THAILAND
Do you want to go on an exotic holiday in Paradise…seems impossible but one can make it possible by visiting Thailand. This country is not less than a paradise in any terms. Marvelous landscapes, tropical beaches, preserved ancient cities and historic temples, distinct culture, enduring traditions, and Thailand’s special mouth watering cuisine truly makes it a paradise on earth. The beauty factor of Thailand is its untouched exotic image with the ancient charm of grand temples and palaces. No wonder it can be called the ‘land of bounty’ that lures tourists in numbers compared to any other country in South-East Asia. Not only the land with its historical and scenic beauty leaves one spellbound but also the smiling people of Thailand make the country all the more welcoming. Exemplifying the regional feeling all over the country, the local people with due respect to their ancestors preserve the past in fast moving world towards modernity. Take any city of Thailand from different provinces you will have an overwhelming experience, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand singly has over 400 temples to explore. You are free to indulge in trekking, sun bathing, bargaining in the markets or spend nights dancing on the party floors. It can be said that Thailand’s culture is deep rooted and has never been influenced by any other country’s dominance as it was never colonized. Though accustomed to its ancient culture, the country’s infrastructure is modest as other countries with world class transport system in any part of the town. This sole reason attracts distinct types of tourists from different parts of the world. Studies show that over 13 million tourists visit Thailand in a year, and that’s why the country’s main source of income is tourism. Whatever your reason of visit might be, Thailand offers excellent accommodation, bounty of sightseeing, trendy shopping, amazing dinning experience, and different outdoor activities.
CULTURE
The people of Thailand are called Thais or Tai (pronounced as Dai). It’s believed that Tai migrated from China to settle here in Thailand. Still stuck to their principles modernization has not affected the harmony and honesty of the people. The families strictly adhere to the rules of respect at social gatherings. Believers of Karma Thais follow generosity which is called “tham boon” in their language, these good deeds like offering daily prayers, donating money and feeding monks would help them to attain a better position in society. Thailand’s history that witnessed different periods has unique temples, palaces and ancient sites which speak of a particular historic period and depict the ancient architectural ingenuity in the lavish designs. Although the people of Thailand practice many religions the ‘Theravada Buddhism’ is the main religion prevailing in the country. Apart from tangible sites the country’s heritage is visible in its music, art, dance form and theatre. Visit the nearest museums and national galleries displaying the bygone ages help to get a fair understanding of the historic periods.
GEOGRAPHY
Physically Thailand is similar to the shape of an Elephant, basically the southern peninsula looks like the trunk of elephant, northern appears like the ears and Bangkok resembles the mouth part. With small land area it has vast geographical features that make the country rich in tourism. Totally measuring 198,456 sq miles Thailand shares borders with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Andaman Sea and Malaysia. The fertile river valleys, arid plateau, sizzling coastlines, dense forests and rugged mountains all add to the glory of flora and fauna of the country. Geographically, it’s divided into four main regions the Northern Mountains, the khorat plateau, the central plains, and the southern peninsula. And these have special geographical characters like the Northern Mountains is source of country’s main Rivers –the Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan; the Khorat Plateau is home to third largest of Thailand- the Nakhom Ratchasima; the Central plains is known for best rice-growing areas in the world. Apart from geographic features also the ethnic and cultural differences in these regions make Thailand an impressive tourist spot for they still exist together and live peacefully with harmony amongst each other.
WHEN TO VISIT
Thailand has favorable climatic conditions with tropical climate categorized as rainy, hot and cool seasons. Rainy season starts from June and lasts till October while November to February is the cool dry season and the hot season from March to May. If you don’t want to be in Thailand during hot and dry periods then visit during the cool seasons that is from November to March when the weather is at its optimum and favorable in all respects. One more advantage of going to Thailand during this period is that it will allow you to witness the regional festivals carried out in this time. Tourists who want to stay away from and avoid the peak season can take advantage of the low rates all through April to June and September to October.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Thailand promises you the most enchanting holiday of your life by its rewarding multifaceted destinations and cultural diversity. Any tourist who visits Thailand has lot to appreciate and talk about. The number of beaches is endless starting from Thailand’s main city Bangkok, Pattaya, Cha-am, Hua-Hin, Phuket, Ko Samui and to Krabi that are few names from the world’s excellent beaches. Then there’s huge variety of wildlife offered by the mountainous range of Thailand. The country boasts of 80 national parks and 45 forest preserves out of which the Thailand’s oldest national park –Khao Yai National Park is counted to be one of the best national parks in the world. Another exciting part of the excursion is pampering you by the ancient art form carried in the Spas as special treatments. The saffron robbed monks walking through roads to receive alms are truly catchy to any tourist. After a days sight seeing you want to spend some the time for recreation there’s a vast choice, Thais have also adopted modern outdoors for recreation like golf, ice skating, tennis, kite fighting, and bowling.
BANGKOK
Located in the central part of Thailand, this is the capital city which is one ideal place of tourism. Known for being the most fertile place for farming one can find wide range of paddy fields and plantations in the inner city. It’s the place of Royal family, the government and the location for main port. Thais consider Bangkok as Krung Thep means the city of angels that is spiritual, symbolic to the progress of nation. The top attractions in Bangkok are the Grand Palace, Wat Pra Kaew, Patpong, Chatuchak Market, The National Museum, Wat Pho-the temple of the reclining Buddha, Jim Thompson’s House, Siam Niramit, the Beer Garden Festival and the Siam’s Ocean World. The Grand Palace is the significant for its historic past that was built by king Rama I in 1782, this was the time when Bangkok was established as the capital. The Palace displays grandeur of Jewels and its vast size just leaves one spell bounded while Wat Pra Kaew is the house of emerald Buddha which is one of most significant representations in Thai Buddhism. Believed as very powerful place of worship its one of the not to miss places. Then in the list is the Wat Pho or Wat Phra that is popular for its massive sculpture ‘the reclining Buddha’, its all gold plated and 46 meters in length and 15 meters in height. More than its massive size the carvings of the Buddha’s eyes and feet are the most fascinating, the mother of pearl make the eyes special while the 108 features of Buddha are carved at the feet of the image.
PHUKET
It’s the Thailand’s largest island and as the place suggests Phuket draws visitors because of its famous pristine beaches and bays. Equally famous are the outdoor activities like snorkeling, diving, and treks in different locations at lush tropical backdrop. To name few must sees in Phuket are the beaches of Hat Patong, Donald Duck Bay, Phuket FantaSea, Patong Beach, and Promthep Cape; the islands like Racha Islands, Lucy’s Reef, Staghorn Reef, Fantasea Reef, and the Yellow Submarines catch the attention. All these places are famous night hangouts and if you’re visiting these places via tours they offer adventure sport packages that include Kayaking, driving trips (liveaboard), and fishing trips.
ISAN
Isan is a place that exhibits cultural in every corner of the city; this is an opportunity to grab a look at the rural/ traditional community and their life which is on the verge extinction due to the global development. The interesting sites here are Ban Chiang and Khmer Temple that are age old depicting the history of that time and not only the historic sites lure the visitor but take them to the past. Mostly agrarian the people are engaged in dancing, singing during the festivals that shows the preservence of the heritage.
PATTAYA
Pattaya is mainly famous for its beach and the pompous lifestyle around the beach. Home to go-go bars, discos and nightclubs Pattaya is swamped with people engaged in partying, jet skiing, water skiing, parasailing, powerboating, and scuba diving. Usually families avoided Pattaya but now the tourism department is taking keen interest in promoting Pattaya as a family hangout also. Because it’s close to Bangkok so after visiting it Tourists can drop in Pattaya to catch the look of cool lifestyle. The popular attraction here is the major shipwreck areas where only experienced divers visit, they are the Ko Lan, Ko sak, Ko Krak and Ko Man.
CHIANG MAI
The third largest city and referred as the ‘Rose of North’ because of its popularity in the northern region. This city is located near the Mae Ping River featuring its very own mountain ranges, the bounty of flora and fauna and the lush green jungles. The Chiang Mai province is also known for many tribal villages that makes a key attraction. Other most visited places in this region are the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Doi Inthanon, Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai Zoo, and the Chiang Mai Night Safari.
GETTING HERE
The best place to arrive in Thailand would be the Bangkok’s Don International Airport that is flexible to reach all the places of interest and is connected to all major flights around the world. Even the Suvarnabhumi airport of Bangkok is equally famous and these days most of the flights are connected via this airport. If you are looking for low cost airlines then make a choice from Air Asia offering economy flights within Thailand-Bangkok, Chaing Mai, Hatyai, Chaing Rai, and Pucket. Plan your travel in advance to gain offers and reserve your seats.
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