Central Kad Suenkaew is notable for its brick facade, which distinguishes it from other department stores and buildings in Chiang Mai. Its general layout and setup are similar to that of the Central Airport Plaza, but thanks to its latest renovation being over ten years past, it sports considerably more grunge and less glitz than its larger, more modernized cousin. The Kad Suankaew is located on Huay Kaew Road.

Lotus, also known as Tesco-Lotus, has been a success in Chiang Mai and opened two branches: Hangdong and Kamtiang, along with several smaller “Lotus Express” convenience stores located throughout gas stations in the province. While not overly glamorous, Lotus superstores do offer a great deal of convenience and travel-sized shampoos, facial foams, soaps and toothpaste that are essential to any trip. They function as shopping arcades, and each Tesco-Lotus includes a bookstore, a Black Canyon (a Thai café franchise), and either a Pizza Hut or Pizza Company.

Rimping Supermarket, a Chiang Mai-only specialty supermarket, started off small and humble but has since grown into a multi-branch corporation that aims at the more upscale end of shoppers. It offers fresh, made-in-house bakery that is surprisingly excellent, produces from the Royal Project, and many imported snacks, cooking ingredients, breakfast cereals and more. At the time of writing, there are three large branches of Rimping and a smaller one; the largest three can be found by the Ping River, next to the Central Airport Plaza, and at the Ruamchoak Market. The Central Airport Plaza and Ruamchoak branches have the bonus of being bundled into a shopping arcade so you can do your dining as well as your shopping in one trip.

Central Festival Chiang Mai is one of the new projects that will be open for business in 2012. It is being built on a land that covers 46,500 square meters located on the Chiang Mai – Doi Saket super-highway, aiming for the same market as the Central Airport Plaza, but more: larger, more modern, more everything.

The purpose to promote medical tourism in Thailand is one of the long-term government strategies in support with private hospitals to promote the country there is a medical center for tourists in Asia. Thailand government has put a large amount of money on medical care in the world.

Thailand doctors that receive training and education is equal to that provided in developed countries like the US and other European countries. Moreover, some doctors also receive special training abroad to be a expert in their specific medical field. Private hospitals on the other hand, have also invested huge money in providing state-of-the-art facilities and maintenance.

Visitors come especially from countries where medical costs are too high or from countries having nationalized health care where they need to wait for months or even years. However, in Thailand, the medical service and hospitality is world class. Experienced and helpful medical staffs are always willing to make you feel comfortable in an unfamiliar environment.

Once you have decided to come to Bangkok for medical care, you need to do some research beforehand regarding the procedure you need to perform and the facilities you are considering. Thai hospitals have ISO safety certification. You can come here for various medical treatment purposes including cosmetic surgery, cardiac bypass surgery, Liposuction, breast augmentation, etc.

So, get all the necessary information and go through the right channel. Do not get dependent on others. If you keep these points in your mind then your medical treatment visit to Thailand would always be successful.

However, if you come at the end of this period and stay longer until 13-15 April, you will be able to experience some extra fun with the extraordinary water festival, called Songkran in every part of the countries. A little tip is that if you expect to enjoy this Songkran festival in Pattaya, you will have to stay a little longer as Songkran in only pattaya is held during 17-19 April each year. This period is also Thailand’s peak tourist season. As a result, if you want to avoid crowds and expensive room rates, you should choose the least crowded months like from April to June or September to October.

Once arriving Thailand, most people are like to visit Bangkok as the first start as this is the main transit, Suvanabhumi International Airport, where people step in this country. Bangkok is a city you should not miss in your trip. You will be amazed at the unrestrained glory of the city. There are countless shopping centers to satisfy your shopping need.

Moreover, Bangkok is the place where tradition and modernity intermingling with each other. You will be able to visit a typical Siamese village when you step outside of your affordable world-class hotel. You will be able to buy famous brand-names from sky-high shopping centers as well as participating in an open-air market. You can choose to eat the popular Thai food either in a luxurious restaurant or street-side market.

The excitement of the city will keep you alive. There are many shopping centers that open all night long, enabling you to wander around if you cannot sleep. You will never feel bored when you are in Bangkok. Hope this Thailand travel info will help you for planning your first step in this country and wish you a happy trip in Thailand.

Asia Products LLC offers a unique insight into the magic and mystery of Thailand. They can help you to explore the golden beaches, lush jungles and tropical islands of Thailand’s countryside or indulge yourself in a myriad of experiences from chic city restaurants and dynamic bars to boutique hotels and soothing spas. They have a whole host of travel tips and advice to help you plan your perfect vacation. Unlike many travel sights you CAN take their word for it because all of their accounts are first hand – they know because they have been there! Each account comes with full color photos, so that you can see the beauty of Thailand for yourself.

One of the most eye-catching non-floral bouquet ideas is one which is created entirely from vintage brooches. The brooches can be in the shapes of blossoms or can go in a different direction. The most beautiful old pins will feature colorful rhinestones or crystals, pearls, or enamel. It can be fun when the brooches are a mixture of bright colors, or opt for a more understated effect, created entirely from pins such as cameos. Be sure to select a handcrafted bejeweled bouquet which coordinates with the style of your bridal jewelry. If your bridal jewelry is very traditional, a brooch bouquet with softer tones would be a good companion; if you have selected bridal jewelry which is handcrafted with lots of sparkling crystals, opt for a collection of brooches with plenty of pizazz.

Very crafty bouquets are one of the up-and-coming wedding trends. For an arrangement with an abundance of homespun charm, nothing beats felt and button bouquets. They are generally made with colorful felt in the shapes of flowers and leaves, often with embroidery. Then oversized buttons are used to make the center of the “flowers”, and the elements are assembled into a classic nosegay shape. One thing that is wonderful about a felt bouquet is that it can be made in any color your heart desires. The incredible cozy charm of this type of nosegay will make it one of your favorite wedding mementos for years to come.

Another neat idea for a non-floral bouquet is to carry an arrangement which is created entirely from faux butterflies. The butterfly is a popular motif right now, and a large nosegay of colorful silk, feather, or paper butterflies is simply delightful for a wedding. For added fun, have a few of your faux butterflies perched on the reception centerpieces as well.

There are numerous additional options for unique bouquets made without fresh flowers. You can make your own tissue pom poms or blossoms, create a dramatic arrangement entirely out of feathers, or pay homage to autumn with an arm bouquet made of dried wheat and preserved oak leaves. Whichever you select, you can be sure that your non-floral bouquets will make your wedding memorable and special.

The most popular Thai dishes
Some of the most favourite dishes among foreign visitors to Thailand are Pad Thai (fried noodles), Tom Yam Kung (a sour-spicy shrimp soup), Tom Ka Gai (a chicken curry with coconut milk) and the Massaman Curry (a speciality from southern Thailand).

Ingredients of Thai Cuisine
The probably most noticable ingredient of Thai cooking is: chili. Even though it’s not an original Thai ingredient – it has just been introduced to Thailand a couple of hundred years ago by Portugese traders who brought it from South America – it’s hard to imagine Thai cooking without chillis nowadays.

Fortunately for you, most Thai people nowadays know that Westerners prefer a milder taste and often have a hard time dealing with original Thai spiciness and will prepare dishes “mai ped” (not spicy) if cooking for European or American visitors.

Coconut milk is another popular ingredient. It’s being made by pressing with flesh of coconuts with water, and gives a meal a nice, mild, soft, round note that counterbalances the spiciness.

Lemongrass is also a commonly used ingredient because it makes a dish taste pleasantly fresh. Different sorts of herbs like Thai basilicum, ginger, galangal, tumeric and cilantro are also commonly used. Note that in Thai cuisine, herbs are almost always used fresh, not dried. This is partly because fresh herbs tend to cool the body down in comparison to dried herbs, which often have “heating properties”.

Eating in Thailand: A Shared Experience
There is a distinct difference between the eating habits of Thai people and people from European or American descent. Western people tend to order separate dishes, even when eating together. Thai people on the other hand order several dishes which will then be positioned in the middle of the table. Everybody gets his own plate of rice, and then everybody eats from these foodladen plates. It is not common to load your own food on your own table. Instead, you always take another spoonful from the shared plate, mix it with some rice, and eat it, and take another spoonful from the shared plates. Loading up food on your on plate is considered impolite for Thai people.

Vegetarian Food in Thailand?
Many people are under the impression that Thailand is a country where there are lots of vegetarians. However, this is not the case. Even most vegetarian dishes (like fried mixed vegetables) are prepared with either fish sauce or oyster sauce (both of which are made from either fermented fish or oyster essence). If you communicate that you are vegetarian however, they will prepare vegetarian food for you, but you should then learn to communicate that in Thai before arriving in Thailand.

Beancurd is most often also just another condiment in a dish, and seldom the main ingredient. Even though it is commonly used in Thailand, it most often is just added to a dish that contains meat for bigger variety.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is the most well known night market in Thailand, taking up about 10 square blocks centered on Chang Klan road in central Chiang Mai. It is easy to spend a whole night just strolling past hundreds of street-side stalls and indoor arcades. The Night Bazaar is a great place to shop for exotic and beautiful handcrafted goods created by local artisans and skilled crafts-persons from the surrounding villages. The quality is generally high and some very good values can by found, especially if you are skilled at bartering a good deal.

Chiang Mai Walking Street can be a very nice alternative to the more hectic Night Bazaar and prices are aimed more at the locals so prices are generally low; so much that often there is no room to negotiate a bargain. The Walking Street Market is open only on Sundays and is a definite must see because the atmosphere is very relaxed, the market street is quite beautiful and this is an excellent place to mingle with the wonderful Thai people and to find fantastic bargains. The entire Walking Street is about 1 kilometer long and runs the entire length of Ratchadamneurn Road beginning at Thapae Gate and ending at Wat Prasing. Apart from a wide range of hand-made products on offer, one can also enjoy many Thai food stalls, street performances of a traditional nature, and also some much need massage and foot massage.

More serious shoppers can go directly to the villages and factories that manufacture handicrafts and other products and offer for wholesale at San Kamphaeng. Borsang village, just before San Kamphaeng, also has many shops offering a range of handicrafts and is renowned for its unique Borsang umbrellas. Baan Tawai just south of Chiang Mai is home to a wide range of wood carving, wood décor, and other handicrafts.

Chiang Mai is also popular for the diverse ethnic arts that you can find many hill tribe shops across the city. One recommended hill tribe shop is the Hill Tribe Products Promotion Center on Suthep Road next to Suan Dok Temple. It was established by His Majesty the King to promote the products created by 6 different tribes in Chiang Mai including Akha, Karen, Yao, Hmong, Lisu, and Lahu. This is aimed at generating alternative income to replace a reliance on opium cultivation in the past. Shop here for unique ethnic goods and help the hill tribe people.

Those who are interested in modern shops of the much more commercial variety, there are two big shopping centers: Kad Suan Kaew Plaza and Central Airport Plaza. The latter is relatively new and less than 5 minutes from the Chiang Mai International Airport. Panthip Plaza on the same road as Night Bazaar is ideal for techy people who are looking for computers and electronic gadgets with many discounts and a wide range of technical product available at good prices.

Chiang Mai offers more than shopping venues. It is a friendly and beautiful city with rich history steeped in Thai Lanna culture. Hundreds of temples and historical sites are found everywhere across the city and it is very easy to head out of the city to some spectacular natural areas. When not shopping, a visitor can enjoy waterfalls, elephant shows, and trekking tours. Some may be attracted by the more adventurous activities such as white water rafting, bungee jumping and paintball battle. Whatever you could ask for in a trip, Chiang Mai can offer… plus a whole lot more.

Go through the various online hotel booking sites, compare rates and reserve your hotel right now. Make sure that your hotel enjoys close access to the major venues of the Thailand shopping festival. The Thailand shopping festival or the Thailand Grand Sale as it is popularly known takes place over 2 months. This 2-month period is all about reveling in fun, frolic, excitement and unending shopping. Hosted during the period between June and August, the Thailand shopping festival offers you a world-class shopping experience. You will get a colorful range of products here and that too at unbeatable discount rates. The discounts range from a minimum 50% to a maximum of 50 per cent. The various department stores, retail centers and shopping units take this opportunity to make promotional offers. Amongst the popular venues of the Thailand Shopping Festival, the Shopping Streets’ in Bangkok deserve a mention. Apart from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Hat Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima is an important venue for this festival.

The ‘Shopping Streets’ in Bangkok is transformed into a bargainer’s paradise during this time. It provides a perfect platform to purchase the best buys. Beautiful craft items and cottage industry goods, featuring skillfully made decorative items are some of the best buys here. These are available in both traditional as well as contemporary style.

Check out for the discount rates at the various shopping outlets. Avail a jaw dropping discount of about 50 per cent on your favorite product! You can also look for free gift coupons and ,lucky draw prizes here. Bangkok’s shopping street extends from the Siam Discovery Center intersection to the Emporium along Sukhumvit Road. You will get world-famous shopping outlets including Siam Center, Central World Plaza, Siam Discovery Center, Gaysorn, Erawan Bangkok and Amarin Plaza here.

Avail of the huge discounts on luxury goods and items and enjoy a memorable shopping experience. Apart from discounts on shopping, you can avail discounts on your accommodation as well. You need to book a discount hotel in advance from the various discount hotel booking sites online.

Many of those coming to Thailand eventually decide to remain in the country as expatriates. When seeking to relocate to any country, the issue of home ownership becomes a paramount concern. Hopefully this piece will shed light upon some of the many facets of Thai Property Law.

Obtaining Real Estate or Property in Thailand: In order to stay in Thailand for the long term many people opt to buy Thai Real Estate. Owning a home in Thailand can be a bit of a risky enterprise since Thailand has many laws that preclude foreign ownership of land. However, there are some ways in which a non-Thai can own or control Thai property.

Thailand Condos: Condos in Thailand are a popular choice for many expats. Under Thai law a foreigner is allowed to own a Thai Condominium provided the Condo meets certain requirements laid out in the Thailand Condominium Act.

Thai Real Estate Lease: A long term lease of Thai Real Estate is another attractive option to many prospective foreign Property owners in Thailand. However, there is some misunderstanding regarding Thai leases. Many people believe that Thai leases are automatically renewable and they can last for over 30 years, this is simply not the case.

Thailand Usufruct: A usufruct of Thai property is another possibility. This is much like a life estate under the common law system in that a usufruct can grant a person the right to the use of land for life. There are many formalities that must be kept in mind when drafting a usufruct which is why it is advisable to have a lawyer prepare a usufruct.

Thai Company Formation for Property Ownership: Another method of “owning” property in Thailand is having a Thai company own the property and have a disproportionate number of voting shares allotted to the non-Thai property “owner,” this method allows a non-Thai to keep control of the property while still adhering to Thai law.

The legal system of Thailand is complex body of regulations and rules. As with any legal structure used to own real estate, it is wise and recommended that a competent lawyer draft all documents and conduct due diligence research in order to make sure ones interests are fully protected.