Expats & Thailand: A Love/Hate Relationship

Many expatriates in Thailand can’t help but harbour an ambivalent attitude of love and hate for their host country. Certainly, there are two sides in the coin for this Southeast Asian nation which prides itself as the only in the region not subjugated by a Western power. It is for this reason that the country changed its name from Siam to Thailand, taking on the word “Thai” which means free in the native language.

Akin to this free spirit is the Thais non-domineering and friendly nature. This is what has gained favor most among expats, the better half of their feelings for this country that urges them to stay despite the negatives that they too encounter here. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that the Thais are among the friendliest in the world, accommodating and caring even to complete strangers.

Positive Thai outlook

The more relaxed way of life in Thailand compared to Western cultures is another enticement for expats to overrule whatever they dislike in living in this country. Thais have a very positive outlook on life. When faced by adversity, their typical approach is “mai bpen lai,” meaning “never mind and don’t worry” as the unwelcome predicament will soon pass. With this fundamental in the ebb and flow of life in Thailand, a positive outlook too becomes ingrained among the country’s expats.

Cost of living which is considerably more affordable than in developed countries is another vital reason why farangs choose to stick it out in Thailand. For a fraction of the rates in Western cities, they can have upscale living quarters in Bangkok, for instance.

Life and leisure advantages win

And while Western dishes are widely available locally at great prices, Thai cuisine compares favorably with the best of the world but doesn’t cost that much. The same is true with local shopping which not only offers competitively priced quality items but also enables alternatives from a wide range of goods, be it in shopping malls or night markets.

Lastly, leisure spots in Thailand like ShaSa Resort are plus factors that can outweigh the minuses that bother expats about this country. Even just an overnight stay at the beaches of Koh Samui can be enough for love to prevail over the hate that some expats entertain about living here.

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Football Golf on Koh Samui

Football golf is a relatively new game. A combination of football and golf, it has quickly gained following in the Thai resort island of Koh Samui, as both sports are also popular activities in Thailand. The rules of play in golf apply but a regulation soccer ball is kicked toward each hole in order to score. The player having the lowest tally emerges as the winner at the end of the game.

As a full-fledged sport, this game is called footgolf, and already has a significant international following and is now overseen by a world governing body. A World Footgolf Championship, in fact, is scheduled for this August in Germany. Be sure to play "footgolf" during your stay at ShaSa Resort!

Special course layout

A round of football golf on Koh Samui, however, is more than just competition but a fun-filled activity wherein all members of the family and their friends can enjoy. Play is also a bit shorter, as the Koh Samui football golf course is a par 69 layout. Footgolf matches, on the other hand, are typically held at championship golf links which are longer at their par 72 regulation play.

The Koh Samui football golf course was constructed exclusively for the game. The well-manicured fairways of its 18-hole layout meander across verdant coconut plantations. A full round of play can take between one to one and a half hours, depending on the ability of the players. This whole tour of the course covers about a kilometre.

Superb design and location

This unique recreational facility in Koh Samui is very well-designed. It offers challenges to players with an eye for risk-taking in their game. At the same time, the course affords beginners easier paths to enjoy the game. A players’ mix of varying ages and gender is therefore quite possible, enabling loads of fun besides competition.

A round of football golf on Koh Samui can readily be included in visitors’ itineraries. The course is conveniently located close to most of the beach resorts and hotels in the island. Built close to the family-friendly beach of Choeng Mon, the course is just a five- to 20-minute drive from Big Buddha, Chaweng, and Lamai Beach.

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Flight Carry On Luggage Guide

Airline passengers would be well-advised if they first check their carriers ‘ policies on carry-on luggage. The guidelines for hand-carried bags can vary depending on the type of aircraft Carry-on space, for instance, may be quite limited for turbo-prop planes as compared to jetliners.  

However, don’t just assume to have more leeway on a bigger aircraft as the number of passengers onboard a flight and plane seating configuration can also determine the allowed hand-carried items. The varying carry-on luggage allowed on different aircrafts would be a particular concern for passengers with connecting flights. Hand-carried items allowed in a previous flight may not be accommodated as a carry-on and may have to be checked in with the rest of the passengers’ large luggage.

Rule of thumb on weight and shape

As a general rule, when flying to ShaSa Resort on Koh Samui an airline would allow each passenger one personal bag and one carry-on bag. What smart travelers would choose as a carry-on would be a bag with a width measuring 18 inches or less. This is considering that the hand-carried luggage allowed in most airlines typically doesn’t exceed 45 linear inches which can be computed by adding the length and width of the case.

Generally, 40 pounds is the weight limit for a carry-on bag. Odd-shaped bags which are either too long or too wide may be rejected even though these are within the weight limit. Most airlines would have at their gates a sizer box for a quick check if a passenger can carry a particular bag on board.

Small items allowed

The personal bag that a passenger can bring aboard the plan can be a purse or briefcase, a laptop case, tote bag, or book bag. Extra paraphernalia such as camera bags and diaper bags or child seats and strollers for ticketed children can also be carried inside the aircraft. Nonetheless, it would be wise to limit such extra accessory items to preempt any potential hassle while boarding.

Issues with other passengers can also be avoided if utmost care is taken in storing carry-on bags at the plane’s overhead compartment. Having just the right sized hand-carried luggage would be an advantage as there’s the option of placing it under your seat, particularly in crowded flights when overhead bins can fill up quickly.

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Getting a 30 Day Extension on your Tourist Visa

Most tourists visiting ShaSa Resort on Koh Samui typically carry a 60-day visa. This tourist visa can easily be extended by 30 days. Basically, there are two ways to get this extension.

A visa run is one common practice. This is done by going to a country bordering Thailand, like Laos or Cambodia. Visa extensions can be facilitated at several border points and just entail leaving Thailand and promptly turning right back. The hitch here is that it would require at the very least a day of traveling to the border areas and have the visa extension processed there. 

Visa runs would be advisable for those tourists who want to take side trips to the lesser known travel attractions in Thailand or have quick visits to its bordering countries.

Immigration office protocols 

A less circuitous route would be to apply for the 30-day visa extension in the main Thai immigration office in Bangkok which has been relocated in the northern suburban part of the city on Chaengwattana Road. The other major cities in Thailand have counterpart immigrations offices where applications for visa extensions are processed. 

Prior to visiting any of these offices, you’ll need to prepare several documents. One is your passport with the Thai departure card. Also required are: a photocopy of your passport’s photograph page, a photocopy of the passport’s page containing the stamped tourist visa, and two copies of your passport-sized photos. You’ll have to pay a fee of 1,900 baht for the visa extension processing.

Be prepared to wait in line 

Application forms for the visa extensions are available at the immigration offices reception desk where you’ll be asked for your Thai address and the purpose of the extended stay. After accomplishing the application form, submit it to the receptionist who’ll check if it’s complete and assign you a number if it is.

You may have to wait for about 15 minutes before you’re number is called, depending on the number of applications received. Submit your documents and pay the visa extension fee to the window which called your assigned number, then wait again for about 15-20 minutes for your name to be called and your passport returned already with the 30-day extension.
 

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New Thai Tourist Visa Rules: What They Mean for You

Thailand has undertaken several major revisions on its visa system in recent years. One of the net effects of these changes is that Western tourists visiting Thailand are allowed shorter periods of visit but with various options to extend the stay under varying circumstances or conditions. These regulations can be confusing, especially if a visit to the country will be longer than 30 days. Here are some insights shedding more light on new Thai tourist visa rules that can help you during your stay at ShaSa Resort.

File the tourist visa application at your local Thai embassy

You’ll be given an initial 60-day tourist visa if your application is processed at Thailand’s embassy in your home country. Through one of immigration offices in Thailand, this visa can be extended for 30 days for a 90-day total. This 90-day period can still be extended if you make a visa run by traveling to the Thai border with Burma, Laos, or Cambodia, and turning right back to Thailand. You’ll have another 30-day visa extension through this exercise. Under the new Thai immigration policies, you can go on two more visa runs, in effect allowing your tourist visa to be extended up to 180 days. You’ll have to leave Thailand already after this 180 days’ total expires.

The path for a second tourist visa

Once you’ve used up the 180-day extended tourist visa, you can still prolong your stay in Thailand. You’ll need to leave the country too as in the visa run. Your destination this time would be a nearby country which has Thai embassy or consulate where you can file an application for a second tourist visa. Typically, your choices are Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Burma. Other options include Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia which is preferred by some travelers because of the friendly Thai consulate staff in Kuala Lumpur. One condition though is you’ll have to stay for a minimum of three days in the Malaysian capital.

Arriving visa-less

First-time visitors in Thailand can stay in the country even without a tourist visa. Their passports will be stamped a 30-day tourist visa upon arrival. They may only have to show to immigration officers their plane tickets for departure from Thailand. 
 

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Thai Airlines: Options for Domestic Flights

Thanks to the deregulation of the passenger air travel industry in Thailand, the cost of flying to ShaSa Resort has become increasingly affordable. As no airline has a monopoly on any of the existing domestic routes, the competition among passenger carriers resulted in lower fares. These are typically offered during the tourist off-season at rates substantially discounted from the regular fares. Quite delightful, roundtrip airfares under $100 can be had by passengers well-informed on options on Thai domestic flights.

Those planning a trip to such destinations as Koh Samui will likely consider booking a flight with the Thai Airways, as it is the most well-know carrier in Thailand. This popularlity however equates to relatively higher fares. At the same time, there’s a pervasive feeling among Thais that this airline accords preferential treatment to foreign passengers to the disadvantage of the locals.

Book early for discounts

If these concerns are a bother, Air Asia is one of the desirable alternatives. Besides charging less, it also operates routes to most major Thai cities. Also, its international flights not only cover Asian countries, like Brunei, China, India, Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore, but also the U.K. To avail of Air Asia bargain fares, an early booking would be necessary.

Some of the best deals in budget fares can also be had at Bangkok Airways. What’s good about this airline is that its operations are focused on domestic flights, operating as it is in 20 Thai cities. These local routes include Koh Samui, Sukhothai, and Trat wherein the airports were constructed by the airine itself. Flying regularly with Bangkok Airways could mean gaining benefits from its Flyer Bonus Club, a scheme by which passengers accumulate points which could later be exchanged for free flights.

Look at the small players

Smaller airlines are added options for budget airfares in Thai domestic flights. One choice, PB Air focuses only on seven local destinations and is carving a reputation as one of the friendliest carriers in Thailand.

One Two Go is another player in Thailand’s domestic airline industry, but its safety performance is suspect. It has yet to win the complete confidence of passengers following the crash of one of its flights to Phuket which was traced to pilot error and resulted in 90 fatalities.

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Choosing the Right Suitcase

Selecting a suitcase for your trip to ShaSa Resort can be very subjective. Occasional travelers may only need an inexpensive one made of light material, while those who travel a lot are likely to choose designs with sturdier features. At any rate, here are a few tips when choosing the suitcase just right for your travel needs.

Set your price range

Don’t splurge on a suitcase if you travel seldom. Spending $25 on a bag maybe enough; just replace it, if it’s no longer fit for the next trip. For those who live in a suitcase most of the year, it’s smart not to spend over $150 for their bag that will endure the wear and tear of travelling frequently. Suitcases above this price level can’t get any much better, and what you’ll be paying extra for is just the brand names of the manufacturers behind them.

Weigh the pros and cons of materials

Good protection is what you’d essentially want in the materials that a suitcase is made of. Determine which type best suits your travelling requirements. There are bags made of hard casing like plastic, but this can crack beyond repair. One alternative is cases made of polycarbonate; cracking is unlikely but its disadvantage is denting. Avoid suitcases made of these hard materials if you intend to use them as carry-on bags. These can be difficult to store in planes’ tight overhead bins. Lighter, soft nylon bags are preferable in this case for they can easily be squeezed into limited space. Common damage to these suitcases, such as broken zippers and worn-out corners, can also be repaired easily.

Examine the suitcase parts

Handles and straps are important considerations when choosing the right suitcase. Removable straps are advantageous. So are double handles in suitcases as these bag parts can take a lot of abuse when airport workers load them up on a plane’s cargo hold. Select suitcases with sturdy zippers or give preference to the latch system that secures the hard-case bags. Likewise preferable are four-wheeled suitcases which are easier to handle when boarding or deplaning. Finally, choose a case with a sleek design which enhances maneuverability and easier storage.

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