Planning a trip to Thailand would not leave people broke and bankrupt when they return home.  Choosing bargain round trip flights to Thailand from Australia and New Zealand are readily available from good carriers, such as Jet International, Tiger Airways, and Thai Airways.  Travelers are advised to book their flights November to February.  Bangkok is the hub for many Asia and Australasian flights.  One word of caution though: hopping from Bangkok to Bali or Vietnam needs a special visa so it is best to carry extra passport photos, just in case. 

With a few hundred dollars from quick cash loans, a group of friends could a take a backpacking trip to Thailand and there are plenty of things to enjoy for everyone.  For the hardcore athletic types, they could choose from white-water rafting, kayaking, and even wakeboarding.  For the ladies who lounge, the Thais are known for their invigorating massages and wellness spas.  Even though it’s a small country compared to its neighbors like Vietnam and Cambodia, Thailand is full of things to do for adventurous tourists—from elephant rides to night market shopping!  When in Bangkok, the crazy capital city, travel experts advise first time tourists not to take taxis because the place is known for crowded streets and terrible traffic.  For a unique travel experience, first time tourists could try the river ferries and the Thais’ very own motorcycle taxi innovation, popularly known as the tuk-tuk.

Although there are lots to see and experience in Bangkok, adventurous tourists are encouraged to go outside of the bustling city and plan to go to two other choice destinations such as Chiang Mai and Phuket.   These are famous resort spots: the former is known for its gastronomic specialties and abundance of exotic animals, like the elephants and the monkeys (incidentally, these creatures have their own training school!) and the latter for its spa treatments and grand hotels.  Although travelling is a time of letting go and enjoying every experience, first time tourists should always keep an eye on their travel budget and put close tabs on their reserved fast money so they could still use some when emergencies occur.

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

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

Small streets with beautiful colonial architecture, stunning temples and enough restaurants to be able to eat dinner in a different place every day of the week. A real highlight - and not just because I’m a committed shopper - was the night market. None of the rubbish you find in other markets of this nature but genuine local crafts brought down from the villages each night and set out along the main street. A real delight but it did mean that I soon had no space left in my bag!

Another treat and well worth the early start was watching the monks walk the streets to collect alms. Although I did feel that some were not aware of the high regard in which Buddhist monks are held in South East Asia and were too intrusive with their cameras.

From Luang Prabang I travelled up the Mekong to Chiang Rai. Two days watching the world go by - the Mekong affords a tranquil easy life to those on its banks - and stopping at local villages en route. It was freezing in the mornings and I needed endless layers and blankets until the sun was high enough to take the chill out of the morning. We overnighted in a lodge on the banks of the river where a fresh, local dinner was served with plenty of Laotian beer. And then a second day relaxing on the boat before reaching Chiang

Here, I was reminded how lucky I am to work in travel: waiting for me was an a/c 4×4 to whisk me to the Four Seasons Tented Camp. Yes, it’s expensive but it is truly amazing. Permanent tents are scattered through the forest with outside showers and large terraces.

At breakfast the following morning (not wearing the most glamorous of Mahout’s outfits) I was greeted by the younger elephants who were delighted to be receiving treats from the thrilled guests. Then it was off for my morning’s Mahout training course. Learning to ‘drive’ an elephant was not something I had yearned to do but it turned out to be a lot of fun. For me at least - I am not sure how appreciative the elephants were of me clambering all over them without much thought to style or elegance.

Moving onto Chiang Mai and the Four Seasons which is located just outside the town. Another jewel in the Four Seasons Crown this has long been a Steppes favourite and again did not disappoint. The following day I was lucky enough to stay at the reasonably new and very stylish Chedi Chiang Mai which, right in the middle of town, is ideally placed for the night market (not quite the night market of Luang Prabang but the perfect place to replace broken sunglasses)! Some of the sights outside Chiang Mai have been rather spoilt by mass tourism however with a bit of insider knowledge and effort you can see elephants based at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre and it’s also worth the drive to see the long-necked Karon tribe at one of the smaller villages located an hour or so outside the city.

One of the main advantages of finishing a trip to Laos and Northern Thailand in Chiang Mai is being able to fly direct to Phuket in the South and from there to any of the outlying islands. I went on to the Sarojin in Kao Lak and the Chedi Phuket - both a wonderful spoiling treat to end with!