Thailand

On December 26, 2004 a massive tsunami swept through Thailand killing thousands of people, and changing the lives of thousands more. Although the Tsunami happened months ago, we are still feeling the affects of it today.

The massive destruction that occurred because of the tsunami has a huge impact today. Thousands of villagers in Thailand who live on a very low income to begin with lost all they had in the tsunami, as the water took it away or destroyed it altogether. These are villagers who are having an incredibly hard time now trying to scrape by and replace what it is the tsunami took from them.

Agriculturally Thailand was hit very bad with the tsunami as well. Where water was reported to have traveled 7-8 miles inland farms are suffering loss of crops and livestock, as the salt that remains on their fields isn’t producing the crops that are needed to support themselves and their families.

Because of the change in the environment around Thailand, rivers are emptying more quickly into the ocean, which is going to become a problem for farmers as far as irrigating their fields, and providing water for their livestock to drink.

Another result that I think is often overlooked, is the amount of pollutants that were deposited into the waves went over the land. This can include substances like gasoline and oil, and other dangerous chemicals.

This is only a short look at some of the effects that the great tsunami is having in Thailand and in other parts around the world. I would urge you to become more informed on the situation and learn what it is that you can do to get involved, and to assist in the recovery of these nations.

Feel free to reprint this article as long as you keep the following caption and author biography in tact with all hyperlinks.

Ryan Fyfe is the owner and operator of Tsunami Area. Which is a great web directory and information center on the tsunami in Thailand and around the world.

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The most popular salad of Thailand and Laos is the Green Papaya salad. On the first bite, your tongue should taste extreme heat, salt, and sour all at once. The taste is invigorating!

Ingredients:

1-4 chilies

1 garlic clove

3 cups shredded green papaya

1/2 cup sliced tomatoes

1 tablespoon fish sauce

1 tablespoon shrimp paste

3 tablespoons squeezed lime

1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

2 tablespoons dried shrimp (optional)

In a mortar and pestle, crush chilies and garlic until they are separated. Add the papaya and the remaining ingredients into the mortar. Using the pestle to crush and a tablespoon to stir, mix all the ingredients in the mortar. When the sugar and shrimp paste are dissolved the papaya salad is ready to be served. Toss the papaya salad over rice noodles and sprinkle some toasted peanuts on top to make this salad a meal.

Watch a video on how to shred a green papaya with just a knife. Also watch a video on how to make the papaya salad on my blog at www.thai-laos-food.blogspot.com. The video shows the traditional method. Some Thai / Lao restaurants mix all the ingredients in a large bowl using chopsticks. In my opinion, for an authentic texture, the tomatoes need to be crushed.

Manivan Larprom, a Thai / Lao girl, on a mission to teach, through her video blog, how anyone can cook Thai / Lao food.

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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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