So, you’re a Sales professional looking for an exotic setting that is a popular tourist destination,
strategically located, and one featuring delicious cuisine, fascinating sights and
local traditions, a thrilling night life, and a large high net worth expat community
– then Bangkok it is!
The Kingdom of Thailand is located in Southeast Asia, sharing borders with Malaysia,
Cambodia, Laos, Burma, the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The country is
also known as Siam - the country's official name until May 11, 1949.
Thailand’s capital and largest city – Bangkok - is located near the Gulf of Thailand,
on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River. With a population of about 8.5 million,
Bangkok is considered one of the region’s most rapidly-growing and economically
robust cities.
Bangkok’s Dynamic Economic Picture & Large Expat Community
The country's economic centre, Bangkok’s 2005 GDP of close to $220 billion accounted
for more than 40% of the country’s entire GDP of $525 billion. Thailand’s largest
commercial banks and financial institutions are located in its capital – with bank
deposits totalling close to $177 billion at the end of 2005’s third quarter. About
20 of its banks boast assets exceeding one billion dollars.
In recent years, the city witnessed a substantial influx of expats – especially
senior professionals and investors. By one estimate, the number of expat executives
in Bangkok stands at about 65,000, with an expected increase of close to 2,000 per
month. The city also hosts the largest number of European residents – about 45,000
– than any other Asian city, apart from Singapore.
Other long-term foreign residents include close to a quarter of a million Chinese,
30,000 Japanese (more than any other Asian city outside of outside of Japan), 100,000
Indians, 6,000 Americans, 15,000 Taiwanese, 7,000 South Koreans, 6,000 Nigerian,
8,000 Middle Easterners, 25,000 Malaysians, and 4,000 Singaporeans.
Deemed to be one of the most swiftly growing and economically strong cities in Southeast
Asia, many peg Bangkok as a regional centre analogous to Singapore or Hong Kong.
Among its numerous economic attractions, Bangkok is known for its relatively low
cost of living.
Five Regions
Thailand is divided into five regions:
- Central Thailand: The central plains include the capital of Bangkok, with its
regal temples, enormous shopping centres and more than 100 museums.
- Northern Thailand: The north is considered by many to be the cultural heart of
Thailand, home to what is thought to be the first Thai kingdom of Yonok.
- Northeastern Thailand: This flat plateau is a region Thais refer to as Isan, where
you'll find many ancient remnants of the Khmer empire.
- Eastern Thailand: East of Bangkok, the coast runs to the seaside area of Pattaya.
- Southern Thailand: The islands and beaches to the south are the most popular destinations
for sun worshippers, especially the islands of Phuket and Samui.
Thailand's regions are further separated into a total of 73 provinces.
Beautiful Settings & Hospitable Populace
In addition to its attraction as a dynamic, growing and profitable business centre,
there are many reasons why expats decide to relocate to Thailand. Among them are
the tropical climate, the extraordinary islands and beaches, the fantastic cuisine
and the affordability of a superior quality lifestyle. In addition to all of this,
the Thai locals themselves are an enormous attraction for many expats and visitors.
The country’s populace is famous for being warm and friendly. Among the many superlative
statements made about the hospitable people, one expat stated that you “…seldom
smile at a Thai person and not receive a pleasant smile back…of all of the places
that I have been…I have never met a nation of people as genuinely warm and friendly
as the Thais.”
Leisure Activities
Regardless of how you like to spend your non-working time, Bangkok – and Thailand
overall – will not disappoint you!
Beautiful azure waters and sandy beaches make sea-bound activities a much-favoured
pastime. Swimming, wind surfing, big game fishing and diving are just of few of
the popular waterside activities. Some of the best diving spots in the world are
located along Thailand’s coasts.
Among the sports pursuits favoured by the locals are soccer and Takraw, a game in
which players keep a wicker ball in the air by using their bodies. Many Thais also
have recently adopted jogging as a means of keeping fit. Spectacular year-round
courses are also available for Golfing enthusiasts.
Kite flying is another sport enjoyed by the Thais – it is, in fact, one of Thailand’s
most popular pastimes. Many people go to parks on weekends to participate in – or
simply watch – one of the many kite flying contests. The kites even have gender
identities: ‘Male’ kites are called Chulas and ‘female’ kites are called Pakpaos.
The Chulas are large and bulky and measure almost six feet. The Pakpaos are slighter
and more elegant.
In addition, traditional temple fairs offer customary Thai entertainment and food.
And air-conditioned museums, art galleries, cultural centres and cinemas provide
respite from the tropical humidity.
Local Culinary Delights
As most of us know, much of the Thai cuisine is very spicy and hot, thanks to the
inclusion of a variety of chillies. The ‘mouth on fire’ feeling resulting from the
hotter chillies has caused a lot of water-gulping and mouth-fanning activity among
stunned foreigners on their first sampling of the delicious – albeit hot – fare.
The standard traditional Thai meal aims at being a harmonious blend of spicy, delicate,
sweet, and sour.
Thai food varies from region to region. For example, in Chiang Mai, the food is
generally milder than that of the central region; northeastern food tends to be
very spicy; and southern cuisine very often uses the most delicious fruit of the
seas – including lobsters, crabs, scallops, and squid.
Great business opportunities. Fantastic sights. Endless leisure pursuits. Extraordinary
culinary delights.
Bangkok is a must for your career locale wish list!
For further information about Thailand we recommend that you visit
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thailand where you will find many useful links
and informative articles to prepare you for your move.