Thailand

On the surface Bangkok is no different than any other major city in the world when it comes to property, and prices. The nearer you are to the action by way of business and tourisms districts, the higher the prices asked. There are also the so called ‘leafy’ outer suburbs that offer quite impressive but expensive housing. These estates are well maintained fortresses that function like mini self contained towns. Such places offer an alternative for those that prefer to live away from big city life.

Having said that, don’t take the above too literally, as one thing I’ve realised over the years is that greater Bangkok has an absolute abundance of places to live, and it’s not so much getting what you pay for here, but more akin to what you can be bothered spend time looking for.

This city has tiny studios from as little as 1,000 THB/Mo., that are not much more than shelters, right the way up to penthouses in the sky with private pools and butlers to boot, and just about everything else in between.

When most folk arrive in Thailand for the fist time they usually opt to live in the security of an apartment building. Apartments or condominium buildings usually have limited access with a security presence at the entrance plus an office with a site manager and small team of administrative staff to help with all your settling-in and living needs.

It’s just not possible to give averages on prices for this city as there really are hidden treasures at fantastic rents if only you can find them. I’ve stayed in a huge 3 bedroom apartment with en suite bathrooms in each room for 50,000 THB/Mo. but a few Sois (side roads) along, a friend of mine was paying 55,000 THB/Mo. for a tiny 60 SQM 1 bedroom serviced apartment.

I would guess that a lot of expat families that have been posted out here on working contracts probably have a company housing allowance of between 45-70,000 THB/Mo. and ’savvy landlords‘ will price their accommodation accordingly, but there are so many deals out there should you bypass the normal channels of searching.

If you need to settle in quickly, and money is not the issue, I strongly recommend using the services of a reputable agency to take the frustration out of home hunting. If you have time to ponder and can cope with the upheaval of moving a couple of times before settling in permanently, then I would suggest moving into an apartment building that doesn’t require you to lock into a long contract (month to month is ideal) and then take your time to look around and see what’s available.

Often word by mouth is a good place to start and you could begin by getting to know a few local expats then invite yourself around to their homes if their place of residence sounds interesting to you.

Accommodation - Houses

Some long-term foreigners prefer to move from apartments and condos into a house with a garden, which gives them more space, privacy and a sense of belonging.

Most of the houses in greater Bangkok will be privately let, and once again these prices can fluctuate enormously. It’s a lot more difficult to find an ideal house than an idyllic apartment and a Thai friend, a colleague, or an agent, is definitely recommended in assisting you with your search here. There’s also a Thai language weekly magazine that is cram packed with accommodation which is both privately and commercially managed.

If you know you will be in Bangkok a long time and prefer more space and privacy than is offered from an apartment, then a house is perhaps a better choice. Some people just like to have their feet planted firmly on the ground. However, with a house you will probably need live-in staff, as houses are more prone to security issues.

“Andy Maingam” is a proficient publisher and webmaster of mrroomfinder.com where he owns an operates a 100% free property portal for the tenants, landlords, and agencies of Thailand. The site proves a very useful resource in helping new tenants make informed renting decisions, and is a great tool for home seekers and landlords either looking for or renting out Bangkok Apartments

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Exercising at home is often the last place you think about when it comes to losing weight, staying fit and just generally maintaining an active lifestyle. In reality, the home has to be one of the most effective and convenient locations to exercise. We spend many ‘dead’ hours in our home, doing next to nothing, watching TV, relaxing and being quite unproductive. In addition, with the lack of spare time to take advantage of the benefits that exercise offers due to our hectic schedules and busy lifestyles, time is one of the most common reasons why we can exercise, even though we know how much we should! Now we can make this so simple. 15-20 minutes is all it takes to get started - to build a solid foundation of strength, endurance, balance and flexibility.

Home however, is the perfect environment to exercise. When shown how to exercise correctly there are hundreds of exercises you can perform at home effectively with minimal or no equipment.

Your greatest asset to working out at home though is motivation and confidence in your ability to perform the exercises safely and effectively.

To set up a basic fitness room in your house, all you would need is the following items:

Fit Ball
Exercise Tubes
1 Pair of Dumbbells
Jump Rope And
Yourself

That’s it! You are ready to go. The above listed equipment offers such an abundance of variety to keep your body stimulated and guessing for years of training at home.

The key to any exercise program, regardless of goals, objectives and equipment is ICV - Intensity, Consistency and Variety. The combination of these three parameters alone will determine your successes.

Intensity - refers to how much effort you put into your training. The best way to monitor your exercise intensity is by measuring your heart rate. Take 2 fingers and place them on the side of your neck. Count the number of ‘pulses’ in 15 seconds a multiply by 4. This will give your beats per minute or BPM.

Consistency - refers to your frequency of exercise. You should be making exercise a part of your ‘daily’ life. Yes that’s right, daily! Whether it is going to the gym, playing tennis, golf, trekking or yoga - whatever it may be.

Variety - this is essential. Constantly varying the stimulus of exercise ensures your body constantly changes, adapts and progresses. I like to sue the analogy of reading a book. If you read the same book over and over again, you are not going to learn anything new, are you?

Fitcorp Asia is also the only organisation in Thailand to offer Online Fitness Training. At a fraction of the cost of one-on-one personal training, OFT allows anyone with internet access can now have access to personalized exercise programming and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will discuss this in more details in future articles or log onto www.fitcorpasia.com or www.personaltrainingbangkok.com to learn more on how Fitcorp Asia is innovating the personal fitness industry.

As a health and fitness professional for over 10 years, Daniel has personally trained more than 4000 people, on 4 continents towards the achievement of their fitness and lifestyle objectives using his unique holistic and functional approach to lifestyle enhancement. Daniel is a true leader and innovator in the industry.
Daniel draws from an academic background in Human Movement, Exercise Science and Sports Management in Australia & also holds a Diploma in Massage Therapy, & Certificates in Workplace Health Promotion, Personal Training (ACSM) and Australian Training for Fitness Professionals (ATP), Golf Fitness & Conditioning, Postural Analysis, Weight Management & Fat Loss.

Daniel is the founder and CEO of Fitcorp Asia, Thailand’s only Corporate Health & Fitness Solutions Company. “We don’t just conduct personal training, we take pride in our ability to ‘coach’ our clients in all exercise science principles including nutrition and total lifestyle transformation to ensure our clients achieve a holistic goal orientated approach to their personal health and fitness endeavours.”

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Approximate flying times: From New York: 17 hrs. From Chicago: 22 hrs 30 mins. From LA: 19 hrs 25 mins.

If New York is the city that never sleeps, forget the alarm clock. Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, comes a very close second. The city was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri Dynasty. Today it’s the country’s spiritual, commercial and educational hub, home to approximately ten million people or more than 10% of the Thai population.

City of contrasts and confusion.

Bangkok (or Krung Thep in Thai which means “city of angels”) is an exciting, high energy melting pot of east meets west. A dynamic city that has embraced technology and modern living with its busy expressways, bold skyscrapers and designer-filled shopping malls. Yet underneath it all, it remains a traditional haven of culture, history and time-honored customs, where elders are respected and family always comes first.

As you travel from the airport you’ll see plenty of examples of modern architecture dotting the city scape and amongst them all, standing proud, are glittering Buddhist Wats (temples) such as Wat Phra Kaew and The Grand Palace. Snaking through the concrete jungle, you’ll spy echoes of the “old Bangkok” below you - ancient canals and waterways that are well worth exploring on a boat trip.

Every Thai household and building, even the most modern, has a traditional spirit house built outside for good fortune and to honor the spirit of the land. Each day, small offerings of fruit and water are laid out, often with garlands of orchids. If you’re an early riser, keen to make the most of your vacation time in Bangkok, don’t be surprised when you see Buddhist monks in saffron robes making their morning “alms” rounds accepting food and donations from local people, young and old.

Some like it hot, but not all the time.

Thailand has a tropical climate with an annual average temperature of around 75 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack light clothing for your trip. Natural fibers are often more comfortable when you’re walking and touring in hot weather. Practically everywhere you go in Bangkok you’ll find you some relief from the heat, with blasts of icy cold air conditioning in shops and hotels.

From March to May it’s the hottest time, with the highest temperatures and humidity. From June to October is monsoon season, so remember to take an umbrella. November to February is cooler and less humid. Bear in mind that the monsoon season varies throughout the country and can affect the weather you experience.

Bangkok Hotels to match every budget.

You’ll find every type of accommodation - from lavish 5 star international names to smaller hostels, favored by back packers. Book online and see what special rates you can find. Web sites such as http://www.hotel.com.au/bangkok have over 100 hotels in Thailand, ranging from the natural peace and luxury of The Sukhothai on South Sathorn Road, to business hotels in busy downtown Bangkok to the Hard Rock Hotel on Pattaya Beach, Bangkok’s favorite seaside resort.

Getting around is easier.

One of the first words you’ll learn in Bangkok is “Rot tip” or “rot tit” which literally means “cars that stick”, in other words traffic jam. But the everyday snarls and gridlock have been vastly improved by Bangkok’s cosmopolitan transport system.

You can now ride the subway, the Hua Lamphong - Bang Sue line has 18 stations along the 12 mile route. It’s fast, quiet and modern.

Jump on a BTS Sky Train. BTS sky trains ply along Sukhumvit, Silom and Phahonyothin roads. The routes connect Bangkok’s leading hotels and major shopping areas such as Siam Square, Silom, Ratchaprasong and Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Of course, you can’t go to Bangkok without a ride in a tuk-tuk. These zippy three-wheeled open-air motorized taxis are popular for short journeys. Fares must be bargained in advance, it’s part of the fun.

Top 5 must-see highlights.

The Grand Palace: the number one attraction. Every visitor to Bangkok should see the magnificent buildings within the Grand Palace compound to get a feeling of this grand architecture. Since the founding of Bangkok as the Nations capital by King Rama I, The Grand Palace has been the major architectural symbol of The Thai Royal Family. The Royal Family actually resides at Chitralada Palace while The Grand Palace is used for ceremonial purposes.

Wat Pho: possibly the most interesting temple in Thailand. It combines history, medical science and is a center for meditation and traditional massage training. Have a massage while you’re here, at a very fair price.

Chatuchak Weekend Market: with over 9,000 shops and stalls you’ll be tempted over and over. Close to everything that is for sale in Bangkok is here, including antiques, Buddha amulets, handicrafts, clothes, flowers and furniture. (You’ll notice that some maps spell it “Jatuchak”. Many English words have multiple spellings, so if you’re in doubt, ask the hotel concierge to write it in Thai for the taxi driver.)

Vimanmek Mansion Museum: the world’s largest golden teak building located in the compound of the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road. The three-storey royal mansion has 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers containing unique memorabilia.

Jim Thompson’s House: this exquisite Thai house and buildings stand as a museum to the man who revived the Thai silk industry after the Second World War. The company he founded, Jim Thompson Thai Silk, is recognized worldwide for its brilliant fabrics, home accessories and fashion items. The gardens are equally impressive with a lush tropical jungle imitating nature’s haphazard beauty right in the center of the city.

Shopping till you drop!

Shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two streets. You’ll find dozens of malls, markets and luxury retail outlets throughout the city. The most popular are located around the Ploenchit-Ratchaprasong area, Sukhumvit Rd and Silom-Surawong-Patpong, including the fantastic Patpong night market where you can pick up your souvenirs, fashion and Thai handicrafts. Don’t be shy to bargain in the market (nicely) as your dollar can go a long way.

Bangkok rocks.

Bangkok has no single area for nightlife - it has several. Bars are spread out all over town in places such as Patpong, Silom Soi 2 and 4, Soi Sarasin and Lang Suan, Royal City Avenue, Banglumpoo, Soi Cowboy and Sukhumvit Soi 33, among others.

One of the hottest new spots is called “Bed” is an extraordinary space-age designer lounge in fashionable Sukhumvit Soi 11. The Bed Supper Club is a “dining in bed” experience. Best described as a unique combination of upscale restaurant, club, art gallery, theater and stage merged into one.

Celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

If you need another good reason to visit “The Land of Smiles“, here it is. This year marks the Diamond Jubilee of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty. The King has reigned for almost 60 yeas, making him not only the longest reigning Thai monarch, but the longest reigning King in the world today.

A once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

In true Thai style, the Bangkok celebrations promise to be a spectacular tribute to the Royal Family, full of color, pomp and ceremony. One of the main highlights is The Royal Barge Procession on June 12-13 2006. It will be an international event with twenty-eight monarchs from around the world in attendance. This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for visitors, as the Procession is only held to mark significant historical events such as His Majesty’s ascension to the throne.

A river of splendor.

Bangkok’s main river, the Chao Phraya will become the place to be. Imagine a royal armada stretching as far as your eyes can see. A flotilla of superbly carved royal barges slowly sail into view, manned by the Royal Thai Navy dressed in ancient ceremonial uniforms. Each sailor rowing in perfect unison, honed through months of intense practice. If you plan to be in Bangkok in June, do leave the bargains for a few hours and be part of the adoring crowd - and bring your camera.

Incidentally, two major dress rehearsals are planned for the June 6 and 9, so if you can’t attend the real event, this is as close as you may get.

Thailand has a well deserved reputation as the “The Land of Smiles”. You’ll receive a warm welcome and feel the genuine friendliness of the locals. One thing’s for sure, the memories of a vacation here will stay with you for a lifetime.

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