Plan Your Thailand Vacation Based on Thai Holidays
Since it is already 2008, or 2551 on the Thai calendar, it is time to take a look at the Thai holidays so that you can plan your trip accordingly. Some people want to be in Thailand when there is a holiday and partake in the celebration and others want to avoid some holidays (i.e. Songkran) like the plague.
Traditional New Year has already come and gone (today is January 6, 2008) but there are many other days to celebrate in Thailand.
Here are a few words of caution for the unwary traveler. Many of the holidays involve celebrating with large quantities of alcohol and the traffic death toll increases dramatically. This is mainly during the celebrating of the various New Years. Many of the holidays are family-oriented requiring people to return back to the nest to celebrate with the rest of the family. Therefore, traffic on the roads can be horrendous.
Here are the main holidays for 2008. Use them as a guide for your travel plans.
Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 8th. This is the start of the lunar year and is primarily celebrated in the various Chinatowns throughout Thailand. There will be some business closures but it is not a national holiday.
February 21st is Makha Bucha Day which celebrates the Buddha’s first sermon given to his disciples.
April 6th, 2008, is Chakri Day and this day commemorates the founding of the Chakri Dynasty. This dynasty is referred to as Rama I. Since this falls on a Sunday, businesses may be closed on Monday the 7th.
Songkran, Thai New Year, is celebrated from 13 – 15 April and even longer is some of the tourist spots, like Khaosan Road in Bangkok and Pattaya. This is a traditional water festival, so if you are in town, expect to get wet. This is also the time of year for most road deaths. Alcohol and wet roads don’t mix.
Labor Day is celebrated on the 1st of May and is a national holiday but most folks just look at it as a paid day off.
The 5th of May is a holiday to honor the day when the current King of Thailand was crowned. It is officially called Coronation Day.Another Buddhist Holy day is observed on May 19th. This is Visakha Bucha and is the holiest Buddhist holiday celebrates Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and entry into nirvana.
Buddhist Lent begins on July 18 and is celebrated as a national holiday. Monks retreat to their temples and celebrate a time of year when new life comes forth.
The Queen’s Birthday, or Mother’s Day, is celebrated on August 12th and is a highly honored, national holiday.
Chulalongkorn Day is observed on October 23 honoring one of Thailand’s most revered kings.
Loy Krathong will be celebrated on 13 November coinciding with the 12th lunar full moon. Thais celebrate by floating small rafts, called krathongs, in the river, lake or ocean. This is to pay respect to the goddess of the water – with candlelit offerings floating away the bad and bringing good luck to lovers. This is the best holiday to observe firsthand.
His Majesty the King will celebrate his 81st birthday on December 5th. This is a national holiday celebrated throughout the country and also doubles as Father’s Day.
The 10th of December marks the day in 1932 that the country was given its first Constitution. This is also a national holiday.
The last day of the month will celebrate the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009. The Thais celebrate the traditional western New Years especially in Bangkok and other tourist areas.
That covers the main holidays but no specific elections. Elections can pop up at anytime so you have to keep current with Thai online news. They don’t have much effect other than the occasional bar closure. There you have it – plan your vacation accordingly.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to Pattaya and saves money booking his hotel through Pattaya-AccommodationsSubmitted by: Article Submitter Software
Where To Go In Thailand?
You have lots of choices in Thailand for a vacation and you need to figure out exactly what you plan to do while you are there.
Your first stop will be in the capital, Bangkok and you should plan to stay there for a few days, especially if this is your first visit to Thailand. There are river boat dinners, short ½ day trips to beautiful temples, and longer jaunts to the old capital, Ayudhaya, or visit the site of the Bridge on the River Kwae in Kanchanaburi for some WWII history.
If you like the beach, you have numerous choices. You can go to Pattaya, which is about 1 ½ hour drive from Bangkok, or you can catch a short flight to Phuket or Koh Samui. If you really want to see pristine beaches and emerald water, go to Krabi. You can dive, snorkel, or swim to your heart's content.
If you prefer cooler weather, head up north to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai and visit the temples and hill-tribe people. Local handicrafts, the Golden Triangle, and more await you in Northern Thailand.
For a very laid back vacation (my favorite), head to the northeast to an area referred to as Isaan (or Isan, or Esarn). This is a an area that includes Udorn Thani, Korat, Khon Kaen, Surin and some more smaller towns and villages. The pace is slower, the people friendlier and the cost of living about 50% less than in the touristy areas.I have been to Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, Bangkok and many other cities in the Land of Smiles. My favorite is Khon Kaen. Located about a 55 minute flight from the old Don Muang Airport, Khon Kaen is an excellent mix of old and new.
I can purchase software and DVDs at the Oasis mall or sit on a picnic table under thatched roof overlooking the river while I eat my jumbo prawns and drink a cold Singha. I can visit a number of temples or go to a disco. I can hang out with the expatriates neat the Sofitel Hotel or go to night market at the University.
I can have dinner at a restaurant along the man-made lake while half the city is out jogging. I can go shopping at malls and outlet store that compare to any in the United States. I can even call and have pizza or chicken delivered to my hotel room.
I will be looking to invest in some property in Khon Kaen during my next vacation. I want to lease a house and start getting ready for my retirement in about 2 years. From what I have seen online, I can purchase a brand new3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2-story house for about $50,000 USD. That would be just about enough for a down payment where I live in Hawaii.
No matter what you are looking for, Thailand has it all. And it will be a lot cheaper than where you live now.
You can spend your days at the beach and your nights pursuing dreams of youth at all the nightspots. You can relax on a small island or go trekking in the jungles. Whatever you want to do, you can do it in Thailand.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to the Land of Smiles - Thailand - and books his Pattaya hotel rooms through Pattaya Beach HotelsSubmitted by: Free Article Publisher
Your first stop will be in the capital, Bangkok and you should plan to stay there for a few days, especially if this is your first visit to Thailand. There are river boat dinners, short ½ day trips to beautiful temples, and longer jaunts to the old capital, Ayudhaya, or visit the site of the Bridge on the River Kwae in Kanchanaburi for some WWII history.
If you like the beach, you have numerous choices. You can go to Pattaya, which is about 1 ½ hour drive from Bangkok, or you can catch a short flight to Phuket or Koh Samui. If you really want to see pristine beaches and emerald water, go to Krabi. You can dive, snorkel, or swim to your heart's content.
If you prefer cooler weather, head up north to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai and visit the temples and hill-tribe people. Local handicrafts, the Golden Triangle, and more await you in Northern Thailand.
For a very laid back vacation (my favorite), head to the northeast to an area referred to as Isaan (or Isan, or Esarn). This is a an area that includes Udorn Thani, Korat, Khon Kaen, Surin and some more smaller towns and villages. The pace is slower, the people friendlier and the cost of living about 50% less than in the touristy areas.I have been to Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, Bangkok and many other cities in the Land of Smiles. My favorite is Khon Kaen. Located about a 55 minute flight from the old Don Muang Airport, Khon Kaen is an excellent mix of old and new.
I can purchase software and DVDs at the Oasis mall or sit on a picnic table under thatched roof overlooking the river while I eat my jumbo prawns and drink a cold Singha. I can visit a number of temples or go to a disco. I can hang out with the expatriates neat the Sofitel Hotel or go to night market at the University.
I can have dinner at a restaurant along the man-made lake while half the city is out jogging. I can go shopping at malls and outlet store that compare to any in the United States. I can even call and have pizza or chicken delivered to my hotel room.
I will be looking to invest in some property in Khon Kaen during my next vacation. I want to lease a house and start getting ready for my retirement in about 2 years. From what I have seen online, I can purchase a brand new3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2-story house for about $50,000 USD. That would be just about enough for a down payment where I live in Hawaii.
No matter what you are looking for, Thailand has it all. And it will be a lot cheaper than where you live now.
You can spend your days at the beach and your nights pursuing dreams of youth at all the nightspots. You can relax on a small island or go trekking in the jungles. Whatever you want to do, you can do it in Thailand.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to the Land of Smiles - Thailand - and books his Pattaya hotel rooms through Pattaya Beach HotelsSubmitted by: Free Article Publisher
Why You Should Stay At A Pattaya Guest House
If you are planning a trip to Pattaya, Thailand, you will eventually have to figure out where you will be spending your nights. You have many choices.
First you will need to decide what part of Pattaya you want to stay at. Basically, your choices are North, South, and Central. Granted you can also stay on Soi Buakhao or nearer to Third Road, but it is still in one of the three areas.
Once you have figured out the area you want to spend your holiday at, you will need to choose a hotel or guest house. Depending on your budget, you may want to investigate some of the guest houses in Pattaya.
I have stayed at 5-star hotels, lesser starred places, rooms above bars and a couple of different guest houses. While 5-star hotels are nice, I prefer the quaint, mom & pop run guest houses.
I prefer to stay in Central Pattaya but I don’t need to be close to the bay. I can be a block or two off the main drag and still enjoy myself. My personal preference is Soi LK Metro near Soi Diana Inn and Soi Buakhao.
This is an "L" shaped, small street, with about 15 guest houses on it. Most of them have a small bar downstairs and 4 to 20 rooms upstairs.
I prefer them because of the service. The location is good enough. But to actually know the owners, call them by name, have a beer or two with them, and get super service is what I am looking for on vacation.
My favorite over the past couple of years has been a small guest house called Place2Bee. It has all of 6 rooms and is run by a very friendly Brit and his Thai wife.
I found by accident. I was trying to book a room at a place on the same street but they were full up and the owner offered to find me a room. I eagerly took him up on his offer and he steered me to the Place2Bee. I hit it off with the owner, John, immediately.
We would chat over coffee in the morning and a beer in the afternoon. He was full of stories and would always bring me up to speed on the latest news and gossip of Pattaya whenever I visited. I recommended his place to many friends.
However, John sold the Place2Bee, so I can no longer recommend it. I will still recommend the guest houses in the same area and will be on the lookout for another that compares with the Place2Bee.
So, you can see why I prefer the smaller, quaint, guest house over a hotel. The service is better, the owners friendlier, and there is a lot less hassle. Check one out on your next holiday in Pattaya.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall gets to Thailand whenever he can and is the author of Pattaya Crazy Newbie"s Guide to PattayaSubmitted by: Free Article Distributor
First you will need to decide what part of Pattaya you want to stay at. Basically, your choices are North, South, and Central. Granted you can also stay on Soi Buakhao or nearer to Third Road, but it is still in one of the three areas.
Once you have figured out the area you want to spend your holiday at, you will need to choose a hotel or guest house. Depending on your budget, you may want to investigate some of the guest houses in Pattaya.
I have stayed at 5-star hotels, lesser starred places, rooms above bars and a couple of different guest houses. While 5-star hotels are nice, I prefer the quaint, mom & pop run guest houses.
I prefer to stay in Central Pattaya but I don’t need to be close to the bay. I can be a block or two off the main drag and still enjoy myself. My personal preference is Soi LK Metro near Soi Diana Inn and Soi Buakhao.
This is an "L" shaped, small street, with about 15 guest houses on it. Most of them have a small bar downstairs and 4 to 20 rooms upstairs.
I prefer them because of the service. The location is good enough. But to actually know the owners, call them by name, have a beer or two with them, and get super service is what I am looking for on vacation.
My favorite over the past couple of years has been a small guest house called Place2Bee. It has all of 6 rooms and is run by a very friendly Brit and his Thai wife.
I found by accident. I was trying to book a room at a place on the same street but they were full up and the owner offered to find me a room. I eagerly took him up on his offer and he steered me to the Place2Bee. I hit it off with the owner, John, immediately.
We would chat over coffee in the morning and a beer in the afternoon. He was full of stories and would always bring me up to speed on the latest news and gossip of Pattaya whenever I visited. I recommended his place to many friends.
However, John sold the Place2Bee, so I can no longer recommend it. I will still recommend the guest houses in the same area and will be on the lookout for another that compares with the Place2Bee.
So, you can see why I prefer the smaller, quaint, guest house over a hotel. The service is better, the owners friendlier, and there is a lot less hassle. Check one out on your next holiday in Pattaya.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall gets to Thailand whenever he can and is the author of Pattaya Crazy Newbie"s Guide to PattayaSubmitted by: Free Article Distributor
Surviving Suvanrabhumi
Suvanrabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is one of the newest airports to be built. It replaced the old Don Muang Airport after it put in about 50 years of service.
Don Muang (or Mueang under the current, new spelling) is still operational and handles primarily domestic flights in and around Thailand. It isn’t maintained as well as it used to be, but it is still functional. The airline code changed for Don Muang from BKK to DMK.
Suvanrabhumi International Airport (BKK) is a marvelous architectural work of glass and steel. It is absolutely enormous and stunning. When you arrive and head for Immigration, you will be amazed at the structure and the beautiful works of art that grace the hallways.
You will also be amazed at how far it is from your gate until you finally reach the Immigration officers. You will walk and walk, or take the horizontal escalator, and it will seem like miles and miles until you finally reach the booth where you can show your passport and be allowed into the country.Don’t forget to smile for the camera.
Once you clear Immigration the next step is to locate your luggage. Immediately after you get through Immigration, you will see a big sign that displays all of the airline logos, flight numbers, and what carousel your bags are on.
You need to check this, as there are about 30 different places your suitcases could be. Find the correct carousel first and then look for your bags.
Your bags should be waiting for you, since it took so long to hike from the arrival gate to Immigration. Usually they are spinning around and waiting for you.
Once you claim your bags, find the "Nothing to Declare" line and exit into a sea of arrival signs and taxi mafia personnel with clipboards touting fares to any city or location in the country.
Fight your way through the horde and make a right turn and head for the down escalator. Once you are on the first floor, exit and head for the official taxi stand. This is a good place to grab a cigarette if you are a smoker.
Tell the girl where you are going and you will have a taxi in a matter of seconds and be on your way to your hotel in Bangkok or Pattaya or wherever else it is that you are going.
Depending on where you are going and the time of day, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to get to a hotel in Bangkok. Usually, I plan for an hour and hope for the best.
Suvarnabhumi can be a bit daunting to the first time arrival in Bangkok and even for old hands who have been to Don Muang numerous times. The good thing is that there are signs easily visible and in English that will guide you right along. The bad thing is that you will walk and walk and walk. But, who cares? You have finally arrived in Bangkok.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall is a frequent Thailand visitor and books his Krabi hotel through Resort KrabiSubmitted by: Article Submitter Software
Don Muang (or Mueang under the current, new spelling) is still operational and handles primarily domestic flights in and around Thailand. It isn’t maintained as well as it used to be, but it is still functional. The airline code changed for Don Muang from BKK to DMK.
Suvanrabhumi International Airport (BKK) is a marvelous architectural work of glass and steel. It is absolutely enormous and stunning. When you arrive and head for Immigration, you will be amazed at the structure and the beautiful works of art that grace the hallways.
You will also be amazed at how far it is from your gate until you finally reach the Immigration officers. You will walk and walk, or take the horizontal escalator, and it will seem like miles and miles until you finally reach the booth where you can show your passport and be allowed into the country.Don’t forget to smile for the camera.
Once you clear Immigration the next step is to locate your luggage. Immediately after you get through Immigration, you will see a big sign that displays all of the airline logos, flight numbers, and what carousel your bags are on.
You need to check this, as there are about 30 different places your suitcases could be. Find the correct carousel first and then look for your bags.
Your bags should be waiting for you, since it took so long to hike from the arrival gate to Immigration. Usually they are spinning around and waiting for you.
Once you claim your bags, find the "Nothing to Declare" line and exit into a sea of arrival signs and taxi mafia personnel with clipboards touting fares to any city or location in the country.
Fight your way through the horde and make a right turn and head for the down escalator. Once you are on the first floor, exit and head for the official taxi stand. This is a good place to grab a cigarette if you are a smoker.
Tell the girl where you are going and you will have a taxi in a matter of seconds and be on your way to your hotel in Bangkok or Pattaya or wherever else it is that you are going.
Depending on where you are going and the time of day, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to get to a hotel in Bangkok. Usually, I plan for an hour and hope for the best.
Suvarnabhumi can be a bit daunting to the first time arrival in Bangkok and even for old hands who have been to Don Muang numerous times. The good thing is that there are signs easily visible and in English that will guide you right along. The bad thing is that you will walk and walk and walk. But, who cares? You have finally arrived in Bangkok.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall is a frequent Thailand visitor and books his Krabi hotel through Resort KrabiSubmitted by: Article Submitter Software
Getting To Pattaya In 23 Easy Steps
Here is a step-by-step tip sheet on how to get to Pattaya.
1. Save your money all year for your vacation. Not counting airfare, budget for $150 US dollars per day.
2. Apply for and get your passport. Get a visa also if you are staying long term.
3. Book your flight and hotel. You can do this online or with your favorite travel agent.
4. Arrange for a ride to the airport. Get a buddy to take you or find a local airport taxi service.
5. Arrange for a taxi to pick you up in Bangkok. You can get recommendations from any Pattaya forum or bargain with the taxi mafia upon arrival.
6. Get to the airport three hours ahead of your flight. You don’t want to be late for your holiday and you never know how long the lines will be.
7. Check in and get your seat assignment and boarding pass. Ask nicely and you may be able to get an exit row seat.
8. Do your last minute shopping at the duty free shop. Booze, cigarettes, and perfume are tax free.
9. Get a bite to eat and hang out near your departure gate. Airline food sucks so it is better to eat before you go.
10. Surf the Internet and check email before you take off. Do whatever to kill time. Wireless access can usually be found near the first class lounges.
11. Board the plane and settle in for the long flight. Hopefully you got a decent seat.
12. Get your book, headphones, pen, snacks, gum and laptop ready. Get everything you will need before you take off so you don't have to dig through your carry-on.
13. Kill time at you layover airport with laptop and/or food. You can get another bite to eat or just walk around and stretch your legs. Hopefully the layover isn’t too long.
14. Board the final leg of your flight. Try to control your adrenaline and relax. You are almost there.
15. Get in a short nap. You want to be refreshed when you arrive. You will be struggling to adjust your body clock and will be fighting jet lag.
16. Land and deplane. Go to the bathroom before the plane lands. Once the door opens, do everything in your power to get out of the plane. Make a beeline to immigration.
17. Go directly to Immigration and get your passport stamped. Find the shortest line and have your passport and boarding pass stub ready.
18. Find your carousel and grab your luggage. Check the sign right after Immigration and get your bags.
19. Meet your driver. Fight the gauntlet and look for a sign with your name on it. If you haven’t booked in advance, the clipboard toting, taxi mafia will find you.
20. Sit back and pray you make it from Bangkok to Pattaya in one piece. Prepare yourself for controlled chaos on the roads and pray to Buddha that you arrive alive.21. Arrive at your hotel and check in. Have your passport ready and fill out the little form and you are there.
22. Shower, change clothes and hit the streets. You can unpack later. It is time to go out and have some fun.
23. You are now in the Pattaya paradise. Enjoy yourself, be safe, and have a great holiday.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to Pattaya and saves money booking his hotel through Pattaya-AccommodationsSubmitted by: Article Submitter
1. Save your money all year for your vacation. Not counting airfare, budget for $150 US dollars per day.
2. Apply for and get your passport. Get a visa also if you are staying long term.
3. Book your flight and hotel. You can do this online or with your favorite travel agent.
4. Arrange for a ride to the airport. Get a buddy to take you or find a local airport taxi service.
5. Arrange for a taxi to pick you up in Bangkok. You can get recommendations from any Pattaya forum or bargain with the taxi mafia upon arrival.
6. Get to the airport three hours ahead of your flight. You don’t want to be late for your holiday and you never know how long the lines will be.
7. Check in and get your seat assignment and boarding pass. Ask nicely and you may be able to get an exit row seat.
8. Do your last minute shopping at the duty free shop. Booze, cigarettes, and perfume are tax free.
9. Get a bite to eat and hang out near your departure gate. Airline food sucks so it is better to eat before you go.
10. Surf the Internet and check email before you take off. Do whatever to kill time. Wireless access can usually be found near the first class lounges.
11. Board the plane and settle in for the long flight. Hopefully you got a decent seat.
12. Get your book, headphones, pen, snacks, gum and laptop ready. Get everything you will need before you take off so you don't have to dig through your carry-on.
13. Kill time at you layover airport with laptop and/or food. You can get another bite to eat or just walk around and stretch your legs. Hopefully the layover isn’t too long.
14. Board the final leg of your flight. Try to control your adrenaline and relax. You are almost there.
15. Get in a short nap. You want to be refreshed when you arrive. You will be struggling to adjust your body clock and will be fighting jet lag.
16. Land and deplane. Go to the bathroom before the plane lands. Once the door opens, do everything in your power to get out of the plane. Make a beeline to immigration.
17. Go directly to Immigration and get your passport stamped. Find the shortest line and have your passport and boarding pass stub ready.
18. Find your carousel and grab your luggage. Check the sign right after Immigration and get your bags.
19. Meet your driver. Fight the gauntlet and look for a sign with your name on it. If you haven’t booked in advance, the clipboard toting, taxi mafia will find you.
20. Sit back and pray you make it from Bangkok to Pattaya in one piece. Prepare yourself for controlled chaos on the roads and pray to Buddha that you arrive alive.21. Arrive at your hotel and check in. Have your passport ready and fill out the little form and you are there.
22. Shower, change clothes and hit the streets. You can unpack later. It is time to go out and have some fun.
23. You are now in the Pattaya paradise. Enjoy yourself, be safe, and have a great holiday.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to Pattaya and saves money booking his hotel through Pattaya-AccommodationsSubmitted by: Article Submitter
Tipping In Pattaya
I am a firm believer in tipping for good service. However, I am smart enough to know what is expected in the country I am visiting.
In the United States, a tip of 15% is the norm. And in many places, it is added automatically. I understand that the server has to report 8% to the Internal Revenue Service regardless of how much they receive. So, if the service is good, 15% is acceptable.
In Thailand, this is not normal. Unless you are at a 5-star hotel or restaurant, you should only tip 5 or 10 percent and only if the service is exceptional.
You will find in many bars that your change will be placed in a small booklet or on a tray and they will always figure out the change to leave some very small coins on the tray. If your change is 400 Baht, you can expect 300 Baht in 100 Baht notes and the rest in smaller money. They will expect you to leave them a tip.
Some will even hide the coins under the bills expecting you to just grab the paper money and leave the coins. This annoys me to no end.
There are some that automatically expect a tip even if the service is crappy. And you will get dirty looks if you take all of your change and pocket it.
You may also find times when your drink bill will be 90 Baht and you pay with 100 baht and you are expecting 10 Baht in change. Sometimes you will have to remind them about your change. These annoy me too when they automatically think that the change belongs to them.
The problem is not the girls. It is the foreigners that just let it go. After all, it is only 10 Baht. It is the equivalent of about 35 cents. So, no big deal. But it adds up if she does it to every customer all night long.
I have no problem leaving a 5 or 10 Baht tip for good service for a couple of drinks. But, if the girl tries to pull the hidden coins trick or the automatic no change returned bit, I will refuse to tip.
We need to band together to show them that a tip is for good service and not an automatic. Maybe then, we can expect good service instead of the same old thing all the time. Service personnel cannot expect a tip if they did not earn it.
So, only tip if the service is good. Don’t tip according to the rules back home. A 5 or 10 Baht tip for a regular meal and maybe 20 or 30 baht for a pricey one is OK. Give the bellboy 10 or 20 Baht for carrying your bags and taking care of showing you everything in your room.
So, save some money. Tip only when given exceptional service. Don’t just tip automatically. Check your change and watch for the hidden coins. Don’t be a jerk, but don’t tip if it isn’t deserved.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall has been traveling to Thailand for over 34 years and when he stays in Pattaya he books his hotel through Pattaya-Resort
Submitted by: Article Submitter
In the United States, a tip of 15% is the norm. And in many places, it is added automatically. I understand that the server has to report 8% to the Internal Revenue Service regardless of how much they receive. So, if the service is good, 15% is acceptable.
In Thailand, this is not normal. Unless you are at a 5-star hotel or restaurant, you should only tip 5 or 10 percent and only if the service is exceptional.
You will find in many bars that your change will be placed in a small booklet or on a tray and they will always figure out the change to leave some very small coins on the tray. If your change is 400 Baht, you can expect 300 Baht in 100 Baht notes and the rest in smaller money. They will expect you to leave them a tip.
Some will even hide the coins under the bills expecting you to just grab the paper money and leave the coins. This annoys me to no end.
There are some that automatically expect a tip even if the service is crappy. And you will get dirty looks if you take all of your change and pocket it.
You may also find times when your drink bill will be 90 Baht and you pay with 100 baht and you are expecting 10 Baht in change. Sometimes you will have to remind them about your change. These annoy me too when they automatically think that the change belongs to them.
The problem is not the girls. It is the foreigners that just let it go. After all, it is only 10 Baht. It is the equivalent of about 35 cents. So, no big deal. But it adds up if she does it to every customer all night long.
I have no problem leaving a 5 or 10 Baht tip for good service for a couple of drinks. But, if the girl tries to pull the hidden coins trick or the automatic no change returned bit, I will refuse to tip.
We need to band together to show them that a tip is for good service and not an automatic. Maybe then, we can expect good service instead of the same old thing all the time. Service personnel cannot expect a tip if they did not earn it.
So, only tip if the service is good. Don’t tip according to the rules back home. A 5 or 10 Baht tip for a regular meal and maybe 20 or 30 baht for a pricey one is OK. Give the bellboy 10 or 20 Baht for carrying your bags and taking care of showing you everything in your room.
So, save some money. Tip only when given exceptional service. Don’t just tip automatically. Check your change and watch for the hidden coins. Don’t be a jerk, but don’t tip if it isn’t deserved.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall has been traveling to Thailand for over 34 years and when he stays in Pattaya he books his hotel through Pattaya-Resort
Submitted by: Article Submitter
Life without plastic in Thailand
I was a soldier stationed in Bangkok, Thailand back in the early 1970's. Not always having a bunch of money, I used to eat food from the local street vendors. Most of my meals were served wrapped in either a banana leaf or yesterday's newspaper. Some meals were even served off of unclassified military paperwork that was recovered from the rubbish.
Nowadays, everywhere in Thailand the vast majority of street vendors serve food and drink in plastic bags. McDonalds has nothing on this fast food experience.
Whatever you order, be it a rice or noodle dish, is scooped up into a plastic bag and then sealed with a rubber band. This also includes soups and drinks.
Smaller bags of sauces and spices are also provided. You can even get fresh sliced fruit to go in a small bag with a skewer to stab each sweet morsel.
Shopping on the streets, markets, and malls will also expose you to bags and bags of plastic. It doesn’t matter what the size of the item, it will go in a plastic bag.
I have had numerous occasions where I acquired a large plastic bag to hold a variety of articles and each successive purchase resulted in a small plastic bag being put into the larger. Despite my objections that the smaller plastic bag was not required, I was turned away with a confused look and a smile.
Needles to say, after a day or two in Thailand, you tend to acquire a pile of plastic bags. I do manage to use a couple of them for dirty laundry or to keep items separated, but most of the plastic goes straight into the trash.
I really don’t know what the Thai people would do today without plastic bags. If the tree-hugging environmentalists ever came to Thailand, they wouldn’t know what to do.
Where would they put their sticky rice and beef jerky?
How would vendors sell coke to go?
How would the bootleg software and DVDs be distributed?
How would I get my bowl of Thai soup home?
Would they be able to revert back to banana leaves and yesterday's newspapers?
I don’t think that the Thai people could live without plastic bags. And any attempt o stop the usage would result in disastrous results.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to Pattaya and saves money booking his hotel through Pattaya-AccommodationsSubmitted by: Article Submitter
Nowadays, everywhere in Thailand the vast majority of street vendors serve food and drink in plastic bags. McDonalds has nothing on this fast food experience.
Whatever you order, be it a rice or noodle dish, is scooped up into a plastic bag and then sealed with a rubber band. This also includes soups and drinks.
Smaller bags of sauces and spices are also provided. You can even get fresh sliced fruit to go in a small bag with a skewer to stab each sweet morsel.
Shopping on the streets, markets, and malls will also expose you to bags and bags of plastic. It doesn’t matter what the size of the item, it will go in a plastic bag.
I have had numerous occasions where I acquired a large plastic bag to hold a variety of articles and each successive purchase resulted in a small plastic bag being put into the larger. Despite my objections that the smaller plastic bag was not required, I was turned away with a confused look and a smile.
Needles to say, after a day or two in Thailand, you tend to acquire a pile of plastic bags. I do manage to use a couple of them for dirty laundry or to keep items separated, but most of the plastic goes straight into the trash.
I really don’t know what the Thai people would do today without plastic bags. If the tree-hugging environmentalists ever came to Thailand, they wouldn’t know what to do.
Where would they put their sticky rice and beef jerky?
How would vendors sell coke to go?
How would the bootleg software and DVDs be distributed?
How would I get my bowl of Thai soup home?
Would they be able to revert back to banana leaves and yesterday's newspapers?
I don’t think that the Thai people could live without plastic bags. And any attempt o stop the usage would result in disastrous results.
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
Larry Westfall is a frequent traveler to Pattaya and saves money booking his hotel through Pattaya-AccommodationsSubmitted by: Article Submitter
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