Travel Thailand & Hotel Booking

It was a kingdom long before Westerners came and saw.  But the Westerners never conquered this tiny Kingdom of Thailand.  This Southeast Asian country is known as “The Land of Smiles”—a beautiful place with white beaches, golden temples, and roaming elephants.  For those who want to enjoy the sun and the sea, they only have to go to the warm Andaman Sea; for people who want to see large numbers of might gray elephants, they can go to the Khao Sok rain forest where the animals have free rein.

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.

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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