I’ve done quite a few interviews with Thailand bloggers over the past months to give you all a different perspective on Thailand, Thai culture and Thai-Farang relationships. Today I have another interview for you except it’s not another blogger. Today’s interview is with James Turner, the author of the book “Beyond The Comfort Zone”; an auto biographical account of the time he was living in Chiang Mai.

The book is quite good and well worth reading and as you’ll see below James is quite well spoken and still maintains a strong connection to Thailand. In fact her wrote the previous post on Thailand Musings called Thai Cultural Observations, a bit of a teaser and lead in to this interview. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I enjoyed conversing with the interviewee.

When you moved to Thailand in 2002, what made you choose Chiang Mai as your home?

I’d read quite a lot about the best places to live in Asia and at the time Chiang Mai was in the top 10 list. I wanted to live in a place where I wasn’t going to be swamped during the tourist season, somewhere more akin to the real Thailand.

Did you plan on staying longer in Thailand? What made you leave in 2005 rather than staying on in a country you seem to love so much?

I did plan on a longer stay but I got offered a job in the US which was too good to turn down. That combined with some personal circumstances and the sense of a new adventure made it the right time for a move.

Based on your book it seems as if you are fairly fluent in Thai. Did you find the language easy to learn? How long did it take you to become at least conversational?

Well, I’m not sure I would claim any fluency in Thai, but yes I can have a reasonably detailed conversation. I found the language extremely challenging, certainly the most difficult language I’ve ever attempted. It took a long time to become anywhere near conversational and even then you would have to define ‘conversational’. I still have difficulty with the TV news for example. Having a Thai girlfriend helped enormously and I refused to speak English in my day to day life in C.M. which made for some very amusing exchanges! It was perhaps a year and a half of that kind of daily determination before I could hold down a conversation.

Would you consider moving back to Thailand full time? Why or why not?

Absolutely. I certainly want to get a base back in Thailand in fact I’m considering properties right now. It’s still my favorite place in the world and I would probably move to Bangkok next time I think. For all its faults it is one of the world’s great city’s.

Do you ever get back to Thailand? How often and for how long typically?

Less and less these days unfortunately. I haven’t been back for about two years due to my filming commitments. My last time there I think was for six months. My shortest time visiting will usually be a couple of months, so eight weeks or so.

I have to ask because so many of my readers are interested in Thai-Farang relationships; what is it

about Thai girls that make them so attractive to Western guys in your opinion?
It is different things for different people I imagine. Certainly they are more respectful and demure than women have become in the west and I think that is appealing to some. Although I personally think that Thai women are anything but subservient. I think their gentle demeanor is sometimes mistaken for that, but in my opinion it is (or should be) a two way street of mutual respect. Compliment a Thai girls respectful nature with some reciprocal manners and life can be very nice indeed. Don’t…and be prepared for fireworks!

What things do you feel have changed the most in Thailand since the time you lived there?

I think there is more understanding of westerners now, of our cultural differences. Obviously there has been a drive to modernize the outlying provinces in many ways. What has continued in Bangkok and Chiang Mai is the relentless upward trend of consumerism. I hope that last one doesn’t de-rail the Thai sense of ‘Sanuk’ because that would be a shame.

I see on your website that you are trying to establish a charity to help the children in Thailand who have little or nothing. I think this is a very worthwhile endeavor and wish you all the good fortune in the world in making it happen. Can you tell us a little more about the charity, what you’ve done so far and what your plans are for expanding it in the future.

At the moment I have just established the mechanism for fulfilling the objective. So, we are ready to start accepting donations. The idea is to grow it according to the resources. As you say, It is focused on children. In the first instance we will probably be supporting existing structures in Thailand (Orphanages for example) to provide additional food, clothing, educational material etc; But the hope is to be able to provide our own infrastructure to facilitate growing the child’s own capability to provide for their own future. That would include access to education and trade skills, technology, that sort of thing. It’s a long road to get to that point and we may struggle to get there. But, I think it is important to help in areas where small things could possibly make a big difference.

At the end of “Beyond the Comfort Zone” you allude to further stories from the Indian Ocean tsunami that devastated parts of southern Thailand in December 2004. Are you currently working on that book and if so when do you think it will be published?

I was toying with the idea of a fictional book centered around the event. But I have several T.V. and film projects in the works at the moment as well as two other book ideas, so I don’t think that the Tsunami idea will be something that is going to end up on that list. But, never say never!

What further advice can you give to someone who is planning on living in Thailand long term? What things should they focus on and which can they say “mai bpen rai”" to?

I think one has to try and maintain a sense of self which, on the face of it, should seem an easy thing to do but isn’t. At the same time one has to try to embrace the Thai way of approaching things. Avoid direct confrontation and always, repeat ALWAYS leave people a way out of a situation with their feelings and face intact. Learn the language – that should be an imperative. Say “Mai bpen rai” to as much as you can get away with; the heat, the rain, the illogical approach to problem solution and the fact that your thirty five year old girlfriend is always going to cover the bedroom in stuffed toy animals and hello kitty memorabilia.

One can walk down a soi in Bangkok complaining about the smell and the cockroaches and the heat – or – one can look above the smell and admire the spirit houses, bougainvillea, coconut palms, blue skies and even in Bangkok everyone is always smiling. I know which version of that walk I will be focusing on.

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Today’s post is a guest post by James Turner, a former Thailand expat who has gone on to write a book regarding his time in Thailand called “Beyond The Comfort Zone”. The book is a captivating glimpse into the darker side of Thailand and I found it to be well written, captivating and exciting. I don’t want to spoil it by telling you too much about the story and you can read some excerpts if you visit Jim’s website.

I will be bringing you more about Jim in the form of an interview early next week, but he was kind enough to write a short post about his own observations of Thai culture, developed during his 3 years living in the Kingdom, as an introduction. So, without further ado here you go.

Hi Steve thanks for the chance to talk about my experiences living in Thailand.

I’d actually been coming to Thailand as a tourist since probably the late 80′s early 90′s. When I eventually decided to move away from the UK (2002) it seemed only natural to head to Thailand as my next home.

I think I probably made the same erroneous judgment call that many people make when they move to another country, in that I assumed I ‘knew’ the country because I had made several trips here for a month or more as a tourist. Well, let’s just say that presumption on my part was quickly squashed!

Some of the challenges we have all faced as expats in Thailand are fairly obvious. The language, lack of friend’s, infrastructure and so on. Others however are much more subtle in their manifestation. The cultural differences between, not just Thais, but all nations in Asia and our western cultural upbringing are enormous. The whole experience can be hugely frustrating. The loss of face issue can be maddening at first – until you realize it actually cuts both ways. Nobody wants you to lose face either and they will bend over backwards for you to ensure that does not happen.

In my experience you have to accept that you are in someone else’s country and it is not for us to judge whether we would do things differently, thus that the Thai way of doing things is wrong. On the contrary, I find the Thai way of approaching interpersonal relationships to be far preferable to the way we do things in the west. I think there is much more respect in Asian cultures for one another and that is very evident in Thailand. At least that has been my experience. Trying to impose your own culturally pre-programmed moral compass onto the Thai landscape will only result in friction and unhappiness. We are never in our lifetime going to change the thinking of a nation – best just to focus on the positives…and smile of course!

I think the singular most important thing to do upon arrival in Thailand is to start learning the language and persist at it. Unless one does that, one is never going to fully enjoy living in the kingdom. Personally I think it’s great fun and definitely makes for a much more rewarding time in the LOS. By the way, I notice you also try and expand your reader’s Thai vocab on your site which is a great idea.

Moving to a new culture is a challenge wherever you end up in the world and Thailand is no different. On the whole though, I have found the Thais to be warm, friendly and accommodating to those who are willing to develop a genuine interest in their culture. I know it is still my favorite place in the world and although I am not currently resident, still consider Thailand to be my home.

Prepare to have your compass moved and your preconceptions shattered. Now, repeat after me. Relax, smile, breath, be patient…….and repeat..Relax….

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Over the past 4 years (has it really been THAT long?) Golf and I have been able to connect with many people through this site and thanks to our honest and straight forward advice regarding Thai-Western relationships. As you have probably noticed, Golf isn’t really active here at Thailand Musings any longer due to her commitments to her own sites; Awesome Thai Food & Love Thai Guys and of course the time involved with a newborn in the house.

While I feel fully confident in my own advice, thoughts and musings about Thailand, relationships and the wonderful gentler sex in Thailand I totally believe that a balanced view should always be taken. Being able to include the thoughts of a Thai girl regarding Thai-Western relationships is a huge help to all my readers, but where could I find a Thai girl willing to write about relationships on a regular basis?

Fortunately I have been able to find someone who has the same passion for Thailand, relationships between Thai’s and Westerners and love that I have. Bonus #1 it’s a female, bonus #2 she’s Thai and bonus #3 she’s spent time in both Thailand (obviously) as well as Australia.

Who is this mystery woman you are probably asking by now. Her name is Angella and she has graciously agreed to guest post a column here on Thailand Musings that we are calling “Angella Talks”. The column will be about her thoughts on Thai-Western relationships, Thailand vs. the West, Thai culture and that sometimes elusive and bittersweet emotion love. I think she will bring something truly unique and positive to Thailand Musings and after you read some of her columns I hope you agree with me.

You can learn more about Angella on the bio page she wrote for us, but even better would be to read her column on a regular basis. That way you will be able to develop a conversation with her as she will also be answering questions and comments on all her posts.

Please take a moment and join me in offering a warm welcome to Angella by leaving her a comment below. And please stop back tomorrow to read her first post here at Thailand Musings.

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Over the course of the past few months I’ve done several Thailand bloggers interviews that have been quite fun and informative. Today the mirror has been turned on me as Jon from Jonny Foreigner blog has posted his interview with none other than me!

To say that I am flattered is quite an understatement. This marks the first interview I’ve given online and I have to say it was fun for me and also a bit enlightening. It made me think about things that sort of sit in the back of the head, but never get fully examined and I feel like it was a good exercise for me as well as making sure the interview itself turned out to be full of useful content and interesting. Of course the bulk of the credit for that goes to Jon who came up with very insightful and probing questions.

So, if you have a few minutes why not head on over to Jon’s blog where you can learn a bit more about what makes me tick as well as having the chance to see never before published photos of both myself and Golf. Oh, maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that…I think it could end up driving people away :>)

Anyway, just go check out the interview, leave a comment there and then come back here to let me know what you think or what questions might have been left unanswered in your mind.

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Earlier in the week the online version of Newsweek released their list of the World’s Best 100 countries and Thailand ranked #58 overall on this list. The ranking was based on data from 2009 and is based on the following five criteria (ranking within criteria shown in parenthesis):

Education (#57) – Determined using combined universal score on TIMSS and/ or PISA tests or by doing a regression of literacy rate (CIA World Factbook) and average years of schooling against the universal score for those countries that don’t administer these tests. The score is meant to measure educational achievement and differentiate between developing countries.

Health (#66) – Based on healthy life expectancy and meant to capture the efficiency of the health care system. It takes into account years that are lived in less than full health due to disease or injury.

Quality of Life (#55) – Measured by five different criteria. Inequality as measured by gender, extreme poverty defined as the percent of the population living on less than $2 a day, standard of living which is determined by private consumption, physical environment determined by homicides per 100,000 population as well as air and water pollution levels and economic security which is measured through the countries unemployment rate.

Economic Dynamism (#39) – Also measured by five different criteria. Productive growth which is the growth in GDP expressed as an incremental US$ growth per person over the past 10 years and extrapolated forward for the next 10 years, diversification which measures the percentage of GDP that comes from services and manufacturing, innovation which measures the amount of capital invested in R&D throughout the manufacturing, university and government as well as the availability of scientists and intellectual property, business vitality which measures the ease of doing business in each country including the time required to start a new business and the number of bankruptcy filings and finally stock market capitalization which measures the equity market capitalization as a percentage of GDP.

Political Environment (#74) – Measured by three different criteria. Freedom house rating which is based on a variety of things and is meant to assess the perceived level of democratic freedom in a country, global peace index’s political participation rating which measures voter turnout and citizens participation in the political process and political risk service’s political stability rating which is a measure of the risk to individuals, businesses and the government due to political decisions and actions.

As you can see this survey and determination is based solely on the conditions for the countries citizens, not tourists and expats. Even so, I think it sheds some light on what life in Thailand is like for those of us visiting or living there permanently, even though we are simply guests.

Even though Thailand ranked #58 overall I found that digging a bit deeper into the numbers painted a slightly different picture. For example, when sorting for just the low income countries (defined as Gross National income per capita under $3946) we find Thailand ranked #4 out of 38 countries. Ukraine, Jordan and Albania are the top three, however you find many Asian countries including China and India ranking lower than Thailand.

When looking at the ASEAN countries Thailand ranks 3rd, only Singapore and Malaysia (both former British colonies) rank higher than Thailand. When including all of East Asia and the Pacific Rim Thailand drops to #7 out of 11, but all of the countries above them are considered to be “developed” nations (Australia, New Zealand, Japan, S. Korea, Singapore and Malaysia). What this indicates to me is that Thailand is likely much closer to developed nation status than many other countries in SE Asia. Of course only time will tell and considering the current political climate in Thailand this could be delayed or derailed for some time, but overall it gives me hope for better conditions for the majority of Thai people in the near future.

While no list like this can be perfect I think it is a fairly good representation of the quality of life around the world. Even more interesting to me will be follow up surveys, assuming Newsweek chooses to repeat this on a yearly basis. I am very curious to see how the rankings change for each country as the world economy changes. After looking at the rankings how do you feel Thailand should stack up against other countries? What about future rankings, do you think Thailand is gaining in each area or do you think they are falling behind?

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While many visitors to Koh Phangan come for the raucous Full Moon Party, there are others who are looking for a more peaceful experience and don’t want the noise and party atmosphere to spoil their tropical island experience. Haad Rin is party central on Koh Phangan, but for a more laid back experience you need to travel to the west side of the island to Haad Yao beach.

Haad Yao (literally Long Beach) is the type of beach that postcards are made from. The kilometer long beach is wide and slightly curving, giving perfect vistas and fringed with tropical foliage, making it what some consider the “perfect” beach. While it has developed some over the years, it has mostly retained the original natural surroundings and beauty as well as the laid back feeling that has made it so popular with visitors since its discovery.

Because Haad Yao has become popular with a wide variety of travelers you are able to find the same variety of accommodations. Everything from cheap budget bungalows to luxury villas are available for rent, making Haad Yao a diverse and vibrant community during the high season. It also means you’ll be able to find a nice variety of great restaurants on the beach as well as in many of the hotels. Three good choices are Long Bay Resort, Haad Yao Bayview Resort and Haad Yao See Through Resort.

While night time is much quieter than Haad Rin beach, you can still find nighttime activities. There are numerous beachside bars, including the famous Eagle Pub, which has been built right into the rocks on the southern tip of Haad Yao. The pub includes great drinks, a wonderful steakhouse and an in house DJ playing some great tunes. If you’re still craving a huge party, Haad Rin is just a short ride away so you can have your quiet time on Haad Yao and still party the night away if you prefer.

Those looking for something to do during the day other than lying on the beach (which isn’t a bad pastime at all!) can find many activities around Haad Yao. The west and south coasts of Phangan are surrounded by coral reefs rich with diverse marine life. Diving and snorkeling are a great way to immerse yourself in the marine life and there are a variety of operators offering half and full day diving and snorkeling trips, either around Phangan or around nearby islands like Koh Ma, which is part of one of Thailand’s National Marine Parks.

In addition to diving you’ll find loads of great trails to hike through the tropical jungle and since the island is fairly mountainous you will likely get a pretty good workout. There are also waterfalls to visit such as Wang Sai and a fresh water lake called Laem Son, which is a short trip away and has giant rope swings over the lake which are a blast!

So, don’t think that the only reason to come to Koh Phangan is the Full Moon Party. The island still has quiet retreats and natural beauty for all to enjoy.

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In most parts of Thailand (Bangkok is an exception) the songthaew (สองแถว) is a major form of cheap and reliable transportation. Those of you that have visited Thailand have seen these I’m sure, they are basically pickup trucks that have been converted into small buses with two rows of seating in the back. As a matter of fact, he word songthaew is literally translated as “two rows”.

Calling a songthaew is quite simple, actually the same as calling a taxi. You simply wait by the side of the road until you see one coming and then gesture for it to stop by holding out your hand with the palm down. In some towns the songthaews actually follow a regular route and there are set stops for them (Chiang Mai and Pattaya come to mind).

You will find that the songthaews can operate differently in different towns. In Pattaya, where the songthaews follow regular routes, all you need to do is jump in once the songthaew has stopped and then ring the buzzer in the back when you’re ready to get off. Fares can vary as well from town to town so it is often a good idea in most towns to ask about the fare before entering the songthaew. It can also be a good idea to ask about your destination to make sure the songthaew is going that way. If not, the driver will shake his (or her) head and drive on. Simply wait at the same spot for the next songthaew to come along which will likely be within minutes.

Fares for the songthaew are usually in the range of 10-20 baht, although prices can be significantly higher in tourist locations. Even a short trip could cost you 40 baht or more in places like Samui. While some people like to complain about this rise in prices I like to remember that 20 baht is only US$0.50 so it’s really not that big a deal and certainly nothing to get upset about. The fact is that the drivers are running a business and they will charge whatever the market (you and me) will bear. Capitalism at its best even in the Far East.

If you happen to see a parked songthaew you can often charter it just like a taxi to take you wherever you need to go. Because you are the only passenger the price will be higher than normal though. Expect to pay around 100 baht or so. You can even charter some songthaews for a half day or entire day, just negotiate the price with the driver and pay at the end of the day. Great if you have a large party of people. And don’t worry if you can’t speak Thai, most drivers have some English skills and often the combination of their limited English and sign language will be enough to come to an agreement.

One word of warning about the songthaew – it can be dangerous depending on your driver. Some drivers drink while driving the songthaew and some tend to drive very fast since the amount they can make is often dependant on how quickly they can make a circuit of their route. Golf was actually thrown out of the back of a songthaew when she was 15. The driver was speeding and he hit a bump while making a turn. The combination of the bump, the speed and the turn threw her up into the air and right out the back of the songthaew.

I still recommend that you use the songthaew to get around as it is quite cheap and in most cases is safe as long as you have your wits about you. If the driver is visibly intoxicated take a pass, but otherwise you should be fine.

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Yesterday I posted a small guide to Koh Phangan that I want to elaborate on a bit without turning it into a 10,000 word treatise. So over the next few days I’ll be sharing more information about the island that has become famous for its Full Moon Parties and yet can still offer you a place to get away from it all and relax without paying a fortune.
Today’s post is a simple guide for getting to Koh Phangan, whether that be by air, bus, train or boat. Your mode of transportation will likely be determined by two factors; your budget and your available time.

Getting to Koh Phangan from Bangkok

I’m sure many if not most of you will be interested in how to get to Koh Phangan from Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok. As the hub of transportation for Thailand it’s a logical place to begin your travels through the Kingdom.

Obviously the quickest way to get to Koh Phangan from Bangkok is going to be by air. You have two choices here, either fly to Surat Thani and take the boat from there or fly to Koh Samui and take the boat from there. The quickest method is to fly to Koh Samui as the boat from there to Phangan is only 90 minutes or so. Ferries from Surat Thani will take in the neighborhood of 4 hours.

If you plan on taking the quickest route then you can fly to Koh Samui with either Bangkok Airways or Thai Airways. I personally recommend Bangkok Airways as the prices are 60-70% less than Thai Airways. Off season flights are as low as THB3600. Once you land in Samui stop by the limosine counter to get your boat and bus tickets for Koh Phangan.

Those preferring to fly to Surat Thani can get there flying with Thai Airways or Air Asia, again the price for Thai Airways is 30-40% higher so unless you have some reason to fly with them I would choose Air Asia. Also take note that when booking air tickets during the high season (November-March) it is recommended that you book several weeks in advance.

If you are looking for a cheaper way to get to Koh Phangan and don’t mind taking a bit longer then a bus is a great way to go. Busses for southern Thailand destinations leave from Sai Tai Mai bus station (Borom Rachachonnanee Rd, Bang Bamru, Bang Phlat, Bangkok, 10700) each night at 19:30 and cost THB895. The trip takes about 12 hours and you can also get the boat tickets when purchasing your bus ticket. Thailand’s long haul buses are pretty comfortable and you might even want to take a sweater because they really crank up the AC!

Another inexpensive way to get to Koh Phangan from Bangkok is by train leaving from the Hua Lumphong station several times a night. Purchase a combination ticket for onward bus and ferry travel to get you to Phangan early the next day. Cost for the train is THB519 for 1st class A/C and THB248 for 2nd class A/C. You can get time tables and rates from the State Railway website.

Boat Schedules for Travel To Koh Phangan

KPG = Koh Phangan / KS = Koh Samui / KT = Koh Tao / ST = Surat Thani

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It seems as if the rumors of filming The Hangover 2 in Thailand have turned out to be true. That’s right people, what happens in Thailand stay in Thailand and starting this fall the cast of The hangover 2 will be arriving in the Land of Smiles for another smash comedy romp. Yes I said “Smash comedy romp” so remember that you heard it here first! The initial confirmation of the Thailand destination comes from Comingsoon.net

In case you missed the original (and how could you have possibly missed the top grossing R rated comedy of 2009?), it focuses on the adventures and misadventures of 3 guys at a Las Vegas bachelor party. The Hangover had no huge A list stars, but served to help catapult Bradley Cooper to fame as well as getting huge recognition for Zach Galifianakis (my favorite) who plays the grooms socially awkward brother. And honestly with a name like ‘Galifianakis’ he belongs in Thailand home of the tongue twisting names. It has also made Asian comedian Ken Jeong quite famous after his role as the bad ass guy who jumps out of the trunk of a car naked and proceeds to beat the crap out of the three hungover party guys.

Even though director Todd Phillips has denied rumors of Thailand as a possible location since last March, it now looks as if this was just a bit of misdirection on his part. Shooting is supposed to start in November and the film is due to be released on May 26, 2011, just in time to open the summer comedy season.

Now all we need to know is the plot and where in Thailand the raucous gang will end up. Partying on Sukhumvit in Nana Plaza? Possibly kidnapped and taken to Pattaya or Samui by the Russian mafia? Or off to Patong Beach on Phuket for some Soi Bangla fun with the ladyboys? It all remains to be seen, but you can be sure that the combination of these three guys, the awesome backdrop of Thailand and the smiling help of the Thai people themselves will help make this another “have to see” movie when it’s released.

One can hope it will also put Thailand back into the forefront of travelers’ imaginations and boost tourism revenue for the Kingdom next year. Personally I’m looking forward to seeing not just the comic antics of this group, but also the stunning scenery that I’m certain will feature as part of the film’s appeal. And if they include another cute baby that would be cool :>)

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I received this email over the weekend and thought it would be fun to share it with all of you. Have you ever been in a bar in Bangkok (or anywhere for that matter) and seen a really cute Thai girl only to later find out she was a he? It’s pretty common for Thailand considering the large number of ladyboys and the Thai’s mai bpen rai attitude regarding sexual orientation.

Take the test below and see how good you are at spotting the differences between ladyboys and real Thai girls.

Can you be fooled?

In each of the following photos, try to guess which member of the couple
is a girl and which is a guy. There are 6 pairs. Look closely, then pick left or right to identify the guy.

(Answers are at the end. Don’t cheat!)

ALL OF THEM ARE GUYS!

Sorry for the little bit of cheating by misleading you to think that 6 of them were girls. To be honest I would have guessed 10 out of 12, but no one is perfect. How did all of you do?

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If you are considering a marriage in Thailand then you should know that there are actually two types of Thai weddings. The first is the traditional Thai wedding ceremony which is done for religious, cultural and traditional reasons. This type of marriage ceremony is the most common even though it does not lead to a legally recognized marriage. Still it is a necessary ceremony if you are marrying a Thai girl (or guy) and is how the girls’ family and village recognize that you are married.

The second type of marriage is the legal marriage which is performed in a local Thai Amphur and will get you a legal Thai marriage certificate. If you are planning on bringing your wife back to your home country you will likely have both types of marriages.

When you decide to have your legal marriage in Thailand please make sure you allow enough time, otherwise you will make yourself crazy. Golf and I got the whole process done in 2 days, but it was quite a whirlwind and I recommend allowing at least three days for the legal Thai marriage.

The requirements for eligibility to be married (for both parties) in Thailand are as follows:

• Both parties must be at least 17 years of age. If one party is under 17 a marriage can still take place if there is a court order.
• Neither party should be insane.
• There should be no blood relation between either party either through the maternal or paternal line.
• Both parties should not have the same adoptive parents.
• Neither party should have a legal spouse at the time of the marriage.

Those should all be pretty easy requirements for both you and your Thai girl to meet so let’s move on to the documents you will both need.

The Thai partner will need the following documents:

• His/Her Identification Cards
• Their house registration certificates (Tabien Baan)
• If previously married then proof of divorce or in the case of spousal death, proof of death must be made available.

The foreigner will need the following documents:

• A copy of your passport including the arrival card and visa for entry into Thailand.
• Affirmation of eligibility to marry from your countries Embassy.
• Copies (2) of the affirmation of eligibility to marry translated into Thai and certified by an approved Foreign Ministry translator.
• If previously married the original proof of divorce or in the case of spousal death, proof of death must be made available.

Once you have all the required documents you will need to follow this procedure to legal be married.

1. Go to your Embassy and obtain and complete the affirmation of eligibility to marry. There will be a fee for this and it varies for each embassy. You will need the following to complete the affirmation: Provide an income statement (this is usually a simple notarized statement that the Embassy does for you proclaiming that your income is $x amount). A copy of your divorce decree or death certificate for previous spouse(s). A list of your children and their ages. The names and contact information for two citizens of your home country. Depending on the embassy you can collect the signed affirmation of eligibility to marry either the same day or the next day. When I did this at the U.S. embassy it took about 4 hours total.
2. Take your signed affirmation document and have it translated into Thai. If your embassy is on Wireless Road you’ll find many translation services available. Time for translation can vary so you may need to shop around. Mine took 2 hours. You may also want to get your divorce decree or death certificate translated if you will be getting married at a small Amphur. This is not technically a requirement, but I’ve heard stories of this being requested at the Amphur. If you’re adding up the time required you know that just getting the affirmation document will require a minimum of 1 full day.
3. Take your affirmation of eligibility to marry and all documents together with the translations and copies (2) of your passport to the Legalization Division of Consular Affairs Department.
   

   The Legalization and Naturalization Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (www.mfa.go.th)
   123 Chaeng Wattana Road, Laksi District, Bangkok 11120
   Tel. 0–2575 1056–59, 0–2981 7171
   Hours Mon-Fri 08.30–11.30 and 13.00–15.30

   I recommend going early and arriving when they open if you want to make this process faster. Lines can get long later in the day. This is where you will get the Consular Official’s signature authenticated. Same day service costs 800 baht and next day service costs 400 baht. I recommend same day service since the Consular Affairs Department is a fair distance from the Bangkok city center and you really don’t want to make 2 trips out there if it’s not necessary. Even with same day service it will take several hours for the documents to be ready. Fortunately they have a pretty decent cafeteria where you can get lunch.

4. Take all your completed documents to the local Amphur (District Registrar) to have the marriage registered and the marriage certificate issued. Please take note that they issue two copies of the marriage certificate and they will not issue new ones later. Take good care of your marriage certificates. The process at the Amphur can take anywhere from 1-4 hours so be prepared. Again I recommend getting there early in the day.

5. After receiving your certificate you will want to have it translated to English or your home countries language before leaving Thailand as it will be much cheaper to have it done in Thailand. You will need the translated copies for visa or immigration purposes and you will also want to check your own countries immigration laws as some will require the translation to be certified by the Thai government.

So there you have the necessary steps for getting married in Thailand. It really isn’t too difficult, it just takes time. As I said, Golf and I completed the process in 2 days, but it was grueling and I recommend allowing at least 3 days to allow for any delays and to keep your sanity.

If anyone knows of anything I missed or any changes to the laws please leave a comment below so I can research and correct the information if necessary.

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One common theme in many of the emails I get is whether or not the author of the email can trust their Thai girlfriend. Often they are back in their own home country and the girl is in Thailand and they are understandably frustrated and concerned by the lack of physical proximity and the sporadic communication. The fact that they really have no idea what is happening on a day to day basis in their girlfriends life can make them suspicious and jealous, sometimes with reason, but many times as a function of their lack of details and insight into the girls lives.

As many guys can tell you I respond to all these emails as best I can and have even chatted on IM and through Skype with some of the guys who write to me with their concerns about trusting their Thai girlfriends. In some cases the suspicion is well founded and in others it often seems to be a case of misguided jealousy. The thing is, in every case I only get the guys side of the story which is colored by their own perception. I never have the chance to talk with the Thai girl to see if my instincts tell me she’s what would be considered a good Thai girl or not.

While many stories you find on the internet may tell you differently, I don’t think that Thai girls in general are untrustworthy. On the contrary, I feel that for the most part Thai girls can not only be trusted, but are often more devoted and trustworthy than the majority of western women. Look around at how many promiscuous and cheating girls you find in the West and you’ll know what I mean. Another good indication is the heinously high divorce rate in most Western countries. Contrast that with the sub 10% divorce rate in Thailand.

While this is certainly not set in stone I think the following considerations will tell you how trustworthy (in general) your Thai girlfriend is. And just for the record I think many of the negative traits would apply to western girls as well.

General traits of untrustworthy girls:

• She works in a bar, coyote place or massage parlor.
• She is often out late at night.
• She doesn’t accept phone calls from you and doesn’t return calls, IM’s or emails.
• She asks you for financial help before you’ve actually met or lies about why she needs the money.
• Most of her friends work in bars and massage parlors.

Bear in mind that the above are quite generalized. Meeting just one of the criteria may not be an automatic “No”, but if she meets several I think the warning signs have been posted for you. Considering the number of trustworthy, loving, beautiful and loyal Thai girls out there I see no reason to take unnecessary chances or risks. More important than all the above traits is to ask yourself what do your instincts tell you. This is perhaps the most important because no matter what girl you’re with, if you can’t feel comfortable it will never work. And in many cases the warning signs are there, but are just being ignored by the guys. I can’t stress this enough…always trust your gut.

In some cases I hear from guys who have already been burned and are curious how they can meet good Thai girls. While you might think that meeting and dating Thai girls is a real minefield, I don’t think it’s any more difficult than meeting and dating anywhere else. Putting the language barrier aside it’s actually quite similar to dating in your own country, assuming that in your own country you’re willing to meet and date girls with substantially different backgrounds from yours. The Thai culture and thought process can be quite different than what you are used to, but to be honest I’ve met girls here in the U.S. whose background, thoughts and behaviors seemed totally alien to me. So while the culture question may be difficult I don’t believe it is as difficult as some people make it. Adaptability and a willingness to learn and accept on your part can go a very long way in understanding why your Thai girl behaves the way she does.

Bear in mind that the girls in Bangkok and other tourist areas may already possess quite a bit of knowledge about your culture from dealings with other foreigners. Chances are if she’s interested in dating you she’s interested in foreigners in general and has met quite a few and has already learned quite a bit of English. These girls can be considered much more open and adaptable than the majority of Thai’s, but that doesn’t mean you’ll still need to occasionally push a bit to keep her communicating fully. Here’s a great response to my own thoughts on Thai girls marrying foreigners from theperspective of a Thai girl. Well worth reading in my opinion.

Those living in Thailand should have no problem meeting girls the same way you would in your own country. Simply starting a conversation when shopping, at work and even on the BTS or MRT can often lead to unexpected events. Remember to be always polite and you can get far simply by asking for help regarding unknown Thai words or pronunciation. Those living outside Thailand have it a bit harder, but thanks to the internet not as impossible as it was even 10 years ago. As you know I met Golf at Thai Love Links and highly recommend their service. While it seems there may be more scammers appearing on the site recently as far as I can tell most are Nigerian or some such which makes them pretty easy to filter out. Overall the site is still top notch though and I receive many emails from guys who have met their girlfriends or future wives there.

In the end, the truth of the matter is that trust in a relationship simply takes time. And remember that it’s not only trust on your part that needs to develop. The girl needs time and good reason to come to trust you. Chances are she’s dated and been burned in the past. Thai guys are notorious for this and foreigners can be just as good at disappearing, leaving the poor girl alone and wondering what happened or what she might have done wrong. Trust in a relationship with anyone is a two way street and Thai girls are no different. Just take it slow, get to know each other and keep the lines of communication wide open. When Golf and I were dating and I was back in the U.S. I called and talked to her daily, sometimes for hours. I honestly believe that this helped move our relationship forward much more quickly.

And if you have any doubts or questions please feel free to leave a comment here or email me directly. Golf and I are more than happy to help with any questions or concerns.

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As a very popular vacation and retirement destination, Thailand has a pretty large expat population. This is especially true in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and many of the coastal and island locations. You can hardly walk down many streets without seeing a Westerner in many locations. Many of the Westerners you see are simply in Thailand on a holiday, but quite a few are expats, living in Thailand full or part time for many years.

One interesting phenomena I’ve noticed in my many trips to Thailand is that the longer Westerners stay the more acclimated they become to Thai culture. Depending on the adaptability and openness of the person this can actually happen quite fast. In every case though, eventually you start to pick up Thai habits and cultural mannerisms. So, my question is “How do you know you are becoming acclimated to Thai culture”?
Or put another way, “You know you’ve been in Thailand to long when…

…you start to point at things with your lips.”
…you see a rat run out of a restaurant and head inside for dinner anyway.”
…you frequently use the phrase “Up to you” when you want to avoid conflict surrounding a delicate question.”
…you use the phrase “Up to you” when feeling non-committal about a question.”
…you use the phrase “Up to you” when you have no opinion or just can’t be bothered to think about an answer to a given question.”
…your current family car is a motor scooter.”
…you answer the telephone and even though it’s a wrong number you spend the next 5 minutes chatting with the person on the other end.”
…you place your order in a restaurant fully expecting to get something completely different and when you do receive something different you simply eat whatever was served without a word of complaint.”
…you are not bothered in the least if there is a lady cleaning the urinal next to the one you’re using.”
…you now speak in broken English with your friends and family back home.”
…you put ice in your beer without a second thought.”
…you now season every food you eat with nam pla and chilis.”
…you think that a finger shoved up your nose is no big deal, but cover your mouth when using a toothpick.”
…you think it’s perfectly fine to have 4 people, your monthly groceries and 2 chickens all riding on one motor bike at the same time.”
…you can’t remember the last time that you wore proper shoes.”
…you see a power outlet with open wiring, 6 different appliances plugged in and sparks coming out and you think it’s normal.”
…you can remove a rubber band from a plastic bag in 2 seconds without spilling the contents of the bag.”

Obviously the above is but a partial list. I would love to hear your ideas of things that you accept or think are normal in Thailand that would have your head spinning back in your native country. Leave me a comment below with your thoughts.

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It’s true that Bangkok is often thought of as a somewhat of an amusement park for adults, with all the clubs and go-go’s available for your entertainment, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have something to offer the kids as well. I’ve written in the past about the family friendly Siam Ocean World which makes for a nice afternoon out with the family. Today I want to let you know about another family friendly destination in Bangkok called, most fittingly I think, Dream World.

It sounds so similar to that other family theme park in Orlando doesn’t it? Disney World – Dream World, yeah there’s definitely some attempt to play off the popularity of the Magic Kingdom there, but unless you have the cash to afford a week in Orlando and the cost of even cheap flights to Orlando you’ll be much better off going with this smaller and Thai flavored theme park.

Dream World is located about 75-90 minutes outside Bangkok, so most days the crowds are very manageable and you won’t have to wait long to get on the rides. You can go by car or taxi which will cost about 1200-1500 baht, by bus from either Mor Chit (take the 188) or Victory Monument (take the 538) and also by a combination of train and bus (take the train from Hualamphong to Don Muang station and then take the 538 bus). All the trains and buses are air conditioned so it’s a pretty comfortable ride.

Once there you’ll notice even more similarities to the other World in the U.S. Dream World’s entrance area, called Dream Plaza bears a striking resembalance to Main Street USA in Disney World. And the park is laid out similarly as well with Fantasy Land, Adventure Land and Dream Garden. While it may not live up to the greatest place on Earth, Dream World is a great day out for the kids, especially if they haven’t experienced other larger and more elaborate theme parks before.

Dream World includes 3 roller coasters, including Asia’s first hanging coaster as well as the usual Viking Ship and other rides for the whole family. When you get hot enough take a ride through the Super Splash and White Water Rapids (a copy of the Grand Canyon) and cool off. Speaking of cool, there is also a Snow Land in the park, featuring artificial snow.

Other cool features include a Haunted Mansion, Sleeping Beauty’s castle and the Giants House where everything is 50 times bigger than normal. Finally you can take a rest with the Hollywood Action Show where you’ll see stunt men performing as SWAT troopers storming a criminals’ lair.
Admission to the park is just 450 baht per person with children under 90cm entering free. Note that this admission price does not include Snow World. Dream World is also offering a special promotion package for just 1000 baht per person which includes entry to every attraction in the park, a buffet lunch and round trip transport to and from any hotel within Bangkok.

If you have kids or teens then I highly recommend that you take a day and enjoy the attractions of Dream World. It’s well worth it and should prove to be a great time for children of all ages.

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Be one of those lovers who enjoy playing under the sun and enjoying the scenic views of the clear ocean and the cool green gardens all over Phuket.

Have a relaxing and perfect getaway while staying with Katathani Phuket Beach Resort, a place where heaven is just a few meters away from the shoreline.

Overview
Katathani Phuket Beach Resort is located on 850 meters of virgin sandy beach surrounded by the green slopes and the sparkling ocean. It is covered with towering palm trees that will surely relax your senses as well as their six pools, six restaurants and a spa with a variety of treatments.

Interiors were recently changed into a graceful modern Thai style which combines with the elegant design with the sensuality of teakwood, silk and sandstone that creates a feeling of total relaxation.
Katathani Phuket Beach Resort is nestled on Island of Phuket’s southwest coast in the isolated Bay of Kata Noi which is less than an hour from Phuket International Airport.

Services/Amenities
Katathani Phuket Beach Resort provides you the services and amenities that will make you have a lot of time to enjoy Phuket.

Guest Services

• Tour Desk
• Shuttle to Phuket Town and Patong Beach
• Airport Pickup and Return
• Computer/Hi-speed Internet (with optional in-room hookup)
• Car Rental
• Laundry/Dry Cleaning
• Currency Exchange

Other Amenities:

• Pool
• Dining
• Personal Care
• Sports and Recreation
• Beach Club
• Shopping

Rooms

Superior Room (Bhuri Wing)
You can have a room set on the covered hills or with an ocean view. It has a private pool and a king size bed or two single beds.

Deluxe Room (Bhuri Wing)
It is designed with traditional Thai style. It has a loving and warm ambiance. It also has a veranda which overlooks the ocean or the garden where you can feel the sun and relax.

Junior Suite Ocean Front (Thani Wing)
This is the newly renovated Suite with the panoramic views of the Andaman Sea. It has a tropical modern design with colors which are suited for a tropical room. Unwind in its comfortable bathroom.

Grand Suite (Thani Wing)
This elegant and expansive suite has a balcony which offers stunning views of the ocean. It also has a private entryway along its lotus pond, a wooden area for dressing, a spacious bathroom with sea polished stones and a rain shower.

All of these guest rooms have:

• Private Balcony
• Multi Channel-Satellite TV
• Sofa and Table
• Mini-Bar Services
• Tea & Coffee Maker
• IDD Telephone
• Individual Air-Conditioning
• Safety Deposit Box
• CD/DVD Player in Grand & Thani Suites
• Bathrobe & Slippers
• Optional Hi-speed Internet Hookup

Dining

Chom Talay
They offer breakfast and dinner with Thai or western Cuisine.

La Scala
They serve Italian modern cuisines in European style

Fisherman’s Wharf
Savor fresh seafood grilled on the beach.

Cinnamon
Mediterranean dining place open 24 hours in a relaxed atmosphere

Recreation
For active vacationers, the Resort offers:

• Two Fitness Centers
• Sea Fun Divers Dive Shop
• Two Tennis Courts
• Petanque and Table Tennis
• Sauna
• Game Room
• Billiards
• Thai Cooking Classes
• Library

Business/ Events:
Have an unforgettable event in the resort’s event hall. The resort will provide you all the necessities from the design, to the host, to the facilities, up to the staff that will facilitate your event. All you have to do is sit down and relax and everything will be under control.

Cost
Superior (Bhuri Wing) – 4,500THB / 138.87USD
Deluxe (Bhuri Wing) – 5,000THB / 154.30USD
Junior Suite (Thani Wing) – 5,700THB / 175.90USD
Grand Suite (Thani Wing) – 7,500THB / 216.02USD

Address
Katathani Phuket Beach Resort is located on Kata beach which is ten minutes away from Patong beach and approximately an hour from the International Airport of Phuket.

Katathani Phuket Beach Resort
14 Kata Noi Road, Karon, Muang, Phuket 83100 Thailand
Tel : +66 (0) 7633 0124 to 6
+66 (0) 7628 4096 to 100
Fax: +66 (0) 7633 0426

Steve and Golf recommend booking your stay at Katathani Phuket Beach Resort on Hotels.com.
Alternatively you can find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor.

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