Nightlife in Hua Hin

Are you a globetrotter looking to unwind in one of the most exotic resorts with an impeccable history of having attracted tourists for the last 70 years? Welcome to Hua Hin, a five-mile coastline resort. For the avid traveler who is looking forward to a getaway with a spiced up nightlife, this is the destination. When the sun goes down in Hua Hin, this secluded resort has a plethora of activities to offer. One could opt for a Filipino flavor by checking out the Satchmo Club that features a Filipino band while a Mexican mojito provides zing to the evening...a perfect way to relax far from the humdrum city life.

One could also check out the Hua Hin night market located in the heart of the town. This is the perfect place to satiate one's appetite with a variety of Thai food that is available all through the night in the market's food joints. For those diehard shoppers there are varieties of souvenirs to be had from the local handicraft outlets. The market offers a true insight into the Thai culture. The market is at its busiest on weekends.

The highlight offer of Hua Hin is the famous Ladyboyshow at Blue Angelthat packs a lot of entertainment to the fun seeking visitor. These captivating shows are structured tributes to the female artistes of Hollywood and also include the legends of the East. These shows cater to all members of the family and are considered to bring good luck according to ancient Thai tradition.

Unwind at Exciting Watering Holes

For those who prefer some action after nightfall, one could check out the best night club, the Hua Hin Brewing Company, where along with the happy hours on a drink, one could get a taste of Thai culture with an assortment of Thai rock and folk music on offer. Besides this there are a variety of beer bars and pubs for a varied experience of late night partying. If you are looking for a western flavor then you could head to J-Gene, a live music pub. For the diehard TV buffs there are some of the British pubs where one could watch their favorite sport while sipping a drink.

No visit to Thailand is complete without indulging in the comforts of a Thai spa. There are a variety of customized spa treatments available including the famous Thai massage. You can also avail the same at the luxurious hotels in HuaHin.

Doing Business in Thailand

The following article was written in an effort to provide insight to readers about doing business in Thailand and the various corporate structures used to do so.

Those wishing to conduct business in Thailand are well advised to conduct research and due diligence into Thai business customs, practices, rules, and regulations. That being stated, there are many options with regard to corporate formation for those wishing to conduct business within the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Thailand. As in countries such as the United States of America, in the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Thailand individuals may conduct business as a sole proprietorship. Meanwhile, some individuals or groups may prefer to conduct business as a partnership. In the Kingdom of Thailand, partnerships are authorized in the form of both registered and unregistered partnerships which could or could not be vested with limited liability protection. Limited partnerships are sometimes utilized by two or more foreign nationals doing business in Thailand.

Many of those who ultimately decide to do business in Thailand make the decision to conduct business under the auspices of a Thai Limited Company. A limited company in the Kingdom of Thailand, much like a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the United States, the European Union, or the United Kingdom; can have limited liability which can be a significant benefit for business operators as costs arising from possible personal legal actions can be, at least somewhat, defrayed. Bearing this in mind, under most circumstances, a foreign national wishing to conduct business in Thailand is well advised to take notice of Thai regulations regarding foreign ownership of Thai corporations (often referred to as juristic persons in Thai jurisprudence). In the vast majority of cases, a natural person of foreign extraction or a foreign juristic person may only be capable of owning 49% of a Thai company.

Even though most foreign nationals cannot own more than 49% of a Thai company, there are exceptions to this general rule. Most notable among the exceptions is the US-Thai Treaty of Amity which permits Americans to own virtually 100% of a Thai limited company provided it receives Amity Treaty certification from the Thai government for the activity which the company intends to engage in. Also of note is the Thai Board of Investment, sometimes colloquially referred to by the acronym: BOI. Foreign companies may be able to acquire BOI certification and thereby enjoy many benefits not generally accorded to foreign individuals or entities conducting business in Thailand.

Aside from limited companies, partnerships and sole proprietorships Thai law permits the operation of associations and foundations. However, both of these types of juristic persons have somewhat limited business usage as they are generally only utilized by philanthropic or non-profit organizations. Those wishing to conduct business in Thailand should also note that Thai Labour regulations stipulate that a foreigner must have a Thai work permit in order to take up employment lawfully within the jurisdiction. Failure to obtain a work permit could result in fines or even criminal sanctions.

Sightseeing in Bangkok

I first went to Thailand in April, 2008. I wanted to meet my friend there. She was thinking about re-locating to Thailand.

On our first day in Bangkok together, we took a tour of the city by riverboat. The boat ride took around 1 hour. We saw more of Bangkok during that ride than we ever did during a walking tour. During the ride, a woman in a sampan paddled up to us and offered us refreshments. We felt really wonderful,with the fresh breeze in our face and Bangkok moving all around us!

During our stay, we visited the Wat Po Buddhist temple. This is home to the statue of the reclining Buddha, one of the leading tourist attractions in Bangkok. The statue is 18 meters high and 48 meters long. We said prayers by the statue as a token of respect. We walked around the temple grounds and were greatly impressed by the grand design of it all. The temple is definitely worth a second look for tourists.

In our travels, we visited the Royal Lapidary jewelry exchange. Thailand is one of the leading sources of precious stones in the world. The display of precious stones in the exchange there is superb! My friend and i did not buy any jewels there, only gifts for our friends. A word to the wise, there have been many reports of scams with gems. Gems that are not authentic, or jewels where no refunds were allowed after purchase. We cannot attest to that as we did not buy any stones there.

On our last night in Bangkok, my friend and I went to a nice Thai restaurant near our hotel. We ordered ostrich steak! It was great and yes - it tasted just like chicken! My friend decided not to relocate to Thailand. We left Bangkok. She returned to the Philippines and I returned to the U.S.

My impressions of Thailand are generally favorable. However, there are many con artists and scams in Bangkok which tourists should be on the alert for. My advice to tourists is to not to be too trusting of strangers and use your good intuition and judgement.

I know that the great majority of Thai people are wonderful. That is why they call Thailand - the land of smiles!

I am a native New Yorker and have lived in New York all of my life. During the past few years I have developed a passion for travel. Since 2007, i have been to China, Thailand and the Philippines. My travels in the U.S. have been few; my main travel interest is in Asia. My blog and website address are listed below: http://rob-asia.blogspot.com/ http://mychina-travels.yolasite.com/

Explore the Natural Beauty of Chiang Mai

If you want to be pampered, enter the world of Chiang Mai hotels and experience legendary Thai hospitality where guests are treated with an unparalleled generosity of spirit.

Chiang Mai lives up to its sobriquet of 'Rose of the North'. Set in Northern Thailand, it is redolent with culture and spirituality. Inhabited since the early 13th century, Chiang Mai's history and culture has fascinated many an intrepid tourist and traveler.

One of the main sights in Chiang Mai are the over 300 temples that dot the landscape. They vary from the ancient to modern ones and from temples that are always thronged with worshipful devotees to long-forgotten ruins lost in the jungles. Each Wat or temple has its own unique feature. The Wats' architecture also differs widely depending on the time it was built and the local population at that point. Many show influence of the local Lanna Thai population. There are also temples which show a Ceylonese influence especially in the deities.

Discover Ancient Secrets

It is around 700 kilometers north of Bangkok. There is excellent road and rail connectivity between the two cities. You can make your way there by rail, air or road. Go around and visit the temples. You can use the bus, the taxi service - Se Lor, The Tuk Tuk for the adventurous or the three-wheeled Saam Lor for a relaxed, languid look around the city.

Chiang Mai has innumerable festivals throughout the year. Before planning your travel, take a look at the event calendar, there's bound to be something interesting taking place. The festivals range from simple street fairs to the elaborate rituals of the Loi Krathong festival or the Festival of Lights). For the spiritual tourist, the Doi Suthep pilgrimage is particularly awe-inspiring and serene, despite the noise and huge numbers of people. The Chinese New Year festival in mid February is also celebrated with much vim and vigor featuring lion dances, floats and fireworks. Around the same time, many people come to have a traditional Lanna wedding on elephant back at the elephant conservation centre.

On the outskirts of Chiang Mai, you can visit a traditional Hill tribe village and traditional Thai house preserved for posterity, educational and tourist purposes. Nature lovers must visit the Doi Inthanon National Park with its wondrous landscape, gushing waterfalls and the breathtaking view from the tallest mountain in Thailand. The cool mountain air also makes the park a bird watcher's paradise since it has the largest number of bird species in Thailand.

Chiang Mai has a famous night market which sprawls over several blocks selling products and imported goods of an astonishing variety and the atmosphere is conducive to watching both locals and tourists as they haggle their way to a bargain. The street vendors here sell delicious local food at very reasonable costs. It is also offers the traditional urban Thai attractions of Muay Thai, fantastic shopping and the indulgent massage. These are best relished while enjoying the hospitality of a Chiang Mai hotel.

How to Live in Thailand on $600 a Month

Many travelers, vacationers or retirees have the erroneous belief that if they come to Thailand they'll have to fork out thousands of dollars a month to experience an ideal Thai lifestyle. However, they'd be mistaken. In actual fact you can live a great Thai lifestyle for a lot less than that...

For starters, pretty much everything in Thailand will cost you a LOT less than a similar lifestyle in Europe or USA might cost. But don't just take my word for it. Let these examples (in US$) prove it to you:

o You can enjoy superb high speed Internet (broadband) for under $30 a month.

o You can rent a lovely, 2 story home with huge garden for around about $150 a month (depending where you live of course. Some areas more expensive, and some a lot less!)

o You can go out at night and tantalize your taste buds with a 3 or 4 course Thai dinner for about $15 (depending what you eat of course!)

o Alternatively you can 'eat in' and still eat really well (feel full to the brim after) for a mere $3 (and that's pushing it!)

o You can buy your own zippy little 115 cc Honda or Yamaha automatic motorbike (scooter) for about $1000 - or snap up a used bike for half that. (If you want to brave motorcycle taxis - it'll be anywhere from $1-$15 per trip).

o And as for general living costs, you'd stay right on top of things for about $6-10 a day...

Anyway, I'm sure you get the idea. As you can see, you can live a pretty comfortable Thai lifestyle for a lot less than $600 a month. Even more so if you budget your expenses carefully. Of course, you could just as easily fork out $6000 or $60,000 a month too, if you felt so inclined! So what are you waiting for?

Expatriate Employment in Thailand

There are three distinct, but inter-related, laws that impact on expatriate employment in Thailand, and expatriates need to comply with all three of them:

• Immigration law;

• Labor law; and

• Tax law.

Immigration law

Immigration law requires foreigners entering Thailand for work purposes to have a Category B Visa. These Category B visas are obtained from Thai Embassies and Consulates outside Thailand and the visa must be obtained prior to arrival in Thailand. Accompanying spouses (not intending to work) should obtain a Category O visa prior to his or her arrival in Thailand, again, from a Thai Embassy or Consulate outside Thailand.

Both Category B and O visas are valid for just 90 days, and if the period of work extends beyond this period of time, the visas need to be extended (within Thailand) upon their expiry. Extension periods of 30 days (at a time) are granted as and when necessary for completion of the work permit application procedures, and following approval of the work permit application, a 1-year visa extension is then granted.

However, the Immigration authorities will only extend a visa, either for 30 days or for the 1-year period, after an expatriate employee proves to the Immigration authorities that a work permit has been obtained or is in the process of being obtained and personal income tax has been paid in Thailand. If an expatriate employee can't prove compliance with both requirements, the Immigration authorities will not extend the visa and the expatriate will have to leave the country to obtain another visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate outside Thailand.

Labor law

The labor law prescribes that all foreigners working in Thailand must have a work permit. The period of validity of work permits follow the same dates as the Category B visa. It is therefore necessary to re-apply for extension of work permits at the same time as applications are made to extend visas.

A work permit specifies the place where an expatriate employee is permitted to work, the employee's job description and the period of validity. A permit is non-transferable and if a permit holder changes employers whilst in Thailand, a new work permit application is generally required. Work permit applications are a document intensive and cumbersome process, and the permits can be difficult to obtain, taking anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

The Labor Department has an official list of documents that are required from the employee and the employer. Whilst it is an extensive list, more documents could be required to prove bona-fide employment in Thailand. If your employer is of the type and size that allows you to use the One Stop Service Center, your work permit may take just a few hours.

Tax law

Whilst not being sophisticated law, the income tax laws in Thailand are quite encompassing, and prescribe that the following earnings are subject to tax in Thailand:

All earnings derived from performance of duties in Thailand, including duties performed in Thailand for an employer outside Thailand and earnings for duties performed in Thailand that are paid outside Thailand; and

All earnings paid in Thailand regardless of where the duties are performed; and

All other earnings that are derived from offshore sources that are remitted into Thailand in the same year in which they are derived.

The tax laws permit standard deductions and standard allowances to be claimed against your salary earnings in Thailand. These standard deductions and standard allowances are shown in our sister publication, Guide to Expatriate Taxation in Thailand. The tax laws also contain strictly enforced withholding tax provisions that require all employers to withhold the employee's personal income tax liability at the time of payment, and remit such withholding tax to the Revenue Department on a monthly basis.

Foreign expatriate employees cannot opt out of the withholding tax provisions and volunteer to pay their own taxes. The employer must deduct withholding tax on all:

Earnings physically paid in Thailand; and

Earnings paid overseas, which has been or will be charged as an expense in Thailand.

If an expatriate employee has a work permit but all of his salary or wages costs are paid by and borne by an entity outside Thailand, a withholding tax requirement in Thailand still exits due to the Immigration and Labor laws.

Double tax treaty considerations

When an expatriate employee is in Thailand for 183 or fewer days, it may be possible for the employee to be exempt from Thailand tax on his earnings pursuant to a double tax treaty. But a double tax treaty does not override any of the Thai Immigration and Labor (work permit) laws.

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