopedic surgery, oncology, and plastic surgery. Price range is somewhat less likely to traumatize your wallet, but the Rajavej Hospital’s lobby and waiting area is also considerably less glamorous to look at then the Ram’s.

McCormick Hospital

The McCormick Hospital is one of the few institutions in Chiang Mai and Thailand in general that are run under the umbrella of the Church of Christ, and as such is a Catholic hospital. Being considerably smaller than the Chiang Mai Ram, it accordingly offers rather fewer facilities and department, but the accommodation and nursing fees are also much cheaper, catering to more budget-conscious patients. General health check-ups, cancer check-ups, prenatal and postnatal care, cardiac care unit, and intensive care units are available. The McCormick is located in Wat Ket, on Kaeonawarat Road, close to the Dara Academy.

Lanna Hospital

The Lanna Hospital has been certified with ISO 9000. It offers 180 in-patient beds, and distinguishes itself by hiring staff who not only speak English but also Mandarin and Japanese in addition to, of course, Thai. While like others it offers general care across various health categories (cardiac care, back pain, Obstetrics/Gynecology, et cetera), it specializes in handling emergency cases. It is located on Chnag Klan Road, in the city center, and is one of the hospitals closest to the Night Market area.

All the hospitals listed adhere to ISO standards and are staffed by internationally trained doctors and nurses, many of which graduated from Ivy League schools and top medical universities of England and Switzerland. Combine this with the superior hospitality, cultural disposition toward friendliness, and the relatively low costs, and Chiang Mai easily proves one of the most attractive destinations for medical tourism.

Hospitals in Chiang Mai, Thailand – Medical Tourism

Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations, and yet visitor numbers are well down on previous year. The beaches and streets in Phuket are quiet and businesses are beginning to feel the strain. Thailand’s political problems have been well documented by the media, so much so that the country is portrayed as being in complete anarchy. Although the problems have been centered in Bangkok, they have impacted Phuket. But what’s the reality of the situation? Should tourists be wary of traveling to Phuket?

The short answer is “no”. For a bit of perspective, Thailand has had numerous problems over the years, from coups to bombings. However, it was only the tsunami that really affected tourism in the long run. Thailand’s internal problems usually create a few short-term ripples and the media writes of chaos in the streets, but for people living in Thailand, they will tell you that life goes on as usual.

Phuket

In Phuket, tourism is way down. Hotels are nowhere near full and people on the island are saying that the effect on the industry will be worse in the long term than the tsunami. It’s such a dire situation, but it’s also completely unnecessary. Travel advisory warnings also don’t help.

If you were to visit Phuket right now you’d see a peaceful island. There are no more dangers than normal and everything is safe. There’s no fighting in the streets and tourists aren’t being victimized or attacked. In fact, there’s probably never been a better time to visit Phuket because the island is less crowded than usual.

The beaches are still there and the popular sites are waiting for visitors to trickle in. Of course, travelers should still exercise the same caution they would when visiting Phuket any time of the year. Traveling alone on a motorcycle at night isn’t a good idea and care should be taken when out and about. But don’t let the news reports put you off a trip to Phuket.

It’s a sad state of affairs, but hotel-booking websites have been reporting a huge decline in bookings. The same is true of airlines, who are now throwing out offers left, right and center to entice people to visit Thailand. There are bargains to be snapped up at the moment.

So if Phuket is safe for tourists, then what about Bangkok, where most of the trouble has been? There have been protests and airport closures and all sorts. However, unless you had a plane to catch during that time, if you were in Bangkok, you wouldn’t have noticed much out of the ordinary other than when you turned on the news. Everything carried on as usual. It always does.

After the most recent coup, the tanks and soldiers became a tourist attraction. The resultant protests were mostly jovial affairs with picnics and concerts. Some media reports were speculating that Thailand was about to become a bloodbath, similar to revolutions of the past, but such events didn’t materialize.

Forums, blogs and phone lines have been inundated with people asking if Phuket is still safe for travel. It is safe, and it likely will be for a long time to come.

How Safe is Phuket For Travel?

Phad Thai

Ingredients

Thai Food

Narrow rice noodles 400 g.

Water 400 g.

Phad Thai sauce 320 g.

Dried shrimp 60 g.

Chopped Salted white radish 40 g.

Yellow soybean curd 160 g.

Bean sprouts 400 g.

Chinese leek leaves 60 g.

Egg 4 Vegetable oil 120 g.

Ground peanut 40 g.

Chinese leek leaves 60 g.

Egg 4 Vegetable oil 120 g.

Ground peanut 40 g.

How to Cook

- Fry noodles with water until soft

- Add sauce and mix thoroughly

- Add dried shrimp, Chopped Salted white radish and soybean curd

- Add oil around the pan, break eggs and fry until done

- Add bean sprouts, Chinese leek leaves and fry and serve warmly

Phad Thai Sauce Ingredients

Shallot 50 g.

Garlic 25 g.

Palm sugar 125 g.

Sugar 10 g.

Fish sauce 50 g.

Tamarind juice 25 g.

Vinegar 33 g.

Salt 1 g.

Ground dried chili 1 g.

Oil 40 g.

Vinegar 33 g.

Salt 1 g.

Ground dried chili 1 g.

Oil 40 g.

Note: The sauce recipe makes 2 kg.

How to cook

- Pound shallot ingredients in a pot. Heat the ingredients until melted.

- Bring to boil and then add the sautéed shallots and garlic.

- Mix them together and pack in plastic bags, 80 grams each.

- Scramble egg and mix with the seasoning noodles. When the noodles look dry, add bean sprouts and Chinese chives.

- Stir them together with noodles until cooked. Then remove from the heat.

Strong point of Phad Thai: High calories, protein, fibers, calcium and phosphorus.

Tom Yum Kung

Main Ingredients

Shrimp 500 g.

Rice straw mushroom 600 g.

Chili paste 150 g.

Soup stock 2,500 g.

Citric acid 10 g. Salt 15 g.

Fish sauce 100 g. Sugar 20 g.

Lime juice 15 g.

Hot chili 10 g.

Dried Chili 10 g.

Lemon grass 40 g.

Shallots 40 g. Galangal 10 g.

Kaffir lime leaves 5 g.

Vegetable oil 100 g.

How to cook

1. Roast chilies, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, galangal and lemon grass and then grind them until smooth to Tom Yum paste.

2. Stir-fry the Tom Yum paste with oil. Add sliced lemon grass and kaffir lime leaves, set aside.

3. Put citric acid, salt, sugar and water into a pot. Melt it and bring to boil. Then add fish sauce and bring to boil again.

4. Add the Tom Yum paste into the pot. Stir it thoroughly and bring to boil again. Pack in plastic bags, 90 gram per bag.

Thai Food – Phad Thai and Tom Yum Kung Recipe

Koh Samui, Thailand continues to yield interesting options for would be property investors. With the majority of Thailand real estate being purchased with cash, as bank finance being almost impossible to obtain, the underlying valuation of property and land is being maintained, although due to most investors being foreign investors with a portfolio of assets, there are now some nice prospects for those with investment capital who are ready to consider increasing their property portfolio.

For the medium term this Island and top 10 holiday destination continues to be a favorite investment centre for major branded hotels and spa resorts. Conrad Hotel and the recently opened Ibis are amongst several being built as this tropical Island continues to grow in popularity. There are also several luxury villa resorts being planned by major property companies, seeing a bright future in the luxury destination market. Popular destinations such as Chaweng, Cheong Mon and Bophut continue to attract vacationers from around the globe, despite the recent political troubles in Thailand.

Thailand Investment

The current world financial crisis in late 2008 has gives property buyers opportunities as several sellers are forced to reduce price to make a sale in these difficult conditions. There are several options available, both new off-plan and resale properties that now are providing buyers with significant cost advantages. The market now coming up to the high season is quite flat, with bargain properties appearing as sellers discount in order to stimulate interest.

We are seeing discounts by as much as 40% off some resale units where the owner is seeking to quickly release the cash in a property. One specific example of this is a four bedroom newly completed villa in Bang Makham, originally for sale for 25mThai Baht (715k US$), this has been discounted for quick sale at a little over 15m Thai Baht (429k US$).

Developers are realizing that to maintain and promote sales they must offer special discounted prices to offset the strong advances of the Thai Baht against a host of currencies (example: The GBP has fallen from 63 to 51 Thai Baht since September 2008, a drop of almost 20%). Developers and creative marketers are also promoting by adding in some creative financing plans, including sometimes extended payment terms over 3 years. Others are giving longer terms of up to 10 year private finance deals with down payments of 40% – 50% of the full purchase price.

Examples of one specific special promotions is new pricing being introduced by Samui Emerald Condominium at Plai Laem, Koh Samui, where they are actively promoting their first class product through sale of leasehold units, a 44sqm fully furnished unit can be bought for a little over 50,000 GBP (2,640,000 Thai Baht) at the time of writing this article. The foreign buyer in this case would need to set up a Thai company, in order to purchase one of these special units.

Take a look at Koh Samui, Thailand, whilst the market has some interesting opportunities available for the savy investor.

Koh Samui, Thailand – Opportunities in Real Estate Investment

Bangkok is one of the top cities of Southeast Asia economically. It is growing fast, some say too fast. It now includes the area of Thon Buri, which was once the capital of Siam, and the combined area is commonly known now as Krung Thep Mahanakhon. It is the capital city of Thailand and home to more than 6.5 million people. The metropolitan area is by far the largest of the country and has an estimated population of over 11 million.

It is the commercial centre of Thailand, and the wider area of Southeast Asia. There are two main sectors providing the lion’s share of revenue in the Thai economy. It is characterized by a tropical climate which remains humid for a major part of the year. The city experiences alternate periods of dry and wet seasons. It is juxtaposed with high end and gritty right next to each other, something you normally don’t see in most western cities, embrace it!

Bangkok

It is becoming a hub for quality music in Asia, extensive list of music venues, discos, DJs, artists and music events. It is famous for its temples, the Grand Palace as well as some of Asia’s largest shopping centers and Asia’s largest outdoor week-end market (Chatuchak). It is highly appreciated for its wide choice of restaurants, from authentic street-side eateries to a number of fine dining establishments. It is a gourmet’s paradise. The most authentic, the freshest and the very best food can be found in the ubiquitous stalls strewn throughout its bustling streets.

It is a shopper’s heaven. Don’t worry about sleeping, there is plenty of time for that once your board the flight back home. It is a beautiful city and Thailand is a wonderful country. I’ve been there and I can say the people are warm and friendly. It is a city of extremes and superlatives, a city you do not react too indifferently. Recently declared the world’s hottest city by the World Meteorological Organization, it also boasts the longest name -Krung-thep-maha-nakorn-boworn-ratana-kosin mahintar-ayudhya-amaha-dilok-pop-nopa-ratana-rajthani-burirom-udom-rajniwes-mahasatarn -amorn-pimarn-avatar-satit-sakattiya-visanukam .

Bangkok is said to be the 22nd most populous city on earth, with a population of about 11 million, including its proper and surrounding areas, the best time to visit it is during the months of May, June and September, when the city is at its least crowded. It is more like work. It’s kind of a slog. It is not just a city to visit briefly on your way to somewhere else. It is a place so rich in experience you will want to visit it time and time again.

It is rightly regarded as the most affordable city of all for flight tickets and is now widely accepted as Asia’s premier air hub. Bearing in mind the savings you can make on other things during your stay in it perhaps it is an ideal opportunity to experience the most opulent accommodation available in any Hip Hotel Bangkok or Sukhumvit Hotel, the TENFACE suite. It is a city to overload the senses. Streets are crowded by tuk-tuks (motorized tri-shaws) and the occasional elephant weaving through congested traffic. It is, shall we say, a Mecca for Buddhist temples. From the famous reclining Buddha at Wat Pho to the Giant Swing outside of Wat Suthat, you could spend weeks in the city and not absorb it all.

It is popular tourist destination. We try to offer you the most suitable accommodation in hotels, pensions, apartments and hostels on this website. It is a gourmet’s paradise – from the unfathomable victuals of China Town through to upscale international dining and some of the finest street food on the planet. The most authentic, the freshest and the very best food can be found in the ubiquitous stalls strewn throughout its bustling streets.

Gurmit loves traveling; he has been to Bangkok a lot of times. His favorite is Thai Foot Message at the airport. He is an author, speaker and mortgage expert.

Famous Cities of the World – Bangkok

A definition of luxury lifestyle, what exactly is it?

Some people may say, it’s all about the celebrity life. That would imply limo rides, high priced champagne, VIP Passes, jet sets and owning twenty motor vehicles or a lot more.

Cha Am

Some say that not everyone can manage to pay for luxury living. Some people would even go as far as to say that luxury is only for a handful of individuals within our society. Who states that you have to own a Fortune 500 company, or to be born with a golden spoon in your mouth for you to be given the right to live a luxurious life?

Luxury might also be translated into something else – real estate. Owning the most majestic mansions, wonderful estates, huge ranches, or maybe you could start small. Why not invest in a luxury condominium in Thailand?

Purchase a Condo in Cha Am – Hua Hin, Thailand

Exactly the same as if you want to make investments in business, location is probably the most essential factor. And when it involves buying in a condo for your future, finding and picking out the ideal location really ought to be a priority. Let’s assume that you can in fact shift to some other place, would you do it? Imagine you are given the opportunity to move to Hua Hin in Thailand, would you leap at the prospect?

Hua Hin is a renowned seaside resort town in Thailand, some a couple of hundred KM south of Bangkok. Locally, Hua Hin is associated with the Thai monarchy simply because the close by province of Prachuap Khiri Khan enjoys a lot of local attractions – prominent amongst them are national parks and ancient cities. In short, locating the ideal condo for sale in Hua Hin ought to be easy, it being a noted beach town. For that reason, for those who have the desire to retire to a luxury life style, you’ll find a variety of luxury condos for sale in Thailand, especially in Hu Hin.

A luxury condo for sale in Hua Hin will sell out quickly, predominately on account of the significant number of tourists and expatriots visiting and/or staying there. The reason for this is that Thailand’s royal family and in particular past kings were the first to put this locale on the map as the original seashore destination in Thailand. The 5 km beach itself is charming and the sea is relatively clean. Somewhere in this five kilometer stretch there is normally a luxury condominium for sale, you just need to know where to look for one.

You will discover loads of activities it is possible to do in Hua Hin. Apart from simply sunbathing, snorkeling and swimming, it’s a place providing attractions and things to do for example golf, spas, mountain peaks, waterfalls, shops, and nearby national parks. Popular hobbies in Hua Hin, aside from looking for luxury condominiums for sale in Hua Hin, cover fishing, eco-cruising, kite-boarding, fitness, martial arts, elephant camping, Thai massages, spas, cooking courses, trekking, pony riding and golf.

Aside from searching for luxury condos for sale in Thailand, you may well like to also try your hand at shopping for contemporary art handicrafts. Now, should you go straight to the seaside resort village and decide to search for luxurious condos for sale in Hua Hin, chances are you’ll also want to look into hand-woven printed cotton, silk fabric weaving, gemstones and/or attractive jewelry.

Rare Seaside Condominium for Purchase in Thailand

Koh Phi Phi, Krabi is fast developing into a luxury, yet affordable beach resort. Though there are comparable tourist destinations worldwide, what sets Koh Phi Phi resorts apart from the rest is the affable nature of Thais and reasonable rates for similar facilities. Here are some of the best Koh Phi Phi resorts.

1. Phi Phi Island Cabana Hotel (4-star) (Address: 58 Moo7 Tambol Ao-Nang)

Phi Phi

This eco-friendly resort is a pioneer in its genre in the island. The elegant rooms overlooking the resort’s infinity pool merge smoothly with the bays of Ton Sai and Loh Dalum in the Andaman Sea. The resort’s rooftop restaurant is the best place to try Thai cuisine.

2. Zeavola Hotel (3-star) (Address: 11 Moo 8, Laemthong, Ao Nang, Muang)

Located at the northern tip of the island on a white sand beach, the resort can be reached only by a one-hour speedboat ride from Krabi or Phuket. The restaurant serving a variety of local cuisines is its attraction.

3. P.P.Erawan Palms Resort (3-star) (Address: Moo 8 Leamtong Tambol Ao Nang)

The resort set amongst coconut plantations near white sand beach offers the perfect sunset views. Its beachfront restaurant serves the freshest and tastiest of seafood in the region. The resort is the ideal base for a host of water-based activities.

4. Phi Phi Hotel (3-star) (Address: 129 Moo 7, Aonang)

Located on Ton Sai Bay, this hotel is the perfect combination of tradition and modernity. The restaurant serving a variety of cuisines and bar with live music are its highlights. The hotel has a business center with all modern facilities.

5. Aryaburi Resort (3-star) (Address: 69/1 Moo7 Laem Hin Beach, T.Ao-nang A.Muang)

This Koh Phi Phi resort’s array of villas close to Laem Hin Beach amidst tall trees is the perfect setting for a tropical beach holiday. The tranquil surroundings make it a favorite with offbeat tourists.

Top Five Koh Phi Phi Resorts

Phuket is one of the exotic places on earth where you would never want to leave and cannot wait to get back to. This fact is not hard to admit because it is world famous for its crystal clear water and palm lined powdery beaches. One can engage in pleasurable activities tailored fit to the fairly predictable Phuket weather.

You can find Phuket at the southern tip of Thailand, between the provinces of Pha Nga and Krabi. It proffers a highly luxurious slice of vacation paradise to its guests.

Thailand Weather

Having a tropical monsoon climate, the Phuket weather generates minimal changes in temperatures. It is known for its two distinct seasons: dry and wet. The dry or summer season in Phuket runs from November to April while the wet or rainy season starts in May until October.

The dry season is understandably the peak season for businesses in Phuket. Locals have identified a specific period between November to February to be the most profitable months. The reason for this is that this is the time when the northeast winds starts to blow which brings in an invigorating sea breeze over to the island but with very little rainfall. You get to enjoy lower humidity which is a luxury during summer season. Thus, tourists are generally flocking to Phuket at this period, and even spending their Christmas and New Year celebrations there to get a taste of the island’s festivities.

The sun shines brighter than ever during the months of March to early May that other people may find it too hot. You can take advantage of the special discounts in accommodations which are typically offered at the latter part of the dry season. It is also a suitable time to schedule your scuba diving trips.

On the other hand, the wet season that occurs from May until October is fueled by the prevailing winds from the Indian Ocean. Many are led to believe that this is the right period to stay away from Phuket because of the rain. Travelers on a budget are actually waiting for this chance to visit Phuket so that they have more space to move around and visit some tourist sites without worrying about the crowd.

If you take the time to research online or talk to a couple of travel agents, you may be surprised to find out that the rain typically falls only at the start and end of the wet season. So the occasional rain is well compensated by the significant discounts in resort accommodations and services in Phuket as well as by the great weather for the rest of this season.

Before embarking on a grand holiday vacation, it is always best to have an advanced knowledge on the Phuket weather condition that awaits you once you land at the Phuket International Airport. Even if you are just there to relax and lounge at the beach amidst the tropical lushness of the island, you can fully maximize your vacation time with a smart travel plan in case the bright sun gives way to cloudy skies and rain.

A Phuket Weather Guide For Your Island Holiday