Thailand
Land of Smiles
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10
Highlights
The White Temple
In Thailand, there exists a unique temple known as Wat Rong Khun or the White Temple, renowned for its surreal and intricate design. What makes it truly remarkable is the incorporation of modern pop culture icons and symbols into its traditional Buddhist artwork, including depictions of Batman, Superman, and even characters from Star Wars, creating a fascinating blend of ancient spirituality and contemporary imagination.
The Elephant Buffet
In Thailand, visitors can experience the annual Elephant Buffet Festival in Surin, where locals and tourists alike gather to witness a spectacle of culinary creativity dedicated entirely to elephants. During this event, these majestic creatures are treated to a feast of fruits, vegetables, and specially crafted elephant-shaped treats, showcasing Thailand's deep cultural reverence for these beloved animals in a truly unforgettable way.
- Marvel at the intricate architecture and rich history of Bangkok's Grand Palace.
- Discover stunning limestone cliffs, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters while island hopping in Krabi.
- Immerse yourself in Northern Thailand's lush jungles and hill tribe cultures on a trekking adventure in Chiang Mai.
- Step back in time amidst the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya's temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Dive into a vibrant underwater world teeming with colorful coral reefs and exotic marine life in the Similan Islands.
- Experience Bangkok from a different perspective while cruising the Chao Phraya River on a traditional long-tail boat.
- Support ethical elephant conservation efforts and interact with these gentle giants in their natural habitat through elephant sanctuary volunteering.
- Indulge in a culinary adventure, exploring the diverse flavors of Northern Thai cuisine by sampling street food in Chiang Rai.
- Witness the excitement and athleticism of Muay Thai boxing at a local stadium.
- Unwind on sun-kissed shores, indulge in water sports, or simply soak up the island vibes on the beaches of Phuket.
Country Information
- Bangkok
- GMT +7
- Baht
- Buddhism
- 70 Million
- Thai
- Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui
- November to March is the coolest, driest time to visit Thailand. In April and May temperatures and humidity rise until the beginning of “green” season in June. From then you may experience short rain showers peaking in October. In the south, southwest monsoons hit the Andaman coast in October, and northwest monsoons bring rain to the Gulf coast from October to January.
Essence of Vietnam & Cambodia
Embark on a one-night river cruise through the Mekong Delta, meandering along canals and engaging with local communities. Experience the delta’s beauty before taking a speedboat to the lively city of Phnom Penh. Discover Angkor Wat by torchlight on a unique tuk-tuk ride, offering a rare and enchanting view of the ancient temples. In Saigon, immerse yourself in the local culture as you explore the city’s vibrant streets aboard a traditional tuk-tuk. This journey blends scenic river cruises, historical exploration, and authentic local travel, providing a rich and diverse experience of Southeast Asia’s wonders.
Essence of Vietnam & Cambodia
Embark on a one-night river cruise through the Mekong Delta, meandering along canals and engaging with local communities. Experience the delta’s beauty before taking a speedboat to the lively city of Phnom Penh. Discover Angkor Wat by torchlight on a unique tuk-tuk ride, offering a rare and enchanting view of the ancient temples. In Saigon, immerse yourself in the local culture as you explore the city’s vibrant streets aboard a traditional tuk-tuk. This journey blends scenic river cruises, historical exploration, and authentic local travel, providing a rich and diverse experience of Southeast Asia’s wonders.
Essence of Vietnam & Cambodia
Embark on a one-night river cruise through the Mekong Delta, meandering along canals and engaging with local communities. Experience the delta’s beauty before taking a speedboat to the lively city of Phnom Penh. Discover Angkor Wat by torchlight on a unique tuk-tuk ride, offering a rare and enchanting view of the ancient temples. In Saigon, immerse yourself in the local culture as you explore the city’s vibrant streets aboard a traditional tuk-tuk. This journey blends scenic river cruises, historical exploration, and authentic local travel, providing a rich and diverse experience of Southeast Asia’s wonders.
Essence of Vietnam & Cambodia
Embark on a one-night river cruise through the Mekong Delta, meandering along canals and engaging with local communities. Experience the delta’s beauty before taking a speedboat to the lively city of Phnom Penh. Discover Angkor Wat by torchlight on a unique tuk-tuk ride, offering a rare and enchanting view of the ancient temples. In Saigon, immerse yourself in the local culture as you explore the city’s vibrant streets aboard a traditional tuk-tuk. This journey blends scenic river cruises, historical exploration, and authentic local travel, providing a rich and diverse experience of Southeast Asia’s wonders.
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Top Places to Visit
Bangkok
The capital of the country, and by far Thailand’s largest city. It is one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities with magnificent, world-famous temples and palaces, authentic canals, busy markets, giant shopping malls and a vibrant nightlife that has something for everyone. The winding Chao Phraya is connected by numerous canals from which Bangkok has earned its nickname the “Venice of the East”; when you travel around Bangkok, a cruise on the Chao Phraya, a visit to a floating market, or an exploration of the cities “back alley” canals (khlongs) are themselves unique Bangkok attractions. Beyond Bangkok’s historical district, there are plenty of other attractions that make a Bangkok holiday both enjoyable and memorable.
Sukhothai
The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored, and Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see for all travelers, particularly in the evening when the graceful Buddha images are illuminated by lights while exploring the grassy, tree lined park via bicycle, or most spectacularly, during the Loy Krathong festival, when hundreds of candle-powered, floating lanterns are released into the sky. King Ramkhamhaeng, who reigned over Sukhothai’s golden age promoted religion and culture, and brought Chinese artisans back to the city to teach his people the art of pottery. Visitors can go to villages still engaged in the production of Sangkhalok Pottery as well as Hat Siao cloth, named for the village in Si Satchanalai district, just north of Sukhothai town.
Koh Phi Phi
This is Thailand’s Shangri La: a hedonistic paradise where tourists cavort in azure seas and snap pictures of long-tails puttering between craggy cliffs. One of the most beautiful of the Thai islands, there are still plenty of places for a party! Known as the ‘jewels of the Andaman Sea’, there are six islands in Mu Koh Phi Phi-Nopparathara National Park but only Phi Phi Don is inhabited – all others are undeveloped and protected by their National Park status and are frequently visited as day trips. Phi Phi Ley was featured in the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Beach, a story about the ultimate secluded island beach.
Chiang Mai
Surrounded by mountains and lush countryside, Chiang Mai is much greener and quieter than the capital, with a cosmopolitan feel. It is a charming city with a laidback atmosphere, submerged in history and culture. Thailand’s “Rose of the North” is a cultural and natural wonderland with ethnic diversity, a multitude of attractions and welcoming hospitality. Intriguing diversity among ethnic tribes, a number of elephant camps, many cooking and massage schools, numerous outdoor activities, a variety of handicrafts workshops, various cultural performances, and breathtaking scenery make Chiang Mai one of Asia’s most attractive tourist destinations.
Ayutthaya
Once considered the most spectacular city on Earth, the ruins of the capital of the Kingdom Ayutthaya are now a major tourist attraction easily accessible from Bangkok by car, train, or boat as either a daytrip or overnight excursion. Visitors to Ayutthaya can marvel at its grandeur reflected through numerous magnificent temples and ruins concentrated in and around the city, which is located upon an “island” surrounded by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers. Although there are numerous attractions, the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park in the heart of Ayutthaya city, is a UNESCO’s World Heritage site and a wonder to behold. The architecture of Ayutthaya is a fascinating mix of Khmer and early Sukhothai styles. Some cactus-shaped obelisks, called prangs, denote Khmer influence and look something like the famous towers of Angkor Wat.
Koh Samui
An island of natural beauty and charm where life can be as active and fast paced or laidback and relaxed as you want. Beautiful white sand beaches, clean, clear warm water, lush tropical gardens and gentle ocean breezes await. Samui is easily accessible, features beautiful beaches and a variety of activities, and caters to visitors on any budget. Home to a small community engaged primarily in fishing and harvesting coconuts until the late 20th century, Samui today hosts bustling beach towns with fabulous beach resorts, internationally acclaimed restaurants, and world-class nightclubs.
Chiang Rai
A small but picturesque city with a relaxed atmosphere and some great places to try the local cuisine. Chiang Rai is an ideal base from which to explore more remote areas of the province. The quieter neighbor of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai is a land of outstanding natural beauty, where visitors looking to avoid the hordes, can visit remote hill tribes, spot exotic wildlife, and check out the golden triangle, the former center of the world’s opium trade. For those interested in the natural side of Chiang Rai, jungle trekking is a magical experience; explore the mountains of the north along various hiking trails, many of which access the villages of diverse hill tribes groups, many of whom maintain their traditional lifestyles.
Hua Hin & Cha Am
A quiet and relaxing seaside resort ideal for wonderful vacation, a reasonable 2.5 hours drive down from Bangkok. Besides just sunbathing, snorkeling and swimming, visitors can also enjoy golf, spas, caves, peaks, waterfalls, shops, seafood and nearby national parks. Hua Hin, one of Thailand’s premier beach resort towns on the Gulf of Thailand features a beautiful, powdery sand beach, numerous seaside seafood restaurants, a lively night market, numerous beach activities, and some great inland activities, not least of which is golfing at some of Thailand’s most renowned courses.
Phuket
Spectacular scenery, stunning tropical sunsets and warm blue sea await you in one of Asia’s most popular beach destinations. This fun island provides an unbeatable combination of perfect silky soft white palm-lined beaches, superb hospitality, a number of activities and great value accommodation, not to mention an active nightlife! The island’s long history has shaped the Phuket of the present with its diverse ethnic groups, culture, architectural influence, and fine cuisine. These attributes have made Phuket a complete tourist destination that offers a lot more beyond its natural heritage of sea, sand, forest, and world-renowned diving sites. Sino-Portuguese architecture casts its spell delighting travelers to the city, while Phuket style of hospitality has never failed to impress visitors from all walks of life.
Koh Chang
Also known as Elephant Island, Koh Chang is popular with those wanting to dive at the Mu Ko Chang National Marine Park and explore the underwater coral gardens. With no less than 50 offshore isles, Koh Chang boasts the finest red gems, sweet Rakam fruits, indigenous dogs, the historic Koh Chang Naval engagement, and is the eastern-most province in Thailand. The island is 70% covered by unspoiled rainforest and its permanent residents are only gradually becoming more involved in tourism as development has increased in the past decade. As for activities, Ko Chang and the nearby islands that make up the national park are great for snorkeling, diving, camping, and jungle hiking.
Krabi
A top tourist destination as a result of its plentiful natural attractions including white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, extensive coral reefs, numerous caves and waterfalls, and over 130 islands, including Koh Lanta and the jewels of the Andaman coast, the six islands of Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park. Krabi, a province on southern Thailand’s Andaman coast, is an almost otherworldly region of labyrinthine archipelagos, where islands seem to erupt vertically out of the sea and secluded beaches are only accessible by colorfully adorned long tail boats. With attractions including hot springs, natural parks, a wildlife sanctuary, sea caves, flourishing coral reefs, exotic marine life and limestone cliffs that draw rock climbing enthusiasts from around the world, one could easily spend weeks in Krabi and leave yearning for more.