One of the best things about Chiang Mai is that, despite being steeped in culture and history as well as traditional arts, it is Thailand’s second-biggest city. While not as densely packed as Bangkok (a plus, not a minus!), it has attracted its share of modern shopping malls, superstores and specialist markets. Though you will be here for cultural immersion and a tour through the temples, botanical gardens and tiger farms, sometimes you just want something with a little more glitz and, not least of all, air-conditioning.

• Central Airport Plaza is currently the most prominent, shiniest shopping mall in Chiang Mai. It is housed in a complex that includes an exhibition hall and huge parking space, offering a range of restaurants and familiar brand names throughout its halls from Starbucks to Pizza Hut, though it is in no shortage of independent and Thai restaurants, clothing stores, and tech vendors. Notable

When you are buying a home it is easy to let your emotions drive you. This is good sometimes, but there are times when this can be a very bad thing. Wrong decisions can easily be made when you are letting your emotions take over. The last thing you want is regret when you are buying a house. It is a decision that will take you until you get your next home, so it is a big one. Making rational decisions is usually the best option. There are three emotional pitfalls that people easily fall into when buying a home. This article will list and detail those pitfalls and tell you why these things should be avoided.

You often hear home owners talking about how they fell in love with their house. This may be the case, but this can easily be turned into a pitfall. It is easy to … Read more

Present-day technology has changed development in a lot of ways. People have often been on a way of movement, yet on account of technology. Some of the technology progresses has turned into a necessity of life because of their significance and our dependence on them.

Correspondence

One of the regions where present-day technology is most essential is in the domain of correspondence. Long back, speaking with people outside your prompt area was a troublesome procedure, requiring correspondence by physical letter and a much measure of tolerance. The Internet has made long separations practically straightforward, permitting clients to relate with people on the opposite side of the planet in a moment. Technology has additionally expanded our availability, with mobile phones and different gadgets.

Training

Another territory where PCs and the Internet have turned out to be critical is in training. PCs can store a lot of information in a little space; … Read more

The BMW 5 Series was the first model to introduce the controversial ‘flame’ design which split opinion. However we have always been fans so we were keen to see if the latest design would also hit the spot. We think that BMW has got it right again with a dynamic and thoroughly contemporary design which keeps the 5 bang up to date.

The new 5 Series comes with an array of EfficientDynamics technologies. There’s Auto Start-Stop, optimum gearshift indicator, Brake Energy Regeneration, Active Aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tyres. In addition a state-of-the-art 8-speed automatic transmission with a longer final drive ratio to reduce engine revs at motorway speeds helping to achieve great fuel consumption.

In the driving stakes BMW has kept the trademark 50:50 weight distribution, which along with the front-engined, rear-wheel drive layout, makes the 5 Series more agile than rivals. There’s also no reason to expect anything … Read more

The head of Queen Charlotte Sounds are tidal. The tide range is not huge, but the water being as shallow as it is, low tide reveals a great expanse of brownness. Ringed by lush native bush to the waterline, this little corner of Marlborough is paradise to a small boy. That great area of exposed mud, littered with stranded puddles of left behind sea, pockmarked with crab holes and their scuttling tenants, dark seaweed smell everywhere, draws like a magnet. Large holes left by monster snapper excavating for succulent molluscs with their bone crushing jaws, floated tremulous images before his eyes of what the next high tide may bring.

Spirits soaring along with the flowing tide he trudges up the dusty strip to collect his fishing gear. Containing his excitement, he knows precisely how long the advancing sea will take to creep up over the mud, so he need not … Read more