Why Thailand
Thailand is deservedly the most popular destination in Southeast Asia
THAILAND
Known globally as the land of smiles, Thailand is deservedly the most popular destination in Southeast Asia. From picture-perfect sandy beaches to steamy jungles; from ornate and ancient Buddhist temples to the dazzling neon buzz of cityscapes; Thailand has something for everyone. This is a land of adventure, indulgence and beauty that’s guaranteed to satisfy your wanderlust and put a smile on your face.
THAILAND
Known globally as the land of smiles, Thailand is deservedly the most popular destination in Southeast Asia. From picture-perfect sandy beaches to steamy jungles; from ornate and ancient Buddhist temples to the dazzling neon buzz of cityscapes; Thailand has something for everyone. This is a land of adventure, indulgence and beauty that’s guaranteed to satisfy your wanderlust and put a smile on your face.
Food
Just like the country itself, Thai food is laid back, generous, warm and irresistible; a concoction of culinary delights that will stir your imagination and keep you coming back for more. Each dish is characterized by fresh, local ingredients – fragrant lemongrass, radiant spices and seafood fresh from the ocean. All are cooked up with a flourish in the steaming woks of street vendors or simmered to perfection on beach barbeques, combining sweet, spicy, salty and sour into a menu that’s got something for everyone. Try the spicy and sour Tom Yum soup, a Pad Thai on the streets of Bangkok, or Ayutthaya’s famous candy floss roti. Cooking classes uncover the secrets of these simple masterpieces, whilst floating markets, fish mongers and a rainbow of colourful spices take you and your taste buds to the heart of Thailand.
Cities
From relics of ancient empires, to the effervescent pulse of modern megalopolises, Thailand’s cities are bursting with attractions for the curious traveller. Whether dining on the finest cuisine atop a towering skyscraper, or circling Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest stupa in the world, Thailand’s monuments to both old and new are a breathtaking spectacle. Take a tuk-tuk through the busy streets of Bangkok, or a boat trip along the mighty Mae Khong River to the old capital city of Chiang Saen, to see colourful and cosmopolitan modernity flowering from ancient roots.
Nature
The jungles, parks and forests of Thailand support a wide range of wildlife. Dwarf and barking deer, along with gibbons, langurs, and rhesus monkeys. One of the largest forests in Southeast Asia, Khao Yai National Park supports a population of 300 elephants, roaming wild and free in the forests and savannahs. Here, hiking paths follow the migratory routes of animals, to scenic waterfalls such as Heaw Sawat, where the film “The Beach” was filmed. Travellers to Thailand can take part in the country’s conservation initiatives, by travelling to an elephant sanctuary and helping rehabilitate and care for pachyderms injured by land mines or rescued from the logging industry.
Beaches
Surely the ace in Thailand’s bag of tricks has to be its beaches. Palm trees and the azure blue of a tropical ocean frame the country’s long, lazy coastline. Whether you’re diving with whale sharks in Ko Tao, relaxing on a longtail in Ko Lanta or raving the night away at a full moon party on Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand’s beaches form an unforgettable backdrop for those picture-perfect beach memories.
History
Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia to have never been colonized; surrounded by so many historical powerhouses clambering for centre stage, the country has quietly imbued itself with influences from all its neighbours, creating a cultural melting pot that continues to bubble and pitch right up to the present day. Modern day Thailand can trace its roots back to the Indian kingdom of Dvaravati, the Srivijaya Empire in Indonesia and the Khmer dynasties of Cambodia. Buddhism flowered in borderlands of Thailand from seeds that were sown in India at the time of the Emperor Ashoka during the Maurya Empire; later the Pallava dynasty and north Indian Gupta Empire would also hold sway over Siam. The former capitals of Sukothai, Lopburi, and Ayutthaya are windows into Thailand’s historic past, where ruins roll back the centuries and visitors are transported to another time.
Culture
Thailand has been described by some as a country where you can get as local or foreign as you like. Alongside traditional hill tribes and humble villages of fishermen and farmers, you’ll also find the international jet set, threadbare backpackers and everyone in between; all adding to the kaleidoscope of cultures that makes Thailand so exhilarating. Heritage, history and mythology are a cultural bedrock under the topsoil of modernity in Thailand. Lampang is the centre of Thailand’s northern teakwood industry, home to many ornate and beautiful teak wooden temples that have stood the test of time. In the north, travellers can explore a golden temple on the top of Doi Suthep and uncover the history of a white elephant and the monk who discovered the mountain.
Food
Just like the country itself, Thai food is laid back, generous, warm and irresistible; a concoction of culinary delights that will stir your imagination and keep you coming back for more. Each dish is characterized by fresh, local ingredients – fragrant lemongrass, radiant spices and seafood fresh from the ocean. All are cooked up with a flourish in the steaming woks of street vendors or simmered to perfection on beach barbeques, combining sweet, spicy, salty and sour into a menu that’s got something for everyone. Try the spicy and sour Tom Yum soup, a Pad Thai on the streets of Bangkok, or Ayutthaya’s famous candy floss roti. Cooking classes uncover the secrets of these simple masterpieces, whilst floating markets, fish mongers and a rainbow of colourful spices take you and your taste buds to the heart of Thailand.
Cities
From relics of ancient empires, to the effervescent pulse of modern megalopolises, Thailand’s cities are bursting with attractions for the curious traveller. Whether dining on the finest cuisine atop a towering skyscraper, or circling Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest stupa in the world, Thailand’s monuments to both old and new are a breathtaking spectacle. Take a tuk-tuk through the busy streets of Bangkok, or a boat trip along the mighty Mae Khong River to the old capital city of Chiang Saen, to see colourful and cosmopolitan modernity flowering from ancient roots.
Nature
The jungles, parks and forests of Thailand support a wide range of wildlife. Dwarf and barking deer, along with gibbons, langurs, and rhesus monkeys. One of the largest forests in Southeast Asia, Khao Yai National Park supports a population of 300 elephants, roaming wild and free in the forests and savannahs. Here, hiking paths follow the migratory routes of animals, to scenic waterfalls such as Heaw Sawat, where the film “The Beach” was filmed. Travellers to Thailand can take part in the country’s conservation initiatives, by travelling to an elephant sanctuary and helping rehabilitate and care for pachyderms injured by land mines or rescued from the logging industry.
Beaches
Surely the ace in Thailand’s bag of tricks has to be its beaches. Palm trees and the azure blue of a tropical ocean frame the country’s long, lazy coastline. Whether you’re diving with whale sharks in Ko Tao, relaxing on a longtail in Ko Lanta or raving the night away at a full moon party on Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand’s beaches form an unforgettable backdrop for those picture-perfect beach memories.
History
Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia to have never been colonized; surrounded by so many historical powerhouses clambering for centre stage, the country has quietly imbued itself with influences from all its neighbours, creating a cultural melting pot that continues to bubble and pitch right up to the present day. Modern day Thailand can trace its roots back to the Indian kingdom of Dvaravati, the Srivijaya Empire in Indonesia and the Khmer dynasties of Cambodia. Buddhism flowered in borderlands of Thailand from seeds that were sown in India at the time of the Emperor Ashoka during the Maurya Empire; later the Pallava dynasty and north Indian Gupta Empire would also hold sway over Siam. The former capitals of Sukothai, Lopburi, and Ayutthaya are windows into Thailand’s historic past, where ruins roll back the centuries and visitors are transported to another time.
Culture
Thailand has been described by some as a country where you can get as local or foreign as you like. Alongside traditional hill tribes and humble villages of fishermen and farmers, you’ll also find the international jet set, threadbare backpackers and everyone in between; all adding to the kaleidoscope of cultures that makes Thailand so exhilarating. Heritage, history and mythology are a cultural bedrock under the topsoil of modernity in Thailand. Lampang is the centre of Thailand’s northern teakwood industry, home to many ornate and beautiful teak wooden temples that have stood the test of time. In the north, travellers can explore a golden temple on the top of Doi Suthep and uncover the history of a white elephant and the monk who discovered the mountain.
