So you've decided to move to paradise (Thailand, of course!) but don't forget Fido.

Thailand is a great place for pets, especially dogs.  Thais love dogs; they all seem to have one ... or two or six.

There are several things to be aware of before you make the move.

For one thing, there is NO leash law in Thailand.  This doesn't mean that you should be irresponsible and not use a leash yourself.  Keep in mind that if your dog bites someone, you are responsible to pay all medical bills.

It is of course grossly unfair that YOU have to keep your dog on leash while (it seems) NOBODY else does.  But to prevent dog fights, it is just a good idea, at least in populated areas.  When you can find an area without homes or "stray" dogs (most actually belong to someone; their owners just let them wander free) and no people in sight, you can let Fido off leash to run free for awhile.

As you can see in the video, it is perfectly legal to play fetch with your dog on Cha-am Beach, or any other beach in Thailand.  It's just best to do so when the beach is not crowded, such as a weekday.  Also, keep your eye open for those "strays" who may want to pick a fight.

There are plenty of isolated beaches south of Hua Hin and north of Cha-am where you and your canine can run free without seeing too many people or other dogs.

Click the links below on specific details on how to import your pet into Thailand from your country.

More Infomation:

[Thailand Dept. of Livestock Development Website]

[Angloinfo Expat Website on Pet Importation]

Here's how to make basic Som Tum (Thai Papaya Salad) in under five minutes. 

 ^ Click The Photos For Temple & Street Scenes in Hua Hin ^

[Visit our All About Hua Hin Page]

We have started a new advertising program for businesses in Thailand or those wanting to do business here.

If you own a business our visitors may find useful, we can help you promote it at an affordable cost.  Some businesses that would probably find more customers here include:

• Pool service
• Lawn care
• Pest control
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Drinking water delivery
• Attorneys
• Construction contractors
• Renovation contractors
• Alternative energy products
• Furniture shops
• Guest houses
• Resorts
• Travel Agents 

We offer two types of advertising:

(1) A simple text ad that links to your website.  You can pick the page you wish it to be posted, with our approval.

(2) A one page mini-website linked to from our home page under the appropriate category, complete with unlimited photos and video.  If you are in the Cha-am or Hua Hin area, we can even go to your location and shoot photos and video for no extra charge.  With this option, we will work to get the Google keywords specific to your business.  In this way, you not only get visitors that come to our website for real estate and our Living in Thailand Blog but also those interested in your business as well.

Your mini-website will include all your contact details so customers can reach you directly.  If you have a guest house, for example, we can even embed your Pay Pal payment buttons so customers can send you deposits to reserve rooms.


The one page mini website rate starts at 3,000 THB.  The simple text link is only 2,000 THB for 6 months.

You can pay securely with Pay Pal.

Click here for more information.

Termites, or "white ants" are very common in Thailand.  You can see their mounds everywhere and when they swarm, they can't be overlooked.

These social insects eat anything made of cellulose, but mostly they eat wood.  

If you came from a Northern country, you may have had a home made of wood and termites may have been only a minor hazard.

Here in Thailand, most homes are made of concrete and steel; termites are a big reason.

You may occasionally see homes made of teak (a termite resistant wood), but they are usually the "historic" type or more expensive than concrete.

Stands of construction quality teak wood are more and more scarce nowadays and there is a movement in the kingdom to preserve the forests.  This is why utility poles and fence posts -- in fact practically everything made of wood in many other countries  -- are here made of alternatives like concrete, metal and plastic.

There are many pest control companies throughout Thailand that specialize in termite control.  Click here for a directory.

More Information:

[Termite Invasion]

[Forum Posts on Termites & Remedies]

[Article from University of Hawaii Termite Project]

This market sets up every so often near the Cha-am train station, and is visited by both Thai and ethnic Chinese, hence the Chinese opera, Chinese writing and incense offerings.

Just down the street from the train station is the fresh food market, which is near the Tesco store.  It's open nearly every afternoon and evening.  There you can find a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, many locally grown.

There are all kinds of Mom & Pop shops that line the streets of Cha-am, selling sundries, clothes and household goods as well as at least two IT (computer sales and repair) shops.  

There is a Big C complex being built just south of town and a Makro going in just north of Hua Hin, so shopping opportunities will be expanded even further in the near future.

On December 5th, Thailand celebrates the birthday of their beloved King, Rama IX.  He is the world's longest reigning monarch, having ruled since 1946.  His birthday is also considered Father's Day.

The King has a special place in the heart of Thais.  He is the father of his country, head of state, head of the military and defender of the Buddhist faith.  His portrait is found everywhere in public but also in almost every private home.  The Thai people sincerely revere him for the position he holds but also for the many good things he has done for his people.

The King has personally initiated nearly 2,000 projects in such areas as rural development, agriculture, land and water resources, public health and education all resulting in benefits to a great many Thais.

The Monarch is also concerned about the environment.  He has been particularly concerned that the people have a steady supply of water for consumption and farming.  To quote HM:  "To preserve watersheds for eternity, it is important that we maintain and replant forests in watershed areas."  As a result, the King's reforestation projects can be found throughout the kingdom.

The King regards agriculture as the most important of all occupations and has helped poor farmers to practice sustainable methods to ensure their success without harming the environment.  He has discouraged the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides, instead urging farmers to grow plants that can be made into insecticides and to use natural fertilizers.

Probably his best achievement in soil conservation was his idea to introduce vetiver grass, which provides a protective barrier against erosion.  The grass also helps store nitrogen, hold moisture in the soil and prevents the leaching of pollutants into the water table.

King Bhumibol is an advocate of democracy, self-sufficiency and empowerment  -- once advising public officials, "Go to the people.  Listen to them. Learn from the locals."

The King has a great ability to inspire people. At one of his Rural Development Centers in Hua Hong Krai, a junior government official once remarked, "Other high-ranking officials who come to visit our center mostly pay attention to appearances, such as the height of the trees or the look of the landscape.”

“When I saw the King kneeling down on the muddy ground to admire the rich soil, I knew our country has got the best and most resourceful leader. And I will continue to work for him no 
matter what.”

Click The Links Below For More Information

A Brief Biography of HM the King

More on the King and the Royal Family of Thailand

The King's Work to Help Poor Farmers

The Jazzy King

According to a new survey by America Wave SA, the percentage of US Citizens planning to move overseas has tripled "dramatically" to 2.4% from 0.8% in the previous 2009 survey ... and more or less doubled on the 1.4% figure in 2007.

“In today’s highly polarised, sometimes poisonous, social, economic, and political atmosphere in the US, there is a clear tendency to see anything and everything new as either a huge step forward or a looming disaster, more often than not the latter. It is no different with trends in American relocation outside the US.”   Read more ...

More Info Here (opens in new window)

Nong Khai has one sight that cannot be missed - Sala Kaew Ku (or Sala Keoku, also known as Wat Khaek), located 6km east of Nong Khai on Highway 212. It's on the side of the road going towards Nong Khai (you'll need to make a U-Turn if coming from Nong Khai). Once you turn off the road, the site itself is about 1-1.5 km away on the left.

This utterly bizarre park of massive sculptures (some over 20m tall) is the handiwork of the mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat, who bought the land in 1978 when he was kicked out of his native Laos - a similar park of his earlier work remains near Vientiane. Synthesizing Buddhism and Hindu ideologies, Buddhas, many-armed goddesses, naga snakes and all sorts of human-animal hybrids dominate the scenery. Entry is 20 baht for Thais and Foreigners (July/August 2011).

There is no direct public transport and you might find it a little tricky to get back, so you're best off arranging a return ride with a tuk-tuk (100 baht or so, including the cost of the driver waiting one hour) or hire a motorbike at Limmaneemotor in Nong Khai.

Particularly noteworthy is the Wheel of Life, depicting his theory of the cycle of life; you enter via from a womb-shaped tunnel and walk the circle past statues depicting the stages.

Luang Pu's mummified remains are enshrined on the third floor of the Sala Kaew Ku pavilion itself.

Read more ...

Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is located about 50 km south of  Hua Hin.

The park was established in 1966; it covers over 98 square km, of which over 20 square km are marine areas.  It was the first coastal national park in Thailand.

The name Khao Sam Roi Yot means "Mountains with 300 Peaks".  The highest elevation of the limestone mountains in the park is 605 meters above sea level.

Two sandy beaches are within the park -- Hat Sam Phraya and Hat Laem Sala.

The site of the present day park 
is thought to be where King 
Mongkut Rama IV gathered with 
European guests on August 18, 1868 
to observe a total solar eclipse.  

The king was a keen amateur astronomer 
and calculated the the date and location 
of the eclipse himself.

Three later Thai monarchs have visited 
the park:  King Chulalongkorn in 1890, 
as well as King Vajiravudh and the 
current king His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Phraya Nakhon Cave (photo above) consists of two caverns, illuminated by collapsed roofs. 
 

 Irrawaddy Dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) 
are occasionally seen in the area.