http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1119720/reservations-now-open-for-travel-on-flash-new-trains

As a new school year starts and both teachers and administrators begin to get ready for a new year, I think important for international educators in Bangkok to understand the ins and outs of the tailor world in the Land of Smiles.
 
One of the reasons why many people come to Bangkok is that you can get a great deal on great clothes, made juts for you. And that's a good thing! But the downside is that you can also get seriously ripped off.
 
It's like any other trendy tourist thing. Once the locals figure out what the tourists are looking for, they'll try to get them to overpay for cheaper versions of it – and figure they won't realize they've been taken until they are back home.
 
With this in mind, we want to take a little time to explain how to get a great suit in Bangkok at a good price without wasting your money. You can end up with a suit that will make you look like a million bucks, but only if you know how to go about it the right way.
 
• Avoid any place that advertises suits for $40 or $50. The truth is that you can't get a good suit that cheaply. Good cloth itself would cost twice that much. When you ask how much a suit will cost, expect to be quoted anywhere between $400 and $700. Any quote lower than that means the tailor is running some type of scam.

• Ask how long it will take to get your suit made. If they say they will have it done that day or the next day, walk away – it's a rip off. It takes a minimum of three fittings over at least four days to create a good suit that really fits. If they are simply going to do one fitting, then they are not going to provide you with the great suit you are looking for.

• Ask around at your school, and when you see well-dressed English-speaking people in the city. The locals know who the rip-off artists are, and will steer you in the direction of decent tailors.

• Find out if they are actually a tailor. In many cases, the shop claims to be a tailor but is really just selling cloth. They'll send that cloth out to someone else to make the suit. Those people are not interested in craftsmanship. So, look around the shop itself. Does it look like there is any room for them to make a suit? Or does it simply look like a fabric store?

• Trust your instincts. If anything about the tailor seems off, go somewhere else. There are plenty of good tailors in Bangkok; you don't have to settle for a place that makes you feel off.

• Be prepared to haggle. When it comes to settling on the price of the suit, the tailor will respect you more and provide you with a better suit if you haggle the price down a bit. If you don't try to haggle, you'll look like someone they can rip off.

• Feel the fabrics yourself. And when you go to your first fitting, make sure the fabric you picked out is the one actually being used, and not a cheap imitation. Get a swatch of the fabric when you order the suit, and bring it to compare.

Over the years, I have tried at least 15 shops. Some were successful and some were not. However, there are three places that I have used with great success over and over and never been disappointed. I have dubbed these the three best tailors in Bangkok. I have had both shirts and suits made there. I would recommend any of the three to anyone.

Three Best Tailors in Bangkok for Educators

Tailor on Ten
Tel +66 84 877 1543
Area: Sukhumvit/Asoke
http://www.tailoronten.com/
#93 Sukhumvit Road Soi 8,, (near Nana station), Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TailorOnTen/
Trip Advisor Reviews: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293916-d2163355-Reviews-Tailor_On_Ten-Bangkok.html

Rajawongse Clothier
Tel Phone: +66 2 255 3714  (Jesse or Victor, proprietors - father and son)
Area: Sukhumvit/Nana
Address: 130 Sukhumvit Road, Near Soi 4, Bangkok, Thailand
Trip Advisor Reviews: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293916-d510303-Reviews-Rajawongse_Clothier-Bangkok.html
Website: http://www.dress-for-success.com

Narin Couture
Phone: +66 2 251 9237 (Khun Narin, proprietor)
Area: Sukhumvit/Nana
Address: สุขุมวิท 11 1 155/1 สุขุมวิท 11/1 Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Website: http://www.narin-couture.com/

cc InternationalEducators.com 2016

Bangkok, known as the City of Angels is the center of life in Asia. This is the place to go if you want to find some hot exotic romance, shop at some of the best shopping Asia has to offer, partake in some of the most delicious food in the east or just hang out in a local park with the locals.

Still Bangkok has much more to offer than just hot nights. This is a city with a rich culture and history; so you can dive into the local culture during the day, eat wonderful meals at night and make the most of your vacation.

One of the most popular destinations is the Damnoen Saduak floating market. You can sample local food while an experienced guide will take you on a boat ride through the canals where you can purchase tons of souvenirs for friends and family back home.

No trip to Bangkok is complete without a bike tour through the city and its outskirts. Whether you take a guided tour, or decide to tool around on your own bike, this is the best way to be mobile and discover the life of the normal residents of Thailand. There are many bicycle groups that organize trips in Bangkok and throughout the country. Take a look at: http://www.tourdethailand.com for a fantastic charity ride that goes from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and then down to Phuket each year.

Temples abound in Thailand and will thrill nearly any western visitor with their splendor. Wat Trimitr,Wat Po and Wat Banjamaborpitr are three of the most beautiful. Plan to bring your camera and try to bring a local guide so you can learn the rich history and nuance of each and every place of worship.

The Grand Palace is the most popular tourist destination in the city. For centuries it was the residence of Thailand’s powerful kings. Make sure you take time to see the Reception Palace, the Funeral Palace, The Throne Hall and the beautiful revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Just be prepared; the Thais take their temples seriously and will not let you inside if you are wearing shorts or flip-flops.

If you want to be a little bit less active you can always take an overnight in a converted rice barge. The most popular cruises leave from Bangkok and travel to the ancient capital of Ayuthaya.

When you are done sightseeing Thailand offers nearly every type of cuisine from traditional Thai food to classic Western cuisine. No matter what your tastes, you should be able to satisfy your hunger before your night on the town!

Still many go to Thailand for one main reason, to meet and mingle with eligible single guys or gals. There is nothing wrong with that – everyone likes a little exotic nighttime fun on their vacations; after all when you are far away from home you can easily let yourself be free and assume that what goes down in Bangkok stays in Bangkok no matter who it is that you go down on.

Of course, like any city, the hot spots in Bangkok come and go constantly. What’s cool today might not be hot tomorrow and new places are popping up all the time.

The best thing about Bangkok is that it is ever changing.

If sultry beaches and beautiful water is your bag, then Pattaya is a must see for any visitor of Thailand or the region. The name of the town comes from the Thai for the South West winds that blow in every year to signal the start of the rainy season.

What may amaze the more than one million visitors that descend on Pattaya every year in their carnal quests for sandy beaches and exotic recreation is that the town as we know it did not even exist 40 years ago.

For centuries Pattaya was a tiny fishing village virtually unknown to outsiders where a traditional way of life in the safety of the calm bay. Before the 1960s barely 100 families fished out their meager livings along these pristine waters.

It was the Vietnam War that fueled the forces that would change Pattaya forever. As more and more American soldiers were sent to Southeast Asia, air force and army bases began to spring up nearby.

More often than not these soldiers could not get enough time off during their recreation periods to make the long trip to Bangkok. So they started exploring the Pattaya beaches.

Savvy entrepreneurs soon realized there was a growing market of thirsty and horny soldiers that would pay hard currency to have their appetites satisfied.

The result was an ever-growing stream of bars, hotels, clubs and restaurants that would change this sleepy village into one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world!

Who would have believed 50 years ago that those sleepy fishermen were sitting on what would one day become some of the most valuable tourist real estate is all of Asia?

Because Pattaya is a new city it does not have any of the temples or ancient statues that are the cornerstone of most Thailand tourist experiences. This is truly a place to go when you want to spend your days relaxing on the beach and your nights looking for love.

Most will probably spend our days diving in the crystal clear waters or else lounging on the three main beaches: Pattaya, Jomtien and Wong Prachsan.

All of that is fine and dandy, but at the end of the day what’s the point in bronzing your beautiful body if you are not going to try to get some action with your attraction.

We know that some of the best girls are really boys. If you like your men with boobs on top, north and central Pattaya have what you are looking for. Just be careful many of the transvestite and transsexual shows also attract a straight audience so be sure to ask the cute guys if they are friends of Dorothy before you make your move! These “girls” prove size matters and many of them have huge tittles to satisfy nearly any oral fixation. The Tiffany Show has the most famous transvestite show in Thailand and even hosts an annual transsexual beauty pageant. It opens early at 6:30 p.m. and stays open late.

Many tee shirts in Pattaya have the right slogan: Good boys go to Heaven, bad boys go to Pattaya. True to life, Pattaya is a bit of heaven for good boys and bad boys. We can’t wait to see you there with all the other beach goers!

Hat Yai is one of Thailand’s southernmost cities, located in the province of Songkhla. It is only 30 km from the Malaysian border. The city began as primarily a railroad hub between Thailand and Malaysia. Hat Yai is one of the lesser known tourist spots in Thailand and is attractive to those who wish to ‘get away from it all,’ but still have the features of a city available.

The city is becoming increasingly popular among gays. There are at least 3 gay bars now and a gay sauna called GL Sauna as well. Admission is 250 baht and includes a drink.

The gay bars are within easy walking distance of each other, the most popular being the G-Men bar.

Hat Yai was a small village until the coming of the railroad in 1922 and has slowly, but surely increased in size ever since. The population is now about 160,000. The official name of the city is Ma Hat Yai. Ma Hat is the Thai word for a fruit tree relative of the popular Jackfruit. Yai means large or big.

Getting to Hat Yai is no problem. There are buses, airline service, and obviously railroad service. Within Hat Yai there are plenty of mini buses, tuk-tuks, and motorcycle taxis.

Accommodations are relatively in expensive in Hat Yai as it is not a beach town or resort city. Food in Hat Yai is mostly Thai, but some of the shopping malls have restaurants that feature ‘farang food’ and there are a few ‘farang food’ restaurants. It is best to book a room via a travel agent. You will almost always get a better rate from a travel agent than booking directly through a hotel in Hat Yai.

Night life in Hat Yai includes a surprising number of bars for a small city, several of which include live music. A popular place to go is Oceana, and entertainment complex just outside of Hat Yai. There you will find a very nice open air restaurant and bar that covers two floors and is in a beautifully romantic landscaped setting, open until about 2:00am. There is a disco nearby and it seems to remain open until about 4:00am.

The Lee Garden Plaza features fast food restaurants including McDonald’s, KFC, and Sizzler. There is also a modern multiplex cinema at Lee Garden.

There is not very much in the way of sightseeing in the Hat Yai vicinity, but the three most popular attractions are:

Wat Hat Yai Nai – Features a 35 meter long reclining Buddha, the third largest in the world.

Hat Yai Municipal Park – This park is quite popular among the Thais and includes an abundance of flowering plants and a very good aviary.

Ton Nga Chang Waterfall – Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand. It is a 7-tiered waterfall, the most popular being the third level, known as the “Elephant Tusk” waterfall. Here the falls separate into two streams, resembling elephant tusks. You can easily hire transportation to and from the park for about 400 baht.

Many farang doing visa runs go to Hat Yai due to its close proximity to the Malaysian border. The run takes you to Dannok. From there you simply cross over the border on foot, take care of your visa renewal, and return, although there are plenty of motorcycle taxis to take you, if you wish, 20 baht each way. Mini vans are available to take you back to Hat Yai for about 60 baht, but they do not depart until they are full. The trip takes approximately 90 minutes.

Phuket is an often-mispronounced jewel in South East Asia. By far the most popular island destination in the region, it offers sandy beaches, beautiful Portuguese architecture and a rich history that will delight any seasoned traveler.

The island does have a rainy season and tourists are advised to avoid its charms in September and October when it is soaking wet. For the rest of the year, particularly from November through February, Phuket’s limestone cliffs, tropical forests and powdery beaches make it a place that you don’t want to miss.

The earliest history of the island comes from the Greeks. Claudius Ptolemy wrote of its charms as early as 157 A.D. For most of the past 2,000 years Phuket was used as a stopover for traders who needed to avoid monsoons. When tin was discovered, migrant workers from as far away as Portugal began to arrive and Phuket soon became one of the most influential meeting points for European traders in South East Asia.

When the price of tin collapsed in 1985, the island government began hawking Phuket as a possible tourist destination. Travelers took the bait and its popularity and economy have soared.

There is a diverse group of people living on the island; 35 percent of the people are Muslim ‘ representing a variety of religious and cultural histories. Hence, tolerance of all types of lifestyles has become the trademark of Phuket.

While the nightlife of Phuket is always hopping, there are also a variety of activities to do during the day and as with most of Thailand, there are many wonderful western and traditional restaurants.

Dino Park on Karon beach is one of the sillier tourist attractions. It is a small 18 hole golf course set in the age of the dinosaurs. It even features a dinosaur themed restaurant!

All of the many beaches that encircle the island are wonderful places to snorkel and dive. At nearly any point along the coast you can find places to rent equipment and guides to help you explore the beautiful undersea vistas and the exotic fish that call the waters around Phuket their homes.

Ko Kaeo visitors will not only find a beautiful sandy beach, but also a famous replica of the footprint of BuddhaKo Si-Re also features a wonderful reclining Buddha image.

Cape Phanwa is home to the Phuket Aquarium, the place to go if you want to see the beautiful fish that the region has to offer, without having to go to the effort of diving or snorkeling to find them. The nearby Phuket Butterfly Farm has also been growing in popularity with the tourist trade.

The Phuket Submarine offers people the chance to dive 30 meters under the sea in the comfort of full air conditioning and the Phuket Zoo is the safest way for you to see some of the regions more exotic animals.

Patong Beach is tourist central and you will find a wide array of family friendly activities including go-karts, a haunted house, water skiing and Tarzan’s Water Bunny Jump.

The Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary covers nearly 5,600 acres and has hundreds of different types of local protected animals.

Wat Phra Thong is the most beautiful temple on the island. According to local legend whenever invaders have tried to steal the beautiful Buddha inside, hornets have attacked and driven them away.

The adjoining island of Ko Nakha Noi has the regions only year round pearl farm that is open to the public. If museums are your thing the Thalang Museum has great artifacts documenting local culture.

Of course, once you’ve had your tourist fun and have accumulated enough stories that you can safely tell your friends and neighbors, it will be time to head out at night and take advantage of the hot gay island nightlife.

No matter where you decide to go, Phuket is guaranteed to offer you a fun experience on your vacation. We can’t wait to see you there!

Like most of the cities of the north, Chiang Mai is far more laid back than the southern metropolises like Bangkok, and the prices are far more reasonable.

Chiang Mai is not only one of the oldest cities in Thailand; it has also hosted western tourists for hundreds of years. The city traces its own origins back at least 700 years and there are records of European explorers writing home about this “fair and great town” in the 1500s.

The long history of this town is a boon to tourists who can marvel at the archeological and historical artifacts that seem to burst out of the countryside.

For much of its storied history Chiang Mai was an important cultural and religious center for both Siam and Burma, which helps explain the huge number of ruins and temples that still remain to this day.

Although Chiang Mai has always boasted beautiful mountains and a pleasant climate, it did not start attracting large numbers of western tourists until the early 1990s, when people started looking for new places to relax and ways to save money.

Once people started visiting Chaing Mai, word spread fast and by the mid 1990s, Bangkok tourism speculators started buying up large chunks of the city and converting them into vacation havens.

Chaing Mai celebrated its 700th anniversary in 1992 and in 1998 played host to the Asia Games sporting events.

During the day you will want to take a walking tour through some of the more than 300 Buddhist temples including Wat Phra Singh Wat Chiang Man Wat Phan Tao Wat Jet Yod and Wat Suan Dawk all of which are at least 500 years old.

You can walk through the temples on your own or rent a guide for the day. Please remember to dress respectfully when you visit any temple in Thailand; flip-flops and shorts are not appreciated.

If you are into shopping, Chiang Mai has one of the most exciting nighttime bazaars in all of Thailand. This is where you want to go in order to get great deals on silk and traditional hand made crafts.

On days when you don’t feel like hiking or walking, you can enjoy any number of boat trips up and down the Ping River. Just sit back, relax, watch the scenery and let your captain take charge!

Chaing Mai is known as the city to go to in Thailand if you want gourmet meals at affordable prices. There are literally dozens of restaurants in the city, and almost all of them are world class. You can find nearly any type of food you desire, and you won’t have to worry about busting your wallet.

The most interesting ruins in the region are called Wiang Kum Kham. They are from a lively city that was washed out in a flood 700 years ago.

By far the most popular tourist activity in Chaing Mai is to ride an elephant into the jungle. These tame beasts are so tall that you will be able to see for miles and the beasts are so tame that you will always feel secure. When we last went to the elephant farm in Chiang Mai, the elephant trainers greeted us and they put on a show for us. They showed us how they taught the elephants to paint, play soccer and basketball. All of this was quiet entertaining and just a warm up for the elephant trek through the wilderness. Riding one of these wild beasts is an incredible experience. It is simply one of the most amazing things that can be done in Thailand. The elephants helped build ancient Thailand and they are respected and revered.

White water rafting is another popular activity, as is rock climbing. You can rent all the gear you will need for both activities fairly cheaply if you just ask around. There is a rock climbing wall downtown that you can practice at. It is also in the middle of many gay beer bars. If you are into people watching, watching the climbers ascend the wall while sipping on a beer is very relaxing.

Thailand is becoming known for its amazing gold courses. There are many tours planned that bring US and European citizens to Thailand for a week or two of playing golf at some of the most amazing courses in the world.

For those of you who like to explore on your own, local guides will be happy to prepare trekking maps that will explain how to walk into and through many of the tiny villages that dot the mountains around the city.

As with most cities in Thailand, the scene in Chaing Mai is constantly changing but the forums on this site should give a good idea where to start looking for your carnal adventures.

We just can’t wait for you to come visit; we know you will have as good a time as we do!

Ubon is one of Thailand’s up-and-coming provinces and is attracting many foreigners who are looking for a more quiet lifestyle, but with all the city amenities available. Housing in Ubon is still relatively inexpensive and more homes and condos are under construction.

Large shopping centers such as Big-C are already established in Ubon, with more on the way. Within the next year or two a Carrefour, among others, is expected to open.

Very good hotel accommodations are available and a brand new hotel recently opened and features a very good restaurant. The Thai food is inexpensive in Ubon. You can eat high quality dinners in Ubon for less than 300 baht per person. At present there are two pub style restaurants that feature western food. One is American owned and the other is British owned.

One of the biggest attractions in Ubon Ratchathani is the annual Candle Festival, which occurs in mid July. Tremendous parade floats are made entirely out of wax, carved with beautiful intricate details. The wax is infused and does not melt in the summer heat. The Candle Festival parade features, of course, the candle floats, along with music and traditional Thai dancers. One tip from the locals is that the floats are stored in a park just before and after the parade day. Rather than attend the parade many prefer to visit the park at dusk, when the blazing heat of the mid-summer day is cooling down and viewing the floats at their leisure. If you wish to experience the Candle Festival, book your hotel early. The hotels do fill for the Candle Festival. The Candle Festival marks the end of Buddhist Lent. Although the claim is that new candle floats are built every year, the locals will tell you that the reality is the floats are stored and the same ones are used every year.

Night life is more laid back than cities such as Bangkok and Pattaya, but it can get wild. There are many pubs and bars. A disco is quite popular and it usually remains open until daylight.

Getting to Ubon Ratchathani is easy by bus, railroad, and airline. If you wish to drive a car, the roads are good. Within Ubon there is plenty of local public transportation. The buses and trains are mostly locals and do make stops, so you can expect the trip to take about 10 hours or so. The overnight railroad service has first, second, and third class service. The first class sleepers are excellent.

Ubon can be a good jumping off point for a visa run to Laos or simply a trip to Laos. There is good bus service located near the Big-C. The trip takes about an hour and the fare is 200 baht.

Some of the sights to see in and around the Ubon area include:

Kaeng Tana National Park – If you like the rapids, this is a good place to visit. The access roads are not in very good condition, but well worth a trip for enthusiasts.

Ubon Ratchathani National Museum – This museum houses most of the important archeological artifacts that have been discovered in the Ubon Ratchathani province.

Wat Chaeng – This Buddhist temple attracts tourists because it features some of the most beautiful and intricate wood carving to be found anywhere in Thailand.

Wat Pa Nana Chat – This Buddhist temple is attractive to foreign Buddhists who wish to learn the art of Vipasana meditation.

In February there is an annual Flower festival, including a parade with floats made from flowers. It is similar to the Candle Festival, except this time it’s flower floats.

October is a good month to visit Ubon Ratchathani. There are boat races and an illuminated boat parade along the river.

You will also find romantic floating dinners along the river.

There is an abundance of nature trails, waterfalls, hiking trails, etc. throughout the Ubon Ratchathani province.