Thailand Travel Information

Thailand Travel Information

General Information

Climate

Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with 3 distinct seasons - hot from March to May, wet from June to September, and cool from October to February. The average annual temperature is 28°C (83 F). In Bangkok the temperature ranges from about 30°C in April to about 25°C in December.

What to wear

Light, loose cotton clothing is best. Nylon should be avoided. Sweaters are needed during the cool season evenings or if visiting mountainous areas or national parks. Jackets and ties are required in a few restaurants and nightclubs. Neat clothing is required for entering temples or palaces.

Visiting temples

Always take your shoes off before entering a temple building and leave them outside. Dress respectfully - do not, for example, wear shorts, open shirts or revealing clothes. On entry it is polite to show respect to the Buddha and monks by placing palms of hands together, as if praying and bowing. Sitting is usually on the floor so sit in a way so your feet point away from the Buddha and the monks. Ideally sit with your legs tucked under you to one side. You should never try to shake hands with or touch a monk. If you offer food or a gift to a monk, he will offer you a cloth on which to place the offering. Never touch a Buddha image in a temple. Always ask permission before taking photographs.

Local time

GMT + 7 hours (BST + 6 hours)

Business hours

Most offices open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, except on public holidays. General banking hours are Monday to Friday 9.30 am to 3.30 pm. Many stores open 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

Currency

There are 100 satangs in 1 baht. (B=baht) Notes are issued in denominations of B1000 (grey), B500 (purple), B100 (red), B50 (blue), B20 (green), and B10 (brown). There are 10, 5 and 1 baht coins, and 50 and 25 satang coins. Most foreign currencies and traveller cheques are easily changed at banks, hotels or money-changers. All major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the Kingdom.

Electricity

The electric system is 220 Volt AC (50 cycles). There are many plugs and sockets in use. Travellers with shavers, tape recorders and other appliances should carry a plug-adapter kit.

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Travel Tips

Visas

Official visa information is available on website www.thaiconsul-uk.com

Tipping

Tipping is not a usual practice in Thailand although it is becoming more common. Most hotels and restaurants add a 10% service charge to their bill. Taxi drivers do not require a tip, but the gesture is appreciated.

Bargaining

Fixed prices are the norm in department stores, but at most other places bargaining is to be expected. Generally, you can obtain a final figure of between 10-40% lower than the original asking price. Much depends on your skills and the shopkeeper's mood. But remember, Thais appreciate good manners and a sense of humour. With patience and a broad smile, you will not only get a better price, you will also enjoy shopping as an art.

Language

Thai is a tonal language belonging to the group of Ka-Tai languages. The five tones are monotone, low, falling, high, and rising. This can be a rather complicated language for the visitor; however, English is quite widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language.

Do's and Don'ts

The Monarchy

Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for their Royal Family, and a visitor should be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.

Religion

Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go topless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire. It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept. Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect. Buddhist monks are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it.

Social norms

Thais don't normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture called a wai. Generally a younger person wais an elder, who returns it. Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively. Therefore, avoid touching people on the head and try not to point your feet at people or an object. It is considered very rude. Shoes should be removed when entering a private Thai home. Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon

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Advice to Visitors

If you intend staying in Thailand for more than 30 days it is recommended that you register your presence with your respective embassy as soon as possible. Persons wishing to register with the British Embassy in Bangkok can do so

through the internet – www.britishembassy.gov.uk/thailand

  .

You are advised to use only authorised transportation services for transfer from airport to other areas.

If, on arrival in Thailand, you need help with accommodation you are advised to consult the Thai Hotel Association counter at the airport.

Beware of unauthorised persons who offer to show you around.

Visitors are advised to use hotel taxi services wherever possible.

Observe all normal precautions as regards personal safety and the safety of your belongings.

Avoid walking alone in quiet or deserted areas.

Ensure that all valuables including passport and airline tickets are properly protected from loss.

Do not get involved with drugs - the penalty for drug offences is very severe in Thailand.

If you plan to visit a bar or night club make sure you are aware of the rules otherwise you could find the experience very expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Thailand ?

During the cool season between November and March

What vaccinations do I need before coming to Thailand ?

There are no required vaccinations, unless you are coming from a Yellow Fever area in which case a certificate may

be required. Please check the latest regulations with your local health office.

Do I need a visa ?

You are advised to check with the Royal Thai Consulate on website www.thaiconsul.co.uk or telephone 01482 581668.

What are the Thai Customs regulations ?

Prohibited items: All kinds of narcotics, obscene literature, obscene pictures or obscene articles.

Firearms: Firearms and ammunition can be imported only with a permit obtainable from the Police Department of the

                 local Thai Registration Office.

Personal effects: A reasonable amount of clothing and toiletries for personal use may be brought in free of duty.

Cameras: One still-camera or one movie camera can be brought in without duty. Five rolls of still-camera film or three

                 rolls of 8 or 16 mm movie-camera film may be brought in free of duty.

Tobacco: Cigarettes must not exceed 200 in quantity or cigars/smoking tobacco must not exceed 250 gms in weight.

Alcoholic beverages: One litre each of wine or spirits may be brought in free of duty.

Household effects: A reasonable amount of used household effects, accompanied by the owner on change of

                                 domicile are also free of duty.

Plants: Certain species of fruits, vegetables and plants are prohibited. Please contact the Agricultural Regulatory

             Division, Bangkhen, Bangkok, Tel : +66 2579 1581 or +66 2579 3576.

Animals: Permission for entry of animals coming in by air or sea can be obtained on application to the Department

                of Livestock Development, Bangkok, Tel: +66 2251 5136 or +66 2252 6944. Vaccination certificates are

                required.

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Buyer Beware

The Tourism Authority of Thailand receives over 1,000 complaints a year about fake jewellry purchases. To avoid being a statistic, you must stay alert to the warning signs of a swindler at work. Heeding our warning could help you stave off unpleasant surprises and make your vacation what it should be - full of sparkle.

The following are valuable pointers for your protection :

Be wary of any encounter that ends up requiring your presence in a gem shop. Most probably it is a scam.

Buying gems or jewelry to resell at double or triple the purchase price is an impossible proposition under any

circumstances. Buy jewelry only for personal satisfaction for your own use or for loved ones.

Make price comparisons in various shops before deciding to buy. Never be in a hurry.

Never mail sapphires or other precious stones. Carry valuable items with you.

Do not believe special (jewelry) sales of any kind. Reputable dealers hardly ever offer sales and never send

touts to lure tourists to their stores.

There are no promotions, shows or special sales on jewelry authorised by the Thai government or any official

agencies at any time of the year.

The Thai government does not own, operate, subsidise or authorise any jewelry stores.

As far as you can, take time to verify all claims. Words, promises, personal guarantees, unchecked documents,

unauthorised verbal or written statements, casual references, encounters and the like do not constitute

verification. Remember, you are your own best protection. All Thai embassies, consulates or any delegations

abroad are neither bound nor responsible for refunding goods that are bought in Thailand. When in doubt

about a gem shop, check it with: -

Tourist Assistance Centre

Tourism Authority of Thailand

Le Concorde Building

202 Ratchadapisek Road

Bangkok 10310

Tel: +66 2694 1222 extensions 1090 to 1094 

A Day At The Beach - Pattaya

I love to go to the beach. I love going to Pattaya Beach on the Gulf of Thailand and sitting in the sun, and drinking beers, and swimming, and watching the farang (foreign) men with their ladies, and striking up a conversation with some Indian guy with a British accent that makes him sound like John Lennon. I love this kind of stuff.

I HATE the beach vendors! I HATE coming back from the beach with some stupid knick-knack that I haggled for an hour over and have my lady ask me "How much you pay, darling?" in that nonchalant voice. Yeah, like I'm gonna tell you lover so you can tell me in that "you poor stupid farang" voice that, "you pay too much darling. I can get for 1 baht." I'd like to kick her right in that gorgeous little ass when she does that!

So I try not to buy ANYTHING (except drinks and food) when alone at the beach. Always try to bring your lady with you to the beach. She can keep away all the vendors and get you what you want at the right price. Offer her 100 baht to come to the beach with you. If she still refuses offer her 200. If she STILL refuses tell her you are going out tonight to find a lady who really loves you, and will go to the beach with you, and keep the pesky vendors away, to help you manage your money right like a good Thai lady would/should.

I'll explain why fellas. Here is a day at the beach WITHOUT your lady.

You arrive at the beach in your baht bus. When you go to pay the driver he says 40 baht. Smile at him and throw a twenty on the seat and walk away. (You're still over-paying) If your lady was there he might still ask for 40, but she will tell him to get stuffed.

He'll say to her "He is rich farang. He can afford it."

She'll say "It's my money. I'm paying." and give him twenty.

You cross the street and approach the beach. Every body with a chair to rent within fifty feet will try to drag you to their chairs. Smile, shake your head no, and walk to the seats you like and sit down.

If your lady was there you wouldn't have to pick a seat. She'd tell you where you're going to sit. Now you sit down and the parade begins brother!

1.) The drink lady comes over and asks you if you would like a beer. Say yes! Pull out a 100 baht note and tell her you will give it to her when you leave, as a tip, if you have an ice cold beer in front of you at all times for the rest of the day. This is money well spent. Don't whine.

2.) A lady comes over and asks you if you want a massage. Don't do it. It'll cost too much, and you can get a much cheaper and better massage in a massage parlour, with out the grains of sand.

3.) Her friend comes over and asks if you would like a manicure and a pedicure. Look at your finger and toe nails. If they're nasty say yes. But only offer pay half of what she is asking, and then bargain from there, even if she starts telling you about her sick children, which is just bullshit used to gain the sympathy of the naive farang tourists. Pay half of what she asks for, maybe a little bit more. All these people double the amount they will actually do something or sell something for. It’s all a game of bargaining. If you are rich and don’t care pay whatever the hell you want. My advice is for those who want to save money and pay the actual price for goods and services here. If your lady was there she would say no, she can get it done much cheaper elsewhere off the beach, she can get EVERYTHING cheaper, but she's not there. She’s sleeping back in the hotel room, so to hell with her. Do it! It feels great, and your toe nails are nasty. Make sure you arrange some umbrellas to shade the lady while she does this nasty job, and offer to buy her a drink. Tipping is actually not required and not a custom in Thailand

4.) The ice cream girl comes by. Tell her later.

5.) Another ice cream girl comes by. Tell her later.

6.) The shrimp on the barbecue lady comes by. They look good, but you just ate breakfast a little while ago. Tell her later.

7.) The newspaper guy comes by. Ask for a Pattaya Mail in English. Good investment. He might even have a Bangkok Post or Nation paper as well for sale.

8.) A guy with bird shaped kites comes by. Tell him to screw. How the hell are you gonna get them back on the plane without breaking them.

9.) A guy comes by selling t-shirts. They are actually very cheap, but your lady will see them and tell you she could have gotten them much cheaper. How? What the hell is she gonna do, weave them herself?

10.) A guy comes by selling belts. Tell him you're at the beach, and don't need a goddamn belt.

11.) A guy comes by selling elephant skin wallets. Say "what are you nuts? If my tree hugging, green-peace daughter found out about that she'd kick my friggin' nuts in." I do want one though. Hey, elephants die you know. Why waste the carcass and hide when it can bring income in to the native people?

12.) A guy comes by selling teak-wood wall plaques. I have both of them already. No thanks.

13.) A lady comes by selling dried squid on bamboo sticks. Nope, they taste like crap, and smell bad too.

14.) A pretty little lady comes by selling sunglasses. You show her yours, and ask her if she'll show you hers and flirt with her a bit. Good thing your lady or wife isn’t there. No harm in flirting, right?

15.) The guy renting the inner tubes finally comes to work and tries to get you to rent one. Yeah, right.

16.) The guys renting the jet skis try to talk you into taking a spin. Maybe later when I'm drunk, and have an excuse for running over my fellow tourists.

17.) The para-sail guy comes by and calls you chicken because you tell him you are NOT going up in that ball breaking kite. You tell him to get away from you before you stick his soccer ball up his ass. Tough looking feller, but you have had 3 or 4 beers by now and know you can do it.

18.) A lady comes by selling grapefruit and papaya. No thanks. It might upset your stomach and you won't be able to drink more beer.

19.) The coconut oil lady comes by and you buy some and smear it all over yourself, getting sand on your hands, and you have to go wash off in the water. The damned stuff does not come off!

20.) A guy comes by and starts whispering to you that he has rubies and shit to sell. He's persistent. You say, "What? Do I look retarded? Get away from me before I call the cops!"

21.) Don't order the Sang Thip rum and cokes, or Gin and tonics. It's too early now, and you'll regret it later on.

22.) Later on eat some shrimp and spicy Thai papaya salad. Have a Magnum chocolate ice cream bar, and flirt with the sunglasses girl again. Damn she's cute!

23.) Two little kids come by. They have little birds in wooden cages. They ask you to buy a bird his freedom, as it is good luck (chok dee) for you. You tell them to scram, but they are persistent, so finally you say what the hell. You pick a bird and buy his release. Upon release the bird flies straight to the water, falls in, and proceeds to start to drown. You jump out of your lounge chair, run down to the water, and rescue the stupid bird from certain death. You tell the kids they should leave this bird in his cage, as he isn't too bright, and doesn't seem to know how to swim.

24.) The guy with the big yellow banana thing that you ride on towed behind a speedboat comes by. You tell him no, as you're too old for that shit. Also by this time you have to take a wicked piss.

25.) The old lady with the chicken strips on a stick comes by. You say no thanks. You've had them before and they were too dry, and had grains of sand on them.

26.) The lady with the coconuts comes by. Nah. I hate coconut.

27.) The guy with the woven wrist bands comes by. Who the hell buys these things anyway?

28.) The kids selling the gum and cigarette lighters come over and pester you. You buy a lighter just to get rid of them.

29.) The lady selling those little fruits with the prickles all over them (called Rambutan) comes by. They taste horrible. Too damn sweet.

30.) A lass comes over and wants to braid your hair. Honey look, my hair is about two inches long. Get lost!

31.) Repeat all of this 3 or 4 times during the day. Leave around 5 pm and go back to your hotel room. Drag your lady out of bed by her ear, put her over your lap (if you have one) and give her ten good whacks on the ass, and tell her if she doesn't come to the beach with you tomorrow to help keep the pesky damned beach vendors and touts away from you she's gonna get twenty. (Just kidding. Maybe!)

I love going to the beach. Especially Pattaya

Soaked and loving it

Bangkok

From dusk till dawn, we offer a guide to making the most out of summer's hottest days

THAILAND: -- Songkran, the traditional Thai new year, may be about going home but there's no denying that many people do in fact leave their homes to celebrate in other places. From Friday until Monday, the official Songkran holiday, all of Thailand will be celebrating this much-loved festival.

From Bangkok to Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai to Hat Yai, millions of us - Thai, Mon, Chinese, farang, Shan and the Burmese too - will be taking to the streets, as well as to the temple, to celebrate Songkran and mark the lunar New Year.

Where can you go for Songkran Festival? Whether you fancy a gentle, traditional sprinkling

or a bucketful of icy water over your head, the following venues have all you need for a good time.

BANGKOK

Nagaraphirom Park - the city's latest green space on the west side of Chao Phraya - is hosting grand Songkran festival from now until Sunday. Those unable to make it out of town to see their folks upcountry should find some comfort here, as the park will be offering the country's best cultural showcases as well as food from every part of Thailand.

For a really wet-and-wild scene, Khao San Road is definitely the place to be. Armed with pump-action water canons and buckets of coloured powder, thousands of fun-lovers will be soaking everything that moves. From tomorrow (until there is nothing left to soak), Khao San Road and Santi Chaiprakan Park in Bang Lamphu play host to the International Songkran Festival with constant water throwing, lots of noise and people of all nationalities having fun.

Siam Square, Bangkok's favourite teen hub and hangout, answers Khao San's wild water festival with its own "neo-nostalgic" version. Under the theme "Pha Khao Ma - Thai Turban Conquers the World", Songkran Festival at Siam Square combines the best of both worlds. From Friday to Sunday, party-goers will welcome monks in the morning for a ritual blessing before making way for music by Moderndog, Joey Boy and others. Bring your own pha khao ma.

For more sedate fun, nine temples around Sanam Luang, among them Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of Emerald Buddha) and Wat Bowonniwet, are holding Songkran fairs from Friday to Sunday.

RATCHABURI

Wat Khanon Temple dims the light low and goes for a low-key drama when it's time to celebrate the traditional Thai New Year. On Friday and Saturday nights, the temple will be hosting the Thai Puppet Festival in its grounds. This annual festival always draws the country's best puppet masters and culture buffs for the finest traditional performing art. The highlight will be Nang Yai Shadow Puppets who'll be recounting the ancient epic of the Ramayana. Adding even more colour to the light and shadow are smaller rod puppets, Lanna Khon dance and Dikir Hulu Muslim folk dances, along with workshop and hand-on demonstrations of mask and puppet making and other traditional performing arts. Wat Khanon, in Ratchaburi's Photharam district, is about 85 kilometre west of Bangkok.

CHIANG MAI

There's never a bad time to visit the Lanna capital, but one of the best is during the Songkran holiday - when there are festivals, tasting events and the chance to rub shoulders with the locals. The New Year begins in the temples with a gentle sprinkling of water and a light dusting on the cheeks with fragrant paste. Once they're done with the temple affairs, throngs of locals and visitors march to the city moats with buckets in hand. Things get messier as they start throwing water on passers-by. The festival culminates at night with lively dancing at Thapae Gate.

AYUTTHAYA

Here, in Siam's old capital, you're in a tug of water war with elephants. A grand procession of Buddha images, accompanied by the elephants and the Queen of Songkran takes place today on the city's main road, leading the way to the historical park. The best places to hang out are Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit, the ruins of the historical park, and in and around the island. Ayutthaya celebrates with a parade and great fanfare from Friday to Sunday.

PATTAYA

Pattaya folk celebrate Songkran a week later though you can still expect to get wet over the next three days. On April 20, Pattaya beach road will be closed to pave the way for the Buddha procession. Afterwards, young people go gunning for fun armed with double-barrel water cannons and buckets, ensuring the beach town gets totally soaked. Among the more courageous "roadside warriors" are the transvestites who turn up in super-tight T-shirts clamouring for more water.

SAMUT PRAKAN

The old Mon neighbourhood of Phra Pradaeng keeps the best for last, celebrating Songkran in a three-day event that kicks off on Saturday, April 22. The centrepiece is at Wat Ketchedtharam, a Mon temple in Phra Pradaeng district, with merit-making and entertainment that runs from dawn till late at night. Expect traditional Mon games like sa-baa, great food and folk arts.

HAT YAI, SONGKHLA

You've probably done many kinds of Songkran Festival - gentle sprinkles of fragrant water in Chiang Mai, buckets of icy water in Khao San Road or even getting hit by a plastic bag full of nam pla ra (fermented fish sauce) in Isaan. But you can't say you're done with Songkran until you visit Hat Yai. Tucked away in Thailand's South, the tourist town of Hat Yai will throw midnight parties to celebrate Songkran Festival. Buddha bathing, Queen of Songkran contest, foam party and many fun-filled activities take place after the night falls during the Songkran holiday.

Sex 'trade', not 'traffic'

Thailand's sex workers are off the streets, in safe workplaces. They don't want to be 'rescued'

BANGKOK: -- Being a sex worker these days isn't what it used to be, at least for those whose rights are backed up by the Empower Foundation. Much has improved - no more pimps or mamasans, and fewer punches thrown their way. Being "rescued", though, causes them all sorts of problems.

Most people remain unaware of the dramatic new context in the flesh trade, Empower director Chantawipa Apisuk said at the recent release of a report, "Hit & Run: Sex Workers' Research on Anti-trafficking in Thailand".

"We have now reached a point in history where there are more women in the Thai sex industry being abused by anti-trafficking practices than there are women exploited by traffickers," she said.

The government and the agencies that abet its efforts to "help" prostitutes have, in many ways, gone too far in enforcing the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act.

The modern sex worker has work tools apart from makeup and condoms, said Chantawipa, who founded Empower in 1985 to safeguard their rights. They have cell phones and the Internet. Rather than greedy pimps, their support network is centred on a trusted tuk-tuk driver or the local motorcycle-taxi guy who takes them around and protects them.

These people have designated workplaces - restaurants, massage parlours, go-go bars, beer bars or karaoke clubs. Their work might also entail dancing for or drinking beer with the customers.

More than 20,000 sex workers make use of Empower's contact points in 11 provinces in the North, Northeast and Central region, including several on the Burmese border.

Empower has seen the industry develop continuously through three decades and 10 governments. Sex work is now widely regarded as a quasi-legitimate profession, with its own form of employers and self-employed workers.

Inevitably, though, prostitution remains a crime in the eyes of many, and those plying the trade are treated accordingly.

But the kindlier view, that they are victims of human trafficking, isn't a great deal of help either, Chantawipa said. Legislation aimed at stopping the trafficking of people has had a serious adverse effect.

The "Hit & Run" report is an effort to assess the state of the profession. More than 200 sex workers helped the foundation conduct a survey over the course of 12 months, in bars, restaurants and brothels across the county and even into Burma and Laos.

"We trained them in legal rights," Chantawipa said, although some were already university graduates and several even had law degrees. "We call them our 'high-heeled human-rights defenders'."

It's a play on the term "barefoot lawyer" - a solicitor who cares about justice rather than fees - explains Liz Hilton. She's worked with the foundation for nearly 20 years and helped coordinated the project and the associated Rapid Action Training for Sex Workers.

"The first round of training was done in 12-month blocks in 2008 and 2009. There were 23 sex workers - men, women and transgender people."

The survey determined that more than 50,000 sex workers have been involved with Empower since it started, including migrants mainly from Laos, Burma, China and Cambodia.

Migration, it was noted, is part of the "culture" of sex work, and the brokers involved in transporting people are generally seen as helpful. Most don't charge exorbitant rates for their service.

One of the "high-heeled rights defenders", Sasumi from Mae Sai in Chiang Rai, said she often helps fellow sex workers with legal matters when they're arrested. She's been in the business since she was 20. She's now 27. "I've seen a lot of improvement in the workplaces," she said.

"We're better off there than taking a risk waiting around on the street. If better choices are available, then naturally we choose them."

Nang from Mukdahan, who also helped with the survey, said few women arrested under the anti-trafficking legislation know what it is. "They're just going to work, they think, so why are they being arrested?"

Mala moved to Mae Sot because she couldn't earn enough money there for her family. Muay moved across the border to Mae Sai, convinced that whatever Thailand offered had to be better than what she left. Picked up under the anti-trafficking law, they both got sent back.

"We came to build new lives for our families, not to be sent home empty-handed and ashamed," explained Dang Moo, another Burmese sex worker in Mae Sot.

Kiaw from Laos pleaded for understanding among the Thai public and authorities that sex workers prefer not to break any laws. "We aren't criminals. We're just honest people trying to build better lives." The women might build a house for their parents or put a kid brother through school.

But the anti-trafficking law regards sex workers as victims, so those who enforce it believe they are "rescuing" the prostitutes. That just makes things worse, say the sex workers.

"Before I was arrested I was working happily, had no debt, and was free to move around the city," said Nok, a Burmese. "Now I'm in debt, I'm scared most of the time, and it's not safe to move around. How can they call this 'help'?"

Once "rescued" and after a period of detainment, the foreign workers are deported (only to return at the first chance) and the Thais usually have to undergo vocational training.

"Thai society still looks at sex workers in the old context," Chantawipa said, and even the government's "modern" view of sex workers as victims is outdated. The aim now is to get the government and other concerned parties to stop using the word "victim", to stop putting trafficking and sex work in the same category.

Riddled with loopholes, the anti-trafficking law meanwhile is undercutting women's efforts in other areas, Chantawipa said. It confuses the organisations opposed to trafficking about sex workers' true status - are they criminals or the victims of criminals?

NEW CONTEXT

Empower's survey has determined that:

- Today's sex worker provides enough income to take good care of the family.

- Their workplace - usually an evening entertainment venue - has regulations, covering work schedule and monthly salary paid according to skill level. Thus, sex workers are employees.

- Gone, for the most part, are the days of random arrest, regular violence, pimps, the prostitution mafia and the "green harvest", when girls are recruited upcountry. In their place are helpful "older brothers" - the motorcycle-taxi or tuk-tuk driver, the bar manager.

- Sex workers now have hi-tech tools like smart phones and the Internet, and they're also skilled at using them.

Nighlife's tapestry

Empower launched its research project last month with a one-day exhibition at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, displaying the "Mida Tapestry", sewn by migrant sex workers as a way to document and show the impact police raids have on their lives. It carries a second message in that the detained sex workers are regularly forced or offered sewing lessons as a cure-all for social ills.

THAILAND FUN FACTS

- There’s a lot of stray dogs/cats in this city and people do feed them as if they’re their own pet
- Prostitution is “illegal” in this country. But it's probably the best known destination for sex tourists.
- Thais eat icecream that served in bread (like sandwich)
- Every 1st and 16th of every month are the days Thais waiting for. It’s lucky draw day for lottery 
- Not all of Thai people eat spicy food
- Thais are not happy with current government. But what can they do?
- They even dislike the previous one more than this one
- New Bangkok International Airport is probably the airport that took longest time in the world to complete.
- Thai guys sometimes they’re more beautiful than Thai girls
- Thais call old, pervert sex tourists “It” like what you refer to animals. No kidding.
- Thai people eat all the time. Yes!
- Thai guys are crazy about football and National Team is Liverpool.
- Some taxi drivers can be pain in the arse.
- Not everyone here is good at smiling
- Thais go get angry sometimes. (for sure)
- Some Thai spoiled brats like to go to shopping in Hong Kong and Singapore even things are more expensive there
- Some Thais still stupid enough to pay 100 Baht for a cup of Starbucks coffee. While some people got paid as minimum wage at 160 Baht/day
- Thais don’t need your “a few days volunteer"to help our elephants and children. If you will do that just for short period as it’s “exotic” to you and after that you’ll go shopping for some stuff at Siam Paragon later.
- Thais put at least 5 herbs in their soup but don’t eat them. They eat only meat in there and the soup!
- Thai people like Karaoke :-)
- Not every Thai eats insects. Lately it became more like tourist attraction
- Pad Thai on Khaosan road is not Pad Thai. It’s greasy low quality noodles fried with oil.
- Thai people learn English since they are 6 years old. But never be able to use it in real life. Coz they are too “Shy” and afraid that they’re going to make mistakes. Sad but true

Suphan Buri fireworks disaster affects 500

SUPHAN BURI: -- The powerful fireworks explosion during the Chinese New Year celebration at Suphan Buri's Dragon Park on Tuesday night blasted all structures within four kilometres and turned the lives of more than 500 people upside down.

"All the houses in my neighbourhood are just rubble now," a resident said yesterday.

The fireworks were fired from a community close to Dragon Park, where more than 200 houses were damaged.

The grand public festival - broadcast live on nationwide TV - went terribly wrong when some fireworks went off, leaving four people dead and at least 74 injured.

The disaster area near Dragon Park and the city pillar shrine has been sealed off. A temporary shelter has been set up at Phra Si Rattana Maha That Temple, which was also hit, to accommodate the homeless victims.

"Police are investigating the cause of the explosion," Suphan Buri Governor Somsak Phureesisak said.

The men working on the fireworks show or the equipment could be responsible for the accident, he said.

Three fireworks workers were killed at the scene while a woman, Lamyong Pansakul, 52, succumbed to her injuries at a hospital.

Somsak said the Foundation of Suphan Buri's City Pillar Shrine has promised to provide full assistance to all victims.

Chao Phraya Yommaraj Hospital tended to 60 injured, of whom 44 have been discharged. Only one, a fireman named Thanit Klinkate, remained in intensive care.

At Suppamit Hospital, 14 victims were treated and nine of them were allowed to go home.

Banharn Silapa-archa, chief adviser of the Chart Thai Pattana Party, who founded Dragon Park, yesterday visited the patients at Suppamit Hospital and offered them Bt10,000 each.

Banharn, Tourism Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa and Chinese Ambassador Guan Mu were guests of honour at Dragon Park.

A local woman said she was watching TV at home when part of the wall suddenly collapsed on her and thick fumes began spreading all over.

"I couldn't see anything at all. So I made a real struggle to get out from under the wall and started running for my life," she said.

The scope of the devastation was massive. Some vehicles were just burnt shells, and their windshields were completely shattered into small pieces.

Somsak said that although the Chinese New Year celebrations at Dragon Park would continue till Sunday, there would be no more pyrotechnics.

"In fact, the organising committee planned more firework displays but we have already confiscated all the prepared fireworks," he said.

A source said 500-600 fireworks were seized and the explosive ordnance disposal team was now removing their fuses.

Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said he received a report that the fireworks might have been etonated because the pipes used to shoot them were not set at the right angle.

He said he would instruct all provincial governments to be more careful in organising activities.

"But I'm not going to ban the use of fireworks because they add colour to celebrations," he said.

Major Songphon Iambonrit, formerly with the Army's Ordnance Department, also suspected that either defective launch cylinders or an inappropriate angle triggered the accident.

Phuket Town Nightlife

Phuket has a well-earned and justified reputation for its wild and exuberant nightlife, especially the overt adult entertainment that is available just about everywhere. This is most prevalent in the countless beer and go-go bars, massage parlours, as well as offered by the thousands of freelance working girls in the bars and clubs. Especially when compared with European countries, the nightlife in Phuket could be considered quite wild.


The main hub of the debauchery in Phuket is undoubtedly Patong Beach, but Phuket Town (which has had city status for some time even though many people continue to use the old name) is a welcome departure from the clichéd excesses of crowded Patong. The surprisingly small provincial capital can be a rewarding place to spend an alternative and enjoyable night out, besides the numerous events and festivals that justify its claim to be the cultural capital of Phuket. The unique and historic architecture in the heart of old town coupled with the more relaxed atmosphere, are a welcome breath of fresh air and make you realise that there is much more to the island than you might think.

Nightlife in Phuket Town is relatively tame by Patong Beach standards and you won’t find hordes of tourists or many adult thrill seekers, mainly due to its more remote location away from the main tourist hotspots. This contributes in no small part to its charm and its essentially Thai character, and anybody that hasn’t yet experienced an authentic Thai pub or disco is strongly recommended to give it a go at least once. The main attraction are the big music pubs and clubs, which tend to have a live band and hundreds of young people. Dance floors are virtually non-existent as Thais prefer to cluster with friends around small tables, but there is usually adequate room to strut your stuff if you like dancing. Unlike most Western countries, clubs in Thailand don’t normally charge an entrance fee and the dress code is normally very casual.
You might be surprised at just how much fun it can be to listen to cheesy Asian pop music and mingle with real Thai people. Many Thai pubs and clubs are quite kitsch and the décor can be tacky. It’s also perfectly acceptable and common in Thailand to take your own bottles of spirits and buy only the mixers in the bar, which might seem like a strange practice to westerners. Dozens of venues in Phuket Town provide table service and the waiters (or quite often very attractive female hosts) are very attentive. There are also a few karaoke and coyote joints that have dance shows, catering mainly to Asian men but foreigners are also welcome. In many late night venues, it’s possible to find company for the night, but remember that most women in Phuket Town’s bars are not bar girls, and are more likely there just to enjoy themselves without getting hassled by overzealous tourists.