1) The actual money transfer fee

2) The current exchange rate.

3) Additional fees that may need to be paid by the recipient of the money transfer. In Thailand this is often the case for bank wire transfers.

Of course most companies make the money transfer fee for there money. This fee is calculated dependent upon various factors such as the amount of baht being sent, how soon you wish the recipient to receive the money transfer and where you are sending money to. Be careful here for some companies will advertise no money transfer fee. this may be the case but if you take a look at the exchange rate they are offering to you it may well be the case that it is a very poor exchange rate and overall you may be losing money despite not paying a money transfer fee.

The exchange rate is of course very important. rates change daily and you can check them in Thailand in the daily Bangkok Post newspaper or of course online. Money transfer firms generally have slightly different exchange rates so double check with as many companies as you can.

As mentioned previously if you are looking to perform a bank wire transfer the recipient may actually incur a fee at their end which shouldn’t be overlooked. Some of the major banks who are able to perform a wire transfer from Bangkok are: Kasikorn Bank, Siam Commercial Bank, and the Bank of Audhya. They have many branches all over Bangkok and throughout Thailand.

Some firms such as iKobo use a system combining ATM cards to send money overseas. The fee for this may be more expensive for Thailand so check with the company offering the service.

Send money via a bank transfer in Thailand is a good idea for large amounts of money as it is very safe. They use a safe system with encrypted messages. To do this you would need a Thai bank account.

You should need to provide several different documents to acquire one of these such as: passport with a non-tourist visa, work permit and proof of earnings amongst other things. It may however be slightly easier to open a bank account outside of Bangkok as restrictions seem to vary dependent on location. However Thai banks are usually very helpful and efficient when processing wire transfers overseas. If you are sending to the UK you would need to provide a BIC number and an IBAN number so the bank knows exactly where to send the money to.

Western Union and MoneyGram also play a big role for transferring money overseas from Thailand. western Union has two very convenient branches in tourist areas on Khao Sah road a main backpacker ghetto and Sukhumvit road where many ex-pats frequent.

At time of writing the exchange rate for UK pound sterling and US dollars is:

Thai baht, 10,000 = 320 US Dollars
Thai baht, 10,000 = 161 UK Pound Sterling

As ever with money transfers it pays to take care of any reference numbers, receipts, carbon copies and so on just in case you run into any problems. This is generally not the case but better to be safe than sorry. with so many money transfer service agents available at the moment the key advice would be to shop around.

Property financing for foreigners in Thailand is available now. When we buy a property back home, one of the first things coming to our mind is financing. Even for those who have enough funding and liquidity for owning a property, financing is often perceived as a way of leveraging investments. For buyers with less access to funding, financing is an unavoidable vehicle they utilize to own that dream home. Considering this, Thailand is the same as any other countries.

Most of the financial institutions in Thailand offer loans for property purchases to Thai citizens and companies centered on similar criteria we are familiar with in our home countries. However, the similarities do not extend from there for most foreigners buying property in Thailand.

The issuing of the new tax incentive package is also an attractive move for the market interested in property purchases. This is anticipated to fuel market sentiments on both the demand and supply sides. Property Transfer fee will be decreased from 2% to 0.01% and Specific Business Tax for property transactions will be decreased from 3% to 0.1%.

Reliability in the market could be improved further by longer lease terms, stretching from the current 30 years to 90 years. The beginning of business lending to foreign property investors should also be considered by the government. Policies like these would enable Thailand to keep pace with its emerging neighbors, Vietnam and Malaysia, relating to property purchase terms. So, more encouraging outlook is expected for the Thai property market in 2008 than in 2007.

Since the December election, foreign investors have shown increased interest in property purchases. Established developments have witnessed a particularly alive high season. Newly awarded projects have also met with a positive response by foreigners in Thailand.

A similar trend is witnessed in Samui with a clear rise in visiting and purchases of resort properties. With surge in flight schedules, further demand will be anticipated in Samui. The Samui market for luxury villas is closing on Phuket, with the establishment of international hotel brands wooing quality tourism. Samui used to be a less favored beach destination, but this is not at all the case now as it is emerging rapidly as a beach destination. Lots of high net worth investors are now increasingly keen.

The Treasury Department’s recent land value appraisal displayed that land values in Phuket have rose by an average 160 per cent over the past four years, with Samui prices following closely. The steady rise in land prices on Thailand’s coast points to the confidence in the market and its long term prospects. If you are ready to forget the unfriendly past of Thailand and show renewed faith you are set to benefit.

On going, an investor may require paying income tax on an income he attains from his investment property in Thailand but may be quite happy to realize that there is presently no capital gains tax in Thailand. There is also a Land Tax and Structures Usage tax that an overseas investor may have to pay on their property assets but both are very much affordable. Wise foreigners in Thailand always go for the right choice in property purchases and this is definitely one among them.

Thailand Villas are attaining a global reputation for luxury, quality and value. Luxury villas in Phuket are on the same level or above of anything anywhere in the world, and regularly feature in magazines and newspapers as promoted as the peak of living. When choosing a luxury villa guests must decide whether they want solitude or a more hectic atmosphere with hustle and bustle of street markets and beach activities. Luxury villas on the east coast offer the kind of peace and quiet that is more akin to Samui or Krabi. There is a sense of remoteness here, with traditional Thai fishing villages, and quiet serene beaches dotted along the coast.

It is not just the luxury villas that people are drawn too. The Andaman coast is certainly one of the most striking areas, and Phuket is famous for its beauty and wealth of attractions. Southern Thailand stands apart from the rest of the country as being more tropical. It has the highest rainfall, giving a deeper green to the vegetation, while the geological make up of sheer limestone formations adds drama to the landscape.

Thailand also has a reputation as a golfing paradise with a wealth of world class courses that have attracted many of the best pros over the years – including American-Thai Tiger Woods. Thailand frequently stages the Johnnie Walker Super Tour and other Asian classics attracted by the excellent course facilities and clubroom accommodation found across the kingdom. These are all available to our customers and despite the top-notch conditions a first-class round of golf is possible for about US$60 to US$70.

The six provinces along the Western coast are characterized by the Andaman sea which has numerous excellent coral reefs making it a paradise for divers. The water is warm year round and so is always comfortable to swim in. The Similan islands are rated amongst the top dive destinations in the world as are the climbing sites in Krabi province meaning that vacationers will never be bored with what is on offer.

Krabi is a family destination, unhurried and unpretentious, with resorts that are protected from the usual tourist hustle and bustle, yet within close proximity to Krabi’s international airport. Krabi offers world class diving, kayaking and rock climbing to match its top quality resorts and restaurants. It’s all part of Thailand’s fabulous hospitality, which is why we’re called…

“The Land of Smile”

Population
Cave paintings and artifacts found around Krabi indicate that the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times.

Today the people of Krabi represent a mix of three different ethnic groups who came to settle from other regions. It is said that each ethnic group has written a page in Krabi’s rich history.

The origins of the Chao Ley or “Sea Gypsies” are unknown. Living mainly on the islands, these nomadic people live in small settlements and earn their living from fishing, collecting shells and diving.

They still retain their own language and beliefs and spiritual worship is still strong in the community. Although overexposure to tourism, and inevitable assimilation with mainstream culture is unfortunately threatening their small communities.

Some of their traditional ways are preserved the yearly sea gypsy sailing ritual held in May on Koh Lanta, Koh Pu and Koh Cha and various ceremonies still celebrated within the community.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, immigrants from southern China flocked to Thailand in search of work. Many assimilated into Thai society but their descendants still retain their Chinese heritage and are prominent in the business community. Many still speak Chinese dialects, have Chinese (and Thai) names, and observe Chinese rituals and religious beliefs which form part of the local culture.

Krabi is also home to many Muslim communities, due to its close proximity to Malaysia and strong ethnic ties with the border provinces, providing a rich diversity to the area.

Below is some guides to learn easier Thai language

1. Try to surround yourself with the language. Definitely the best solution is to go to Thailand and live there for some time.There you will be able to hear, read, speak and thus train this language 24/7. If it’s impossible get Thai TV, subscribe to Thai papers and magazines and watch Thai movies. This will speed the process of learning Thai considerably.

2. Get Thai friends. After all you want to communicate with Thai people. You can do it either personally or over the Internet. There are many social portals you can strike up new wonderful friendships while speaking and writing in Thai.

3. Try to be like a Thai person, learn what they like, what their traditions are. This will help you to understand a fascinating Thai culture and when something fascinates you – learning it and about it is a pure pleasure. Studying the Thai language is a key to understanding Thailand.

4. Study every day and repeat often what you have learned. We learn by repetition so the more you repeat the better your command of Thai will be. Even half an hour of studying and repeating each day is much better than studying 5 hours once a week.

5. Put emphasis on writing and reading. Spoken Thai is much easier so you should find time every day to practice these two skills.

6. If you don’t understand something – ask. Find Thai language discussion forums on the Internet and ask your questions there. There will be many people there that will readily help you.

7. Talk your friends into studying Thai with you or find somebody who learns it too. Studying with other people is very motivating, effective, and simply brings much more fun.

8. Set up reasonable goals for yourself. Raising the bar to high can discourage you since you will tend to think you are making no or little progress.

9. Make studying this language fun. When you practice reading – choose something interesting, when watching a film let it be something fun, etc. You will notice then that Thai is close to you since you can express and understand things that are of interest to you.

10. Last but not least. Stay optimistic as Thai people are. Even one word learned a day is bringing you closer to your aim – communication in Thai.

The capital of Thailand is Bangkok, which is the largest city in Thailand and also owns one of the world’s biggest international airports. Thailand has 75 provinces and two special governed districts: one is Bangkok and the other is Pattaya. Thai population is virtually made up by ethnic Thai and Lao and more than 94% of them are Buddhists. Thai people worship Buddha and ancestors and that’s what makes the Thai culture. Thai people respect their religion and ancestors so much that it comes into their way of greeting each other: they greet other people with a prayer-like gesture. Thais are very friendly and smiling, that’s why this country is also called “the land of smiles”. Thai people like talking openly to everyone, including foreigners. Tourists coming to Thailand are always warmly greeted by all Thais, from kids to old people. Even if you don’t know much about the Thai language, you can still have a good time interacting with the local residents.

Thailand is a typical tropical country with a hot and humid climate. There are two seasons in a year: the dry and the rainy season. The rainy season is from July to November. It is very inconvenient and uncomfortable to travel in the rainy season. The best time to come to Thailand is from February to March when the weather is the finest and the beaches are the most beautiful.

Thailand has never been colonized. Since its foundation date in 1238, Thailand has been growing and has become one of the most prosperous countries in Asia. The official currency in Thailand is the Baht, which exchanges at about 34 to the US dollar. Nowadays Thailand has a fast growing and open economy which benefits a great deal from the tourism industry. More than 10 million tourists go to Thailand every year, but this number fell sharply after its tsunami disaster at the end of 2004. The most badly affected area is Phuket – one of the most beautiful destinations for tourists, with its glorious beaches. Much advertising effort has been made since, to recover the tourism industry.

Besides tourism, agriculture is also the strength of this country. Thailand has been the leading country in exporting rice for more than a decade. However, the Thai economy and food chain has been stricken once more by the recent avian flu epidemic which has adversely affected poultry farming in the entire area.

In contrast to the beautiful city sights, grand hotels and luxury resorts, a large proportion of the Thai population still live in poverty in suburban areas and ragged villages, although the government is always trying to develop the Thai economy as well as improving the living standard for the poor across the country.

No matter what your interests are, there’s a spot in its geography that has you covered. Out of the normal activities, many find the Thai golf courses to be an exciting new adventure in the 18 hole world. For rock climbers, the cliffs in the city of Krabi are some of the best in the world to test your skills on. If you’re a water person, surfing and scuba await on its coast. And for those seeking some rest and relaxation, Thailand has grown to become the world’s second highest ranking destination for spas in the world and it’s Medical Tourism is also growing at a fast rate.

As mentioned many people find themselves flocking to Thailand because of Medical Tourism. Medical procedures can be undergone for a fraction of what they cost here in places like the United States or England, and the medical expectations set before them are often equivalent or higher than those in North America. All in all, Thailand is a cheap place to score an exotic vacation. A weak currency and hordes of visitors lends itself to affordable and valuable finds the country over. If you are looking for a place that seems to offer the exotic flavor of a foreign country and tropical location but don’t want to fork out all of your hard earned cash, consider a visit to Thailand!

1. Money Transfer

This method is best when you just want to send money once or a few times, not regularly.

First have her open a bank account, if she doesn’t have one already, and send you the bank and account details. You can then transfer money via your bank, doing a telegraphic transfer (also called a “wire transfer” or “inter-bank transfer” or “SWIFT transfer” depending on what country you are living in). This costs US$25 to $50, depending on the country you live in, and the bank you deal with, so it generally is not worthwhile unless you are sending more than $200. Some banks charge less than others, so it pays to shop around and ask what the fee is.

2. Debit Card

Open an account in a bank in your town that has the PLUS or CIRRUS symbol displayed. This means they are on an international ATM (“automated teller machine”, also called “banking machine”) network. PLUS and CIRRUS are both international, and do the same thing, and charge the same rates to their customers (the banks). Some banks belong to both networks, some to only one, and some to neither.

The account should be in your name. Get an ATM card (also called a “debit card” or “bank card”) from the bank, put some money in the account, and use the card in any ATM to verify the card is OK by checking the balance or actually withdrawing some funds.

Mail the card to your friend in Thailand by registered mail. When she acknowledges receipt of the card, mail the PIN (the identifying number you have to enter when using the ATM card) by registered mail. Don’t mail the PIN with the card in case the letter gets into someone else’s hands.

She can then go to any ATM in Thailand that displays the same symbol (PLUS or CIRRUS), insert the card, enter the PIN, and withdraw any amount of cash (in Thai baht) up to the limit of what you put in the account. Your bank will automatically do a currency conversion from Thai baht to your currency. Since this is a separate account from your normal account, there is no danger that she (or anyone else if the card is stolen) can access your money in your normal bank accounts. Also, she can’t withdraw any more money than what is in the account. So make sure there is no overdraft facility on the account when you open it.

Most banks will charge a fee for each withdrawal. Some banks charge as much as US$5, but most are less. Shop around and find a bank that has the lowest fees for international ATM transactions. (My bank charges nothing for international ATM transactions because I have a Gold Visa with them.) And tell your Thai friend to withdraw substantial amounts, not go back to the ATM every day to withdraw 100 baht, because the fees make that uneconomical.

So periodically you can transfer money into that account, and your friend can access it the same day. If you do this on a regular basis (say, at the first of every month, or the first and fifteenth), and tell your friend the arrangement, then she will know to go to the banking machine on those days and can withdraw the money.

Homes in Bangkok

For expatriates who need to live in Bangkok for the purposes of doing business with their multinational corporation, in-city living means living in a luxury condominium or high-rise apartment – the closer to the city centre, the higher the price. For those who do not want to live in an apartment or condominium, careful searching in Bangkok’s city centre will reveal a few single-family homes and town houses, but these are few and far between.

For rental properties in Bangkok, options are limited to:

- Condominiums: There are many condos available in Bangkok. Unlike the serviced apartments (see below), there are more native Thais living in Bangkok’s condos, meaning that there is also less turn-over and more of a “neighbourhood” feeling.

- Serviced apartments: These have a high proportion of expatriates, so the foreigner may feel more in his or her element in an apartment like this. However, the serviced apartments are more expensive than regular condos, and can sometimes feel more like a hotel than a home.

- Houses and Townhouses: Unless willing to pay a much higher price, stay away from houses and townhouses in the Bangkok business district. Houses and townhouses are far more affordable in Bangkok’s suburbs. Just as in the west, houses and townhouses provide much more space, but they are usually more expensive. Bangkok’s suburbs are best for families living in Thailand, with ample room for children to play safely, ride bikes, and so forth. The drawback to living in the suburbs is the extended commute time for those working in the city, as well as the inaccessibility to public transportation.

Homes in Phuket

Homes in Phuket are in general a very affordable to most people coming from Europe and the USA.

Like the Bangkok area, Phuket has a wide variety of home types for sale. From townhouses to upscale apartments, Phuket’s homes seem designed to appeal to western notions of luxury.

- North Phuket, where the airport is located, has a higher number of apartments, resorts, and luxury condominiums.

- East Phuket has more 2, 3, and 4 bedroom Thai luxury villas, perfect for an entire family relocating to Phuket.

- Phuket town and the Kathu area, located near the middle of the island on the southeastern side, has quite a vast array of home types, including single family homes closer to town.

- South Phuket is less developed, with more opportunities to purchase land and build one’s own dream home.

- Like North Phuket, the West Coast properties also tend to be oriented towards apartments and condominiums.

Thailand’s geographical region is divided into four parts:

The mountains and forests are in the north. You can find fascinating handicrafts and multicolored orchids.

The central part where you will find paddy field, farms and all kinds of fruits.

The northeast plateau is famous for its rich archaeological and anthropological heritage.

You will find tropical islands in the southern peninsula. The people on this place are involved in fishing, rubber cultivation and tin mining.

The people of Thailand are very friendly and hospitable. This place is rich in monumental heritage and famous for its beaches. Thailand is an ideal holiday destination for all, from those who are looking for a romantic holiday, to shoppers to the food lovers as you get to taste varieties of sea food, down in the street to the most expensive restaurants. It offers something to every traveler.

Many travelers also come here for adventurous holiday. As this place offer all kinds of sport for all ages like scuba diving, snorkeling, wind-surfing and water-skiing. After all these activities you can simply relax by lounging on the beautiful beach sipping your favorite drink with a good company.

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. Bankok means “city of angels”, it is a small Thailand in itself. It is the center of commercial, industrial and cultural activities. If you are looking for peace and simplicity you can visit the Buddhist temples and the amazing part is it stands by side by side with nightclubs and café. You can see monks walking in their red robes all over the place and one can only wonder how they can attain such peacefulness in this rush and hectic world.

Another main attraction in Thailand is Phuket known for its exotic island. The nightlife there is lively with its multicuisine restaurants and bars always filled with tourists. But of course if are looking for a quite meal you can do that by going to the right place.

Chiang Mai is another place which is a combination of modern city life and the old village charm. There are elaborate temples and cultural relics some of which are very old close to 700 years. On the top of the mountain is Doi Suthep monastery which overlooks the fertile valley embracing Chiang Mai.The local night bazaar is the favorite shopping place for tourists where you can get hand made local stuff, tribal wears and also latest modern junks for a good bargain.

You will have no problem communicating as most of the hotels, restaurants and tourist places speak English and other European languages. There are various modes of transportation. You can either hire a taxi to go around the city, or take the city bus .There is also something called Tuk-Tuk, a three wheeler. You would definitely enjoy the open air ride on this three wheeler and for longer destinations there are trains always running to all the places.

Thailand is blessed with three seasons – summers from February to May, Rainy season from June to October with plenty of sunshine and the cold season from November to January. A lot of people go for holidays in Thailand during December and January as it is the perfect season to relax and party. Thailand becomes a mini world as people from all over the world come here for holidays during this season.

Surely now you know what your next holiday destination is – God’s very own creation Thailand! Let’s come with Azure Travel providing package tours in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, hotels reservation, vacation throughout Thailand and South East Asia. Azure Travel, based in Bangkok tour operators and travel agent, is entering the hospitality business with valuable experience. This enables it to provide the best services for clients. The staff has many years of experience behind them.

You can sign up for one of the popular package tours or work with Azure Travel to design a tour to your own specifications. Either way, Azure Travel guarantees your satisfied vacation.

Once you are in Thailand, all you need to do is relax and enjoy your holidays with the exotic Thai cuisine, the breathtaking natural beauty and the magnificently architectured temples.