The king gives his annual address to the nation late Tuesday, one day before his birthday which will be celebrated with a string of sacred royal processions that tens of thousands of Thais are expected to attend.

In his younger days, the king's nationally broadcast speech could last for hours as he addressed political and social issues using parables that were keenly scrutinised for messages but often open to interpretation.

As his health has weakened, the speeches have grown shorter but no less anticipated, especially amid the political turmoil that has surrounded the bloodless coup against prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September last year.

King Bhumibol, who with 61 years on the throne is the world's longest-reigning monarch, usually stays above Thailand's rough and tumble politics.

But when General Sonthi Boonyaratglin ousted the billionaire premier Thaksin, he claimed he had led the coup out of respect for the throne.

The king was seen as giving his tacit blessing after he met with the military leadership in the wake of the takeover.

Since the coup, King Bhumibol has made repeated calls for national unity, most recently in a speech Sunday at a military parade held for his birthday.

"You should strengthen mercy and unity among each other, and you should put national stability and security as your top concerns," he said at the parade.

King Bhumibol has long projected an image as the only unifying figure in a nation that has seen 20 prime ministers, 16 constitutions and at least as many coups during his reign.

Thai students are taught that respect for the king, patriotism and religious devotion are closely intertwined, giving him an almost divine status in Thai society.

"The reserve power surrounding King Bhumibol is so awe-inspiring, beyond any worldly explanation, that any Thai is ready to fall on his or her knees to pay utmost respect to him," the Nation newspaper said in an typically glowing article praising his reign.

But the king's exalted status and his increasing age are also giving rise to a largely unspoken worry about what will happen when his reign comes to an end.

He was released from hospital last month after nearly four weeks in bed to treat what doctors diagnosed as improper blood flow to part of his brain.

His 84-year-old sister Galyani is in hospital battling cancer, and their health problems have heightened the sense that his reign is in its twilight, said Paul Handley, author of "The King Never Smiles," a biography that has been banned here.

"The fact that his sister, who is the only other person of his generation alive, is in hospital with cancer and doesn't look like she's going to make it also generates this feeling that an era is soon to come an end," he said.

So far, concerns about his health seem only to have fuelled his popularity. All year Thais have worn clothes in yellow, the colour associated with Monday, the day of the week when the king was born.

When the king left the hospital last month wearing pink, the streets were suddenly awash with that colour as people switched their clothes to match his.

Amid such devotion, and with strict laws banning any criticism of the monarch, few speak publicly about what might happen when the king dies.

His son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, is the heir apparent, but the succession law would also allow one of his daughters, Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, to take the throne.

The palace has tried to quell any concerns about the king's health and instead project an image of stability and strength as Thais prepare to vote in the post-coup general elections on December 23.

"What they want to do is quell the worries about succession, but only by saying the king is still here and still alive," Handley said.

Bhumibol, whose birthday is Wednesday, rarely speaks in public and only discusses politics during times of turmoil.

"The situation in the country these days, as everyone knows in their hearts, is unpredictable," Bhumibol said after presiding over an annual military parade in honor of his birthday.

"If Thai people lack a national conscience and lack a sense of unity, there may be misfortune for the entire nation," he said, calling for "stability and security" to be the goal of the country.

Bhumibol, the world's longest reigning monarch, did not directly mention the elections, but they were the clear context of his remarks.

Polls show that allies of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra are among the election front-runners, a source of embarrassment for the military generals who deposed Thaksin in a coup in September last year.

The military has denied rumors that it would stage another coup if Thaksin's allies win the Dec. 23 elections. Thaksin was accused of widespread corruption and abuse of power.

The king's comments came after he reviewed his elite Royal Guards, standing in the back seat of his Rolls Royce convertible. The troops then recited their annual oath of allegiance to the king, an accomplished musician who composed one of songs they marched to.

Shouting "Long Live the King," thousands of onlookers lined Bangkok's Royal Plaza dressed in yellow to show their devotion to the beloved monarch. Yellow symbolizes Monday, the day Bhumibol was born.

Bhumibol's health has recently been a matter of nationwide concern. He checked out of a hospital Nov. 7 after three weeks of treatment for a colon infection and what the palace described as inadequate blood flow to his brain. Bhumibol has suffered several ailments in recent years, including heart problems.

As part of the weeklong celebrations, Bhumibol is to address the nation Tuesday night, as he does every year on the eve of his birthday.

Fireworks will light the skies Wednesday night and many Thais will perform charitable acts to honor the king, such as donating blood. Across the Buddhist nation, people will also show respect for the monarch by performing merit-making ceremonies that typically involve freeing captive animals, including birds, turtles and fish.

The king was born on Dec. 5, 1927, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where his father, Prince Mahidol, was studying medicine. He became the ninth king of Thailand's Chakri dynasty on June 9, 1946. He succeeded his older brother Ananda, who died in an unexplained shooting.

Bhumibol is a constitutional king with no formal political role, but he has repeatedly brought calm in times of turbulence and is considered the country's moral authority and a unifying figure.

He has reigned through a score of governments, democratic and dictatorial. In his six decades on the throne, he has taken an especially active role in rural development and is respected for his dedication to helping the country's poor.

Last year marked Bhumibol's 60th anniversary on the throne, a milestone that was celebrated with festivities attended by royalty from around the world.

Fifty-two longtail boats manned by 2,200 oarsmen, guardsmen, drummers and singers resplendent in brightly coloured tunics will sail in formation through the heart of the Thai capital, on their way to Wat Arun, the temple of dawn.

Traditionally, the Thai king takes his place on the century-old royal barge Suphannahongse, or "Golden Swan", to deliver robes to monks in a ceremony marking the end of Buddhist Lent.

But government officials said that the deeply-revered monarch will not be attending the outing of the Royal Barges, and had assigned the crown prince to go in his place.

Celebrations for the king's birthday on December 5 come amid worries for the king's health. He is currently in a Bangkok hospital after falling ill with irregular blood flow in the brain in mid-October.

King Bhumibol, the world's longest-reigning monarch, is treated with an almost religious devotion in Thailand, where his picture hangs on every corner and insulting the royal family is punishable by a decade in prison.

A constitutional monarch with few legal powers, the king has however been a steadying presence through six decades of political turmoil.

The Royal Household Bureau has said that the king is regaining strength each day -- news welcomed along the banks of the Chao Phraya river as participants readied for Monday's procession.

"Everybody wants the Thai king to be better and stronger for the event," said Prachum Eamsa-ard, a guardsman on the Golden Swan.

"This is an ancient tradition showing our culture," he added.

Since King Bhumibol ascended to the throne on June 9, 1946, the boats have plied the river only 15 times -- most recently in June 2006 during celebrations marking 60 years since the monarch's accession.

Normally the intricately ornamented barges, their prows decorated with garudas, nagas and other mystical creatures from Buddhist and Hindu mythology, are kept in a museum.

But on days of national importance, navy oarsman in sarongs, red tunics and traditional hats propel 52 boats through the water to the banging of drums, as perfectly co-ordinated golden paddles break the waters.

Only four of the barges are actually deemed "royal", while the others are officially royal escort vessels.

The Golden Swan takes pride of place. Made from a single piece of wood, it is the largest dug-out in the world at nearly 50 metres (164 feet) long, with a huge swan carved into its bow.

The barge procession dates back to Thailand's 1350-1767 Ayutthaya period. When Bangkok was built more than 250 years ago, kings used the boats travel through the capital's network of canals.

As Thailand modernised the barges fell out of use, but King Bhumibol revived the tradition in 1957 to celebrate the 25th century of the Buddhist era.

"I'm very happy to do this for the king and I'm very proud for my family," said Nattawat Aramklaua, who will shout out songs from the barge, dressed in a blinding gold-and-fuchsia robe and shining patent leather shoes.

Paul Handley, author of a biography called "The King Never Smiles", which is banned here, said Thais would likely be unfazed by the monarch's absence at the barge ceremony.

But people will keep a close eye on his well-being, especially as Thailand holds a crucial general election in December, aimed at returning democracy after a coup last year.

"If he does not manage even a short appearance and a few words for his birthday -- which is in effect Thailand's national day -- that will make people very nervous,"

Bangkok will have a second look at the A380 megajet and Chiang Mai will get its first glimpse when the European plane maker Airbus brings the world's largest civil jetliner here in a few weeks. The double-decker jet, capable of carrying 520 passengers, will head to four countries in Asia for demonstration flights in a campaign to prepare for its entry into service in October by Singapore Airlines.

The superjumbo, which Airbus bills ''the flagship plane of the 21st century'', is due to visit Bangkok on Aug 31 and Chiang Mai on Sept 2, according to the company.

The plane, powered by four Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines, will then fly to Hanoi on Sept 2-3, Hong Kong on Sept 3-5 and Seoul on Sept 5-7.

The A380 made its first appearance at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport last December at a time when Thai Airways International was deciding whether to retain its orders for six A380-800 superjumbos due to the 22-month delay in delivery.

THAI has since opted to keep the order for the aircraft, valued at US$300 million apiece, which are due for delivery starting in September 2010, 21 months behind the original schedule.

The national carrier accepted a preferential price for eight A330-300 wide-body jetliners $90 million apiece _ well below the original price of $140 million as compensation for the A380 delay.

Airbus is also taking another A380 flight-test-aircraft, powered by four Engine Alliance GP7200 engines, to the United States as part of the ongoing route-proving process for this aircraft-engine combination.

The double-decker jetliner has already visited more than 45 airports. By 2011, more than 70 airports will be ready for A380 operations.

Fourteen buyers have made 173 orders and commitments for the A380. The first megajet will be delivered to Singapore Airlines (SIA) in October. Subsequent aircraft are on track for delivery to SIA, Emirates Airlines and Qantas.

Compared to an existing jumbo jet, the A380 produces 30% less cabin noise and consumes 20% less fuel.

The A380's main deck is 20 inches wider than the Boeing 747 jumbo jet's cabin, while the upper deck is 71% wider. The aircraft is 72.7 metres long, two metres longer than the B747-400. But its wingspan is much wider than the B747-400, at 79.8 metres compared to 64.5 metres.

Experiencing the merging of the past into the present inChiang Maiwhere locals are proud of the city's 700-year history. Its rich traditional heritage and unique culture is a perfect foundation for the development of the city. Chiang Mai is one of the few places in Thailand where it is possible to find in the heart of the city centuries-old chedis and temples next to modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. The original city layout still exists as a neat square surrounded by a moat with vestiges of the fortified wall and its four main gates offering prime access to the old town.

For years, tourists have mistaken Chiang Mai as the northern junction and the base from which they can explore other provinces. The phrase "a day in Chiang Mai is enough to see things around" was common. Today, tourists are surprised by the fact that there is always something new to discover Chiang Mai. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes coupled with breathtaking scenery makes Chiang Mai one of Asia's most attractive tourist destinations. Two weeks inChiang Mai may not be long enough for serious travelers.

The old city of Chiang Mai with its fascinating indigenous cultural identity such as diverse dialects, cuisine, architecture, traditional values, festivals, handicrafts and classical dances is a prime location in its own right. In addition, the presence of hill tribes and their wealth of unique cultures enhance Chiang Mai's distinctive diversity.


Chiang Mai is also blessed with pristine natural resources of mountains (dois), waterfalls, and other nature-based tourist attractions. At the same time, Chiang Mai residents are warm, gracious and congenial providing authentic hospitality making visits memorable and meaningful. Moreover,visitors from all walks of life can collect handicrafts of silk, silver and wood produced locally as timeless souvenirs. Chiang Mai is a place where both backpackers and luxury tourists can enjoy themselves to the fullest.

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The Past



Chiang Mai literally means new city and has retained the name despite having celebrated its 700th anniversary in 1996. King Meng Rai founded the city as the capital of the Lanna (A Million Rice Fields) Kingdom on Thursday, 12th April 1296 during the same period of time as the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom. King Meng Rai the Great conferred with his friends, King Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai and King Ngam Muang of Phayao before choosing the site where the capital of the Lanna Kingdom was to be founded.

From then,Chiang Mai not only became the capital and cultural core of the Lanna Kingdom, it was also the centre of Buddhism in northern Thailand. King Meng Rai himself was very religious and founded many of the city's temples, which are still important today.


At the height of its power, the Lanna Kingdom extended its territory far into Burma and Laos, and southwards to Kamphaeng Phet a province above Sukhothai.

TheBurmese conquered the Lanna Kingdom in 1556 ending the dynasty founded by King Meng Rai that lasted over 250 years. AsBurma had occupiedChiang Mai for nearly 200 years, Burmese architectural influences are visible in many temples. At the end of the 18th century, King Taksin the Great regrouped the Thais in the south and finally drove the Burmese out with the help ofKing Kawila of Lampang thereby regainingThai independence from Burma. Chiang Mai was then governed by a succession of princes who ruled the north as a Siamese protectorate under theChakri dynasty. In the late 19th century, King Rama V appointed a high commissioner in Chiang Mai and it was only in 1939 that Chiang Mai finally came under the direct control of the central government in Bangkok the same time the country was renamed Thailand.

In the past, Chiang Mai was only accessible by river and elephants. More convenient access was achieved only when the railway line was completed in the late 1920's.Moreover, the first motor vehicle driven directly from Bangkok arrived in Chiang Mai in 1932. Such isolation was more favorable toChiang Mai as it helped to nurture and preserve the uniqueLanna culture.
When we look at Chiang Mai today, it is the economic, cultural and communications hub of northernThailand complete with excellent infrastructure, good roads, by passes and road tunnels, and reliable communications infrastructure.

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The Setting



Chiang Mai, with an altitude of approximately 310 meters above sea level, is situated approximately 700 kilometers from Bangkok on the Mae Ping River basin. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, the city covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometers and is the country's second largest province. Chiang Mai bordersMyanmar on the north,Lamphun and Tak Provinces on the south,Chiang Rai, Lampang and Lamphun Provinces on the east andMae Hong Son Province on the west. The terrain is mainly comprised of jungles and mountains, which are home to the hill tribes. In addition, wildlife and exotic flora may be found in the national parks.



Most of Chiang Mai's mountains are oriented from north to south. Together they create a multitude of streams and tributaries includingMae Chaem, Mae Ngat and Mae Klang. One of Chiang Mai's distinctive features is Doi Inthanon, Thailands highest peak, which is 2,575 meters above sea level. In addition, the province boasts flat, fertile valleys, which spread along the banks of the largest and most important river inChiang Mai Mae Nam Ping (Ping River) which originates from theChiang Dao mountain range.

Pattaya is a city on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand in the province of Chonburi, distance about 170 km southeast of Bangkok. It is one of the major centers of tourism in Thailand, with several million of visitors visit here for each year. Tourists visit Pattaya for many reasons including luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, attraction activities, friendly people, shopping, reasonable living cost, and a wide variety of nearby tourist attractions. Others come for the world renowned nightlife.

Pattaya Beaches
Thailand has some of the world's most beautiful beaches, Pattaya Beach is situated along the central city in close proximity to shopping, hotels and bars. The over-abundance of jet-skis and speedboats has contributed to the pollution of the water along Pattaya Beach, as has the sewage outlet at the end of the pier. The section of beach from Central Road (Pattaya Klang ?????????) south to the harbor is adjacent to the core of Pattaya's abundant nightlife area, hence it is less family-oriented than the North Pattaya and Jomtien beaches.
Most sections of the beach are covered by rented deckchairs run by local beverage vendors during daylight hours so finding an available spot of sand is rather difficult and also unadvisable due to the poor condition of the beach. Visitors are advised to avoid the beach after dark. Although the Beach Road itself is busy and brightly lit, some criminal elements find the unlit beach useful as a cover for their activities. The local police have started to target this area in various ongoing clampdowns.

BANGKOK, Thailand -  The new Suvarnabhumi airport as everyone knows has become one of the busiest airports in Asia. It has the tallest control tower in the world and the second biggest single building and airport terminal. Its interiors are very impressive with its high-tech features and massive terminal complex.

One big reason why Thailand has become economically successful is due to the fact that they pursued a vigorous population program that brought down their population growth rate from 3.1 percent in the ’60s to about 0.68 percent (or even lower) today. No doubt Thailand’s “condom king” Mechai Viravaidya - a longtime former senator and cabinet minister, as well as a Ramon Magsaysay awardee - has contributed a lot in the successful population program of Thailand with his relentless campaign to promote safe sex through the use of condoms - which have come to be popularly referred to as “mechais” in Thailand.

Over the past two years, the Thai baht has surged so strongly, appreciating by as much as 17 percent against the US dollar. Current exchange rates hover at 32-33 baht to the dollar, and some economists are urging government to create alternative measures to control exchange rate volatility and prevent speculation which could spark a crisis.

While the ongoing unrest in the southern part of Thailand has given it some negative publicity, tourism authority officials say the situation is not serious enough to affect arrivals, and they’re right. Thailand expects 15 million tourists this year, and they’re very likely on target because they have already managed to attract more than three million visitors in the first quarter of 2007.

Despite a slight dip in 2004 because of the tsunami, Thailand’s tourism industry continues to flourish, with 13.82 million visitors recorded in 2006. No doubt tourism authority officials hit on a successful strategy with their catchy “Amazing Thailand” theme to promote their country. Just recently, they came up with a seven-point marketing package called “Seven Amazing Wonders of Thailand” that incorporates their core products as well as the Thai culture and heritage to target more tourists. 

Some people agree that another main reason why Thailand has become economically successful is the fact that their culture has remained cohesive through all these years. Of all the countries in Southeast Asia, Thailand is the only one that was not colonized by a Western power.
While Thailand also has a history of military coups, with the latest one in September 2006 that displaced Thaksin Shinawatra, it seems that they have a system of government that suits their culture very well. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, with a king that remains a popular and revered figure. No one can dispute that Thailand’s shift to a parliamentary system of government has done wonders for their economy.

Bangkok is the largest and most populated city in Thailand. It is also the capital of Thailand. It used to be known as Krung Thep in Thai. Bangkok is situated on the east bank of the river Chao Phraya.

The original name Krung Thep has been in use for more than two century. The name Bangkok is used for foreigners and visitors and is only restricted to a particular district of the city.

There are three royal palaces in Bangkok. There are many historical places around and in the city. It was the capital for two kingdoms, namely Krung Thep and, for a short while, Thorn Buri. The reclining Buddha, temple of the huge Golden Buddha, historical sculptures are situated along the banks of the river Chao Phraya.

Bangkok has always attracted tourists, and this is the reason a lot of foreigners are found to have settled in this beautiful city. Many of them have found jobs and then there are others you have started their own businesses to earn a livelihood. There are still others who have come from expensive western countries to spend out their retirement living a cheap, easy and comfortable life in this hospitable city.

The nightlife offers variety of entertainment for the people and is considered to be one of the key attractions of Bangkok. There are clubs and cafes for the wealthy, bars and pubs for those on a budget. A street in the Phra Nakhon district, known as Khao San Road, is considered to be the first international street where all kind of people from various part of the world can be seen.

Earlier Bangkok used to have a network of canals known as khlongs and these were used by people to transport them from one place to another. Now most canals have been converted into roads. However, there are still a few canals which can be seen but unfortunately most of them are not clean.

THAILAND beat Hong Kong with China and Japan tied for third in terms of the most popular Asian travel destinations for Australians, a new survey shows.

The online Visa survey focusing on tourist interest in Asia, attracted 5050 respondents from 10 different countries.

It showed that 12 per cent of the Australian respondents said they are "likely" to head to Beijing for next year's Olympic Games, which begin exactly one year from today.

More than half of the Australians, 51 per cent, said they were "very likely" to travel to Asia in the next two years with Thailand topping their list, ahead of Hong Kong, China and Japan.

The survey also found that one in five Australians don't know that Beijing is the host of the 2008 Olympic Games.

In other survey findings, Aussies were the most likely to travel alone from the nationalities polled.

And Australians were the most likely to believe that no countries were still severely affected by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

Fancy a trip to your own private island? Who wouldn’t?! Phuket has a reputation for being overdeveloped and too touristy, but the only people who say that are the people who only visit the tourist areas. There are plenty of hidden gems dotted around Thailand’s biggest island.

One such gem is Rang Yai island, a tiny patch of land off Phuket’s east coast. It’s accessible via speed boat from Sapam Bay. I went there yesterday to see what was up and had a great time. The speed boat ride to the island took about 20 minutes and me and two friends were greeted at the island by the island manager and given a coconut each.

Rang Yai island has its own pearl farm (there are lots of pearl farms in Phuket) and we were given an informative talk about pearls, oysters and the farm itself. I wasn’t all that interested in the talk, but if you’re big on pearls or on holiday then this is a nice touch.

As you’d expect, after the pearl talk we were taken to a shop selling all manner of pearl products. Again, if you love pearls, or if you’re after some presents, you can buy or just have a look. There was no pressure to make a purchase, but pearls aren’t exactly my thing.

Rang Yai island has its own pearl farm (there are lots of pearl farms in Phuket) and we were given an informative talk about pearls, oysters and the farm itself. I wasn’t all that interested in the talk, but if you’re big on pearls or on holiday then this is a nice touch.

As you’d expect, after the pearl talk we were taken to a shop selling all manner of pearl products. Again, if you love pearls, or if you’re after some presents, you can buy or just have a look. There was no pressure to make a purchase, but pearls aren’t exactly my thing.

The island itself is tiny. There are bikes for hire and you can follow a trail around the island. It took about 20 minutes. If we’d had more time there were a few secluded spots that would have been worth stopping at.

The highlight of the day (as with so many of my days) was lunch. The food was fab, with plenty of fish and various Thai dishes. There wasn’t anybody else at the island because it’s currently green season (low season) in Phuket, and there has been some maintenance work being done on the bungalows.

If you want to stay in one of the bungalows, it’ll set you back 1,000 baht a night, which I think is reasonable. On the island there are a bunch of activities to keep you occupied. I saw outdoor dartboards, petonque, a volleyball net, snorkeling gear, kayaks and a mini-golf course. I was quite keen to play golf but we didn’t have enough time.

The beach was clean and the water warm, although not 100% clear. We were warned about jelly fish which had me a bit worried, but luckily there were no dramas.

Most people visit the island as part of a day trip from Phuket. There are a number of full-day and half-day packages available, from 1,200 to 2,200 baht (600 up to 1,100 for children under 12 years old). The island people will pick you up from your hotel and take care of everything. There’s also the option to camp at the island if you’re into sleeping in a tent.

If you’re looking for a romantic place to get married, Rang Yai wouldn’t be a bad choice. They also promote “team building” events.