The History of Phuket

Phuket History

The first records in Phuket history originate in the beginning of the 11th century. As far as historians have been able to trace, the first inhabitants of what is now known as Phuket were the sea gypsy's and the Negrito's.

Phuket Negritos

The Negritos are considered by historians to be the indigenous inhabitants of South East Asia. The Negritos include tribes from the Malay Peninsula, Andaman tribes, Pilipino tribes and the Semang tribes. The Negritos were small people and were pygmy sized. They are in fact considered to be among the smallest races when looking at population size. Genetic expert consider the DNA of the Negritos to be among the purest of any human race.

Junk Ceylon

Junk Ceylon was the first name of Phuket in its history. Historians have found the original name of Phuket on the maps of Portuguese sea merchant maps. There was an earlier mention of Junk Ceylon in a book written in the year of 157 AD. The book was written by a well known Greek philosopher. Cladius Ptolemy.

The Greek philosopher mentioned that if one was to travel to the Malaysian peninsula, one would have to pass a cape which he called the Junk Ceylon. The Junk Ceylon was given a location between the latitudes of 6 N and 8 N which would be the position of present day Phuket. It seems that the Junk Ceylon was visited by sea merchant from various countries as the bay of Junk Ceylon offered a superb protection against the forces of nature and gave the merchants an opportunity to rest and restock.

Recent Phuket History

Phuket become later known as Thalang after the city which still exists in the northern region of Phuket. An important part of Phuket history was during the 15th century when Phuket obtained the reputation as a leading tin mining producer. Due to the local mining industry, Phuket become somewhat of a trading hub.

Due to the large volume of European merchants and traders that were calling port in Thalang, the Thai King during that period decided that Phuket should be administered by a European. Between the period of 1681 and 1685, Thalang was administered by a French missionary named Renee Charbonneau.

Burmese Invasion

Another important event in Phuket history was in 1785 when enemy troops from neighboring Burma attempted to invade and rule Phuket. Two Phuket ladies decided to stand up and defend the Island in the name of the King of Thailand. The former governor's widow, Chan, and her loyal sister Muk organized a defense which lasted nearly a month.

The Burmese troops were left with no supplies after they had been unable to get past the defence for over a month. The aggresors had no other option but to withdraw as their suplies had run. The king of Thailand heard of the heroic actions of the two sisters and bestowed upon them the noble titles of Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Si Sunthon. Even in present day Phuket, the two sisters have not been forgotten and are in fact still honored and respected. In 1966 the two sisters were honored by their very own statue which stands at the Tha Ruea Intersection.

Read another article on Phuket history in the Phuket guide: all-phuket.com/phuket_history.html

James is currently living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for a great Phuket hotel then do consider staying at Club Bamboo Resort. Read more about Samui in his Samui Guide.

Phuket Villa Rentals - Simple Tips To Enjoy A Phuket Getaway More

The province of Phuket in Thailand has truly been one of the most visited and frequented tourist destinations in Asia. That is why the sector for tourist inns and properties has really enjoyed a rise. These days, there is a good and significant market for Phuket villa rentals. And as a vacationer, you would generate more savings if you would rent a place to stay in as you enjoy your Phuket getaway.

As a regular traveler, you surely have been well acquainted and familiarized with the services of hotels. You should be noticing that hotel accommodations all over the world are getting similar to each other that you could hardly distinguish the difference between staying in a US hotel and in an Asian hotel. In that way, Phuket villa rentals are more advisable if you want to know more about the culture of the area in your vacation.

Practical tips

It is important to note that there are simple and practical guidelines that would surely help you make villa rental in Phuket more noteworthy and advantageous. In the planning process, you should first weigh the pros and cons of taking Phuket villa rentals especially in consideration with your budget and other factors.

Take note that on the first glimpse, villa rentals are generally looking more costly than hotel accommodations. But what is good about Phuket villa rentals is that you would be able to generate greater savings especially if you re going in a group and if you intend to stay for a few weeks or even months.

Why villa rentals?

As mentioned, villa rentals in Phuket would help you get to know more and experience the culture not just of the province but also of the whole of Thailand. That is because villas are taking the traditional and genuine Thai home designs. Such structures and homes are also made of the usual and some native Thai home materials.

Villa rentals in Phuket are designed to cater more to vacationers who are in groups or who are intending to stay longer than usual. While hotels could be practical for staying in a just a few days, maybe a day or two, villas are more practical to lease if you are staying for weeks or months. It is just like renting a town home in the area.

When to go

You have the privilege to schedule your vacation as you please. If you are planning to go on a splendid getaway and you want to go to Phuket, you should plan to go there any month except for November to April. That is because in such months, there are practically more tourists going to the area as everyone seems to be going there on the Christmas, New Year and Easter holidays.

Phuket villa rentals would be costlier on such months. That is because as the demand rises up, surely, prices go along. And besides, it would be harder to book villa and even hotel accommodations. All other months are definitely good times to go and take a much needed break in Phuket's beaches.

Get more out of your Tuscan vacation by staying in a Tuscany villa rental by visiting http://www.vacationhomerentalsguide.com, a popular vacation rental website that specializes in finding inexpensive Orlando, Florida condo rentals so you can enjoy your trip to Disney world.

Review of Sivara Spa - Bangkok, Thailand

Sivara Spa is a luxury chain spa exclusive to Amari Hotels and Resorts in various parts of Thailand (Bangkok, Koh Chang, Krabi, Patttaya, Phuket, Samui, Trang)

On my last trip to Bangkok, I stayed at the Amari Watergate and Sivara Spa is tucked away on the 8th floor of the hotel and facing the swimming pool and health and fitness centre.

The Sivara Spa at the Amari Watergate Hotel in Bangkok is newly renovated to a modern and contemporary Thai style. As you walk into the reception, you can find a delightful interplay of bronze "lotus flowers", water walkways, stones, curtains, candlelight and flowers.

There are three spacious zen-themed double rooms and 5 single treatment rooms. Each of the themed double rooms is assigned to a signature treatment.

In the spa brochure own words, the various themes for the treatment rooms are:

The Mystical Forest room harnesses the spirit of the forest and allows guests to meditate on the power of nature. This botanically-inspired room features a tropical rain shower to wash away the stress of the day. The refreshing blends of essential oils used for the massages will leave the body feeling rejuvenated.

In Floral Bloom room, you can guarantee that tension will drain away and the spirit will be revived with a rose petal bath in this floral paradise. The fragrances of flowers will cleanse and purify your soul, whilst the ylang ylang, lavender and marjoram essential oils, used in the treatments, provide the ultimate feminine indulgence.

In the Herbal Inspiration room, the healing qualities of herbs - known for centuries, as nature's gift to mankind - are combined with luxurious pampering.

I opted for the "Sarada Package" (2hrs) treatment which comprises a oil massage & facial. I was not keen to do a facial and the receptionist was flexible enough to change the facial to a body scrub instead.

From the lighting and temperature in the room, to the volume of music and pressure applied during massages or scrubs, the therapist was so caring and considerate for my entire treatment. The gentle therapist at the spa truly live up to the gracious spirit of the Thai's spa culture.

For total relaxation, the Sivara Spa also offer a complete range of massage, spa, facial and body treatments. The selection of treatments include Thai and oil massages, body polishes and wraps, facials, and even a customized half day, full day, multi-days spa program. There is also the awesome 4-hands massage, which has become the signature treatment of high-end Thailand's spa, but due to time constraints, I could not find time for this famous treatment.

The prices in the Sivara Spa are typical of hotel spas and are hence slightly on the high side. If you are a guest of the hotel, make sure you pick up a discount voucher at the hotel concierge which will entitle you to a 10% discount and a free floral foot bath.

Location of Spa: Amari Watergate Hotel, 847 Petchburi Road Bangkok 10400

Size of Spa: Three couple treatment rooms, five single rooms

Facilities: Private Shower and jacuzzi in couple's room

Friendliness: Extremely polite receptionist and massage therapists

Pricing: Ranges from US$60 to US$120 for massage only. Between US$115 to US$220 for spa packages.

Katherine KC Xie visits Asia's best spa resorts, check out the various massage therapies and write reviews in her personal blog. Do feel free to check out http://www.best-spa-massage.com for more articles, write-up and reviews.

Car Parking in Dublin City

Parking in Dublin can be a bit of a nightmare, but with this guide you'll know where exactly to park your car so that it's safe and secure and above all, legally parked.

Dublin city is small and compact so at rush hour it tends to get congested. It's easy to walk around from attraction to attraction so be sure to park-up the car as soon as you arrive, as there really is no need to drive around this city centre to sight see.

Tow-away and clamping are in operation for those who park in a loading bay, pedestrian area, on double yellow lines, on a disabled parking space, on a bus lane or cycle track, so car parks are really the best option.

Dublin city has over 20 car parks, which are very well placed whether here for shopping or sightseeing.

Here are some of the main car parks in the city centre.

· Abbey Street car park

The Abbey Street car park is located on Lower Abbey Street, just off O'Connell Street (Dublin's main street) in the city centre. This is a very central location for visiting attractions like Trinity College, Temple Bar, the GPO and also for shopping on O'Connell Street and Henry Street.

· Parnell Centre car park

This car park is located just off Parnell Street. Parnell Street can be found just off the top of O'Connell Street (opposite end to O'Connell Bridge).

This car park is handy if you want to be close to the Gate Theatre, the Ambassador Theatre, the Dublin Writers Museum or the James Joyce Museum. This car park is also within walking distance of Croke Park stadium.

To get to this car park just take a right after the Virgin Cinema on Parnell Street and take another right on a small street called 'Loftus Lane' and you'll see the car park.

· Drury Street car park

This car park is located on Drury Street and is best approached from Stephens Street Lower. It has about 480 spaces and is very convenient to Grafton Street, St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, the Powerscourt Shopping Centre and the Gaiety Theatre.

· IFSC car park

This car park is located in the Irish Financial Services Centre, which is the city's core business and financial district. It can be found in the docklands area about a 10-minute walk east of O'Connell Bridge. The car park has about 360 spaces and is ideal for attending events in the IFSC or for visiting attractions along the Dublin docklands like the Viking Splash Tour, the Famine Memorial, the Custom House or the Point Depot.

· Christchurch car park

The Christchurch car park has about 212 spaces and can be accessed from Lord Edward Street in the Christchurch area.

This car park is ideal if you want to park-up and stroll around one of the oldest parts of Dublin and explore attractions like Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, the City Hall, St. Audoen's Gate and it's also not that far from Temple Bar.

· Temple Bar car park

Also known as the Fleet Street car park this car park can be found right in the heart of the city centre, just off Westmoreland Street. It's convenient to Temple Bar, Grafton Street, Trinity College and O'Connell Street so it's a popular place to park.

This car park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

· Jervis Street car park

This car park has up to 750 spaces and is adjoining the Jervis Shopping Centre - one of the biggest and best shopping centres in Dublin. It is accessed from Jervis Street. This car park is ideally located for shopping as it's also very convenient to Henry Street, which is one of Dublin's pedestrianised shopping streets.

· Stephens Green Shopping Centre car park

Stephen's Green has one of the largest car parks in the city centre with up to 700 spaces. It can be accessed from Mercer Street and is open 24 hours a day.

This car park is ideally located for shopping as it's located next to the Stephen's Green Shopping Centre just off Grafton Street, so you won't have too far to go with those shopping bags!

Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website http://www.GoIreland.com

Visit GoIreland for all you need to know before visiting Dublin, like what to see and where to go. View B&Bs, guesthouses and self catering in Dublin as well as Dublin hotels.

Tips For Backpacking in Kuala Lumpur

INTRODUCTION
Kuala Lumpur (or "KL" in short) is one of the cheapest cities in Asia for a vacation. Foreign currency exchange rates of the Pound Sterling and US Dollar, for instance, as against the Malaysian Ringgit are highly favourable. Backpacking is popular as the city has a very low crime rate and English is widely spoken. If you need directions, or wish to order food from a hawker stall rest assured that someone will be able to communicate with you in English. However, some planning is in order to stretch your vacation money to the maximum if you are a backpacker.

CHEAP AIR FARES
Malaysia's AirAsia and Singapore's SilkAir are two low-cost carriers that can fly you cheaply from many destinations around the world to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore respectively. (From Singapore, you can take a bus or train to Kuala Lumpur). For details of the flight schedules and fares of AirAsia and SilkAir, please check their websites. Another Malaysian budget airline is Fireflyz which caters mostly to domestic destinations in the country; however, it links Kuala Lumpur with Medan and Bandar Acheh (both in Indonesia) and Phuket in Thailand.

To get the best prices for budget airlines, bookings have to be made at least a few months ahead. It is also best to avoid the Malaysian school holidays which fall during December, mid-March and mid-August.

The airplanes of AirAsia land at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) about two kilometres from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at Sepang, which is 60 km from Kuala Lumpur. The cheapest way to get to KLIA from the LCCT is by shuttle bus operated by two companies; namely Nadi KL and Airport Liner. Fare is only RM 1.50 per person per way. The pick-up point is from Platform 8, bus station at Ground Floor, Car Park C. Frequencies of the buses are 15 - 20 minutes. From KLIA, the economical way to get to the capital is by airport coach. Fireflyz's aeroplanes land at Sultan Abdul Aziz Airport in Subang, about 15 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur.

WHERE TO STAY
The most popular area for backpackers to stay in KL is Chinatown. Its heart is Jalan Petaling (Petaling Street). Accommodation ranges from simple bed-and-breakfast inns with communal bathrooms to one-star and two-star hotels that are air-conditioned. (Hotels in Malaysia are rated by a star system, ranging from one to a maximum of five stars; those without any star rating are classified as "budget"). Another advantage of staying in Chinatown is its closeness to Puduraya bus station. This is the main station for buses going to other cities in the country. Chinatown is also within walking distance to the KL Monorail station on Jalan Maharajalela and also the STAR Light Rail Transit station near the Central Market. Chin Woo Stadium which has a swimming pool that is open to the public for a nominal fee is just 20 minutes away by foot from Jalan Petaling. Perched atop a hillock, it is a great place to cool down after a day of hectic sightseeing.

My second recommendation for accommodation is Brickfields, near Stesen Sentral (Central Station), which is the city's rail transportation hub. All Light Rail Transit (LRT) trains stop here, including the KLIA Ekpres that plies to and from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The five-star Hilton Kuala Lumpur and Le Meredian are located within the complex. However, just across Jalan Tun Sambanthan are affordable accommodations. They include Hotel Summer View, De Sentral Hotel, Mexico Hotel and Hotel Florida to mention but a few -- they all come with air-conditioning and attached bathrooms. A few inns that one rung down the price ladder are also available, including the YMCA. The negative point about this area is the lack of evening activities. Also, food is mainly confined to vegetarian eateries and Indian fan-ventilated restaurants serving banana leaf curry rice.

A useful contact is the Malaysia Budget Hotel Association at No. 52 Tengkat Tong Shin, 50200 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: +603-21412313. Fax: +603-21439313. Email: mbha1 @tm.net.my. Website: budgethotel.org.my

WHERE TO EAT
Finding cheap and hygienic food is probably the least of all problems for backpackers. Countless alfresco stalls are found in hawker centres. Two popular havens for cheap hawker food are Jalan Alor and Jalan Petaling. A meal with a fruit juice or soft drink can cost as little as RM6! For more comfort, go to the food courts of shopping complexes, which are often tucked away in the basement. Fast food outlets such as McDonald, Pizza Hut, Domino's Pizza, Kentucky Fried Chicken to mention but a few are scattered in many parts of the city. For Indian fare, go to Lebuh Ampang; Malay food is aplenty in the districts of Chow Kit and Kampung Baru. Avoid 24-hour Mamak (Indian Muslim) eateries unless you want to take the slight risk of a stomach upset. The food (fish, chicken, squid, etc) on display in glass containers in such eateries may have been heated and re-heated umpteen times. Order something that is cooked on the spot instead such as fried rice, fried noodles or chicken chop to guarantee that what you eat is fresh. To cut costs on food, my recommendation is to try roti canai (a type of pancake) in the morning which can cost as little as RM1.50 per piece. Variations such as roti canai with egg, sardine or banana are also available. Two or three pieces washed down with the "teh tarik" (literally means "pulled tea" ) will give you sufficient fuel for your tramping around. All major shopping complexes also have food courts that offer local food at decent prices.

TRAVELLING AROUND
Travelling around KL by taxi can be an expensive affair. The fare meter keeps ticking even though the vehicle is stuck in a massive jam, and this can burn a hole in your pocket. A ploy by a few black-sheep drivers is to take the longest possible route to your destination. Worst, a few drivers may refuse to use the meter and insist on an exorbitant flat fee. On rainy days, especially, it is a take-it-or-leave-it situation. Remember, there is also a surcharge for travelling after midnight and for putting luggage in the boot.

Though buses cover most parts of the city, it can be difficult for foreigners to find out the routes of each bus. Most buses don't have conductors, and passengers drop the correct fare in coins into the ticket vending machine. If you drop in excess fare, you will not be given any change.

Despair not! The city has a network of train systems (referred to as Light Rail Transit or "LRT" in short) that run on elevated rails, (and sometimes underground) that can whizz you from one part of the city to another, whereupon you can take a short stroll to your desired destination. Rail maps showing the different stops can be found in all the train stations. Services usually start from 6am till midnight. Three LRT trains are in operation: STAR LRT, Putra LRT and KL Monorail. They each have a different route but you can change trains at Stesen Sentral (Central Station).

AFFORDABLE SHOPPING COMPLEXES
Avoid all shopping malls in the city's Golden Triangle unless you just aim to browse around. This area is bounded by Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Raja Chulan. Tucked within the area are Lot 10, KL Plaza, Sungei Wang Plaza, BB Plaza, Low Yat Plaza and Starhill Shopping Complex that are targeted at middle- to upper-class shoppers. The same advice applies to the highly popular Suria KLCC in the podium block of the PETRONAS Twin Towers and Mid Valley on the Federal Highway. However, affordable shopping complexes can be found around Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, nicknamed "Kuala Lumpur's "Golden Mile". They include Pertama Complex, Campbell Complex, and independent stores such as Mydin and Globe Silk Store. In the fringe of Chinatown, Kotaraya Complex, UDA Ocean and S&M Shopping Arcade also offer excellent for value-for-money buys. Not to be missed is Jalan Petaling, which is chocked with stalls selling almost everything, especially cheap imitations of prestigious watches and leather goods as well as pirated VCDs of the latest Hollywood movies. Haggling is the order of the day. Highly popular with tourists, Central Market on Jalan Hang Kasturi specializes in collectibles, souvenirs and also has an excellent food court. Cultural performances are also held at scheduled times, and best of all, they are free. Haji Taib Hawker Centre in Chow Kit is good for jeans and second-clothes but the area suffers from a bad reputation. "Pasar malam" or "night markets" are held in Kampung Baru and Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman every Saturday evening. These spots offer excellent opportunities to try local fare at dirt-cheap prices.

TRAVEL LITERATURE
There is no need to throw away your hard-earned money on expensive travel guides. You can get free travel literature such as maps and brochures from tourist information centres operated by Tourism Malaysia. They are located as follows:

Stesen Sentral (Central Station)
Lot 21, 2nd Floor, Arrival Hall, Kuala Lumpur City Air Terminal, Stesen KL Sentral, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Phone: +603-2272 5823

Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Visitor Service Centre, International Arrival Hall, KLIA, Sepang 64000, Selangor
Phone: +603-877 656 47 / 51

Malaysia Tourist Centre (MTC)
109 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur 50450
Phone: +603-9235 4848 / 9235 4900 Fax: +603-2162 1149
(Tourists are allowed a maximum of 20 minutes free internet surfing here!)

Putra World Trade Centre
Level 2, Putra World Trade Centre, 45 Jalan Tun Ismail, PWTC,
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Phone: +603-2615 8540 Fax: + 603-2692 4554
(Note: Putra World Trade Centre is located next to the Best Western Premier Seri Pacific Hotel).

Another helpful spot is Kuala Lumpur Tourism Association (Tel. no. +603-22871830), which is head-quartered in a charming wooden shack in the grounds of the National Museum on Jalan Damansara.

IF IN DOUBT, ASK, ASK, ASK!
Kuala Lumpur has a sizeable population of Bangladeshi, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Myanmar contract workers. Most of them work as waiters, petrol pump attendants or retail sales persons. Avoid asking for information or directions from such foreigners. Also, avoid touts who offer to take you on a walkabout. The most reliable sources of information are front liners in the tourist information centres, and personnel manning information counters in shopping complexes. The owner of the budget hotel you are staying can also provide useful advice. A word of assurance is in order: Kuala Lumpur has a Tourist Police unit that has a high profile in the Golden Triangle, so your safety is highly assured. Enjoy your stay in Kuala Lumpur and happy backpacking!

For more information about the author, please visit his website at http://ewepaikleong.blogspot.com

Global Timeshare Market Expansion, Regulations, and Events

RCI, the largest vacation ownership exchange company in the world has been adding more and more member resorts in exotic locations which make more international exchanges possible for its members. To date, there are now 82 member resorts in India. The consumers are benefiting from the new and expanded choices. RCI has more than 4000 member resorts.

If you want to look at some of the developments in Asia, Africa, or the Mideast you can go to websites such as YouTube where savvy developers such as Absolute are showing footage of projects being developed. Gone are the days when all you could do was get on an airplane and check out the exotic places. Today, your vacation resort options are  available for inspection right on your computer. 

Vacationing has always been much more widely practiced in Europe then in the United States. US workers tend to do more working and less vacationing that our European counterparts.  Statistically, Europeans have an average of 30 vacation days while here in the USA we average about 10 or 11 days of vacation. The Europeans living in big metropolitan cities will vacation to seaside locations in Europe, Asia, the Mideast, Africa, the Australian Continent, and across the pond to the United States.

People ask me if there are specific companies who are pushing forward on the international  markets and making an impact on the market. Absolute is embracing Asia with offerings in Phukhet and Hong Kong.

In 2009,  laws passed in the United Arab Emirates regulating vacation  ownership and agreements were signed between developers and RCI pertaining to their  exchange.

We are excited to say that there is a new Vacation Ownership Association of Southern Africa which is hosting a conference in Johannesburg, South Africa to discuss the changes in the industry laws. New to South Africa is the Zorgvliet Private Residence Club and their offerings  of ownership in a luxurious river lodge on approximately 40,000 acres of privately owned Big Five Game Reserve, or  of a vineyard and boutique hotel.

In London, the Fractional Summit was to help participants understand the emerging  market in Europe.

For economic reasons, many who could afford to buy the entire vacation home are opting  to purchase a portion of the property as a way to share the economic  risk, cost, and maintenance expenses with others.  

Many vacation ownership  purchases in Asia, Africa, and Mideast locations may also include the use of other luxury assets and amenities during their stay. Consumers are opting for more access to luxury vehicles or other luxury transportation options such as yacht usage, boat docking, butler service, and even flight hours on a private jet. RCI has added two Malaysia luxury resorts as affiliates and they are the Country Villas waterfront homes and the Palace of the Golden Horses. The Palace of the Golden Horses and the Country Villas are located 20 to 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Millennium Resort, Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand will host Asia's first shared ownership conference Oct 12-13, 2009 called the Alternative Ownership Conference Hotels and Resorts-Asia Pacific to help provide knowledge and understanding of this growing industry .

Paul Mattimoe, Editor of The Perspective Magazine,  specializes in sharing with world the latest developments in the timeshare  and fractional industries. His high-quality magazine publications cover trends in development, financing, and industry employment.  The Perspective Magazines also  provide industry updates online and global  job listings.

Lori Wilk, MBA is a high-energy,motivational speaker, author, and producer of television, radio, internet, and live events. She hosts "Successipes" at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/successipes about success in business and living. If you enjoyed this article, syndicate me, add me to your web site , or click on http://www.loriwilk.com. 2009 Lori Wilk. All rights reserved. You may reprint this article if you do not alter it, you give the author name recognition, keep all links active, and follow the Ezine Articles guidelines for publishers.

Lady-boys in Phuket, Thailand

If you come to Phuket, your itinerary will surely include the famous side shows by those Katoey's or lady-boys. Be ready for a rich sensory experience and a time of enjoyment as they go all out to please the weary customers and patrons or tourists. It is not just about making a living, it is about a way of life. It is not a sleazy existence but a means of maintaining a lifestyle as a lady-boy they would not be able to in their own native village. They wear very revealing dresses showing their ample silicone emphasized breasts while they sing and dance in their performances. Their perfect measurements and their beauty makes them the envy of many real women.

The men and the women watch transfixed as they go about their routines. In Malaysia, they are known as Maknyah's or the derogatory term 'pondan' or 'she-males' in the West.

It is sometimes difficult to discern who is real or who isn't. Some of them are indeed beautiful. I believe God in his immense mercy is giving them a chance to live a life they should have been given since birth. They are obviously more ladies than men. Transsexuals or trans-gender are those who think they are a woman born in a man's body, while a transvestite is a man who likes to dress up like a woman.

In Thailand, being a lady-boy is less derogatory for example than in the west. They are accepted by society as the third sex and are not openly discriminated against. Many Thais have a slight stature, sport smaller bodies like a woman and quite hairless. Boobs are easier to fix but a sex change operation is more complicated, and expensive. My heart really goes out for them as they undergo it to reach their quest of being a real woman. Injection of female Hormones are also part of the routine they have to undergo.

One of the country's most famous lady-boys is Nong Toom, who went from champion Thai kick boxer to being a transsexual. A movie, Saitree Lex, was made about the true story of a lady-boy volleyball team known as the 'Iron Ladies' won the national championships in 1996 against the odds.

Maria is the founder & owner of Patongbeach-hotel.com. http://www.patongbeach-hotel.com