Global Nanpa

What are the different ways of buying or owning land or property in Thailand?

1. Land Leases: Although Thailand property law largely restricts land ownership rights to citizens, foreigners may hold 100% interest in a Thailand land lease. Thailand lease law allows a 30-year maximum lease period, with the possibility of renewing the lease for additional 30 year periods.

2. Company Ownership: Thailand registered companies with majority Thai ownership are able to buy land in Thailand. In the past it has been common for foreign nationals to acquire an interest in Thailand land as minority shareholders in a Thai majority company.

3. Investment: Thai property law may allow foreigners to buy and own a limited amount of land based on investment of 40 million baht for five consecutive years, provided that the land is used for residential purposes.

4. Thai Spouse: A Thai spouse of a foreigner may be allowed to buy land or property in Thailand in his or her own name. However the married couple may be asked to sign declarations at the Land Department to state that the funds used are the separate property of the Thai spouse. This may have the effect of waiving any claim on the land or property by the non-Thai spouse. This may become problematic in a divorce case as it may be difficult for the non-Thai spouse to prove that the land was marital property. In this case, a skillfully drafted prenuptial agreement may come in handy to minimize the risk to the non-Thai spouse.

Can Thai nationals buy land or property in their name and then execute an agreement that the land is held for a foreigner?

This is a risky approach because it is technically illegal for a Thai national to act as a nominee of a foreigner to buy land or property. Therefore, the agreement may be illegal and problematic.

When buying property in Thailand you need to be aware that when you transfer the property there is a government stamp duty of 0.5%, a transfer fee of 0.01% and a business tax of 0.11% levied against an owner who has been in registered possession of the property less than 5 years, and income tax. There is no capital gains tax in Thailand, unlike many other countries, and Income Tax between 1.0 and 3.0% on property is the comparable replacement. There are no set rules on who pays the income tax, and it is just a part of the negotiating process with the owner as to who pays what. Land Tax: This is an annual tax levied on the land ownership, this is only a very small amount and is often only collected when the land is sold.

Income Tax :

This is usually between 1.0 and 3.0% on property is the comparable replacement to capital gains tax. There are no established rules regarding who pays the income tax while this is simply another part of the bargaining process during the purchase, as are all other costs relating to the transfer of ownership.

Inheritance Tax :

There is 0% inheritance tax for all family members in Thailand.

Condominium Purchase :

Buying a condominium is perhaps the easiest option offered to foreign nationals. The only limitations are when buying a condominium is the percentage of foreign people must only be 49% or less of the units sold in the condominium complex. The money used to purchase the condominium has to be transferred from out of the country, be documented by a financial instate in Thailand. This is processed with a Foreign Currency Transaction Form. In order to receive a Foreign Currency Transaction Form you need to open a Thai bank account in the name your condominium will be registered in. This allows your Thai bank to document the transfer of funds. At the time of the transfer of the property you the new owner of the condominium will be issued with a certificate called a Chanood, which is the land paper. This is the only type of freehold property a non Thai can own in their own name.

My conclusion is : There are so many other lucrative objects to invest in, why take such a big risk/commitment to buy property in Thailand ? How safe your investment is could also depend on your connections to Thai officials in key positions. Without a few friends in the right place, you might lose it when things develop in the wrong direction. People who invest a significant amount and are well connected won’t have to fear much i suppose.
The swiss-born legendary investor and billionaire Marc Faber for example lives on Soi 4 Lamphoon Road, Chiang Mai, according to Wirtschaftswoche, a German business magazine. I doubt he has any fear of losing his place.
For the average person however I strongly recommend to only rent, to stay flexible and to switch from one location to the next once you don’t like your place or the area anymore.
It is so much safer.

For this posting I used several internet sources and borrowed certain passages of other articles.

Plastic surgery is booming throughout Asia and became a huge market. In Korea, surgeons estimate that 10% of all adults have had some sort of surgical „upgrade“.

In Thailand a real plastic surgery tourism got established and in Japan the top clinics make revenues of over $100 million each year with these operations.

China has a lot of unlicensed beauty-science centers, especially in Shenzen the danger is big when discount prices are offered. A large amount of lawsuits also got filed in Shenzen against those surgeons.

Asians are asking their surgeons for wider eyes, longer noses and bigger breasts, features not typical of the race. The most popular procedure in Asia is a form of blepharoplasty, in which a crease is created above the eye by scalpel or by needle and thread.

Westerners use botox to diminish wrinkles, while in Korea, Japan and Taiwan, botox is injected into wide cheeks so the muscle will atrophy and the cheeks will shrink.In China, Korea and Indonesia, where virginity is highly prized, young women go in for hymen reconstruction in time for their wedding night.

In Thailand, with its sizable population of ladyboys a big industry has developed to provide male-to-female sex-change operations.

For Chinese people, surgically enhanced beauty is both a way to display wealth and a tool with which to attain it.

In Thailand, even the government has recognized the money-making potential of plastic surgery. The Tourism Authority of Thailand helps promote institutions like the Bumrungrad Hospital to foreigners, who make up one-third of its patients. The 12-story, $90 million hospital is like a five-star, round-the-clock plastic surgery factory. There’s a Starbucks in the lobby, high-speed Internet connection for the patients and room service.

In the mid-’70s, Thailand had only 10 plastic surgeons, so locals tended to go abroad to Japan or Singapore for cosmetic help. Today, it is the reverse, and Thailand has become a surgical hub. Travel agencies offering plastic surgery tours have packages including airfare, hotel, sightseeing and maybe a boob or nose job. The price level too is what attracts foreign patients, mainly from Japan and China.

Kawinna Suwanpradeep, a former soap opera star in Thailand wasn’t scared of plastic surgery. When Yanhee Hospital, a Bangkok plastic surgery center, offered her free liposuction in return for a public endorsement, she did not hesitate.

She was told she would be able to go home the same day as the operation. After the bandages were removed, she noticed wavy patches and scars. The doctor told her they would disappear in a few months, but when they still hadn’t healed a year later Suwanpradeep went to court. The hospital denies responsibility. Disgusted with her courthouse experience, Suwanpradeep started to study law. Now she is a poster girl for a plastic surgery disaster.

Thailand :

1. Bumrungrad

2. Preecha Aesthetic Institute (PAI)

3. NEO plastic surgery center

4. The Samui Clinic

5. Phuket Plastic Surgery

Japan :

1. Plaza Plastic Surgery

China :

1. Shanghai ConBio plastic and laser surgery hospital

2. Shenzen Fuhua Hospital

Korea :

1. IAAN cosmetic plastic surgery clinic

2. Dream plastic surgery clinic

Philippines :

1. Cosmetic plastic surgery Philippines

2. Plastic surgery Manila

A lot of us would love to live in SEA forever.

If you have not reached the age to be eligible for retirement or don’t have enough savings on the bank to stop working earlier, there a few choices to fulfill your SEA addiction.

1. You can live and work in your country and use every vacation to spend time in SEA untill you are able to retire.

2. You can try to work as an expat in the region. However often your salary is related to the per capita GDP of the country and you get paid in local currency. You could also accept a low paid job like a teaching position. I don’t think this is a suitable option for most. Moreover working in “paradise” could easily turn into a nightmare. You don’t really want to see the ugly sides of those countries and make yourself dependent. I rather recommend only to stay in SEA when you don’t have to earn anymore, but only need to monitor your spending behavior so that the cash lasts long enough.

3. A lot of people try to bring paradise home and get married with an Asian girl, making it possible that their girl can stay long-term. Most relations of course don’t work out and the financial loss is immense for the male part.

4. So how about bringing a Thai/Pinay girl you really love/like to your country for a limited time-frame ?

3 months might seem ideal. It shouldn’t get boring and if you want to get really serious you can still take the next step and go for marriage later.

This “rented relation” is sadly not an option all western countries can take advantage of.In the USA you can only invite her with a fiancée visa which is already a big commitment. You also more or less destroy the chances of the girl finding a new man from the United States once you have chosen this path. In the USA you have to be commited to go for long-term otherwise both sides will end in trouble.I don’t really know how the situation looks like for Great Britain, Japan and other countries. Please feel free to leave a comment. The legal situation in Europe is excellent for this “rented relation” :

3 months Schengen visa are easy to get and it allows her not only to stay in your country but also to see other Schengener state countries. So you could go travelling with her in Europe. You should get an additional document for her visa application which declares that you take care of her financially for a specific time frame. Also make an agreement with the girl about the amount of money you pay her : she probably still has an apartment and additional bills to pay back at her home. Moreover you have to pay her flight ticket. Only make sure that she does not get pregnant during this time.

The risk for you is low. The time with your girl has a clear start and end. This allows you to stay with a girl you really like for a longer period of time than you could stay for vacation in Asia. You can also see it as a way to shorten the waiting times till your next trip and it does not need to be that expensive as well.

I have mixed feelings when thinking about getting to know girls online. There are many reasons for why not trying to do so, but I can also see some advantages why getting to know girls this way might be appropriate for quiet a lot of people.

Advantages :

First of all it is easy. If you are a more introvertive person, you don’t have to hit on the girls in bars/clubs or on the street. People coming to Asia for vacation don’t have much time to go searching for a girl. A lot of people simply get bored at home when the first/next trip still is many months away, so the chatting is also a bit of „beating“ down some time. Now to the more serious advantages : you can review their profile, get to know their behavior a bit which can be unreal of course. You get a feeling for the person and she won’t appear as a stranger once you meet her for the first time. You instantly have things to talk about because you „know“ each other a bit. Moreover you can screen a lot of girls on the net, you have a huge selection of girls in front of you just a few clicks away. The profile check is certainly the main advantage if you look for a serious relation. Don’t do online dating if you search for short term fun. It only causes trouble and there are much more appropriate other opportunities to find girls for that.

Disadvantages :

A lot girls photoshop their picture. They all try to look as good as possible on the pics and some even hire photographs who edit the picture afterwards. So be aware that she might look different. The webcams are also not yet very good in quality, which means double-checking won’t help much. Much worse is that the probability is high that you might get confronted with scams, lies, rudeness, etc. Remember you always invest a lot of time into getting to know one girl. If you figure out very quickly on the first date that she is not the right, you have „wasted“ the time before. In a normal situation you might have felt within seconds that it is not worth going for her. Most people who make dates online with Asian girls often search for „good“ girls who didn’t work in a bar or a similar establishment. The intention is good but the dissapointment and loss can be much higher than getting into trouble with a bargirl. Bargirls are easier to predict and mostly go for the quick buck. Marriages with them don’t work out in most cases but there are always exceptions. Relations with a normal Thai/Pinay girl also might not be more easy than with a working girl. Online dating girls who use a dating agency or websites i wouldn’t call really „normal“, but their status is clearly above the bargirls in terms of relations. The situation can get complicated for you. They mostly go for the long con, ultimately achieving marriage and living in your country. Once they feel safe in their new environment, enjoy their new freedom and your cash, they can turn evil quickly. If you have a sexy Asian girl, she won’t have a problem finding a new guy.You are the one who has to watch out for her now. It is quiet the reverse from the situation before in Asia. Thais and Pinays are known for integrating themselves very quickly – they mostly get along well without you. Of course it doesn’t always has to end this negative. I only want to warn you a little.

Thailand dating links :

1. Thaidarling (membership fee)

2. Thailovelinks

3. Sweetsingles (membership fee)

4. Mythailove

5. Bangkokchat

Philippines dating links :

1. Filipinaheart

2. Cebuanas

3. Aperfectwife

4. Filipinokisses

5. 2Matchu (membership fee)

Asia dating links :

1. Dateinasia

2. Hi5 (popular among „normal“ Thai girls)

3. Myspace

4. Facebook

I only review a small selection of hotels I recently stayed at. Keep looking for updates. I will update this list several times per year.
Bangkok :

1. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, 155 Ratchadamri Road

Inner city located medium sized top-notch hotel. A lot of the rooms have recently undergone renovations. If you prefer not to stay at the riverside and moreover if you don’t like the Sukhumvit area (anymore), Ratchadamri Road is the place to be. Excellent inner city location, great service and staff, beautiful designed rooms and  charming, modern traditional Thai atmosphere.

http://www.vimeo.com/6870076

2. PENINSULA, 333 Charoennakorn Road, Riverside

Best luxury hotel at the riverside. I will update after a stay there.

http://www.vimeo.com/13603815

3. SHANGRI-LA, 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, Riverside

Best prive/value hotel at the riverside. The whole complex became really huge, the new Krung Thep wing is spectacular and offers beautiful rooms with amazing views. Staff is super-friendly, spa and swimming pool are among the best in the city.

http://www.vimeo.com/8513047

4. MANDARIN ORIENTAL, 48 Oriental Avenue, Riverside

The most famous and one of the most expensive hotels in Bangkok. I tried to figure out what makes this place so famous : It’s the service and prestige, not the rooms, restaurants or other facilities. They employ an immense number of staff considering the amount of guests, you even get your own butler. Everyone I met from the hotel was super-friendly and the room was excellent too. The location can be a big obstacle depending on what you are planning to do. A place only for wealthy, respectful holiday makers and if for business then for meetings/conferences in that area only. The type of people I met at the swimming pool were not my cup of tea and that’s the place were you really get to know the hotel guests.

http://www.vimeo.com/8507191

5. DREAM HOTEL, Sukhumvit Soi 15

A very stylish hotel. The colors used look really cool and when switching on the blue light bulbs in your room, you really might feel like in a surreal dream. Interesting contempory design mixed with traditional art. They have everything most people would ask for : good location, stylish room, comfortable bed, big plasma TV,  free Wifi, friendly staff and it is not too expensive. They now have an additional building which is a bit more quiet but not as optimal located like the old building at the corner and without a bar. The new building has 2 additional dream suites. The Dream Hotel often organizes special events and they are an attractive location for lots of media guys to host parts of their show there. New manager is Italian Mr. Fabiano, very friendly guy.

http://www.vimeo.com/5352115

6. MAC BOUTIQUE SUITES, Sukhumvit Soi 7

Excellent price/value deal. You can get a brand-new, very nice equipped junior suite for only around 3000 Baht per day. If you want to save money, live comfortable and want to be located in the centre of naughty BKK life, this hotel is a good option. They only have 62 rooms, so I guess they mostly will be fully booked during high season.

http://www.vimeo.com/6856357

7. GRAND MAJESTIC HOTEL, Sukhumvit Soi 2

This hotel is extremely popular among sex tourists. It is located very close to Nana Plaza, Soi 4. The price/value is excellent, staff is friendly and the rooms are fine. My overall experience was very good.

http://www.vimeo.com/6844651

8. PRESIDENT SOLITAIRE, Sukhumvit Soi 11

The location Sukhumvit Soi 11 is good, pretty close to all kinds of action on Sukhumvit. Bed Supperclub and St. Moritz are close too. The Ananda Spa next to it is part of the hotel. A lot of European tourists stay in general in hotels on Sukhumvit Soi 11. The room interior of the President Solitaire is nice, thai style and the marble bathroom fits to the design.

http://www.vimeo.com/2431348

9. MADUZI HOTEL, Asoke station

One of the most secluded and safest inner city boutique hotels in BKK. Gates are always closed, guests by invitation only. Interior is spectacular, very lovely items which look quiet expensive. Therapeutic bed/matrace, Bose sound system, interesting paintings. They have an excellent french chef too. Staff feels like a family managed hotel, very professional behavior and dresses. Expensive hotel and taxi drivers always have difficulties finding and entering it.

http://www.vimeo.com/2430938

10. CITI CHIC BOUTIQUE SUITES, Sukhumvit Soi 13

Excellent price/value hotel. A veranda room only costs around 2500 Baht. The hotel is located between Dream (Sukh. 15) and President Solitaire (Sukh. 11) and it is a lot cheaper. The interior is nice, chic and an amazing deal for the money. But you get what you pay for - negative remarks : the water is not getting really hot and I like it hot. Using the nice looking bathtub was out of the question because the temperature wasn’t what i like. Noises are another problem. On the veranda (those 3 rooms are all ground flor) you can hear your neighbors and if someone above you takes a shower (thanks when doing that at 3 am), you can hear it as well but it is not very loud, so don’t get frightened.

http://www.vimeo.com/2432330

11. ROYAL PRESIDENT APARTMENTS, Sukhumvit Soi 15

This serviced apartment place is behind the Dream hotel. The rooms have a large kitchen and living room. There is a little shop next to it where you can buy the things for your refrigerator.
Disadvantage is that it looks older and the interior is a bit worn out. Still, don’t get me wrong, it is a good place to stay. The male staff here is very friendly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REHLXQXUxOU

12. ASCOTT, 187 South Sathorn Road

Those serviced apartments are ideal for people who are more focused on the Sathorn area or are working in that business district. The interior of the apartment is beautiful, the rooms are huge, the bathroom is excellent. However the location is simply a problem if you plan to be more active outside the Sathorn area.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuX4LU56d1w

13. JW MARRIOTT, Sukhumvit Soi 2

This hotel is next to Nana Entertainment Plaza (NEP). If your room is on the “right” (or maybe wrong side for you ? ) side of the hotel, you can look down on Nana plaza and the infamous Nana parking lot / Nana hotel. The hotel has nothing I feel attached to. The staff isn’t that friendly and tried to screw me several times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7l0jYnAhxw

Pattaya :

1. DUSIT D2, Second Road

Currently the worlds most ultimate pimpin crib. THE main reason for me to visit Pattaya again, although Angeles City already is a lot better for pimpin. AC is simply 5 to 10 years away from being able to create such a place. The design, materials, swimming pool, restaurant, spa and whole standard, especially the D’ king suite, completely knocks out Bangkok’s Dream Hotel suite. Manager (”guru”) is Italian Mr. Paolo Randone : a very friendly and style-focused guy.

http://www.vimeo.com/8304673

2. PATTAYA BAY RESORT, Second Road, Soi 15, behind shopping mall The Avenue

Excellent price/value relation, friendly staff, nice equipped rooms. Only negative thing is that the location is a bit far away from the walking street action but they offer a free shuttle service.

http://www.vimeo.com/2321031

3. MARRIOTT, 218 M. 10 Beach Road

The best thing about the Marriott is its ideal location next to Walking Street and shopping malls. The rooms are rather small and older looking. It is quiet expensive when you compare that with other places which don’t look worse. Staff was quite unfriendly, maybe I simply didn’t had luck there. But location is really important in Pattaya and that speaks for the Marriott.

4. GALAXY SUITES, Soi Diamond

I got a 50% discount there, so it was very cheap for me. The general rate already is cheap, but the price is also mainly the only good thing about it. Rooms are small, the doors and walls very thin and the safe very tiny. It is on Soi Diamond, over Heaven above agogo. At least the gogo is a good one. I won’t stay there again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZkrZdtU9NA

Koh Samui :

1. FOUR SEASONS, 219 Moo 5, Angthong

Best place to stay on Koh Samui but secluded and far away from all sorts of other activities on Koh Samui. After having had that place in direct comparison to the Shangri-la Boracay, the Shangri-la is playing in a total different, much much higher league. The whole island Koh Samui cannot compete with Boracay, although being larger and offering a broader selection of activites.

http://www.vimeo.com/8609480

2. CHAWENG REGENT, Chaweng beach

Well located hotel at Chaweng were most of the action is happening. The hotel is ok for what you pay and staff is friendly too.

http://www.vimeo.com/8600363

3. CENTRAL SAMUI VILLAGE, Butterfly Gardens

The location is very isolated. I made a big mistake staying there. Their partner hotel at Chaweng beach is good, but the one at the Butterfly garden is simply too far away if you plan to go to the busier beach areas like Chaweng and Lamai beach where you also find the best restaurants, massage places. The little villas at Samui village were still fine though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeAhfWWJoHo

Chiang Mai :

1. CHEDI HOTEL, 123 Charoen Prathet Road

This hotel belongs to the GHM group who are known for their extravagant designs.
It is difficult to explain this hotel in words, you have to see and experience it yourself. The Four Seasons in comparison there is very secluded, while the Chedi lies at the river at an ideal location to go out to the city centre. It depends on what you plan for doing in Chiang Mai.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOtZtFDrMdM
Other good hotels close to the Chedi are the YAANG COME VILLAGE, the DUSIT D2 or the new SHANGRI-LA hotel. The DHARA DEVI (MANDARIN ORIENTAL) and the FOUR SEASONS are more secluded and higher priced but absolutely spectacular.

2. VIANGBUA MANSION, 3/1 Viangbua Rd., Chang Puek

If you like a good price/value apartment, this is a recommendable place. However the location is not so close to the city centre.
You can get rooms for $22 ! Excellent place for longer stays.

Phuket :

1. CLUB BAMBOO, 247 Nanai Road, Patong Beach

This small boutique resort lies on the hill close to Patong beach where you can enjoy many activities. If you like it quiet and secluded – avoid Patong beach. The bungalows are satisfying and the staff is very friendly. Bangla road is where the nightlife action is going on. I never was a big fan of Phuket. I don’t understand how it became the No.2 vacation spot of Thailand : maybe it was the international airport and movies like “The Beach”….

Hua Hin :

1. AKA RESORT, Moo 7, Baan Nhang Hiang, Hin Lek Fai

One of the Top 3 resorts currently in Hua Hin. Chiva Som in comparison is ridiculous expensive and AKA is clearly the better deal for money. The villas are really nice, quiet and perfect for a few relaxing days. The outdoor spa is a good one too. More than 50% of the guests are German. Hua Hin is full of Germans in general, but for me the place is worth at best a 3-day-long weekend visit.

http://www.vimeo.com/2443620

Koh Chang :

1. BARALI RESORT, Klong Prao Beach

For me personally it is the most lovely located resort on this island. I like the Klong Prao beach. Koh Chang is more quiet than Samui in general. The island has no airport, you have to fly over Trat and then take the ferry which makes it more stressful than hitting Samui. The villas at the resort are fine but not that new anymore, staff is friendly and price level reasonable. The design of the whole complex is beautiful.

http://www.vimeo.com/2441202

Like usual I only portray a small selection of the spa’s and massage parlors I recently visited and that I find worth mentioning. I will update this list several times per year.

Spa’s :

1. LET’S RELAX (Blooming Spa) on Sukhumvit , 77 Sukhumvit Soi 39
1. LET’S RELAX (Blooming Spa) Rachadapisek , 6th flor Roongrojthanukul buildg.

Excellent price/value inner city day spa, an interesting menu card and very qualified massage therapists. They have several spas in Thailand, also in Pattaya, Chiang Mai and on Phuket.

http://www.vimeo.com/2709040

2. POTALAI , 28 Soi Yothimpattana 3, Praditmanuthum Rd, Klongchan

Beautiful destination spa, the traditional thai style interior is amazing and all of their staff have prestigious massage certificates. It is more upscale priced and a bit further away. Bring some time to get here and take a multi-hour package to fully enjoy this place. Potalai is owned by a rich Thai family. They are in the process to set up a new holistic healing facility close to their main building.

http://www.vimeo.com/2707038

3. DEVARANA SPA, Dusit Thani Hotel, 946 Rama 4 Rd.

Famous, spacious spa. Very beautiful design and extremely friendly and qualified staff.

http://www.vimeo.com/8848997

4. THE ORIENTAL SPA, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 48 Oriental Aveneue, Riverside

They have fourteen rooms and a staff of about fifteen which speaks for the high usage/frequence of such an exclusive and high priced spa. Currently they employ 10 massage therapists who all received a 3 months starting training.

http://www.vimeo.com/8507191

5. CHI SPA , Shangri-la hotel, 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangrak

I am a big fan of the Chi Spa group in general. They do rigorous trainings with their staff and I love the designs.

http://www.vimeo.com/8513047

6. THE SPA, Four Seasons Hotel, 155 Rajadamri Road

Small but beautiful and well managed boutique spa. A bit expensive.

http://www.vimeo.com/8510689

7. MANDARA SPA , Marriott hotel, 257/1-3 Charoen Nakhon Rd.

Good inner city hotel spa. Mandara Spa is probably the biggest hotel spa group worldwide. It belongs to Steiner Leisure.

8. ANANDA SPA, Sukhumvit Soi 11

Next to the President Solitaire. Good spa for a reasonable price, considering that it is a hotel spa and focusing on foreigners.

http://www.vimeo.com/2709752

9. HEALTHLAND&SPA, 120 North Sathorn Rd, Silom

Many Thai locals go there. Excellent price/value deal. This spa group is very successful and they have a few spa across Thailand. Make appointments, otherwise you might have to wait some time.

10. AVATAR SPA, Sukhumvit Soi 15

Inside of the Dream hotel. Too expensive for what gets offered.

http://www.vimeo.com/2709579

Massage parlors (dirty) :

1. POSEIDON ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX, Ratchadapisek Rd.

3rd flor is the model flor, 2nd flor they have a fishbowl. You usually pay for 90min sessions, the price varies depending on the girl. They have a large in-room bathtub. The interior of the rooms is a bit disappointing and not what you expect when you compare it with the much better looking entry and model flor. Caesar’s is also on the street, but I like Poseidon more. This most famous upscale massage parlor place is managed by Mr. Anucha. According to him 120 girls are currently working for the place.

2. BKK TEEN MASSAGE, Sukhumvit Soi 33

Upscale massage parlor, the girls look quiet good considering the average MP standard. They currently have 3 parlors with about 20 girls each.

http://www.vimeo.com/2953454

3. ANNIE’S massage, between Sukhumvit Soi 4 and Soi 2 (near Rajah hotel)

They have a fishbowl where you can choose. Maybe 40 girls working there. Girls and rooms are in a poor condition but it is cheap.

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Here I shortly review a few of the hotels I recently stayed at.
These are mostly high-end, luxury hotels. You will be able to stay in that area for a tiny fraction of those price levels if you like to.

Manila :

1. MAKATI SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, Ayala Avenue Corner Makati Avenue, Makati City

Optimal location, easy access to Glorietta mall and Greenbelt. Makati is the business district and the wealthiest area of the Philippines. The price level here is very high compared to the other parts of Manila.  Interior of the room and the service is excellent as usual in the Shangri-la. Their challenger is the Peninsula and the Dusit Thani.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiwGPUKb8

2. EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, Ortigas Center

Also a good Shangri-la, a lot cheaper in price. I prefer to stay in Makati City I have to admit. The interior also looks a bit older here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW12xyI4F8A

Angeles City :

1. LEWIS GRAND HOTEL

I highly recommend this hotel, excellent price/value deal. Currently my favorite hotel in AC. The design is simple and pure, the staff is mostly helpful and professional. LGH feels like the Shangri-la of Angeles City. The pool is a good one as well. They created the whole place very green with palm trees and the whole dirt/waste around in AC is not visible from the hotel.

http://www.vimeo.com/2336269

2. PACIFIC BREEZE HOTEL

Excellent price/value hotel with an ideal location close to the middle of Fields Avenue. Daily room rates range from $40 to $90. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Water pressure and cleanliness of the water is a general problem in AC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zktu67tyQ

3. ANGELES BEACH CLUB (ABC) HOTEL

Quite luxurious and an expensive hotel for AC. I was very satisfied with my stay there. They are the first hotel in the Philippines to offer helicopter transports and trips. Owner Gerard is known for his innovative events.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thoJPONnLbg

Boracay :

1. SHANGRI-LA, north-west end

THE most beautiful beach resort I ever saw in my entire life. This resort is like a dream come true. I was wondering how it is possible to charge more than double the price for a hotel than the second most exclusive place on Boracay but when I checked out the entire complex, I realized what degree of luxury they have created there. It is the most beautiful beach resort that currently exists on this planet in my eyes, the problem is that I am actually not a beach person. You can stay at more expensive places on the Maledives or on Hawaii but you won’t be getting THAT class. It probably even beats the Amanpulo close to Palawan Islands because it is brand-new. Staff is fantastic. The CHI spa is very remarkable as well. Lots of guests from China are there. The only Filipino people who can afford it are somehow connected with the government (hello corruption…).

http://www.globalnanpa.com/blog/?p=37

2. REGENCY HOTEL

Very central located hotel, it also has the broadest beachfront of all hotels. Rooms are ok for this standard. The service staff wasn’t friendly at all to me - my youtube video might be the reason for it…Location is important on Boracay as walking along the whole beach can take you a long time and especially in the evening this is not fun. It really depends on what you look for. If you want it more isolated and luxurious, stay at the new Shangri-la in the north.
There are of course dozens of other good places to stay and a lot are only 1/3 of the Regency price. Boracay is a pretty established place already and price levels on this island are much higher than on other islands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B2jYjLh66w

This list only gives a short overview of a few restaurants i recently visited and that i like to portray. I will update the list several times per year.

1. KOI, Sukhumvit Soi 20

Best Japanese restaurant. Very expensive also. Here I had the best sushi I ever ate so far. The place looks cool, they use dark wood and the candle lights create a mysterious atmosphere. They have a good bar too.

2. DAIISHI, Emerald Hotel, Ratchadapisek Rd.

The hotel used to be popular among Thais and Thai military people. The famous massage parlor places like Caesar’s, Emanuelle, Poseidon, etc. are also on the street. Daiishi offers the best price/value all-you-can eat Japanese buffet in BKK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkt1X-o70TA

3. NOBU SHABU, 307 Sukhumvit Soi 39 (Phromphong)

A good place for shabu shabu lunch.

4. H1 - TO DIE FOR restaurant, Soi Thong Lor, Sukhumvit Soi 55

Hip place, many young professionals, mostly Thai. International cuisine, very cool garden terrace. Price level is medium.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd2UHVBebj4

5. C’EST BON restaurant, President Place building, Ploenchit Road

Good place to take a date with. Many couples enjoying a romantic evening there. Asian girls simply love everything connected with France. Medium price level.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Opz88wE-Ng

6. BISCOTTI, 155 Raijdamri Road

Best Italian restaurant inside of the Four Seasons. Expensive.

7. SPRING AND SUMMER, 199 Soi Promsi 2, Sukhumvit Soi 39

Good Thai cusine and a nice location. Medium price range.

8. WATERSIDE restaurant

I don’t know the exact address. It is a quiet large open air restaurant. Many Thai families and company people as a group can be seen here. The Thai cuisine is very good and the atmosphere very relaxing next to the water. They also have live Thai music. Medium price range.

9. SIROCCO restaurant, State Tower, Silom Road

It is the highest rootop restaurant in Bangkok. The view over Bangkok is the best about this restaurant. You should see it at least once. However the cuisine is not good enough to go there regularly, moreover it is very expensive. Have a drink afterwards at the bar if you are free from giddiness.

10.ZANZIBAR, Sukhumvit Soi 11

Good Thai-Italian fusion cusine, medium prized. One of the better, spacious restaurants in that area.

11.OAM THONG, Sukhumvit Soi 33

Very good traditional Thai cusine for a reasonable price next to numerous hostess lounges and nightclubs.

This list shall not be seen as a complete guide to Bangkok’s nightlife. I only pick and review a few places i recently visited and that i find worth mentioning. I will update the list several times per year.

“Normal” clubbing places :

1. NOIR, Ratchadapisek, next to Emerald Hotel

Extremely cool club, one of SEA’s hottest. The entrance tunnel is spectacular, often electronic music.

http://vimeo.com/5153305

2. FUNKY VILLA, Thong Lo

Currently the hippest club among Thais. Crowd is sexy, the area is ideal for clubbing. I prefer the sound at the not so popular Club Demo more though, next to it.

http://www.vimeo.com/12141287

3. 808, RCA

If you like electronic music, you should check out the place. Good location at RCA and they have good international DJs. Not so popular among Thais.

http://vimeo.com/8365511

4. NARCISSUS, Sukhumvit Soi 23

Narcissus recently got completely modernized and is now managed by 2 ladyboys. The place became way lot better than before. The club is a bit too huge for me with different levels, so I mostly only hang out in one of their rooms where I like the music most. Lots of electronic music there.

http://www.vimeo.com/11983890

5. BED SUPPERCLUB, Sukhumvit Soi 11

A lot of foreigners, mostly hip-hop and electronic music, well established already but still always worth a visit.

http://www.vimeo.com/1410502

6. MUSE, between Thonglor and Ekamai

Hip club among Thais on Thonglor/Ekamai. Lots of young Thais. Club plays live Thai and is mostly crowded with people.

http://www.vimeo.com/2724583

7. FLIX on RCA

RCA is a street with a lot of clubs where many Thai locals go. Slim/Flix (Route 66) are the largest ones.

http://www.vimeo.com/2373518

8. INCH BAR, Ratchadapisek 55/49-60, behind Esplanade

Interesting club on Ratchadapisek and a welcome change from RCA and Thonglor/Ekamai clubbing. Crowd can be a bit too young sometimes though.

http://www.vimeo.com/6949615

9. JET CLUB, Ekamai

Popular club among high-so Thais. Packed on weekends, virtually no exisiting dance flor and live music reduce the fun for me.

10.ESCUDO, Thonglor, between Soi 13 and 15, 4th flor

Mostly Thais. Nice club on Thong Lo, focussing on hip-hop and electronic music. After re-opening it lost its appeal to me tough, used to be cooler in the past.

Hotel bars :

1. SPASSO, Grand Hyatt Hotel, 494 Rajadamri Road

Upscale bar, more expensive drinks, a lot of business people. Girls mainly range in the age group 25 to 35, so more old but stylish dressed and mostly well behaving.

http://www.vimeo.com/2953972

2. MET BAR, Metropolitan hotel, 27 South Sathorn Rd.

Used to be more classy, now more or less public and not such a great party place anymore.

3. FLAVA BAR, Dream hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 15

Very stylish small bar and hotel.

http://www.vimeo.com/1368872

4. CRYSTAL LOUNGE, Sukhumvit Soi 20

High-so spot at Koi restaurant.

5. CM2, Novotel 392/44, Siam Square Soi 6

Mostly hip-hop, many Russian girls. Not that classy, but some people love it.

Gentlemen (G-) clubs :

1. THE PENT, 31/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini

Different rooms with specific music themes. Party room is brand-new renovated and has a fresh appeal now.

http://www.vimeo.com/8397381

2. ST.MORITZ, Sukhumvit Soi 11

Former known as the Ritz, I never liked their name and location being next to stupid Q-bar. It is just 1 large room for about 300 guests but better structured than the Resort. The owner and the girls make a very good impression on me as well. Moreover they have great shows and the best G-club DJs.

http://www.vimeo.com/12148345

3. THE RESORT, Ratchadapisek Rd. 13

Famous G-club. One large room, often playing live Thai music. Quality of girls has declined in the past 2 years.

4. SHERBET, Ekamai road

Nice G-club, but it lacks a special atmosphere.

5. EXOTICA, Soi Thong Lor, Soi 5-7

Large club with many rooms. Designed mainly for Asian members with a lot private karaoke rooms.

Bargirl places :

1. SOI COWBOY, between Sukhumvit Soi 21&23

Street with about 30 bars. Baccara and Tilac are the largest and most popular ones.

http://www.vimeo.com/1993253

2. NANA ENTERTAINMENT PLAZA (NEP), Sukhumvit Soi 4

Plaza with about 30 bars on 3 flors. Most famous ones are the Rainbow bars which have a large number of Asian customers.

http://www.vimeo.com/1993253

3. SUKHUMVIT SOI 33

Compared with Soi Cowboy a bit more expensive and upscale. More Asian customers. Also known as the dead poets street.

4. PATPONG, Silom

Forget Patpong, a lot places are rip-offs or girls are pushy. BJ bar Star of Light is a place worth mentioning there.

Here you find my YOUTUBE and FLICKR accounts.