If
you are adventurous and have plenty of time to spare, it is possible
to get around very cheaply on the extensive bus system, though it is
wise to avoid rush hour. Several good bus maps are available. There
are air-conditioner bus and no air-conditioner bus. Air-conditioner
bus fares are progessive rate depend on distance. Due to the traffic
of inner city, the BTS skytrain and MRT subway are quick and more efficient
methods of travel. The BTS also links with ferries at Saphan Taksin
station, leading to further travel options. BTS Tourist Information
Centers as Siam, Nana and Saphan taksin station, provide useful information
on attractions. Service include booking tickets for the Chao Phrayr
River Tour and providing passes to selected temples.
There
are several different types of boats and ferries that travel along the
Chao Phraya River. An interresting and relaxing way to explore Bangkok
is by boat. Not only does this offer a refreshing break from Bangkok's
incessant traffic, river tripping is a fun and convenient way to combine
visits to places of interest with general sightseeing. Shuttle boats
These are flat barges with a few seats and simply go back and forth
across the river. Public long-tailed ferry boats These are the very
noisy, narrow boats with propellers, that you see speeding up and down
the klongs, If you want to get ta a particilar place along the klongs,
they are inexpensive and quick. However, very fast stops at pier mean
you have to be particularly agile when it comes to getting on and off.
Some pier now have names in Thai and English. Private long-tailed boats
These boats can usually accommodate 5-6 adults and a number of children,
sure you establish a price before boarding the boat. However, expect
to pay a minimum of 400 bath per hour. If youi take an early morning
trip, you can see monks receiving alms, children hurrying to school
and everyday life along the klongs. On weekend trips enjoy the spectacle
of children as they swim and dive into the klongs. Sunset trips are
also a must as you float by traditional Thai houses and temples.
Department Stores
& Shopping Centers
Amarin Plaza
on Ploenchit road near Erawan Shrine. BTS Chidlom.
Big C Shopping mall with good supermarket and bakery. www.bigc.co.th
Carrefour Household products and supermarket, fast food and various
retail outlets
Central is the largest chain of department stores in Thailand
www.central.co.th
Central World Plaza Giant shopping center with Izaton and
Zen Department stores. Includes cinemas and duty free shops.
Emporium is located on Sukhumvit (near Sukhumvit 24 & connect
to Emporium BTS) includes the Emporium department store and various
designer stores. Cinemas are on 6th floor. More for upper market. Emporium
is like a magnet gathering people to its center. This area could be
considered as a good area to look for condominiums for sale nearby Emporium
BTS as well.
Fashion Island Ramintra Road Large shopping center with branch
of Central Department and boutiques.
Fortune Town Ratchadapisek Road Shopping center with supermarket
and computer (IT) stores.
Future Park (Rangsit) Raholyothin Road Large shopping mall in
Rangsit area. There are big and nice cinemas nearby too.
Gaysorn Plaza opposite the Central World Plaza. (Rachadamri BTS
& Siam BTS) Positioning itself as a very luxury retail complexes.
Foreign luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Dior, etc..
Makro Wholesale superstore (bulk purchasing)
The Mall Department Store is large chain of department stores,
shopping and entertainment centers www.themallgroup.com
MBK Center or Ma Boon Krong Center. at BTS Siam near National
Stadium. www.mbk-center.com
in-door shops, and market like style. Bargain prices. General shopping
popular among teenagers. Goods offer such as mobiles phones, mp3 players,
boutiques, various brands of cosmetics, etc.
Peninsula Plaza Rajadamri road Upper market shopping complex
with designer stores and Jewellry shops.
Robinson
is a one of large chain of department stores. www.robinson.co.th
Seacon Square
Srinakarin Road Biggest shopping complex with cinemas and amusement
park www.seaconsquare.com
Siam Center at Siam BTS for who is looking trendy clothing stores
Siam Discovery at Siam BTS offer decorative products, fashion,
furniture, bookstores and cinemas
Siam Paragon at Siam BTS upper market retails and entertainment
center. Various kinds of restaurants. Various prices, Premium cinemas.
There is a aquarium called "Underwater world".
Siam Square Siam BTS. There are like blocks have small streets
onnected from one to one. Large choices of clothing shops for teenagers
and children.
Tesco Lotus Superstore consists of house wares and supermarkets
www.tescolotus.com
Hospital List
Bangkok Hospital
www.bangkokhospital.com
BNH Hospital www.bnhhospital.com
Bumrungrad Hospital www.bumrungrad.com
Samitvej Hospital www.samitivej.co.th
Camillian hospital Tel. 662 3918786 www.camillian.org
Bangkok Christain Hospital Tel. 662 2336981 www.bkkchristianhosp.th.com
Bangna Hospital Tel. 662 3938534-5
Central General Hospital Tel. 662 5528777
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital www.md.chula.ac.th
Ladprao Hospital Tel. 662 5302244 www.ladpraohospital.co.th
Mongkutwattana Tel. 662 5745001-2 www.mongkutwattana.co.th
Nonthavej Hospital Tel. 662 5895489-91 www.nonthavej.co.th
Pakkred Vejakarn Hospital Tel. 662 9609655-9
Phyathai Hospital www.phyathai.com
Piyavate Hospital www.piyavate.com
Police Hospital Tel. 662 2528111 www.policehospital.go.th
Rutnin-Gimbel Eye Hospital www.rutnin.com
St.Louis Hospital www.saintlouis.or.th
Thonburi Hospital Tel. 662 4120020-7 www.thonburihospital.com
Vichaiyut Hospital Tel. 662 2722100 www.vichaiyut.co.th
Foreigners are
limited to buy land or house on land in Thailand except they come to
invest businesses in Thailand (they must establish company here) But
foreigners have legally right to own condo unit. These are for your
information (easy!) Foreigners can buy properties such as condo in Thailand
very easily.
The process to
buy the condo
1) You need to
open the Thai bank account here.
2) Then, you need
to transfer the foreign currency from abroad to your Thai bank account
which is the total amount of currency transfer must be equal or more
to the sold price.
3) Important! Don't
forget to identify the purpose when you transfer money to your Thai
Bank A/C is
"PURCHASING CONDO IN THAILAND"
on this matter, you will get the document from the Thai Bank later
which is showed that you transfer money from abroad to buy condo in
Thailand and we need to use this document on the transfer date.
4) For making payment
you make the cashier cheque to pay to the seller at the land department
on transfer ownership date.
The documents are
required
1) The document
from the Bank which show that you transfer money from abroad to buy
condo in Thailand.
2) *** If you are
single you use your passport only.***
3) But if you are
married you need to prepare the marriage certificate which is translated
in Thai language. If the original is English is usable.
4) wife/husband's
passport.
Bangkok is Thailand’s
capital. The busy business and mostly the expatriated areas are in Silom,
Sathorn and Sukhumvit. The grand palace is the most beautiful temple
is one of the tourist attractions. Bangkok provides all kinds of accommodations,
restaurants, hospitals and shopping centers. Siam area is one of the
famous shopping area. They consists of Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery,
Siam Center, MBK, Siam square, Center Point, etc. For the long term
stay, there are many kinds of accommodations such as serviced apartment,
condominiums or house for rent in various budgets.
Pattaya is Thailand's
famous beach resorts. There are more than a million tourists from all
over the world every year. In Pattaya you will find various kinds of
hotels and restaurants which are ranged from high standard, sports,
entertainment and shopping facilities. Pattaya also offers all kind
of nightlife with variety of night clubs, bars, discotheques, cocktail
lounges and cabarets.
Phuket is in the
west coast of Southern Thailand and Thailand’s largest island and
surrounded by small islands. Accommodation ranges from luxuriously hotels
with superb convention facilities or resort style to simple guesthouses.
The famous beach called Patong is one of the area that there are of
various restaurants, nightlife and shoppings.
Chiengmai is the
city of culture, handicraft of wood, silk and silver. It could be called
city of temples. One of tourist attraction is Doi Intanont natural park
which is Thailand’s highest mountain. There are various ranges
of accommodation, restaurants are offered for tourists along with the
night shopping braza.
Koh Samui is in
the province of Suratthanee. It is very lovely island and full with
activitiesTo Koh Samui we can take the ferry from the mainland. There
are various kinds of hotels and resort including quest house are offered
to the tourists.
Business Opportunity
Chambers of Commerce
American www.amchamthailand.org
Australian www.austchamthailand.com
Belgian-Luxembourg www.beluthai.org
British www.bccthai.com
Canadian www.tccc.co.th
Chinese www.thaiccc.or.th
Danish www.dancham.or.th
Delegation of the European Commission www.deltha.cec.eu.int
Finnish www.thaifin.or.th
Franco-Thai www.francothaicc.com
German www.gtcc.org
Hong Kong Trade Development Council www.thta.or.th
Indian www.itcc.or.th
International Chamber of Commerce www.iccthailand.or.th
Iris-Asia-Ireland www.asia-ireland.com
Israeli www.thaiisraelcc.or.th
Italian www.thaitch.org
Japanese www.jcc.or.th
Korean www.korchamthai.com
Netherlands www.ntccthailand.or.th
New Zealand www.nztcc.org
Norwegian www.norcham.com
Polish-Thai Business Club www.polbizbkk.com
Singaporean www.singaporethaicc.or.th
South African
Swedish www.swecham.com
Swiss www.swissthai.com
Trade Association
Thailand Automotive
Institue www.thaiauto.or.th
Thai Food Processors Association www.thaifood.org
Electrical & Electronics Institue www.thaieei.com
Department of Export Promotion www.thaitrade.com
Thai Airfreight Forwarders Asoociation www.tafathai.org
Thai Contractors Association www.tca.or.th
Thai Frozen Foods Association www.thai-frozen.or.th
Thai Furniture Industries Association www.tfa.or.th
Thai Garment Manufacturer Association www.thaigarment.org
Thai Gem & Jewelry Traders Association www.thaigemjewelry.or.th
Thai Leather goods Association www.thaileathergoods.net
Thai National Shippers Council www.tnsc.com
Thai Tanning Industry Association www.thaitanning.org
Thailand Textile Institue www.thaitextile.org
Bank in Thailand
Bangkok Bank www.bangkokbank.co.th
Bang of Asia www.boa.co.th
Bank of Ayudhaya www.krungsri.com
Citi Bank www.citibank.co.th
DBS Thai Danu Bank www.dbs.co.th
HSBC Bank www.hsbc.co.th
KASIKORNBANK Public Company Limited (KBANK) www.kasikornbank.com
Krung Thai Bank www.ktb.co.th
Siam City Bank www.scib.co.th
Siam Commercial Bank www.scb.co.th
Standard Chartered Nakornthon Bank www.standardcharterednakornthon.co.th
Thai Military Bank www.tmb.co.th
TISCO Bank Public Company Limited. www.tisco.co.th
Thai Military Bank www.tmb.co.th
Type of long term
accommodation
Apartments and
condominiums
When you are apartment hunting, it is worthwhile buying one of the maps
or location guides which lists apartments and condominiums in Bangkok-see
Recommended reading at the end of this chapter.
Advantages of living
in an apartment include readily available maintenance and repair services,
24-hour security and facilities such as a gym, pool, garden or children's
play area. For families, the advantage of having other children on the
premises to play and travel to school with can save having to brave
the after-school traffic to meet friends. Apartment blocks vary widely
in terms of style, quality, location and facilities, not to mention
price. Look at a range of apartments, and talk to various people before
you make a decision to rent Don't be pressured by real estate agents.
Changing your mind and breaking a lease can be done, but is usually
an expensive and stressful exercise
Condominiums offer
the same level of service as apartments. Condominium implies individual
ownership, so the interior facility and decoration can vary considerably
within the same building. Issues may also arise regarding responsibility
for maintenance and upgrading. Take particular care with contracts.
Townhouses
Interesting townhouses are tucked away down many sub-sois. They are
usually less expensive than apartments and many have a semi-detached
appearance. Often they are multi-level with small garden areas. Some
apartment complexes have a mix of apartments and townhouses in the same
compound, with the same level of security and other facilities as the
apartments. Agents should be aware of complexes which include townhouses.
Single townhouses with individual owners are often advertised in newspapers
rather than leased through agents.
Houses & housing
estates
One option is to live in a house. A house involves maintenance and garden
upkeep and in most cases the necessity for more live-in staff, such
as a night guard and/or gardener. House contents insurance will be necessary,
and many find that burglar alarms are required. Few houses have swimming
pools and, although comfortable houses in tropical gardens do exist,
they can be expensive and may take some time to find, particularly in
the more central areas. Some houses and townhouses are in compound and
many have communal swimming pools and gyms.
Although the authorities have improved Bangkok's drainage system, the
city still floods in places during the rainy season. This is usually
not a problem in an apartment, but houses can be affected. Check high
water marks along the street walls and ask the neighbors about flooding.
Expatriate moo
baans
These are villages similar to housing estates, and are generally on
the fringes of the central areas, e.g. Chaeng Watthana, Bang Na or On
Nut area. Moo baans offer a different style of living than apartments
in the city-the houses have gardens, outdoor play area and are often
large and two-storey. Moo baans usually have shared facilities such
as tennis courts and swimming pools, and have the feel of a small community.
The streets are usually quiet, and some families with small children
prefer this more Western style of living. There are advantages and disadvantages
of moo baan living some distance from central Bangkok. For example getting
to the city for work, hospital visits, schools, children's activities,
or dining out, can be a time-consuming exercise. It is also necessary
to have at least one car.
The lease
Tax structures allow for the division of rental into two components:
rental of premises and rental of furnishing and fixtures, the latter
being exempt from tax. This explains why most landlords prefer to provide
furnished or semi-furnished accommodation. Landlords will remove unwanted
items of freestanding furniture, however, there is unlikely to be a
reduction in the rent. The usual lease is for one year, the rent payable
one month in advance. There may also be a two or three month deposit.
If possible, attempt to have a termination clause (known as a diplomatic
clause) included in your lease agreement, in case of unexpected moves
overseas. This allows early termination of a lease provided that at
least two month's written notice is given.
Many landlords
are happy to include utility expenses (such as electricity, telephone
and water) as part of the overall rental cost. Some have been known,
however, to charge over and above the standard rate. They may also charge
an additional amount for electricity used in common areas. Always check
the per unit charge for electricity as well as any other additional
costs and make sure you have a complete list of all charges before signing.
Landlords should provide you with monthly accounts of all extra expenses
incurred.
