 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.
The best of both worlds can be found in Thailand. It has a well-developed infrastructure, and
international hotels and restaurants, as well as a wealth of breathtaking natural beauty and rustic charm.
You can get away from it all without sacrificing too many modern comforts. Due to this intriguing
combination, Thailand draws more visitors than any other country in Southeast Asia.
You can wander around ancient city ruins or chill out on beautiful beaches; go trekking in the mountains
or shop ‘til you drop in the markets; get pampered in a spa or study Thai boxing, traditional massage,
cooking or meditation; travel by tuk-tuk or elephant; explore meandering rivers or simply see where the
fascinating flow of Thailand takes you.
On the surface, Thailand may appear westernised; however it manages to retain its traditional culture,
even in tourist areas and modern city life. Thai is the official language, with regional dialects and a
bit of Chinese and Malay spoken in pockets and near the borders. English is taught in school; however it
is predominately a language of the elite. In tourist areas, most Thais know some basic English and
occasionally are quite proficient. If you learn a few Thai phrases, a little bit can go a long way.
Just knowing how to say hello will bring bright smiles and a warm welcome.
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.
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 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.
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