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Sinsot Payments in Thailand
[Reference-and-Education] When western men get into relationships with Thai women, there are few issues more contentious than the subject of 'sinsot'. Should western men pay sinsot to the family of their prospective Thai wife? What is Sinsot?

When Should Children Start Learning to Read?
[Home-and-Family:Parenting] Most western countries start primary school education at age six. That is the age at which we believe most children can start learning to read. However, some children arrive at primary school already able to read. This does not happen by chance. Invariably, these children's parents have made an effort to teach them.

Tourism Boom For Nakhon Nayok Province In Thailand
[Travel-and-Leisure] Tourism is booming in the Thai province of Nakhon Nayok but the visitors are almost all Thai. How long will it be before westerners start discovering the charms of this area?

What is Face?
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] The Asian concept of 'face' is often suggested as the explanation for all things strange in Thai behaviour. How much influence does face really have on the Thai mentality?

Tsunami Tales
[News-and-Society] As we pass the third anniversary of the tsunami tragedy that struck South East Asia on 26th Dec 2004, it seems like a good time to look back and recount a few personal experiences from people in Phuket, Thailand. These are not big stories in the overall scale of the event, they are just a few individual accounts from people who were there when the waves struck.

Phuket's Secret Beaches
[Travel-and-Leisure:Outdoors] Phuket's beaches are world-renowned and tourists flock from across the globe to visit the famous beaches at Patong, Karon, and Kata. So much so that many people complain these beaches have lost their charm.

Is it Worth Learning Thai?
[Reference-and-Education:Languages] It is amazing how many ex-pats you meet in Phuket and Thailand who have lived here for years and can barely string a sentence together in Thai. I know a few long-term ex-pats whose Thai vocabulary is less than 10 words. The simple fact is you do not need to learn Thai to live in Thailand, especially if you are in one of the tourist destinations such as Phuket. Does that mean it is not worth learning Thai?

Bringing Western Values to Thailand
[Travel-and-Leisure] As more westerners make Thailand their home, our western values start to intrude on Thai people's lives. How far should we take pushing western values into Thailand?

Ladyboys of Phuket
[Travel-and-Leisure] Ladyboys or 'katoeys' are a common stereotype of Thailand. Are there really lots of ladyboys in Thailand and if so, why?

She Should Be Grateful!
[Relationships:Communication] Some western husbands seem to believe their Thai wives should be more grateful. Is this really a good basis for a relationship?

Thai Wives And Girlfriends - A Few Stories
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Humor] The things Thai wives and girlfriends do to their western partners are often a source of amusement for those not affected. Here is a small selection of stories.

Owning A Bar On A Tropical Island - Is It Really A Dream?
[Travel-and-Leisure] Every year thousands of people come to Phuket hoping to set up a new life on a tropical island. Many of them try to run a bar. But does the reality live up to the dream image of life on a tropical island?

Thai Wives - Why Are So Many Westerners Coming To Phuket To Marry?
[Relationships:Marriage] The mixed Thai-Western marriage is now an established part of the Phuket scenery. Why are so many western men marrying Thai women?