Bangkok Trader – Volume 6, Issue 12 – November 2012

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Escaping Bangkok: Khao Sok

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Escaping Bangkok Khao Sok National Park

By Dave Stamboulis

W

hile Thailand may have a lot of national parks (33 to be precise), many of them aren’t exactly what others outside of this country have in mind when they think of a national park. Some spots (i.e., Koh Samet) have national park designation seemingly only to collect a 300-400 baht entry fee from foreign visitors, while at the same time sporting more resorts, 7-Elevens, and shopping opportunities than wildlife or trails. Fortunately, a place like Khao Sok National Park more than makes up for the pseudo-parks and is worth visiting more than once for its natural beauty.

bangkok trader NOVEMBER 5

Khao Sok lies at the western edge of Surat Thani province, and can easily be combined with a visit to Koh Samui or if heading to Phuket or Krabi on the Andaman side. Covering over 700 square kilometers, the park is made up of a wealth of ecosystems, from dense jungle filled with primary rainforest and hidden waterfalls to towering limestone karst peaks rising from the deep blue waters of the Chao Larn Lake. Wildlife in the park is abundant and features yellow pied hornbills, gibbons, spectacled langur monkeys, civet cats, gaur and sambar deer, Malaysian tapir, and even bears. Of course, if one visits during the rainy season, there will be plenty of leeches to add to this list. The park is also famed for being one of the few spots to see the rare rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, which takes over nine months to grow and then dies within one week.

The park is divided into several sections, and the most-visited part tends to be the area where the entrance to the park is located where there is a visitors center, and then a rather charming backpacker village set along the jungle just bordering the park, along with the stunning and very green Thanyamundra Resort, a more luxurious option to call home. This section of Khao Sok features quiet trails, hidden waterfalls and swimming holes, caves to explore, and plenty of dense canopy-covered walking, complete with the sounds of one very lively forest. On my last hike in the park, gibbons and hornbills serenaded me on just about every bend in the trail, and I didn’t come across any other human visitors until my return from a swimming hole in the late afternoon.

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By The Way

While this niche of Khao Sok is certainly lovely, many miss out on the park’s best piece of real estate, the beautiful Chao Larn Lake, home to jagged karst pinnacles and also to one of Thailand’s most unique accommodation options. The lake was formed during the flooding of the Ratchaprapa Dam and is wildly photogenic in early morning and evening light, with the mountains lit up by sunrise and sunset colors and occasionally poking up out of the mists that often shroud the lake. Best of all, there are a series of floating raft houses that are operated by the national park, where one can sleep surrounded by water, canoe around the limestone, and take early morning boat trips to try and spot hornbills nesting in the cliffs. The accommodations here are a bit basic, but food is provided, and the experience is well worth the simple sleep.

Experiences in nature are getting harder to come by in Thailand, and fortunately, Khao Sok remains a top draw for both adventure and tranquility. While the park is at its best in January and February, when the rafflesia bloom and the sun shines out on the lake, I prefer to come just after the rainy season, when the waterfalls are gushing and visitors a bit thinner. At any rate, other than coming at the height of leech season (July-September), it is hard to go wrong at this natural gem.

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Thanyamundra – www.thanyamundra.com/en – This beautiful eco-resort combines silence and solitude, along with personal butlers and an organic farm, and is certainly one of Thailand’s most idyllic and natural retreats. The resort has plenty of green touches, such as only using recyclable paper products, serving up fresh meals using their own organic produce, and even using rechargeable batteries to power the buggies used to shuttle visitors around the property. Guests can use the 50-meter lap pool and be serenaded by birds and gibbons while swimming and sunning. 102 Moo 6, T. Klong Sok, +66 (0)77 395-031(-4).

Do. Khao Sok National Park – The National Park Visitors Center can provide maps and information, as well as arrange trips out on the Chao Larn (getting to the rafthouses requires a boat charter, which needs to be booked in advanced and costs around 2,500-3,000 baht per boat/ driver for 2 days/1 night). The entrance to the Chao Larn is further back down the road 50 kilometers towards Surat Thani. Tour operators around Khao Sok can also arrange all-inclusive trips. Moo 6, T. Khlong Sok – Tel. 0 7739 5154 Go. Thai Smile (www.thaismileair.com) flies from/to Bangkok and Surat Thani. One can hop a bus or minivan to the park (about 2.5 hours) from the airport.

8 bangkok trader NOVEMBER 2012

A Thai Family Drama

By Voicu Mihnea Simandan

T

en years ago, Asia Books still had a book-publishing branch, and in 2002, quite a few books by local and international writers residing in Thailand made their way to the bookshelves. One of these books was Chalida – A Thai Family Drama by Salisa Pinkayan, a brief novel about the lives of the rich and famous.

Salisa Pinkayan is a Western-educated Thai writer and journalist who was born in 1972. She studied at Phillips Exeter Academy, New Hampshire, in the U.S. and graduated with a degree in economics from Northwestern University. In 1994, she returned to Thailand where she completed a master’s degree at Chulalongkorn University. Chalida is her first published novel, and in 2002, Nation Books published a Thai translation.

It took Salisa about twelve months to actually write the novel, but that was after years of turning over the idea in her head. Asked why she writes in English, the author confesses that because she was born and educated in the States, her English-language abilities are much better than her Thai: “I can express myself much better in English than in Thai.”

But tragedy looms in every corner of the garden and in every room of the many houses in the compound. Chalida is not only motherless, but her father is also absent most of the time, and even when he is at home, he is distant and has an unreachable allure. So, Chalida and her sister are left in the care of their aunt, who insists on giving them a proper education and good social standing as important members of Thai elite society.

For Chalida, “her home was a sanctuary,” and, indeed, a child could not have desired more from life. But the spirit of her mother is always with Chalida and “somewhere in the compound, she hoped to discover the reincarnation of her mother, who she knew was watching over her and loving her.” The mystery of what happened to Chalida’s mother and the unearthing of the truth is what keeps the reader hooked.

Chalida’s family, the Rattakarns, is not only of high standing and counts among their members one ex-prime minister, but they also have a lot of secrets to protect. One of the secrets religiously kept from Chalida is her maternal grandfather’s and her own father’s involvement in the pro-democracy crackdown that took place during her grandfather’s time as prime Chalida is structured in three parts, each taking place in large time intervals, minister of Thailand, when her father was the supreme military commander. and mainly deals with Chalida’s family life. The book opens with the main character bleeding profoundly after she slicing open her wrists, leaving the In what are obviously references to the real events of October 14, 1973, reader wanting to know why she did it. when students from Thammasat University took to the streets of Bangkok demanding the military government to step down, the Rattakarns approve We are transported back to the time when Chalida, the eponymous charac- the order to open fire on the demonstrators, resulting in hundreds of deaths ter, was only a young girl of eleven years old. She loved reading her favorite and wounded. When Chalida finally finds out about these events and when books and playing with her little sister in the seclusion of a vast compound her teacher talks about the demonstrations during history lessons at school, on the banks of Chao Phraya River in the heart of Bangkok: “A high, cream- she has a nervous breakdown and is sent to school abroad. colored cement wall enclosed the grounds, keeping out intruders and unwanted noise from the busy river. Yet the towering trees and shrubs inside Just like the main character, Chalida, the author was also educated abroad. created an illusion of a forest that extended to the horizon.” The compound “In contrast to me, who lived my entire life in the States before coming was located in the part of Bangkok referred to as the ‘old city,’ a district cen- to Bangkok, most Thais educated abroad go when they’re much older, so tered on the Grand Palace. It was what today we call the Rattanakosin Island, they’re used to Thai society. For me, it was a culture shock. The high society the historic center of Bangkok. especially astounded me. They were like celebrities whose daily lives were

bangkok trader NOVEMBER 9

spread across the pages of the magazines. They showed the world how many pairs of shoes they had and laid them out to be photographed. I just found it so ridiculous. But what I found even stranger is that Thais are obsessed with their hi-sos, as Americans are to movie stars.”

If the first part of the book is a mini family saga, the narrative in the second part shifts its focus from social injustices in Thailand to a love story with erotic overtones in England. We now meet Chalida ten years later, finishing her undergraduate studies and preparing for a master’s degree. She falls in love with the perfect guy, but is unable to maintain a healthy and strong relationship with him and eventually ends up marrying a man she feels disgust for, but someone whom her family considers a good match. Sacrificing her happiness for the sake of her family’s name, Chalida develops an eating disorder and becomes more and more depressed.

Salisa Pinkayan is now working on her second novel, which should be published next year. Her new book is about the boundaries between the rich Once again, the tone of the third part of the book changes with the discov- and the poor in Thai society. “They live their lives side by side, but there is a ery of Chalida’s late mother’s diary. The readers are finally made privy to the line which must not be crossed. In my new book, I write about a situation reasons why Chalida’s mother died and what role Chalida’s aunt and grand- where that line is crossed and what happens when these sacred, unspoken mother had in this whole tragic affair. On top of that, the real extent of her rules are broken,” says the author. grandfather’s decision to open fire on the pro-democracy demonstrators comes to light. It is at this moment that Chalida realizes that her “life of thirty Chalida can be found now at Asia Books (priced for a whopping 59 baht at years is meaningless, illusionary, and devoid of substance,” leading her back BT press time!), Dasa Books, Gecko Books (in Chiang Mai, but offers online to where we started in the book. nationwide delivery), and Amazon (in print, not Kindle).

10 bangkok trader NOVEMBER 2012

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Neighborhood Watch Phra Khanong

By Dave Stamboulis

W

hen I tell people that I used to live in Phra Khanong, they tend to look at me like I am talking about some foreign country, somewhere so far from Bangkok that I must really be out in the boonies, or the “back of Broome” as a few Aussie friends put it. Despite being a BTS station or two removed from Ekamai and Thong Lor, Phra Khanong remains entrenched in peoples’ minds as the distant suburbs, which is a pity, as this neighborhood has a lot to offer locals at far more affordable prices than its neighboring sisters.

At the bottom of the soi, just off Sukhumvit, is the Phra Khanong fresh market, a labyrinth of clothing stalls and fresh fruit vendors, which is a great While Thong Lor and Ekamai are known for sky-high property prices, up- spot for taking in a slice of local Bangkok life. Despite the Skytrain being scale mini malls, and a plethora of designer food joints, sashimi restaurants, just five minutes away, those not local to the neighborhood tend to not and fancy-schmancy cocktail bars, Phra Khanong remains a middle-class, venture into the maze here, and in doing so, they are missing out, mainly working neighborhood, boasting not malls, but down-to-earth produce on the best Burmese food in Bangkok, as in the midst of the clothing bazaar and clothing markets, and some outstanding local eateries. While a lot of are a scattering of Burmese stalls that cater to the Burmese migrants based condominiums are starting to go up in the area, Phra Khanong (which is here. While Burmese food isn’t as piquant nor as tasty as Thai food, they also Sukhumvit 71 and also known as Soi Pridi Banomyong) is mostly made do have a couple of specialties well worth digging into. One is their staple of shophouses and market stalls, especially in its lower (Sukhumvit) end. salad (as som tam is to Thais), laphet thohk, a pickled tea-leaf salad, made Further up, it is home to a surprising number of small embassies and con- with fermented tea leaves (far tastier than they sound), fried yellow split sulates, such as Nepal, Nigeria, Cuba, and Armenia. The neighborhood is also peas, dried shrimp, toasted sesame and sunflower seeds, peanuts and garlic, home to a very large contingent of Muslims and Burmese, making for some tossed with sesame oil and lime juice. The other favorites are mohinga, a rice of Bangkok’s best eating options. noodle soup made with lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, and fish sauce, con-

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sidered to be a breakfast staple in Myanmar, as well as another tasty dry rice noodle dish called khao shwe thohk.

Back out on Sukhumvit 71, the entire west side of the street around Sois 3 and 5 becomes one of Bangkok’s largest night food courts, with vendors of just about every dish lined up selling their goodies, a great place to experience ‘local’ life at real Bangkok prices. Another gem tucked in along this stretch is the ‘BK Resturents’ (yes, that is how it is spelled). This place used to be a video shop-cum-eatery, but they have now devoted themselves full time to serving up some of the cheapest and tastiest thali meals in Bangkok. BK is primarily Indian vegetarian, but they also have Burmese and some Thai fare on their menu.

tus. A friend tipped me off a year or two ago about a new simple Isaan restaurant called Galaxy, serving great grilled shrimp at very local prices, and I ventured out to try it with a foreign friend and his Thai girlfriend. While we were eating, the girlfriend started raving about a man walking through the dining area, who she claimed was a famous celebrity boxer. It turned out Much further up Phra Khanong, around Soi 42 is a bit of impressive Thai that the fellow in question was the owner, and indeed, he is none other than trivia and the closest thing the area has to rival Thong Lor’s celebrity sta- Khaosai Galaxy, the most famous boxer in Thai history! Galaxy only lost one fight in his career, held the WBA bantamweight title during the later 1980s, and is the only Thai boxer to be included in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. These days, he can be found asking customers if they like their shrimp and grilled meats, which do pack a mean punch.

There are plenty of other delights to be found in Phra Khanong. It is one of those streets that just lends itself to meandering, getting the nerve up to wander into a hole in the wall, fumbling around with some attempts at Thai, and enjoying the local hospitality that comes in return. The best way to get around here is to hop aboard the little mini songthaew that run from the BTS station at Sukhumvit all the way up to the Airport Link’s Ramkamhaeng Station at the top of Phra Khanong… and at only 7 baht a ride. And if you do make it all the way to the top of the soi, make sure to sample the street vendors just near the UM Tower (at the start of Ramkamhaeng Road) – one of them has been written up by Elle magazine as having the best chicken rice in Bangkok (to which I concur fully), and just near her is a khao raat gaeng curry shop run by a couple from Phuket who serve up fantastic spicy southern fare and other favorites.

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Board in Bangkok?

By Voicu Mihnea Simandan

Thailand and Bangkok are especially well known for offering a great variety of attractions for the young ones, where both Thai and foreign parents can take their children for a day’s trip. Thailand-based renowned blogger Richard Barrow has even started a website (www.bangkok-daytrips.com) where he documents and reviews such places. But what do we do with our teenage sons and daughters? They’re too old to tag along with their parents to this or that tourist attraction every week.

What safe and healthy options do we have for them? When school is out, they wonder aimlessly all day in fancy shopping malls that are too expensive for most, and at night, many teenagers end up joining motorbike racing gangs or, sooner or later, they’ll become exposed to alcohol, drugs, and sex from a habit of going to nightclubs.

So, instead of those perils, how about introducing them to the now-it-doesn’tsound-quite-so-risky activity of skateboarding? There are many places where teenagers can skateboard in Bangkok – the most famous ones are at Benjasiri Park next to Emporium, under the Rama VIII Bridge, at The Ramp skate park inside the Esplanade Mall on Ratchada Road, and at the skate park next to Rajamangala Stadium within the Hua Hark Sport Complex. Many skaters meet at these places everyday to skate together and have fun.

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The costs involved are not that high either. The starting price for a complete skateboard set is around 4,500 baht, depending on what quality board or wheels or trucks you get. You can buy these from various malls, but I recommend the Preduce stores (www.preduce.com), a locally run business that specializes in skateboarding products. In Bangkok, they can be found at Siam Square Soi 1 and at Esplanade Mall, and there’s also a Preduce store in Chiang Mai, by the Thapae Gate.

Simon Pellaux is a 32-year-old Swiss expat and member of the ‘Preduce team.’ He started skateboarding twenty years ago, and these days, he calls Bangkok his second home. He has been involved in the skateboarding ‘business’ in Thailand for the past ten years. “I’ve just been really lucky to come here and meet Thai skaters that became my close friends and brothers. In 2003, we started Preduce together, worked hard, and are now all blessed to be able to live from our passion,” he says.

Although it is hard to say exactly, there are at least 5,000 skaters in Thailand, and in Simon’s opinion, “even though there are a few events to promote already, there could be more for sure.” Most of the skaters are in Bangkok, but there is a flourishing scene in Chiang Mai, Korat, and other cities in Isaan.

Speaking about the skateboarding movement in Thailand, Simon agrees that it is quite good with a lot of talented Thai skaters. On top of that, it’s growing a lot. “Skateboarders organized themselves and started their own brand and shops, which is great. With Preduce, we started the first Thai skateboard company, and we sponsor local pro skaters, giving them a job and a future in skateboarding in Thailand. They are now famous internationally,” Simon says proudly.

But regardless of how much effort Preduce puts into promoting Thai skaters, the local administration also needs to chip in.“I think skateboarding still suffers from a bad image in the public opinion in Thailand,” says Simon. “I wish Thai authorities would realize it’s a great pastime for young people.

It keeps them busy and healthy, and it’s a great way to stay out of trouble.

I wish the government and local city offices would support skateboarding more and start funding public skate parks like is done abroad. Public sup- But although Thailand is more of a developing ‘skate’ country than Burma or port for skateboarding is pretty much non-existent in Thailand.”

Cambodia, say, it still doesn’t come close to China, in regards to the ‘skateworld.’ “The Chinese have marble spots everywhere, which is what skateThose in the skateboarding circles must certainly have heard of Patrik boarders are looking for to do their tricks on different obstacles,” recalls Wallner (www.visualtraveling.com), a 24-year-old German/Hungarian world-traveler Patrik Wallner. “skate filmmaker and visual traveler,” whose mission in life is to skate in as many countries around the world as possible. He’s been skateboarding for Skateboarding is for anyone. You don’t need to be good or reckless. Just start about a decade now. Although his whereabouts change from month to rolling around on a skateboard, and you’ll be accepted as a skateboarder by month, Patrik first came to Thailand back in 2008. “I was with a friend on a your peers. You don’t need to be part of a team, go training, or follow a teacher. three-day layover to Vietnam and instantly became in love with the city,” Skateboarding can be whatever you want it to be for yourself.“It teaches you he remembers. patience and perseverance, as it takes a lot of practice and motivation to become good at it. It will bring you friends from all over the world,” says Simon.

He didn’t stay, but he started visiting Thailand more often while he was making skateboarding films in Asia, and then around 2010, Patrick got a job If you want to stay updated with the skateboarding events that take place with Preduce skateshop, to film their next skate video called “Chaiyo.” This in Thailand, visit the official site of Thai skaters at allalivez.com and Thailand’s meant that he got to spend a year living and skating in Bangkok, which was street culture website www.soul4street.net. more than enough time to meet the local skaters and experience unforgettable ’boarding moments.

Patrick has skated and filmed with Geng Jakkarin, Tao Kitpullap, Ryan Sripeasatja, Peter Petcharattana and many other notable Thai skaters. He participated in the events and competitions organized by Preduce, such ‘Go Skate Days’ and ‘Game of S.K.A.T.E.’, which were meant to raise awareness among locals and provide Thai kids and teenagers a safe platform for expressing themselves.

According to Patrick,“the Thai skateboarding scene is growing very fast and Thailand has one of the best skaters of Southeast Asia.” This is true, as Udonnative Geng Jakkarin has competed in South Africa and even won first place in an event organized in Shanghai.

Skateboarding is a global movement and culture, so skateboarders all over the world share the same drive and passion. “Still, skateboarding is more recognized as a sport and as a lifestyle in Switzerland, and the authorities there help build skate parks and fund events,” reflects Simon.

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Miracles happen when you can speak Thai By an LX Thai course student

I

t used to take me three taxis and nearly twenty minutes to get a cab to the local Tesco Lotus supermarket. No matter how clearly I thought I was saying it, it seemed every cab driver in Bangkok had never even heard of the popular megastore.

with translations. A unique feature about the books was that the words and conversations were written in Thai as well as phonetically. They explained that this was to help us recognize and aid us in and learning Thai reading and writing (which was also offered alongside conversation classes). After practicing speaking with my classmates and being guided and corrected I was living in the Sathorn area, and I also quickly tired of hearing the driv- by me teacher, I was able to leave the class having learned an entire Thai ers mock my pronunciation of “Sathorn” at least twice before laughing and conversation. I never thought I’d see the day! waving me into the backseat. I knew it was time for Thai lessons when I didn’t know how to ask what the chocolate-tofu-like piece in my noodles In short, I never had to look for another Thai school again. I have made many was. I later learned it was blood. I should never have had such high hopes – new friends; Thai and foreign and learned things like cooking Thai dishes there is no such thing as chocolate tofu. and Thai culture through Language Express’s activity programs. I signed up for a year’s worth of lessons and was also provided with a free Education I asked around and took trial class after trial class at various language Visa for up to three years – one less (very large) headache! Through all of schools. One of the first schools I tried used the total immersion method this, the most lasting benefit is that I can get through each day here in Bangto teach Thai. Using actions and role-play, they spoke Thai for the whole kok without the frustration of not being able to communicate simple wants duration of the class. I could pick up a few words, but the truth was, I could and needs. Now, I can get a taxi to the Tesco on my first try, and I have yet to never be sure if my assumptions were correct unless I asked a Thai friend ever eat ‘chocolate tofu’ again. afterward. I also had a difficult time retaining the information without seeing it written out. One time I left the class thinking I had learned “I am going shopping.” In reality, the lesson was about going to the bank and exchanging money. Clearly, this was not the method for me.

My Thai friend recommended her current school, Language Express. She was taking English lessons there and was raving about her ‘lovely teachers’ and her ‘LX gang’ of friends she had made since her enrollment. It sounded exciting and different, so I decided to check out their Thai language program.

The first thing that stood out to me was the social atmosphere. As soon as I walked toward the school (conveniently located right at the BTS Phloen Chit station), I could see people sitting outside chatting. They even waved and said ‘hello’ when I walked toward the doors. Inside, there were more people sitting on couches, tables, and hanging around ‘Coffee Express,’ the little inschool coffee shop. Some were Thai, some were foreigners, some were playing board games and some were studying their books together.

The customer service and sales staff all spoke great English, which was refreshing and a relief.

They showed me the Thai timetable and lesson packages, and I was rather impressed by their flexible timetable and reasonable prices. I could buy lessons and choose which topics I wanted to study and when. An upside was that each lesson was standalone, meaning I wouldn’t miss anything if I went on holiday and it didn’t matter when I enrolled. All classes were taught by Thai teachers who also spoke fluent English.

When I got into the trial class, the first thing we did was listen and repeat vocabulary. There were English translations, and we were encouraged to ask questions about the meanings and different uses of the word. No confusion or misunderstandings there. Then we used our new vocabulary in short conversations, also in the book

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TAXI AND TRANSPORT service by 1st class cars with customer friendly drivers. Drivers stand by at arrival hall Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Suvarnabhumi Airport-Pattaya: 1100 THB (all in). Other destinations or inquiry, contact us on below. Tel: 088 521 0610. Fax: 038 030 863. http://banchangagent.com • taxibanchang@ hotmail.com (J) STAFF WANTED. 9 Active is looking for Sports Partnership/Sales people to represent us in sourcing local partners for some of the worlds largest sports brands in football, Muay Thai, golf and sports apparels. Fluent in Thai & English and willing to work on large commission basis only. Contact: simon@9active.com • www.9active.com (J) EXPAT PARTNER WANTED – To promote leather products for non-asean markets. Please contact: e-mail: lydiamerchandising@yahoo.com (K) PART TIME JOB – Possibility to earn 10 000 to 50 000 THB/month. www.job4betterlife.com (K) JOMTIEN BEACH – 54 square meter condo, new building, beautiful pool, underground parking.

Price of 2,275,000 includes all furniture and European kitchen and also includes transfer fee.

Call Scott at 09-03926885 or 087-0095795 (K) BANG SARAY LAND FOR SALE. Two plots of 135 or 285 talang wah at 5000 baht per talang wah.

Beautiful scenic view. Call 081-083-4683 (K) PATTAYA CONDOS FOR SALE. (1) Avenue Residence. One bedroom, 46 sq/m, fully furnished.

Very popular development with an excellent location close to Second Road and Soi Buakhao.

Ideal for residence or investment. 3.1 M Baht. (2) Pattaya City Resort. One bedroom, 66 sq/m, fully furnished, pool view. On South Pattaya Road, close to Big C with easy access to Sukhamvit or Walking Street. 4 M Baht. Both condos are in foreign ownership. Call Vincy 0849183285. (J) US COMPANY SOFT OPENING business in Thailand by end of September 2012. Patented product 100% legal and approved by Thailand FDA. It’s a ground floor opportunity of a life time. Seeking distributor willing to work to build business in Thailand and also globally. Interested?

Visit our website: www.mystemtech.com or call Thai mobile 089-068-1494. (J) IN SUKHUMVIT 8 - lovely 2 Br furnished condo now for rent @ 43,000 baht per month. On the roof is an Infinity swimming pool plus a well equipped fitness room. The unit has solid wooden floors, open plan living, good size balcony, kitchen with flat plate hob, king size bed in master, 24 hour security, parking and is conveniently near the BTS. To view please phone 08 7812 6893 (J)

NEW LANDLADY (or landlord) wanted for 66 sq m 2 bed 2 bath, nice balconies, views, pool, 8th floor of 9. Near BTS Punawithi just 12 mins Asoke.

Buy empty or with tenant in situ returning steady 6%. Asking only 2.45m but could be less for quick sale. Giles 0899 862 315 gilescullingford@ hotmail.com (K) 20TH CENTURY history books for sale.

Very reasonable prices. Contact nigel at nigelinseychelles@gmail.com (J) PANASIN PLACE Ramkhamhaeng Soi 24/3 Rd. Commercial bldg. 3 stories, 3 bathrooms. 2 car park. Rent 23,000 per month, yearly contract.

Lease for 17 years 1.6 Million. Close to ABAC University and Ramkhamhaeng Unversity.

Tel. 086-537-2557 Naree (J)

NEED A VISA? VISA ISSUES? Do you need a long-term or short-term Visa to stay in Thailand? Do you need to extend or transform your current Visa? Do you have an overstay or blacklist problem? We solve ANY immigration problem you might have. “ANY” means ANY! We provide fast services at a reasonable price.

We require minimal or NO documentation.

We do everything: completely hasslefree for you! Call 089-149-9200 or email to info@instantthaivisa.com (J)

STUNNING 2 BED 2 BATH CONDO by BTS Phrom Phong available for 12 million baht.

The well decorated 137 sq.m unit comes with a tenant and is ready for viewing at your earliest convenience. Room ammenities include 2 TV’s, fully equipped kitchen, washing machine and LOOKING TO SELL or rent your property? Well wall to wall windows. Please contact Call Christian we have more than enough clients looking for on 0844346470 or email chris@primebkk.com (J) properties just like yours! Email us your unit FOR SALE - 228 sqm 3br condo near park and specifications with some photos and let us do the BTS – Located Crystal Garden in Soi 4 near Park hard work for you. Chris@primebkk.com or any entrance. Great view, large balcony. Asking: THB other enquiries, sms me on +66844346470. Help 10.9M. More info contact: 082-4448499 or email us help you! (K) siamtc@ji-net.com (J) SEEK PARTNER to expand business of handmade PART TIME JOB possibility to earn 10 000 to earring oversea. Sharing commission basis. 50 000 THB/month www.job4betterlife.com (K) Please email: white.lily40@yahoo.com (K) DO YOU HAVE A GARDEN? Flowers at home 74 SQM STUDIO at the markland pattaya for rent or in your condo? Try our Vermicompost. What sea view flat t v tiles flour a year contract 20000 is Vermicompost ? It adds nutrients into the soil bath only. please call 087 800 9370 (K) and soil structure. Plants just Love it! Call us at 74 SQM TWO BEDROOMS for rent at soi 18 0877941183 Aldo (English) or 0896694852 Yui sukhumvit bangkok very nice soi handy for every (Thai). Check our Facebook page @ Dirt Digger by Earth Care. We sell 1/2 kilo bags, 1 Kilo and 25 kilo think please call 087 800 9370 (K) Bags as well. We can also deliver. (K) YOU NEED TO LEARN ENGLISH? You need OFFICE RENT – Between OnNuch soi 55-57 on a good teacher! I am a native English speaker main road, Nirvana Suwannaphum Office Crust 4 with a perfectly clear Midwestern American floor bldg., 4 rooms, 5 bathroom, 2 car parking, accent. I have a BA in Education and 35 years 8 air, wallpaper, tel & lane lines, ready to move of teaching experience, much of it in Bangkok. in flood free, safe area. Very convenient location My areas of expertise are ESL, Economics, World and traffic: 5 min to Ring Road and highways, History, Psychology, Sociology, and examination 10 min to Suwannaphum airport and 20 min preparation. Please write: iron_bamboo1253@ to downtown. Ideal place for office, home or yahoo.com or call: 08-921-018-08 (K) both. Rent: B60,000/mo + 2mo security deposit.

FREE ENGLISH CLASSES in PraKhanong. Come Contact: 081-916-4726 (K) learn American history, entertainment and geography from an American. I teach grammar and conversation as well. Wednesday and Thursday nights 6:30pm-8:30pm. Located at “The Potter’s House Christian Church” (3rd floor) 181/1 Sukhumvit 71, next to Embassy of Nepal.

Across the street from Jusco and Kfc. Call 084450-3011 or visit webpage for more info. http:// prakhanongchurch.jimdo.com/ (K)

ENJOY PLAYING the piano! Black American with twelve years experience teaching students how to have fun on the piano. Looking for people who love to play but don’t know what to play. Learn pop, rock, jazz, etc. in the comfort of your home.

Young (8 yrs. old minimum) or old. Begin enjoying playing the piano with Bob’s easy techniques.

Contact: email: samongbylaeo@hotmail.com or 084-020-2750 (K)

22 bangkok trader NOVEMBER 2012 HAIR & BEAUTY SALON for sale South Pattaya.

Great location in City Walk Pattaya (next to Royal Garden plaza) on beach front. 7 work stations, 2 massage tables, good clientele base. Two 5 star hotels nearby. Free parking. No licence required, no key money. Profitable business, accounts available. 30,000 baht/month rent, only 980,000 baht. Relocating hence sale price.

Call 080-0959002 (K)

NEED A WEBSITE? – We at tobe-website.com offer different ranges of pricing for all your website needs. We consist of a group of freelancers who have your business needs in our best interest.

Inform us if you need content writing, printing services, content design. We can also redesign your existing website. e-mail:yui@tobewebsite. com or (0896694852) Thai / (0877941183) English. (K)

CHANCES OF GETTING admitted to US graduate school is greatly improved if you have published research in a peer-reviewed journal. This is especially true for doctoral programs. Editor of US peer-reviewed journal edits your articles.

Basic editing: 60 baht per page (1 page = 250 words) Editing with commentary to improve your professional writing: 100 baht per page.

Special services: journal selection advice and validation of statistical analysis using your data. wkittredge@gmail.com (J)

SHIPPING CONTAINERS going to the U.K MarchApril 2013. Have room for anything legal call as soon as possible for info. 0814906275. John. (K)

SAFE DEPOSIT BOX Bangkok – High security safe deposit box rental service safes available in 3 sizes open 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Full information at www.safedepositboxbangkok.com for English 080-459 3841 For Thai call 026 355455 (K) HABITAT LUXURY CONDO sale Thonglor area; See pics at www.chosenmarketing.com/habitat – 257sqm 3brs, 4 ba, 1 maid’s room, 1 kitchen, 3 balconies, 2 entrance doors on 18th floor. 2 units per floor. Unblocked view F/F with electric appliances. Nice decoration and good condition.

Well maintenance condo. Full facilities. Good neighbours. Peaceful area. Please call 0891062240 2purelife@gmail.com Price 19.35 MB negotiable!

By owner must see! (K)

SPANISH TRANSLATIONS and interpretation – Spanish native speaker offers translation and interpretation services. Websites, contracts, official letters, manuals etc. Both for private companies and official institutions. Thai translations and Accounting also offered. Call 0870470590 or email: Spanish_Consultant@ yahoo.es (J)

THAI DANCERS WANTED for long-term contract. Everything included: good salary, work visa, air ticket, very nice accommodation, drinks commission, free dance lessons and more advantages. 0832509952 0803190767 atomiq@ mail.ru (K) PATTAYA RE-SALE CONDOS. “The Cliff”. A new Nova development due for completion in January 2013, located at the popular Cosy Beach, Pattaya.

2 one bedroom units, 46 sq.m, 3 M baht each (developer’s current price 3.3M baht). Studio.

37 sq.m, 2.4M baht. All units are in foreign name and all have great pool views. For more details contact Trevor on 086 156 3109. (J)

CONDO FOR SALE: 68 sq mts, 2 bed rm / 1 bth rm, corner unit located in Supalai City Home close to the Udomsuk Skytrain station. Fifth floor unit in a low rise 8 storey bldg. Three A/C, extra electrical outlets and circuit box capacity, smoke alarms, sprinklers, etc. Less than 100 meter to BTS VIP CONDO CHAIN PATTAYA Fully furnished station. Area never flooded. Sale price 3.5 million seaview studio 40 sqm. 10th Fl. Room A1009 baht OBO. Contact 081-754-6885 or 089-923Large swimming pool, 2 tennis court, jogging 2615 (J) lane and private beach front. Sale 1.65 Million Rent 9,000 bath per month.1 year contract. Naree SUSHI COOK WANTED. Good salary, friendly team, great career perspectives. 0803190767, Mobile 086-537-2557 (K) 0832509952 atomiq@mail.ru (K) FOR RENT near Srinakarinwirot University, Sukhumvit 23, 49m/sq studio come one bedroom, MODERN & FULLY furnished one bedroom FF condo for 15,000 baht per month. Has a proper condominium for rent within easy walking kitchen, nice bathroom, own washing machine distance of Terminal 21 and Asoke station. Has and onsite is a lovely roof top pool as well as a master with king size bed plus an ensuite; a snooker room. An ideal inexpensive base in service balcony with washing machine, open central Bangkok. 1 Yr lease required. Phone plan living + a storage cupboard. One year lease 08 7812 6893 (J) req. 25K/month. Phone 08 7812 6893 (J)

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