The Kingdom of Thailand has become the most sought-after destination in Southeast Asia because of its wonderful islands and beaches, its ancient temples, the hospitality of its people, and its delicate and flavoursome cuisine. The country has a variety of attractions, and a range of accommodation choices from luxury to budget style. For this reason, it attracts visitors from many different age groups and countries. Thai culture is centred on religion and monarchy. Before films are shown, patrons will stand for the national anthem, and there are Buddhist temples in many parts of the country. Sculpture and architecture dominate Thai art, which covers a number of eras and styles, reaching back as far as the Mon period from the sixth to the thirteenth centuries. Try to hear some Thai classical music while you are there. It is similar to other Eastern music, being played by orchestras that often include strings, percussion, and woodwind instruments. The special Thai drum is double-handed, and it enjoys a mystical significance that is celebrated by the other orchestra members, who will make offerings of flowers and incense to it. Classical dance in Thailand is closely allied to drama - dance performances feature elaborate costumes and masks. What to see and experience Bangkok has been the leading city since the late 1700s. It is an agreeable and confusing mixture of the modern – with Western-style malls offering shoppers the comfort of air conditioning – and the less modern, with many areas that reflect haphazard planning. As a result, you might be in a busy, bustling street one minute, and then find yourself approaching a lovely, old-world temple the next. You can enjoy the beauty of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the splendour of the Grand Palace. Ayuthaya Historical Park was once a magnificent city encircled by rivers. Today it is the home of many historic temples whose worth caused UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage Site. You can visit most of the celebrated temples on foot, and you can also hire a bicycle to visit others. Nakhon Pathon, west of Bangkok, is the oldest city in Thailand, and the home of the orange-tiled Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest Buddhist monument in the world, whose origins date back to the 1500s. Islands and beach life Ko Samui is an island off south-eastern Thailand. It is covered by coconut plantations, and it also has beautiful beaches that are fringed by palm trees. The most popular of these beaches are Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai. They offer good swimming and snorkelling. If you prefer quieter, less well-known beaches, there are others on the northern coast. Another very popular island is Phuket. Although this is Thailand’s largest and most popular island, it still retains the authentic Thai culture. Chang Mai in Northern Thailand Chiang Mai, 700 kilometers from Bangkok, is the principal city in Northern Thailand, and is a good base from which to explore the area. The north has dense forests and mountains, and is the home of Thailand’s many colourful hilltribe people. The people are peace loving, gentle, kind, and hospitable – they make the handcrafts that are so admired by visitors. Chiang Mai is 700 years old and the city today merges the past into the present. In the heart of the city, you can find centuries-old chedis and temples alongside modern convenience stores and boutique hotels. As there is always something new to discover in Chiang Mai, two weeks might not be enough for the serious tourist. In the old city, you can explore its architecture and handcrafts, and enjoy its festivals, classical dances and cuisine. Chiang Mai also has beautiful mountain scenery and waterfalls. You can collect handicrafts of silk, silver, and locally-produced wood - and you can find bargains at the Night Bazaar. Both luxury tourists and backpackers can enjoy Chiang Mai fully. The city is framed by a striking mountain background and it contains more than 300 temples. Its highlights include the temple on Doi Suthep, hill tribe villages and waterfalls on Doi Intanon, and two chedis. It is also a major centre for handicrafts, Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle Chiang Rai is the most northern province of Thailand, 785 kilometers from Bangkok, and located in the Golden Triangle, which is the area where Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand converge. Chiang Rai was founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai. After being conquered by Burma, it became Thai territory in 1786. Its attractions include magnificent mountain scenery, ruins of ancient settlements, historic sites, Buddhist shrines, and ethnic villages. It is the home to several hilltribes who maintain fascinating lifestyles. The more adventurous will enjoy jungle trekking in Chiang Rai. Thai cuisine Thai cuisine tends to be spicy and well seasoned with garlic, chillies, and a characteristic flavour of lime, lemon grass, and fresh coriander, while fish sauce and shrimp paste are also highly favoured. The best-known dishes are hot and sour fish ragout, green and red curries, soups, and noodles. There is a wide variety of fruits, while the drinks include sugar-cane juice and rice whisky. Festivals and events Two of the leading annual celebrations are the Songkran, or water festival (celebrated in mid-April), and the Loi Krathong (usually held in November), when candle-lit offerings are floated in the rivers, canals, lakes, and the sea. Many of the festivals are linked to Buddhist or Brahman rituals, and they follow a lunar calendar. The king participates in an ancient Brahman ritual to launch the rice-planting season in early May. This is held is a large field in central Bangkok. Tsunami damage and warnings The Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004 damaged the west coast. Although much of the area has recovered you should check the latest information on the Tsunami updates. There are also warnings of unrest in some of the southern provinces. Again, although Thailand is undoubtedly classed as a safe destination, you should take advice about some of the isolated trouble spots. Weather Visitor schedules show that Thailand is a year-round destination for visitors, but in terms of weather there are three seasons: the rainy season from July to October, which this can include monsoons; the dry, cool period from November to February; and the higher temperatures from March to June. Travel and accommodation Bangkok International Airport is the hub of the region, and is served by 90 world airlines; scheduled international flights also land at Chiang Mai, Ubon, Phuket, and Hat Yai. Once you are in Thailand travel is cheap. Buses are fast and comfortable, and the trains around Bangkok are frequent and punctual. When you travel to the countryside, you can take a sleeping berth for a moderate price. The Thai landscape includes a flat plain, the Khorat Plateau in the east, and mountain ranges. Facts • A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid fourteenth century, known as Siam until 1939. Thailand was never taken over by a European power. • Population is 62 million. 75% of the people are Thai, 11% are Chinese, and 3.5% Malay, together with some other minorities. The language is Thai. Religion: 95% of the population are Buddhist, and 4% Muslim.
