Why many foreigners prefer to marry in Thailand? There are a lot of reasons for this important marital decision. The most telling one would be: the country is brimming with romantic appeal which offers endless possibilities for wedding locations, themes, honeymoon destinations and activities for the couple. Indeed, Thailand has the necessary ingredients for a truly memorable marriage ceremony. But, unknown to many, marriage in Thailand can also prove to be a practical decision especially for those who are wishing to legalize their marriage. The reason is that marriage in Thailand is globally recognized. This means that your marriage is not only legally binding in Thailand but in your home country as well.

Marriage registration in Thailand entails basic requirements such as:

For the marrying foreigner:

a. Affirmation of freedom to Marry – to be obtained at the foreigner’s embassy or consulate in Bangkok

b. Divorce Certificate/Death Certificate – if the foreigner had been married before which ended in either divorce or death of spouse

c. Copy of passport

For the Thai national:

a. National ID card/Passport

b. Household Registration Certificate also known as Tabien Baan (in Thai)

c. Divorce Certificate/Death Certificate – if the party had been married before which ended in either divorce or death of spouse

d. Certificate of Changing Name- if the party had changed his/her name previously

Marriage registration also follows a rather simple and straightforward procedure. It can be organized in 5 business days-the preparation of marriage papers and the actual registration of marriage itself included.

The process can be roughly outlined as follows:

a. Procure the affirmation of freedom to marry at your own embassy in Bangkok. Some embassies issue this document on the same day while others take a day or two. It’s best to contact your embassy on this matter.

b. Translate the affirmation into Thai and bring it to the Ministry of Foreign affairs for legalization. The legalization period is 3 days so anticipate this waiting period.

c. Bring your legalized documents at the district office to register your marriage. If you are marrying a Thai, she has to bring her documents as well on the actual marriage registration.

d. The registrar will issue you a marriage certificate in Thai. You can have this certificate translated into English and legalized at the MFA so that you may be able to use it outside of Thailand.

While you may be able to accomplish the marriage registration on your own, it’s still advisable to retain the services of a good law firm specializing in Thai Marriage registration to assist you with the procedure. This will save you from the hassle in finding the best translators in town and going to and fro the different offices. It’s your big day and you are supposed to be relaxing and enjoying yourself. Leave the work to the expert.

G.A.M. Legal Alliance, Thailand‘s Provider of five star Legal services, has been assisting foreigners and locals alike with their marriages in Thailand. We have comprehensive marriage registration packages and multilingual, professional staff that can take care of everything for you to ensure the success of your marriage in Thailand.

The best time to visit Thailand is from February to March when the weather is perfect and the time is ideal to have a wonderful beach holiday. July to November can be uncomfortable since the rainy season starts in July and goes on till November. During this period, the weather can be unpredictable and extremely humid and sticky.

The peak tourist seasons are August, November, December, February and March. Air tickets to Thailand in the peak season are extremely expensive and it is a good idea to book tickets well in advance so that you can avail cheap fares. The secondary peak months are in January and July.

For those who want to save on money, the best time to visit Thailand would be during the off peak months of April, May, June, September and October. You will not only save money on air fare but you will save money on accommodation. During off peak season, discounted rooms are widely available. Even in the peak season you can get a good deal if you avoid the regular tourist spots like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

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.

Chatuchak Market is located right next to Chatuchak Park, which is at the northern end of Bangkok. The market is only open at the weekends and you should make sure you get there early, around 9.30 a.m. or 10 a.m. at the latest. You will find out that by noon the market is buzzing with people and you will get jostled quite a bit by the crowd. Make sure you keep a sharp eye on your wallet or purse otherwise you could end up losing it to the pickpockets in the marketplace.

An easy way to get to Chatuchak Market is taking the Skytrain and you have to get off on the last stop on the Sukkhumvit line which is going north. The stop is Mo Chit and you will clearly see the numerous stall as the Skytrain pulls into the station. From the Skytrain station, the market is a 5-minute walk. Alternatively, you can take the subway and get off at Kampangphet. The entrance of this MRT subway station is right in the middle of the market.

Make sure you carry a bottle of water and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. As you can get any and everything in Chatuchak Market, buy your gifts there as you will be able to pick up things for half the price of a conventional “touristy” shop. You will get the best bargains at Chatuchak Market for Thai silks, handicrafts, wooden carvings, jewelry and gems.

For those who are wondering what accommodation is like in Phuket, wonder no more. Accommodation in Phuket Thailand is great so travelers will not have a hard time staying here. Accommodations and major resorts are located at the heart and soul of the metropolis. This is to provide tourists and even people who are here to do business, convenient and hassle-free stay.

A few of the well-known names in the business section are the following:

• Very Best Western Allamanda

• Le Meridian Phuket Resort

• Vacation Inn Resort

• Burasari Resort

• The Westin Siray Bay

• Sheraton Grande Laguna

• JW Marriott Phuket Resort

• Kata Beach Resort & Spa

Hotel employees and associates are educated, well mannered and are always prepared in making tourists feel at home, happy and safe. They are always willing to supply professional treatment throughout their stay.

Hotels in Phuket are generous enough that they offer a variety of packages and different types of accommodations and amenities that will make tourists choose to stay longer. Exclusive discounts are within reach. Amenities ranging from the typical to the high-class Accommodation in Phuket Thailand are also available. Some hotels even offer their regular customers the chance to retain their original room charges.

One of the many things that tourists consider when planning on a vacation is about financial concerns. They want to have the much-needed vacation in a place where they can spend it comfortably and relaxed without having too concerned of spending too much. A great vacation is one that is hassle-free with less cost. Phuket has this taken cared of as dishes, room rates and different amenities like Internet usage are very much available.

It is truly the Accommodation in Phuket Thailand that tourists consider why they keep coming back.

Nowadays, this island has become an international jet-set destination. The international airport is located in the north of the island. There are many schedule flights and chartered flights from different countries in Asia, Europe and North America landing in this island. In the past 10 years, many foreigners have been returning regularly to spend part or all the year in Phuket.

Let’s read on. I am going to show you how great this island is.

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. Its size is as big as Singapore. It is located off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. This island is “backed up’ by its rich culture and colorful history. It has successfully attracted many tourists because of its beautiful coastline, spectacular natural sights and a wide variety of sports activities. For people who love to explore, there are dozens of smaller islands around Phuket which you can reach within a few hours of boating. You can spend your leisure time going around easily.

Besides the breathtaking beaches, most of the retirees like Phuket because everything can be obtained in a convenient manner. The island is “well equipped” with international banks, shopping malls, restaurants and post offices. Both its infrastructures and local industries are well-developed. They are catered to suit foreign tastes and expectations. Almost all types of facilities we have in the city can be found in this island. I would say no matter how senior you are, you don’t have any problem to survive in this peaceful island.

Purchasing real property in Phuket is not really hard. There is an important thing you must know. You need to understand the land law in Thailand. In this special island, foreigners are not allowed to own land. However, you have the right to own buildings. The fastest way for you to settle down is through purchasing condominium. According to the latest regulations, 49% of a condo building can be owned by foreigners. The prices of the condominiums offered in Phuket are very attractive. You can own luxurious condominiums which come with great facilities. You can enjoy sea view if you choose to buy the unit facing the ocean. You don’t need to worry so much about the investment cost. You are able to get exceptionally luxury condominiums if you have a few hundred thousand dollars. Your cost of investment can be much lower if you are looking for normal condo.

Lastly, you don’t need to worry much when you have made up your mind to get your second home in Phuket. What you need to do is to get a reliable real property agent to assist you.

As an example, the typical tourist to Bangkok stays only a couple days in this large metropolitan city; his itinerary usually includes an all day highlights tour visiting the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Jim Thompson’s House and a river boat cruise including dinner on the Chao Praya River. Now that’s comparable to a tourist visiting New York City whose sightseeing itinerary includes the Empire State Building, the Statute of Liberty, World Trade Center, Central Park and Broadway. In addition, the ladies usually love to go on a shopping spree at one Bangkok’s sprawling shopping centers like MBK, in addition to shopping for bargains at Bangkok’s colorful night market.

Now if the tourist were aware of some of the alternative activities available besides the conventional sightseeing expeditions, he would really have an opportunity to have a unique singular experience. For those people with an artistic bent, they may want to consider taking a special 2 day /1 night watercolor workshop with Pe Seenam, an internationally renowned watercolorist from Bangkok The workshop takes place in the rural countryside alongside a beautiful river, about an hour’s drive from Bangkok.

While in Chiang Mai, Thailand‘s 2nd largest city and the gateway to Northern Thailand, a good option for the artistically inclined would be a special 3 day/2 night Terracotta workshop at a rustic homestay, located in the mountain village of Mae Rim, about a 30 minutes away from Chiang Mai. While you’re in Mae Rim, you can visit one of the area’s elephant camps and go on a little elephant trek into the countryside. What a thrilling adventure!

As a sidenote, in defense of about JAT (Joe Average Tourist), many times the JAT has a very limited time in a popular destination spot. As.a result, the most viable option for him is to do “the popular city highlights tour”.

Soak tree is one such tree that the Thai believe brings bad luck. It is a tall tree with short branches, which bears red fruits. Once the fruits ripen, they turn purple in color. The fruits of this tree are extremely bitter in taste and not meant for eating. In Thai language Soak means sorrow and therefore, Thai people believe that having a Soak tree growing in the house brings bad luck and it considered to be extremely unlucky.

The flowers from the Rak tree are used to make garlands. These garlands are used to adorn prisoners and criminals who are going to be executed. Because of its use, the Thai believe that Rak trees are unlucky and should not be grown or found around a dwelling.

Sala and Rakam are two trees with sharp thorns. Usually it is seen that thorny trees are not grown at homes in Thailand. As these two trees are thorny, they are considered to be unlucky trees. But these trees have high market value. So many Thai gardeners grow these trees for their commercial value.

Tau Rang is a type of palm tree which bears poisonous fruits. In Thai, Tau Rang means deserted. Given the nature of its meaning, Thais give a wide berth to this palm tree believing it to a harbinger of ill luck.

Nang Yaem is a shrub found in Thailand. Given a chance, the Thais will not have much to do with this shrub. This shrub has extremely long roots which can run to few meters. The roots have a tendency of sprouting new shrubs. The Thai avoid this shrub because of its roots as they can damage the house and strangle other plants in the vicinity.

This museum is located in Ban Chiang , Tambon  Ban Chiang. It is an important historical site both of Northeast Thailand and of Southeast Asia. The Ban Chiang archaeological site was surveyed and excavated in 1974-1975 by the fine Arts Department. This work revealed the site to contain artifacts from as 5,600-1,800 years. The United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) registered the site as a Word Heritage Site of History at Carthage , Tunisia in December 1992. The museum has two exhibition sites:

Site 1: Wat Pho Si Nai Excavation Pit. This features an open museum ,The first of its kind in Thailand. There is a permanent exhibition of archaeological excavation for visitors to witness art objects as they would have appeared when they were discovered. Most of the objects on display are earthenware artifacts that were buried as a part of funerary rituals.

Site 2: Somdet  Phra  Srinagarindra Bormmaratchachonnani Building. The exhibition of Ban Chiang on display here was once borrowed for display in the United States and Singapore. The exhibition has two segments: Ban Chiang in the Past , encompassing ancient objects and evidence found in the excavation of Ban Chiang archaeological site; and Today is  Ban Chiang; which focuses on contemporary ways of life, tools, utensils, and folk arts. In addition, there is a briefing room, film and still screening, and other educational services.

Durians World Expo
Date: May, 2011
Venue:  Triangle Cheay Farm Public Park, capital district, Chantaburi.

Activities:
-Local Girl’s Beauty Contest.
-Fruit Contest.
-Local Raft Contest.
-Eating Fruit Competition. 

For more information :
Cheay Farm Public Park, Capital district, Chantaburi Tel.: +66 3931 9700
www.chanthaburi.go.th
TAT Rayong Tel.: +66 3865 5420 – 1, +66 3866 4585

Fruits and Charms Festival
Date: May, 2011 – June, 2011
Venue: Ta-Pong Fruit Market, Capital district, Rayong

Activities:
-Local Girl’s Beauty Contest.
-Fruit Contest.
-Car decoration by fruits Contest.
-Eating Fruit Competition. 

For more information :
Ta – Pong Fruit Market, Capital district, Rayong Tel.: +66 3866 4053
TAT Rayong Tel.: +66 3865 5420 – 1, +66 3866 4585