2 Thailand is a popular destination for ESL teachers who are interested in gaining a valuable cultural experience. Thailand embraces a rich diversity of cultures and traditions, and prides itself on rich history, tropical climate, and renowned hospitality.
The first deposit for the International Bank Account must be transferred from oversea only. Thai banks provide a wide range of services throughout the country. Most foreign banks are represented, however, at this stage they offer limited services to the individual consumer.
However, Thailand is much more than just a place with beautiful islands and beaches, enchanting temples, great climate, cheap shopping, and friendly people.
Banking hours are generally from 08:30-15:30, Monday through Friday, except on public and bank holidays. It is best to confirm the business hours of your chosen bank at the time of opening an account
Requirements to Teach English in Thailand
Once you have your bank account, be sure to get a bank card. This will make life a lot easier especially when traveling in Thailand. You will need to pay for your travel in cash (including deposits on hotel rooms) so having access to your account is paramount. Note that the maximum daily ATM withdrawal is 20,000 - 35,000 Thai Baht (depending on the bank).
What you need to Qualify - Minimum of a Bachelors Degree from an accredited university in the U.S, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Great Britain or Ireland - Must be a citizen of one of the above mentioned countries - Must be a native English speaker - Must be in good physical and mental health - Must be between 21 and 40 - No experience necessary - You do not need to know any Thai - Any degree welcomed but preference given to education and English majors. - Positions are for one-year contracts, available on an ongoing basis.
Banking in Thailand Opening a Bank Account Banking in Thailand is a relatively stress free practice. There are a few documents you will need to submit in order to establish an account in an international bank. All banks require several forms of identification (i.e. passport, work permit, current credit cards, etc.) and most will request a letter of introduction from your employer along with details of your current visa status. Phone ahead to determine what your bank requires. Usually, it comes down to the following: Relevant Documents for Opening Saving Bank Account - Passport - Work Permit - A minimum deposit amount 500 Baht for a Thai bank and 5,000 Baht for Standard Charter Bank or 100,000 Baht for HSBC (The remaining amount of each month must not less than 500,000 Baht)
Credit cards are somewhat more acceptable but mainly restricted to the larger cities, such as Bangkok, Phuket Koh Samui and Nakhornratchasima. If you need to transfer funds back to the West or have funds sent to you and don’t want to deal with a bank you might consider Western Union. These are located in most major cities, sometimes in major hotels. The fees are quite reasonable and the transfer is almost instant. Suburban branches of the larger local banks are widespread and can be more convenient. At the main branches, English is spoken and the staff are usually most helpful. For easy withdrawal access, lodge your signature at the local branch as well as the parent branch. If you wish to withdraw at a branch other than the one you opened your account with, identification will be required (usually your passport). Determine all fees and charges up front so there are no surprises at the end of the month.
Teaching in various cities Teaching jobs in Bangkok Same same, but different. It’s Thailish T-shirt philosophy that neatly sums up Bangkok, a city combining the tastes of many places into a unique and often spicy dish that is never, ever boring. Such contradictions give the City of Angels its rich, multi-faceted personality. Delve just a little deeper and you’ll find a city of climate-controlled mega-malls and international brand names just minutes from 200-yearold village homes; of gold-spired Buddhist temples sharing space with neon-lit strips of sleaze; of slow-moving rivers of cars bypassed by long-tail boats plying the royal river; and of streets lined with food carts selling Thai classics for next to nothing, overlooked by restaurants on top of skyscrapers serving international cuisine. Bangkok is not only colorful in daytime but also after sunset when the city takes on a different light and comes to life to offer amusement 24-hours around the clock.
3 For dancing yon can visit Royal City Avenue which is known as RCA among the teenagers who frequent the area. This is where yon find the Thai yuppies listening to non-stop CD music. If yon are a little old for RCA vou can try Premier on Rama IX. Teaching jobs in Phuket Phuket, Thailand, is commonly referred to as the ‘Pearl of South’ and is the largest island in Thailand. Phuket Island runs 48 kilometers (34 miles) north to south and 21 kilometers (16 miles) east to west. Phuket is broken by a chain of mountains and valleys mainly from a northsouth range running down the west coast. This accounts for about 70% of the land area. The tallest peak, Mai Tao Sip Song (12 Cane Peak) is 529 meters. The other 30% of the island is flat land located mainly in the central and eastern portions of the island. Laying in the Andaman Sea off southern Thailand’s west coast, the island’s terrain is incredibly varied, with rocky headlands, long broad sandy beaches, limestone cliffs, forested hills, small estuaries, lagoons, and tropical vegetation of all kinds. Its large size has allowed microclimates to develop in different areas of the island. The island offers many different looks and feels for you to discover and enjoy. Kata Beach with its spectacular tropical scenery compared with the stately cassurina trees that are found on Nai Yang Beach just a few kilometers north. The triple canopy rainforest of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park to the mud flats and mangrove swamps of Koh Siray. Limestone outcroppings line the east coast and solid granite boulders on the west. Phuket is truly a tropical wonderland and offers something for just about everyone. Less hectic than Patong, Karon is a family friendly and couples place where sundowners, seafood dinners and classical Thai dinner/dances are the main attractions. Low key and casual, beer bars are limited to a small area and there are no discos but if you need something more livly, Patong is just north - 10 minutes drive over the hill. Teaching jobs in Chiang Mai Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North’ welcomes visitors with an eclectic blend of history, culture, soft adventure, beautiful mountainous scenery and laid back charm. It also boasts some of the best value hospitality and shopping in Asia. Although there is plenty to keep your interest within the old city, such as the moat, beautiful temples, markets and historic character, the Chiang Mai environs are worth touring, and day trips to the surrounding attractions are worthwhile. Visiting Chiang Mai would not be complete without a trip to the temple on top of Doi Suithep, an imposing mountain to the west of the city. Either you can hop aboard a tour, catch a songtaew taxi or hire a bike to travel the 15km
journey to the summit. The highly sanctified chedi and temple at the top is a popular pilgrim spot for visiting Thais and the views of the entire valley are humbling. Also on top of the mountain you can visit Phuping Palace gardens and Hmong villages, or go walking in the lovely forests of Doi Pui peak, which looms behind it. This is one of the most popular day trips in Chiang Mai. Teaching jobs in Korat All areas of the world have their military heros, and Korat is no exception. Except that Korat’s hero was a woman called Khunying Mo who was wife of the assistant governor. During the reign of King Rama III Khunying Mo led the villagers in a battle against Chao Anuwong from Vientiane who was apparently on his way to attack Bangkok. Khunying Mo’s generalship led the villagers to victory. During Ayutthaya’s prominence, two towns united to form Nakorn Ratchasima, commonly known as Korat. Now a busy industrial city, it shares many of Bangkok’s features, both good (nightlife and bazaars) and bad (pollution). If you are coming from Bangkok and desire peace and quiet, nearby Phimai is a good base from which to visit Korat during the day.
Cost of Living in Thailand Thailand offers a great opportunity for teachers to earn and save money. Although things are cheap, you aren’t sacrificing quality or living in squalor. Thailand is a cheap, affordable, comfortable place to live. Renting an appartment is also very cheap. Apartment rental in Thailand will cost you between 3,000 - 10,000 per month. The lower end would be a single apartment room with air-con and fridge. More expensive rents may include two room apartments and a shared swimming pool. Cheaper apartments are available but you may find that the quality is not good. If you are in Thailand to teach, I would not recommend staying in a very low-end apartment. You will need a place where you can relax at the end of a hard days work. Utilities We recommend you budget about 600 Baht per month for electricity and water, although this can vary greatly depending on how much you use air-con. If you do decide to use air-con often you can expect to pay about 1000 Baht a month. Phone calls Within Bangkok they are very cheap, 5 Baht per call from an apartment block. However surcharges on overseas calls from apartments can be very high - anything up to 150 Baht per minute. Discount calling cards are available for international calls. If you are planning to make a lot
4 of international calls within Thailand I would recommend buying these. Post Stamps to Europe are around 16 Baht per letter. Within Thailand post is very cheap - Apr. 3 Baht. A one page fax to the U. K. is around 40 Baht but you may face a surcharge from places offering this service. Food Most apartments in Thailand do not have cooking facilities, although many do have a restaurant attached or are surrounded by numerous food stalls and restaurants. The following prices are a guide only and prices can vary greatly depending on the environment you are eating in. Food stalls - A meal such as rice with spicy chicken or pork should cost between 20 and 40 Baht per portion. Fried rice dishes are approximately the same price as are noodle dishes. Food from foodstalls are on the whole tasty and safe, although it can get repetitive if you are not too adventurous. Better to eat with a friend and order more dishes for variety. There has been a lot of discussion about hygiene when buying from these places. We have never had a problem when eating from these places but you can’t be too careful. Always try to eat at places that already have a lot of customers. Apartment restaurants These tend to be slightly more expensive but they will deliver to your room. Standard rice dishes usually range from 35 - 60 Baht per portion. The range of dishes offered is usually quite varied although obviously this varies from place to place. In addition, food from a food stall is often tastier than the fare offered in these places. Restaurants Thailand has a huge variety of restaurants ranging from those that are relatively cheap up to those that are expensive even by European standards. However, on the whole, in Thailand you can expect to pay between 60 and 100 Baht per portion in a relatively nice restaurant. Frequently a huge range of dishes are on offer ranging from meat and seafood options, to those for vegetarians. When eating in a Thai restaurant people rarely just order one dish for themselves, instead ordering several to share between friends - an average bill for four (without drinks) would be between 300 and 500 Baht. European food If you have a craving for European food there are numerous options and all the fast food outlets are represented . The average prices are 50 Baht for a Big Mac., 250 Baht for a large at Pizza Hut. European or ‘English’ restaurants tend to be more expensive than their Thai counterparts with prices around 180 - 200 Baht for fish and chips, or bangers and mash style meals.
Drinks Soft Drinks - from 10 / 15 Baht for a can, up to 50 Baht a glass or more in an expensive bar or restaurant. Beer - ranges from 35 to 65 Baht for a large bottle in supermarkets (depending on brand). Food stalls will often offer beer with a small mark up. In a restaurant or bar expect to pay from 85-130 for a large bottle and in more up-market places anything from 120 Baht for a small bottle of beer upwards. Spirits - local whisky sells for around 60-80 Baht for a small bottle in shops and in a standard bar or restaurant it will be around 120 - 140 per bottle. Overseas brands are much more expensive, ranging from 550 Baht for a big bottle upwards. Most Thai bars and restaurants do not have a wide range of spirits - where they do, expect to pay around 100 Baht for a glass. Wine - is generally quite expensive 350 Baht and up and is not usually available in restaurants other than those which are up-market. restaurant prices for wine reflect this. However, you can sometimes take your own with you, if you pay a corkage fee. Clothing Again, a wide range of makes, both local, imported and pirated are available with prices often relative to quality and/or brand name. As in Europe prices vary widely with where you buy! Local goods: - Work shirt - 150 - 200 Baht. - Work trousers - 200+ Baht. - Skirts - 150+ Baht. - T-shirts - range from 70 Baht upwards. - Underwear - Men’s around 75+ Baht. Women’s - from 150+ Baht. - Jeans - an average pair from a shop would start at around 600 Baht. However, can be found cheaper in markets and street stalls. - Shoes - from 300 Baht for cheap imitation trainers to around 1000+ for more formal leather(ish) shoes. - Beach wear - very cheap if you stay away from brand names. - Suits - can be made to reasonable standard cheaply, from around 3000 Baht depending on material. Toiletries & Pharmaceutical products A wide range of local and imported brands available. - Soap - 25 Baht for pack of 6.
5 - Shampoo - 20 Baht regular bottle (local), 60 Baht (imported) - Toothpaste - around 40 Baht (regular Colgate) - Toothbrushes - around 50 Baht. - Toilet paper - 20 Baht up for six rolls. - Deodorant - 150 Baht (imported) - Shaving foam - 150 Baht (imported) - Cosmetics - local brands are cheap (e.g. lipstick around 150-200 Baht, imported brands can be very expensive) Medicine Almost all supplies you will ever need are locally available from chemists at much cheaper prices than in the West. Not all familiar brand names are available but you can easily find similar products. For those with asthma, inhalers are around 200 baht each and easily available. Boots now have several branches which stock a wide range of familiar products. Electrical goods - TV (12 or 14 inch) - from 3,000 - 6,000 Baht (often available for rent from apartment blocks at 500 baht per month) - Video players - around 3,000 Baht - CD players - from around 3,500 Baht for a very basic model (around 6,000 Baht for something a bit better) - Fan - from around 500 baht. - Videotape rentals are very cheap - 30 baht a night for new releases. - CD’s are around 400 baht, cassettes 100 baht from Tower Records. - Cable TV is around 1000 baht a month for the full package, with channels such as HBO, Cinemax, BBC World, Discovery and several sports channels.
Thai Culture Thai culture is vastly different from Western culture and so before coming over to this land of smiles you should find out about the essential ‘do and don’ts’ . Here are just a few, but the most important rules. Do Smile - Thailand is known as the land of smiles. Thais do not necessarily smile about something like we do in the west. They smile for a variety of other reasons too. To say hello or thank you, to make a request, to apologize, to smooth over bad feelings or to show embarrassment. Do show respect for the king - Thai people show great respect for their king and they expect visitors to do
so too. The national anthem is played twice a day (typically at 8am and 6pm) and also before every film at the cinema. Everyone is expected to stand whilst it is playing. You should never insult or joke about the king or royal family. Do show respect for their main religion (Buddhaism), for the Buddha, and for monks. Shorts or tank tops should not be worn in any temples, and shoes should be removed before entering. It is considered very improper for women to touch a monk. Do not touch anyone on the head. The head is considered to be very sacred. Do not point your feet at anyone or anything. This is quite hard for a westerner to follow as, without realising it, we do in some circumstances seem to use our feet quite a lot e.g closing or opening doors. Do not step over anyone, instead walk around them. Thai people wash the top of the body clothes separately from the bottom half i.e. shirts and jumpers go in one wash and shirts, underwear and trousers go in another. This is because, as Buddhists, they believe the lower part of the body is unclean whilst the top part is sacred. This is part of their religion. A Buddhist Thai would also never take off or put on a skirt over their heads for the same reason. The same rule applies when hanging out the washing on the line. Clothes from the lower part of the body are not placed next to or higher than clothes worn on the top part of the body. Thai culture is changing with time because of the contact with Western civilisation. Although most Thais stick to their own culture, some are influenced by what they see on television and from tourists. It is therefore not uncommon to be greeted with a handshake rather than a ‘wai’ in the main cities and towns.
Thailand Education System TThailand has had a formal comprehensive education plan since 1932. It began with a four-year elementary education plus an eight-year secondary plan for those who qualified and wanted to continue. The system of education was revised in 1936 to include five levels: kindergarten, primary, secondary, pre-university and higher education. The year 1951 saw the addition of special and adult education. Because of the stepped-up development of technology, laced with economic and political plans, the government accepted the challenge of training its young people for the change in as short a time as possible. School programs had to be modified to include specialized skills needed by industry, such as computer science, environmental engineering and medicine. The plan has been revised periodically to keep up with the rapid change in technology.
6 Organizational Structure Free public education is compulsory for all children from ages 6-15, providing 9 years of compulsory education. Pre-school for the children ages 3-5, primary for ages 6-11, lower secondary for ages 12-14 and upper secondary for the ages of 15-17, is available. Higher education is generally provided in a 4-year program for a bachelor degree. The School Year The first semester of the school year begins May 17 and ends the first week of October. After a three week recess, the second semester begins November 1, and continues until the second week of March. The long summer vacation is from the third week of March until May 16, and the cycle begins again. Classes are held Monday through Friday, during which time the students receive approximately six hours of instruction each day. Schools vary in different parts of Thailand. Small rural schools are not as regimented as the large city schools nor do they have as much in the way of technological equipment. Most schools require uniforms, depending on the affluence of the families. Students and their families show great respect for their teachers and appreciate the opportunity to learn. School Lunch The school lunch program varies at each school. Students whose families are able to provide for their children bring their own lunch boxes much the same as children in the United States. Nutrition programs are available where needed and, in larger schools, lunch snacks can be purchased if students do not bring their own. What students bring from home is supplemented with snacks to eat and drink, especially in small schools that cannot afford a full lunch program. In others, the schools supplement what is brought from home or offer one full course of food with rice, curry, fried food and dessert. Some schools have items available, ranging from a main dish, soybean milk, dessert and juice. In model schools, the lunch program is fully instituted by the local school. Students participate by raising fruits and vegetables in school gardens. They help the teachers in preparing the meal, serving and cleaning up afterward. Bookkeeping and record-keeping become part of their responsibility. Additional Programs Thailand offers adult education, special training services for low-income groups, special education for the handicapped, and vocational schools. The Ministry of Education, the National Education Commission and the Ministry of University Affairs are entrusted with planning, administering and coordinating education in Thailand. The Office of the National Primary Education Commission is responsible for two-thirds of all the students and
the rest fall under the care of the Private Education Commission and the Department of General Education. The illiteracy rate is lower in Thailand than in most countries of southeast Asia. Higher Education There are 16 state universities, 26 privately operated universities, 36 teachers’ colleges and other technical colleges in Thailand, coordinated by the Ministry of University Affairs. Competition is keen among secondary school leavers who hope to score well enough on the competitive national university entrance examination to be eligible for further study. The entrance examination is given each year in April. The government requires that the universities be spaced throughout Thailand for equal access opportunity. Scholarships are provided by the government and the private sector for outstanding students and for needy students. University courses are taught in Thai with the exception of major courses in engineering, economics and business administration at Chulalongkorn, Thammasat, and some private universities in Bangkok. There, those courses are taught in English. Universities sometimes arrange for courses to be taught in English to accommodate foreign students. The universities offer a wide variety of courses in the areas of agriculture, archaeology, architecture, art, business, economics, education, engineering, humanities, law, medicine, nursing, political science, science, social science and statistics to name a few. Thailand actively encourages international programs in education. Joint programs at international level are conducted between universities in Thailand and in the United States.
Food in Thailand! Thai food is internationally famous. Whether chillihot or comparatively blands, harmony is the guiding principle behind each dish. Thai cuisine is essentially a marriage of centuries-old Eastern and Western influences harmoniously combined into something uniquely Thai. The characteristics of Thai food depend on who cooks it, for whom it is cooked, for what occasion, and where it is cooked to suit all palates. Originally, Thai cooking reflected the characteristics of a waterborne lifestyle. Aquatic animals, plants and herbs were major ingredients. Large chunks of meat were eschewed. Subsequent influences introduced the use of sizeable chunks to Thai cooking. With their Buddhist background, Thais shunned the use of large animals in big chunks. Big cuts of meat were shredded and laced with herbs and spices. Traditional Thai cooking methods were stewing and baking, or grilling. Chinese influences saw the introduction of frying, stir frying and deep-frying. Culinary influences from the 17th century onwards included Portuguese, Dutch, French and Japanese. Chillies were introduced to Thai cooking during the late 1600s by Portuguese missionaries who had acquired a taste for them while serving in South America.
7 Thais were very adapt at ‘Siamese-ising’ foreign cooking methods, and substituting ingredients. The ghee used in Indian cooking was replaced by coconut oil, and coconut milk substituted for other daily products. Overpowering pure spices were toned down and enhanced by fresh herbs such as lemon grass and galanga. Eventually, fewer and less spices were used in Thai curries, while the use of fresh herbs increased. It is generally acknowledged that Thai curries burn intensely, but briefly, whereas other curries, with strong spices, burn for longer periods. Instead of serving dishes in courses, a Thai meal is served all at once, permitting dinners to enjoy complementary combinations of different tastes. A proper Thai meal should consist of a soup, a curry dish with condiments, a dip with accompanying fish and vegetables. A spiced salad may replace the curry dish. The soup can also be spicy, but the curry should be replaced by non spiced items. There must be a harmony of tastes and textures within individual dishes and the entire meal.
Year, in April (Songkran). However, employees will enjoy a paid day-off. And there will be parties everywhere, in parks, dancing halls and universities. National Children’s Day (January 11) Children are considered as the most valuable resources of Thailand. They are a powerful force in the development and stability of Thailand. Normally, the age of children taking part in these celebrations should be younger than 14 years old. On this day, many interesting places such as the Duzit Zoo, the Army, Navy and Airforce bases, Government House and Parliament House are opened for children to visit. Thus, all children look forward to National Children’s Day. Teacher’s Day(January 16) The highlights of the day include religious activities, ceremonies to pay respect to teachers and activitites to strengthen unity among teachers.
Eating & Ordering Thai Food
Chinese New Year (February 1)
Thai food is eaten with a fork and spoon. Even single dish meals such as fried rice with pork, or steamed rice topped with roasted duck, are served in bite-sized slices or chunks obviating the need for a knife. The spoon is used to convey food to the mouth.
Gung Hay Fat Choy! Wishing you good fortune and happiness! The Chinese are obsessed with making a good start and the New Year Brings a new hope and prosperity. New Year is the longest and happiest holiday of the year for Chinese not only for those who are in Thailand but also for most Asian people. It sometimes lasts from a week or two.
Ideally, eating Thai food is a communal affair involving two or more people, principally because the greater the number of diners the greater the number of dishes ordered. Generally speaking, two diners order three dishes in addition to their own individual plates of steamed rice, three diners four dishes, and so on. Diners choose whatever they require from shared dishes and generally add it to their own rice. Soups are enjoyed concurrently with rice. Soups are enjoyed concurrently with other dishes, not independently. Spicy dishes, not independently. Spicy dishes are “balanced” by bland dishes to avoid discomfort. The ideal Thai meal is a harmonious blend of the spicy, the subtle, the sweet and sour, and is meant to be equally satisfying to eye, nose and palate. A typical meal might include a clear soup (perhaps bitter melons stuffed with minced pork), a steamed dish (mussels in curry sauce), a fried dish (fish with ginger), a hot salad (beef slices on a bed of lettuce, onions, chillies, mint and lemon juice) and a variety of sauces into which food is dipped. This would be followed by sweet desserts and/or fresh fruits such as mangoes, durian, jackfruit, papaya, grapes or melon.
Official Thai Holidays New Years Day (January 1) Not as much celebrated as it is in other parts of the world because it is overshadowed by the upcoming Thai New
The date for the Chinese New Year falls on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar which is based on the moon cycles. Every year it happens on a different day, but it usually arrives somewhere between January 19th and February 21st. New Year’s Eve and the first three days of the new year are observed as a pubic holiday. Magha Puja Day (February 16) Magha puja day is considered one of the most important Buddhist celebrations. For Thai Buddhists it refers to the worship that takes place on the full moon of the third lunar month (about the last week of February or early March) to commemorate the day on which the Lord Buddha recited the “Ovadha Patimokkha” (the Fundamental Teaching) to his disciples. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Day (April 2) The first of the Royal Children to attend a local institution of higher learning, received a B.A. from Chulalongkorn University, where she majored in the Thai language. The Princess also holds a M.A. in Oriental Epigraphy from Silpakorn University and a doctorate in Developmental Education from Srinakharinwirot University. A gifted performer on traditional Thai musical instruments, the Princess regularly accompanies the king on his visits to his provincial projects and assists him in collecting information relevant to their operation.
8 National Labor Day (May 1) The Thai government has established May 1st, of every year, as Labor Day. Coronation Day (May 5) The coronation of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej took place on 5th of May 1950. His Majesty is the ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty. On 5 May of every year, Thai people rejoice and express their affection and loyalty to him by organizing a celebration on his coronation day. The Royal Ploughing Ceremony (May 8) The Annual Ploughing Ceremony usually takes place in May every year (the date is not fixed fixed like other royal ceremonies, but is normally around the 8th of May) at Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The ceremony has been performed since ancient times and designed to give an auspicious beginning to the new planting season. Visakha Puja Day (May 15) Visakha Puja Day is one of the greatest Buddhist celebrations which falls on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 6th lunar month. The celebration is held to commemorate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death (Parinibbana). Asalha Bhucha Day (July 13) Asaha Puja Day is one of the most sacred days in Buddhism. It is observed on the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eight lunar month (July). It is an anniversary of the day on which Buddha delivered his first Sermon to his five disciples at the Deer Park in Benares over two thousand five hundred years ago. The day also marks the beginning of the worship of the Triple Gems, namely: the Lord Buddha, His Teachings and His Disciples. Khao Phansa Day (July 14) The Buddhist Lent, which starts on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month. The tradition of Buddhist Lent or the annual three-month Rains Retreat known in Thai as “Phansa” dates back to the time of early Buddhism in ancient India, all holy men, mendicants and sages spent three months of the annual rainy season in permanent dwellings. They avoided unnecessary travel during the period when crops were still new for fear they might accidentally step on young plants. HRH The Crown Prince’s Birthday (July 28) HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is the only son, the second of four children, of their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit of Thailand. He graduated with a B.A. (Military Studies) from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom in 1970.
As the Crown Prince, he also is bestowed, at HM the King’s command, with the highest ranks of all three royal Thai armed forces: a General of the Royal Thai Army, an Admiral of the Royal Thai Navy, and an Air Chief Marshal of the Royal Thai Air Force. H.M. the Queen’s Birthday (August 12) August 12th is a very special day for the people of Thailand, it’s the birthday of their Queen. In recognition of Her Majesty, this day is also recognized as National Mother’s Day. End of Buddhist Lent (October 10) To mark the end of Buddhist Lent or ‘Ok Pansa’, communities in Northeastern Thailand or ‘I-San’ stage an annual celebration consisting of a grand procession of meticulously-carved wax castles, long-boat races and festive celebrations. On the final day of the festival, which falls on the end of the Buddhist Lent, local residents make a trip to the temples to make merit. Chulalongkorn Day Day (October 23) King Chulalongkorn or King Rama V was the son of King Mongkut or Phra Chom Klao and Queen Ramphai Pamarapirom. He was born on 20 September, 1853 the first son of (Thepsirindra). The king ascended the Throne in 1868 when he was 15 under a regency for the first few years of his reign. Loy Krathong Day (November 8) Loy Krathong Day is one of the most popular festivals of Thailand celebrated annually on the Full-Moon Day of the Twelfth Lunar Month. It takes place at a time when the weather is good as the rainy season is over and there is a high water level all over the country. “Loy” means “to float” and a “Krathong” is a lotusshaped vessel made of banana leaves. The Krathong usually contains a candle, three joss-sticks, some flowers and coins. The festival is of Brahmin origin in which people offer thanks to the Goddess of the water. Thus, by moonlight, people light the candles and joss-sticks, Loy Krathong Day make a wish and launch their Krathongs on canals, rivers or even small ponds. It is believed that the Krathongs carry away sins and bad luck, and the wishes that have been made for the new year due to start. Indeed, it is the time to be joyful and happy as the sufferings are floated away. Thai Constitutions Day (December 10) December 10 marks the Constitution Day which is held annually to commemorate the advent of the regime of Constitutional Monarchy in Thailand. Christmas Day (December 25)
9 Housing in Thailand There is a diverse range of accomodation in Thailand. The CBD consists mainly of Condo’s and Servied Apartments, but there are also some houses and townhouses sandwiched within the concrete maze. There are also Suburban Villages or housing estates outside the CBD. They are planned neighborhoods that are usually quiet, more spacious and have cleaner air. Serviced and Short-term leased Apartments The terms of lease are usually monthly, but weekly and fornightly rates are sometimes offered. Do not hesitate to negotiate especially if you are signing a long-term lease. A deposit is required usually between 1 - 3 months rent. You may forfeit the deposit if you leave prior to the lease expiry date. Apartments and Condominiums It is recommended to buy a map or location guide which list apartments and condominiums in Thailand when apartment/condominium hunting. Apartments include readily available maintenance and repir-services, 24 hours security and facilities such as a gym, pool, garden or childrens play area. Condominiums offer the same level of service as apartments however, condominium implies individual ownership so the interior facility and decoration can vary considerably within the same building.
or else use your portable computer with their wireless WiFi connection or their ethernet cable. They charge by the minute or the hour, anywhere between 20 baht/ hour (50 cents US) in Thai suburban areas to 100+ baht ($3) per hour in central business district shopping malls and tourist areas. Usually it’s somewhere in-between. Many hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafes and other places offer free WiFi hotspots, though high end hotels often charge for it, at steep prices. As a last resort, if you are staying in a property without internet set up yet and don’t want to go out, then you can use a phone line to connect to your portable computer’s modem. Buy a 56K dial-up credit with one of the many local ISPs. These little cards are on sale at bookstores, some convenience stores, and IT shopping malls. You pay a few hundred baht for the card (maybe $10) and you get a phone number, username and password. The charges are usually less than 10 baut (25 cents) per hour. Alternatively, if you are renting a place, or otherwise have permission, you can use your phone company’s dialup link, and the internet bill will go onto your phone bill. Unfortunately, I have found these to be surprisingly poor in quality - slow, with stalls, and some things don’t work. The cost is higher than a prepay 56K dialup to the local ISP.
Thai - the language
Houses and Housing Estates
Though it’s not really necessary to get by, you will undoubtedly have an easier and more enjoyable experience in Thailand from any time you spend learning Thai. Most Thais don’t expect a foreigner to be able to speak any of their language, and are often visibly surprised if you can string a few sentences together. It’s also encouraging how many people will tell you that you poot tai geng (speak Thai well), no matter how limited your command of the language really is. Even with only a fairly small vocabulary, you will find it a lot easier to get discounted prices at shops and markets (rah kah poot tai dai, “Thai speaker prices) and to make friends amongst the locals.
Expatriate Moo Bans (villages) are generally on the fringes of the central areas. They offer a different style of living than apartments in the city. They usually have shared facilities such as tennis courts and swimming pools and have the feel of a small community. Check the property section in newspapers for private rentals or drive around an area that you like, looking out for advertisements on gates or posts.
Thai, like Chinese and Vietnamese, is a tonal language meaning that the same word can have a completely different meaning depending on it is pronounced. In total, there are 5 tones: Mid tone, high tone, low tone, rising tone and falling tone. A common example of the difficulty of tones in Thai is the word mai, whose meanings include “wood”, “not”, “silk”, “burn”, and “new” depending on what tone is used to pronounce it.
Townhouses There are a number of interesting townhouses tucked away down many sub-sois. They are usually less expensive than apartments. They are often multi-level with small garden areas. Some apartment complexes have a mix of apartments and townhouses in the same compound which therefore give the same level of security and facilities as the apartment.
Internet in Thailand High speed (broadband) internet is available almost everywhere, including fairly populous places in the outer provinces. Go to any of the Internet cafes all over Thailand and all around the provinces, and either use their computers
It’s not always this bad though, and the context means you will often be understood even if the tone is wrong. In some cases though, the context is unlikely to help very much and you will have to get the pronunciation correct in order to be understood - glai (mid tone, meaning “far away”) and glâi (falling tone, meaning “near”) is a good example. It takes a long time to learn how to pronounce the tones correctly, and it’s all too easy to make an
10 embarrassing faux pas or inadvertently offend simply by getting the tone wrong on one word. Luckily most Thais realize how difficult it is for foreigners to speak their language, and are generally quite tolerant of any mistakes - which is just as well really. Though there’s no real way to know how to pronounce the tones except by listening to a native speaker, the rising and falling tones tend to be the easiest ones to pick up. The rising tone is approximately similar to the inflection used in English to indicate a question, the falling tone roughly like calling someone’s name from far away. The low and high tones are respectively pronounced near the relative bottom and top of your vocal range. Try to avoid speaking slowly and hesitantly, as this will distort the tone on the word and make you much more difficult to understand than if you spoke confidently. When speaking fairly quickly even the Thais routinely don’t pronounce each and every tone, as there’s simply not enough time to do so. If your tones aren’t perfect, you stand a much chance of being understood by talking at the same normal speed, rather than hesitantly. You’ll know you’re well on the way to getting it right if you start being told that you poot tai chat (speak Thai clearly) rather than simply geng (well). A great site to learn Thai is: http://www.learningthai.com
Living in Thailand Thailand is an amazing country to experience. There are a great many changes that have taken place as Thailand embraces the 21st century which are bringing semblances of Western culture to the major cities. First things first though, have we mentioned you need to be patient? Urban Environments in Thailand If you’re looking for semblances of the west you are best advised to stick to the major cities, like Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Life in most of these areas will be interesting to say the least but you will at least have some western identifiers and there will be an expat teaching or working community somewhere near you. Living in Rural Thailand Here’s where you get a chance to see what life was like at the turn of the century back home. There are rural areas of Thailand where there is no indoor plumbing, little or no electricity, no internet BUT most of Thailand is NOT like that.
Soak up Thailand. Enrich your life by exposing yourself to Chinese culture and life in Thailand.
Thai Arts and Crafts Arts and crafts in Thailand go on to make Thailand’s cultural heritage more enriched and truly adds to the traditional history of Thailand. Thailand has always enjoyed a very peaceful regime and thus has enjoyed the court’s patronization. Thailand’s thus rich heritage of art and culture get their true expressions only through the beautiful baskets, earthenware and silverware. The Thai art and culture also represents basic traditions of village life. Thailand has an impressive line up of Thai art and crafts/ handicrafts. Thai textile is one of world’s best textiles in existence. The products made out of these textiles also go on to be described as the best collection of artifacts. Crafts in Thailand comprise of many spectacular and stunning collection of earthenware and pottery. Thai customs and rituals also play a key role in the Thai art and Crafts as they often form the theme of the art. Thai handicrafts and home décor products are made out of reed, mangoweed, celadon sculpted items. Thai handicrafts products include articles made out of Woven reed which is a traditional Thai craft. The best products made out of reed are reed mats and other decorative products. Other products made out of materials like bamboo are Bamboo Bags. Other categories of handicrafts include Egg Shell Handicraft, Ceramic Handicraft, Monarch handicraft, Casket handicraft, Black ant handicrafts while a special type called handicrafts from Thailand include Handicraft, Art, Antique Art Pieces, Paper Handicraft Gecko, Wooden Motorbike Racer, Photo Sa Paper Handicrafts. The Thais have always been fierce patrons of art and culture. Thailand has produced many types of modern and contemporary art. Thailand has patronized many types of art. However the art scene in Thailand is found to be flourishing in and around Bangkok. The artists are constantly producing different types of artistic work all over Thailand. However the artists stick to a typical type of art form like traditional Buddhist depictions which are found to be very popular among the people. Thai art describes controversial issues and issues related to the rural life and degradation of normal values. Thailand has many universities teaching art as a discipline and many galleries as well organizing many exhibitions. Silapakom University stands out among the rest.
Life in Thailand - Making the Most of your Adventure There are loads of things you can do in Thailand that will bring a smile to your face. Most importantly, relax. Know that things are going to be slightly more challenging to accomplish. Know that you make 4 times as much as many of the people you will meet on the street and in the markets. Know that you aren’t going to live there forever.
Medical If foreigners have a medical problems while in Thailand, they invariably seem to end up in one of a few hospitals that have a good reputation, and are well known to
11 cater to foreign patients. Bumrungrad Hospital seems to be most popular among residents in the Bangkok area. However Bangkok General Hospital and its affiliates Samitivej Hospital and Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital, are also very popular. The last 4 or 5 years the above mentioned hospitals have been actively (together with a general promotional attitude by the authorities) seeking medical tourists to visit Thailand. Amazingly up to 60% of patients at Bumrungrad Hospital and up to 40 % of patients at Samitivej Hospital are foreigners. We do not think that Thai patients are not accepted in these hospitals. It just so happens that while foreigners may consider the hospitals cheaper than in their home countries, for most Thais they are simply to expensive to consider. Samitivej Hospital (part of the Bangkok General Hospital Group) is upmarket and is one of the health care providers for medical tourists in Thailand. The Kasikorn Research Centre reported that 1.28 million expatriates visited Thai Hospitals in 2005, generating revenue for these hospitals of around 33 billion baht. On average, this means each foreign patient paid 25,800 baht for services provided. The average reflects most likely more expensive procedures such as major surgery, and a whole lot of out patient clinic visits. We assume that this includes also a lot of ‘annual check-ups’. Bumrungrad Hospital is much in the news media. It has been covered on U.S. television stations, and also in international magazines. Also the local English press seems to have an article about the hospital every few weeks. Surely, the public relations office at the hospital is doing a superb job. An article in Newsweek (end 2006) reveals that Bumrungrad hospital treated 400,000 foreign patients in 2005. This number is astounding and must be (not clearly stated in the article) referring to total hospital visits rather than total number of patients treated. Furthermore, the hospital has just opened (mid 2008) a new 18-story outpatient center, which will eventually increase the hospital’s outpatient capacity to 6,000 patients per day. Bangkok Hospital, with its many affiliated hospitals (like BNH Hospital, Samitivej Hospital and branches in Pattaya and Phuket) is also a popular destination for medical tourists. Medical tourism will certainly generate further income for the hospitals involved and for Thailand in general. Thailand’s assets as a center for medical care for foreigners are multiple. The standard of treatment and technology is high. The prices are mostly lower than in other countries who provide similar quality and technology. The hospital environment in Thailand is clearly more hospitable. It is fair to say that all the hospitals mentioned above, also look good, are mostly new, and give a favorable impression
as soon as you enter them. The tourism infrastructure is well developed (provided you are not so sick that you can not really enjoy sightseeing).
Money in Thailand TThe currency of Thailand is the “Baht” - sometimes spelled “Bath” but pronounced to rhyme with “hot.” One Baht is divisible into 100 Satang. Major credit cards are accepted by hotels and large shops, but “hard cash” is the preferred tender almost everywhere. Travelers checks are not widely accepted outside of hotels, so change them for cash at a bank exchange. Coins come in six denominations: 25 and 50-Satang coins are very small and made of brass. They’re practically useless, and as a tourist you’re unlikely to encounter them unless you shop at a supermarket or department store. The other coins come in one, two, five and tenBaht pieces. The one, two and five-Baht coins are silver, while the ten-Baht coin consists of a silver ring around a brass center. Bills vary in size and color according to denomination: 20-Baht is green, 50-Baht is blue, 100-Baht is red, 500Baht is purple and 1,000-Baht is white. There is also still a 10-Baht bill in circulation, which is brown in color, but these are quite rare. Actually, there are several versions of coins in circulation, and not a few variations in bills as well. They’re all legal tender, so don’t worry if you start comparing the change in your pocket and notice some differences. All bills and all coins have a picture of His Majesty the King, and are therefore supposed to be shown some respect. Credit Cards If you travel with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or other credit card, watch out when charging purchases overseas. The reason, most U.S. and Canadian creditcard companies are now tacking an extra 2% to 5% fee on international transactions. You should be aware that many shops in Thailand, while they may accept credits, will often charge you more for using one. The typical surcharges are 3% for Visa or MasterCard and 5% for American Express. The reason, the credit card companies charge the merchant about these figures for handling the transaction for them. Of course, the credit card companies hate it when the merchant does this - it’s specifically prohibited in the agreement the merchant signs with the credit card company. But from the merchant’s standpoint, he’s just being fair if you want to use a credit card, you should pay the cost of it, and not the merchant’s other customers. This practice is never encountered in hotels, restaurants or major department stores, but is quite common everywhere else.
12 Most experienced travelers will tell you that ATMs are the cheapest way to get cash overseas. For that matter, so does Visa, which handles currency conversion for banks around the world. Some banks are now tacking an additional “conversion fee” onto the Visa or MasterCard currency-exchange commission. Not only that, but this hidden surcharge is on top of the flat transaction fees that banks often charge for ATM withdrawals away from home.
Packing List for Thailand First things first, look through your closet, look through your toiletry back, look around your home, look to see how much of what you own is MADE IN China. You can get most things there. Do not PACK THE KITCHEN sink. That said, there are a couple things that are nice to have’s when you’re abroad and there are some things you need to bring. Consider where you are going when determining what to pack in terms of clothing. To say that you should pack a winter jacket for those going to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai would be like saying to someone living in Miami or Darwin that they should have an electric blanket. Packing List - For those with big or wide feet, shoes in big or wide sizes - Pictures or post cards from home and a map of your home country - A general History book of your country if you do not have a general knowledge already. - Stamps of your home country - Tampons - only those with no applicator are available and even those are only available at a certain stores. - Plug adapters - if you are bringing in any electrical equipment
Sending Money Home From Thailand There are several options to consider when sending your hard earned money home from Thailand. Bank Transfers from Thailand The simplest option is to keep a bank account open in your home country when you travel to Thailand. When you go to Thailand, make sure you bring your bank’s name, address, phone number, branch number Swift Code and your account number with you. Once you have bank accounts open in both countries you should be able to remit money from your account in Thailand to your account back home.
Keep in mind that there are bank charges associated with each transaction, so it is best to send large amounts at a time. Banks don’t always give you the best exchange rate either, be sure to shop around and remember that rates are usually negotiable. The money usually takes three days to clear. Western Union Wire Transfer from Thailand This is also a fast and efficient was to send money BUT someone has to be available to pick it up and process it on the other end. Bank transfers are far more appealing in most cases because you can access bank account information online. There is a standard fee of about $70 for this service and they make a bit on the exchange rate (which is never as good as the posted bank rates). Things you will need: Note that you can transfer money ONLINE - check the Western Union website - note that there are restrictions on how much you can send. www.westernunion.com In-person you will need the exact person’s name you want it sent to. Once you send the money you will be given a Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) call the pickup person or email them with this number so they can collect the funds easier. Spelling of the person’s name is CRITICAL as ID will be checked on the receiving end. Use traveler’s checks Another way to get money home is to buy traveler’s checks endorsing them to yourself, sending them to your parents back home and having them deposit them in your account. This is dangerous.
Taxes in Thailand A foreigner who lives in Thailand for more than 180 days in a tax year (the calendar year) is considered a Thai resident for tax purposes. A resident is required to file taxes on all income received within Thailand as well as income received from foreign sources brought into Thailand. A non-resident living in Thailand less than 180 days within a tax year is only required to file a tax return and pay taxes on income received from sources within Thailand. All foreigners who work in Thailand are generally required to hold a valid work permit for the position they hold. But a tax resident foreigner is liable to pay tax on income received, as set out above, regardless of whether they have a work permit.
Transportation in Thailand Thailand has a well-developed transportation system. Its main components are described briefly below, but anyone going to Thailand would be well advised to take
13 a good guidebook along. Without one, getting from place to place can be very expensive and frustrating. To get around in urban areas, most people ride boats, buses, taxis, three -wheeled vehicles (samlors or tuk tuks), or motor scooters. Boats Some Thai cities have canals (klongs), and many people use long-tailed motorized boats for transportation. The Chao Praya Express company, for example, plies the Chao Praya River, and takes commuters and tourists to destinations all along the river. Now that traffic is so terrible in Bangkok, it is often faster to take the express boat through town. Ferries take passengers across the water at various points. Buses In Bangkok, traveling by bus is one of the fastest methods of getting around because of an intricate system of one-way streets and bus lanes. Bus maps are a good investment, and are available at any of the major hotels and book stores. There are air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses. All are crowded, cheap, and a pickpocket’s dream, so be sure to protect your money and valuables. The airconditioned bus has closed windows and curtains to protect passengers from the sun. The microbus is smaller, has TV and magazines, and costs 29B (US$1.14), which is expensive by Thai standards. If you can figure out the routes they take, microbuses are the best option for comfort, but English-language guides to the buses are not readily available. Samlors (tuk tuks) These vehicles are open-air three-wheelers that can be hired like taxis. Motorized (tuk tuk) and pedal-driven (samlor) versions are both common. Negotiate your fare ahead of time, as they can be expensive. In Bangkok, long, motorized tuk tuk rides can be quite unpleasant due to the extreme air pollution and noise, but tuk tuks can get around some traffic snarls in which taxis get stuck. In general, these are good for short trips and distances less than what the 38B taxi fare will get you.
the bus lanes. Traveling by taxi can require miles-long detours, which result in a longer and more expensive trip. Try to get an idea of a typical fare from a third party so that you may negotiate an appropriate fare with the taxi driver. Although there’s a train to the Bangkok Airport, taxis are the quickest way, and are reasonably priced—especially if you can find someone to split the fare. Intercity Transportation Long-distance transportation within Thailand is primarily by rail, airplane, and bus. Some people have cars, but most ride some form of public transportation. Air Travel By far the easiest and fastest way to get from city to city is by air. Thai Airways has almost a total monopoly on domestic flights in Thailand, and they have offices in North America and in many Thai cities. Bangkok Airways also flies between some cities, and their fares are comparable to those of Thai Airways. Buses Almost every main city in Thailand is connected by direct public bus with Bangkok and other cities. There are several types of buses. Rot tamadaa are ordinary buses that stop in every town, have no air conditioning, and are typically orange. Rot ae are air conditioned, colored blue, and don’t usually stop so often. For long distance travel, people take overnight, air conditioned buses, the most comfortable of which are called VIP or Super VIP (rot VIP), and have more leg and reclining room than normal air conditioned buses. Tickets may be purchased at one of the three public bus stations in Bangkok: for northern destinations, go to moh chit station; for destinations east, go to sataanii ek-amai; to go south, buy your ticket at the station at the intersection of Nakhon Chaisi Road and Phra Pinklao Road in Thonburi. In cities outside of Bangkok, tickets are often sold at store-front locations as well as in the bus station. Private bus companies offer service to some tourist destinations. Songtaews
Taxis Metered and unmetered taxis are available in Bangkok and in most other Thai cities. Fares for unmetered taxis are negotiable, and should be agreed upon in advance. Metered taxis are generally less expensive than unmetered taxis, and by bargaining, fares start at around 44B (US$1.73); however, during rush hour taxi drivers often simply turn off their meters (a generally accepted practice) and increase the fare to compensate for traffic slowdowns. Taxis are more comfortable than buses, but buses are often quicker because taxis aren’t allowed in
Songtaew means “two rows,” and is literally a covered bed truck with two rows of benches that run down the sides. If you are going to a remote place, or between two smaller cities, you may need to take a songtaew. These are the final link in the public transportation system, and are quite fun to take if you don’t mind having young uniformed students sitting on the roof and baskets of farmer produce at your feet.
14 Trains Traveling by train in Thailand is an experience you should not miss. There are limits on where the train can take you, but if you can get close to your destination, you will appreciate the comfort, safety, and scenery viewing opportunities that trains offer. When traveling long distances, most budget travelers take the second class sleeper, which has wide padded seats that face each other and that can be made up into roomy bunks by the steward. The lower bunk is larger than the upper, but there is plenty of luggage storage space in racks on the aisles. Air-conditioned and fan sleepers are available on express trains only. There are also first class sleepers, which have private, air-conditioned cabins. For shorter trips, or if you want to travel during the day, you can reserve second- or third-class seats, which are similar to bus seats. To travel to another city by train, you must reserve a ticket ahead of time at the train station or from a travel agent in Thailand. Tickets for trains are not sold from abroad. Tickets from the same day will usually be third class seats, so it is best to reserve sleepers at least a week in advance. Be sure to buy your ticket early if you plan to travel during a Thai holiday. Train passes similar to the Eurail pass are available for Thailand, but it’s doubtful that they’ll save you much money. For more information, contact a travel agent at the State Railroad of Thailand (SRT) in Bangkok.
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