Khon Kaen is an important educational center located in the North-East. It is also a commercial hub and a tourist base visited by travelers from all over the world. Khon Kaen is home to one of the most popular museums in the world. The National Museum houses artifacts that date back to the Dvaravati period. The museum also has some ancient bronze sculptures of Ban Chiang.

For families visiting Khon Kaen, the Kaen Nakhon Lake is the perfect place for a picnic. Khon Kaen is also quite famous for its silk industry and the Silk Fair that is organized every year in December.

Wildlife lovers will have a great time in Khon Kaen. This place is home to some of the rarest creatures in the world. However, the cobra and the turtles are the most popular around this region. With dinosaur fossils unearthed in the Phu Wiang National Park, Khon Kaen has also become an important archeological destination. The waterfalls in this place are a major tourist attraction.

Songkhla is another fascinating tourist destination in Thailand. Situated 950 kilometers from Bangkok, Songkhla is an important port and coastal region in Thailand. With ancient ruins, Songkhla has enjoyed the reputation of being a historic town. Over the centuries, cultural practices have been passed down from generation to generation and people still follow the ancient traditions. Songkhla is famous for its numerous dialects and folk entertainment organized for the tourists who visit this place.

Songkhla is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand, with exotic beaches and some world-class resorts. Tourists come here for the tranquility it offers. The architecture and cuisine of this town has retained its ancient flavor and this is one of the major reasons for its fast development. The Hat Yai, located 28 kms from Songkhla is a major shopping hub. In addition to a plethora of shopping centers, such as Lido, Odeon and Sanehanuson, there are several small shops that sell electric goods as well as food products.

You can also visit the Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary and the world-famous 7-tiered waterfall, located around 26 kilometers from Songkhla. The view from the tiers is breathtaking. Tourists can also experience adventure at its best by taking one of the exciting trekking trails in this region.

The spirit of its ancient culture still survives and is silhouetted all through-out the country-side and is evident to all those who visit this beautiful place.

The lush- green mountainous up-lands are enriched by a great variety of fauna and flora. Elephant herds and monk-tamed tigers moving around the monastery grounds, present the on-looker unique and awesome sights to witness.

Ayuthya, Bangkok, Chiangmai, Chiangrai, Kanchanburi, Korat, Mae Hong, Sukhothai, Son and Ubon Ratchathani, and regions that are not only just incredible tourist spots and cultural hotspots of Thailand but they also host an unending scenic feast for the eyes, as well as for the taste buds for all who those who move midst their hospitable reaches and sample Thai cuisine.

The Thai coastline also offers a variety of unique beaches and sporting sites to sea-sport enthusiasts, surfers, scuba-divers and swimmers. These beaches include Cha-am, Chanthaburi, Hua-Hin, Krabi, Phang Nga, Pattava, Pranburi and Tarang.

Many small, romantic, beaches are also based on a number of small islands of this beautiful country. The islands of Koh chang, Koh Lanta, Koh Si Chang, Koh Phangan, Koh Samed, Phi Phi, Phuket, and Samui are capable of pandering to all your senses with their delicious natural beauty and calming scenery – ideal for weekend getaways and long vacations where one can enjoy the delights of nature.

Many tourists are seen spending several hours on shopping sprees around the daily or weekly make-shift markets around the busy sea shores and country side, where the native people sell a variety of things at affordable and highly competitive prices. The Thai markets showcase colorful handicrafts and items that are resonant of the unique Thai culture. What’s more is that you can get most of these items at a bargain.

Phuket Island offers some of the finest resort hotels and is considered Asia’s most popular holiday destination. With its world-class accommodation and tourism, it is not surprising that Phuket has gained international stature in no time. People who visit this island have a choice of first-class resort hotels or economy-class hotels to suit their wallets. First-class resort hotels offer the best of air-conditioned accommodation and spectacular views of the place. However, economy class hotels are not too far behind, aesthetically. You can choose from a variety of ‘native-styled’ complexes, built with bamboo, rattan and Nipa palm thatch.

The coastline of Phuket appears to be graced by Gods. These beaches are Phuket’s pride. You can find beaches with white sand and calm waters, as well as rocky capes that are pounded by the wild sea waves. The coves that are hidden among densely forested capes and the tranquil beaches can transport you to a world, far away from the madding crowd. You can find islands of different shapes and sizes, ranging from large ones supporting fishing communities to smaller ones that are no bigger than huge rocks.

To complement the unadulterated beauty of the Phuket Island, the nightlife in Patong Beach offers the best of bars, pubs, discos and ago go bars. These places are immensely popular across the world and are the best nightlife destinations in this island. The bars, pubs and discos provide the place its distinct blend of beauty and lively fun. The best discos in the Patong Beach are the Banana Disco and the Shark Club, which are located at Soi Bangla and the Safari Pub that is located on the hill towards Kata Beach.

If you seek some classic nightlife experience, you can try the Thai-style ‘coffee shops’, where women in fancy costumes sing Thai songs to entertain customers. They also stage some funny skits and other types of entertainment.

In Phuket, there are a wide variety of restaurants and cuisines to suit all tastes. The variety in cuisine and dining experience is Phuket’s biggest attraction. You can have breakfast at your hotel, lunch at a noodle stall by the roadside, and have dinner with fine wine in a world-class air-conditioned restaurant.

When you are in Thailand, you must never forget to get a Thai massage. A dive in the sea and a wild night of dancing and singing should always be followed by a refreshing body massage at the gentle hands of Thai girls. The traditional Thai massage, apparently, is one of the most famous recreational activities in Thailand. This exquisite massage has been practiced for centuries and the skills have been passed down from one generation to the next.

The place also offers some wonderful therapeutic massage for treatment of specific conditions and diseases. However, this is not very common here and is administered only by a small number of skilled practitioners. If you are not looking to spend too much on a massage, you could opt for a massage in one of the many massage parlors lined up all over Phuket for a few Bahts.

Phuket Island is a holiday destination that caters to diverse tastes, all budgets and assures a memorable experience. People of all ages can experience exotic beauty at its best in Phuket. So, fly down to Phuket Island and experience the holiday of a lifetime.

Health permanent secretary Dr Prat Boonyawongvirot explained during a visit to units in flood-affected Suphan Buri that water-born diseases, skin infections and common colds were the most common afflictions. He said more than 17 000 patients were being treated each day. In Angthong 40,000 the units had seen patients and 64 per cent of that number had fallen ill with water-born diseases.

In the last few months 104 people had drowned, of which most were children. Most of the drownings took place in Phichit and Ayutthaya.

Meanwhile, Southern Thailand was warned of possible floods and landslides in the next two days. The Meteorological Department warned the provinces from Surat Thani southwards of heavy rainfall, and urged residents in risk areas to brace for floods. Strong, three-metre-high waves were expected in the Gulf of Thailand.

The Mineral Resources Department warned Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Krabi, Trang, Satun and nearby provinces of possible forest run-offs and landslides.

Angthong Governor Wiboon Sanguanpong yesterday described flooding in the province as the “worst in 111 years”, with all seven districts under “chest-deep water in some spots”.

Washington is due to arrive in Thailand in the first week of November to play Harlem heroin kingpin Frank Lucas in “American Gangster”, a movie about drugs being smuggled to New York in the 1970’s inside the coffins of American soldiers killed in the Vietnam War.
Only about 5 percent of the movie will be shot in Thailand – in the capital Bangkok and in the mountainous north – employing about 250 Thai’s and bringing the country at least 60 million baht (US$1.6 million, euro1.3 million), Wanasiri said.
Thailand has touted itself as an ideal film location and had a total of 372 shoots this year for foreign movies, TV series, ads and music videos, worth 1.38 billion baht (US$37 million, euro29 million).

Recent blockbusters shot partially in Thailand include “Alexander” and “Star Wars Episode III”.

Despite this, she battled on and won more and more money in order to keep food on her family’s plates. Eventually, she was given the chance of a sex change operation at the age of 17 when Yunhee Hospital paid sponsored her for the costs of the operation. Her muscular frame made many think she could never be a woman, but in fact this made her recovery quicker and she was able to get up and walk around just four days after he operation.

Despite being taunted by her boxing peers, her family have stuck by her. Now semi-retired from boxing, she runs a business selling cosmetics and boxing gear for women. Since her operation, Nong Toom has gone from strength to strength, and adopted a baby girl a few years ago. She also had a film made about her, called Beautiful Boxer, which was attended by the King of Thailand’s sister. Nong Toom continues to fight for her right to be known as a woman in Thailand, and her story of courage is one that everyone in Thailand and beyond can take inspiration from.

Schwarzwalder believes that “The Thai youth team is better than Germany’s”. However, it appears Thailand is having problems converting this youth talent to senior level. However, Schwarzwalder believes he can help to change this, and he has already had some success. Over the last few years, four players from the team he coaches at the Assumption College have made it to the under-23 team.

Although much still needs to be done, Schwarzwalder and others are moving Thai football in the right direction. Having played in the German 1st and second divisions for 12 years with the likes of Gerd Muller and Franz Beckenbauer, he is helping to bring expertise and passion to Thai football.

As well as being the head football coach at the Assumption College, he is also a German teacher there. He has taught the Thai under-16 side, as well as coaching in the Franz Beckenbauer Football Academy in Nong Chok.

If Thailand want to compete at the highest level of football, then help from passionate and experienced players and coaches like Schwarzwalder is invaluable. And who knows, perhaps in years to come Thailand will taste some World Cup glory of their own.

The 76-year-old King is a well-educated man; having attended some of the top schools in Switzerland, and is known for his kindness and humility. He is s dearly loved by his people because of the decades of hard work and dedication he has shown towards the disadvantaged people of his country. After sixty years in power, the Thai people will try and give something back to their King through heartfelt and joyous celebration, culminating in the grand ceremonies at Chakri Throne Hall

Hepatitis A is a common waterborne disease in Thailand while malaria, a form of encephalitis, and even the ‘plague’ are often passed from insects to humans in Thailand. Then, with all the talk of bird flu, it’s also possible that an outbreak of H5N1 (avian flu) could occur in this and other Asian locations where chickens are routinely raised in areas where the virus can spread easily through a common watering source.

What could Thailand residence do to protect them self against these harmful diseases. We have to look at various resolves in an effort to protect these souls from death. We can see with the epidemics of Aids going on, that we need to show them how to adhere to safe sex, as well as avoiding sharing needles. Hepatitis is trickier, since the causes vary, still with all the problems medical education is necessary to fight the disease!

The tsunami that devastated so much Asian landscape didn’t spare Thailand either. More than 8,500 lives were taken in the wake of the destruction. Miles of coastal property was demolished. However, in spite of such devastation the growth rate continued to climb to just over 4% in 2005. This is remarkable considering a downturn in tourist traffic, and increase in oil prices and a slowdown in export demands.

The people of Thailand are a resilient group and they are currently finding markets for automobile exports as well as farm produce from the heart of Thailand. Thailand’s farmers raise such diverse crops as rice, corn, tapioca, soybeans, coconut, and sugarcane while the industry side of Thailand is strengthened by being one of the world leaders in tungsten and tin production.

The strongest trade partners for Thailand are the US, Japan and China to name but a few of the growing international clients for Thailand goods.