Thailand: Useful
information about country.
fiogf49gjkf0d With over six million foreigners flying into the country each year,
Thailand
has become Asia's primary holiday destination and is a useful and popular first stop on any overland journey through Southeast Asia. The influx of tourist cash has played a significant part in the country's recent development, yet Thailand's cultural integrity remains largely undamaged. In this country of fifty-three million people, over ninety percent are practising Theravada Buddhists, and King Bhumibol is a revered figure across his nation. Tiered temple rooftops and saffron-robed monks dominate every vista, and, though some cities and beach resorts are characterized by high-rises and neon lights, the typical Thai community is the traditional farming village: ninety percent of Thais still earn their living from the land.
Most journeys start in
Bangkok
. Thailand's huge, noisy, polluted capital can be an overwhelming introduction to Southeast Asia, but there are traveller-oriented guesthouses aplenty here, and heaps of spectacular temples to visit. It's also the best place for arranging onward travel and visas for neighbouring countries. A popular side-trip from the city takes in the raft houses of Kanchanaburi, the infamous site of the Bridge over the River Kwai. After Bangkok, most travellers head north, sometimes via the ancient capitals of
Ayutthaya
and
Sukhothai
, to the enjoyably laid-back city of
Chiang Mai
, where they organize treks to nearby hilltribe villages. There's tranquil countryside in bucketloads up in the northern highlands around Mae Hong Son and along the Mekong River in Thailand's northeast (Isaan), where you can stay in village guesthouses and hop across the border into Laos. The northeast is the least visited area of Thailand, but holds two fine ancient
Khmer ruins
at Phimai and Phanom Rung, and the country's most popular national park,
Khao Yai
.
After trekking and rural relaxation, most visitors want to head for the
beach
- and Thailand's eastern and southern coasts are lined with gorgeous white-sand shores, aquamarine seas and kaleidoscopic reefs. The most popular of these are the east coast backpackers' resorts of Ko Samet and Ko Chang, the Gulf Coast islands of Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao, and the Andaman coast idylls of Laem Phra Nang, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Lanta and Ko Tarutao. The southern island of Phuket and the east coast resort of Pattaya are more expensive, package-tour oriented spots. In the deep south, Thailand merges almost seamlessly with Malaysia, and there are plenty of border crossing points here; the city of
Hat Yai
in particular offers convenient long-distance bus and rail links to many Malaysian towns. Getting into Cambodia overland is not so easy, but there are two crossings currently open, Poipet and Trat.
The
climate
of most of Thailand is governed by three seasons: rainy (roughly June to October), caused by the southwest monsoon; cool (November to February); and hot (March to May). The cool season is the pleasantest time to visit and the most popular. Christmas is peak season, when accommodation gets booked way ahead and prices rise significantly. In the hot season, temperatures can rise to 40A°C. The rainy season hits the Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi) harder than anywhere else in the country - heavy rainfall usually starts in May and persists at the same level until October. The Gulf coast (Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao) gets hardly any rain between June and September, but is hit by the northeast monsoon, which brings rain between October and January. This area also suffers less from the southwest monsoon, getting a relatively small amount of rain.
More travel guides:
fiogf49gjkf0d Food and drink
fiogf49gjkf0d Overland routes into Thailand
fiogf49gjkf0d Best Of
fiogf49gjkf0d Thailand
fiogf49gjkf0d History
fiogf49gjkf0d Thai language
fiogf49gjkf0d Getting around
fiogf49gjkf0d Travel details
fiogf49gjkf0d Information and maps
fiogf49gjkf0d Addresses
fiogf49gjkf0d Time differences
fiogf49gjkf0d Opening hours and festivals
fiogf49gjkf0d Public holidays
fiogf49gjkf0d Cultural hints
fiogf49gjkf0d Traditional drama and sport
fiogf49gjkf0d Meditation centres and retreats
fiogf49gjkf0d Trekking and diving
fiogf49gjkf0d Religions of Thailand
fiogf49gjkf0d Traditional art and architecture
fiogf49gjkf0d Books
fiogf49gjkf0d Entry requirements and visa extension
fiogf49gjkf0d Money and costs
fiogf49gjkf0d Communications
fiogf49gjkf0d Crime and safety
fiogf49gjkf0d Medical care and emergencies
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Thailand TOP CITIES :
Bangkok
Phuket
Krabi
Pattaya
Koh Samui
Chiang Mai
Hua Hin
Surat Thani
Bangkok Thailand
Suratthani
Ampor Muang Chonburi
Ban Phe
Bangkok Thailand
Bophut Ko Samui
Bophut Samui
Cha Am
Chark Pong Klaeng
Chiang Rai
Chiang Saen
Chiangmai
Cholburi Thailand
Chonburi
Hat Yai
Kanchanaburi
Krabi, Thailand
Mae Hong Son
Muang Dist Chiaangmai
Muang Ind
Muang Phuket
Patong
Patong Phuket
Patong, Kathu
Petchaburi
Petchburi
Phang Nga
Pranburi
Rawai
Rawai Beach Phuket
Rayong
Samui Island
Songkhla
Sumui Island
Takua
Takuapa
Talang
Thai Muang
Trang
Trat
Wattana
All cities ...
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