RECOMMENDED PATTAYA HOTELS BY TRAVELLERS

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Rabbit Resort

318/84 Moo 12, Soi Dongtan Police Station

Dongtan Beach, Pattaya, Thailand

The hotel is composed of recently-built houses nestled in an area with many trees, plants and flowers. It feels almost like you're in a jungle, and it's very pretty and quiet. It also felt like you are staying in a guest house, not in a hotel, because the houses really look like houses, not hotel blocks, and because you have an entire floor of a two-story building as well as a big balcony on which you can eat meals when you ordered room service. The houses look classy on the outside and inside. The outside is of pretty brown hardwood, and inside there are some Thai textiles and artifacts for decorations. All the appliances worked fine.

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Royal Cliff Grand & Spa

353 Phra Tamnuk Road, Cholburi

(Part of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort), Pattaya 20150, Thailand

The Royal Cliff Grand has been one of all time favorite hotel for Pattaya travelers. Many travelers can still remember clearly the memories of coming to The Royal Cliff Grand and Spa. Anyhow, The Royal Cliff Grand is a part of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort complex, which comprised of 4 leading hotels all under the same brand - Royal Cliff. The Royal Cliff Grand is the second most expensive (Royal Wing- all suite is the most expensive) ..with room prices ranging from $165-$1,000

Overall it has been and always been a wonderful experience staying here.Travelers will always come back to this place whenever they visit Pattaya. This is the PERFECT hotel for those with small children and families. There's even glass elevators to take you down right on the beach. Not just for families, this Pattaya hotels is strongly recommend to all types of travelers.

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Le Prive Pattaya

436/11-13 M.9, Soi 1 Beach Rd., North Pattaya, Pattaya 20150

Nongprue, Banglamung, Pattaya 20260, Thailand

Its a delightful boutique hotel or resort in every sense. Absolutely charming staff and owners, with attention to detail that is way beyond the normal levels (unless staying in top 5 star hotels). Easy to get around, travelers can hire a motorbike from a place across the road to Mr. Macs hotel (very good condition and just 200 baht a day). Also the 10 baht buses run on the main road - just a 3 minute walk.

TIPPING AT SOAPY MASSAGE PARLOUR IN THAILAND

Although the fee at a soapy and body massage in Thailand may be all-inclusive, tipping for great service at massage parlour is the norm.

If you have a good time with your Thai lady at a massage parlour, a fair tip is 200-300 baht. Also, tipping your massage lady for 500 baht if you have really enjoyable time.

NOTICE :

In a few Thai body massage club, surcharges are applied for foreigner. The service rates can be increased about 500-1000 baht

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHEN GO TO SOAPY MASSAGE IN THAILAND

#1 Take Your Time

You should take your time when visiting Thai Soapy Massage Parlour. Just find a seat and cool-off in the air-conditioning room.

#2 Watch Around

Order some beer or cool drink. You can watch around for a while and observe for your attractive ladies.

#3 Looking For Cheerful Ladies

You should select Thai ladies who are attractive and look cheerful behind the glass.

#4 Papasans / Mamasans Is Your Advisor

Papasans or mamasans can help you to pick the right girl, and their advice can be worth to listen. Most can speak english a little. You can explain what you like and don't forget to tell him/her that you are willing to tip if you are happy with the lady.

To be continued...

I'll tell you about TIPPING at a Thai Soapy Massage Parlour.

THAI MASSAGE TRAINING AT WAT PHO IN BANGKOK, THAILAND

The Wat Pho Massage School is one of many schools that train people in the art of Thai massage. This school is probably the best known around Thailand as well as outside the country, but the thing that attracted me to this school was the flexible schedule of class offerings. There are three classes offered for massage, Traditional Thai Massage, Foot Massage, and Therapeutic Acupressure Massage (a.k.a. Advanced Thai Medical Massage Therapy).

The teachers at Wat Pho are conditioned to foreigners. Unfortunately, there are many foreigners who come to this school simply to spend some time and money to earn the certificate, but don't take the instruction seriously. Nevertheless, the teachers are extremely eager to train the students who are serious about learning massage.

Here are some helpful tips to get good training at Wat Pho Massage School:

* REMEMBER: The certificate you receive at the successful completion of a class does not replace the training required in your country

* Come early to register on the day you wish to start the course (around 8 - 8:30 a.m.)

* Bring cash (8500 Baht for General Thai Massage)

* Finish the course in as short of time as possible (full time studying). This will help you get matched with a serious partner.

* Come showered and sober.

* Bring a pen or pencil to take notes on the materials they give you. Good notes are critical to remembering the methods when you have returned home.

General Thai Massage Course

To teach the right position of massager, ethics, client's position, caution and rule of massaging. Say to relieve fatique, muscular cramping and nervous tension. To make muscle and joints supple. To stimulate the blood and lymph circulation for physical fitness improvement. To improve body immunity, for antiaging, and longevity. This course takes 30 hours.

DO & DON'T IN THAILAND

SOCIAL CUSTOMS Do & Don't in Thailand

THE don't of Thai social behavior are less clearly defined than these concerning the monarchy or religion - especially in a city like Bangkok where western customs are better known and more widely accepted. However, what is acceptable in Bangkok may be much less so in the countryside where the old ways are still strong. Here, then, are a few things to keep in minds.

WAI :

• Thais don't normally shake hands when they greet another, but instead press the palms together in a prayer-like gesture called wai. Generally, a younger person wais an older, who returns it. Watch how the Thais do it, and you'll soon catch on.

POINT YOUR FINGERS :

• It's considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to avoid doing so when sitting opposite anyone, and following the conception that foot is a low limb, so don't point your foot to show anything to anyone, but use fingers instead.

HOLDING HANDS :

• Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon. You may see some very westernized young Thai couples holding hands, but that's as far as it goes in the polite society.

CONTROL YOUR TEMPER :

• Losing your temper, especially in public, will more than likely get you nowhere. The Thais think such displays denote poor manners, and you are more apt to get what you want by keeping a cool head and concealing your emotions.

HEAD :

• Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body. As a result, they don't approve of patting anyone there, even in a friendly gesture. Similarly, if you watch Thais at a social gathering, you'll notice that young people go to considerable lengths to keep thier heads lower than those of older ones, to avoid giving the impression of "looking down" on them This isn't always possible, of course, but it's the effort that counts.
  

TOP FIVE THAILAND SPA RESORTS

#1
Aana Resort and Spa

Location: Klong Prao Beach
Surroundings: Tropical garden alongside a beautiful river body. The sandy beach is opposite the resort which can be reached by kayaking across the calm river.
Price Range: Baht 2,000 – 7,900
Room Types: Hotel rooms, suites and villas
No. of Rooms: A total of 71 units comprised of 42 Deluxe rooms, 6 Grand deluxe rooms, 17 Villas, and 6 Top View Villas

#2
Paradee
Hidden away by the white sands of the beautiful Ao Kiew Beach at the southern tip of Koh Samet (Samet Island), Paradee is the discerning traveler's paradise. Its idyllic seaside location is complemented by luxurious five-star facilities and an impeccable service. If secluded seaside luxury is what you're looking for, Paradee is truly a Heaven on Earth.

#3
Somkiet Buri Resort
The luxury resort beautifully set in natural surroundings with mountain views and tropical garden. Only 300 metres from the most beautiful beach, white sandy and crystal clear sea of Ao nang. A secluded property located in Ao nang beach with mountain view backdrop. 17 kms to krabi town and 34 kms to krabi airport.

#4
Eravana The Hideaway Pattaya
From the ground up, this resort is built with pure nature in mind. The pools, villas, walls are made of natural soil clay bricks. The walls and interior decor is stained naturally. There are very little paint or chemicals to pollute the environment.

#5
Phu Chaisai Resort & Spa
The entire resort was designed and created by M.L. Sudavadee Kriangkrai and it is her creativity and love of Thailand that makes Phu Chaisai unique and awe inspiring. Soaked in dew, the fresh green leaves of trees glisten as day breaks. The entire mountain range and forest is a thick canopy of green humming with the singing of birds and insects. Open your eyes and from the confines of your bed watch the sun moving up the horizon.

Nudist in Thailand

Nudity in Thailand is forbidden! But there are many qiet places to do it! On every small island, you can find a place to enjoy naked swimming and sunbathing. Some examples where are sometimes people nude:

Phuket

1. On the freedom beach near Patong. There is a small (15 meters) sandy beach on the left of freedom beach. It's a good place for nudity.

2. Near the Naithon Beach is a small public beach with one restaurant. The owners there accept when you stay nude on the chair and swim nude. Please not in the restaurant!

Ko Pha Ngan

1. Ao Hin Lor is a long nice rock and sandy beach where start in Booms Cafe Bungalows until Blue Hill Resort. There are many paradise nice places for enjoy nudity.

2. Another very good and nice place is near the Wak Thum Beach . When you drive from Thong Sala the way to Wak Thum, after a small viewpoint restaurant you will see a big place without any building on the left. One the end of this place is a small path for go down to the beach, then you see a nice beach.

3. A small but nice beach is near Bovy Resort (Pirates Bar). But the watertide on this beaches goes down in the afternoon. Best time is morning and early afternoon.

Ko Tao

A very small nice beach is near freedom beach. On a small path you can walk from Taa Too to there.

Notice:

1. On the weekend, Thai people come to these beaches, NOT go nude.

2. You may find some (mainly European) naturist suntanners in Thailand on Mai Khao beach near Phuket, Chaweng beach on Koh Samui Island in the south, or Had Tien Beach on Pha Ngan Island. But conditions are always changing and it is good to be cautious and respect local sensitivities since nudism is officially illegal.

3. You will find people in the tourist industry very friendly and unshockable, so don't hesitate to ask where nude sunbathing might be possible. Having a Thai sarong handy or towel is always a good idea.

Thailand Warnings or Dangers : Tuk-Tuk

When visiting major sights (e.g. Grand Palace) there are many tuk tuk drivers waiting for innocent tourists and telling them that the sight is closed today or that the entrance is far away or that today is a special government promotion. Don´t get in the tuk tuk, it is not true!

When a taxi or Tuk Tuk driver tells you that he needs to collect gas vouchers before he sends you to your destination, you will need to be firm and say no or get off the car quickly.These drivers would drive you to jewellery shop and before you know it, you will be purchasing some gems that you would not be needing it.This is another gem scam.

Remeber!!

If you liked the tuktuk-experience, be careful. Keep saying 'NO'. Tuk tuk drivers will give up and take you where you have to be. If that doesn't help, ask him to stop and get out without paying.