Thailand
Thailand
is a country in South-East Asia with coasts on the Andaman Sea
and the Gulf of Thailand. It borders Myanmar (Burma) to the
north-west, Laos to the north-east, Cambodia to the south-east
and Malaysia to the south.
With great food, a tropical climate, fascinating culture and,
hey, great beaches, Thailand is a magnet for travellers the
world over.
Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in South-East
Asia, and for a reason. You can find almost anything here: thick
jungle as green as can be, crystal blue beaches that feel more
like a warm bath than a swim in the ocean and food that can
curl your nose hairs while tap dancing across your taste buds.
Exotic, yet safe and largely hassle-free; cheap, yet equipped
with every modern amenity you need, there is something for every
interest and every price bracket, from beach front backpacker
bungalows to some of the best luxury hotels in the world. And
despite the heavy flow of tourism, Thailand retains its quintessential
Thainess, with a culture and history all its own and a carefree
people famed for their smiles and their fun-seeking sanuk lifestyle.
Many travelers come to Thailand and extend their stay well beyond
their original plans and others never find a reason to leave.
Whatever your cup of tea is, they know how to make it Thailand.
This is not to say that Thailand doesn't have its downsides,
including the considerable growing pains of an economy where
an agricultural laborer is lucky to earn 40 baht per day while
the nouveau riche cruise past in their BMWs, and a highly visible
sex tourism industry. Bangkok, the capital, is notorious for
its traffic jams and rampant development has wrecked much of
once-beautiful Pattaya and Phuket. In heavily touristed areas,
some lowlifes have made scamming tourists into an art form.
Thailand's 76 provinces can be conveniently divided into
five geographic and cultural regions.
North - Chiang Mai, hill tribes, and the Golden Triangle
Isaan - the great undeveloped north-east - get off the beaten
track and discover backcountry Thailand and some magnificent
Khmer ruins
Central - Bangkok, lowlands and historic Thailand
East - beaches and islands within easy reach of Bangkok, and,
oh yes, Pattaya
South - hundreds of kilometers of coastline and countless islands
on both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, plus Phuket,
Krabi, Ko Samui, Ko Tao and many more of Thailand's famous beach
spots
Cities
Bangkok - Thailand's bustling, frenetic capital
Ayutthaya - a historical city, world heritage site and old capital
of Thailand
Chiang Mai - the capital of the North and the heart of Lanna
culture
Chiang Rai - gateway to the Golden Triangle
Hat Yai - largest city in the Southern region
Kanchanaburi - home of the Bridge over the River Kwai
Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat) - main city in the Isaan region
Pattaya - one of the main tourist destinations
Sukhothai - Thailand's first capital
Islands & beaches:
Ko Chang - once quiet island undergoing major tourism development
Ko Lanta - sleepy island near Krabi
Ko Pha Ngan - site of the famous Full Moon Party
Ko Phi Phi - backpacker favorite where The Beach was filmed
Ko Samet - the nearest island beach escape from Bangkok
Ko Samui - hippie mecca gone upmarket
Ko Tao - where the world learns to scuba dive
Phuket - the original Thai paradise island
Rai Leh - stunning beach by the limestone cliffs of Krabi
National Parks:
Ang Thong National Marine Park - in Surat Thani Province
Khao Yai National Park - in Isaan
Ko Chang National Park - in Trat Province
Similan Islands - in Phang Nga province
Tarutao National Park - in Satun Province
