Image : http://www.flickr.com

Many travelers, vacationers or retirees have the erroneous belief that if they come to Thailand they'll have to fork out thousands of dollars a month to experience an ideal Thai lifestyle. However, they'd be mistaken. In actual fact you can live a great Thai lifestyle for a lot less than that...

For starters, pretty much everything in Thailand will cost you a LOT less than a similar lifestyle in Europe or USA might cost. But don't just take my word for it. Let these examples (in US$) prove it to you:

o You can enjoy superb high speed Internet (broadband) for under $30 a month.

o You can rent a lovely, 2 story home with huge garden for around about $150 a month (depending where you live of course. Some areas more expensive, and some a lot less!)

o You can go out at night and tantalize your taste buds with a 3 or 4 course Thai dinner for about $15 (depending what you eat of course!)

o Alternatively you can 'eat in' and still eat really well (feel full to the brim after) for a mere $3 (and that's pushing it!)

o You can buy your own zippy little 115 cc Honda or Yamaha automatic motorbike (scooter) for about $1000 - or snap up a used bike for half that. (If you want to brave motorcycle taxis - it'll be anywhere from $1-$15 per trip).

o And as for general living costs, you'd stay right on top of things for about $6-10 a day...

Anyway, I'm sure you get the idea. As you can see, you can live a pretty comfortable Thai lifestyle for a lot less than $600 a month. Even more so if you budget your expenses carefully. Of course, you could just as easily fork out $6000 or $60,000 a month too, if you felt so inclined! So what are you waiting for?

When you visit Ubon Ratchathani, one of 76 provinces in Thailand and one of 17 provinces of Isaan, you will arrive in Ubon city. In Thai it is Amphur Muang, the provincial capital city district. It is usually just referred to as Ubon.

There are many places of interest for first time visitors and return visitors, as well.

Tung Sri Muang - The city park and traditional ceremonial grounds. It is easily identified by the giant candle in the center. It is the shrine to Ubon's Candle Festival and Buddhist Lent.

In northeast corner is a memorial from former POW's in Ubon to the local people who helped them survive. When the sun goes down the park becomes a place for socializing and exercising. Afterward, head to the southeast corner for some delicious Thai food from the night food market.

Ubon Ratchathani National Museum - At the south end of the park is the museum. Inside you will see some of the history of Ubon as well as artifacts and relics.

Had Ku Dua - Is a beach along the Mun River. Go lounge on a bamboo cover patio floating on the river. Enjoy a picnic lunch or dinner with friends or family.

Wat Sa Prasan Suk - When you enter this temple on the outskirts of town you will pass under the giant white elephant statue serving as a gate and also a guard to watch over the temple. Tour the structures and make your way to the boat shaped vihan in the rear floating on a man-made pond.

OTOP Center - A showcase for local artisans and merchants. This project was initiated to encourage entrepreneurship and alternative means to support themselves among the agricultural based country
residents.

Huai Wang Nong - A large city reservoir on the east side of town. Many locals go fishing there. Mainly in the evening there will be a wide selection of restaurants providing food, drinks, entertainment and a nice view.

Ubon Ratchathani Cultural Center - The cultural center is located on the Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University campus. In the lower level well organized displays tell the story of Ubon Ratchathani and Isaan.

When you visit Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand take time to visit these sights and others that are sprinkled around the city.

For a period of three months, Buddhist monks stay within their temple grounds and refrain from going out. This is the time of the Khao Pansa which is also known as Buddhist Lent. It starts from the eight lunar month (which falls on the month of July) and ends on the eleventh lunar month. For Buddhists, this is the time to renew themselves spiritually, do good deeds and surrender all vices that they may have. They observe this tradition every year and as years pass by, this simple tradition has evolved into a much-anticipated festival annually. This celebration is known as The Candle Festival.

The Candle Festival is celebrated in Ubon Ratchathani, a province in Thailand. It became very successful and that is why Pattaya, a tourist area found smack in beautiful coasts of Thailand, adapted the same festival. And instead of parading beeswax candles in a variety of designs, shapes and sizes just like in the Candle Festival, organizers decided it to be a competition among candles makers and designers.

The procession of this wondrous occasion officially marks the start of the Buddhist lent in Pattaya. And also, it serves as an added attraction among tourists. So on one good Friday afternoon, tourists and even locals have stood in awe when thirty-two magnificently decorated candles lined up in Soi 4 of Pattaya beach. This is the starting point of the candle procession. The candles made their way through the streets of Pattaya beach to the delight of the onlookers. But the competition really started as soon as the candles entered Walking Street where the judges were waiting and selecting which candle stood out among the rest. The beautifully decorated candles vie for the awards that would be given to the contenders of the different categories.

Festivals like this indicate that candles have gone a long way since they were first discovered around 5000 years ago. The early Egyptians used them to light their way through the roads especially when they were traveling at night. They were also used to give light to their homes and were also used as part of religious ceremonies. These candles have also evolved with regards to the materials used. The early Romans used papyrus and beeswax and it was later improved on by the Chinese who used plants and insects. At present, where electricity outweighs the use of candles especially in lighting, its uses have also evolved. All natural candles not just light homes but also bring relaxation and peace. They are a good partner of aromatherapy essential oils. Indeed, candles have surpassed time and even technology. They are sure to stay given the right innovations and designs to suit the ever-changing needs of people.

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Many travelers, tourists and retirees have the belief that if you arrive in Thailand will have to pay thousands of dollars a month, an ideal lifestyle in Thailand. However, they would be confused. In fact, you can live a great lifestyle for much less than the Thai ...

For the beginning is pretty much everything in Thailand, can cost much less than a similar lifestyle in Europe or the United States might cost. But do not just take my word. Let these examples (inU.S. $) have shown that:

o Create superb high-speed Internet (broadband) to enjoy under $ 30 per month.

o You can create a beautiful two-storey house with large garden of about $ 150 a month in rent (depending on where you live of course. Some areas more expensive, and some much less!)

Or you can go out and ruin your taste buds with a 3 or 4 course Thai for about $ 15 (depending on what you eat, of course!)

or alternatively, you can also "in the food," and feel really good food (brim) for only $ 3 (and pushing!)

o You can buy your zippy little Honda 115 cc Yamaha motorcycle or automatic (scooter) for about $ 1,000 - or take a bike used for half. (If you are brave motorcycle taxi - it will be anywhere from $ 1 - $ 15 per trip).

or what about the general cost of living, the things you want to just above $ 6.10 for about one day stay ...

However, I'm sure you get the idea. As you can see, you can live a relatively ThaiLifestyle for much less than $ 600 per month. Even more so if your budget expenditure carefully. Of course, you could also pay $ 6,000 or $ 60,000 per month, if you feel so inclined! So what are you waiting for?

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Buying a house in Thailand for your retirements is one of the best options that you can do after your work is done and you want to have peace and quiet. However, there are plenty of laws and regulations that you need to be aware of so that you can effectively procure the property that you want.

You know that there are a lot of investment opportunities in Thailand and real estate is what many foreigners go there. And while there are plenty of restrictions that are put on the procurement, there are also a lot of ways that you can go around them.

Here are some rules that you need to keep in mind:

Know what you can not own

There are various things that you can buy in Thailand and a house is one of them. However, there are things that are off limits for you. One of the things that are not available to a foreigner is that foreigners are not allowed to have a 49% ownership of a condominium. This ensures that majority of the ownership of the property remains on the hands of the Thai.

How you can get around this

And while this is the case in most of the people, there is a way that you can get around this one. You can get around this rule by establishing a local Thai limited company. Since you cannot get more than 49 percent share, then you must enter an association with 6 other Thai investors in order to form such an organization. Remember that in a Thai limited company, you need a minimum of 7 shareholders involved. After this, you need to be named the executive director of the said company and be voted by the rest of your associates. After this, the six other investors should sign an undated share transfer thereby giving you the whole property.

The other option

There is another option that you can have other than the Thai limited company. If you can not find six other investors that is willing to cede ownership to you then, Thai limited ownership is not the best option for you. If you are in this predicament then you might want to try the second option.

Your second option is through the lease of land for 30 years and after that you can be offered an extension of 30 years and can be extended to up to 990 years more at maximum. Remember that the foreign owner has the right to will the land to his heirs.

These two ways are the easiest ways to buying a house in Thailand for your retirement. Try and follow the tips so that you can have the easiest time.

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Nakhon Phanom, a province in the north-eastern Thailand about 740 km from Bangkok, is right on the banks of the Mekong River between the provinces of Nong Khai to the north and Mukdakan to the south. Laos is just across the river. The Mekong starts in China and flows through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Like many provinces in Thailand, the provincial capital shares the same name as the province. Nakhon Phanom city (City of Hills) is on the banks of the Mekong. A road runs along the banks with an esplanade.

To get there, we took a morning bus from Mor Chit, the northern bus terminal in Bangkok. Once on the highway, we leave the congestion of Bangkok behind and get into open country.

Our journey took us up the rocky hills towards the Korat plateau, the gateway to Isarn, northern eastern Thailand, through Maha Sarakam, Roi Et, Yasothon and Mukdahan provinces. I'm glad I took the suggestion to travel by day. It's a wonderful way to see a cross section of rural Thailand.

We passed miles and miles of rice fields for as far as the eye can see. This is part of the rice bowl of Thailand and of many countries where rice is the staple food. Isolated houses, grazing cows, haystacks and tractors were some of the idyllic scenes encountered along the way.

But it hasn't always been this peaceful. In the 20th century, Nakhon Phanom played host to two of the major adversaries in the Vietnam War. The legacy of that period remains to this day.

During the Second Vietnam War (1954 - 1975), the United States maintained several air bases in Thailand from which air strikes were launched against North Vietnam. These bases were Don Muang, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Takhli, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani and Utapao. However not all the air operations were directed at North Vietnam.

Back in 1963, Nakhon Phanom was a small border town with dirt roads and a small air strip near town. Seabees or the US Navy's Construction Battalions built a new airfield outside town with a PSP (perforated steel planking) runway and wooden shacks. The airfield then had an air force radar station and three rescue helicopters.

By the late 1960s, the airfield was expanded to one with a concrete runway which operated fixed wing propeller planes and helicopters flying a variety of missions; forward air controllers, close air support, insertion and extraction of personnel, search and rescue. That airfield is the provincial airport today.

However there were also some air units that flew planes with no US insignias or markings; their pilots didn't wear Air Force uniforms. These air units flew missions over neighbouring Laos in a war (1965 - 1975) in which American involvement was not officially acknowledged by the US government. Some of these units operated from Nakhon Phanom.

This is where our story begins.

A visitor to Nakhon Phanom city, a modern city today, can't help but notice the Vietnamese influence. There's clock tower built in 1960 dedicated to the Vietnamese return to their motherland, a monument for the Vietnamese migrants.

There're a number of Vietnamese restaurants in town. In the city outskirts there's a Thai-Vietnamese Friendship Village in Ban Na Chok with a Vietnamese cemetery. The local television here includes a Vietnamese channel.

Vietnamese migration to Thailand began as early as 18th - 19th C when Catholics fleeing religious persecution settled here. Later emigrants were those opposed to French colonial rule. The period from the end of WW II to the Second Indochina War saw further Vietnamese migration to Thailand.

Of those Vietnamese who sought political asylum in Thailand during their struggle for independence from the French, some settled in Nakhon Phanom owing to its proximity.

About 4 km from Nakhon Phanom city, is a wooden house where a Vietnamese in exile stayed in the 1920s as he continued with his quest for freedom for his country.

Ho Chi Minh's house near Ban Na Chok, the Thai - Vietnamese Friendship Village, is now preserved as a museum. The spartan interior in Ho Chi Minh's house consists of a hall and two smaller rooms to the rear.

An altar and Ho's working desk are carefully preserved at one end of the hall. So is the table in the centre where Ho had his meals or met with compatriots. On a wooden platform at the other end of the hall, a common piece of furniture in rural Thailand, I could just imagine Ho sitting and yarning with visitors or even taking a nap.

In one of the small rooms to the rear, Ho's hats and clothing are neatly placed in two small cupboards.

The old photos on the walls of the hall are a wealth of history. A particular photo caught my eye, Ho Chi Minh conferring with three men over a map of Dien Bien Phu which was occupied by the French on 20 November 1953.

Vietnamese victory in that battle on 7 May 1954 put an end to French colonisation of Vietnam since the Treaty of Saigon in 1862. But this only brought in a new adversary and the Second Vietnam War.

One of the men with Ho in the photo started life as a history teacher, General Vo Nguyen Giap Commander-in-Chief of the Vietminh forces and later Minister of Defence of North Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh became President of North Vietnam from 1945 till 1969 when he died at 79. He never lived to see a reunified Vietnam, free from foreign domination. But six years later when North Vietnamese tanks entered Saigon, his life-long goal was achieved.

Ho Chi Minh's house in Nakhon Phanom bears silent witness to the early days of that long struggle.

Ubon Ratchathani is the easternmost province in Thailand. On the banks of the Mekong and Moon rivers you will find a sign that states, "be the first to see the sunrise in Thailand." Ubon Ratchathani is located in the Northeastern or Isaan region of Thailand. It is the largest Thai province in terms of land mass. Most of the land is either rice fields or forest. It began its Thai life as a Monthon first known as Ubon Monthon and later as Isaan Monthon and served as the capitol.

The original residents were Laotian refugees who gave the local food, language and culture its flavor. When you visit Ubon you will discover a culture that is slightly different from the other four regions of Thailand. The music and dance are livelier. The cuisine is spicier. The friendly people truly make a difference. You will find a wide variety of Thai Buddhist temples in the province. Ubon Ratchathani is known for having the highest density of temples in all of Thailand. You will enjoy the Candle Festival held in Ubon Ratchathani each year in July, centered around the full moon.

It is to celebrate the beginning of Thai Buddhist Lent which coincides with the start of the Monsoon season. Ubon Ratchathai is a convenient jumping off place on your way to Cambodia or Laos. There are border crossing to both countries within a two hour drive from the provincial capitol. Nature has blessed Ubon with many natural attractions. Take some time and visit the rock formations of Pha Taem or lunar-looking craters of Sam Pan Bok on the Mekong. You will find it very convenient to get to Ubon Ratchathani.

The local airport is host to several daily flights between Ubon and Bangkok. The rail service includes a variety of times and classes, from express to overnight sleeper and the truly economy third class. Buses arrive and depart from Bangkok and other locations around Isaan and Thailand. Accommodation in Ubon range from luxury pool villas on the banks of Mekong river in Khong Jiam district to a room with a bed for less than $10US per night. Getting around town is quite easy by mini-bus, tuk tuk or motorcycle taxi.

And if you want to venture out in the surrounding countryside to visit small towns or villages you should have no problem finding a bus that will get you there. You might fall in love with Ubon and want to extend your stay. That is no problem as there is an Immigration office just a 45 minute drive from downtown. Do yourself a favor and think about Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand when you are making your travel plans.

Image : http://www.flickr.com

When you travel to Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand you will be happy to know there is a nice selection of quality hotels at a reasonable rate, to choose from. You might also want to know that there is also a wide range of accommodations to fit any travel budget from no frills to no budget.

1. Sunee Grand Hotel - A new modern hotel conveniently located on the main street running down the center of town. You will find it easy to connect with public transportation to get around the city. There are also many activities available on the hotel compound. It is co-located with a 3-level shopping mall, a small supermarket, a bowling alley and a variety of restaurants. There is also a fitness center and spa for your exercise and relaxation needs. The rooms range from superior to extreme royal suites, the most expensive rooms in the city limits.

2. Tohsang City Hotel - This hotel offers the best service in town. They know the meaning of hospitality. You choose from three room types standard, deluxe and suite with rates to match. You can use the transfer service to and from the airport and enjoy the quiet and comfort provided during your stay in Ubon. The restaurant is known for its quality and delicious cuisine.

3. Laithong Hotel - A good hotel close to the city center. It is famous for its international lunch buffet that is served up every weekday. The amenities here include a swimming pool and spa. The rooms here are typical, though a bit small. Many travelers who have passed through here have enjoyed there stay.

4. Ubon International Hotel - This hotel was formerly named Nevada Grand Hotel but recently changed its name to Ubon International Hotel. If you stay here you will realize it has the best location of any accommodation in town. It is centrally located and several city buses pass by the hotel entrance. Within the hotel there is a swimming pool, restaurant, spa, and disco. If you walk out the front doors, you will see a complex containing several food shops, three restaurants, a movie theater and numerous shops.

This is by no means all the accommodation available in Ubon. These reflect the main, established hotels that are the favorites of travelers who come here for whatever reason. It is certain that no matter what is your budget, the number in your party, or the level of luxury and comfort you want and need, there is something here for everyone.