Chiang Mai is shopping paradise for most travelers because of its unequaled abundance of handicrafts and quaint local goods sold at very affordable prices. Shopping venues are scattered around the city both at day and night; the range of products for sale is vast and many visitors to Chiang Mai include an extra empty bag to their shopping list in order to haul the bounty home. Each of several famous markets has gained recognition and nationwide popularity as the best overall place for buying quality hand-made products at very reasonable prices. As Chiang Mai is a well established tourist destination, finding accommodations and getting around the city are not something to worry about.

Chiang Mai is recognized as one of the handicrafts centers of Asia because it has a very large system of street markets and local markets that are very easily accessible. The markets trace down many blocks along bustling streets and that sometimes seem to have no end. The limiting factor in how much market you will be able to cover may often depend on how far you want to go before your feet tire out. The products are available in a vast variety including a wide range of wood work, silk products, silver art and jewelry, clothing, ceramics, interior decor, antiques, Buddhist art, lacquer work, and the list goes on…

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is the most well known night market in Thailand, taking up about 10 square blocks centered on Chang Klan road in central Chiang Mai. It is easy to spend a whole night just strolling past hundreds of street-side stalls and indoor arcades. The Night Bazaar is a great place to shop for exotic and beautiful handcrafted goods created by local artisans and skilled crafts-persons from the surrounding villages. The quality is generally high and some very good values can by found, especially if you are skilled at bartering a good deal.

Chiang Mai Walking Street can be a very nice alternative to the more hectic Night Bazaar and prices are aimed more at the locals so prices are generally low; so much that often there is no room to negotiate a bargain. The Walking Street Market is open only on Sundays and is a definite must see because the atmosphere is very relaxed, the market street is quite beautiful and this is an excellent place to mingle with the wonderful Thai people and to find fantastic bargains. The entire Walking Street is about 1 kilometer long and runs the entire length of Ratchadamneurn Road beginning at Thapae Gate and ending at Wat Prasing. Apart from a wide range of hand-made products on offer, one can also enjoy many Thai food stalls, street performances of a traditional nature, and also some much need massage and foot massage.

More serious shoppers can go directly to the villages and factories that manufacture handicrafts and other products and offer for wholesale at San Kamphaeng. Borsang village, just before San Kamphaeng, also has many shops offering a range of handicrafts and is renowned for its unique Borsang umbrellas. Baan Tawai just south of Chiang Mai is home to a wide range of wood carving, wood décor, and other handicrafts.

Chiang Mai is also popular for the diverse ethnic arts that you can find many hill tribe shops across the city. One recommended hill tribe shop is the Hill Tribe Products Promotion Center on Suthep Road next to Suan Dok Temple. It was established by His Majesty the King to promote the products created by 6 different tribes in Chiang Mai including Akha, Karen, Yao, Hmong, Lisu, and Lahu. This is aimed at generating alternative income to replace a reliance on opium cultivation in the past. Shop here for unique ethnic goods and help the hill tribe people.

Those who are interested in modern shops of the much more commercial variety, there are two big shopping centers: Kad Suan Kaew Plaza and Central Airport Plaza. The latter is relatively new and less than 5 minutes from the Chiang Mai International Airport. Panthip Plaza on the same road as Night Bazaar is ideal for techy people who are looking for computers and electronic gadgets with many discounts and a wide range of technical product available at good prices.

Chiang Mai offers more than shopping venues. It is a friendly and beautiful city with rich history steeped in Thai Lanna culture. Hundreds of temples and historical sites are found everywhere across the city and it is very easy to head out of the city to some spectacular natural areas. When not shopping, a visitor can enjoy waterfalls, elephant shows, and trekking tours. Some may be attracted by the more adventurous activities such as white water rafting, bungee jumping and paintball battle. Whatever you could ask for in a trip, Chiang Mai can offer… plus a whole lot more.

For information about vacation planning or traveling in Chiang Mai, please visit www.chiangmai-vacations.com.

“Rush” and “living in the fast lane” are typical descriptions that characterise the Singaporean lifestyle. In terms of cost of living, the city state ranks among the most expensive cities in Asia to live in. This is one reason why it is hard to find quality services at affordable prices.

But the paradox of it all is that everybody aspires for their own little world of relaxation and indulgence despite the “fast and the furious” lifestyle, and most of them yearn for top quality services at reasonable prices.

The TT Quick Massage concept was born on May 2006 to fill in this longing by the market for a no frills yet high quality lifestyle massage services at reasonable time and cost. Two of the most valued resources by every individual are time and money, and TT Quick Massage provides everyone their own little world of relaxation and indulgence in the time and price they are willing to spare.

Founded by three partners, they desire to provide luxurious Original Traditional Thai Massage in a clean comfortable and hygienic environment. As a member of "The School of Thai Massage Shivagakomarpaj (The Old Medicine Hospital)" Chiangmai, which is supported by Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education, Thailand, TTQM is committed to promote the Original Traditional Thai Massage to Asia and Worldwide.

TT Quick Massage is a new open-concept massage that caters to people from all ages and walks of life. Families and their children, executives and professionals, expatriates and tourist, and even ordinary masses can enjoy the instant massage providing relief from stress after a hard day's work (or play, for kids). All that they need to do is walk in the cosy hub, get a ticket from the hassle-free Automatic Payment Machine, and immerse in a relaxing authentic Thai massage experience.

Derrick Lim, one of the young founders of TTQM sums it up when he said, “TTQM strives to bring the luxury of Thai Traditional Massage to the mass at very affordable price"


“TT Quick Massage is ready to share the experience through business franchise plans,” said Hsien Naidu, Director of business consulting firm, Astreem that consists of a team of franchise consultants, business consultants, branding consultants and marketing consultants. “TT Quick Massage is set to develop and share their franchise business concept with investors seeking Singapore franchise opportunities through Singapore lifestyle franchise for their business investments.”

Although most of travel destinations in Thailand are about natural resources such as beaches, mountains, caves, historical sites etc. but for many of us who have visited Thailand for several times realised that there are more and more interesting things to see in this interesting country. That is city life or Night Life . One of the most entertaining activities for both Thais and foreigners. When we talk about Night Life in Thailand, we usually think about Bangkok, Chiangmai and Phuket, which are major cities and these cities already gain global reputation. However, let's have a look at the east coast region of Thailand, there is a province called "Chonburi" where the location of Pattaya city. Unlike any other city, Pattaya has number of tourists as equal as big major cities of Thailand. For example, Chiang Mai may have large number of tourists only in peak season or during winter season. But for city like Pattaya , travelers can visit throughout the year and that's why the number of tourists of Pattaya are as many as many of major city in Thailand. Somebody has mentioned that Night Life in Pattaya is endless. You will find that the people in this city always active and do their job regardless the time. No matter in the daytime or at night, there will always be things for tourists to enjoy. Bar and night clubs in Pattaya are very well attractive to visitors. Some kind of fantastic shows such as Tiffany shows and Thai boxing shows. Apart from that, you will gain experience of Thai and seafood cuisine in Pattaya . This city located on the coast line, so it is naturally become very famous for seafood market. There are also several province in eastern region such as Rayong or in the south like Phuket where the capital of seafood market is there, but all people who visited Pattaya are really appreciated the taste and freshness of sea foods. Also, as the city is considered as central hub for foreign tourists, great international food also available by many of hi-class restaurant. For some of you who want to enjoy Night Life in Pattaya with pleasure of Thai and international cuisine, you have just come to the right place!! Pattaya is also the idea place for romantic couple who want to get great private atmosphere to enjoy most favourite time. Beautiful island where five stars resorts and hotels are located do you are able to enjoy your honeymoon private time. In case if you are family who want to join activities together, there are all kinds of indoor games and outdoor activities such as paintball game and rock climbing to try out. In summary, Pattaya is not only the city for nigh life, but also including all kind of pleasure and activities that everyone can find the most suitable to your preference. No matter you are the person who only wants to get very relax moment privately on the beach or enjoying activities together with family or even you are the person who not much appreciate nature but shopping, it is also the place for you.

Festivals in Thailand are either Buddhist, Chinese, animist, or associated with the monarchy. Buddhist and Chinese festivals are lunar and generally fall on a full moon, animist festivals such as Songkran or Loi Krathong can be solar or lunar, while royal holidays fall on special historical days such as the founding of the current Chakri dynasty or the birthdays of the reigning monarchs. The most deeply spiritual of the Thai holidays is Visakha Bucha held on a full moon night in May. It commemorates the date on which the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and died. Visakha Bucha day is marked with sermons and alms-giving culminating in an evening candlelit procession known as wien thien in which celebrants circle the temple three times in honour of the triple gem of Buddhism - the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha (community of monks). Songkran , the most vigorous of Thailand 's festivals, was the official Thai New Year until 1941. Formerly tied to the movement of the sun, modern Songkran takes place from 13-15th April. Songkran began as a ceremonial bathing of Buddha images as part of a new year's spring cleaning ritual. However, it has degenerated over the years into a free-for-all water fight in which the streets are filled with revellers armed with water guns, jars and buckets. Though Songkran is celebrated nationwide, it's probably done with most gusto in Bangkok’s tourist centre of Khaosan Road and in the northern capital of Chiangmai. The southern island of Phuket with its large Chinese population is the scene of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival held during the ninth lunar month each year. The event lasts ten days and other than participants observing a vegetarian diet, involves ceremonies at Chinese shrines and temples along with firewalking and other acts of self-mutilations carried out by devotees known as Ma Song. These Ma Song are in ecstatic trances and oblivious to pain as they clamber up ladders with bladed rungs, walk barefoot over hot coals, and plunge skewers through their cheeks. The event Phuket Vegetarian Festival dates back to 1825. At that time, many immigrant Chinese worked in Phuket's tin mines. A visiting Chinese opera troupe cured their sickness with a vegetarian diet. This much impressed the local population who started the vegetarian festival. The afternoon before the festival, celebrants raise a high pole (the Go Teng pole) at each temple. This is to invite the gods to descend. Then at midnight, they adorn the pole with nine lanterns to mark the opening of the festival. Over the next ten days, ceremonies such as invocation of the gods Lam Tao and Pak Tao, processions of images of the deities, and the feats of the Ma Song. The festival ends with merit making ceremonies at the temples and the send-off of the gods. Thailand is a land rich in culture and tradition and the best and most moving way to experience the delights of this eastern kingdom is to attend one of the many festivals and ceremonies that adorn the calendar. Richard Greaves Richard has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers cheap Thailand hotels.

Festivals in Thailand are either Buddhist, Chinese, animist, or associated with the monarchy. Buddhist and Chinese festivals are lunar and generally fall on a full moon, animist festivals such as Songkran or Loi Krathong can be solar or lunar, while royal holidays fall on special historical days such as the founding of the current Chakri dynasty or the birthdays of the reigning monarchs. The most deeply spiritual of the Thai holidays is Visakha Bucha held on a full moon night in May. It commemorates the date on which the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and died. Visakha Bucha day is marked with sermons and alms-giving culminating in an evening candlelit procession known as wien thien in which celebrants circle the temple three times in honour of the triple gem of Buddhism - the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha (community of monks). Songkran , the most vigorous of Thailand 's festivals, was the official Thai New Year until 1941. Formerly tied to the movement of the sun, modern Songkran takes place from 13-15th April. Songkran began as a ceremonial bathing of Buddha images as part of a new year's spring cleaning ritual. However, it has degenerated over the years into a free-for-all water fight in which the streets are filled with revellers armed with water guns, jars and buckets. Though Songkran is celebrated nationwide, it's probably done with most gusto in Bangkok’s tourist centre of Khaosan Road and in the northern capital of Chiangmai. The southern island of Phuket with its large Chinese population is the scene of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival held during the ninth lunar month each year. The event lasts ten days and other than participants observing a vegetarian diet, involves ceremonies at Chinese shrines and temples along with firewalking and other acts of self-mutilations carried out by devotees known as Ma Song. These Ma Song are in ecstatic trances and oblivious to pain as they clamber up ladders with bladed rungs, walk barefoot over hot coals, and plunge skewers through their cheeks. The event Phuket Vegetarian Festival dates back to 1825. At that time, many immigrant Chinese worked in Phuket's tin mines. A visiting Chinese opera troupe cured their sickness with a vegetarian diet. This much impressed the local population who started the vegetarian festival. The afternoon before the festival, celebrants raise a high pole (the Go Teng pole) at each temple. This is to invite the gods to descend. Then at midnight, they adorn the pole with nine lanterns to mark the opening of the festival. Over the next ten days, ceremonies such as invocation of the gods Lam Tao and Pak Tao, processions of images of the deities, and the feats of the Ma Song. The festival ends with merit making ceremonies at the temples and the send-off of the gods. Thailand is a land rich in culture and tradition and the best and most moving way to experience the delights of this eastern kingdom is to attend one of the many festivals and ceremonies that adorn the calendar. Richard Greaves Richard has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers cheap Thailand hotels.