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Place : Bangplee, Samut Prakarn
Suvarnabhumi Airport, a new international airport located 24 kilometres east of Bangkok, was due to be open on September 28, 2006. It replaces the old overloaded airport at Don Muang and accommodates all international and domestic flights to Bangkok.

The official opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok’s new international airport, on 28 September 2006, gives new impetus to the country’s quest to make Bangkok and Thailand the aviation hub of the region.

Named 'Suvarnabhumi' (meaning 'Golden Land') by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand (Rama IX), the development of Suvarnabhumi Airport as the aviation hub of the region is of strategic importance to Thailand’s future and is a priority on the ‘national agenda’.

During the initial phase of operation, the north section of the airport will accommodate 45 million passengers per year, 76 flights per hour and 3 million tons of cargo handling per year. After the final phase, this will rise to 100 million passengers a year.

At 563,000 square metres, the passenger terminal is currently the largest in the world. The airport also features the world's longest runway, 75.3 metres by 4,000 metres long and the world’s tallest control tower, 132.2 metres high, providing the best visual coverage of overall airside.

When in full operation, the airport will help boost Thailand’s economic, social, communication, and tourism development, and advance the government policy of making Thailand an aviation hub in Southeast Asia.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is located at Km. 15 (15th kilometre milestone) on the east-bound Bangna-Trat Highway in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, east of Bangkok. The airport is approximately 25 kms from the Bangkok metropolis.

As of 28 September 2006, Suvarnabhumi Airport replaces Don Muang airport as Bangkok's primary airport for all commercial airline flights.

More details about Suvarnabhumi Airport, please click.

Source: The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT)

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Thailand's coup leaders order soldiers to smile
BANGKOK, Thailand Thailand is often called the 'Land of Smiles,' and the military's coup leaders apparently don't want to ruin that image. So, soldiers have been ordered to smile.
Army radio broadcasts are reminding soldiers to be friendly and courteous, especially to children and anyone who wants to take pictures with them.
Since Tuesday's overthrow of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, tanks and soldiers have been stationed at strategic points around Bangkok, instantly becoming a must-have photograph for many Thais and tourists.
"People have shown overwhelming support for the soldiers," the army radio station said Saturday. "People take their children to see the tanks and take pictures with the tanks and soldiers."
"The soldiers should promote a positive image and continue smiling, and be polite," the army radio said.
It's unclear if soldiers were also ordered to let civilians hold their M-16s, which some Thais and foreigners did as they posed for photographs that were published in local newspapers Saturday.
Many Thais have described this as the friendliest coup this country has ever seen. Thailand has a history of violent military coups, and the last one in 1991 ended with at least 50 pro-democracy demonstrators gunned down in Bangkok.

The Associated Press
Published: September 23, 2006

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Thailand coup by Thai army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

Thailand's latest coup d'etat, staged by the military to oust caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday night, turned out to be the mildest and most peaceful operation in the history of Thai political revolutions. No gunshots were fired. There were no clashes or bloodbaths. And many people, instead of being scared away by the tanks and troops that roamed the city, felt safe enough to approach and even give the soldiers bunches of roses.

The Council for Democratic Reform, for the first time in history, opted for a female anchor to make announcements, alternately with a male colleague.

''The soldiers had yellow ribbons [yellow is the symbolic colour of His Majesty the King] tied on their weapons or clothes and many were smiling.

survey by the Bangkok Post found most people interviewed in Bangkok and selected provinces across the country supported the coup.

A survey conducted by Suan Dusit Poll yesterday among 2,019 people from various occupations nationwide found that 83.9% were for the takeover by the Council for Democratic Reform.

Surprisingly, more people in the provinces supported the coup _ 86.3 % of the respondents, compared to their counterparts in Bangkok at 81.6 %.

Meanwhile, 75% believed the coup would improve the political situation, 20.2 thought the situation would remain the same, while 4.7% said the coup would make matters worse.

 

 

 

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Venue:Royal Agricultural Research Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Duration: 1 November 2006 – 31 January 2007
Area:  80 hectares/ 7200 m-walking track
See Other Infomation
Zones:

• Gardens for the King
• Thai Tropical Garden
  World of Tropical Plants & Flowers
• Expo Plaza

“Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006”
Thailand’s First International Horticultural Exposition Receiving AIPH Recognition

“Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006” is the first ever International Horticultural Exposition receiving recognition from The Association of International Horticulture Producers (AIPH) to be held in Thailand.

Agriculture has been the backbone of the country for centuries. Thailand’s horticultural technology has advanced tremendously while Thai horticultural products -- deemed to be one of the highest-quality products in the world -- are much sought after. Several varieties of Thai plants and flowers like tropical fruits, Thai-bred orchids, native ornamental plants and other produce – all unique marvels of horticulture, are among the most valuable. Surprisingly enough, many Thais who now live abroad now return to their motherland at least once a year to buy and indulge themselves in the extraordinary tastes of Thai fruits, spices and herbs. Yet, there has not been a platform of the same scale as the “Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006” to showcase the horticultural excellence Thailand has in store for the world. The Thai government believes that this is the right platform for the country to show that she is ready to become the “Kitchen of the World” for people of all races.

Back In Nature’s Embrace

This presents a welcome opportunity for many Thais to re-discover nature’s magnificent gifts and to be back in tune with nature again.

Thais have long been immersed in a ‘concrete jungle’. Many have forgotten the intertwining relationships with Mother Nature who has given us life, food, shelter, and peace of mind.

Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006’s theme -- “To Express the Love for Humanity” -- is well-worth pondering. City dwellers do not think enough about trees and flowers; many of us have often forgotten to sufficiently care for nature. “Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006” will sharpen our awareness and rekindle our appreciation of nature and the sense of well-being that emanates from nature’s gifts of life.

Nature will be back in our conscience and we will be back in tune with Mother Nature – one who offers refuge to us when we need it most.

The Ancient Northern Capital of Chiang Mai – ‘Rose of the North’

Chiang Mai is one of the most beautiful and charming cities in the world. Each year, millions of tourists from all over the world who visit Chiang Mai find themselves entranced by the breathtaking scenery and captivating culture.

“Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006” will be bringing in many more visitors from all parts of the world to experience the city and an exposition they will never forget. It will also be an opportunity for Thais to be proud hosts showing the city they love to visitors from around the world.

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Rose Garden Riverside sounds like a destination for flower lovers, but there's a whole lot more to it than that.

Kick-boxing, sword-fighting, singing, music and dancing by 150 performers - including seven elephants - are among a full day's activities, set over 28.35 hectares at Sampran in Nakorn Pathom province, on the Ta Chine river,

It's one of two attractions, each about 35km from central Bangkok, where visitors can both be entertained and learn much about Thailand's colourful history and the evolution of its culture.

The other is The Ancient City (Muang Boran in the Thai language), where the country's story is told through a series of reconstructed palaces, temples, traditional houses and statues set out over 129.5 hectares.

There is indeed a rose garden (and others for orchids, more flowers and herbs) at Rose Garden Riverside, but visitors also stroll through a traditional village and each afternoon the action's on in a cultural extravaganza.

The 50-minute show comprises a year's events in the lives of villagers from Thailand's four main regions: the north, south, central plains and northeastern plateau.

It starts with a mother singing a lullaby to her baby at dawn, a ceremony for a man's entry into the Buddhist monkhood and farmers planting rice and other crops.

The latter involves a 1,000-year-old dance involving a water spirit and male and female serpents.

Another dance celebrates the harvest after which young men beat "victory drums" while others train for various forms of self-defence: kick-boxing, sword-fighting and pole-fighting.

The vigorous action stops for a Thai wedding ceremony, with a young couple exchanging vows before their families and friends, followed by dances from the Thailand's four regions.

Finally, all performers join in a flag dance - with the Australian flag prominent.

Elsewhere in the Rose Garden, visitors watch elephants perform, walk through the flower and vegetable gardens, see a demonstration of Thai cooking and craftsmen working on handicrafts, carving and painting.

Not to be missed is Thailand's tallest pagoda, the 120m-high Phra Pathom Chedi, which contains some remains of the Lord Buddha.

Cruises by rice barge are available along the Ta Chine river.

The Rose Garden also offers accommodation including six Thai antique houses, conference facilities, a spa, golf course, seven restaurants and cafes, and souvenir stands.

An hour's drive away, the Ancient City at Bangpoo in the province of Samut Prakan, is likened to "an open book of history and an open door to the real Thailand".

A guide lists 116 places of interest, among them gardens and buildings from religious and royal sites around the nation together with old one-room homes on stilts, and scores of Buddhas and other statues.

Muang Boran has reproductions of important buildings, mostly on a smaller scale, from Thai history - influenced by Burmese, Cambodian and other invaders over past centuries.

The magnificent Sanphet Prasat Palace reproduces, half-size, that destroyed by the Burmese in 1767 when they captured the old Siamese capital of Ayutthaya. It is notable for its murals and ornamental decorations.

Queen Elizabeth II (in 1972) is one of the many notable past international visitors to the palace.

Many life-size sculptures illustrate old Siamese legends.

Another, believed to have been taken from Indonesian literature, is of a man and woman who triumphed over many obstacles to their love affair and eventually "lived happily ever after".

The Folk Museum at Muang Boran, including some major anthropological finds from all over Thailand, is one of the country's largest with every kind of artefact from farm tools to porcelain, fishing traps and musical instruments.

The Ancient City also has restaurants, snack bars and souvenir stands - even an old-fashioned barber's shop.

IF YOU GO:

Rose Garden Riverside is open daily from 8am to 6pm with the cultural show scheduled for 2.45pm.

Details: visit http://www.rosegardenriverside.com. Admission including the cultural show is about $A9.

The Ancient City is open daily from 8.30am to 6pm. Admission is less than $A2 and it's another $A2 if you bring your car.

Both the Rose Garden and the Ancient City are included in day trips from Bangkok available through hotel tour desks and travel stores.

* The writer was a guest of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (02-9247-7549), flying to Bangkok by Thai Airways International.

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Laguna Phuket Triathlon is held in each December. The triathlon (a 1,000-metre swim, a 5-kilometre bike race and a 12-kilometre run) attracts world-class athletes from all over the world.

The swim course comprises 2 bodies of water with a 100 m sprint between them and starts on the beach at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket Hotel. The bike course takes competitors out of Laguna Phuket onto narrow, winding roads and will be will be similar to the 2002 course with some steep hilly sections. The run course is flat and will also be similar to the 2002 course.

1.8 k swim - 55 k bike - 12 k run

When
The 2006 Laguna Phuket Triathlon will be held on Sunday, 3 December beginning at 8.00am.
Where
The upscale Laguna Phuket resort occupies 600 acres of tropical beachfront parkland on the northwest coast of Phuket island in southern Thailand.

Entry Conditions Participating fees:

Registration will be available online only from May 2006. The 1,800 Baht for Thai Nationals, $120USD for Non-Thais Team Relay: 8,000 Baht for teams with at least 1 Thai National, $320USD for Non-Thai teams.
Entry fee includes the pre-race Pasta Party, Competitor's T-shirt and Race Kit. Entry fee does NOT include tickets to the Awards Party. These will be sold separately during online registration and are limited to two tickets per individual athlete and three tickets per relay team. Any remaining tickets to the Awards party will be sold at registration on 2 December. Closing date for entries is 10 November 2006, unless registration reaches capacity in which case it will close prior to that date.

Any entries received after closing date will be charged US$135. Entry fees include VAT. Entry fee is non-refundable after 15 October 2006. Entry cancellations received prior to 15 October are refundable less a US$20 surcharge. Entry is non-transferable and you may not sell your entry to another competitor.

Race Registration
Registration will be held on Saturday, 2 December 2006 from 9.00am to 3.00pm in the Andaman Ballroom at the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket. Athlete attendance is compulsory. Bring identification to claim your race kit with timing chip, race number, swim cap, T-shirt, etc. A mandatory course briefing in English, Thai and Japanese will follow at 5.00pm, also in the Andaman Ballroom.

Ref: http://www.thailandmarathon.org

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Tourism Board promotes the country as Truly Asia. The fascinating fusions of tradition and modernity, Malaysian cities' have unique multi-cultural heritage, cuisine, arts and architecture make them ideal cosmopolitan getaways. The mix background of Chinese, Malay, Indian and colonial heritages constantly amaze western travelers with the cultural richness and harmony, knitting a truly Asian spectrum of variety on sights and sounds.

Kuala Lumpur City Center

Travel to Kuala Lumpur city and you will be awestruck by the ultra-modern Petronas Twin Towers at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). The Petronas Twin Towers are 452 meters tall, contain 88 stories, & are the world's tallest twin structures. Situated on the previous site of the Royal Turf Club in the heart of the capital city, the Kuala Lumpur City Centre is truly a spectacular Architectural sight. Here, the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers, the world's tallest twin structures, soars to a dizzying height of 452 metres. Cesar_Pelli was the Architect of this masterpiece. Inspired by the Five Pillars of Islam, this gleaming mega-structure was designed by the Argentinian-American architect in earlies 90s. Below the towers, lies a beautifully landscaped fountain park designed by prominent Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. KLCC is also home to the world-class Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Suria Shopping Centre and Petronas Philharmonic Hall.

Kuala Lumpur Railway station

Take a short taxi ride from KLCC and let yourself be charmed by the classic Moorish-style of the old Railway station. Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is located at Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It is a very beautiful building. It has a Moorish-style which was designed by architect A.B Hubbock. Built in 1910, the building is about 80 years old. I am sure it is built long before you and me were here. In 1986, the station went under extensive renovations, upgraded to have air-conditioned waiting hall, snack kiosks, tourism information booth and many more. In the past, it used be very quiet but since the city commuter service started, it is a very busy station now. All the Intercity train services do not stop here anymore because there is a new railway station opened called KL Sentral, less than 1KM away from the old railway station.

Shopping Extravaganza

Shop in some of world's most luxurious malls at Kuala Lumpur shopping precincts like Bukit Bintang, Damansara Utama, Ampang, Mid valley, Subang Jaya, Sunway City, etc.

Every year, Malaysia has six weeks of great shopping promotions, bargains and discounts of up to 70% on a wide range of products and services at all major shopping precincts, malls and retail outlets nationwide. Check on www.tourism.gov.my for the yearly Malaysia Megasale calendar periods.

Be part of the festivities when you drop-in at your favorite malls and enjoy fantastic prizes as you take part in the fun contests and activities lined-up for you and your family. Get instant redemption and gifts when you charge with Master Card and be in the running to win your dream holiday at Malaysia’s premier resort destination, The Four Seasons, Langkawi.

Know that your shopping experience doesn’t stop at the malls. Do check out the countless bargains and offers from hotels, travel agents, entertainment outlets, spas and restaurants around town. With the whole of Malaysia celebrating this major sale event, you and your family can shop to your hearts' content and have a great fun time chilling out too.

Malaysian Nightlife

Experience a bargain with a trader in a bustling night market. Whether you sample a succulent stick of satay at a roadside hawker stall or spicy chilli crab at a Chinese restaurant, you will revel in the many alluring attractions. The Night Market is a nice place to visit as the atmosphere at nightfall always makes for a different experience. Here, you will get a chance to dine al fresco under the stars and moon. There are food stalls set up near the main bus terminal. These stalls are open from 6pm onwards till about midnight, serving up some truly delicious dishes. This is your chance to enjoy good Malaysian food, the Malaysian way!

More articles on Asia Travel experiences at www.1asiatravel.com

www.tropicalcaribbeantravel.com

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Singapore is a small island  with the area of 699 km2. Although it is one of the most densely-populated countries in the world, Singapore is famous for its clean and green environment. There are four official languages in Singapore: Singapore - Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and English. The population is made up by a mix of Chinese, Malays, Indians and a small proportion of other nationalities. In spite of its small area, Singapore is a new industrial country with one of the busiest ports of the world.

An island country with 58 smaller islands around the main land. The most famous island of Singapore is Sentosa, the country's most visited attraction. This island is aimed mostly at tourism with many aquariums, museums, beaches, sports centres, camping sites and a lot of hostels and luxury hotels.

Located in the tropical area of the world, Singapore's climate is hot and humid all year round. The temperature during the day is up to 34oC and falls to about 22oC at night. Although it is said that the rainy season is from November to January, a small amount of rain can occur all around the year.

Besides many skyscrapers in the urban areas, which occupy more than 50% of the land, Singapore also has many parks, botanic gardens, zoos and waterfalls. Although most of them are artificial, even the sand for the beaches is imported, they are very lively and attract millions of tourists every year.

Singapore is also famous for its shopping centres. You can find almost everything there from clothes and electronic goods to herbal medicine. The most famous road for this activity is the Orchard. Orchard road is ideal for all shopping addicts. The newest and most fashionable shoes and clothes can be found in this area and you will wander there all day without any boredom. This area is also called the "dining centre" which has many big restaurants serving food from all over the world. Besides big and modern shopping centres, other destinations for shopping are Chinatown, Little India and the Arab street. There are many unique and inexpensive things here which you can buy as souvenirs and gifts for your friends and family members.

Other places you shouldn't miss when visiting Singapore are the Holland Village, Changi Village and the Jurong town. Jurong town is a big industrial centre of Singapore. The Jurong Park has the world's highest man-made waterfall, which stands at 30 meters.

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International travel vessels are making their way into northern Quang Ninh province’s Ha Long Bay with regular tours that began early this month.

The Super Star Gemini, the luxury cruise liner of Star Cruises, the largest Asian shipping company is set to bring some 500 Hong Kong and Australia tourists to Ha Long on Friday.

The 5-star floating hotel is 64m long, 23m wide with 8 floors, 344 cabins and capacity for 688 passengers.

The vessel is the 11th opulent ship owned by Star Cruises, and began its trip to Vietnam on Sept 1 in cooperation with SaigonTourist.

The Costa Allegra, an Italian vessel is scheduled to call at Ha Long for 5 day tours beginning in November.

Earlier, the Italian vessel moored in Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and three times in Danang.

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO recognized world heritage site made famous by its outstanding rock formations, located in the north of Vietnam in the famous Tonkin Gulf.

Source: Thanh Nien – Translated by Luu Thi Hong

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The oldest, most established and largest ethnic Chinese community in Thailand, Yawaraj has a rich historical past. During the establishment of the city of Rattanakosin during the reign of King Phra Phuttha Yotfa Chulaloke (King Rama I), founder of the Chakri dynasty, with the blessing of His Majesty the King, early Chinese immigrants to the kingdom settled in a district at the heart of Yawaraj called "Sampeng". By the Fourth and Fifth Reign, through active trade with overseas nations, Sampeng had evolved into a prosperous centre of international trade.

Within Bangkok's "Chinatown", ancient customs and traditions have been preserved by members of the community, particularly ancient Chinese culinary art and the celebration of traditional festivals on the Chinese calendar.

"Yawaraj Highlights", jointly organised by the Ministry of Public Health, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Tourism Authority of Thailand with the cooperation of the Sampantawong community of Bangkok, represents a coordinated effort to highlight the many facets of Yawaraj's rich traditional heritage and draws attention to the best that "Chinatown" has to offer.

A haven for connoisseurs, locals generally frequent Yawaraj for its gourmet dishes prepared according to authentic recipes. The area is also famous for its traditional gold shops, and shopping bargains. Hundreds of shop-houses and quaint-looking specialty stores line the streets and alleys offering a range of merchandise such as household goods, gift items, stationary, toys, clothes, Chinese foodstuff generally at wholesale prices. Today, Yawaraj remains a bustling centre of trade however along its streets and alleys, pockets of traditional architecture can still be seen.

Granting special importance to the preservation of Yawaraj's traditional heritage, His Excellency Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will preside at the Opening Ceremony which will be held in the area of the "Gateway To Yawaraj". A traditional lion and dragon dance will be performed.

As part of the "Clean Food. Good Taste" food festival, judges and participants will be voting on the 'Best of Yawaraj's Delicacies" in a culinary and gourmet competition. The five entries being featured are traditional Chinese dumplings, "kui chap" steamed rice-noodles with assorted topping, a cold mutton salad, glutinous rice dumplings in ginger syrup, and "tow teung", a dessert made of an assortment of barley, lotus seeds, red beans and other ingredients in a longan tea.

There will also be a variety of stalls offering other popular dishes for which Yawaraj is famous including glutinous rice with filling, double-boiled clear soups, "rad na" rice noodles, "kui teow lod" steamed rice-noodle rolls with various filling and old-fashioned coffee.

Unlike gold jewellery or ornaments sold in most fine jewellers, hand-crafted Yawaraj gold, one of the highlights, has a rich and distinct appearance. New designs in Yawaraj gold featuring The Golden Dragon, Apparel in handwoven gold, a pair of Golden Kilin, a Betel Nut Set, Golden Vase and Golden Elephant, will also be presented.

Chinatown presents another perspective of 'old' Bangkok worth exploring. For connoisseurs, collectors and bargain hunters, the culinary diversity, the cultural treasures and remarkable contrasts offered by Bangkok's Chinatown are guaranteed not to disappoint.

Source: www.tatnews.org

Hotel Promotion&Discount

Siam Hotel
177 New Petchburi Road, Bangkok 10310 Thailand.

SPECIAL RATES FOR INTERNET USERS
  Valid : now to 31-Oct-06
 Single/Twin Room  3,400 ++

• All the ++ Prices are subject to 10% Service charge and 7% Tax.
• All Rates are in Thai Baht.

Hotel entrance facing New Petchburi Road, WHERE THE ACTION IS...Only a few steps to find friendly faces from all walks of life, exotic chinese food or the cheapeast meal in the world.

Grand China Princess Hotel
215 Yaowaraj Road, Samphantawong, Bangkok 10100 Thailand

SPECIAL RATES FOR INTERNET USERS
  Valid : now to 31-Dec-06

Room Type            SGL              TWN          Extra Bed
Superior Room       2,000.-          2,200.-         720.-
Deluxe Room         2,300.-         2 ,500.-          720.-
Deluxe Triple                     3,000.-                    720.-
Suite One Bed room          4,500.-                    720.-
Family Suite                       5,200.-                    720.-
Princess Suite                   10,000.-                    720.-
Bady Cot  Free of Charge   

Nett Raes are inclusive of Service charge and Value Added Tax.

All Rates are in Thai Baht.

Above rate are inclusive ABF

Daily Newspaper

Fruit Basket,Welcome Drink

Free use of Fitness Center,Sauna and Jacuzzi Room

Child below 12 years sharing adults'room with existing bed free of charge (Maximum 1 child per room)

Child meal at 50%off (below 12 years)

late check till to 04:00 p.m. Free of charge

Coffee & Tea making facilities

 

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Perils fail to deter Thai bride boom
By Jonathan Head
BBC News, Bangkok

The case of Toby Charnaud, the Briton murdered on the orders of his Thai ex-wife, has highlighted the growing number of British men travelling to Thailand to find wives, often arranged over the internet.

The British Embassy in Bangkok is one of the busiest anywhere in the world.

More than 660,000 people from Britain came to Thailand last year, and the Embassy finds itself dealing with those who get into trouble.

It also deals with those who want to get married - it records around 70 couples a week coming in to get marriage documents processed, nearly all of them older British men marrying younger Thai women.

Never mind that the Thai "mail-order bride" has become a subject of ridicule in the UK, parodied in TV comedies like Little Britain and mocked in the tabloid press; never mind a number of recent cases of foreigners in Thailand who were murdered after their marriages to Thai women went wrong.

The number of Thai-British marriages keeps growing, many of them arranged through internet websites, which post pictures and videos of hundreds of would-be Thai brides, from which prospective British husbands can choose a potential partner.

Matt Lucas as Ting Tong and David Walliams as Dudley in Little Britain
In the UK, Thai mail order brides have become a subject of ridicule

Some of these sites have a dubious reputation but Lawrence Lynch, a British man from Kidderminster, in Worcestershire, is proud of the service he offers through a company called Thai Professional Introductions.

I met him in his office in Bangkok on a Sunday morning - his busiest time, he explained, because the women who want to put their faces on the website are free to come in then.

There were several waiting nervously in his lobby, all young.

They took turns to make themselves up, helped by Mr Lynch's Thai wife Tapanee, and then posed in front of a wall-length photograph of an idyllic Thai beach, complete with plastic palm tree.


We've arranged around 750 marriages over nine years, and I can count the number that have gone wrong on two hands
Lawrence Lynch

"The girls pay just 400 baht ( ?6; US$10) to join," he said, "but that's a lot of money to some of them."

His foreign clients pay a lot more - ?1,650 (US$3,000) - but for that he offers 12 months membership, unlimited introductions to the women on the site, translation (crucial this, as many of the women speak little English) and help arranging hotels, travel, visas and marriage documents.

He showed me another wall plastered with photographs of satisfied customers and their smiling brides.

"We've arranged around 750 marriages over nine years and I can count the number that have gone wrong on two hands," Mr Lynch told me.

Culture differences

But there are yawning disparities that have to be bridged, in age, language and culture.

Most of the men know little about Thailand, perhaps only what they have experienced on a short holiday.

They are drawn by the prospect of a short and easy courtship with much younger and often strikingly attractive women.

The women seem drawn to the agency by a desire for financial stability and what they believe is a more caring attitude among Western men.

Nui, a 22 year-old hairdresser, was typical of the customers in Mr Lynch's office.

"I think Western men are more kind-hearted." she told me. "I don't want a relationship with a Thai man. They are not responsible in helping with children and they are not faithful."

John, a 43-year-old businessman from East Anglia, told me why he had flown out to Bangkok.

He wanted to meet a woman who was serious about marriage, he said, which is why he was using the agency.

He had been married before and described a number of unhappy relationships back in Britain.

"There's this 'lad' culture with the ladies in UK these days. I don't want to be messed about any more. What I'm looking for is how it used to be in Britain in the 40s and 50s, where the family unit supported each other."

Mr Lynch says he screens the women to make sure none has a background in bar work or prostitution.

The men he has less control over, although he believes most of his clients are sincere.

"Any guy can come out here and meet a girl in a go-go bar, because let's face it, a lot of the men who come to Thailand are sex tourists. But those are the marriages that end in disaster."

Some of the couples end up living in Thailand, like Jim, 58, from Nuneaton, and his wife Prapaporn, 30.

Was the age gap a problem, I asked?

"Not to me it isn't and it doesn't seem to be for her either. The only people who have a problem with it are those who aren't in the same boat."

Toby Charnaud
Toby Charnaud's Thai ex-wife is serving life in jail for his murder

Most of the couples, though, will end up living in Britain, where, warns Bangkok-based writer Christopher Moore, author of a book about emotional expression in Thailand, the culture and language gap could put severe strains on the relationship.

"All the building blocks of relationships - the idea of family, friends, love, work - are viewed in a very different way in Thailand. So one of the things the man is going to have to deal with is the importance of family to his Thai wife. It may be she will need to come back to Thailand three or four times a year."

John has spent two weeks meeting women on Lawrence Lynch's books but he is taking his time. He has gone back to Britain and plans to return later this year to renew his meetings with the women he liked, to decide if any would make a suitable wife.

Nui is now registered with the agency and must take her chances with the 1,600 other Thai women there looking for husbands. She says she would prefer an age gap of no more than 10 years but may in the end settle for a much older man.

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Perils fail to deter Thai bride boom.

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Anantara Resort & SPA Golden Triangle 
229 Moo 1, Chieng Saen, Chiang Rai 57150 Thailand
Chiang Rai 0-5378-4084 Bangkok 0-2477-0760

At the edge of the northernmost borders of Siam, Anantara poises beside the Golden Triangle. The Thai "Kalae" style roods line up stately. The mosquito curtains that drape the daybeds feel like a bed of king. The northern Thai antiques of all our luxurious rooms invite you to enjoy the majesty and charm of our resort. From the balcony you can see the three counties divided by the Kong and Luak Rivers.
Who would believe the Northern borders would posses a charm you will never forget.

Room Rate Superior           5,500++ Baht
                  Deluxe               6,500++ Baht
                  Anantara Suite 13,800++ Baht

    
Website: www.anantara.com

GOLDEN PINE RESORT & SPA
291 Moo 4, Baan Muangkam, Nanglae, Muang Chiang Rai Thailand

Amidst the golden field of Lanna, little cottages in natural resort-style are built in a row encircling a clear emerald-colored pool in a blue sky day. There is also a pleasant spa to lessen your stress. In winter breeze and with urban cultures, the story of this resort would be brilliantly recounted. Who would believe the resort amidst a rice field is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

Phone : 0-5370-6270-9
Room Rate : 2500 Baht

  

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