Thailand Destination Guide - CBS Travel Asia

THAILAND
6
WELCOME TO THAILAND
This is a country of hyperbole and extremes and yet it also manages to be the
ultimate destination for a relaxing vacation
The Kingdom of Thailand is
a country on the Indochina
Peninsula of south-east Asia
with a population of over
67 million. Thailand is one
of the most popular tourist
destinations in Asia and
when you spend some time
there it is easy to see why.
It is a beguiling country that
can feel at times like a bit of
a hedonistic whirl and can
leave your head spinning. The
assault on the senses can be
thrilling, but Thailand is not
all about this flashy and fastpaced
tourist image and head
out just short distances from
the major cities and resorts
GETTING THERE
While most international travellers
come into the country via the airport
in Bangkok, there are actually six
international airports in the country.
The other five are located in Chiang
Mai, Hat Yai, Krabi, Phuket and Koh
Samui. Regional airports, however,
are usually best reached by buying a
flight to Bangkok and then arranging
a separate domestic flight from there
as this is often cheaper – though there
are seasonal flights to other Thai
airports outside Bangkok that can be
very useful for some travellers. Land
border crossings are possible but can
be complex and you must be sure to
make all the correct paperwork with
you.
ESSENTIALS
Language: Thai
Currency: Thai Baht ( )
Mobile Network: GSM
Time: GMT +7
Electricity: 220V/50 Hz
GOOD TO KNOW
All in all, Thailand is considered as
a destination that is full of various
entertainment, however it is largely
known as a peaceful and relaxing
destination. Therefore, when
travelling in Thailand make sure that
you have all correct paperwork on
hand and Thailand will surely be your
ultimate holiday experience.
and you will find a country with plenty of
relaxed pastoral charm and oodles of serene
natural beauty to enjoy. This is the calm
everyday life still lived by many Thai people,
who have retained their Buddhist faith and
strong cultural identity in spite of the tourist
deluge.
Thai people smile a lot. They are friendly and
obliging. You will also find that Thailand is an
extremely welcoming place and the people
will usually go out of their way to make sure
that you enjoy your stay. As well as many
of the attractions of which springs from the
glorious and unspoiled culture of the place.
History lovers will be fascinated by the ancient
religious sites, former capitals and other
ruined antiquities that are found in abundance
throughout the country, while those seeking
spirituality will certainly find it in this country
where more than three quarters of people
are still practising Buddhists. You are unlikely
to be able to visit all of the many temples
here during your stay but a visit to some of
the most highly esteemed examples is one
of the country’s essentials. Their gilded and
brightly coloured finery can dazzle and inspire
intense spiritual awe. But perhaps you may
find, as others have before you, that the lifechanging
and deeply spiritual moments that
you experience here come from the almost
unbelievably beautiful and awe-inspiring
natural wonders that you will encounter here.
From the islands, sandy beaches and idyllic
Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand to the
south, to the lush dense jungles and the
mountains of the north, the Thai landscape
inspires awe with every sun-drenched
vista. While some places are very much the
epitome of the mass tourism industry, there
are still plenty of hidden gems where you can
almost feel that you are the first to discover
their magical charms. The Thai islands,
for example, very much offer something
for everyone, from the hedonist’s heaven
on some of the party-oriented islands, to
family-friendly, picture-perfect resorts, to
idyllic island escapes that offer solitude and
serenity in spades.
Those in tune with the natural world and
those who wish to become more so will
also find exactly what they are looking
for in this amazing country. North of the
beach resorts, north of the bustling city
of Bangkok, the less-heavily visited north
of the country offers many more natural
wonders – forest treks beneath monkeyclad
trees, elephant rides through Khao Yai
National Park or down rivers in lush valleys
take you to some of the more remote
regions of the country. In the mountains,
more hikes, bike rides or a myriad of other
tour options will take you on the verdant
slopes between delightfully unspoiled
mountain villages, nestled in the landscape.
If a somewhat less rugged and more refined
experience is what you are looking for then
refinement and chic will be found in Bangkok,
the modern metropolis that is at once very
Thai and yet also has an international scope
and poise that makes it a major global player.
Whether you are looking for fine dining or
first-class shopping, a swanky place to stay
or play, this city can deliver. Other Thai cities
also have more regional charm and each has
something different to offer, making it well
worth the time to explore more than one of
them during your stay in the country.
Those who enjoy an active holiday will be
spoiled for choice. Adventure abounds
in Thailand. Everything seems to be on
offer – from gentle hiking and biking trips
to suit all ages, preferences, fitness levels
and abilities, to more adrenaline fuelled
or intrepid pursuits. Those who like the
water could participate in canoe or kayak
excursions on rivers or on the sea, go on a
river rafting trip or try a host of water-sport
activities at one of the country’s beach
resorts. You could peer beneath the sea
on a snorkelling excursion or dive deep
beneath the blue. You can explore ancient
caves, abseil down waterfalls, try rock
climbing and rappelling or whoosh down a
zipline through the jungle canopy. You could
even take to the skies in a hot air balloon
ride, or plummet back down towards the
earth on a skydiving adventure of a lifetime.
The opportunities for adventure in Thailand
are almost endless!
Thailand treats its guests very well and at
the end of a long day sightseeing, shopping
or adventuring in the great outdoors you can
relax with fine food in some lovely settings
and then indulge yourself with some spa
treatments and perhaps one of the famous
Thai massages. These relaxing massages are
perhaps the perfect way to relax and unwind
after a long and exciting day.
This country manages to at once live up to
its image and simultaneously to surpass all
your wildest expectations. This is a country
of hyperbole and extremes and yet it also
manages to be the ultimate destination for
a relaxing vacation. Thailand always retains
the capacity to surprise and delight, which is
perhaps how it manages to be all things to
all people and still retain its mysterious and
magical edge.
CBS TRAVEL ASIA - THAILAND DESTINATION GUIDE