Travel Thailand & Hotel Booking

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.

For more information about thailand travel visit: http://thailand.ixs.net/travel/travel-thailand/index.aspx

There are many things to keep in mind when traveling, whether you are a budget traveler or not. You obviously want to keep what money you have for your trip rather than lose it or have it stolen. You also want to keep yourself and traveling companions safe from harm. Here are some tips to follow to ensure your trip is safe and enjoyable in a foreign country.

 

1. Have a valid passport and all visas required for your trip. Make two copies of your passport. Keep one in a separate part of your travel luggage and the other leave with someone at home.

2. Be aware of any travel warnings for the country you are visiting. Find out about security and safety conditions in your destination.

3. Secure travel insurance!

4. Ensure you have been vaccinated against any infectious diseases prominent in the area you will be traveling to.

5. To make sure you can be contacted in case of an emergency, make a copy of your itinerary and leave it with someone at home.

6. Travel light and don’t pack valuables that you wouldn’t want to lose. Leave your jewelry at home but take an extra pair of glasses if you can’t live without them.

7. Remember you are a foreigner when you travel. You are a guest in their country and therefore should abide by their laws, and to a certain extent, their customs. For example, if you are a female traveling in an Islamic state, be considerate of your dress. 

8. Try not to bring too much attention to yourself when traveling. Don’t go out looking like a tourist with a flashy camera and expensive clothes. Try to blend into the scenery.

9. Travel in a group where possible and in well known areas. There will be times you want to get off the tourist track, so make sure you always have a traveling companion with you.

10. Only carry small amounts of cash on you. Your credit card and travelers checks will pay for most things.

11. Watch out for pickpockets! Wear a money belt and keep your purse/wallet in the front of your body. Report any loss or theft immediately to the local authorities.

12. Don’t leave your luggage unattended. Apart from having it stolen or items from it taken, you could also become an unsuspecting drug courier.

13. If traveling with a partner, pack half your clothes in their luggage and vice versa. This way if one of you loses your luggage, you will still have some clothes. 

14. Lock your luggage and label everything.

15. Lock your hotel room. Keep money and valuables with you, not left unattended in your room.

16. When using public transport be aware of possible theft. If you are traveling overnight, secure your luggage and sleep on top of it if possible. It is not uncommon for tourists to be drugged while on trains and buses so don’t accept gifts of food or drink from strangers on public transport. 

 

If at any time you feel unsafe, whether it is on the streets or in your accommodation, get out. Follow your instincts. Stay safe when you travel by being aware of the dangers and obeying the laws of the country you are visiting.

 

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com