Travel

Equally famous for idyllic beaches and venerable temples that touch the soul, Thailand provides one of Southeast Asia’s most riveting travel experiences.

Thailand is a world-famous destination for backpackers, surfers, ecotourists, foodies, and anyone interested in surveying the colorful tangle of cultures composing Southeast Asia. Bangkok—the capital and largest city by many degrees—is an immersive, 24-hour-a-day adventure. Pay your respects to its venerable monuments, such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, the Vimanmek Mansion, and the Golden Buddha, and then dive into everyday Thai society along nonstop thoroughfares such as Khaosan Road. The northern city of Chiang Mai provides its own incredible atmosphere and a whole host of delights, including hundreds of Buddhist shrines. Now exported all around the world, Thai food—defined by, among many other attributes, a deft use of complex spices—finds perhaps its greatest expression in the street-market stalls of the cities. The beaches of Thailand are hailed all around the world for their tropical beauty and, in places, for their vivacious nightlife. Some of the finest are found in Phuket, an island province in the Andaman Sea.

Culture

A must see when visiting the country is a performance of Thai classical dance which originated in the royal courts and can be experienced at various cultural centers and other venues throughout the country. The highly stylized choreography focuses on hand movements and the artists train rigorously for several years to learn the movements. The ornate costumes add to the special atmosphere of a performance.

Thailand is renowned for its weaving tradition. For centuries village women have used hand looms to produce magnificent Thai silk. Each region can be identified by its own technique and designs and most people who visit Thailand seem to leave with at least one example of this Thai art.

Food and Drink

Geography

Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand is on the Gulf of Thailand, an arm of the South China Sea. Thailand shares its borders with Cambodia, Laos, Burma and Malaysia. The geography of the country organically divides it into four regions. The south encompasses the long coastline, the central plains contain vast rice fields, the northeast includes semi-arid farmland and the far north encompasses mountains and forest land.

Bangkok is the exciting capital of the country where visitors are struck by how the city engages all of the five senses at once. The wide range of hotels, shopping malls filled with the finest of the East and the West, the beautiful temples and the thrilling nightlife all work to turn many guests into repeat visitors to the country.

Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand and only a short flight from Bangkok. The Night Bazaar full of Thai handicrafts is a favorite stop on most travelers' itineraries. Just outside the city many visitors choose to explore the nearby jungles and visit hill tribes who have kept much of their traditional lifestyle.

Many visitors take a breather from the hustle of Thailand's largest cities at the popular beach destination of Phuket, known as the 'Pearl of the Andaman' where the pace reflects island time. Hua Hin is another seaside resort town that was long favored by the Thai royal family as well as golf enthusiasts who enjoy the area's excellent golf courses. The island destination of Koh Samui is known for both for its relaxing day time atmosphere and exciting nightlife.

Most visited cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hua Hin, Koh Samui

History

The early Thai people were nomads. Eventually they evolved into agricultural communities and then into small principalities. By the mid-14th century a unified kingdom was established known as Siam.

With the Japanese invasion during WWII, the interim Thai military government at the time sided with Japan and declared war against the U.S. However, the Thai ambassador to the U.S. refused to deliver the declaration of war. Although a constitutional monarchy, the country was really ruled for decades by Thai military leaders and during subsequent years multiple coups occurred and the constitution was abolished and reestablished many times. Thailand supported the U.S. during the Vietnam War.

Although the country has been through many changes in the past century, King Bhumibol, one of the longest reigning monarchs, is beloved by the Thai people and this country of ancient traditions and modern amenities and beautiful scenery increasingly attracts visitors lured by the friendliness of its people.