Asia Travel Guide

You have decided to visit Asia for your next vacation and have decided to go to Pattaya, Thailand. Your flight is booked but you are still looking for a hotel. But, how do you decide which hotel to stay at?

Your decision should be based on what you plan to do while you are Pattaya. Will you be spending most of your time sightseeing, shopping or enjoying the nightlife? Most likely you will be enjoying the nightlife and will want to be located in the heart of it.

There are three main areas in Pattaya – North, South, and Central and all three have their plusses and minuses. Getting a hotel in any of the three will boil down to a personal preference.

North Pattaya is in the Soi 2 area or even a little further North called Naklua. Most of the tourists here are from Europe and the nightlife is adequate but not spectacular. I rarely go to the Naklua area but I do enjoy the Soi 2 nightlife area.

South Pattaya is very good and includes the area around the infamous Walking Street. There are many hotels available from Soi 13 to Walking Street and also along the side streets between 2nd Road and Walking Street. Many are small pubs with a handful of rooms above the bar.

To me, Central Pattaya is where to stay. The location is perfect as I can walk or catch a baht bus to anywhere in a matter of minutes. Beach Road, 2nd Road or even down to Soi Buakhao are perfect locations as long as the hotel is between Central Road and Soi 13.

Most of the hotels in Pattaya are in the 2 – 4 star range with the occasional 5 star (Marriott) but a 2 – 4 star in Pattaya is definitely a cut above similar hotels in the states. I prefer the smaller, pub places that have a handful of rooms upstairs. Most are owned by a couple and really do their best to make your stay a great one.

Do your research, and look for a discount Pattaya hotel, and enjoy your stay in the Land of Smiles. It won’t be hard to find your Asian hotel in Pattaya at all.

Larry Westfall is the owner of Pattaya Crazy

Submitted by The C Channel

The jewelry industry in Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia, once limited to a few, small jewelry shops, is now home to a multitude of jewelry businesses. Thailand, never having been ruled by Europeans, has developed the jewelry trade into a profitable enterprise that extends its sales to many other countries.

The natural beauty of this country is reflected in the beauty of its jewels. Noted for exceptional workmanship in silver jewelry finished in antique designs, the Thai jewelry trade has developed into modern styles as well. Skilled gem cutters and artisans have helped to turn the Thai jewelry trade, supported by the Thai government, into one of vast importance for the country.

Thai jewelry is well-known for fine craftsmanship and intricate designs. The beauty of each piece has led to a trade that has flourished and continues to do so. Hand finished jewelry pieces are of such exquisite beauty that Thai jewelry is considered some of the finest in the world. Older pieces, rare and elegant, are difficult to come by today.

Thai traditions are important in the development of the jewelry trade as an integral part of Thai industry. Traditional beliefs suggest that wearing certain gemstones can bring good luck and fortune to the individual wearing them. In fact, depending on the day of the week that a person is born, a particular gemstone is to be worn, as well as particular colors of clothing. Fortune and success can also be harnessed by wearing jewelry that has gemstones associated with a particular month of birth. Many other countries believe and follow this traditional belief as well.

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