THAILAND

THAILAND - THE LAND OF SMILES

Introducing Thailand

Thailand is often referred to as a golden land, not

because there is precious metal buried underground

but because the country gives off a certain lustre, be

it the fertile rice fields of the central plains, white

sandy beaches or the warm hospitality of its citizenry.

First introductions are made in Bangkok, a modern

behemoth of screaming traffic, gleaming shopping

centres and international sensibilities interwoven

with devout B

uddhism. Chiang Mai, the country's bohemian centre,

is where the unique and precise elements of Thai culture

become a classroom, for cooking courses and language

lessons; while climbing into the mountain ranges around

Mae Hong Son you'll find stupa-studded peaks and

villages of post-Stone Age cultures. Sliding down the

coastal tail are the evergreen limestone islands of

Ko Tao and Kho Phi Phi Don, filled with tall palms angling

]over pearlescent sand. Thailand's beaches are stunning,

hedonistic and mythic among residents of northern

latitudes.

People come here as miners: first

perhaps for the uniquely Western concept of R&R. And

while they toast themselves to a bronze hue on the

sandy beaches, they find in the daily rhythm of

Thailand a tranquillity that isn't confined to vacation

time. The northeast is a region better suited for

homestays and teaching gigs than quick souvenir

snapshots: here, you can dive deep into the Thai

psyche, emerging with a tolerance for searingly

spicy food and a mastery of this strange tonal

language. Welcome to a life-altering experience

disguised as a holiday.

TEMPLES OF BANGKOK

Fast Facts about Thailand

• Area 514, 000 sq km
• Border countries:
  
• Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma)
• Population: 64,632,000
• Inflation: 5.1%
• GDP per capita: US$9100
• Religion: 95% Buddhist
• Literacy: 92.6%
• Original name: Siam
• Number of coups d'etat since 1932: 18
• Number of 7-Elevens currently: 3800
• Highest point: Doi Inthanon 2565m
• Rice exports: 7.4 million tonnes in 2006
  
• (number one rice exporter in the world)

Money & costs

Costs

Thailand is an inexpensive country to visit by almost

any standards. Those on a budget should be able to get

by on about 500B per day outside Bangkok and the

major beach towns and islands. This amount covers

basic food, guesthouse accommodation and local

transport but excludes all-night beer binges, tours,

long-distance transport or vehicle hire. Travellers

with more money to spend will find that for around

600B to 1000B per day, life can be quite comfortable.

In Bangkok there’s almost no limit to the amount you

could spend. Because there are so many hotel options,

Bangkok is a good place to splurge for recovery from

a long flight or as a reward for reentering ‘civilisation’.

For under US$100 you can get a river-view room

with all the starred trimmings; try finding that in

London or New York. In the provinces, guesthouses

tend to be better value than the midrange hotels

(which are rarely well maintained). Guesthouses

also have a built-in community of travellers and

lots of tale swapping.

ATMs are widespread and are the easiest ways to get

Thai baht. Have a supply of US dollars in cash on hand,

just in case. Credit cards are accepted in big cities and

resort hotels but not in family-run guesthouses or

restaurants.

Tipping

Tipping is not generally expected in Thailand. The

exception is loose change from a large restaurant bill;

if a meal costs 488B and you pay with a 500B note,

some Thais will leave the 12B change. It's not so much

a tip as a way of saying 'I'm not so money grubbing as

to grab every last baht'. On the other hand, change

from a 50B note for a 44B bill will usually not be left

behind.

At many hotel restaurants or other upmarket eateries,

a 10% service charge will be added to your bill. When

this is the case, tipping is not expected. Bangkok has

adopted some standards of tipping, especially in

restaurants frequented by foreigners.

Money

The basic unit of Thai currency is the baht. There are

100 satang in one baht; coins include 25-satang and

50-satang pieces and baht in 1B, 5B and 10B coins.

Older coins have Thai numerals only, while newer

coins have Thai and Arabic numerals.

Paper currency is issued in the following denominations:

10B (brown), 20B (green), 50B (blue), 100B (red),

500B (purple) and 1000B (beige). 10B bills are being

phased out in favour of the 10B coin.

Changing money

Banks or the more rare private moneychangers offer the

best foreign-exchange rates. When buying baht,

US dollars are the most accepted currency, followed

by British pounds and Euros. Most banks charge a

commission and duty for each travellers cheque cashed.

Current exchange rates are printed in the Bangkok Post

and the Nation every day, or you can walk into any

Thai bank and ask to see a daily rate sheet.

How to get to Thailand

:: By Air Bangkok is Thailand's major gateway. Most visitors arrive through Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Bangkok International Airport which is connected by daily flights to Europe, North America, Asia and Australia aboard the world's major airlines. Further international flights, mostly from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Hong Kong, land on a less regular basis at the southern airports of Phuket and Hat Yai and Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. Charter flights from Europe and the Orient sometimes land in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai and at U-Taphao for Pattaya. :: By Rail Regular rail services link Singapore and Bangkok. Intermediary stops include Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth and major southern Thai towns. :: By Road Overland entrance to Thailand is restricted to three road crossings on the Thai-Malaysian border in Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat. :: By Sea There are no regular steamship connections with Thailand. Cargo ships calling at Bangkok's Klong Toey port sometimes have passenger cabin facilities. Cruise ships, such as Cunard's Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Viking, or Pearl of Scandinavia periodically visit Pattaya.

Travel within Thailand

Domestic air, rail and road transport in Thailand is surprisingly inexpensive. :: By Air - Thai Airways International, Thailand's national airline, flies to 4 destinations in the North, 3 destinations in the Northeast, and 5 destinations in the South. Tel: 02-356-1111 - Bangkok Airways, flies to 7 destinations : Chiang Mai, Krabi, Pattaya, Phuket, Samui Island, Sukhothai and Trat. Tel: 02-265-5555 - Nok Air, files to 5 destinations in the South, 1 destination in the Northeast and 1 destination in the North. Tel: 1318, 020-900-9955 - Air Asia, flies to 6 destinations in the South, 2 destinations in the Northeast and 2 destinations in the North. Tel: 02-515-9999 - PB Air, files to 4 destinations in the Northeast and 2 destinations in the North. Tel: 02-261-0222 :: By Rail An efficient rail system links major northern and north-eastern towns with the capital. A southern route permits the visitor to travel by train into IV1alaysia and Singapore. Domestic express trains comprise first, second and third-class carriages. Slower trains may have only third-class seats. The State Railway of Thailand organises one- day, two-day economy tours to various destinations on Saturdays, Sundays and official holidays. Other tours include trips to Surat Thani (for Koh Samui), Chumphon and Chiang Mai. Railway schedules can be obtained from Bangkok Railway Station, Tel: 1690, 02-220-4444 :: By Road A modern highway system reaches into all corners of the kingdom. Domestic bus services offer fast means of travel. Air-conditioned tour coaches offer more comfort. Bangkok's Northern / North-eastern Bus Terminal is on Phahonyothin Road, Tel: 02-936-2852 -66, 02-936-2963 Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal is on Borommaratchachonnanee Road, Tel: 02-435-1199, 02-435-1200 Bangkok's Eastern Bus terminal is on Sukhumvit Road, Tel: 02-391-2504, 02-391-6846 People Common People of Thailand Throughout her long history, Thailand has gently absorbed immigrants. Many were skilled as writers, painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians and architects, and helped enrich indigenous culture. People inhabiting Thailand today share rich ethnic diversity – – mainly Thai, Mon, Khmer, Laotian, Chinese, Malay, Persian and Indian stock – – with the result that there is no typically Thai physiognomy or physique. There are petite Thais, statuesque Thais, round-faced Thais, dark-skinned Thais and light-skinned Thais. Some 80% of all Thais are connected in some way with agriculture which, in varying degrees, influences and is influenced by the religious ceremonies and festivals that help make Thailand such a distinctive country. Religion Theravada Buddhism is the professed religion of more than 90% of all Thais, and casts strong influences on daily life. Buddhism first appeared in Thailand during the 3rd Century B.C. at Nakhon Pathom, site of the world's tallest Buddhist monument, after the Indian Buddhist Emperor Asoka (267-227 B.C.) despatched missionaries to Southeast Asia to propagate the newly established faith. Besides moulding morality, providing social cohesion and offering spiritual succour, Buddhism provided incomparable artistic impetus. In common with medieval European cathedrals, Thailand's innumerable multiroofed temples inspired major artistic creation. Another reason for Buddhism's strength is that there are few Thai Buddhist families in which at least one male member has not studied the Buddha's teachings in a monastery. It has long been a custom for Buddhist males over twenty, once in their lifetimes, to be ordained for a period ranging from s days to a months. This usually occurs daring the annual Rains Retreat, a a-month period during the Rains Season when all monks forego travel and stay inside their monasteries. Besides sustaining monastic communities, Thai temples have traditionally served other purposes – – as the village hostelry, village news, employment and information agency, a school, hospital, dispensary and community centre – – to give them vital roles in Thai society. The Thais have always subscribed to the ideal of religious freedom. Thus sizeable minorities of Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs freely pursue their respective faiths. Language Spoken and written Thai remain largely incomprehensible to the casual visitor. However, English is widely understood, particularly in Bangkok where it is almost the major commercial language. English and other European languages are spoken in most hotels, shops and restaurants, in major tourist destinations, and Thai-English road and street signs are found nation-wide.

Thai Cuisine Thai cuisine is distinctive, thanks to liberal use of spicy ingredients, and combines the best of Chinese and Indian culinary traditions - - noodles, curries, sweet and sour dishes, lengthily cooked and fast-cooked ingredients, exotic spices and condiments - – while retaining its own very special character. International Food Chinese food in Thailand, normally quite bland is second to none. Major European, Levantine, Asian and Oriental cuisine are represented in gourmet restaurants. American, English and Continental breakfasts are served in most hotels and numerous, ubiquitous coffeeshops specia1ise in European dishes. Western-style fast food shops, snack bars and ice-cream parlours gain increasing popularity with Thais. Restaurants and Food shops Food parks or centres, usually in large shopping malls and hotels, are unusual Thai ventures. Numerous restaurants offer every imaginable type of Asian cuisine and huge colour pictures of dishes assist diners in their choices. Open-air garden restaurants, and riverine restaurants, are more peaceful and are favoured in the evenings by most Bangkokians. Menus are extensive. Service is prompt. Prices are reasonable. All kinds of regional Thai food can be sampled. Special dinners can be enjoyed on boats cruising the Chao Phraya River. Soft breezes, candlelight dining and distant music create romantic moods. Seafood restaurants are also popular. They offer a wide choice of fresh ingredients, charcoal grilled or broiled to individual requests, and a fine selection of local and imported wines. Some tourist-oriented restaurants present selected Thai classical and folk dances. Guests sit around low tables, often in traditional surroundings, with teak panelling and floors, classic paintings and precious porcelain. A combination of Thai cuisine, music, silk, orchids and graceful dances creates memorable evenings. Where to Stay Thailand has world-class accommodation which is probably unsurpassed in terms of attentiveness, courteous service and affordability. Major tourism destinations such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket and thriving commercial centres such as Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Lampang and Nakhon Ratchasima offer modern first- class hotels with every conceivable convenience and international-standard convention facilities for groups numbering from 200 to 2,000 and upwards. Family-style hotels, bungalow complexes, guest houses, houseboats, hostels, motels, spartan but cleap Chinese-style inns and hotels, and beach-side huts complete a range of accommodation costing anywhere from a few dollars daily to hundreds of dollar a night. Current listings of accommodation and rates are available from Tourism Authority of Thailand's local offices in Bangkok, Central: Kanchanaburi, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Pattaya, Rayong, Cha-Am Nakhon Nayok, Trat North: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, Tak Northeast: Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Phanom, Ubon Thani South: Hat Yai, Phuket, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathivat Etiquette Polite behaviour is welcomed everywhere, and what is considered polite in other countries is probably considered polite in Thailand, too. However, there and a few cultural pitfalls, mainly social and religious taboos, the breaking of which can cause offence: For example, Thais revere their royal family. Even social malcontents who ignore legal and community standards refuse to tolerate a faintly implied slight on the Thai monarchy. Outward expressions of anger are regarded as crude and boorish. The visitor who remains calm and smiles appreciatively will find all sorts of doors open to him. Visitors should dress neatly in all religious shrines. They should never go shirtless, or in shorts, hot pants or other unsuitable attire. Shoes should be removed when entering private Thai homes; chapels where Buddhist images are kept; and any of the Islamic community's mosques. Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as being a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything that might show lack of respect. Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon. Westernised Thai couples may hold hands but that's as far as it goes in polite society. It is considered rude to point your foot at a person or object. Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body, both literally and figuratively. Therefore, they do not appreciate anyone patting them there, even as a friendly gesture. Wherto Shop Shoppers in Bangkok have a wide choice of areas in which to pursue their search for bargains, most of them located within walking distance of major hotels. One such area, for example, is along Silom and Suriwongse Roads in the vicinity of the Dusit Thani, Montien, and Tawana Hotels. This includes Robinson's Department Store, Central Department Store, the Charn Issara Shopping Centre, dozens of silk shops, antique and decorative reproduction shops, boutiques of ready-to-wear women's clothes, men's tailors and shops selling leatherwear and other goods. From the Rajprasong intersection, near the Meridien President Hotel, it is but a short walk to the Amarin Plaza Shopping Centre and Central Department Store in one direction, to Rajadamri Arcade and Narayanaphand Store in another which is in opposite to World Trade Center, and to the Peninsula Arcade and Galleries Lafayette in a third. Shoppers should not overlook Bangkok's many department stores, which offer locally-made goods and feature alluring sales. Air-conditioned shopping centers outside areas previously mentioned include the Oriental Plaza, in an atmospheric old building that has been remodelled; the River City Shopping Complex, adjacent to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, where two floors are devoted to shops selling antiques and decorative items; Siam Centre, near the Siam Intercontinental Hotel, which contains numerous fashionable boutiques; and Mah Boon Krong, a teeming emporium that contains hundreds of shops as well as the Tokyu Department Store and that is a particular favourite with younger Thais. As comfortable as these centres are, any serious shopper will also want to explore some of the city's markets for their colourful atmosphere and generally lower prices. Pratunam, near the Indra Hotel, specialises in ready-to-wear clothing of all kinds. In the older section of town, at the corner of Pahurat and Chakraphet, is the Pahurat Cloth Market, where locals go for textile bargains, while Sarnpheng Lane and Yaowarat, both in Chinatown, have countless shops selling gold, jewellery, cooking utensils, and other items. The biggest market of all, and the most fascinating, is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, held on Saturday and Sunday at Chatuchak Park, not far from the Central Plaza Hotel. Here just about everything Thailand makes or grows is on sale, from blue-and-white porcelain to hybrid orchids, and huge crowds come to buy or just to enjoy the ambience. Outside Bangkok, the main city for shopping is Chiang Mai, the unquestioned center of traditional Thai handicrafts. The Night Bazaar, is a good place to sample the full range of local products such as cotton. lacquerware, silver, hilltribe clothing, Burmese tapestries, painted umbrellas, and woodcarvings. While in Chiang Mai, make a point of going to some of the factories that offer demonstrations of how these goods – – particularly lacquer, silk, silver, and paper umbrellas- -are actually made. Pattaya also has many shops selling Thai goods and a particularly wide selection of precious and semi-precious stones since the popular resort lies near Chanthaburi, where numerous gem mines are located. What to Buy Thai silks, cottons, nielloware, silverware, bronzeware, pottery and celadon, pewterware, precious stones and finished jewellery, and a dazzling range of folk handicrafts make memorable gifts and souvenirs; international standard readymade sports and leisurewear is inexpensive; and quality tailors and dressmakers offer reliable 24-hour services in Bangkok and major tourism destinations. Shopping Tips Department stores and a number of shops in Bangkok have fixed prices, but at most of the others bargaining is acceptable and expected; even some department stores will offer a discount on expensive items like jewellery and fine furniture. No fixed rules can be given on the process, depending as it does on the bargainer's skill and the shopkeeper's mood, but the final price may be reduced as much as 30 percent to that first quoted. An important point to keep in mind is that Thais admire good manners and a sense of humour and tend to be put off by loud voices and a loss of temper. Providing you have the time, a good general rule is to make a survey of several shops selling the sort of items you want before coming to a final decision. Packing and Shipping Services Thanks to the number of tourists coming to Thailand, most shops are experienced at shipping abroad and will attend to all the documents such as insurance, customs, and necessary permits. The Central Post Office also offers a parcel-wrapping service for those who want to make small shipments themselves. For larger items or bulk shipments, there are several Bangkok companies who specialise in such matters Parks and Gardens Bangkok's parks and gardens offer welcome respite from city heat and noise. They include: Lumphini Park at the northern end of Silom Road, and bordered by Wireless and Rajdamri roads. Lumphini Park is popular with joggers, keep-fit enthusiasts, families and sportsmen, particularly during the early morning and late afternoon. Chatuchak Park near the Paholyothin and Viphavadi Rangsit Highway junction at Lard Prao, on the way to Bangkok's Don Muang Airport, is also the site of a famous weekend market that sells almost everything made and grown in Thailand. Khao Din Zoological Garden is an artfully landscaped enclave with an artificial lake. The zoo neighbours Ratchadamnoen Avenue's Royal Plaza, and National Assembly Building, and contains a fine collection of African and Asian mammals, reptiles and birds. King Rama IX Park or Suan Luang Gardens is an extensive park with fine botanical gardens deep inside Sukhumvit Soi 103 in Bangkok's eastern suburbs. The botanical gardens were opened with private and public donations in 1987 to celebrate H.M. King Bhumibol's auspicious 60th birthday. Amusement and Theme Parks Magic Land at Lat Phrao, just north-east of Bangkok's Central Plaza Hotel, is the capital's major amusement park. The ccmplex offers a wide range of exciting rides and other amusements including haunted houses and sideshows. Similar facilities are found in the eastern suburb of Minburi at the Siam Water Park. The water theme park features an artificial sea replete with authentic waves, waterfalls, water sliders, whirlpools, and numerous water-related activities. The adjacent Safari World features a collection of African and Asian mammals, including lions, tigers, giraffes, zebras and bears, that live in natural surroundings. The sprawling complex also contains Asia's largest aviary with over 4,000 birds. Theatre A view of Bangkok from the top of the Imperial Queens Park hotel.You can also see the Skytrain Thai Dancing-1 Thai Dancing-2 Thai Dancing-3 Thai Bars Theatrical events in Bangkok include Thai dance and puppet performances, English and Thai- language dramas, concerts by visiting international artists, musical performances, and infrequently imported mimes and plays. Visitors are advised to consult the English-language newspapers, particularly the weekly or daily calendar of events, to ascertain the times and dates of current performances. Major theatrical venues include: Thailand's National Theatre, adjacent to the National Museum at Bangkok's Sanam Luang. The theatre is the venue for concerts and Thai classical dramp a performances. Weekend performances of Thai dance dramas are periodically staged. The Thailand Cultural Centre on Ratchadapisek Road, the Alliance Francaise Auditorium on South Sathorn Road, the AUA Language Centre Auditorium on Rajdamri Road, the British Council Centre in Siam Square, and the Goethe Institute on Soi Attakarnprasit, off South Sathorn Road, also stage theatrical and musical performances. The Hotel Siam Intercontinental periodically stages British plays, mostly comedies, from London's West End, with accomplished British actors. The KAD Performing Arts Centre in Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, includes the lavishly- equipped KAD Theatre with a seating capacity of 1,550 and the KAD Playhouse, with a seating capacity of 500. The KAD Performing Arts Centre is geared towards staging imported full-scale theatrical and musical productions from abroad, performed in the original language, and original Thai dramatic and musical productions. International and Thai Sports Golf. soccer, boxing, badminton, tennis, bowling and snooker figure prominently among international sports enjoyed by Thais. Indigenous games and sports include world-famous Thai boxing, takro, kite-fighting and boat racing. International sports the visitor is likely to enjoy include: >>Deep-Sea Game Fishing Bang Sare Fishing Club, just south of Pattaya, is the principal centre for fishermen seeking marlin, king mackerel, tuna, sharks and other denizens of the Thai Gulf. Major fishing centres on the Indian Ocean coast include Ranong and Phuket. >> Golf Thailand's clement weather means that golfers can enjoy their sport all year round at a wide variety of challenging courses. Thailand's major publice public golf courses are located in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Hua Hin, Chonburi, Pattaya,Phuket and Chiang Mai. >>Horse Racing Weekend races, each averaging 10 races, can be seen at Bangkok's Royal Turf Club and Royal Bangkok Sports Club. >>Motor Sports The 2.4 kilometre Bira International Pattaya Circuit regularly features local and international motor and motorcycle racing. >>Sailing Hobie Cats, Lasers and Prindles are available ] in Hua Hin and Phuket. >>Scuba Diving / Snorkelling Thailand offers some of Southeast Asia's finest diving opportunities in Gulf waters around Pattaya, Sattahip, Rayong's Samet island, Trat's Koh Chang Marine National Park, Chumphon and Surat Thani's sparkling archipelago which contains the beautiful Samui island and Angthong Marine National Park: and in the Andaman Sea on Thailand's Indian Ocean coastline around Surin, Similan, Phuket and Phi Phi islands, and Tarutao Marine National Park near the Thai-Malaysian maritime border. Professional dive shops in Pattaya and Phuket teach neophyte divers. Snorkelling opportunities abound throughout Thai waters. >>Tennis / Badminton / Squash Numerous opportunities are found in leading Bangkok and resort hotels. A list of courts where visitors are allowed can be found in the Bangkok Telephone Directory's Yellow Pages. >>Windsurfing Pattaya's Chomthian Beach is the rnajor centre of this popular sport. Further opportunities can be found at Cha Am, Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Phuket's Patong Beach. Thai sports the visitor will enjoy include: >>Thai Boxing This developed as a form of self-defence during the Ayutthaya period (13so-17sv). Boxers are forbidden to wrestle or bite. However, they may kick, shove and push and unreservedly use bare feet, legs, elbows and shoulders, besides fists, to batter each other into submission. Thai boxing is featured throughout the week at Bangkok's Ratchadamnoen Stadium (Monday, Wednesday. Thursday and Sunday) and Lumphini Stadium (Tuesday, Friday and Saturday). >>Takro This sport is traditionally played by a loosely formed circle of men who use feet, knees, thighs, chests and shoulders to acrobatically pass a woven rattan ball to each other, endeavouring to keep it airborne, and eventually kick it into a basket suspended above their heads. >>Kite-Fighting During Hot Season months, particularly March and April, opposing teams fly male Chula and female Pakpao kites in a surrogate battle of the sexes. The small, agile Pakpao kite tries to fell the more cumbersome Chula while the male kite tries to ensnare the female kite and drag it back into male territory. >>Boat Racing Regattas are featured in many country fairs which celebrate the end of the annual Rains Retreat. The long narrow, low-slung wooden boats are festooned with flags and flowers, manned by oarsmen and raced with great gusto, The most noteworthy boat races are at Nan, Phichit, Nakhon Phanom, Surat Thani, Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani, near Bangkok. >>Entertainment Thais are a fun-loving people. Nationwide, boxing stadiums, race and golf courses, tennis and squash courts, billiards halls, opulent nightclubs, gourrnet restaurants, disco- theques, concert halls, teahouses, cocktail lounges, amusernent parks, bars, museurns, theatres, art galleries, rnassage parlours, zoo logical gardens and cinemas lure pleasure seekers throughout the year. Thailand's English-language newspapers carry daily listings on concerts, exhibitions, displays and cinematic offerings. Complirnentary weekly tourist publications such as This Week, Explore Pattaya. etc., contain additional information with emphasis on dining and nightlife attractions. Beer bars, cocktail lounges and pubs are rnostly concentrated in the Sukhumvit, New Petchaburi and Silom Road areas. Gemstones in Thailand The Myth of Gemstones in Thailand Thailand's reputation as a center of civilization in the Orient has been reflected by the rich forms of art that has formed an integral part of most Thais. The artistry of Thai artisans have intrigued men and women around the world for its exquisite, delicate splendor and beauty. The long tradition of fine craftsmanship has passed through several generations and is still very much intact today.Gems and jewelry is one of the key industries which has flourished ever since ancient times. Traditional belief suggested that by wearing certain jewels and clothes which agree with the colour of the day and or birthday would bring good fortune and success. Here is the guide: For those who are born on: Sunday Wear jewelry with Garnet and Zircon and clothes in orange or red Monday Wear jewelry with Pearl and Diamond and clothes in cream or yellow Tuesday Wear jewelry with Topaz and clothes in pink Wednesday Wear jewelry with Emerald and clothes in green Thursday Wear jewelry with Cat's eye (Chrysoberyl) and clothes in orange Friday Wear jewelry with Pearl and Diamond and clothes in sky blue or dark blue Saturday Wear jewelry with Spinel and Ruby and clothes in black or purple There has also been a myth about decking oneself with certain gem-stones based on his/her month of birth in order to capture the best fortune and prosperity. It goes like this: For those who are born in the month of January Garnet February Amethyst March Aquamarine and Bloodstone April Diamond May Emerald June Pearl and Moonstone July Ruby August Peridot September Sapphire October Opal November Topaz December Turquoise and Zircon A Birthplace of Jewels. Fine Craftsmanship and Discovery Thailand has been recognized as one of the world's major gems and jewelry centers. The Kingdom is not only endowed with dedicated and gifted artisans, but also gemstone resources. Sapphires have been discovered in Kanchanaburi. Chanthaburi, Si Saket, Ubon Ratchathani, Phrae, Phetchabun and Sukhothai . Chanthaburi's districts of Pong Nam Ron, Bo Rai and Khao Saming have been known as producers of rubies: in addition to. Nam Yuen district of Ubon Ratchathani. The red rubies discovered in Chanthaburi have been known as "Tab Tim Siam" or "Siamese Rubies" which are sought after by jewel lovers around the world for their dazzling red and magical looks. The Siamese Rubies have thus credited Thailand as the "Land of Jewels of die East." Thailand's gems and jewelry industry has systematically developed from a cottage level to a large-scale export-oriented scale. The sector has become one of the country's top-ten foreign exchange earners, generating tens of billions of Baht to the economy and creating jobs for millions of people. Quality, attention to detail and reasonable pricing are elements of continued success of the Thai jewelry industry. To enhance the sector's competitiveness, the Royal Thai Government has exempted tariffs on imported raw materials.Furthermore, to make the purchase of gems and jewelry in Thailand even more attractive, the Royal Thai Government has agreed to provide full refund on Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on jewels bought by foreign visitors. The conditions currently applied to VAT refunds are as follows:- Purchase at shops with the sign "VAT Refund for Tourists". Bring along the goods with oneself within 60 days from the date of purchase. Minimum value of purchase from one shop in one day is 2,000 Baht. Total value of goods purchased for a VAT refund must be at least 5.000 Baht. Sales clerks will prepare a VAT refund form and hand two copies of the form to buyers with a Tax Invoice. Goods eligible for VAT refund must not be restricted items such as firearms, explosives and the like as well as unset gemstones. Must bring along the goods to the port of disembarkation for display to Customs officials. Over the years, Thailand has developed to become one of the world's top-five jewelry polishing centers which has included ]Israel, Belgium, the United States and India.The Kingdom's gemstone polishing capability has developed by leaps and bounds, leading to the creation of "Bangkok Cut", which is widely admired.With the advantages mentioned above, it always makes a good reason to buy a piece of jewelry in Thailand when you are here right in the one of the world's forefront gems and jewelry centers. The quality of Thai jewels is assured Retailing of gems and jewelry in Thailand is governed by proper trading rules which are closely supervised by government and industry organizations. The quality of gems and jewelry is examined and guaranteed by internationally accepted local bodies such as the Asian Institute of Gemological Science (AIGS), the International Gemological Institute (IGI), the Gems and Jewelry Institute of Thailand, etc.The adoption of stringent examination processes and issuance of quality certificates assure you of the quality standards of the goods you purchase exactly match your expectation both for personal pleasure and investment.So if you are looking for something that reminds you of fond memories of your visit to the Land of Civilization of the Orient that is rich in arts. heritage and friendship, consider buying a Thai jewel. List of gemological institutes Department of Mineral Resources Physics Section, Rama IV Rd., Phayathai, Bangkok 10400 Tel: 202-3690 Fax: 202-3681 The Gems and Jewelry Institute of Thailand Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Rd. Bangkok Tel: 218-5030-2 Fax: 253-0337 Asian Institute of Gemological Science (AIGS) Jewelry Trade Center Bldg. 6m Floor. 919/1 Silom Rd. Bangkok 10500 Tel: 2674325-7 Fax: 267-4327 International Gemological Institute (IGI) B.G.I. Bldg. 9 Soi Charoenkrung 36, New Road, Bangkok Tel: 630-6726-7 Fax: 630-5030-2 Tokyo Gem Laboratory (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 1 Floor, 55/11 Soi Charoenkrung 42/1, New Road, Bangkok Tel: 235-1667-8, 235-7324 Fax: 630-9735 How to choose a gemstone and a piece of jewelry Nature of Gemstones First, it is essential to have the basic knowledge about the characteristics, colors, clarity, cutting style and the weight of the gemstones you are selecting. Generally speaking, there are two categories of gemstone - precious and semi-precious.Precious stones are Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Emerald and Cat's Eyes.Semi-precious stones are Tourmaline, Peridot, Tazanit, Garnet. Opal, Spinel, Zircon, Aquamarine, Moonstone, Agate, Pearl, Sunstone, etc.The commercial value, hardness, and durability of semi-precious stones are normally less than precious stones . Thailand is one of the world's most important sources of Corundum. the collective gemological name for precious stones like Ruby and Sapphire. Ruby Its color ranges from dark red to pink hardness measured in Mohs is 9: reflective index is from 1.762 to 1.770 (+/-0.009 - 0.005}: and specific gravity of 4.00 (+/- 0.10 - 0.05). This precious stone has its origin in countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam and Tanzania. Blue Sapphire It is another species of Corundum with properties quite similar to Ruby in terms of color, hardness and specific gravity. Its origins are Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma). Yellow Sapphire As part of the Corundum family. Yellow Sapphire has specifications like 'Blue Sapphire and Ruby, but it is only found mostly in Thailand and Sri Lanka. Diamond Discovered mostly in Africa, Australia, Russia and South America, the Diamond is normally colorless, though some come in the shades of light yellow and brown. Its hardness is 10 in Moh measurement; reflective index of 2.417: specific gravity of 3.52 (+/-0.01). Quality and value of gemstones The value of a gemstone lies in its beauty, measured by its color, luster, transparency, clarity, perfection of cutting (polishing), size, durability as well as rarity. Ruby The most valued Ruby is in pigeon's blood red. The stone with dark to purple red color has a lesser value. The Ruby which yields good transparency is considered more beautiful and has more value than the lesser one. The value of Ruby can also be judged by its clarity which is normally a key characteristic of the stone, and physical site. Another beauty yardstick of Ruby is the "Asterism" or star in the stone that renders it the name of "Star Ruby." The star can be best appreciated from Ruby with a cabo chon shape placed in the light. Blue & Yellow Sapphire The highly priced color of Blue Sapphire is "pure" blue not being tainted with green or gray, yet not too dark or black. The most beautiful color for Yellow Sapphire is dark yellow and golden yellow. The popularity of the two shades varies from one market to another, depending on tastes and fashion trends. Blue and Yellow Sapphires with good transparency and clarity command more value with size as another determining factor, though it is easier to find a bigger size of Blue and Yellow Sapphires than Ruby. Like Ruby, Blue Sapphire has the "star" while it is rare to find a star in Yellow Sapphire. Diamond More common colors of diamond range from light yellow and light brown while while is rarer (*see color grading table). There are also established clarity levels of diamond (*see clarity table). The bigger the size the higher the value of the diamond. Well-proportioned cut diamond is capable of reflecting light, yield more brilliance and sparkle, thus is more valued. Color grading Color Scale Trade Terms Colorless to D Colorless Finest White Jager Colorless I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I E River F Fine White G Near Colorless Top Wesselton Stones in this grade look colorless face-up: slight traces of color will not be apparent in mounted stones to other than the trained eye. H White Wesselton I Commercial White Top Crystal J Top Silver Cape Crystal Small stones in these range will look colorless face-up when mounted but large one will be tinted. K Faint yellow Silver Cape Top Cape L M Light Cape Cape Mounted stones in this grades will display a Yellowish tint even to the untrained eye. N Very Light Yellow Low Cape O Cape Very Light Yellow P Q R S Light Yellow Dark Cape T U V W X Y Fancy Yellow Z Fancy Clarity Scandinavia Exchange USSR Alternate W. Europe FL FL 10X CLEAN IF IF IF PURE VVS 1 VVSI 1 VVS 10X CLEANISH VVS 1 VVS 2 VVSI 2 VS 2 VSI 1 10X VERY SLIGHT VS 1 VS 1 VSI 2 SI SI 1 SI 1 10 SLIGHT EYE CLEAN SI SI 2 SI 2 I 1 PIQUE 1 PIQUE VERY SLIGHT TO THE EYE PIQUE 1 I 2 PIQUE 2 SLIGHT TO THE EYE PIQUE 2 I 3 PIQUE 3 MARKED TO THE EYE PIQUE 3 Flawless IF Internal Flawless VVS Very Very Slightly VS Very Slightly SI Slightly included I Imperfect Content of Fine Gold and Precious Metal in Alloys Fine gold Platinum 24 karat(Kt) gold is referred to 100% pure gold 22 Kt = 92% 18 Kt = 75% 16Kt=67% 14 Kt=58.5% 12 Kt=50% 10Kt=41.7% PT950=95% PT900 = 90% Weight measurement for gold, gemstones and diamond The weight of gemstones and diamond is measured in carat and grams. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, while one gram is 5 carats or 1.000 milligrams. Gold is measured in karat, referring to the percentage of gold in alloys. Karat, in gold measurement, is usually written with a capital "K" or "Kt" to provide a distinction from "carat" for precious stones measurement:, Certification of Gemstones and Jewelry In normal practice, the issue of an authenticity certificate for jewels purchased rests on a laboratory. However, such certificates can be issued by specialists who have graduated from gemological institute and been employed by jewel stores. With the growing use of synthetic stones in jewelry, it is very crucial that buyers demand the certificate of authenticity with a gem identification report being issued by authorized gemologists from the stores they make the purchase