A visa is not a passport

Our passport arrived so we can get out of the USA but as always there's still one more thing to think about and that is a visa.

Our passport acts as a certified record of who we are, what we look like, citizen of what country and our past travel records. A visa is authorization from a foreign government to visit their country.

A visa can take many different forms, some countries have a form you too fill out prior to arrival and sometimes this is referred to a visa on arrival. Some countries may require you to apply for your visa in advance.

Thailand has many different types of visas but for most,a tourist visa allowing for up to a 30 day visit is available on arrival, the airlines will hand out forms prior to landing.  Cambodia, offers up to a 30 day visa on arrival $30.00 and a three month online e visa $37.00.  Lao also offers an on demand visa $35.00 for a 30 day duration.

Visa’s come in all different flavors: from a diplomatic visa to a tourist visa.   If you are entering a country for a special reason, it’s best to check out the consular affairs web site for the country you’re heading to or pull the phone number for the up to date info and costs.  For the most part a tourist visa is the norm but you still need to call and get the current costs.

I’m in Vietnam right now so I’ll use it as example:  Vietnam requires you apply andgain authorization in advance before you arrive.   Here are a couple links detailing the procedure for a visa.

http://www.vietnamconsulate-sf.org/en/consular-services/visas/   San Francisco, California 

http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/consular/visa-application-process Washington DC

At the time I applied in July, a one month and a three month tourist visa could be down.  A three month single entry visa, meaning enter and leave one time then a $130.00 and a multiple entry, leave and return as many times as you want for $180.00.  I can’t stress enough that Vietnamese visas are date sensitive, whatever date your visa starts on you can’t get in before that date and your visa period starts on the original date, no matter how much later than that you arrive .

Thanks for stopping by -   Doug

Junta states the Erawan Shrine bombing case is officially closed

We got em (Erawan Shrine) bombers,
case closed

   

Thailand’s Junta, has announced on August 17 the Erawan Shrine bombing case has been solved and is considered closed.  The Erawan Shrine blast killed 20 and wounded 120 people in the centre of Bangkok.  

The first arrest, few weeks after the bombing was Adern Karadak, also known as Bilal Mohamed, he was carrying a forged Polish passport and in searching his apartment bomb making equipment was found. 

The Erawan Shrine is a popular tourist attraction and because of this many of the dead and maimed were foreign nationals on holiday. Originally it was thought the bombing was in retaliation of the forced deportation of more than 100 ethnic Chinese Uighur back to China.   However, on closer observation the police discounted that theory and blamed it on their crackdown on human trafficking gangs.

Then came the number two arrest of Yusuf Mirabilis close to the Cambodian border or at the airport in Phnom Penh, seems to be some discussion here, though it is said in his pack was the yellow t shirt shown to be thought to be worn by the bomber. He was thought to be the bomb builder and passed the completed product to Karadk at the Hue Lumphong railroad station.

Both were turned over to the junta’s military for interrogation – in a rather shocking turn of events they both confessed to playing major roles in the bombing, they will be tried in a military court so will be unable to use their civilian rights. However, it is thought there were up to 17 other people  involved, so time will tell how this shakes out.

This event happened at an inopportune time for police Chief Somyat Poompunmuary who was set to retire.   At a press conference after the arrest of Karadk he displayed a block of money valued at $ 83,000 (US) as a reward for help in the closure of the case.  This week as he announced his retirement and the closing of the case and the $ 83,000 reward would be spread out among the officers working the case.  Good work if you can get it.

While the whole bombing, other than the deaths, destruction and maimed victims seem a bit murky.  Once the police get the suspects from the military things will start to fall in order, you think.  That's the word....

thanks for stopping by    Doug

                                                  

                                                                   

                                                           

Man from Turkey arrested in the in Bangkok bombing

Home » Breakingnews » Urgent: Suspect arrested in Bangkok with bomb making equipment

Urgent: Suspect arrested in Bangkok with bomb making equipment

The Nation August 29, 2015 3:48 pm

Police arrested a Turkish man at a rented room in Bangkok's Nong Chok district Saturday afternoon and found a lot of bomb making tools and materials.

The arrest was made after about 100 police and troops surrounded the apartment at at 1:30 pm.

Among the matterials, police found 0.5mm-diameter ball bearings that were the same type with the bombs that exploded at the Erawan Shrine and the Sathorn pier on August 17 and 18.

10252 Viewed

http://www.nationmultimedia.comhttp://www.nationmultimedia.com

  Note:   Ever since I tossed this piece up from one of Bangkok's leading newspapers it      has bothered me.

What I've been thinking is that this piece from the NATION might have more flash than anything else. As time passes the pressure is on the police to come up with an arrest or at least a suspect is in creasing.  As is the pressure on the media to come up with something. Then a Turkish guy with ball bearings in his apartment is found and, ah ha....

Of course my hope is that this isn't just a set up but really part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

Terror in Bangkok

AP

by BREITBART LONDON17 Aug 201522

At the time of writing, no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing that occurred in Thailand earlier today. But it doesn’t take a genius to figure out who might be responsible. Of six major terrorist attacks in the past 10 years, five of them have been overtly attributed to the Islamic nationalist separatist umbrella group known as the South Thailand Insurgency (STI). 

Pattani province, in the South of Thailand (Red Dot)

Some may argue that the attribution comes from the government of Thailand, itself hardly a beacon of transparency and democracy in the region, and therefore a source not to be trusted. But independent sources have also verified that STI and its component groups have been responsible for at least 5,500 deaths between 2004 and 2014, in its bid to terrorise the Thai government into granting independent status to the region of Pattani in the south of the country.

The groups, which vary in name, all carry similar separatist sentiments, with most of the Islamic in background, and keen to see an independent nation established under Islamic law in Pattani. Reports suggest that 80 per cent of the population of Pattani province are Malay Muslims, which may go some way to explaining how the group is easily funded, and displays its large recruitment pool. The area has around 700,000 inhabitants.

STI is credited with the past few terrorist attacks, including 2005’s Hat Yai bombings which killed two and injured 66, the 2006 equivalent, in the same region, which killed four and injured 82, and the 2007 attacks in Pattani itself, killing seven and injuring 33.

And the group’s activity hasn’t stopped there. It is believed to be behind multiple, repeated stabbings, machete attacks, and shootings. This includes a 2006 attach which killed three and injured 38, a 2012 attack that injured 5 in Bangkok, and the 2012 bombing in Yala which killed 16 and hurt 321.

The groups in question include the following:

Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN): A Pattani separatist group that has come to use the “black flag of Islam” in recent years. The group prefers the Salafist interpretation of Islam, and is said to have split into several factions, including distinctly Islamist splinter groups which wish to create paramilitary groups. Many of the Islamist element’s leaders are reported to have been trained in Afghanistan.

Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK): This group is recognised as a militant Islamic group with up to 3,000 members. There is believed to be a large overlap between it and the BRN’s Islamic faction.

Gerakan Mujahidin Islam Patani (GMIP): The group started as a criminal racket, “gun running” for Islamic terror groups, but soon took on an identity of its own. It is believed to be linked to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) – a Phillipines-based separatist movement backed by the Malaysian government. The Jamestown Foundation think tank reports: “Following the 9/11 attacks on the United States, the GMIP distributed leaflets in Yala calling for a jihad and support for Osama bin Laden.”

Pattani United Liberation Organisation (PULO): One of the most prevalent groups in the country, PULO counts itself as more secular than the other groups, despite its foundation by an Islamic theologian, and the end goal of establishing a Salafi, Islamic state in Pattani.

Barisan Islam Pembebasan Patani (BIPP): An Islamic separatist movement, believed to be the oldest of its kind. The group has only recently begun to stress its Islamic allegiance.

Jemaah Islamiyah (JI): The continent-wide umbrella group, a regional affiliate of Al Qaeda and in some instances, Islamic State. The group was proscribed by the United Nations after the Bali bombings, and has been identified as responsible for over 20 terrorist attacks in the region since the year 2000.

Insurgency movements were believed to have been broadly defeated as of the year 2000, but they have come back in a big way over the past 15 years.

This is not to say that the Thailand attack today was definitely perpetrated by one of the above groups, but the likelihood is certainly high.

Western media sources have said that no one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks, and therefore it is not reportable who might be involved yet. But traditionally we haven’t seen large-scale acknowledgement and/or claims of responsibility in the region. When responsibility isn’t claimed, the Thailand government usually attributed the attacks to STI.

Sub shopper

Insists that maritime interests worth Bt24 trillion need to be protected

BANGKOK: -- THE NAVY has released a nine-page document detailing what it says are the reasons why the country needs to spend Bt36 billion on buying three submarines from China.

The move came after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha suspended the procurement of the Yuan Class S26T submarines and told the Navy to explain to the public the necessity of protecting the country's marine interests and why it wanted to buy the subs.

In the document, drafted on the order of Navy chief Admiral Kraisorn Chansuwanit, the Navy stated that Thailand's maritime interests amounted to Bt24 trillion per year with an increasing value. They include marine natural resources, marine transport, downstream industries and tourism.

The submarines would be only 0.006 per cent of the total marine interests because they could be used for at least 30 years, the Navy stated.

Almost 95 per cent of the country's imports and exports are transported by sea, it said, adding that about 15,000 cargo vessels passed through the Gulf of Thailand per year. If the gulf, which is 400 kilometres wide, were blocked, as happened during World War II, the country would be badly affected.

The Navy said although there was no war looming, maritime conflicts between countries existed and no one could guarantee that the conflicts would not descend into wars. Having the submarines would be a defensive strategy against wars and a balance of power mechanism.

In terms of its marine capability, the country is lagging 10 years behind neighbouring countries like Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia.

In response to claims the Yuan Class S26T would not be useful because it can only dive in shallow water and are easy targets for enemies, the Navy argued that the Gulf of Thailand is about 50 metres deep and some operations need to be done near the shore. Planes cannot see submarines which dive down 20 metres, it said.

The Navy said it wanted to buy the submarine because it was efficient and the most value for money. Five other countries would provide only two submarines for Bt36 billion.

The Chinese submarine also had air-independent propulsion that enabled it to stay underwater for 21 days compared with subs from other countries that had to emerge to charge batteries every four or five days.   (does that mean nuclear power)

The Chinese subs are also equipped with weapons, including torpedoes and sea mines, the Navy said, adding that their safety is on par with European submarines with a double-hull body.

China also offered eight years of parts service and a two-year guarantee on all equipment in the sub, while other countries offered only a one-year guarantee. China would also transfer knowledge on the sub maintenance, its systems and weapons.

The Navy said the Bt36-billion fund would be paid through instalments over seven to 10 years, or around Bt3 billion to 5 billion per year depending on how much each instalment was set at. The money would not be taken from the central fund or special funds but the Navy's annual budget allocation from the government.

The document was released in response to the government's order for the Navy to explain the plan.

Former Democrat Party MP Watchara Petthong disapproved of the purchase, saying it would be unnecessary spending given the condition of the country's coffers and economy.

"I wonder if the move to push for the sub purchase has something to do with the commission fee,'' he said.

-- The Nation 2015-07-31

Thailand 7th top destination for expats but -

1st in affordable living, HSBC Expat Explorer reveals

November 11, 2014

Categories: Member News

Tags: destination for expats, HSBC Expat Explorer 2014 survey, Thailand

Bangkok, 11 November, 2014 – Thailand ranks the world’s 7^th top destination for expats, and is the top rank in terms of affordable quality living, according to the HSBC Expat Explorer 2014 survey.

For the top 10 destinations for expats, Switzerland is in the top rank, followed by Singapore, China, Germany, Bahrain, New Zealand, Thailand, Taiwan, India and Hong Kong.

For expats’ expenses, Thailand was rated the top destination for cost-effective quality living. It is followed by Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Bahrain, India, Turkey, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.

Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said, “This is great news, and it is very encouraging to see that expats have high regard for Thailand, especially in terms of cost-effective quality living. It is also very encouraging that Thailand receives a nod of approval from expats to be in the top 10 destinations, as the country has seen a number of positive changes over the last six months.”

According to the HSBC Expat Explorer 2014, Thailand emerges as the best destination for expats looking for an improved lifestyle at an affordable cost.

The report said, “This greater level of disposable income can be attributed to the high proportion of expats who say they spend less on utilities (71 per cent compared to a global average of 26 per cent), on accommodation (70 per cent compared to a global average of 23 per cent), on public transport (69 per cent compared to a global average of 35 per cent) and on groceries (66 per cent compared to 22 per cent globally).”

Thai cuisine, Thai culture and shopping experiences in Thailand were regarded highly by expats who participated in the survey.

For travelling experiences, over two-thirds of expats said they travelled more since moving to Thailand, taking advantage of the beautiful destinations across the country and Bangkok’s position as a gateway to the rest of Asia.

“79 per cent (of expats) say it is simple to travel around locally, be it to historical sites and temples, the national parks in the mountains or the stunning beach resorts,” according to the survey.

Blessed with the unique Thainess character, Thailand offers a wide variety of natural and historical attractions, distinctive culture and a range of fun-filled activities from spa and shopping experiences to Thai cooking and kickboxing lessons.

For the full survey, visit: HSBC Expat Explorer 2014

About the HSBC Expat Explorer 2014

The Expat Explorer survey, now in its seventh year, is one of the largest and longest-running global expat surveys. This independent research study is commissioned by HSBC Expat and conducted by the third party research company YouGov, who surveyed 9,288 expats through an online questionnaire. The survey was conducted through April and May 2014, with expats from over 100 countries taking part. The survey focuses on the experiences of expats in their new country of residence, with expats from all over the world describing the opportunities and challenges they face living away from home.

See more at: http://www.tatnews.org/thailand-7th-top-destination-expats-1st-affordable-living-hsbc-expat-explorer-reveals/

International Public Relations Division

Website: www.TATnews.org

Best Airports in Asia 2014 - sleepinginairports.net

Home : Best Airports of 2014 : Asia

Best Airports in Asia 2014

Date: October 15, 2014

Several of the Best Airports in Asia also happen to be ranked among the best in the world! For some travellers, these terminals are so sensational that they become a destination in and of themselves! While this most certainly sounds extreme, there is something to be said for these airports that have found the perfect balance of practicality, efficiency and indulgence. The terminals that are listed below consistently surpass expectations surrounding our four C’s – comfort, convenience, cleanliness and customer service – and then add on movie theaters, koi ponds, elaborate spas, shopping emporiums, cultural experiences, national museums, indoor gardens and pet hotels to boot! Each airport provides a warm welcome to the country, and shares local culture with even those just passing through on a brief (or extended) layover. They most certainly set a standard for airports worldwide that has proven to be very hard to match!

Here are the Top 10 Best Airports in Asia based on overall airport experience as determined by voters in our 2014 Airport Survey:

1. Singapore Changi International Airport, Singapore (SIN)

Upon visiting several cities across North America, Europe and Asia nothing compares to the quality of service and the swank look of the Changi international terminals.  - a traveler

For the EIGHTEENTH year in a row, Singapore Changi has been voted the best airport not just in Asia – but in the WORLD! Travellers praised the airport for its overall soothing ambiance, its intuitive layout and friendly staff. The sheer volume of activities and amenities left some transit travelers wondering if they has just arrived at a shopping mall or resort rather than an airport. With its themed gardens, cultural activities, world-class shopping, spas, swimming pool, gym, lounges, 4-story slide, movie theaters, TV lounges, entertainment deck, and free Singapore city tour, a layover here is not likely to be boring. Travelers can enjoy free Wi-Fi and recharge all their gadgets at one of over 800 mobile charging points. In July, the airport opened the Wellness Oasis spa in Terminal 1. The unique feature here is the fish spa that exfoliates your feet and legs. As for sleeping in between flights, there is a transit hotel and lounges with napping rooms and showers. Travellers most appreciate the dedicated rest & relaxation zones. There are currently 6 areas set up with reclining lounge style seating. Often busy and sometimes noisy, these areas are appreciated by those travellers who are not so comfortable stretching out on seats at the gate.

Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free Wi-Fi • Rest & Relaxation Zones • Free City Tour of Singapore • Nap Rooms ($) • Transit Hotel ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • 24 Hour Food Options ($) • Cultural Activities • Entertainment Deck • Movie Theatre • Gardens • Showers ($) • Swimming Pool ($). Visit our Singapore Changi Airport Guide for more information.

2. Seoul Incheon International Airport, South Korea (ICN)

It's huge airport but everything is clean and neat. There's a lot of activity and restaurant open 24/7. - a traveller

Seoul Incheon Airport is a favourite as a result of its impeccable cleanliness, its superior customer service, and the volume of comfortable sitting and nap locations. Amenity-wise, the terminals truly are going above and beyond. Like SIN, you can also find indoor gardens, a spa and small shopping extravaganzas located throughout. Unique features here include the Korean Cultural Street – complete with local cuisine and dance performances – and the indoor ice rink. Unlimited free Wi-Fi, showers and uber-luxurious private lounges further delight those who spend multiple hours here. It almost gets to the point where you’d think the airport wants you to stay forever – but then, you realize they also run free guided city tours for transit passengers as well. They really do it all!

Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free Wi-Fi • Rest & Relaxation Zones • Napping Rooms ($) • Transit Hotel ($) • Casino ($) • 24 Hour Food Options ($) • Gardens • Cultural Activities • Luggage Storage ($) • Showers ($) • Skating Rink ($) • Transit Tours ($). Visit our Seoul Incheon Airport Guide for more information.

3. Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong (HKG)

Airy, light and even at peak times, the check-in area and departure terminal never feel overcrowded and cramped, even though the passenger numbers have increased a lot over the years. - a traveller

Now, Hong Kong isn’t about to be outdone the other consistent top three airports on our list. HKG’s show stopping extravagance is that it is home to the country’s largest IMAX theatre! It also boasts a series of miniature gardens, a cockpit simulator, free Wi-Fi, lounges with sleep rooms, a couple of spas and a sprinkling of showers. Restaurants are plentiful and always open – and the shopping too is quite good. Travellers also appreciate that the architecture consistently keeps the place feeling airy, light and spacious.The terminals are easy to navigate, kept consistently clean, and are filled with delightfully friendly and supportive staff. Best of all, this airport reportedly keeps prices reasonable - for Hong Kong.

Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free Wi-Fi • Rest & Relaxation Zones • Hotel connected to the Airport ($) • 24 Food Options ($) • IMAX Theatre ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Showers ($) • Gardens. Visit our Hong Kong Airport Guide for more information.

4. Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia (KUL)

The rain forest within the airport is out of this world.
- a traveller

Kuala Lumpur amazes visitors by having transplanted a chunk of Malaysian rainforest into the terminal itself. Wooden walkways and the canopy-level mezzanine floor allow guests to tour all tiers of the forest while learning about the rich terrestrial eco-system in Malaysia. While some voters lament that KUL isn’t quite as futuristic as Incheon or Changi, Kuala Lumpur still provides excellent versions of the airport-essentials. This includes long benches, reclining chairs, showers and free Wi-Fi – among other things. Plus, we kind of like that this airport has opted for a tropical theme rather than a science fiction theme. This year the airport closed the much-hated LCCT and opened the long-awaited KLIA2 to favourable reviews.

Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free Wi-Fi • Free Showers • Rest & Relaxation Zones • Transit Hotel • Luggage Storage ($). Visit our Kuala Lumpur Airport Guide for more information.

5. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan (TPE)

The people are friendly, the staff is helpful, and the themed boarding gates (such as EVA Air's Hello Kitty gate) are fun and beautiful.
- a traveller

Relative to other airports on this list, Taipei Taoyuan is considered to be laid back, relaxed and accommodating. In addition to your standard roster of airport amenities (free Wi-Fi, transit hotel and private lounges) the airport has added in a few homey touches. Transit travellers appreciate the free shower experiences, where they are provided with towels and Kiehls or L’Occitane products. They also love the snippets of local sites that have been incorporated – including the National Art Gallery, Museum of History and the Palace Exhibits. That said, what keeps TPE truly unique are the variety of themed waiting lounges. In September 2014, the airport further expanded their collection with the introduction of the Movie Waiting Lounge at C8. If boarding from here, you will have a quick chance to re-live the Golden Horse Awards (ie. The Chinese Oscars), as you walk down the red carpet, sit on theater-style chairs and browse Taiwanese movie mementos. This lounge compliments the Hello Kitty Wonderland, the e-Library and the Unforgettable Yummy Tea lounges at other gates. Cultural activities and free food samples including pineapple cake, sausage, nougat, coffee, and mountain tea help to share Taiwanese culture with passengers on a layover.

Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free Wi-Fi • Rest & Relaxation Zones • Free Showers for Transit Passengers • Free Massage Chair Tokens for Transit Passengers • Free City Tour for Transit Passengers • Cultural Activities • Movie Theatre • Library • Luggage Storage ($) • Museum. Visit our Taipei Taoyuan Airport Guide for more information.

6. Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Japan (HND)

 It's got lots of shops, restaurants and a fantastic observation deck! It's super clean and there are security guards and lots of other people sleeping, feels very safe.  - nilamps

Two airports service Tokyo, Japan and Haneda’s distinct advantage is its location relative to the city center. While neighbouring Narita takes 2+ hours to reach, HND is a quick 45-minutes away. Couple that with its reputation for being clean, easy to navigate and efficient and you can begin to understand why voters are impressed. While Haneda doesn't have any designated rest and relaxation zones, there are plenty of armrest free seating possibilities. Amenity-wise, travellers appreciate the free Wi-Fi, showers, luggage storage, but there is little else to do in between flights. If you prefer more comfortable (and private) facilities, there are pay lounges, a transit hotel in the International Terminal and hotels connected to the domestic terminals.

Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free Wi-Fi • Transit Hotel ($) • Hotel connected to the airport ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • 24 Hour Food Options ($) • Showers ($). Visit our Tokyo Haneda Airport Guide for more information.

7. Osaka Kansai International Airport, Japan (KIX)

There is an information desk open 24H and upon request they will lend you a blanket at no cost. - Prakash

Located on a manmade island 38 kilometers outside of Osaka Kansai, this terminal is well-reviewed for its efficient in-airport navigation, the limited queues and the overall cleanliness. Given the terminal’s unique location, the only option is the one hotel connected to the airport. There are no nearby airport hotels so unless you want to head into the city, be prepared to pay for a room or sleep in the terminal. And, just to clarify, when we say ‘everyone’ we mean pets too – KIX is one of three Japanese airports to offer a pet-hotel to local furry friends. The good news for human sleepers is that the terminals are filled with armrest-free benches that are generally reviewed for being both quiet and comfortable. Blankets are freely provided at the information desks, and coin-operated showers are available 24-hours a day. Beyond the free WiFi, activities are fairly limited here.

Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free Wi-Fi • Hotel connected to the Airport ($) • Free Luggage Trolleys • Luggage Storage ($) • Showers ($). Visit our Osaka Kansai Airport Guide for more information.

8. Tokyo Narita International Airport, Japan (NRT)

There are only limited hostel-style sleeping areas in the secure area, all of which fill up immediately. At midnight everyone is taken out of the gate areas and herded into one area with no seating conducive to sleeping. - a traveller

Tokyo Narita is the second airport servicing the Japanese capital – and the one that is located further away from the city center. While Haneda may win big points for proximity, Narita is the clear winner when it comes to reviewing actual airport amenities. Here, you are able to find an Oxygen Bar, a series of shower and changing rooms, capsule sleep pods and (of course) a Pet Hotel – all of which are staffed by extremely helpful and courteous individuals. More unique highlights include a rotating series of Japanese cultural activities – a favourite being the classes on origami making. There is after all, no reason not to learn something new while you wait for a plane! The downside to Narita is that in spite of being a fairly major connection site, the airport all but shuts down at night. Food and activity options become very scarce after 11pm, and sleeping is restricted to a few controlled (and not so comfortable) spaces. In July, a pod hotel opened outside Terminal 2.

Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free Wi-Fi • Sleep Pods ($) • Cultural Activities • Luggage Storage ($) • Showers ($) • Silence Rooms. Visit our Tokyo Narita Airport Guide for more information.

9. New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, India (DEL)

Wonderfully decorated. It was so much fun I nearly missed a flight wandering - a traveller

The international terminal (T3) of the New Delhi Airport got a serious face lift in 2010. This shiny new space sits in direct and fairly harsh contrast to the domestic terminals. Perks in T3 include the plentiful dining restaurants and shopping options. Showers, spas, relaxation zones, private lounges, sleep pods further add comfort to the overall experience here. That said, criticisms of this airport revolve largely around the Domestic Terminal where there are restrictions with gaining access until 3 – 4 hours before your flight – and the pre-security area of the terminals are much less glam.

Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free Wi-Fi • Transit Hotel ($) • 24 Hour Food Options ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • Showers ($). Visit our New Delhi Airport Guide for more information.

10. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand (BKK)

The food court on level 1 of the airport is brilliant for a cheap meal 
- coolbananna 

While the facilities in Bangkok’s primary airport are fairly typical, what earns BKK a spot on this year’s list is its extremely clean facilities. A number of voters remarked on the spotless surroundings, with a few individuals making particular reference to the sparkling bathrooms. Couple that cleanliness with access to free showers and a few thoughtful and classically Thai touches, and its easy to understand how the airport made the list. BKK did however drop a few points this year, possibly because of the intermittent and limited Wi-Fi service – or because of the occasional crowds that swamp the gates. It also seems to be increasingly more difficult to find and secure one of the limited armres mhttp://www.sleepinginairports.net/2014/best-airports-asia.htm-free padded seats. That said, there are a few relaxation spaces and day rooms that provide a bit more comfort, though the latter is rented out for a fee.

Airport Services/Facilities To Enjoy Your Layover: Pay-per-use Lounges ($) • Free Wi-Fi • Transit Hotel ($) • Luggage Storage ($) • City Tours ($). Visit our Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Guide for more information.

Having now gushed extensively about Asian airports, it is perhaps wise to balance all of that excitement by reading about the Worst Airports in Asia.

- See more at: http://www.sleepinginairports.net/2014/best-airports-asia.htm#sthash.vcYkFBZR.dpuf