A Guide to Chiang Mai

With a history of over 700 years, Chiang Mai has long been considered the cultural hub of northern Thailand. Roughly 435 miles from Bangkok, it is a city that combines scenic vistas of the highest mountains in Thailand, arts and crafts centers, and modernity that have been drawing an increasing number of travelers and long-term visitors: as many as five million tourists come to Chiang Mai annually, thanks to its combination of unique culture and accessibility.

The city offers a vast range of attractions, sightseeing options and adventure tours that appeal to any traveler, whether you are traveling with your spouse, your extended family, or your elderly: in Chiang Mai there are various ancient ruins, public parks and botanic gardens that will readily suit the tastes of travelers looking for a quiet spot, while for adventurers and/or families with children the Chiang Mai Zoo and Aquarium-as well as rafting adventures, caving, tiger farms and elephant camps-provide the perfect diversions. For the shopper there are numerous markets such as the Warorot Market and the Night Bazaar that give you a glimpse into Thai culture and lifestyle, as well as an opportunity to buy unusual souvenirs to take home. The famous Walking Streets, available Saturday and Sunday, fulfill much the same function but offer an even wider range of merchandise usually sold directly by artists, sculptors, silversmiths and weavers. Outside the city itself there are various crafting villages and factories from which high-quality, unique goods can be bought.

Another reason to choose Chiang Mai for your destination in Southeast Asia is that it is one of the cheaper cities in Thailand as well as one of the least expensive in the region while not giving up cleanliness and safety. While a trip to an Asian city of a similar price range will require compromise with your accommodation, hygiene and personal security, in Chiang Mai this is not the case: it is possible to stroll about the city late at night, alone, in most areas without having to fear for your life or your valuables.

The tourist hotspots such as the Night Market and Walking Streets have a remarkably low rate of crime (indeed the city as a whole has a vanishingly small rate of violent crime, at about 0.02% in 2009, especially since obtaining firearms in Thailand is difficult for the average citizen) and travelers rarely need to fear pickpockets. Tourist police are moreover stationed throughout the Sunday Walking Street in case of any (unlikely) emergency. Depending on the location of your hotel or guesthouse, most of these markets can be reached on foot; failing that transport costs do not generally exceed 100 baht (roughly 3.50 USD as of April 2011) but are often much cheaper than this figure. Food, drinks, places to stay and nightlife are similarly priced. If you are looking for an economic option for your Thailand holiday that fits a careful budget while retaining comfort and excellent sightseeing, there are few destinations better than Chiang Mai.

Last but not least, the renowned hospitality of Chiang Mai is easily one of its biggest attractions. As you step into your accommodation you will notice beautiful décor in the style of the Lanna Kingdom that transports you back to the Chiang Mai of centuries past, and you will be greeted by friendly staff in the traditional costumes of the same. Authentic Thai cuisine, both of central Thailand and northern Thailand, can be had at every street corner. Service is prompt and friendly across the board, and the locals are generally helpful and don't mind taking a few minutes out of their time to give you directions.

Given these reasons and more, why not consider including Chiang Mai in your list of places to see before you die? A perfect combination of price, culture, and tropical climate: you would be hard-pressed to find a city more welcoming and tourist-friendly!

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Scuba Diving Destination Koh Samui

One of Thailand's best loved islands, Koh Samui's charms are evident as soon as you arrive at its award-winning thatch-roofed airport. When you stay on the island of Samui you will not only enjoy the excellent beaches and wonderful nightlife, but you will also have access to the best diving in this part of Thailand. Most of these sites are found around Koh Tao and can be dived via daytrips from Samui.

Dive sites that can be visited from Samui, including the famous Chumphon Pinnacle and Sail Rock, are characterised by submerged pinnacles, large rocky seamounts, colourful corals and reefs with plenty of marine life for you to enjoy, including good chances to see whale sharks. Because the Gulf of Thailand is a large sheltered bay, the seas tend to be calm and provide excellent conditions for Koh Samui diving throughout the year.

Highlights

Chumphon Pinnacle -- If you have come to "find Nemo" you won't be disappointed since there are numerous anemones dotted around, each with their resident anemonefish. While sightings of plenty of batfish, jacks and barracudas are likely, whale sharks are the number 1 attraction here, particularly between February and April. You won't forget an encounter with this gentle giant, the biggest fish in the world. Generally considered the best dive site in this part of Thailand.

Sail Rock -- This is another pinnacle and a real highlight of Samui scuba diving because whale sharks are commonly sighted here. Whether you are on the surface or below you will be amazed at how long these sharks stay around seemingly enjoying the presence of divers. Catfish, trevallies and reef sharks also call Sail Rock home. In terms of topography, 'The Chimney' will probably stay long in your memory. You can enter the rock through a hole at around 20 metres and exit either at 15 metres or 10 metres having checked out the masses of glass fish, boxer shrimps, moray eels and other inhabitants of the chimney which makes a lovely swim-through.

How to Dive Samui

The dive sites can be visited by daytrip boats from Samui Island. Large powerful speedboats depart every morning, normally in quite small groups. You will normally return at 5:00 pm in time to return to your resort and relax for the evening. You can book daytrips only, or combine your diving with accommodation in one of our recommended Samui resorts.

Diving Season

The dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand around Koh Samui and Koh Tao can be dived throughout the year. However the peak season, which sees the optimum conditions, runs from March to August.

There may be a reduction in visibility during the September to November period when monsoon winds and swells can be present. However these are rarely sufficient to interfere with diving trips, except maybe for making the speedboat journey a little bumpier. If you are planning a dive trip between November and February, Samui is not the best bet since rain and wind can visit the Gulf at this time of the year.

Reef Summary

Good for: Small animals, beginner divers, dive value-for-money, snorkelling and non-diving activities
Not so good for: Wrecks and drift dives
Depth: 5 -- 40m
Visibility: 5 -- 25m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface conditions: Calm to choppy
Water temperature: 27 -- 29°C
Experience level: Beginner -- advanced
Number of dive sites: about 10
Access: Samui speedboat day trips
Recommended length of stay: 5 days

With some excellent hotels and resorts, great beaches, the spectacular Ang Thong National Marine Park, and a mix of nightlife and quiet retreats, Samui Island caters to all sorts of tourists including young independent travellers, families and couples seeking a romantic beach break. When Phuket and the west coast are in low season, many consider that Koh Samui is the perfect destination for sun, sand and scuba diving.

Make A Profitable Investment In A Bangkok Apartment

Most expats seeking a good Bangkok apartment or a Bangkok condo rely upon the many real estate agencies in the city to find one that suits their needs and pockets. As such, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is the cultural, educational and political nerve-center of the country. The city is a top tourist destination in Southeast Asia thanks largely to its fantastic attractions such as the temple of Reclining Buddha, Erawan Shrine, Royal Grand Palace, Bangkok National Museum and Bangkok University Art Gallery. In addition to being a vacation spot, Bangkok also forms the economic backbone of Thailand. It houses the Stock Exchange of Thailand and a number of commercial banks and financial institutions which form the heart of Thailand's booming economy. In addition, Bangkok is also a safe city and has a low cost of living that fits most budgets. No wonder then that the city attracts people by the millions from all over the world!

Considering the attractions that Bangkok holds both for the tourist and the job-seeker, finding a good Bangkok apartment can be an asking task not because it lacks these, but because it has so many to choose from that any newcomer to the city is bound to be confused and intimidated with regards to the best one! Bangkok offers a range of accommodations to choose from that includes independent houses, villas, bungalows, luxury apartments and condominiums. Among these, most expats to the country prefer condominiums as they offer for well-furnished and cheaper accommodation facilities.

A Bangkok condo is available in the form of apartments, townhouses and single detached homes that contain a furnished kitchen, bath area and bedrooms and also provide uninterrupted water supply. Given the recent real estate boom in Bangkok, condominiums are available all over the city for purchase or for rent. To choose the best among them always keep in mind your requirements and your budget. Some good areas you can choose from include the Central Business Districts i.e. the areas of Silom, Sathron, Chidlom and Sukhumvit and the classy neighborhoods of Thong Lo and Asoke. Other posh areas where you can find luxury condos are the Sathora and the Central Lumpini neighborhoods.

Buying a Bangkok apartment or a condo in the Central Business Districts would be ideal for those working in the city as this saves them considerable commute time. These areas also have a variety of facilities that include shopping centers, hotels, hospitals, embassies, theaters etc. that offer great entertainment, relaxation for the after-work hours and cater to emergency needs. In addition, condos in such areas also provide easy accessibility to sky-trains and expressways thus easing commutation to and from your workplace. Moreover, these condos have a water-tight security system to ensure that your personal belongings remain in place while you are at work. You can find both expensive and affordable condos in these areas and it is up to you to choose one from among these depending on your budget.

The Thong Lo, Asoke, Sathora and Central Lumpini areas in Bangkok are the more fashionable and expensive neighborhoods in the city and are more suitable for those retirees wanting to invest in a Bangkok apartment rather than for those who are still earning. These areas harbor many luxury condos that boast of facilities such as pools, Jaccuzi, meeting rooms and even separate male and female saunas.

On the whole, investing in a Bangkok apartment or a condo is a great idea considering the real estate boom in the city. In addition, condos require minimum maintenance and are quite safe from thieves and robbers particularly if you are looking for overseas property investments. Apart from these benefits, it would be prudent to bear in mind that only condominiums can be owned legally by foreigners in the country so that if you are a foreigner you are left with the condo as your only choice for property investment.

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