Wat Phra Sri Ratana Sasadaram, officially called "the temple of the Emerald Buddha" or "Wat Phra Kaew", had built in the reign of "King Rama I", Phra Bat Somdej Phra Phuttha Yod Fa Chula Lok Maha Raja, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty. The construction work had begun in 1782 and completed in 1784.

The temple of the Emerald Buddha, the royal chapel, is located east, adjoining the Grand Palace. The temple is specially built to house the Emerald Buddha, a Buddha image which King Rama I bought from Vientiane when he captured the city.

Although it is the most national sacred temple, there is no any resident monk. But, it has only elaborately decorated holy buildings, statues, and pagodas.

Major Attractions

A. The Emerald Buddha or Phra Kaew Morakot, the highly revered Buddha image, meticulously carved from a huge block of Jade. It is the Buddha image in the sorted meditating position, in the style of the Chiang San School on the north of Thailand.

The Emerald Buddha was first discovered in Chiang Rai province in the reign of King Triloknatha (1441-1487). Later, it was taken to several important cities such as Lampang, Chiang Mai, Luang Phra Bang, and Vientiane.

When 1778 King Rama I overcame over Laos, he had bought it back at Wat Arun in Thon Buri, the capital at that time. And, in 1785, the Emerald Buddha was transferred from Wat Arun to Wat Phra Kaew and then shrined in the Phra Ubosoth (ordination hall) until now.

B. The Royal Pantheon or Prasat Phra Thep Bidon, originally called Buddha Prang Prasat, was built in the reign of King Rama IV in 1855. This building is a pavilion with four-square Prangs. It is initially considered to enshrine the Emerald Buddha, but too small to accommodate the congregation at royal ceremonies. Now it is used for keeping statues of deceased 8 kings of Chakri Dynasty.

C. On the four-sides of cloisters like-galleries (Phra Rabiang) around Phra Ubosoth, there are the Mural Paintings depicting Ramakien epic (the Thai version of the Hindu epic, Ramayana). These paintings consist of 178 sections, firstly done in the reign of King Rama I. Later, some parts of Phra Rabiang and paintings were renovated from time to time in the present Chakri Dynasty.

The paintings of Ramayana epic around Phra Rabiang start from north door turn to the west.

D. The golden Stupa, Phra Sri Ratana Chedi, has a bell shape which is the Ceylonese style. The chedi was built by Rama IV to house a relic of the Buddha. Its form imitates the large chedi of Phra Sri Sanphet temple in Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand. Later, in the time of King Rama V had applied the golden tile mosaics to the Chedi.

E. Phra Mondop, Ho Tri, or the library, was built in the time of King Rama I, containing the new copy of Tipitaka (important Buddhist scriptures). Phra Mondop is based on the Pillars and located between Phra Sri Ratana Chedi and The Royal Pantheon. However, it is almost always closed to the public.

If you have a free time, you can visit Patron Rub ushi, Gate-keeping Giants, Phra Vihara Yod (The spired Hall), Model of Angor Wat, The lined Pavilions (Sala Rai), etc.

This is the first temple guides I recommend in Bangkok-Thailand-Guide

Transportation to Wat Phra Kaew

Located within the Grand Palace, near Sanam Luang, Phra Nakorn District, Bangkok

Telephone Number 02 623-5500 ext. 1830, 3100

By Bus – 1, 2, 3, 9, 15, 19, 25, 30, 32, 33, 39, 42, 43, 44, 47, 53, 59, 60, 64, 65, 68, 70, 79, 80 , 82, 91, 123, 124, 201, 203, 503, 508, 512

By Air-conditioned Bus – 1, 6, 7, 8, 12, 25, 38, 39, 44, 59, 524

By Chaopraya river – Tha Chang pier

Thailand boasts one of the most advanced medical tourism programs in Asia, if not the world. Governments throughout Asia have invested resources and money into the ongoing education and training of Thai medical professionals. Many physicians and medical staff receive their training and education in the United States and Europe, and after graduation return to Thailand to launch their practices. Due to the increasing number of qualified doctors and surgeons as well as an increase in excellent medical facilities, and fact that the cost of medical care in Thailand is only a fraction of that in The United States, Europe or Australia, Thailand has become THE hub for medical tourism in Southeast Asia.

More than just major surgery options, routine treatment programs and cosmetic surgery options are becoming commonplace throughout Thailand. Practices such as cosmetic dentistry, LASIK eye surgery, laser teeth whitening, and even sex reassignment (sex change) surgery are becoming more and more prevalent.

Many of Thailand’s best hospitals, staffed with overseas educated physicians, cater to the needs and wants of medical tourists who arrive in Thailand solely for medical care. Some of Thailand’s leading hospitals include the Bangkok International Hospital, BNH Hospital, Bumrungrad Hospital, and Samitivej Hospital. These medical facilities are leaders in private medical care and provide a dedicated staff to meet the medical needs of their patients.

The Bangkok International Hospital has a vision to create a comfortable atmosphere for its numerous multi-cultural patients. The hospital is staffed with a large number of translators, speaking over thirty languages. Specialized care facilities including the Bangkok Heart Hospital, the Cancer Center, and the Neurology Center are all affiliated with Bangkok International. With a large emphasis on quality service and customer satisfaction it’s no wonder why Bangkok International Hospital has received awards and accreditations from the Medical Boards of in United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia.

The BNH Hospital was formerly the Bangkok Nursing Home and has been operating since the late 1890s. The hospital has a long history of assisting foreign patients and operates a number of medical departments such as the heart center, cancer center, general health and check up clinic, and the Laser Teeth Whitening Service Center. Cosmetic surgery options are becoming more and more available at the hospital and include gender reassignment.

Another of Thailand’s leading hospitals in caring for overseas patients is Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok. Bumrungrad was one of the first hospitals in all of Asia to receive the Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation. The hospital staff is dedicated to assist with the medical conditions of foreign patients and offers a wide variety of medical clinics specializing in different fields of medicine. Some of the available clinic options include neurology, nutrition, endocrinology, and nephrology. A well recognized cosmetic surgery center is available at Bumrungrad and offers packages in reconstructive surgery, hair transplants, skin treatments, LASIK eye surgery, and more. The costs of these packages are far less expensive than those found in the United States or throughout Europe.

Located in the Srinakarin area of Sirracha and Bangkok is the Samitivej Hospital. The hospital is made up of many branches that each offers a series of packages to overseas visitors. The wellness packages offered include physicals, blood cholesterol checks, liver function tests, CBC tests, and many more. Most of the doctors, nurses, and staff have received specialized education in caring for European and other foreign patients. The staff is culturally diverse and numerous translators are available.

As word continues to spread that excellent and specialized care is available in a wide variety of medical specialties, medical tourism will continue to thrive in Thailand. Visitors from all over the globe arrive in Thailand for their medical stay. Overseas patients have learned that the care they receive in Thailand will be of the utmost quality and cost effective to nearly any budget. Patients in need of medical procedures and cosmetic surgery options are continuing to find their solutions in this captivating land.

10 Reasons for Fitness Outdoors

1) It’s Free! No membership fees.

2) You beat the overcrowded gyms.

3) You don’t have to compete for machines or equipment at the gym.

4) You get outside away from the traffic and out of your office.

5) 100% natural. Listen to the birds and squirrels, especially in the morning.

6) You burn more 30% calories! Faster fat loss.

7) You can exercise with your friends, stronger support to increase adherence.

8) You won’t get harassed by sales people.

9) Research shows exercising outdoors reduces stress too!

10) You can breathe fresh air instead of being stuck inside the air conditioning.

Bangkok’s Best Parks by MRT & BTS:

1) Lumpini Park:

You can access Lumpini Park from various stations. Lumpini MRT and Silom MRT as well as Silom BTS. Lumpini is one of Bangkok’s largest public parks and in addition to having a 2.5 km track, you can also join in Tai Chi classes, aerobics, strength training in the ‘jungle gym’ as well as swim!

2) Benjakiti Park:

Queen Sirikit and Sukhumvit MRT, and Sukhumvit BTS (Just a 400 metre walk). My favourite park! A nice running track, with lots of different areas to discover including an aphithetre, stairs,a board walk along the lake and lots of park benches.

3) Benjasiri Park:

Prompong BTS. Benjasari is a small, yet convenient park to get to and there is plenty of shade if you don’t like to be out in the sun. There is also a public swimming pool and you can join aerobics in the park in the evenings.

4) Chatujuk Park:

Mo Chit BTS. A quiet large park with nice paths and super easy access to the BTS and MRT.

How to Conduct Your Own Outdoor Fitness Workout:

To get fit and to burn fat it is essential for you to raise your heart rate to levels that force your body to work harder. You must constantly change the stimulus for your body to respond to or you will fall into a plateau. A plateau is when you continue to do the same exercise however your body does not respond and you do not continue to lose weight or make improvements in strength or cardiovascular fitness.

Best Outdoor Fitness Drills:

1) Interval Training:

Jog for 30 seconds and power walk for 2 minutes. This elevates your heart rate and allows for plenty of recovery in between. You will be able t maintain a higher heart rate even though you are walking, ad this will allow you to burn more calories and therefore more fat!

2) Fartlek Training:

Similar to interval training, Fartlek is a Swedish word meaning ‘Speed play’. You need to jog for as long as you can, then walk for as long as you need to recover before preparing for your next round of jogging. Continue for a minimum of 20-30 minutes.

3) Swimming:

Yes even swimming can be an effective fat loss and fitness solution. How you swim will determine your results. Just any other form of exercise, to get fit or to lose fat, you must elevate the heart rate to maximize energy expenditure, calorie burn and fat loss.

4) Functional Strength:

Functional strength relates to any exercise which develops strength by using your body weight only. The basics you can start with include squats, lunges, push ups, abdominal crunches and bench dips. These five exercises alone will give you a complete full body workout in under 5 minutes!! Aim to complete 12-15 repetitions of each exercise. In addition to burning more calories, research shows that functional full body training is the most effective fat loss strategy combined with a sound nutrition program.

Tips for starting out:

1) Start out slow. Exercise consistency and adherence is far more important than trying to break records!

2) Plan your schedule. Make an appointment with yourself so you don’t find excuses not to exercise. The best tip for exercises adherence is to exercise first thing in the morning before work.

3) Ask your friends to go with you. Make your exercise a social activity.

4) Warm up and stretch! I can’t stress this enough. Stretching will reduce the muscle soreness; increase your flexibility, blood circulation and aid in the prevention of injuries.

5) Join an outdoor fitness boot camp program.Find trained and experienced fitness professionals, Bootcamps in Bangkok are a motivational and social support group to help you achieve your goals faster and stick with your program.

6) Smile! Be active! And be Healthy!

Bangkok is an exotic, friendly, and beautiful city in southern Thailand. It is the capital of Thailand, it has over eight million people and it is the cultural center of the country. It’s a place of outrageous nightlife and beautiful temples, of delicious food and sweltering heat, of crowded streets and massive markets. There is no lack of things to see and do in the city, but there are also many travel tips to keep in mind while travelling through Bangkok as well.

Some Basics

Thai is the main language spoken in Bangkok, but due to the booming tourist industry, many people speak English (learn a few Thai phrases, though- the effort will be appreciated).

The unit of currency is the Baht (THB), often misspelled “Bath” on the street. One US dollar is about 31 Baht. Prices are very inexpensive in Thailand making Thailand a major hotspot for Western tourists. You don’t have to tip for services or at restaurants like in many other countries, but it is certainly appreciated.

There are a few cultural taboos and laws that you should take seriously while travelling anywhere in Thailand:

• When visiting a Buddhist temple, dress conservatively and remove your shoes upon entering. Do not take photographs if anyone is meditating or during ritual, without prior permission.
• Touching another person’s head (even a child’s head) is a religious affront and should not be done. Touching another person’s foot is consider an impure act and should not be avoided. Pointing to something with your foot is also not done.
• Females should never touch a Theravada monk, but monks often touch lay men, and even females if the lay female is very ill.
• Never engage in public displays of affection.
• The King of Thailand is held in reverence by the Thais. The King is legally “inviolable” and it is a legal offense to say or do anything that could in any way be interpreted as “disrespectful.” This is a serious matter. A violation may get you arrested and placed in prison. This is no joke.

Food and Water

Food and water safety is another major issue here. Don’t drink the tap water in your hotel or in restaurants, and never use ice cubes. Drink only bottled water. Don’t eat street food that might spoil in the heat. Although Thai cuisine is delicious and there are street vendors nearly everywhere, you don’t want to spend your time in Bangkok sick from this food.

The Streets

The traffic in Bangkok is overwhelming- it’s extremely congested, and even crossing the street is dangerous! Due to the large population, there are many options for transportation: the Metro, the SkyTrain, the boat network, the buses, taxis, and tuk-tuks.

Although the three-wheeled, motorized tuk-tuks aren’t the most cost-effective way of getting around the city (agree on a price before getting in-sometimes you can go for very cheap!), they are such a huge part of Bangkok that it’s worth just riding in one at least once!

Sex for Sale

Bangkok has a flourishing and over-active sex trade industry, both straight and gay. Many female and male prostitutes are HIV positive. A certain percentage of visitors come to Thailand to satisfy their sexual desires and fantasies. So, be aware that especially male visitors to Thailand will be propositioned rather aggressively as you land at the airport, and in the red districts in Bangkok. Just be firm in saying “no”, and guys, try not to look interested or the sales pitches will become more aggressive and demanding.

Temples and Palaces

Bangkok is known for its abundance of temples and palaces. These include:

The Grand Palace is perhaps the most spectacular. This massive residence of the King is made up of many buildings-each more beautiful than the next. It can take hours to explore, and it’s definitely worth the 400 Baht (about $13 US) admission fee.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew, is a national monument and a must-see here-it was one of the most memorable sights from my time in Bangkok. You must dress very conservatively in order to enter, so plan ahead.

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho, located near to the Grand Palace, is another temple that’s extremely memorable. It’s home to beautiful gardens, sculptures, and a golden statue of Buddha that’s over 150 feet long. Entrance is cheap (20 Baht, about 60 US cents), and located here is a famous Thai massage school that can get you an hour-long massage for just 200 Baht (about $6.50)!

The Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun, is another incredible temple to see. It is located on the Chao Phraya River and it is known for its high colorful spires and Ordinance Hall. For just 50 Baht ($1.60 US), this attraction provides beautiful views of the river and gives great insight into Buddhism.

Markets

Bangkok has an impressive number of markets, and they are the perfect places to buy Thai clothing, food, and crafts. You can find some pretty amazing prices, but be prepared to haggle- you can almost always bargain for a cheaper price! But don’t be afraid to walk away if you think you’re getting ripped off.

Be careful of personal belongings in the markets. There are lurking pickpockets.

If you’re in the city on a weekend, go to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which has thousands of stalls that offer everything you could possibly imagine. Although it’s crowded (try going in the morning before it gets too hot), it’s worth a trip to just experience something so large in size and so rich in Thai culture.

Another really interesting market is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Vendors are all in small boats and they primarily sell fruits and vegetables. You have the option of standing on land or renting a small boat as well. Although this is rather touristy, there aren’t many other places in the world that have floating markets!

Museums

If you prefer somewhere less crowded, Bangkok has many museums that are interesting and attractive. There are two that I particularly recommend:

The National Museum is a stunning building with a huge collection of Thai art and architecture.

The Jim Thompson House is a rather large compound that houses art, antiques, and an interesting blend of both Thai and European interior design.

Nightlife

If you’re looking for some really unique nightlife, there are two spots in Bangkok that will leave a very lasting impression.

Soi Cowboy is the city’s very tourist-heavy sex district- it’s a street full of fluorescent lights and go-go bars.

Khao San Road, meanwhile, was the coolest place I went to in Bangkok. While there are plenty of clubs and cheap bars (mobile bars are really popular here too), there are also Thai restaurants, Western fast-food chains, cafes, street vendors and performers, and people from all over the world having fun and enjoying the city. It’s a place where Thailand meets the West, and this blend of so many cultures makes Khao San Road an interesting place.

Bangkok is a fast-paced city with no lack of things to see and do. Although it can be quite hot and crowded, its spectacular palaces, museums, and temples, active nightlife, and strong sense of culture make Bangkok one of the most fun and exciting cities in the world!

Thailand has long maintained a tradition of excellence regarding hospitality. If you have ever visited Thailand and particularly if you may have been lucky enough to frequent one of the higher-end hotels (indeed there aren’t any shortage of luxury hotels in Bangkok, and throughout Thailand) and experienced the graciousness of the hosts there, you will know the reason. Thailand on the whole has developed a very large number of luxury-brand products in the upper end of the accommodation sector, and indeed the practices and systems of numerous Thai branded Hotel chains, are known to have set the standards that have been adopted by large 5 and 6 star hotel groups around the world. With regards to this article, we will be showing examples of the best of the best, concentrating mainly on luxury hotels in Bangkok. The 5 hotels are offered in no particular order.

The Oriental Bangkok

With a history that stretches way back over 130 years the Oriental (that was the first hotel built-in Thailand) is rich in Thai History and culture, and was the second acquisition of the Mandarin Oriental group which which began in Hong Kong. Situated on the banks on the Chao Phraya river, the brand has become synonymous with luxury, and discerning travellers to Thailand always head straight towards the Oriental. The Oriental’s legacy is long, with lots of famous regular guests from Noel Coward, Somerset Maugham, Barbara Cartland, John Le Carre (a lot of authors were inspired by and stayed at the Hotel that the hotel presently has many “Authors Suites”) and Wilbur Smith to name just a few. The rooms and suites are sumptuous and filled with unique antiques and Thai Silk. Attention to detail is everything in the Oriental, and this can be seen as soon as you arrive as each employee knows you by name, and absolutely nothing is any trouble. Things i like about this type of attention is that they do it in a way that are unobtrusive, so you never feel hassled.

The Banyan Tree Bangkok

Situated centrally in Sathon the Banyan Tree is not just one of the finest hotels in Bangkok, but also one of the tallest. The hotels famous restaurant and bar, aptly named “Vertigo” command spectacular views across the city over 60 stories up, and therefore are a favourite haunt of Thai celebrities, dignitaries and tourists alike. Considering it’s convenient location, the Banyan Tree feels as though a millennia from the hustle of Bangkok. Each room and suite has a warm, tradtional Thai flavour, and is decorated with plenty of great looking warm coloured woods and Thai silks. Popular with business people and tourists too, the Banyan Tree is among the most popular luxury hotels in Bangkok today, and will no doubt remain so for some time yet.

The Peninsula

Regarded by many as the best hotel in Bangkok, the Peninsula, with it’s unique design, riverside location and legendary service remains in the top 5 selection of Bangkoks luxury hotels every year. The rooms are vast and luxurious with plush carpets and just the right fusion of tradition and technology. Like it’s neighbour the Oriental, which is just across the river, the Peninsula is likewise owned by a hotel group based in Hong Kong, whose flagship hotel, The Peninsula Hong Kong is thought to be one of the top hotels on the planet bar none, and was recently featured in Travel and Leisure magazine as one of the top ten hotels worldwide.

The 4 Seasons Bangkok

An oasis set amidst the cacophony that is downtown Bangkok, situated on Rajadamri Road in the financial and shopping district is the Four Seasons Bangkok. The resorts gardens are delightful, rooms oversized and lavish and the pool a very welcome spot to spend time particularly when the heat from the city is becoming excessive for you. The beds are so comfortable that you definitely wish to take one home, the service flawless, and the attention to detail impeccable. For example the fresh fruit which is put in the room daily has a description of what each fruit is, which can be useful given the array of weird and wonderful fruits that grow in Thailand. Also upon leaving the hotel during the day, you will be offered bottled water, an umbrella (in the rainy season) along with a handkerchief to mop the sweat off your brow! The staff all know your name, and you actually shown to seem like royalty, enabling you to enjoy your shopping feeling relaxed right from the start of the day.

The Sukhothai

With it’s lush gardens and long standing tradition of excellence, the Sukhothai embodies Thai architecture and hospitality impeccably. Situated near to the Banyan Tree on Sathorn Road the hotels grand colonial entrance leads to the hotel proper, leaving guests having a feeling of exclusivity and grandeur. The rooms are spacious and perfectly decorated, and also the bathrooms will surely be something of the talking point for visitors for a long time, as the oversized baths, and plush design are quite exclusive and are a welcome relaxation following a hard days shopping in Bangkok. The spa and pool are legendary, and the hotel comes with an excellent gym and also access to tennis and squash courts which might attract many people. The hotel also offers exclusive arrangements with all the top golf clubs in and around Bangkok, and may arrange games for guests easily with it’s unrivalled selection of golf packages.

Although many people may feel that bicycling in Bangkok is not a tenable proposition, it can be done with relative safety and offers much convenience for many excursions that would be time-consuming and exhausting if done by foot.

Bangkok has made a weak attempt at supporting bicycles by sporadically marking sidewalk lanes for bikes, allowing bicycles on the MRT (subway), the BTS (SkyTrain), and riverboats. However, the MRT and riverboats require that the bicycle be of the foldable type and be folded to be allowed aboard. Also, there is a long elevated walkway that links the north end of Lumpini Park with Sukumvit Soi 10 which provides a convenient, safe and fast transit between Lumpini Park and the lower Sukumvit area.

Right of Way

The general right of way rule in Thailand is that the largest / heaviest vehicle has the right of way; pedestrians have the lowest. In short, "if it's bigger than you, it will kill you without you get out of its way." My rule is to give right of way to all vehicles and pedestrians. This prevails unwanted conflicts with both vehicles and pedestrians. This applies specifically to sidewalks, since many sidewalks are marked with a bicycle lane.

Although many sidewalks are marked with about a 1 meter wide bike lane, the use of the lanes by bikes is so light that it is often cluttered with mobile vendors and pedestrians.

Often, in tourist areas especially, the sidewalks have vendors and pedestrians so it is difficult to continue riding safely, so the bicycle should be walked or the sidewalk abandoned for the street.

The Bicycle Bell

It is often important to let a pedestrian know that you are approaching from behind by using the bell as far away as possible so that they have time to recognize it and act accordingly … if they hear it, that is.

Sidewalks or Street?

Because of the crowded or poor conditions of many sidewalks, it is often necessary to alternate between the sidewalk and street. This is especially true when trying to make the best time in a trade-off with safety. Some street traffic conditions are potentially unsafe due to high-speed traffic and the fact that dedicated bike lanes in Bangkok are rare. The buses are the largest offenders with their seeming oblivious attitude and frequent stops. From both safety and rapid transit perspectives, gridlocked traffic is the best for a bicycle on the street.

Intersections

These are probably the most dangerous part of bicycling. The advantage of cyclist has, is that he or she can decide to cross an intersection as either a pedestrian or a vehicle depending on the situation.

Where to Buy Bicycles in Bangkok

Tesco-Lotus

Big C

Carrefour

Amorn, Fortune Town

Pro Bike, 237 Soi 2, Sarasin Road, between Rajadamri Road and Langsuan Road, west of Lumpini Park

AiMbike, 62/10 Soi Chaengwattana-Pakkred17, Chaeng Wattana Road, opposite Central Chaeng Wattana Department store

Craig's List Thailand

Types Available

All types are available, including very expensive, for example a 300,000 THB high-performance model at Pro Bike.

Rough Pricing

2,500 THB – 10,000 THB (Low Range)

7,000 THB – 24,000 THB (foldable / mountain)

25,000 THB – 300,000 THB (high end)

Cycling in Lumpini Park

Lumpini Park is large with many wide paths and roads with little to no traffic; there are many canals, lots of greenery, a few snack bars, and several areas with tables and benches. The park allows bicycling from 10:00 – 15:00 seven days a week. There are security guards to enforce these hours. The nearest train station to Lumpini Park is the Silom station on both the MRT and BTS lines, at the south west corner of the park.

Elevated Pedestrian and Bicycle Walkway

This metal structure is about 3 to 5 meters or more above ground level. It is about one kilometer long, starting at the base of Sukhumvit Soi 10 and ending at the north-east corner of Lumpini Park. It is quite wide, maybe 10 meters, and is divided into a pedestrian part and a bicycle part. The times that I have been on it, it was almost totally empty with never more than 5 people walking and one cyclist; it seems most people are unaware of its existence.

Stairways up to the overpass have a ramp to allow bicycles to be pushed or hidden up, but they are a bit steep; you will need strong legs and / or a multi-gear bike to ride up.

If you use this overpass to get to Lumpini, you end up at the intersection of Sarasin Road and Wireless Road. The gate to Lumpini is to the left (south), about 60 or 70 meters along Wireless Road, just past the school.

Conclusion

For the intrepid, bicycling in Bangkok offers an attractive alternative to walking or incurring the cost and lack of spontaneity or control of using taxis, motorbikes, and tuk tuks. Bicycling is very good for short-range shopping trips or getting to know the local neighborhood. Consider it as a sort of 'high-speed' walking with the option to actually walk, if so desired.

With the allowance of foldable bicycles on MRT (subway), BTS (SkyTrain elevated railway), riverboats, and buses, the same advantages can be had for long-range trips or trips anywhere in Thailand.

Yanhee General Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand understands that no one is born perfect, but many strive to be. Yanhee uses the latest advancements in technology to help treat your body so that you can achieve the appearance that you desire. Yanhee has 12 full-time cosmetic surgeons on hand that are competent and qualified to perform any cosmetic surgery procedure you desire and can provide you with exceptional results.

The staff at Yanhee General Hospital’s Plastic Surgery Center is world renowned for the services that they can perform, at a cost that is affordable to many. This makes Yanhee one of the most well sought after surgical centers not only for local patients, but for international visitors as well. Yanhee provides services for many major plastic surgery procedures that people desire such as breast augmentation, chin or nose implants, faces lifts and liposuction, along with many other procedures as well.

Yanhee skilled staff provides the client with in-depth and honest evaluations, so that you are fully aware of how the procedure will be, and also know whether the procedure is an ideal option for you. They work with you so that you are knowledgeable about what they can provide, and to help determine what exactly your own expectations are from the procedure. The staff at Yanhee General Hospital is dedicated to providing their patients with the exceptional service, and is well known for providing a high level of privacy and security to their patients and clients. These are just some of the reasons why so many feel it is worth it to travel around the globe in order to have their procedure performed at Yanhee General Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.

There are many other plastic surgery treatments that are performed at Yanhee as well, besides the standard procedures that so many are familiar with. Yanhee’s Plastic Surgery department also treats those that are in need of hair removal in their Varicosity Clinic and those that are in need of hair treatment to prevent hair loss in their Hair Restoration and Hair Treatment center. The Permanent Cosmetic Tattoo Center provides clients with procedures to provide permanently and aesthetically pleasing results for their skin.

The Skin Center at Yanhee Hospital can treat patients for many different skin conditions and issues. The staff at the Skin Center uses the latest technology and medicine to treat skin problems such as cellulite and severe acne problems. Using techniques such as laser treatment, microderabrassion, phonophoresis and iontophoresis, the staff can treat almost any skin condition that you may suffer from and help you to achieve the beautiful healthy skin that you desire.

It seems as though many times a person is looking to have a plastic procedure performed, there is generally a sense of trepidation, not only from fear of the procedure going wrong, but issues with how others will view them for receiving the procedure. At Yanhee, these are issues you do not have to worry about. The staff at Yanhee understands a person’s desire to be beautiful and have the appearance that they long for. They are sympathetic to your situation and will understand any feelings you may have. They will work with you so that you feel comfortable with your procedure and will not only provide you with the medical treatment you need, but the emotional support you may require as well. Although it is a good idea to consult your personal physician before you come to Yanhee.

Many people ask, “what’s the difference between an apartment and a condo in Bangkok?” Well, condos are individually owned units whilst an apartment is a block of rental units owned by a company, family or individual.

There are, of course pros and cons to renting an apartment over renting a condo and hopefully this article will shed some light on the apartment versus condo rental issue, and help you with your final decision.

Rental prices

When it comes to price, you’ll be glad to know that there is no difference whether it’s an apartment or condo you choose to rent in Bangkok. The rental rate is usually determined by the location, age and grade of building, size of unit, number of bedrooms, facilities, décor and furnishing.

Utility bills.

Now, this is where the main disadvantage lies in renting an apartment over a condo. Apartments tend to have a minimum charge for water (usually around 1000 baht per month) and a surcharge on electricity (around 5 – 6 baht a unit compared to the 3.75 baht charged by the MEA). All this can amount a hefty difference in utility bills at the end of every month.

I live in a 3 storey townhouse with a family of 6 and my water bill has never exceeded 500 bht a month, ever. We do a lot of washing and drinking too!

Building management fees

These fees apply more to condominiums rather than apartments which have already factored this cost into the rent. This is what you call the community fee that goes to maintaining the buildings, facilities, security etc. For condos, this cost around 25-40 baht per square metre depending on the building and its location. The more exclusive your condo. The more your fees are going to be! Most of the time, this fee has already been included in the asking rent by the landlord. However, if you managed to push the rent down significantly and got you a laughing good deal i.e. a nicely furnished 95 sqm 2 bedroom in the CBD for 25,000 baht/month, then it’s likely that your landlord will be expecting you to pay this management fee instead! That’s fair enough don’t you think?

Others

At the end of the day, whether you are renting an apartment or a condo, who you rent it from is extremely important. With condo owners, it is sometimes easier to negotiate on the rent since these individuals can be more flexible, compared to an apartment which charges standard rates that are usually non-negotiable. However, finding a suitable condo for rent is a little trickier on your own since you’ll have to know which building and what unit is available for rent. You’ll also need the owner’s contact too! That is where property rental agencies like Bangkok Finder can help you.

The other thing is maintenance. It’s definitely a lot more convenient if you are living in an apartment since there is usually an in house maintenance guy hired by the building at hand. However, I know of many condo owners who take very good care of their property and have their own handyman who usually responds within a day or two. The cost can be foot by the landlord or the tenant depending on the initial agreement. Usually, structural repairs, electrical wiring and plumbing costs are borne by the landlord, and minor repairs are the charge of the tenant. However, the cheaper your rent, chances are the more you’ll have to account for in maintenance cost during your lease tenure.

Apart from that, apartments and condos offer 24 hour security and feel safer for most, compared to living in a house. There is also NO chance of flooding inside your home, which is a major concern for most people looking to rent or buy in Thailand and the other bonus is, NO MOSQUITOS! That truly is bliss.

Well, that’s about it really! Ready to start your search? Here are apartments for rent in Bangkok and condos for rent in Bangkok.

As one of the largest cities on the planet and a central hub for trade in Southeast Asia, Bangkok is the spoke in the proverbial wheel for anyone seeking to do business in the Far East. When living, working, or investing in Thailand it may become necessary to retain legal advice. For Thai legal matters, it is always advisable to retain a Thai attorney. However, in transactions involving multiple jurisdictions, it may be necessary to hire an attorney licensed in a jurisdiction other than Thailand. A major obstacle often faced when searching for a foreign attorney: separating the, “wheat from the chaff,” because Thailand has no mechanism for registering and regulating foreign lawyers.

In Asian jurisdictions such as Singapore and Hong Kong (to name just two) the authorities have promulgated legislation for registering and monitoring the activities of practicing foreign lawyers. The upshot of this system is a foreign legal community that is transparent and above board. In Thailand, the activities of foreign lawyers and “consultants,” are left in a somewhat gray area. Thailand, as a member of the World Trade Organization, has signaled its intent to open its market to international trade and services. However, Thailand has yet to implement many of the provisions required by the WTO most notably, for the purposes of this article, the provisions dealing with foreign attorney registration.

Under the foreign business act of 1999, foreigners are barred from practicing law, but a foreigner can conceivably obtain a foreign business license in order to operate a legal service business under list three in the appendix to the foreign business act. Thailand legislation seems to have distinguished between the practice of law and the opaque term, “legal service business.” The distinction between these two terms seems to turn upon whether a firm practices litigation.

Due to Thailand’s inaction with regard to her WTO obligations, the question as to foreign lawyers practicing foreign law in Thailand is precarious. The result of this slightly odd legal situation is that those people (both Thai and foreign) seeking foreign legal advice are at risk of using the services of someone who has no formal legal training. By putting a mechanism in place to regulate foreign lawyers other governments have ensured that those practicing foreign law are qualified to do so in their jurisdiction of licensure. By not having such legislation in place, laypeople could be easily duped by someone who has no business dispensing legal advice.

Please note: Nothing in this article should be utilized as a substitute for legal advice from a duly licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. No attorney/client relationship should be inferred to have been created by reading this article.

Japanese restaurants in Bangkok are plentiful but ones that combine great attention to detail, authentic surroundings and good value are not so common. Genji Japanese restaurant in the Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel is one of those Japanese restaurants that combines all of these attributes. Along with attentive service and high-quality ingredients – a must for a top-level Japanese restaurant – Genji offers its guests an inviting place to eat good food.

I’ve eaten in many Japanese restaurants in Bangkok over the years and yet am still impressed each time I visit Genji. It’s an unpretentious place and yet elegant at the same time which creates a calm and serene atmosphere. The main dining room presents a more formal atmosphere than some Japanese restaurants that have sushi bar seating and teppanyaki grill tables, with its sushi bar separated as well as two teppanyaki rooms. There are also a number of private rooms with traditional tatami seating setups.

There is a large menu here that includes both ala carte items as well as set lunches and dinners and a special all-you-can-eat lunch buffet that is quite popular. On my last visit for lunch here I tried several items that were new to me, the most notable being a soft-shell crab tempura. I’ve had many types of tempura over the years but this was the first time I’ve had soft-shell crab and it was a welcome addition. Soft-shell crab has to be cooked with a very high heat to get the right amount of crispness and the chef did it perfectly here. I also enjoyed some salmon and scallops from the teppanyaki grill, miso soup and a sushi California roll set.

I could have ordered one of the set lunches which offer a variety of Japanese cuisine styles including grilled fish, teppanyak, sukiyaki, tempura and others along with the traditional Japanese Bento box lunch that is also on the menu. And the prices of these punches are all quite reasonable.

At dinner there are more set menus covering different specialties such as yakizakana and yakiniku as well as more teppanyaki items including Kobe beef. There are also, of course, a large selection of ala carte items covering all of the cuisine styles mentioned above. Basically, Genji can cater to just about every taste in regard to Japanese food.

So although there are many choices in Bangkok when you’re thinking about good Japanese food, Genji offers an attractive place to enjoy high quality food in an authentic setting with very good value for money.