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Thailand
travel information and destination guide
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Thailand is the most
exotic country at the heart of South-East Asia. The Kingdom is diverse with her
attractions in all parts. From the mountainous North with breath-taking scenery
to the long serene powder-white sand beaches of the South with innumerous
hide-away lush tropical islands. Limestone caves and beautiful rivers of the
West as well as ancient civilization in the North-East are waiting to be
explored. Expansive paddy-fields of the Great Central Plain harmoniously
co-exist with the simple yet culturally rich way of life of the rural
settlements. Contrasting with the colorful and exciting streets of Bangkok
where luxury accommodations, entertainment, and shopping are all around.
Whether your pleasures may be culture, history, or natural aesthetics, they may
all be spectacularly satisfied. |
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There is never a dull
day in Thailand. Whether it is the Songkran Festival or the first cool breeze
of the winter season, there is always something to make you smile, laugh, cry
or get excited about. Thailand is a land of magic and mystery attracting the
Western world in seek of advantage and romance. Blessed with a huge allocation
of beautiful natural resources and extraordinary culture, it is no wonder that
Thais are such fun-loving people. Quite simply, where else can you find
pristine beaches, crystal blue waters, an assortment of activities and a choice
of modern or primitive accommodations all in one compact package? Take the
opportunity to view the destinations below and see what hidden treasures await
you.
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Central Thailand
- The central region is considered the heartland of the country. Basically it
encompasses the alluvial plains created by the Chao Phaya River. The region is
the most fertile of the country, and due to an extensive network of canals and
small irrigation projects, the area is a major producer of rice. It is also the
most densely populated region of the country, with the capital, Bangkok, in its
midst. Other areas include Pattaya, Ayuthaya, Kanchanaburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi
and Trat. |
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Northern Thailand
- This region is composed of a series of parallel mountain ranges with an
average elevation of 1,200m (3,900ft) above sea level, incised by steep valleys
of the Ping, Wang, Yom, and Nan rivers. A large part of these mountains is
still covered with tropical monsoon forests, though the most valuable timber,
teak, has been cut to a wide extent (the government has now imposed a full
logging ban). Doi Inthanon, with an elevation of 2,595m (8,514ft) the highest
point in the country, is located in the extreme northwest of the region. The
first three Thai kingdoms in Indochina had their capitals in northern Thailand,
at Sukhothai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Saen. The second largest city of
present-day Thailand, Chiang Mai, is the center of the northern region. The
northernmost corner of northern Thailand belongs to the region dubbed Golden
Triangle - one of the world’s major producers of opium. Other towns in the area
include, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai and Mae Sai. |
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Northeastern Thailand
- The region principally consists of a saucer shaped plateau known as Khorat
Plateau with an average elevations of 200m (650ft). The region’s soils are poor
and sandy and rainfall is scant except for the rainy season from June to
October when much of the land is flooded. Areas not used for agriculture are
largely covered with savanna-type grasses and shrubs. The Northeast is the
least developed region of the country, and the least favored by tourists.
Accommodation in the area is available in a number of areas and some of these
include, Khon Kaen, Roi Et and Surin. |
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East Coast -
This part of the country, geographically the southern edge of northeastern
Thailand along the Gulf of Thailand, has not traditionally been considered a
separate region of the country. The division, often made today, is based on
administrative and social factors more than on geological features. The region
is distinguished from the Northeast in that it is far richer - the second
richest region of the country, after the central plain. The East Coast has a
well-established industrial and tourist infrastructure. Furthermore
contributing to the region’s wealth are extraordinary fruits (durians and
mangos) as well as extraordinary stones (rubies and sapphires). Phetchaburi,
Hua Hin, Cha Am, Koh Samui, Koh Pangan, Koh Tao and Songkla are some of the
areas on the east coast. |
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Southern Thailand
- Occupying the northern half of the Malay Peninsula, the region has a rolling
to mountainous topography with little flat land. The countryside is often
breathtaking, and this asset is increasingly tapped for the development of
tourism. Traditionally, the region’s relative wealth stems from its most
important natural resources, tin and rubber. This is the most popular area for
tourists and areas within this region include, Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Koh
Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Yao (Noi and Yai) and numerous other islands. |
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Climate
Thailand has a humid, tropical climate, and it is hot all year round. Summer is
from March to May with average temperatures around 34C, but the temperature can
reach over 40C for extended periods.
Summer monsoons begin as the warm humid air masses flow towards the north from
the Indian Ocean. The monsoons end in the fall when the wind reverses direction
with the dry south-westerly winds blowing in. The rainy season, with periods of
sunshine, lasts from June to September, with temperatures ranging from 27C to
32.7C. The amount of rainfall varies with topography.
The northeast receives the least rain, while the south is flooded during the
summer months. The best time to visit Thailand is during the cool season, from
October through February, when it is not as humid as during the summer and the
rainy seasons. The average temperature is around 18C to 32C. During this
season, it can be very chilly in the north, with temperatures dropping to 7C at
night. |
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Thai Foods
One of the great
enjoyments of being in Bangkok is that you can eat 24 hours a day. No matter
what sort of food you are looking for, be it Westernor Eastern, you'll have
little trouble finding it with the taste that will satisfy your fancy or remove
your homesickness. Hundreds of mission in 1999, the top restaurants and
thousands of coffee shops, noodle shops, snack bars and street-side food stalls
are scattered in the downtown districts in Bangkok and many, many more in the
provincial tourist centers. As Thailand produces all kinds of foodstuff, food
prices here are, of course, very reasonable.
Thailand, for centuries an Asian crossroads, owes Its rich culinary art to the
Cuisines of India, China, Malaysia and Indonesia. The success of this country's
cuisine lies in the blend of 4 basic tastes - salty, sweet, sour and pungent -
which form a wide range of flavours. However, foreigners must note that chili
is amply used in a number of Thai dishes. So if you are trying Thai hot food,
watch out for the little chilies or ask the chef to make the dish less hot than
usual. Take plenty of cooked rice along with the hot dishes, which is the best
way to smother the fire in your mouth. |
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Normally, each Thai
restaurant has its own specialties, so ask the waiter for recommendations.
According to the survey conducted by the Office of the National Culture Com
mission in 1999, the top ten Thai dishes loved by foreigners are listed below
in order of their popularity viz. tom yam kung or spicy shrimp soup, kaeng
khiao wan kai or green chicken curry, phat thai or fried noodles of Thai style,
at kaphrao or meat fried with sweet basils, kaeng phet pet yang or roast duck
curry, tom kha kai or chicken in coconut soup, yam.nua or spicy beef salad, mu
or kat sa-te or roast pork or chicken coated with turmenric, kai phat met
mamuang himmaphan or chicken fried with cashew nuts, and phanaeng or meat in
coconut cream. You may perfect your Thai meal by ending it with Thai sweets or
Thai fruits.
More and more visitors to Thailand have discovered to their delight that
Thailand is not only a kingdom of fruits, but also a kingdom of seafood. Anyone
who has experienced Thai seafood will readily agree to its great I variety and
its savoury taste and sweet smell. |
A secret of seafood
deliciousness lies in its freshness. As Thailand has a long coastline, and
Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and most other cities are close to the sea, fresh
supplies of fish, crabs, prawns, lobsters and other shellfish are always
available and all eaters will find them most palatable no matter whether they
are gourmets or just ordinary diners.
Most coffee shops in tourist hotels serve an approximation of European food,
some also Chinese and Japanese. For more authentic dishes, you can try the
nationality restaurants, mostly located in the leading hotels and in the busy
shopping areas. There you will find the food and desserts in their original
tastes. Western cuisines available in Bangkok and provincial tourist centers
are American, English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Scandinavian and
Swiss. Asian cuisines include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian,
Muslim and Arabic.
Thailand is an ideal place for Chinese food enjoying genuine Chinese food that
tastes exactly like that of its country of origin. The Chinese culinary art was
first brought to Thailand by the Chinese who migrated to this country in large
numbers in the late Ayutthaya period over 200 years ago. As a result of the
long history of contact between the two peoples, the Thai and the Chinese
cultures are now well mixed in many aspects, including the art of cooking.
Chinese food is commonly served in restaurants and hotels in every part of
Thailand, especially in Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai. Indeed,
Thailand is the only place outside China (and Taiwan and Hongkong) that can
provide tourists with such a wide choice of delicious Chinese dishes.
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