Welcome to Thailand, the land of smiles; where the country itself is as diverse and spectacular as the glossy postcards depict.
Thailand is a beautiful country, offering something for everyone: beautiful beaches, historic culture and museums, lively arts, a good nightlife and one of the best cuisines in the world.
The north has lush mountains and wild rivers, the south offers numerous islands and beaches, and the centre boasts bustling Bangkok. It is a relatively safe and stable country with friendly people who enjoy an easy-going attitude towards life.

Most visitors enter the country through Bangkok. From there you can head either north to the mountains or south to the beaches. Great daytrips from Bangkok are easily accessible to historical and interesting towns like Ayutthaya (a former capital) and Kanchanaburi, known for the River Kwai Bridge. A little further from the capital are the busy holiday cities of Pattaya to the east, and Hua Hin to the southwest. Popular islands further south include Koh Samui and Phuket as well as the beautiful beaches of Krabi and Trang. Chiang Mai in the north is popular for trekking and Thai handicrafts.

Thailand has a warm, humid, tropical climate all year. Year round temperatures average 26C. There are basically three seasons - cool, hot, and rainy.

The traditional greeting gesture is called a wai (hands placed together in a prayer position at the chest, chin or forehead). There are various levels of wais, the best is to just imitate the wai that is being given to you. Most Thais are not accustomed to shaking hands, but more are adopting this western approach when meeting foreigners.

Thais have a deep reverence for the Royal Family, especially the King. His Royal Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world’s longest reigning monarch and a multi-talented one at that. He is a sailor, an artist, a musician, and an agriculturalist. His love of sailing has inspired an annual regatta called The King’s Cup which is held on Phuket Island during the week of the King’s birthday (5 December). It is a major event, attracting sailors and spectacular yachts from around the globe.

The country's capital is Bangkok. A frenetic, sprawling city full of humanity and history, massive markets and mega malls, ancient temples and modern nightlife… and traffic. Thanks to the efficient Skytrain and river taxis, much of Bangkok's chronic traffic jams can be avoided. Bangkok is worth at least a brief visit, even if you are not a city person. The magnificent Grand Palace is a must-see.

The best time to visit Thailand is during the cool season, from November through February, also considered the high season as it is the most popular time to travel due to the pleasant weather. The average temperature is around 25C with low humidity (55%). It can be surprisingly chilly in the north, with temperatures dropping to 7C at night.

Summer is generally dry from March to May with average temperatures around 27C, although it is not uncommon for it to reach 34C or 40C for extended periods, especially during April.

The rainy season begins from June through October, with temperatures ranging from 24C to 34C. The amount of rainfall varies with topography, but is usually broken up with a moment or a day of sunshine. The northeast receives the least rain, while the south tends to receive heavier rainfall.

If the heat or rain doesn't bother you, the summertime offers major discounts on accommodation and the wild water festival of Songkran in April.