An insight into this ‘Land of Smiles’.
Country name: Kingdom of Thailand
Capital: Bangkok 
Population: 69 million (2017)
Ethnic group: 62 minorities
Main language: Thai
Currency: Baht (THB)
Time zone: GMT +7
International dialing: +66
Thailand is one of the most attractive tourist attractions in Southeast Asia. The Thai government has many incentives to increase the number of international tourists to this country. With modern transport infrastructure, beautiful landscapes and excellent hospitality services, this country has developed tourism to be one of the key sectors in Thai economy.
From elephant trek, unspoiled islands, elegant Buddhist temples to outrageous nightlife, tasty local foods and fabulous resorts, Thailand will never disappoint you! Though tourism is highly developed in this country, people here remain to be light-hearted and friendly. Let’s include this ‘Land of Smiles’ on your bucket list this year.
Though the weather varies throughout a year, Thailand is suitable for you to visit year-round. Located in a tropical monsoon zone, the weather in Thailand is characterized as hot and humid. The best time, also the high season in this country, ranges from November to the end of February when it is cool and pleasantly dry.
The rainy season runs from July to October, but don’t worry if you had booked a ticket to Thailand that time. There are still Thai massage, street foods and exciting nightlife for you.
Between March and June is the hot season here while April and May are the hottest months.
When traveling to any foreign country, it is important to respect cultural differences, especially in a Buddhist country like Thailand. You should cover up your shoulders, elbows and knees when entering any wat and temple. Don’t wear anything that is see-through or sleeveless. There are a lot of beautiful sarongs you can buy at the market, wear them to a pagoda. You will not be allowed to visit religious sites when you dress improperly.
The king is highly respected in Thailand; thus, there is a rule that prohibits people, both local and foreign, from criticizing him. Don’t discuss anything related to government nor politics in this country.
There are plenty of festivals in Thailand and two of them are celebrated nationwide: Songkran and Loy Krathong. Songkran is the most anticipated festival in this country. It is the traditional Thai New Year when people come home to share the festive moment with their families. Water splash is the main activity in this festival in which the locals believe to bring luck to each other.
Tourism accounted for 17.7% in Thailand’s GDP in 2016, and it has become a key sector of this country. It is relatively simple to travel to Thailand since the government has a lot of incentives to boost tourism development.
It is required that your passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of entry to Thailand and you must have at least one blank visa page.
Thailand’s visa exemption rule allows nationalities from 55 countries to visit Thailand without a visa. Generally, nationalities from US, UK, Australia, Canada and most of the countries in Europe are eligible for 30-day visa-free when you enter this country by air and 15 days if you enter through a land border in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and Myanmar.
It is required that tourist visa holders must have at least THB 10,000 per person in cash to enter this country.
Baht is the official currency in Thailand. It is not usually possible to spend other currencies such as US dollars, British Pound Sterlings or Canadian Dollars in this country. We recommend that firstly, you should exchange your home currency into US Dollar since exchange rate for US Dollars is much better. Then, you can exchange your US Dollar into Bath when entering Thailand. You will get a higher rate than exchanging your home currency into Baht, regardless of which country.
It is not necessary to exchange currency into Baht in your home country since Thailand’s local banks offer a very favorable exchange rate. You can exchange your cash at the airport or at some local banks in big cities.
ATMs are plentiful in this country, even in smaller provinces. But if you go to some off-the-beaten-track places, prepare some spare cash.
Though debit/credit cards are accepted in some restaurants, hotels and shopping malls, Thailand is still a cash-based country. Prepare some Bahts if you go to the market or buy some souvenirs.
Internet is accessible in some tourist areas and wifi is relatively good in hotels, restaurants and café.
If you travel to some islands, it is necessary to purchase a data package. Three famous network providers in Thailand are AIS, DTAC and True. Don’t need to go anywhere far; there are many SIM Card stores at the airport.
Traffic is chaotic in Bangkok during rush hour; but thanks to rapid transit systems such as MRT and BTS (Bangkok Skytrain), it is fast and convenient to travel around this city. Tuk tuk is also an authentic transportation to discover the city. Motorbike taxis may not safe, hence, we do not recommend.
Buses and trains are main transportation to travel between provinces. Railway system is well-established in Thailand and you can even travel to Malaysia and Laos from this country by train. Renting a car in Thailand will offer more flexibility for you, especially when traveling to some off-the-beaten-track routes.
As one of the most tourist-friendly destinations in Southeast Asia, Thailand has everything you need for a perfect getaway: from lush green rainforests, turquoise beaches, elegant Buddhist architecture and rustic countryside to bustling cities, mouth-watering local street foods and outrageous night entertainment. But one thing keeps tourists returning to this ‘Land of Smiles’ is friendly and genuine local people who make your trip unforgettable.
This exquisite capital city is always included in tourists’ itineraries when visiting Thailand. Bangkok is suitable for all kinds of travel – whether you are planning a family trip, a luxury holiday or a budget-friendly backpacking vacation. This city is famous for its eye-widening Grand Palace and the spectacular Wat Phra Kaew Temple, one of three national treasures in Thailand. One hour and a half drive from Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a lively scene of local Thai’s daily life. Don’t forget to buy fresh tropical fruits and sample some street foods such as Som Tam (papaya salad), Khao Pad (fried rice), Pad Thai (noodles with shrimps) and Khao Neeo Mamuang (Thai mango sticky rice).
Located in the north of Thailand, Chiang Mai is the second largest city of this country after Bangkok. If you want to see an authentic Thailand and Thai unique culture, as well as not spending too much time on a beach, Chiang Mai is your place. This city is the combination of splendid natural scenery and architectural reminders of an ancient capital city. Doi Suthep Temple which overlooks the city from a beautiful hill is the main tourist attraction in Chiang Mai. For nature lovers, there are many thrilling activities you can enjoy here, such as cruising along Mae Ping River, visiting hill tribes and experience an elephant ride.
About two hours drive from Bangkok, Pattaya is a heaven that foreigners seek for outrageous nightlife. Because of its convenient distance from the capital city, Pattaya has become a perfect weekend getaway for the locals. It is easy to find numerous luxury beach resorts, fancy dining places, bars, pubs, and clubs in this exciting city. Pattaya is also a popular place for a golf tour in Thailand. It is surprising that this city has the highest number of golf courses than any region in Southeast Asia with the system of 21 well-designed golf courses.
Located in the south of Thailand, Phuket is the biggest island and one of the most sought-after attractions in this country. Unspoiled tropical forests and sandy white beaches are the reason to visit this paradise island. Jet skiing, surfing and paragliding are three water sports you can enjoy in Phuket. The town of Patong in Phuket is the heaven where you can attend endless ‘you-only-live-once’ night parties.
Long white beaches with swaying coconut trees have become an iconic image of Koh Samui. Compared to Phuket, it is a more quiet and tranquil island. Koh Samui is excellent for snorkeling, diving and surfing, especially in Chaweng Beach. Koh Samui caters every request for accommodations, from affordable hotels to many world-class beach resorts for honeymooners and luxury tourists.
Whether you are an adrenaline junkie, a foodie or a history lover, Thailand has a ton of fun activities for you to enjoy. Well-known for its spectacular beaches, friendly people and rich culture, Thailand has had an impressive record in attracting foreign tourist. Here are our 5 bucket things for you on your trip to this dreamy country.
Bangkok is a heaven for food lovers due to its cheap and delicious street foods. It is incredibly easy to find a food vendor in this city; there are numerous food stalls in local markets and on pavements. Strolling along Chinatown, Rattanakosin (Bangkok Old City) or Khao San Street Food, you can catch a massive of colorful food vendors. Some popular foods you should sample are Som Tam (papaya salad), Khao Pad (fried rice), Pad Thai (noodles with shrimps) and Khao Neeo Mamuang (Thai mango sticky rice). Catch a tuk tuk and discover this exciting food paradise.
Forget about riding an elephant here! 60 kilometers from the center of Chiang Mai, Elephant Nature Park is a famous elephant rescue and rehabilitation center in the north of Thailand. It is the home to dozens of elephants all over this country. Visiting Elephant Nature Park, you can have a chance not only to learn about elephants’ life in the past and present and bathe them but also be involved in some volunteer activities. This park also takes care of other animals such as dogs, cats, buffalos and many other endangered species.
Though Thailand is well-known for delicious street foods, beautiful beaches and superb nightlife, there are more exotic places if you wish to stay away from mass tourism. Northern Thailand is a holy grail for trekkers with pristine rainforests, towering mountains, spectacular waterfalls, and mysterious caves. When it comes to trekking, Chiang Mai is worth mentioning for its laid-back beauty. You will have a chance to inhale fresh air, admire breathtaking landscapes and discover hill tribe villages. For more off-the-beaten-track routes, head to Chiang Rai, Sangkhlaburi, Nan, and Umphang.
With turquoise water, gentle waves and clear sky, beaches and islands in Thailand are the best for soaking in a little sun, strolling along the coast and immersing yourself in cool water. For those you want some heart-pumping activities, many water sports are accessible in Thailand. Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, etc. are some perfect destinations for beach adventure tours. You can participate in flyboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, stand up paddling, wind surfing, jet skiing, and many more. After long hours at a beach, nothing is better than indulging in a Thai massage at your resort or looking for a gogo bar to enjoy endless night parties.
Buddhism is the prominent religion in Thailand, and it is not surprising that pagodas here are teeming with pilgrims. Buddhist sites in Thailand are spectacular with amazing view and elegant architectural feature. Visiting wats (temples) is an important custom of Thai people. As a tourist, you can take stunning photos and discover Thai unique culture in some temples. Top temples you can visit in your trip to Thailand are Wat Pha Sorn Kaew, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and Wat Pho.
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I don´t believe an agent in my home country could have acted so positively to us and therefore, if you are considering an agent to book trips in Vietnam and Cambodia, I can highly recommend Paradise Travel and in particular Ms Liah Bui her English language skills are as if you are communicating with an English speaker, she´s absolutely first class and will not let you down!
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