Considered a ?Southeast Asian Paradise?, Thailand is a favorite holiday destination for travelers. Whenever you plan a trip to Thailand, the first place that comes to your mind is Bangkok. Thailand travel guide takes you around some of the untouched places, unraveling more mystery of the land. A blend of urbanization and natural beauty, Thailand has everything to offer for today's discerning traveler. While the beauty of the national parks and the unending beaches enthrall you, the endless list of Thailand hotels will spoil you for choice.
Whether you are looking for high-end or mid-range or cheap hotels in Thailand, you get loads of options. Stay at your choice of accommodation and gear up for an unforgettable holiday in Thailand. The country consists of 76 provinces, of which the capital Bangkok is the main administrative division. The local people are devout followers of Buddhism. However, followers of Hinduism, Christianity and Islam co-exist with each other. The Khmer ruins or religious temples, prime symbols of the Buddhist religion are found in Sisaket in north-eastern Thailand today. The festivals of Thailand help you catch a glimpse of the rich culture of Thailand. Magha Bucha Day, Songkran Day, Coronation Day, Royal Ploughing Ceremony,Visakha Bucha, Asanha Pucha Day, Chulalongkorn Day, Buffalo Racing and Loy Krathong are times when Thailand gets immersed in color and vibrancy.
Know about the weather of Thailand through Thailand travel guide and plan your visit accordingly. The country for most parts of the year remains hot and humid. Sisaket and other parts of Northeastern Thailand witnesses a three-season monsoonal weather conditions. The months of November and February remain cool and dry. The months of March and May remain hot and sultry. The rainy season falls between the months of June and October. Thailand is best visited during the months of February and March, when the climate remains cool, as the northeast Monsoon wind blows during this time.
The Mekong River takes its course along the Thai-Laos border winding its way with mysteries of the past. Thailand boasts an extensive network of transportation facilities. Almost all places in Thailand enjoy road connectivity with Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal, Bangkok's Northeastern Bus Terminal, Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal, Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal. The Hua Lamphong Railway Station, Bang Sue Train Station and Thonburi Train Stations are the chief railway stations in Bangkok. If you are flying in, you will arrive at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and avail buses to travel to nearby places in Thailand.
Bangkok's Chinatown or the elephant town in Surin or the verdant province of Loei, Wat Phra Kaew temple of Emerald Buddha in Chiang Rai or the beautiful beaches of Ko Samui or the ruins of the Wiang Kum Kam in Chiang Mai, Thailand has a host of colorful attractions to blow your mind.
If you are wondering about where to stay in Thailand, you will get numerous options. From luxury to mid-range and cheap hotels, Thailand has a wide variety of accommodation options on offer catering to every taste and mood. If you are a budget traveler looking for cheap Thailand hotels, you can avail of online discount hotel booking services and know more about the hotel discount rates and other attractive deals.
The Kingdom of Thailand lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. It covers an area of 514,000 square kilometers. It is roughly equidistant between India and China. Thailand shares its borders with Mynammar (Burma), Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. Myanmar (Burma) is on the north-west side , Laos on the north-east, Cambodia on the south-east and Malaysia on the south.
Topographically the country is divided into four distinct areas: the mountainous North, the fertile Central Plains, the semi-arid plateau of the Northeast, and the peninsula South distinguished by its many beautiful tropical beaches and offshore islands.
Climate Thailand is largely tropical. It is hot and humid all year around.A degree of relief provided only in the mountains in the far north of Thailand. Thailand's climate is dominated by monsoons. There are three seasons: the cool season (November to February), the hot season (April to May), and the rainy season (June to October).
People The population of Thailand is about 60 million. Ethnic Thais form the majority. Historically, the area has been a migratory crossroads, therefore, strains of Mon, Khmer, Burmese, Lao, Malay, Indian and, most strongly, Chinese stock produce a degree of ethnic diversity.
Religion The national religion is Theravada Buddhism. More than 90 percent of all Thais practice this religion. The remainder of the population adheres to Muslim, Christian, Hindu and other faiths. There is full freedom of expression in Thailand. Buddhism continues to cast a strong influences on daily life.
Customs ?Wai? is one of the most distinctive Thai customs. It is similar to the Indian namaste gesture. Generally, it involves a prayer-like gesture with the hands and a bow of the head. It comes in several forms showing greeting, farewell, or acknowledgment. Physical demonstrations of affection in public are common between friends, but less so between lovers. It is thus common to see friends walking together holding hands, but couples rarely do so except in westernized areas.
Visas The Thai Government has adopted the tourist friendly policies in order to flourish Thai Tourism industry. Most nationalities do not require a visa for a stay of up to 30 days provided they have a ticket for onward travel. Longer visits require a visa which can be obtained from Thai embassies and consulates. Tourists visas permit stays up to 90 days. Thai immigration requires visitors passports to have a minimum of 6 months validity and at least one completely blank visa page remaining.
Travel to Thailand Most visitors arrive through Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport which is connected by daily flights to Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. Flights, from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Hong Kong, land on a regular basis at Chiangmai, Koh Samui, Phuket and Hat Yai. Charter flights sometimes land in Bangkok, Phuket, and at U-Taphao for Pattaya.
Regular rail services link Singapore and Bangkok intermediary stops include Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth, Penang and major southern Thai towns.
Overland entry to Thailand is restricted to three road crossings on the Thai- Malaysian border, and the bridge spanning the Mekong River between Laos and Thailand at Nong Kai.
Travel within Thailand Thai Airways International (THAI) operates a wide domestic network with daily flights linking virtually all major towns with Bangkok. Ground transportation is extremely comprehensive and quite cheap. There are convenient rail connections with the North, Northeast and South, while air conditioned coach and government bus services are operated from Bangkok to all town throughout the country. Rental cars are also readily available.
Recreation Golf, tennis, ice skating, and bowling are the main recreations of the people of Thailand. At the same time, boxing and kite fighting are the most popular local sports in Thailand.
Thai Boxing is not only the most exciting spectator sport in Thailand but also a means of self-defense for the Thai people. It also the honor of being the largest spectator "ring sport" in the world. Unlike the Western-style of boxing, Thai Boxers are allowed to use their feet, elbows, legs and shoulders. The Ratchadamnoen Stadium and Lumpini Stadium are the main venues of the bouts.
Kite fighting is an ancient local sport in Thailand. It has been played and patronized by the Kings of Thailand for centuries. Kite fighting contest is held from March to April at the Sanam Luang in Bangkok. Hundreds of Kites of different forms and colors are made by the Thais. Each kite is huge in size and requires a number of people to fly it. Kites are classified as "chulas" (male) or "pukpaos" (female). The object of the contest is to force the opposition's kite to land in your half of the field while thousands of people cheer. This makes the competion very interesting and excited.
Another traditional Thai game is Takraw . It involves the use of a takraw ball, made of rattan. The ball is five to six inches in diameter. The players hit the ball over a net to another team by using their head, feet, knees or elbows.
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