"Thailand: A Story Of Seduction" Thailand by BorderHopper

My first trip to Thailand was in 1999 but it would be unfair to catergorize my brief visit as a journey. It was more of a transit point for other trips, a pit stop for trips I made to Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In 1999 I didn't know what I was missing.
During our overland journey that took us from Vietnam, across Cambodia, Laos, and finally Thailand I felt a true love for all things South East Asian developing. We travelled from Vientiane, Laos to Nong Khai, Thailand on the west bank of the Mekong river. From Nong Khai we took a train south to Bangkok where we just relaxed and breezed through the city.
It wasn't until my 2nd trip to Thailand in 2001 where I began to unlock some of the magic of Siam. This journey led to the events that would change my life and eventually make Thailand a second home for me.
In November of 2002 I returned to Bangkok and travelled north to the Golden Triangle, a beautiful, lush area of Teak forests, jagged mountains, and remote hilltribes near the tri-country border of Thailand, Laos, and Burma. Bangkok aside I've spent most of my time in the "Land of Smile" up in the north & have yet to see the beautiful beaches of the south.
I don't worry that I'll miss out on all the wonders Thailand has to offer because this country has become a 2nd home to me. Thailand is also the motherland of my son, McKinley Nile Sensiw Bierman, who was born in Bangkok in 2003. My guess is that father and son will unlock, and one day experience all of Thailand's magic. You see...Thailand is a story of seduction for me. Thailand changed my life.

Our home in Bangkok, Thailand

For me Thailand is more than a pretty place to visit, its more than a vacation destination...Thailand is my second home. Some major hallmarks in my life have happened here in Thailand & I will always be fond of Thailand. My wife and my son McKinley have deep roots in this amazing country and though we spend much of our time in Los Angeles we made sure that we'll always have a home to return to in our beloved Thailand.

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Our home is located a short drive out of Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, and though its not in the center of all the action we are close enough to the big city to allow us to take advantage of everything it has to offer without living under a cloud of thick air. Bangkok is a modern metropolis that can even tantlalize the senses of just about any type of traveller. For centuries Westerners have been calling Thailand home. The Portugese were some of the first Europeans to make their presence in Thailand. Many early foreigners, effectionately called Farangs by the Thai's, set up their homes along the Chao Praya river which runs thru the heart of Bangkok. It's always been a dream of mine to find a piece of property, lined with shady rain trees & tropical foliage, on the banks of the Chao Praya. But unless I find myself with millions of dollars and a friend of King Bhumibol my dream to one day own property on the Chao Praya will be just that...a dream. For now I am content with how I've turned my dreams into reality.

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Wacharaporn & McKinley on Kha San Road. Bangkok

Thailand Visas:
-Most people who hold a passport from the West & various other countries will be granted a 1 month tourist visa upon arrival at Don Muang Airport.
-Check with your countries Thai embassy to apply for a visa ahead of time if you'd like to stay longer than 1 month.
-another option for extending your visa would be to cross any one of the numerous international border crossings and re-enter Thailand. Border crossings at Myanmar or Malaysia seem to be the best borders to cross. You'll have to pay if you want to cross into Cambodia or Laos. The fee is minimal between Myanmar & Thailand.

• Pros:A beautiful and diverse paradise from the turqoise seas in the south to the emerald hills in the north
• Cons:If you're not used to the humidity it may slow you down for the first few days
• In a nutshell:If you haven't gone then go!