Koh Samui Weather in April

Published by seeking on January 15th, 2012 - in Koh Samui Thailand

With daily average temperatures in Koh Samui ranging between 25.3oC to 28.1oC, travelers can expect great weather all year round, making Samui weather a cooperative component for your travel itinerary. ShaSa Resorts and Residences have ample Wi-Fi Internet facilities and tour and travel assistance to support your travel plans throughout the island. Feel free to make use of these services so you can find out if Samui weather agrees with whatever plans you have in mind for the day.

In April, Samui weather temperatures usually reach their peak at 28.1OC. The difference is substantial when compared to those of January (25.5oC), February (26.5OC), March (27.5OC), May (27.3OC), June (27.3OC), July (27.3OC), August (27.3oC), September (27.1OC), October (26.3OC), November (26.1OC) and December (25.3OC). Looking through the temperature figures, one can conclude that the temperature steadily builds up one degree higher for every succeeding month from January till March, peaks in April, goes down a little but stays steady between May and August, lowers a bit in September, then gently goes down from September to the last month of the year.

Koh Samui Thailand

The average monthly rainfall during the fourth month of the year is pegged at 72 millimeters, definitely more than those of the first three months: January at 46 mm; February at 11 mm; and March at 25 mm. However, it’s still a significantly less monthly precipitation than those for May (170 mm), June (136 mm), July (145 mm), August (149 mm), September (200 mm), October (254 mm), November (269 mm), and December (121 mm). Based on these rainfall averages, one can surmise that the first four months of the year carry very little or no rainfall, except when storms enter Thailand’s area of responsibility, as what had happened in March 2011. Generally, a substantially lower rainfall average is to be expected characteristic of Koh Samui weather during the hot season starting March till April.

Some references state that Samui weather is characterized by sunny days from May through September, which could be perfect for weddings or other special events like beach concerts or beauty pageants. What could be a more enjoyable experience than having the lovely Samui weather as a contributory element and the elegant beaches of Samui as a backdrop for that special occasion? Except for sporadic episodes of rain showers, the period between May until September is truly ideal for seaside events.

Between late April and early May, the increase in rainfall is a welcome respite from the heightened temperatures that characterize the major part of April. Even locals eagerly anticipate this sudden precipitation climb. Samui weather affects everyone after all, locals and tourist alike.

Koh Samui doesn’t possess the same weather elements in the rainy season that make up Phuket. Situated as it is in the Gulf of Thailand and lying in the east, this creates significant distinctions between the two places. It also is a notable feature that places the weather patterns in Samui island as either tropical or monsoonal, so unlike Phuket’s.

Koh Samui Weather in April

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Places of Interests in Phuket, Thailand

Published by seeking on January 14th, 2012 - in Phuket Thailand

For any visitor to the land of smiles, one of the places of interest Thailand offers is Phuket. There are many places of interest in Phuket and many things to see and do- regardless of your preferences.

With 13 beaches, even the windy coastal roads on the island boast of beautiful views at every bend. You can go from the wild party central in the south to the calm, peaceful north beaches as you wind down the day with the perfect sunset.

Phuket Thailand

If you happen to be visiting Phuket during the months of September of October, you could catch the Vegetarian Festival. This Buddhist festival last for a duration of 9 whole days and marks a period of abstinence from meat by the devotees. Highlights of this festival are large scale processions by the devotees who carry heavy and large body piercing as a symbol of penance, walking on burning coal, traditional performances of dance and even knife acts.

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, you can also go elephant trekking, bungy jumping and more on this little island where the fun doesn’t stop. After a busy day out, you might want some downtime and what better way to soothe your muscles than with a traditional Thai massage? Depending on your preferences, you can have anything from a foot massage to an entire full body massage with the traditional herbal sauna.

When night falls, head for the local pubs and market for a good meal. There are also numerous music clubs around playing anything from jazz, live bands, to techno club beats.

Places of Interests in Phuket, Thailand

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Is Phuket Still the Best Place in Thailand?

Published by seeking on January 13th, 2012 - in Thailand Beaches

Most travelers have heard of Phuket which has been Thailand’s number one tourist destination for years with its white sand beaches and nightlife, but many other places are starting to get popular. Southern Thailand is well known for its white sand beaches and cheap food and accommodation; while Phuket is the most popular destination in southern Thailand, Trang, Krabi, Koh Samui, Hat Yai and Songkla have gained on Phuket.

While southern Thailand is mostly knwn for its beaches and tropical islands, their is a beautiful rainforest in Khao Sok which is even older than the Amazon rainforest in Khao Sok which is only now starting to be popular. So if you your down south and wanting to discover more than just white sand beaches, Khao Sok is only a few hours from Phuket and is a totally unique experience.

Thailand Beaches

Trang is gaining popularity amongst tourists and has been a favourite for the local Thai people. There is many small Islands around which have beautiful resorts. One thing that Trang has is great snorkeling, with the right conditions I would have to say it is unmatched if you compare it to anywhere in Thailand. The water is clear with beautiful long stretches of coral and tropical fish to be seen. If you do decide to go to Trang and snorkel, you have to visit the emerald cave. It is a beach that can only be reached via going through a small cave which is about 100 meters long in the side of a cliff the side of an island. It is not a cave you walk through, you have to swim through it and can only be accessed at certain times due to the tide.

With cheap prices and stunning snorkeling, it is hard to see Trang not getting a lot more popular over the next decade.

Krabi is very similar to Phuket with its nice white sand beaches, it is a little less crowded and has the best rock climbing at Railay beach which is a short, cheap, speedboat ride away. If ou like a more peiceful holiday but with a bit of action, Krabi is a nice place to visit.

Koh Samui has gotten very popular over the last decade and has much better beaches than Phuket, You can go on scubba diving tours in Koh Tao which is close to Koh Samui and is rated by many as the best in Thailand for diving. Koh Samui has been a little over developed over the years and has lost its uniqueness with western franchises stringing up everywhere. Still a nice Island to visit but is very touristy.

Hat Yai and Songkla are other destinations which is gaining a little popularity but is only developing slowly, these 2 places are a good place to visit if you want a better experience of a real Thailand and better experience with Thai culture.

Is Phuket Still the Best Place in Thailand?

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What to Look For in a Lawyer

Published by seeking on January 12th, 2012 - in Thailand Attorneys

Allow me to begin by saying that do-it-yourself lawyering has its limits. Surely, you can draft contracts on your own, you can survive gruesome negotiations with your business clients, you can settle a marital dispute among yourselves but when the need to come to court arises, you need to get a lawyer. Expenses will be incurred, professional fees will have to be paid and the usually lengthy process will have to be endured. More often than not, the costs of resolving a problem are far greater than the costs of preventing the problem. Prevention, as they say, is always better than cure. So hire a lawyer and hire a good one.

Qualifications

Thailand Attorneys

The “practice of law” is loosely defined as ministering to the legal needs of another person by the application of legal principles and knowledge by a person trained in the law. By this definition however, a paralegal or even a secretary who has knowledge of the laws, who has been “trained” by the sheer fact of having been employed for a period of time in a law firm, is considered engaged in the practice of law. When finding a lawyer therefore, look for a “qualified” lawyer. Meaning, be sure that your lawyer has successfully completed his law course, has successfully passed the bar examinations and is licensed to practice in the very jurisdiction where a particular legal relief is asked for. When facing a legal dispute, the last thing you need is a bogus lawyer. It is perfectly ethical to ask for a lawyer license before you even begin to share your innermost secrets with them. Normally though, they would hang their certifications on the wall.

Expertise

Every qualified lawyer has his own expertise. He may be an expert in any one of the following categories of law: international law, labor law, civil law, taxation law, litigation, or criminal law. These are the major categories. Thus, you may hear of a litigation lawyer or an immigration lawyer. Note however, that lawyers’ specializations are “acquired” through experience, not simply because they think they are great at it.

Personal Qualities

This is one aspect of lawyering where a young, inexperienced lawyer can actually get ahead of an experienced one. Young lawyers are usually vibrant, supportive and sympathetic. They tend to treat their clients like their babies. They take care of every little detail, even the unimportant ones. But this exactly is how paying clients want to be treated. Clients tend to feel that they are getting their money’s worth with the kind of attention they are getting.

The personal qualities to look for in a lawyer depend greatly on the kind of client you are. If you are the no-nonsense type, you may prefer to hire an older, retirable lawyer. These types of lawyer are less interested in what you have to say. Sometimes, they are not even interested in what they have to say. Lawyering has become a routine for them, much like brushing their teeth in the morning. But their experience is impeccable. Their strategies are tried and tested so your chance at winning your case is considerably high if you get them.

Credibility

The credibility of a lawyer may be seen in several contexts. It can mean lack of a bad reputation. It can be built on charisma coupled with referrals from past satisfied clients. It can be destroyed by the lawyer himself, as when he gives a legal advice and overturns his own legal opinion without cushioning the effects. To be sure, no lawyer can ever get clients if he is not believable and trustworthy.

Availability

So you now have a qualified, expert and credible lawyer having the personal qualities you look for. The next thing to consider is whether that lawyer is available to attend to your problem. More often than not, your lawyer will say that he is willing, able and happy to assist you. Behold, he said the same thing to several others this morning, and last week, and the week before that. The point is, a lawyer can only do so much. He can’t be attending hearings all at the same time. He would probably resort to cancelling or rescheduling hearings and important meetings to make ends meet. If your chosen lawyer has a law firm, there will certainly be other lawyers who can attend to you in case he is not available. You will find this acceptable but not until your case has been reassigned from one hand to another.

Professionalism

Having a “professional” lawyer is so much different from a having a lawyer who managed to “appear” professional. They say that lawyering is 80% representation. The representation begins when you first meet your client. A lawyer would normally give you the “lawyer look”— wears a suit, clean-cut, drives a black luxury car, and brings a suit case. This, however, is not what defines professionalism. Professionalism means that your lawyer does attend to your needs, makes his research, beats the deadlines, and returns your phone calls. So do not be fooled by the lawyer-look alone. It would be great if your lawyer can pull it off with the lawyer look and the genuine professionalism though.

What to Look For in a Lawyer

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3 Places You Must Go in Thailand

Published by seeking on January 11th, 2012 - in Krabi Thailand

For people seeking sun, sand and plenty of adventure, Thailand is amongst the top places in the world to visit. The beautiful scenery of the coastal islands compliments the rich culture and mountainous regions to the north, not to mention Bangkok, one of South East Asia’s most intriguing cities. There’s a multitude of places to visit and things to do in Thailand, and whether you’re a tourist or a backpacker, you’re almost sure to never get bored by the country’s rich offerings. Indeed, you could choose to spend a week bronzing yourself on a beach in the south, or spend months exploring the highlands to the north and the borders with Laos and Cambodia. If you’ve got a trip to Thailand in store for this year, then take a read of this article to find out about some of the top destinations.

Phuket

Located to the west of the country, Phuket is the largest and most popular island in Thailand. The island was hit hard by the 2004 Tsunami, but recovery has surged through tourism in the time since. With miles and miles of idyllic beaches and a collection of hotel resorts that wouldn’t look out of place in a list of the world’s best, tourists pour here by the bucket load. Some of the top resorts lie in the northern town of Ao Bang, where serious pampering comes at a serious price. This is home to a 7km long white beach and the Laguna Phuket golf club. Further south is Patong, a popular resort that lights up with neon during the night while providing home to the island’s most popular beach – Hat Patong.

Krabi Thailand

Ko Chang

An island for those who want a little more than the offerings of the more tourist centric islands, Ko Chang is a rock that soars out of the sea, complete with jungle, rugged terrain and of course, many of its very own beaches. Located to the East of the Gulf Thailand near Cambodia, you won’t find the regular sellers of knock off Ray-Bans and DVDs in a hurry, and the tourist hubbub is replaced by a more natural tranquillity. The island is home to an array of stunning wildlife that inhabits the scenery. Sea eagles, Andaman kites and hornbills all nest here, while you may even see a reticulated python if you venture inland! When visiting make sure you take on of the dirt pathways for a nature adventure.

Krabi Province

Most travellers choose to breeze through Krabi town, as people are keen to move on to the paradises of Ko Phi Phi and Railay. These two gems of the Andaman Sea boast some of the most stunning scenery in the whole of Thailand, which is a spectacular feat if you consider the extent of beautiful coastland and mountains in the country. Railay is located behind a layer of impenetrable cliffs, and it is only possible to get there by boat. Surreal limestone formations make it a fantastic place for rock climbing, while the beach is possibly the revered in the country. Ko Phi Phi don, meanwhile, is an island 30km to the South West of the mainland of Krabi. As the backlot for The Beach, staring Leonardo Di Caprio, it’s not difficult to see why the place is thought of as one of the world’s top island paradises.

3 Places You Must Go in Thailand

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Thailand Travel Packages

Published by seeking on January 10th, 2012 - in Thailand Weather

Thailand is truly a fascinating country that you need to explore to gain a new traveling experience. This country is well known for its exotic and breathtaking natural beauty, finest beaches, moderate weather, and inspiring temples.

For people who wish to save money, it is better to opt for Thailand Travel that offers all sorts of travel packages at affordable prizes.

Thailand Weather

Thailand has been ranked among other countries as the most scenic and reasonably prized place, ideal for a seaside vacation. Beaches and islands in Thailand provide a combination of recreation, leisure, pleasure, and entertainment that visitors often desire. Stupa-studded mountains located in Mea Hong Son and limestone islands located in the Andaman Sea offers great retreat for people who wish to spend their time at the seashores.

Travelers will get everything out of the box in Thailand for sure. Before you could plan for your Thailand Travel, it is good to choose Thailand Travel package well in advance that satisfies your budget.

Oriental fantasy is Thailand’s famous attraction, which is a combination of tradition and contemporary. There are so many exciting places to visit in Thailand. Among them, Bangkok is a famous cosmopolitan city with glittering malls and vibrant nightlife that takes to a new world of entertainment.

Make sure to visit the Grand Palace in this city and experience the holiness of the temples in Bangkok. Pattaya, which is two hours away from Bangkok, offers the tourists with variety of water sports, beach sports and Tiffany Show in the evening. Plan your dream vacation and enjoy our travel to Thailand.

Thailand Travel Packages

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Thailand Festivals – The Best Time to Visit Thailand And Enjoy Their Famous Festivals

Published by seeking on January 9th, 2012 - in Chiang Mai Thailand

Thailand is abundant with festivals and quite honestly there is no time of year when you cannot find a festival to enjoy, however here are some of the more popular festivals around Thailand throughout the year.

Beginning the year, the month of January offers the Chiang Mai Winter Fair in Chiang Mai and the River of Kings Festival in Bangkok. The Chiang Mai winter fair offers booths, music, competitions, and even beauty pageants, while the River of Kings festival is a bit more formal with a theatrical production describing the history of Thailand.

Chiang Mai Thailand

February continues the year by offering the Chiang Mai Flower Festival complete with flower covered parade floats and the Bangkok China Town Festival which celebrates the Chinese New Year.

As the peak season begins to wind down, March brings about the Asean Barred Ground Dove Festival where dove owners from around the country gather in Khwan Muang Park, in Yala Province to display their doves and compete for prizes.

April celebrates the Thai New year with the Pattaya Festival, followed by the Songkran Festival which also takes place nationwide but is particularly colorful in Khao San Road, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai.

May is a particularly celebratory month with the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Bangkok which celebrates the beginning of the rice planning season and the Visakha Bucha, a religious celebration of Buddha celebrated nationwide and the Yasothon Rocket Festival which awards the most explosive rockets. It’s an eye and ear opening festival sure to please both young and old alike.

July brings about the well known Candle Festival in Tung Sri Muang, Muang District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. Visitors will find tall, beautiful, candles displayed and presented to local temples.

August celebrates the nationwide Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

September is the world famous Phuket Vegetarian Festival (famous for the gory displays of people impaled by a variety of objects and not for the faint of heart) and the significantly less gory Phichit Boat Races along the Nan River.

October celebrates the Wax Castle Festival celebrated nationwide but is particularly spectacular in Sakon Nakhon, the Chon Buri Buffalo Races, and the Illuminated Boat Procession Festival along the Mekong River.

November begins the peak travel season by being another celebratory month with the Loy Krathong celebrated Nationwide, the Surin Elephant Roundup, the River Kwai bridge week in Kanchanaburi, and the Phimai Festival.

December ends the year with a nationwide celebration of the King’s birthday and the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.

Festivals in Thailand are planned on the lunar calendar. Check for the exact dates of each festival before you make your hotel reservations and travel plans.

Thailand Festivals – The Best Time to Visit Thailand And Enjoy Their Famous Festivals

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Market View – Phuket Residential (Villa and Condominiums)

Published by seeking on January 8th, 2012 - in Thailand Property

Q4 2009 saw a continued recovery in the Phuket property market. Sales of resort property improved but were still at low levels and mainly concentrated in a limited number of projects. The level of built but unsold inventory of completed condominium and villa units is low.

Prices for built property have remained relatively stable with few examples of forced sale situations. Purchasers are cautious and are focusing on projects promoted by known developers where there has been visible construction progress. We believe that demand is recovering.

Thailand Property

Selected Newly Completed Condominium Projects

Ocean Palms Phuket

Developed by West Haven Developments Co., Ltd., Ocean Palms is situated approximately 500 meters from Bang Tao Beach. The project has 66 units including studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and penthouse units.

Mandala Condominium (Block C)

Developed by Baan Mandala Condominiums Co., Ltd, Mandala Condominium is located near Bang Tao Beach. The first block of 8 apartments was completed in Q4 2009. This block consists of 6 apartment and 2 penthouses. The whole project is a collection of 24 apartments with private pools.

Selected Newly Completed Villa Projects

Baan Thai Surin Hill

Developed by Surin Hill Development Company the villa development is located in Surin. It comprises 5 units and it was launched in 2005.

Baan Yamu Phase 3

Developed by Phuket Prime Property Co., Ltd. the villa development is located in Cape Yamu. It comprises 20 units and offers a freehold ownership title. The project was launched in 2008.

Overall Phuket has come through the combination of the global financial crisis and Thailand’s political problems relatively unscathed. The opportunity and challenge is for developers to identify target markets and create properties that match those requirements. Potential buyers will be more cautious and will want to be confident about ability of developers to deliver product both in terms of their financial resources and development expertise.

Market View – Phuket Residential (Villa and Condominiums)

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How to Visit the Koh Larn Island From Pattaya

Published by seeking on January 7th, 2012 - in Pattaya Thailand

If you would like to visit one of the Islands near Pattaya for the day while staying at one of our luxury villa’s you can do so with ease.

The closest Island to Pattaya is Koh Larn which is 15 minutes by private speedboat or under an hour away by public ferry. All the boats leave from Bali Hai Pier which is only a few minutes away from our Holiday Villa’s in South Pattaya.

Pattaya Thailand

The cost of hiring a Private Speedboat is around 2,000 Baht but this gives you the whole boat and captain for you and your friends or family and lets you not only decide what time you want to leave for the Island and what time you want to return to Pattaya but which beach you want the boat to take you to. After you get off the boat the captain will anchor the boat and wait for you to finish for the day and then he will return you to Bali Hai Pier where we will collect you and return you to your Pattaya vacation home.

The public ferry is very cheap at around 50 Baht and takes you to the main beach on Koh Larn where there are plenty of Jet-ski’s, banana boats, deckchairs and food vendors and people along with numerous hawkers trying to sell you sunglasses, ice-creams, carved ornaments, watches and T-shirts. If you would prefer to go to a quieter part of the Island there are Songtaews, which are converted Pick-up trucks with bench seating in the back, who will take you for a reasonable price to any of the beaches on the Island.

Some beaches are very quiet with only a small beach bar/restaurant and plenty of golden sandy beaches to relax on. All the beaches have deckchairs and sun-beds for hire with sun umbrellas to give you some shade if you need some time out of the sun. The water is crystal clear and you have lots of rocky outlets to use a snorkel and fins and to see the abundance of fish and other sea life, or you can just have a relaxing swim in the warm gulf of Thailand.

There are lots of places to get food and most of the time you remain seated on your deckchair and a member of staff from one of the nearby Restaurants will approach you with a menu to see if you would like to order any food or drink. Obviously many of the dishes served are prepared fresh from the sea, like BBQ prawns and fish or baked crab, there are however lots of alternative choices if you are not keen on seafood, including things like fried rice with chicken, sweet and sour pork, sandwiches and even French fries.

If you are traveling by public ferry you will have to get a Songtaew back to the main beach in plenty of time to catch the ferry back to Bali Hai Pier as there is no overnight accommodation on the Island. We will be waiting for you at the pier to drive you back to your holiday rental villa where you can relax before getting ready for a night out in Walking Street which is only 1400m from your vacation home in Pattaya.

How to Visit the Koh Larn Island From Pattaya

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Gone Golfing: The Las Vegas – Aliante Golf Course

Published by seeking on January 6th, 2012 - in Thailand Golf

Worried about not enjoying your Las Vegas vacation and getting rusty on your swing? Vegas offers more than just casinos and in-house entertainment. Las Vegas comes complete with its sporting amenities that have impressed even the most seasoned and well-traveled golfer around.

One of the best Golf Clubs in Las Vegas is the Aliante Golf Club

Thailand Golf

Aliante Golf Club

The Aliante Golf Course is excellently-maintained golf course set with

lake around some holes, offering the perfect landscape of rest and action. A golf enthusiast may enjoy a quiet picnic at the sides, while watching golfers – amateur and professional – do their swings.

The Aliante Golf Club offers a yardage of 72 par with 7022 yard layout. Fees are

within -0. Of course, green fees depend on the season. Some golf clubs in Las Vegas have dress code and would require certain attire to enter. Aliante Golf Club dress code is collared shirts and other decent, sporty attires.

What’s inside Aliante Golf Club?

Aliante Golf Club facilities include putting green and golfing lessons that are very much helpful to those new at golfing. The Aliante Golf Club also has a practice facility that features an wide and spacious driving range, chipping green and practice bunker. The Aliante Golf Club also has a Pro Shop and a range. They also offer rentals of Callaway Big Bertha II Woods & X-16 irons at .00 inclusive of 1 sleeve of Callaway Balls.

Famished? Rest your worries of gastro-intestinal rumblings. Aliante Golf Club

also has a snack bar where golfers can go and grab a good bite, catch up with old friends and discuss moves after an exciting game. For the golfer with more voracious appetite who spent the entire day at the club, meals can be had at the Grille at Aliante Golf Club.

Aliante Golf Club is not only for golfers. They are also excellent for the golfers wife and the golfer’s kids, making it a place of wholesome family outdoor golfing.

Gone Golfing: The Las Vegas – Aliante Golf Course

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Chatuchak Market Of Thailand

Published by seeking on January 5th, 2012 - in Bangkok Thailand

Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market is a must-see. There is nothing like experiencing a market place spread across 35 acres of land with over 15,000 stall selling everything from Buddha statues to exotic pets and T-shirts.

Chatuchak Market is located right next to Chatuchak Park, which is at the northern end of Bangkok. The market is only open at the weekends and you should make sure you get there early, around 9.30 a.m. or 10 a.m. at the latest. You will find out that by noon the market is buzzing with people and you will get jostled quite a bit by the crowd. Make sure you keep a sharp eye on your wallet or purse otherwise you could end up losing it to the pickpockets in the marketplace.

Bangkok Thailand

An easy way to get to Chatuchak Market is taking the Skytrain and you have to get off on the last stop on the Sukkhumvit line which is going north. The stop is Mo Chit and you will clearly see the numerous stall as the Skytrain pulls into the station. From the Skytrain station, the market is a 5-minute walk. Alternatively, you can take the subway and get off at Kampangphet. The entrance of this MRT subway station is right in the middle of the market.

Make sure you carry a bottle of water and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. As you can get any and everything in Chatuchak Market, buy your gifts there as you will be able to pick up things for half the price of a conventional “touristy” shop. You will get the best bargains at Chatuchak Market for Thai silks, handicrafts, wooden carvings, jewelry and gems.

Chatuchak Market Of Thailand

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Commercial Property Types-Which One Is The Best?

Published by seeking on January 4th, 2012 - in Thailand Property

What commercial property types should you buy? You should consider the pros & cons of each property type, as well as, have a good understanding of your investment objectives and your experience. These factors will help lead you to your ideal commercial property.

Listed below are the most common commercial property types.

Thailand Property

Apartments/Multi-family
Apartments or multi-family buildings are usually the first choice for new commercial investors. Apartment management and financing is very similar to residential, and so new investors feel more comfortable with them. The main disadvantage with apartments, is that they are management intensive.

In order for an apartment to be considered commercial property, it must have 5 or more units. There are numerous sub-types of apartments:

When you are looking at properties to purchase, pay close attention to the location and general market for that area. You will want to avoid properties that are located in economically depressed or seasonal areas. Also, the property should have acceptable aesthetic qualities to be competitive with market standards and have a minimum occupancy of at least 85%.

What if the property you are evaluating has inferior physical characteristics or is in an economically depressed area?

You may have a higher interest rate, higher reserves and tighter underwriting constraints.

Mobile Home Parks

Mobile homes can be a wonderful investment, especially if you own the land and sell off the mobile home. You’re just renting dirt at that point! If you’re not familiar with mobile home investing, you need to read “Deals On Wheels: How To Buy, Sell And Finance Used Mobile Homes For Big Profit And Cash Flow” by Lonnie Scruggs. This book is a gem! Lonnie explains how to buy and sell mobile homes on a note. His presentation is very basic and understandable.

Now back to mobile home parks. Mobile Home parks are rated as 1 Star, 2 Star, 3 Star, 4 Star, and 5 Star. The Star ranking is based on the conditions and amenities of the park.

The mobile home park should have at least 85% occupancy and be located in desirable areas. Also, be cautious if the park has too many homes for sale (more than 20% of total pads) or more than 20% of total pads are rented homes owned by the park.

Retail
Retail properties are properties that are occupied by one or more tenants and the property is utilized for retail purposes.

A free standing retail, strip center with an anchor tenant is a well known commercial retail business such as a national chain store or regional department store strategically placed in a shopping center so as to generate the most amount of customers for all of the stores located in the shopping center. An Unanchored retail center is a center which is occupied by multiple tenants of which none are anchor tenants.

Single tenant investment grade retail properties are properties that are net leased to one investment grade tenant (BBB- rating or higher).

Office
The different categories of offices include:

Potential office buildings should have a minimum of 85% occupancy and is located on or near a main thoroughfare and easily accessible. Properties that have more than 20% of total revenue from owner occupied or owner affiliated tenants, will usually have a higher interest rate on any loans.

Mixed-Use
These properties will be a combination of any of the above property types. A real estate development of mixed use properties, should be complementary to each other.

Healthcare
These property types are nursing homes, congregate care and assisted living centers. Properties should be close to retail and community services. Be cautious of properties in economically depressed or seasonal areas. Also, be sure that the property complies with ADA requirements.

Hotel
Hotels are characterized as either Full Service or Limited Service.

Full Service Hotels can be further divided into Luxury, Upscale, Mid-scale, and Extended Stay hotels.

Limited Service Hotels can be further divided into Mid-scale, Economy, Budget and Extended Stay. When considering hotel properties, the property should have a stable operational history. A property with a history of four or less years should be scrutinized. The minimum acceptable occupancy is usually 60%. Lenders also prefer franchise affiliated hotels with franchise agreements extending beyond the term of the proposed loan.

Industrial
These property types will have usage for industrial purposes only. Such as

Self Storage
Also is called Mini-Storage, it is used for personal storage for lease by consumers.

Other Specialty
These property types are unique and the financing them can be difficult. They include

gas stations, oil change facilities, etc.

Commercial Property Types-Which One Is The Best?

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