| More and more people today seek
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| | emerald rice paddies, sugar cane
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| fulfilling holidays at cheaper rates. The
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| | plantations and woodlands. The property
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| days of booking holidays at a local
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| | was set on extensive grounds guaranteeing
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| travel agent and disappearing on a
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| | privacy by our own pool, and the bedrooms
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| package tour are dwindling, as
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| | and facilities all lived up to or
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| vacationers turn to the internet to seek
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| | surpassed what we had seen described on
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| alternatives.
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| | the internet. The kitchen showed up our
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| Renting a private house is becoming more
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| | own kitchen at home, and the shower
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| and more common as visitors seek
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| | garden in the master bedroom was a
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| authenticity, privacy, independence, and
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| | delightful touch.
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| originality whilst on holiday. And if
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| | When we said we loved Thai food, we were
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| such a stay also offers the possibility
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| | delighted to be taken off around the
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| of direct interaction with the locals and
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| | grounds to pick our own herbs and spices
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| costs less than a hotel stay, the
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| | – including strange plants that we
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| attractions are manifold.
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| | had never considered using in the pot
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| In Thailand,more and more properties are
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| | – before being shown how to make
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| now available for direct rent from their
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| | genuine Thai and Northeaster dishes. The
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| owners on a daily or weekly basis.
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| | owners seemed genuinely pleased to be
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| Thailand’s real estate boom has
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| | able to impart their knowledge and love
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| helped develop the number of villas and
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| | of food – and we were equally happy
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| holiday homes available. It is in general
| |
| | to have this cooking lesson provided at
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| a pity that these properties still tend
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| | no cost!
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| to be huddled together in the mass
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| | The property was fully serviced and the
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| tourism markets of Pattaya, Phuket, and
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| | rate we paid covered all our meals and
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| Koh Samui, which somewhat defeats the
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| | even generous quantities of cool beer and
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| original attractions of an independent
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| | fresh fruit juices. And as we were there
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| holiday home.
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| | in the mango season, we were encouraged
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| However, looking more closely, it is not
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| | to simply help ourselves to the fresh
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| difficult to narrow down one’s
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| | fruit straight from the trees…
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| search and to locate private properties
| |
| | It was rare to find a house deep in the
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| for rent at highly attractive rates in
| |
| | Thai countryside, and truly off the
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| original destinations. And in accordance
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| | beaten tourist track, that offered every
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| with the Thais’ legendary
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| | comfort for a relaxing stay in the real
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| hospitality, these villas are even
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| | Thailand. The Visitors’ Book was
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| occasionally rented out more as if
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| | full of glowing comments and the many
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| friends – rather than paying guests
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| | repeat guests bore testimony to the
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| - were being accommodated: meals are
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| | visitors’ enjoyment of their stays,
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| cooked for you, transport arranged, and
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| | not only because of the property itself
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| invitations made to local ceremonies or
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| | but because of the genuine welcome they
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| festivals. In short, the Thais have
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| | received.
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| realized that, whilst some guests may
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| | Tips on booking holiday homes:
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| prefer privacy, others seek a genuine
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| | • Try to book directly with the
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| interaction at the local level with the
| |
| | property site. Searches tend to list
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| country’s inhabitants, as they seek
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| | global villa rental sites that generally
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| a memorable local experience instead of a
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| | take a commission on your stay, making it
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| manufactured stay.
| |
| | more expensive, and in some cases try to
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| Our exploration of Thailand’s
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| | prevent you from contacting the owners
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| holiday home rentals led us to several
| |
| | directly.
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| very different properties, and clearly,
| |
| | • Look for an individual property
|
| whilst the supply is not huge, the
| |
| | rather than a house in a villa
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| attractions of these homes, the
| |
| | development. The latter are often managed
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| hospitality of the Thais, the zing of the
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| | by hotel groups and simply glorified
|
| delicious food and the promise of sun all
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| | hotel rooms – at hotel rates!
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| make these properties a marvelous holiday
| |
| | • Travel in the off season, but
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| alternative.
| |
| | book early. Better rates can generally be
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| We particularly enjoyed our stay at
| |
| | found for travel out of the tourist
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| “Gecko Villa”. From the
| |
| | seasons, but do make sure you book ahead,
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| outset, their comprehensive website (
| |
| | as when a standalone villa is booked, it
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| gave full details of the property, with
| |
| | is booked!
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| numerous photographs and an online
| |
| | • Make sure the property you choose
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| availability checker. Our email
| |
| | has a telephone and address listed.
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| reservation was responded to rapidly, and
| |
| | • Travel somewhere new! Much of the
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| helpful suggestions made about getting to
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| | fun of your own holiday house is the way
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| the destination.
| |
| | it can take you out of the tourist
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| Upon arrival we were met at the airport
| |
| | centres to enjoy a more authentic
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| by the smiling owners and driven to the
| |
| | holiday.
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| large house that was set in the middle of
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| |
|
