Commit a crime in thailand don t even think about it

While in a foreign country, a U. S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U. S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Thai laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. In this connection, it is a criminal offense to make negative comments about the King or other members of the royal family. Thais hold the King in the highest regard, and it is a serious crime to make critical or defamatory comments about him. This particular crime, called “lese majeste,” is punishable by a prison sentence of three to fifteen years. Purposely tearing or destroying Thai bank notes, which carry an image of the King, may be considered such an offense, as can spitting on or otherwise defiling an official uniform bearing royal insignia. The Thai Government has publicly stated that it will not tolerate the use of Thai territory as a base by groups trying to overthrow or destabilize the governments of nearby countries. Numerous American citizens have been arrested or detained under suspicion of carrying out such activities; sometimes these detentions are carried out by military authorities, and the Embassy does not learn of them until many days after the fact. Many other Americans suspected of advocating the armed overthrow of other governments have been "blacklisted" from entering the country. Americans should be aware that attempts to overthrow foreign governments by force may violate U. S. law as well as Thai law. Penalties for the possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Thailand are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long prison sentences under harsh conditions, and often heavy fines as well. Thailand also has a death penalty for serious drug offenses, and has executed convicted traffickers. The U. S. Embassy frequently does not learn of the arrest of U. S. citizens for minor drug offenses, particularly in southern Thailand, until several days after the incident. Engaging in illicit sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Thai police occasionally raid discos, bars, or nightclubs looking for underage patrons and drug users. During the raids, they typically check the IDs of all customers in the establishment, and then make each person provide a urine sample to be checked for narcotics. Foreigners are not excused from these checks, and anyone whose urine tests positive for drugs is arrested and charged. Although some Thai civil libertarians have questioned the constitutionality of these forced urine tests, the Embassy is unaware of any successful challenge to the practice, and customers can be jailed if they do not cooperate.

Travel for senior tips

Senior travel is growing in popularity. Instead of relaxing at home, a large number of senior citizens are making the decision to get out and travel. If you are a senior citizen and you are interested in taking a summer vacation, you may be wondering which summer vacation destination is best. Senior citizens enjoy a wide variety of different activities. If you enjoy golfing, a golf resort may be an ideal location for your next vacation. If relaxing by the beach is more your style, you have a large number of beaches to choose from. In addition to on land vacations, you may enjoy taking a summer vacation cruise. Deciding what you would like to do while on vacation is the best way to find the perfect summer vacation destination. While the activities that you'd like to participate in on your vacation are important, so are the activities that you'd like to avoid. Unfortunately, a large number of popular summer vacation destinations are targeted towards the younger crowd. If excess loud music, late night partying, and excess drinking is not on your "to do list," then you may want to consider avoiding destinations that promote these activities. Due to their price, domestic vacations are often the most sought after for seniors. If you are able to afford the cost of overseas travel, you may want to consider an overseas vacation. The preparation and travel required to have an overseas vacation is often long and large. You may want to examine your health and ability to withstand a long journey before booking an overseas vacation. If an overseas vacation is possible and sounds ideal, you have an unlimited number of destinations to choose from. Popular destinations include France, Italy, and Spain. Many of these destinations are famous for their rich history. While vacationing overseas, you can visit a number of well-known tourist attractions. If domestic vacations are more your style, you can often find fun, but relaxing vacations at, the above mentioned, beach and golf resorts. Myrtle Beach, located in South Carolina, is a well-known beach that caters to visitors of all ages. With a large number of vacation destinations designed with seniors in mind, you are sure to find the perfect location for your next vacation. Whether you choose to spend your vacation at the beach, travel overseas, or stay at a well-known golf resort, you are sure to make an unlimited number of memories. more info about Popular Summer Vacation Destinations please visit articlecillin

Celebrate songkran in thailand

Songkran will be celebrated from 13 – 15 April in 2008 (or 2551 on the Thai calendar) and usually runs for about a week unofficially in parts of Bangkok and Pattaya. Thai people know how to party and celebrate their own New Year, Chinese New Year and the Western New Year. Of the three, Songkran is the wildest. Depending on who you ask, Songkran is the best or the worst time of year to be on vacation. The main reason – water. Traditionally, Songkran is a water festival and celebrated by ‘sprinkling” water on other people. In tourist areas of Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket, the sprinkling has escalated to fire hoses, water tube blasters, and super-soakers. Drunken tourists and locals in Pattaya and on Khaosan Road in Bangkok take this festival as a time to get absolutely crazy and drench each other in water. Additionally, a white paste made from flour or talcum powder is smeared on unwitting people’s faces. If you are in a tourist area or even in an upcountry village during Songkran, you can expect to get wet. The more touristy the area, the wetter you will get. Being soaked and then going into an air conditioned bar or restaurant can be very uncomfortable and could lead to a nasty cold. There is also the possibility of infection as the water is not always clean. I am not trying to throw a damper on a New Year celebration; I am just trying to let people know that they can expect to see a lot of drunken tourists getting soaking wet during this festival. You can have a lot of fun, but you can see tourists at their absolute worst. Getting back to the real meaning of Songkran, it is a time to go to the temple to pray and give food to the monks. It is also a time to cleanse the Buddha images at their household shrines and at the monasteries with water and a pleasant fragrance. This is also a traditional time to make resolutions to do good deeds and refrain from evil and even a time to clean the house. Out with the old and in with the new. Sadly, it is also the worst time of year for road accidents and deaths on the highway. Wet roads, alcohol, and helmetless motorcycle drivers are a deadly combination. Despite the government’s best efforts, the number of revelers who don’t get to the New Year is way too high each year. The annual Songkran don’t drink and drive campaign usually falls on deaf ears. Many expats who live in Thailand leave the country or head north to quieter Songkran celebrations and leave the tourist areas to the tourists. Personally, I schedule my trips so that I am nowhere near Thailand during New Years. As are most other things in Thailand, it is “up to you” whether you want to experience Songkran. I would recommend seeing it at least once and then you can determine for yourself if you want to go back to do it again. If you go, be careful or the slick roads and drunk drivers, and make sure you bring plenty of zip-lock bags to keep your valuables dry.

What to look for in a hotel

You can trust established chains such as Marriott or Hilton but there is so much on offer that it would be a shame to miss out on the smaller or independent hotels as they may be able to offer you something the larger chain brands can't. The Rating System The star system was created to help guests judge how good a hotel is. Star ratings symbolise the level of standards a guest can expect and are recognised worldwide. Ranging from 1 – 5, the quality of service, amenities, size and condition of rooms and building, safety and security, atmosphere, quality of food and drink, hotel presence and efficiency of staff are judged. 1 Star Practical accommodation. Don't expect anything more than the absolute basics. The shower room is likely to be down the hall, but remember, it's the cheapest accommodation. If you're looking for a bargain, and don't mind not having en-suite facilities, don't hesitate to consider one-star hotels – just check the room first. Go for one that offers clean sheets and a nice neighbourhood. It may be cheap but you don't want to slum it next door to a crack den! 2 Star Although many offer en-suite facilities you may find in some hotels there is still a need to share the shower room down the hall with other guests. You'll have a colour television, a comfortable bed, and a restaurant/dining room for breakfast and dinner. 3 Star Private bathrooms in the (usually smallish) room colour television, occasionally even a mini bar, a phone, laundry service (optional) and a more formal style of service along with the opportunity for room service during certain times to be expected. 4 Star Four-star hotels are spacious and have the creature comforts with a touch more luxury, including private baths in addition to a strong emphasis on food and beverage, 24-hour room service and a dry cleaning service available. More often in well situated locations. 5 Star Simply the best. The interiors will be of the highest standards. Opulent, stylish and of absolute luxury. Nothing is too much for guests. Exceptional comfort, 24 hour room service, luxury amenities, for example, spas or star rated restaurants serving superb cuisine are the norm. The concierge will be only too happy to get you want at whatever time of the day, (so long as it's legal). You will feel very well cared for by professional, attentive staff providing a flawless service. This is the kind of luxury dreams are made of. The star definitions should be treated as a general guide to what you should expect from a star rated hotel as there is yet no definitive worldwide standardisation available. Because of this, it can sometimes be abused and you could find yourself booking into a hotel that just doesn't come up to what you believe to be adequate for its rating. Due to the lack of consistency in hotel ratings around the world you could find yourself staying in, for example, a three-star hotel abroad which may be better than a three-star hotel in your native country. But be warned, it can go either way and you could find yourself in a less than desirable hotel with exactly the same star rating. Keep in mind it is your right to view a room before you commit to staying in it. Ask to do so. Recommendation If you're thinking of booking into a hotel, but don't know what it's like, gate14.co. uk suggests you take the following steps. : Ask trusted friends with similar tastes to recommended somewhere : Alternatively, search the name of your intended hotel and read impartial hotel reviews from people who have stayed in the accommodation. Reviews can be seen at Holiday Watchdog. It's free to use and you can even submit a review of your own. If you would like to see special offers in accommodation, go to gate14.co. uk/SV4.html.