Thailand Vacation Packages - Have Fun in the Sun

Enjoying a vacation is one of the most delightful experiences that one can undergo. There are people who work incessantly, maybe even doing a couple of jobs to make ends meet. This is especially exacerbated by the fact that the world is going through a severe recession which leads to enormous economic pressure on people. This is why people find the prospect of a vacation so very alluring. As then, one can take a break from the hectic life, take rest and get rejuvenated while spending some time with the family. And if vacation means going for a break to the lovely country of Thailand, as part of Thailand Vacation Packages, the joy is indeed immeasurable. There are fewer spots in the whole world that are widely hailed as exotic vacation spots as Thailand.

There are so many exciting locations and splendid amusements that Thailand has to offer that it will tickle the senses and leave one satiated and supremely satisfied. For one, there is the wonderful capital city of Bangkok that has all the sights and sounds of a modern city that also has its roots extended to the ancient Thai tradition. It is also the seat of power, where one can get glimpses of the royal family with all its glorious pomp and splendor. There are also quite a few pagodas, which represent the glory and the grandeur of the Buddhist religion, and try to get peace and solitude among the monks in these monasteries. Thailand Vacation Packages are quite incomplete without a visit to Bangkok, which is also fabled for its many amusements and entertainment avenues as well as nightspots that adorn its streets and city spaces.

Thailand is also well known for its 400 kilometers of pristine, beautiful beaches with Pattaya being at its very center. The Pattaya circuit has many quality resorts, beaches and seaside getaway opportunities that are sought so widely after, by discerning tourists and visitors. One can spend so many days and idyllic evenings beside the beach, soaking up the sun and savoring the inimitable cuisine that typifies Thailand. Thailand Vacation Packages also include visits to see the elephants that play an important role in Thai temple and daily life, not to mention the polo sport that is a visual treat for observers. These are some of the unique aspects of Thai culture and life.

If you want an ideal getaway and enjoy the better things in life, Thailand Vacation Packages may be just what you need.

Looking for Thailand vacation packages? Visit us for tips and information about Thailand and other vacation packages at http://www.thailandentertainmentexpo.com

The Thai Baht and Fluctuating Exchange Rates

For anyone visiting Phuket in Thailand, an obvious point of concern is how much things will cost. Thailand has always been a relatively cheap place to go for a holiday. As a destination, Phuket is favored by everyone from Brits to Israelis. But the global economic crisis coupled with the effects of negative media coverage on Thailand has meant that less people are visiting the country. Yet perhaps bigger problem is today's exchange rate.

When I first arrived in Thailand, about four years ago, the pound sterling was changing at one to 75 baht. That was a decent exchange rate and it meant that my money went far, be it in Bangkok or Phuket. Now, I find myself in Phuket looking at an exchange rate that defies believe. The pound sterling is now trading at one to 52 baht. That's a decline of almost one third in just a few years.

Prices in Thailand have not changed dramatically in that time. Expats living in the country certainly wouldn't have noticed too much of a difference, but for people visiting from the United Kingdom, having one third less to spend than usual is a big change.

It isn't, however, that the baht has become especially strong. What is happening is that the pound is incredibly weak. It's so weak that at the moment it's trading about one for one with the euro, which makes trips to Europe unappealing for any British people. The Brits are staying home. Money is tight enough as it is without the exchange rates working against people.

The Americans are in a similar situation. The dollar has typically been trading at about one to 35 baht in the past few years. Right now, it's down to one to 22 baht. Again, that's a decline of about one third. Ultimately, people will travel to Thailand regardless of political turmoil and internal squabbling. But these people are not going to travel if they don't have the money to do so.

With it being so close to 50 baht to the pound, changing money from sterling to baht is almost financial suicide. Conversely, it's not a bad time for British people to be paid in baht. As an example, I recently wired a large sum of baht to the UK at an exchange rate of 52 baht to the pound. That's about as low as it is going to get and it's difficult to trust the baht in the long run, whereas the pound is a traditionally strong currency.

For all of us in Phuket and the rest of Thailand, we can only hope that 2009 brings more favorable exchange rates against the baht. The pound and the dollar have taken some really big knocks this year and it couldn't have come at a worse time. The tourism industry in Phuket needs all the help it can get at the moment, but some things are out of the control of the island and its people.

For the latest news about Phuket, log on to Phuket Vogue for all the gossip from Patong to Karon.

What You Need to Know Before Renting Out a Home in Phuket

Phuket is experiencing a very positive response to the private home or apartment rental market. This accommodation segment has only really come to the foreground since 2000 when a few intrepid developers realised the potential of Phuket in the international housing market. Phuket has long been a popular tourist attraction and with the recent improvements in the islands' infrastructure, many regular visitors have decided to purchase homes here.

Similarly, many regular visitors who are familiar with the island find that the facilities offered by the traditional hotels or resorts to be somewhat "cloistered" which can often lead to a feeling that as a visitor, you are not able to experience the local culture to the full. With the current upswing in development in many areas of the island, Phuket is becoming known as a destination where you can take advantage of renting a privately owned home.

There are a number of considerations that need to be taken into account before considering your rental returns.

Owner requirements

When considering the options available to you for rental returns, it is most important that you consider what the motivations for your purchase are. If you would like to occupy the home over the Christmas / New Year holiday period, the rental prospects of the home will decrease significantly. This time of year is by far the most lucrative period for holiday rentals, which yield the best returns.

If you are purchasing the home as an investment property with the view to owning the property for a few years whilst trying to minimise the expenses and eventually sell the home for a profit, the returns under these circumstances can be extremely attractive.

Owners who are willing to maintain a level of flexibility in their occupation will do well when trying to minimise the expenses associated with a holiday home. Should you wish to use your home, you may do so as long as the necessary notice periods are respected. Should the home be available and you would like to visit at short notice, this is, also possible.

Setting up your home for rentals

There are a number of important considerations when setting up your home for rental purposes. Keep in mind that you will be opening the home to total strangers and careful thought should be given before costly purchases are made. Please refer to the sample inventory and handy Phuketvillarentals.com tips.

Allan Mossop, with a background in International hotels, has been Managing Director of Phuket Island Property Services since 2001.

Being at the forefront of the property management, rental and furnishings markets, he has advised many of the Islands Owners to maximise their investment properties potential.

The Best Hotels in Phuket

Phuket is a beautiful island adorned with natural elegance, it is an island as big in size as Singapore, Phuket is the country's largest island, located off the west coast of Thailand, in the Andaman Sea. Over the years, Phuket has been a major tourist destination drawing visitors from all over the world to try hotels in Phuket. The island has pristine sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and has the facilities for numerous water sports activities.

Hotels in Phuket have the capacity to accommodate visitors of all categories, from low budget casual tourists, to wealthy and high profile tourists. For low budget tourists, there are many mid-range economy hotels in Phuket, along with small cottages, apartments and rest houses.

Hotels in Phuket will definitely cost less than other Asian country's, yet they will provide a high standard of facilities. Among the higher range hotels in Phuket, there are a number of five star hotels to choose from, all of which have state of the art facilities.

Situated nearly 870 Km away from Bangkok, the island is joined with the mainland by a bridge. Phuket is a southern province of Thailand and Phuket city is the administrative centre of the province.

The climate is at its best in Phuket during the months of December to April. The rest of the year it mostly stays hot and humid, but this is a great time for finding bargain hotels in Phuket. As it has become an international tourist hot-spot, English has been a common second language, so visitors do not have to worry about difficulties in communication.

Phuket has an international Airport situated in the north, where there are direct flights to Australia and Europe during high season, and regular charters to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok throughout the year. There is no shortage of bus services in and out of Phuket, and a railway station is 5 hours away from the island. Ferry services to other tourist destinations like Krabi and Ko Phi Phi are available also.

Phuket is famous for its snow white, sandy beaches including, Surin, Patong , Bang tao, Kamala , Laem sing , Kata Yai , Karon, Rawai, Ao chalong are some of the beaches that draw majority of the tourists. Coral island and Ko Yao are two other nearby islands that are strongly recommended for any tourist.

There are plenty of sites to visit in the town itself, including Chalong Wat Buddhist temple is an interesting place to visit, so is the Phuket Fantasea show. There is a golf course available, and also an animal sanctuary. Hotels in Phuket can be reserved online, although it is a good idea to book early.

Get more info and the scoop on hotels in Phuket at these links. Don't book a Phuket hotel without researching it thoroughly.

Luxury and Cheap Accommodations in Phuket

Phuket is Thailand's beautiful spot for travelers. The scenic views of nature surrounded the island impeccably and beautifully. The great numbers of travelers visit this island every year. You can come across a number of Cheap Hotels In Phuket which ensure a comfortable stay to all. The budget accommodations of Phuket allow the travelers to stay at an affordable rate along the facilities which include modern amenities and equipments. There are lots of things to do and see in Phuket. Amidst the tranquil settings of vast blue sea, good weather of the coastal beaches and the scenic beauty of sunset, Phuket is such a place to mesmerize you with its every possible sight seeing attractions and Thai culture and its friendliness.

Phuket is also home to many luxury hotels which includes 5 Star Hotels In Phuket. Vacationers come to have a nice holiday tour in Phuket where they can enjoy the long beaches with its cozy atmosphere. Have a nice summer holiday at Phuket. While your stay in the hotels what you can expect at best is the warm hospitality and proper attentive service. However, the deluxe hotels include the facilities like bars, restaurants, spa centers, etc. All kinds of requirements can be fulfilled by the accommodations provided by Phuket city. The restaurants have all those mouthwatering cuisines that are well known as Thai Cuisines. The warm hospitality and friendly climate of Phuket attracts the visitors enormously. People from various part of the globe come here to celebrate their special day and special occasions in this beach city.

Staying in one of the Budget Hotels In Phuket may be a happening moment or event for you because in the hotels of Phuket you can do all those things beyond a simple staying. Here you can recreate yourself by indulging or taking part in the live recreational activities that are available and happened in one of the budget hotels in Phuket.

Grab the best hotel deals for 5 Star Hotels In Phuket through hotels2stay.net. Book your stay for Budget Hotels In Phuket and get heavy discounts on online booking of Cheap Hotels In Phuket.

Bar Supplies For Your Wait Staff

Whether you run a full bar or a restaurant with a bar in it, it is critical to provide your staff with the proper bar supplies. Every bartender, restaurant server, and cocktail waiter should have the following supplies:

Aprons will make your wait staff's lives much easier. They can be used to carry extra pens, change, bottle openers, check holders, straws, and pretty much every other supply they can think of. These will ensure efficiency in your staff because they make it difficult to misplace items; which should also save you some money on supplies. If you require your staff to wear uniforms, aprons will only further the professional appearance of your servers. If you do not require uniforms at your establishment, aprons can help bring a unified look to your servers without infringing on their individuality.

Bar Trays allow your staff to carry more beverages at once. This is particularly useful if you cater to large groups or are so busy that your servers bring out several table's drinks at once. If you find that there is an increase in accidents from your servers trying to carry too many glasses on one tray, switch to cork trays. These will prevent the glasses from slipping, decreasing the number of accidents. You should also have a variety of sizes of bar trays on hand, so servers can find the right size tray for the load they are trying to carry, which will also help decrease the number of accidents.

Corkscrews are a necessity if your establishment serves wine. It is important to invest in commercial quality corkscrews, rather than residential style ones, because they are considerably more durable. If your servers open the wine at the customers' tables, make sure that each server is given their own corkscrew, so your customers do not have to wait an unreasonable amount of time for their wine. While it seems like a given, you should also make sure every person on your staff is adept at opening wine bottles with whatever type of corkscrew you provide them. It can save your employees and your establishment embarrassment in the future.

Ashley Howard is a contributing writer for FoodServiceWarehouse.com. She writes about restaurant equipment, restaurant supplies, and how to choose the best bar supplies and bar equipment for your bar or restaurant.

Different Building Arrangements When Building a House in Phuket Thailand

If your idea of building a house in Thailand sounds like fun, this article on building a house in Thailand may help you. There are many facets to building a house from the building permit to the final construction. For the sake of keeping this not too long, we will assume you have already purchased you land and acquired a building permit.

There are several different building arrangements you can work out with builders in Phuket, Thailand. You can hire people to work for you and you pay them a daily wage. This pay as you go can work quite well but there are a few drawbacks. Usually the workers won't be moving at top productivity to stretch the job out longer. You may also find your costs can get out of control as you won't be able to calculate how long something will take. The other problem is you need to be around every day to make sure your not paying for people that are not showing up or not there at all.

Another variation of this theme is you for labor and buy your materials yourself. The foreman will give you a quote for the labor for whole job. Usually the builder will not include things like electric, pluming, doors and windows. You want to make sure what and what not is included in the price they give you. You also want to be able to pay them when they hit certain milestones during the construction process.

A good variation one of my friends does is pay his builder a daily wage times the number of people he has working on your site. So for example if the builder has ten people on the site he pays his builder about one hundred fifty percent going rate for his labors but the builder has to be responsible for them. The contractor makes his money on the markup difference on what he pays his people and what he charges my friend.

You can also hire people to small jobs by the meter on what the the Thais call "by the job". This means you pay them for the work they do. This is common in painting and rendering crews where they k now how long it will take them and you just buy the materials. The one thing you have to watch for here is they tend to waste materials when you hire them this way.

Paying the builder to do all the work is very common on the island also. I build a small bungalow this way about four years ago as a model unit. The one major thing to have to watch here is the builder will usually ask for a large down deposit and you will wait a long time for them to start your house. Many builders keep the deposits of unsuspecting farung and you never get your money back even if you take them to court and win. Never trust builders too much and always have a start and finish date on your contract.

The last way I like to talk about is hiring your own crew and doing the work yourself with Thai laborers. One way to do this is hire a foreman who has contacts in Issan and can get five to ten workers to come down on the bus to work on your housing project. You will have to pay transportation and have to build housing for them. When the project is finished, they will take the bus back home.

In summary, there are many ways you can go about hiring a builder or Thai people to build your house for you in Phuket, Thailand. You can hire your own, hire and pay by day and or pay as you go. You can choose to work with a builder or building company or hire your own and build your own way. Building a house in Phuket Thailand can be a rewarding experience if you have the time to try it.

Scott Riefler is an expert in dealing with Phuket Real Estate and finance related matters. He has written several informative articles on topics like mortgage, home refinancing, real estate loans and real estate insurance. He regularly contributes articles to web guides on real estate and home refinancing.

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