The Kingdom of Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in southeast Asia with its irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms. Sporting the name of Siam until the 11 th of May 1949, Thailand is the only country in the southeastern region of the continent of Asia to escape European colonization. In Thai, the word "Thai" translates as 'free'; so, Thailand means 'a free land'.
When to Go
By far the best time to visit is from February to March when the weather is kind and the beaches are at their finest. Thailand's monsoons arrive around July and last into November (the 'rainy season'). They can be uncomfortably, unpredictably sticky. The peak seasons are August, November, December, February and March, with secondary peak months in January and July. If your main objective is to avoid crowds and to take advantage of discounted rooms and low-season rates, you should consider travelling during the least crowded months (April, May, June, September and October).
Famous Tourist Attractions
Thailand offers a diversity of natural splendor, places of historical interest (including ancient Gothic ruins), charming towns, excellent tourist facilities, heritage buildings and beautiful cottages, a gossamer of roads, lush greenery and off course friendly pathways. It has something for the water lovers and lush greenery, as well as something for the indefatigable trekker and wildlife lover. There simply a lot for all of them who are simply curious to know the country.
Ayutthaya, a beautiful town in Thailand is famous for its splendor on Gothic ruins. Bordered by rivers Ayutthaya lying amidst on looks exquisite temples and palace ruins. Sukthothai promises more grandeur in ruins but Ayutthaya being just a few walking steps away from Bangkok, attract a larger crowd. After catching the glimpses of the antique pieces in two museums, you can go cruising in boat downriver to Bang-Pa-In meet and experience the rural people and their livelihood.
Bangkok, the capital is another hot spot of Thailand is the best esplanade for shop freaks, culture lovers of urban glory and every other exciting adventurous activity. Miraculously the city also demonstrates an acute serenity in sunrise at tranquil temples or monasteries amidst the busy humming of the chaotic ambience. As the whole city remains a collage of abject poverty and dazzling riches, urbanity and squalor, important business and exotic retails and exasperating pollution.
Minor towns like Fang, Hat Yai, Hua Hin are usually rich in exotic beaches mostly frequented by Thais but attract tourists for exquisite boat rides. The towns manifest natural splendor, blue delectable mountains refulgent in the golden sunshine, ethereal of waterfalls and dimmed restaurants.
Chiang-Mai, popular known as the 'rose of the north' is Thailand.s second largest city. It not only displays abundance in food and fineries, trekking, boating and hiking but also in art and architecture, accessories of modern designs unnaturally contrasted with traffic-jams and pollutions.
-Wat Suan Bank, a beautiful Wat -Wat Chaing Man, an ancient relic of a Wat -The national museum and tribal research Center. -Elephant conservation center near Lampang to see the elephants getting trained. Lampang an ancient village is famous for its old fortress temple, Wat Lampang Luang and blue-white pottery. -Lamphaun to see Wat Chama Devi and a magnificent site of 60 Buddhas standing outside the structures. -Baw Sang where one can have glimpse of Lacquer ware and jade factories. Factories manufacturing woodcarvings, silverware handicraft products and ceramics can also be visited. -Mae Sai is attractive for its special puppet market and also for gems, specially sapphires and rubies. Chiang Mai areas are lonely and especially for people showered with exuberance. One should go for trekking of Golden Triangle, situated on the confluence of Thailand Myanmar and Laos. An elephant ride and river rafting makes it very exciting.
Khao Yai National Park is a huge park offering the rare sight of crystal clear waterfalls, rare species of tigers and bears, along with hiking and jungle safari on elephant backs.
Ko Chang, Ko Lanta and Ko-Pha-Ngan are Thailand.s islands, most famous after Phuket. The islands are lovely green and boasting pristine beaches, Gothic looming cliffs, eerie silence and manifestation of the wide blue expanse of ocean and sky meeting in a dramatic arch across the horizon.
Kanchanaburi
The infamous .Bridge on the River Kwai. has immortalized this place. Many Allied prisoners died during World War II building this legendary Death Railway. You can also make a short visit to the nearby museum to learn the history of the railroad's construction. A night.s stay at Kanchanburi can be a rewarding experience. A day trip to Erawan National Park in the middle of thick jungle surrounded by a series of small waterfalls descending a hill and flowing into numerous pools and puddles is the ideal place for a dip.
Krabi
This destination is catching the attention of the tourists recently for its 'Graveyard of Shells' (fossil beds near the sea). Krabi also has pleasant beaches and a fascinating botanical garden. The mountain high boulders jutting out from the turquoise sea is an unparallel view to anywhere in the world. The beaches in Krabi are getting crowded every day and especially in winter.
Pattaya
Pattaya is the second most visited place in Thailand after Bangkok. This resort was developed in 1968 and has emerged into a foremost tourist attraction. The 5-mile long beach is the hottest destination in Thailand. A good diving experience and marine life watching through the glass-bottomed boat off the nearby island of Ko Laan, Ko Lin and Ko Pa is a unique experience.
Nightlife & Entertainment
Nightlife in Thailand is one of the popular attractions in the country. The nightlife in Thailand has some of the best clubs that play live music. The bars and pubs also open till late in the night and have become a hangout for all the age groups. Here it would be also time to listen to music by entertainers.
The important nightlife locations in Thailand include the cinemas that offer excellent value for money. The cabaret shows are popular and the visitors seek those in Pattaya after. The other locations include the beaches that are the most sought after nightlife locations. Here one would find bars, pubs and gogo bars that are very popular.
It also said that no other city in Asia rivals Thailand for its nightlife. For those interested to catch more of action the right places are Bangkok and Pattaya that abound with discos. Here one would both small and enormous centers. The other important region is Patong that abound in bars, discos, gogo bars. Chiang Mai also provides various centers of entertainment and draws both the domestic and international crowds.
Bangkok also boasts of many late evening drinks canters and some of the best being located in the hotels. Here one can relax and also enjoy the live music. The clubs in Thailand also open till early in the morning thus offering a vibrant nightlife.
Fast Facts
Full Name
Kingdom of Thailand
Capital City
Bangkok
Airport
Bangkok, Phuket
Area
517,000 sq km
199,614 sq miles
Population
65,000,000
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +7 ()
Daylight Saving Start
not in use
Daylight Saving End
not in use
Languages
Thai (official)
Religion
95% Buddhist, 4% Muslim
Currency
Baht (Bht)
Electricity
220V 50HzHz
Electric Plug Details
European plug with two circular metal pins
