Thailand Vacations

Thailand

Thailand is sometimes referred to as the golden land because of its fertile rice fields, white sandy beaches, and warm hospitality of its citizenry. Since 650 A.D. the country has been ruled by many kings and is the only Southeast Asian country that has never been colonized. The present monarch is King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth king of the House of Chakri, who has been on throne for more than half a century. In that time Thailand has become the most popular travel destination in Southeast Asia.

The Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, has a lot of historical significance to the country. The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum offers a brief history of the Sukhothai Kingdom and is a great place to visit for history buffs. Kanchanaburi is one of the most beautiful places in the world with its mountains, jungles, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. It is the ideal place for activities like jungle hiking, rafting and camping. Chiang Rai, Krabi, Samui Islands, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Hua Hin are some other fun and important attractions in the country.

Deciding where to stay in Thailand may be confusing for first time visitors. There are so many places to choose from that it is important to figure out whether the hotel or guesthouse you select meets your needs. Transportation in Thailand is diverse and messy. Bus transportation dominates long distance travels but there is widespread use of motorcycles, taxis, rail systems and private automobiles.

Thailand has a temperate climate with no discernable seasons. The best time to visit most of Thailand is between November and February because this period is the main season for both national and regional festivals. To avoid crowds, travel from April to June and September to October.

Bangkok

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, has grown to become the political and economic center of the country in the past few decades. Its influence in arts, politics, fashion and education has raised its status to that of a global city. It has 400 Buddhist temples, magnificent palaces, and numerous shopping centers. The most attractive of those are the Venice of the East timeless canals, Chao Phraya River, Bangkok's Children Discovery Museum, Queen Sirikit Park, the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and the Thailand National Museum.

Phuket

Thailand's largest island, Phuket, is often called the pearl of the Andaman or the pearl of the south. The name Phuket is derived from the word bukit in Malay, which means hill. Its rocky peninsular, peaks, beaches and humid forests make it the most visited and popular island. The most attractive sites are Hat Patong, the Viewpoint, Phuket Fantasea, Wat Chalong, Phuket Aquarium and Dino Park. The best period for a visit to this island is from November to February.