Although Thailand is not known for its children centred attractions, there are plenty of activities to appeal to families with young children whether on the beach or away from the coast. Thai’s are also very welcoming to young children. So traveling with children to Thailand is not a problem at all.

The two most well-known beach resorts in Thailand that are labelled family-friendly are the islands of Koh Samui and Ko Lanta. Both islands have plenty to offer for families with children. There are on the beach accommodations available for both mid-range and upper range budgets. There are also many open air beachfront restaurants to dine in while your kids can play in the sand within your sight. There are also many day trip activities you can take up from elephant riding to snorkelling.

The island of Phuket is also another favorite family destination. However the beachfront accommodations are considered premium. Alternatively, there also many other less well-known beach resorts that your older kids can enjoy. The activities include kayaking, rock climbing and also the many dive centres that would teach the PADI children’s SCUBA courses. For eight years old, they can enroll the Bubblemaker program. The Discover SCUBA diving day is for anyone over 10 years old. Thailand is blessed with many national parks and their waterfalls and caves are good day trip activities with River rafting and elephant riding.

The capital of Thailand Bangkok and Pattaya also has many child friendly theme parks for families. If you are in Thailand in January, your children to enjoy the free entertainment and activities organized all over the country on the national children’s Day also known as Wan Dek. This is held on the second Saturday of January and kids will be able to get free entry to the zoos and free rides on public transport.

Here are a few things you should note for parents. Many of the more expensive hotels will allow one or two under 12 years old to share their parent’s room for free if no extra bedding is required. However, it is possible to squeeze two adults and two children into a double room in most budget or midrange hotels. Many hotels also provide babysitting services.

Most museums or transport companies do not offer any reduction in prices for children. According to the State Railway, a child that is age 3 to 12 years old can qualify for half price only if under 150 cm tall. For domestic flights, most airlines charge 10% of the full fare for children under two years old and 50% for children under 12 years old.

You will be able to buy disposable diapers easily at most convenience stores, pharmacies and supermarkets in the major resorts and towns. For your convenience, consider bringing a changing mat for your baby as there are few public toilets in Thailand. You will be able to find many international brands of powdered milk in Thailand.

You should also bring along or purchase a mosquito net and a sun tent. You should also consider packing along a bottle of a favorite spread for the toast just in case. Be careful with the unwashed fruits and salads and any other dishes that have been left uncovered for a long time.

Dogs can be a nuisance in Thailand. There are cases of rabies. So you should keep your kids away from animals such as dogs or monkeys. If necessary, get a rabies shot before the trip.

There are certain aspects of Thailand that you need to be aware of in order to successfully carry out your business activities in the country. Culture shock affects everyone, including businesspeople, but adequate preparation should give you an idea of what to expect. Doing business in Thailand can be highly rewarding, but it could equally become frustrating.

Learn the business culture

Most Thais want to see their nation become fully developed and are very keen to learn about Western technology and practices. However, in some aspects, Thais can be very stubborn, refusing to change the way they live and reminding you that you are in their land. For instance, most companies only work half day on Saturdays, and it is generally not advisable to request for a business meeting on a Saturday.

Respect

Doing business in Thailand will require that you earn the respect of those you will be interacting with. Thais generally do business with people they respect and it could take a while to develop healthy business relationships to your advantage. In Thailand, a person’s rank is vital, and in some cases, this is based on age. When preparing for a business meeting, ensure that you send the list of those who will be in attendance as well as their credentials. In addition, when interacting with a social group, it is important to revere the eldest member in the group.

Be punctual

It is important to arrive for meetings on time even when you are unsure about the punctuality of those who will be in attendance. Although punctuality in Thai is a personal trait, it signifies respect for the person you are meeting and you will earn more respect if you are on time regardless of the other party’s sense of punctuality. It is also important to send the meeting’s agenda prior to the meeting in both English and Thai and then allow sufficient time for preparation. Ideally, an appointment should be made one month in advance.

Meeting etiquette

During a meeting, remember to be patient and remain standing until you are asked to sit. The attire for both men and women should be conservative, especially because Thais will judge you based on your clothing and accessories. If you have business cards to distribute, ensure that you do this after the initial greeting or handshake and begin with the most senior person. The exchange of business cards is generally considered a necessary opening ritual when doing business in Thailand and other Asian countries. It is also advisable to have one side of your business card in Thai.

Communicate effectively

Always remember to be courteous and respectful, and note that non-verbal and formal communication is generally considered more important than verbal communication. For instance, since Thais find it difficult to deny requests, it is important to pay attention to their non-verbal communication. If you sense hesitance, it is advisable to retract your request. You should also watch your own body language when communicating with Thais as this is more believable than your words. When doing business in Thailand, your willingness to learn and adjust to the new culture will ensure your success.

Amazing Thailand is a traveller's paradise. Not only is Thailand crawling with sandy white beaches and islands, it's heaven for people who love food and shopping. Thailand cuisine is famous worldwide for its fresh herbs and spices. For food lovers, Thailand tourism does not restrict itself to restaurants of fame. Whether an outdoor stall in downtown Pattaya, or a classy restaurant in Bangkok – the tastes of Thailand come out in full glory. And if food is not exactly what you're looking for, then Thailand also offers a rich shopping experience. Bangkok houses some of the largest shopping malls in the world with almost everything under the sun on offer – be it international or local brands of household articles, electronics or fabrics.

What makes tourism in Thailand all the more amazing is its culture and festivals. The legendary Thai massage gets its own flow of tourists – some come for the massage and some come to take courses in Thai massage. National festivals in amazing Thailand include the fun-for-all water splashing 'Songkran', and the almost fairytale like quality of 'Loy Krathong'.

Popular tourist destinations in Thailand are:

Phuket, Ko Samui, and Hatyai in Southern Thailand; Bangkok, Pattaya, Kanchanaburi, and Ayutthaya in Central Thailand; Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, and Pai in Northern Thailand; and Khao Yai National Park and Phimai historical park in North-eastern Thailand.

Bangkok

Bangkok was originally a small trading center is one of the most visited tourist places in the world today. The city has innumerable tourist spots and attractions like the Siam Ocean World, The Grand Palace, Thonburi Snake farm, Dusit Zoo, Chao Phya river and its canals, Wat Pra Kaeo – the temple the emerald Buddha, Pat Pong night bazaar, and the Calypso Cabaret.

Pattaya

Originally a fishing town, Pattaya also attracts as many tourists as Bangkok. The Sri Racha Tiger Zoo, the Vimantaitalay tourist submarine which offers trip underwater to see coral and deep sea life, The Million Years Stone Park, Pattaya Crocodile Farm, Pattaya Park Beach Resort Water Park, Funny Land Amusement Park, Siriporn Orchid Farm, Underwater World Pattaya, the Thai Alangkarn Theater Pattaya, Bottle Art Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum are among the hundreds of tourist attractions here.

What started off as Rest and Recuperation for American soldiers in Vietnam in the 1960s is today one of the most preferred tourist destinations. Amazing Thailand as it's often known has seen an exponential increase in tourism through five decades now, with predictions of even better future prospects.

One of Mike Fook's latest helpful guides is, "The Ultimate Guide to Teaching English in Thailand" which appears to be exactly that.

Mike tones down his usual hard-hitting style with this more than 100 page information packed guide for wannabe teachers of English in the "Land of Smiles" as Thailand is often known.

Recent changes have made teaching in Thailand a rather exclusive occupation. Gone are the days of backpackers from Europe or North America popping over to Thailand for a years stay and teaching part-time as they wish.

A number of regulations have been put into place by Thai Ministry of Education authorities which have increased the hoops one needs to jump through in order to teach legally in Thailand. Police background checks from the hopeful teachers home country as well as within Thailand are necessary in most cases.

There is now a Thailand Teaching License that must be awarded for those wishing to teach in Thailand's government school system. This teaching license requires a Thai culture course to be attended by all teaching applicants and has set the expat teaching community reeling. Many teachers have since left the country for what they saw as greener grass in Korea, Japan, and Vietnam to name a few Asian countries that benefited from the English teachers' exodus from Thailand.

Mike covers everything would-be teachers need to know starting with tasks teachers need to complete before leaving their home country. Most foreign English teachers do not stay to teach long-term because it just is not what they expected. Mike states that he hopes to give those considering teaching in Thailand a very realistic view of what the job and cultural experience is like, thereby cutting down on the number of people that waste a year of their lives.

Mike relates that there seems to be a certain type of person that is cut out for the task.

• Teachers that go easily with the 'flow' are going to do best in the Thai school system because often the schedule changes at a moment's notice.
• Those that match themselves with an area, a climate, a cultural tempo that fits them are more likely to survive and thrive as a teacher in Thailand – or as a long-term expat.
• Adventurists that come to teach for the pure experience of living in and teaching in another culture across the globe tend to do well. Their reward is everyday because they are teaching something new to Thai children and adults, not when the school day ends at 4:30 pm

Before moving to Thailand five years ago, I spent thirty-dollars or so on four paperback books that were supposedly to prepare me for teaching in Thailand. None of these books prepared me much for the reality of living, eating, breathing, and getting along socially in a country so different from my own home in America. Mike's book is extremely comprehensive and I can highly recommend "The Ultimate Guide to Teaching English in Thailand" as the premiere resource available on the subject.

I will compare Internet speed tests for three different Internet broadband connections I've had the opportunity to use in Thailand. If you are going to be in Thailand, hopefully this comparison will help you to make a decision on which Internet broadband provider to choose. Of the three services tested, one utilizes a mobile wireless system that uses GSM Edge to connect to the Internet. The other two are standard ADSL services from competitive companies in Thailand. All of the tests were performed using the same laptop, at approximately the same time of day. Tests were performed within 5 KM of each other in Chiang Rai Thailand.

The first broadband type I tested was the AIS wireless Edge solution. I purchased a USB Edge card from 7-11 convenience store which are everywhere Thailand. The USB card cost me 1200 Baht (around $ 37 USD). The price included 20 hours of wireless time.

You can purchase additional hours to the card. Adding 20 hours of time is 150 Baht (around $ 4.50 USD) The USB card itself houses a SIM card just like the SIM card that goes into your phone. In fact, you can swap AIS SIM cards between your phone and USB card if you want. The USB card has software built-in and I successfully installed it on Windows XP and Windows 7 laptops. I was not able to get the card to work with Mac OS X. The software works just like any other dial-up / 3G / 4G modem where you click a button to connect and disconnect from the Internet.

Why test Edge and not 3G? Well, Thailand is currently spoken up in legal problems with wireless carriers about allocating 3G frequencies so the current 3G offerings are very limited. Edge is the best option for nationwide coverage unfortunately. In fact, Thailand might be better off leapfrogging 3G and going straight to a 4G technology such as WiMAX or LTE. I wrote an article for Network World magazine in 2009 regarding a Cisco pilot program testing WiMAX at a University in Northern Thailand. I've had the opportunity to see 4G in action both in Thailand and in the United States and in both locations, I came away very impressed … much more than a true competitor to DSL than 3G wireless.

That being said, if you travel frequently, the AIS Edge is not a bad option … as long as you do not require much bandwidth. AIS claims a maximum download speed of 512 Kbps, in my tests I received 115 Kbps download and 63 Kbps upload speeds. Not very impressive but it does the job when just browsing the Internet. I even was able to do a Skype video call using this card although the video quality was pretty bad. Audio calls worked fine.

The second speed test I attempted is a DSL connection from TOT in Thailand. Most people that have DSL opt for the lowest offering which is 4000 Kbps download and 512 Kbps upload. Currently, the monthly cost for this service is 590 Baht ($ 18 USD) a month which includes a DSL modem / router The speed test shown a much lower download number receiving approximately 1779Kbps down and 371Kbps up.

Lastly, I tested a second popular DSL carrier in Thailand called 3BB. The ADSL tested is identical to the TOT offerings being 4000 Kbps download and 512 Kbps upload speeds. The monthly price for the service with an included DSL modem router is also the same as TOT at 590 Baht per month. Unlike the TOT service test, the 3BB download speds were spot on. In terms of upload speeds, 3BB was a little bit lower than the TOT ADSL connection that was tested. The 3BB speed test found speeds of 4060 Kbps down and 310 Kbps up.

Please keep in mind that this is just one persons test. Your results might vary depending on location and time of day. Based on these tests, if I were to choose a DSL provider, I would go with 3BB for the far superior download test. If I really relied on frequent uploads, I would choose the TOT DSL connection. Lastly, if I needed a mobile Internet solution, I would have to go with AIS's Edge … although 3BB's upload speeds were quite close and seem to burst at higher speeds.

I will compare Internet speed tests for three different Internet broadband connections I’ve had the opportunity to use in Thailand. If you are going to be in Thailand, hopefully this comparison will help you to make a decision on which Internet broadband provider to choose. Of the three services tested, one utilizes a mobile wireless system that uses GSM Edge to connect to the Internet. The other two are standard ADSL services from competing companies in Thailand. All of the tests were performed using the same laptop, at approximately the same time of day. Tests were performed within 5 KM of each other in Chiang Rai Thailand.

The first broadband type I tested was the AIS wireless Edge solution. I purchased a USB Edge card from 7-11 convenience store which are everywhere Thailand. The USB card cost me 1200 Baht (around $37 USD). The price included 20 hours of wireless time.

You can purchase additional hours to the card. Adding 20 hours of time is 150 Baht (around $4.50 USD) The USB card itself houses a SIM card just like the SIM card that goes into your phone. In fact, you can swap AIS SIM cards between your phone and USB card if you want. The USB card has software built-in and I successfully Installed it on Windows XP and Windows 7 laptops. I was not able to get the card to work with Mac OS X. The software works just like any other dial-up/3G/4G modem where you click a button to connect and disconnect from the Internet.

Why test Edge and not 3G? Well, Thailand is currently caught up in legal problems with wireless carriers about allocating 3G frequencies so the current 3G offerings are very limited. Edge is the best option for nationwide coverage unfortunately. In fact, Thailand might be better off leapfrogging 3G and going straight to a 4G technology such as WiMAX or LTE. I wrote an article for Network World magazine in 2009 regarding a Cisco pilot program testing WiMAX at a University in Northern Thailand. I’ve had the opportunity to see 4G in action both in Thailand and In the United States and in both locations, I came away very impressed…much more of a true competitor to DSL than 3G wireless.

That being said, if you travel frequently, the AIS Edge is not a bad option…as long as you do not require much bandwidth. AIS claims a maximum download speed of 512 Kbps, in my tests I received 115 Kbps download and 63 Kbps upload speeds. Not very impressive but it does the job when just browsing the Internet. I even was able to do a Skype video call using this card although the video quality was pretty bad. Audio calls worked fine.

The second speed test I attempted is a DSL connection from TOT in Thailand. Most people that have DSL opt for the lowest offering which is 4000 Kbps download and 512 Kbps upload. Currently, the monthly cost for this service is 590 Baht ($18 USD) a month which includes a DSL modem/router The speed test showed a much lower download number receiving approximately 1779Kbps down and 371Kbps up.

Lastly, I tested a second popular DSL carrier in Thailand called 3BB. The ADSL tested is identical to the TOT offerings being 4000 Kbps download and 512 Kbps upload speeds. The monthly price for the service with an included DSL modem router is also the same as TOT at 590 Baht per month. Unlike the TOT service test, the 3BB download speeds were spot on. In terms of upload speeds, 3BB was a little bit lower than the TOT ADSL connection that was tested. The 3BB speed test found speeds of 4060 Kbps down and 310 Kbps up.

Please keep in mind that this is just one persons test. Your results might vary depending on location and time of day. Based on these tests, if I were to choose a DSL provider, I would go with 3BB for the far superior download test. If I really relied on frequent uploads, I would choose the TOT DSL connection. Lastly, if I needed a mobile Internet solution, I would have to go with AIS’s Edge…although 3BB’s upload speeds were fairly close and seem to burst at higher speeds.

Recently, I set out across the globe to study Muay Thai in Thailand. There were many reasons for this journey. What had initially been a quest to increase my knowledge of Muay Thai in order to improve my curriculum at my Muay Thai gym in Salt Lake City, quickly becoming much more than that.

In preparation for my trek, I began obsessively studying all there was to know about Thailand. I have not traveled abroad much, so I did not really know what I was looking for. I learned that Thailand is 95% Buddhist. In contrast, I hail from the state of Utah, where it often tomes feels as though you are surrounded by my Mormons, member of the Mormon faith make up less than 50% of the local population. This intrigued me. I'm not exactly a religious man, but religion has always fascinated me. So much of our history is filled with conflicts, wars, murders, terrorist bombings and other outright despicable acts of violence, all in the name of religion.

I began reading everything I could about Buddhism, as it seemed logical to me that familiarity with the religion that is so prominent in an area would help better prepare me for visiting their country.

In my studies, I learned about the amazing Buddhist concepts that are present in Thailand. One, in particular, taught my eye. It was the Big Buddha statue that sits atop a mountainside, overlooking the city of Phuket.

I also learned that Tiger Muay Thai, the gym I was traveling to train at organizes a run up to this monument once a week. I recent Facebook post about the run, reads as follows;

The Big Buddha run in Phuket, Thailand; You either love it or hate it, it's either your best friend or your enemy, regardless of how you feel about it's a workout unlike any other.

Tiger Muay Thai offers the Big Buddha run every Tuesday, as part of its daily body fit classes. Guests meet in front of Tiger's office and are transported to the base of Big Buddha to begin the journey. Big Buddha is one of Phuket's most important and revered landmarks. It's a large Buddha marble statue that sits on the highest point in Phuket. It's a steep 4KM (2.5 mile) climb from the base of the hill, where we begin our Buddha run.

Each time you do it you will see new things. Elephants, monkeys, butterflies, birds, lizards, and more.

Along the way there are also spectacular viewpoints overlooking Phuket. It's challenging mentally and physically. Come join us for a run / walk up the Big Buddha here at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand.

I came to the conclusion that I had to travel that mountain and see Big Buddha up close.

I found some footage on line that showed the run up that mountain. It looked treacherous!

After a great deal of internal debate, I decided I would make this climb, but I would do it on my own. I had experienced my first Muay Thai class at Tiger Muay Thai. That was on a Friday. I decided I would make this trek on my own on Saturday. So much of this trip has become more about personal discovery than what it initially set out to be. I wanted to know if I could do it, and I wanted to do that by myself. I did not need anyone yelling at me, or pushing me … it was time for ME to push me.

I got up early, and set out for my climb. I asked the lady at the front desk what would be the best route to walk to Big Buddha. She laughed at me and said, 'It may look very close, because it is so big. It is actually quite far, so let me call you a taxi.

In hindsight, I am very glad I took her up on that advice. The base of the mountain was 10 miles away from my hotel. My personal challenge was to climb that mountain, not go on a 10 mile hike, then climb that mountain.

Immediately upon arrival at the base, however, I was stunned at how steep the terrain was. There were places that were near vertical climbs.

My taxi driver estimated it would take me an hour to get to the top, and said he would pick me up then. I actually made it inn 35 minutes. A time I am quite proud of, given my age and condition. I would like to make that climb again after this training camp to see how much better I would do, but my knee was swollen for weeks after this climb. My next visit, I would take the taxi all the way to the top.

As was described in the Facebook post above, there were beautiful things to see, from lush green landscape, to elephants, monkeys, and other such indigenous wildlife. It was an amazing experience indeed, but all that was overshadowed by the beauty of the shrine itself. It is an amazing spectacle. Inside, there are many smaller Buddha's and a temple, with living quarters for the Buddhist Monks. The view from the top of the mountain, offers an opportunity to see the ocean on both sides of the island, as well as the city of Patong. This is a must see for anyone visiting Phuket.

My legs were pretty much sorted up by the time the taxi returned me to my hotel. I plopped down on the couch with a bag of ice on each knee, and began to mentally prepare myself for the rigors of the week to come. Two-a-day training session, one in the morning, and one in the afternoon was on my agenda. My entire body was sore from last week's training session, and now my legs were trashed from the hike … what have I gotten myself into?

Songkran in Thailand is traditionally about washing away your sins and bad luck from the previous year and getting ready to renew yourself for the year ahead. Many Thai’s will go back to their family homes and eat, drink and play games with their elders. There are a number of rituals that will take place like washing each other and visiting temples.

For younger people and tourists, Songkran is about having fun by throwing water and flour or powder over each other. There are a number of celebrations throughout the country with Bangkok leading the way with the most organized events and celebrations. If you are traveling through this year, then it’s a must see and participate event but you must also remember to stay safe, here are a few tips.

1. Make sure the water isn’t hot or salty – Some will try to spray you with salty water or unclean water, be careful of this especially in some of the smaller streets around the capital or provinces.

2. Avoid wet powder if you can – It is part of the tradition to smear powder on your face but this could be anything and within a few days can give you a very nasty rash, it’s best to avoid contact with anyone trying to smear you with powder.

3. Remember the culture – Don’t walk down the road of the capital with no shirt on or just a bikini, there are still laws about dressing appropriately in Thailand. Make sure you are not too revealing, it can get very hot but you are also a visitor in another country and you must observe their laws.

4. Put all your valuables in a plastic bag – No matter how much you try to avoid the water in the capital, you are almost certain to end up drenched through. Make sure you are carrying your phone, your watch, your camera, your wallet in a plastic zipped bag. These can be bought locally so don’t worry but it’s a must have if you want to enjoy the festivities.

5. Beware of pickpockets – Although this is sound advice when traveling anywhere and at any time of the year, unfortunately, festivals bring about the worst in people and when you are getting caught up in the atmosphere it’s easy to forget about your valuables and you can be sure there will be someone ready to relieve you of them if you are not careful.

Having said all that, Songkran is a great festival and one to be enjoyed, so please have fun!

Not much action to share on this entry. It is Sunday. Tiger Muay Thai is closed, but the rest of Soi Ta Ied is not.

Stepping out of my hotel room on to Soi Ta Ied after a long nap felt great. Soi Ta Ied is arguably the healthiest street on the planet. It is where Tiger Muay Thai is located, as well as half a dozen other world class Muay Thai gyms, a half a dozen or so world class CrossFit gyms, and a multitude of other fitness oriented businesses. Everybody walking down the street looks like they just stepped out of a fitness magazine. Chiseled biceps, washboard abs, and lean, tan, healthy looking people are the norm, not the exception.

It is a very touristy area, with people from all over the world. Sprinkled among the fitness businesses and the touristy shops and restaurants are some good old fashioned Thai places. My favorite haunt on this road is an outdoor, dirt-floored, restaurant we affectionately call the chicken hut. It doesn’t have a name, but people know what you are talking about because the owner, who doesn’t speak a word of English stands out front of the chicken hut and barbeques chicken, as well as fish and other Thai food all day long, while his wife is inside the hut making rice and vegetable stir fry, and green curry… whatever she feels like making that day.

I met these folks when I first came to Thailand. They used to operate out of a cart that sat across from the hotel I stay at. They have grown over the years into a full-fledged hut. Most of the Thai people, like the Muay Thai trainers that work on this street, frequent this place. It is amazing food, and way less expensive than the other restaurants nearby.

I don’t know their names, and am too embarrassed to ask again. They told me several times, but they have difficult Thai names, and I never could remember them. Over the past three years, I have spent a lot of time with them. She has taught me how to cook a few Thai dishes. She took my son to the Buddhist church with her on Sunday. When I had my last fight, she brought me a small Buddha figurine that she said was blessed for my good luck. When I showed it to the manager of my hotel, I was told it was very expensive, and ‘original’, and that I should take good care of it. I have.

When they saw me walk out of my hotel today, they both yelled, ‘MIKE!’. I got a huge hug and smiles from both of them. She speaks English fairly well, but I honestly think ‘Mike’ is the ONLY English he speaks. She always insists on not charging me for my food, saying, “You are my friend, Mike.” And I always tell her, “That is exactly why I am going to pay you!”

Today was a slow day for them because it was raining, so I sat there for hours playing checkers with the husband. He made a board out of an old piece of lumber and used magic marker to draw on the squares. We used bottle caps for the pieces. If the cap faced up, it was mine, those facing down, were his. Many of the Thai trainers from all of the nearby gyms stopped in to eat. This was reminiscent of the 80’s sitcom ‘Cheers’, where everybody knows your name. All of the trainers that stopped by, genuinely acted happy to see me.

One of my favorite trainers, Sawat, stopped by the chicken hut. He is around my age, and still fights regularly, so he has all of my respect. He is inching up on 500 fights. He is Muslim, which is pretty rare around here. Thailand is 95% Buddhist. Sawat was my first trainer at Tiger. He got a promotion to be over the competition team at Tiger, so I started working with different trainers. Sawat’s voice is unmistakable, especially when he yells out my name. He calls me ‘Mack’ (he can’t pronounce my name correctly).

Pong also stopped by. He’s a stud. I love to watch him fight. He is either going to knock his opponent out, or get knocked out. He has a very reckless fight style, and is super fun to watch. As usual, he had a young lady on the back of his motorbike. He spends half his time flirting, and half his time training. He is quite the character.

Kru Robert, the head trainer of the advanced group, stopped by as well. He didn’t have much to say. He never does. He asked me, ‘When you get here?’ I told him I arrived today. He then said, ‘How long?’ I told him I would be here for two months. He said, ‘Good’, and walked away. He is very appropriately nicknamed ‘Terminator’.

As I was leaving, Kunchan pulled up on his motorbike. He offered me a ride. I told him I was going across the street to my hotel. He insisted on giving me a ride anyway. So he drove me literally across the street (lol).

I decided to go see my tattoo artist, and talk to him about getting some work done while I am here. The shop is located directly across the street from Tiger Muay Thai. It is called Ang Mo Lao. I have cheated on them and gotten ink done elsewhere since meeting him, but never again. He does amazing work, and everything I have had done since him has paled in comparison. The most interesting thing about him is he has no tattoos himself. I’ve never met a tattoo artist that doesn’t have tattoos themselves. He and his wife run the business together, and their children are always there. They are knocking on their teenage years, and are the most well-mannered cute, funny kids you will ever meet. This is a tattoo parlor that has a real family element. They are salt of the Earth good people, and I highly recommend them. Oddly enough, they are also Muslim.

On my way back to my hotel, I heard ‘PAPA!’ being called out from behind the counter of a small shop. The store owner loves my son, Nick. She calls me ‘Papa’, because I am just Nick’s dad to her, But she was genuinely happy to see me, and told me to bring Nick next time.

My final stop on my way back to the hotel was Wanisara Massage for a Thai massage. I got a big hug from the owner, and knees and elbows from one of her girls. It was the perfect way to end the day.

My first day in Thailand was very enjoyable. Be sure to tune in next time, for tomorrow we Muay Thai.

The Thai government is imposing an inheritance tax as a means to reduce the economic inequalities in the country. Opponents believe that an inheritance tax will destroy incentives for savings and investment. In addition, they state that the assets have already been taxed once and death should not be a taxable event.

What is the new inheritance law?

The Inheritance Tax proposal would place a 10% tax on the value of an estate of over 50 million baht. The estate will be calculated on properties that have records such as real estate, vehicles, stocks, bonds, and bank deposits. Property without official records such as art, jewelry, and antiques are not taxable because they can easily be transfer and difficult to locate.

Inheritors of the property can pay the tax in installments of two to three years. In order to prevent tax evasion, the revenue department has proposed a 5% gift tax against families who have assets and wealth are worth 10 million baht or more.

The bill is currently with the Cabinet for consideration. After approval by the Cabinet, the bill will be sent to the National Legislative Assembly for a vote and enactment. It is expected to become law in about six months.

What is the economic effect of the passage of the inheritance tax?

While 10% is relatively small compared with other nations which have an estate tax or an inheritance tax, it is expected that many people who may be taxed will search for ways to place their assets out of the reach of the government. This may be in the form of converting their registered assets into non-registered assets like jewelry, art, and antiques.

An inheritance tax could also lead to capital outflows out of Thailand as the wealthy send their finances abroad. This will lead to reduced capital for investment in Thailand. Without private capital in banks, there will be less funds available for business loans. In addition, the wealthy may attempt to invest their funds and grow a business overseas without repatriating their funds. Thailand is still a developing country and requires investment income.

The inheritance tax is meant to reduce wealth inequality in Thailand while also boosting revenue with limited impact on low income earners. The increased revenue will be used for government programs to fund the needs of the country. However most people will usually not willing give up their assets.

It will still be seen how much funds will be raised through the inheritance tax. A negative effect of money flowing outside the country will reduce private investment in the country which may cost more than any income raised.