Thailand is an extremely popular choice for a holiday. People holiday in Thailand from all over the world. Thailand holiday packages are popular because holiday deals are possible and just about everybody is looking for a cheap holiday. Thailand holiday packages are sometimes stand alone and at others part of a holiday deal en route to Hong Kong or Australasia. Many Thailand holidays will base themselves soley in Bangkok but others may include a resort stay in Pattaya, Phuket or Koh Samui. Thailand for a Honeymoon holiday is the choice of many.
Thailand is a big country. It is wide at its top end and stretches down into a long leg where it meets Malaysia in the South. Such size and variation in weather and terrain as well as activities means that there really is something for everybody. It is a beautiful country with more to offer the holidaymaker than many.
Thailand has so much to offer that going anywhere else seems a mistake. There are holiday resorts. holiday islands, beach holidays and mountain holidays. Adventure holidays too. Trekking, Backpacking, Mountain Biking, Bird Watching, Climbing, White Water Rafting or just chilling out. Holiday accommodation can be sparse or luxury dependent on your holiday deal. A holiday in Thailand could be one of the best of holiday choices.
Thailand is a big country. It is wide at its top end and stretches down into a long leg where it meets Malaysia in the South. Such size and variation in weather and terrain as well as activities means that there really is something for everybody. It is a beautiful country with more to offer the holidaymaker than many.
Thailand has so much to offer that going anywhere else seems a mistake. There are holiday resorts. holiday islands, beach holidays and mountain holidays. Adventure holidays too. Trekking, Backpacking, Mountain Biking, Bird Watching, Climbing, White Water Rafting or just chilling out. Holiday accommodation can be sparse or luxury dependent on your holiday deal. A holiday in Thailand could be one of the best of holiday choices.
The People
The people of Thailand are made up of around thirty different ethnic groups which have varying culture and languages but all are essentially Thai. It is that Thai'ness which makes them amongst the friendliest people in the world. Thailand is often called 'The Land of Smiles' and it is. You are much more like to receive a welcoming smile than a grimace. The Thai people are unforgettable.
Thailand Hill Tribe - 'Giraffe necked' lady
Bangkok Floating Market.
Thailand the Beautiful
The Weather
Thailand is essentially a tropical humid country. That said it does have distinct seasons and depending on whereabouts you are in the long stretched land or how high you are these will vary immensely.
November to February are the favoured visiting months for people from the West when the temperature will range from 18C to 32C in the central part of the country. Depending on where you are and the time of the day it will be warmer or cooler but generally speaking it is never too uncomfortable. It is really a case of adjusting your day slightly to fit in with the weather.
It does rain and very heavily at times. The good thing about Thailand is that it is more likely to rain at night than during the day and when it does rain it is usually for no longer than an hour. Then thats it till the next day during the rainy season.
The rain is usually warm too, which makes it so much more bearable.
November to February are the favoured visiting months for people from the West when the temperature will range from 18C to 32C in the central part of the country. Depending on where you are and the time of the day it will be warmer or cooler but generally speaking it is never too uncomfortable. It is really a case of adjusting your day slightly to fit in with the weather.
It does rain and very heavily at times. The good thing about Thailand is that it is more likely to rain at night than during the day and when it does rain it is usually for no longer than an hour. Then thats it till the next day during the rainy season.
The rain is usually warm too, which makes it so much more bearable.
After a very heavy fall of rain in Pattaya
Phangnga Bay in Thailand
The Food
Thai food is as delicious as it is variable. In the West Thai food tends to be very expensive but in Thailand it is cheap and fresh too. It will of course depend on where you eat it. In a big flash hotel it will be pricey. In a small restaurant away from the main drag or on the street will be just as good...or better for just a matter of pence.
If you don't like Thai Food or sadly are not prepared to try it then there are Western restaurants to cater for every taste in the cities and main towns. You are rarely too far away from a KFC. It is even possible to get by budget wise on Western Food though Thai food is definitely cheaper and better.
Everyone should make the effort to try Thai food though. In terms of the World's cuisines it is one of the very best. Street food can be a tasty and memorable adventure.
On the coasts Sea Food is a must. It is so fresh and the variety immense. In some restaurants you can even fish for your own prawns and have them cooked for you. The oysters are special either huge and juicy or small and sweet.
Try the more unusual foods. Locusts as a bar snack could grow on you. There is probably more nutrition in them than potato crisps.
If you don't like Thai Food or sadly are not prepared to try it then there are Western restaurants to cater for every taste in the cities and main towns. You are rarely too far away from a KFC. It is even possible to get by budget wise on Western Food though Thai food is definitely cheaper and better.
Everyone should make the effort to try Thai food though. In terms of the World's cuisines it is one of the very best. Street food can be a tasty and memorable adventure.
On the coasts Sea Food is a must. It is so fresh and the variety immense. In some restaurants you can even fish for your own prawns and have them cooked for you. The oysters are special either huge and juicy or small and sweet.
Try the more unusual foods. Locusts as a bar snack could grow on you. There is probably more nutrition in them than potato crisps.
Fruit Vendor in Pattaya, Thailand
The Shopping
There is extremely good shopping to be had in Thailand. Just about anything you could possibly want can be purchased for a price. Many of the shopping malls will have the chain stores that you are familiar with elsewhere. Only the malls in Thailand are bigger, better, cleaner and more modern than many you will see in Europe. Thailand is further ahead in customer care and relations.
Thailand is an exporter as well as an importer and some locally produced goods can be bought at bargain prices.
You have choice of the traditional to the space age. Thailand has something to satisfy every fancy and more besides. Move from street market to modern mall to night market to floating market. Look at High Street and Side Street of have street vendors find you. You will find whatever you need and have fun looking.
Thailand is an exporter as well as an importer and some locally produced goods can be bought at bargain prices.
You have choice of the traditional to the space age. Thailand has something to satisfy every fancy and more besides. Move from street market to modern mall to night market to floating market. Look at High Street and Side Street of have street vendors find you. You will find whatever you need and have fun looking.
Thailand Traditional Market
Traditional Crafts
The Infamous PatPong Market
The Culture
Thailand is a Buddhist country and Buddhism filters its way into every aspect of life. It is the Buddhist attitude that makes the Thai's such a peaceful and friendly people.
There are some truly beautiful temples to visit in Thailand. Big or small in city, mountain or village they are all worth a looksee. You may be surprised at what you find. Try and tie in your visit to Thailand to one of the many festivals and join the Thai people on one of their special days. You will be made most welcome and will probably make some new friends.
Get up at six in the morning on some days and watch the monks walking the street with their alms bowls. You will see girls kneeling in the street giving alms and being blessed. You could visit a temple and be blessed too.
There are some truly beautiful temples to visit in Thailand. Big or small in city, mountain or village they are all worth a looksee. You may be surprised at what you find. Try and tie in your visit to Thailand to one of the many festivals and join the Thai people on one of their special days. You will be made most welcome and will probably make some new friends.
Get up at six in the morning on some days and watch the monks walking the street with their alms bowls. You will see girls kneeling in the street giving alms and being blessed. You could visit a temple and be blessed too.
The Nature
There are wild Elephant, Tigers, Gaur and Banteng, Monkeys, Bears and more in Thailand. You are unlikely to see any apart from in zoos but they are there. There are some excellent national parks and beautiful countryside. It is possible to visit these as part of a holiday excursion.
Birds are rare in the cities but out in the country they are abundant in protected areas. There are some wonderful bird watching opportunities.
Trips to the islands usually give an opportunity to snorkle or dive over some beautiful reefs amongst a myriad of multi coloured tropical fish.
Thailand is truly beautiful.
Birds are rare in the cities but out in the country they are abundant in protected areas. There are some wonderful bird watching opportunities.
Trips to the islands usually give an opportunity to snorkle or dive over some beautiful reefs amongst a myriad of multi coloured tropical fish.
Thailand is truly beautiful.
The Beaches
There are some excellent beaches in Thailand. There are those on the islands and those facing the gulf of Thailand. Further beaches face the Indian ocean. There are busy beaches, secluded beaches, lonely beaches and deserted beaches. There are beaches to suit everybody.
The Hotels
Hotels in Thailand range from the opulent down to the cheap. I have never stayed in the opulent but have in many of the medium and cheaper establishments. Only in one instances have I been let down and that is more than I can say of some Western establishments.
Where you stay really will be decided by your budget. Expensive is not necessarily better. It depends what you expect from your visit. It is easier to waste money on accommodation than on any other part of a holiday.
Where you stay really will be decided by your budget. Expensive is not necessarily better. It depends what you expect from your visit. It is easier to waste money on accommodation than on any other part of a holiday.
View From A Thailand Hotel Lobby
The Safety
Thailand is safe. Obvious common safe safety rules apply no matter where you travel in this world but Thailand is one of the safest places you could visit anywhere. A money belt is always a worthwhile investement. It is a back up no matter where you are.
Violence is rare. Arguements are rare. Crime is rare. A lone female will rarely be bothered. There are not gangs of drunken youth roaming the streets. Telephone boxes are not vandalised. Graffiti is rare. People drink and sometimes heavily but nasty drunkeness is a rarity. You could feel safer in Thailand than anywhere you have ever visited or lived.
Your safety on your holiday in Thailand is largely due to the Buddhist way of looking at life "what you sow you will reap" and "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". No-one is out to mess up this and their next life. At the same time if you break the laws in Thailand you will not just get a telling off as in Europe but you will end up in prison and maybe for a long time. So people behave themselves.
Trust the food, trust the transport, trust the people but use your common sense.
The rest of the world could learn a lot from the Thai way of life. Experience it and love it.
Violence is rare. Arguements are rare. Crime is rare. A lone female will rarely be bothered. There are not gangs of drunken youth roaming the streets. Telephone boxes are not vandalised. Graffiti is rare. People drink and sometimes heavily but nasty drunkeness is a rarity. You could feel safer in Thailand than anywhere you have ever visited or lived.
Your safety on your holiday in Thailand is largely due to the Buddhist way of looking at life "what you sow you will reap" and "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". No-one is out to mess up this and their next life. At the same time if you break the laws in Thailand you will not just get a telling off as in Europe but you will end up in prison and maybe for a long time. So people behave themselves.
Trust the food, trust the transport, trust the people but use your common sense.
The rest of the world could learn a lot from the Thai way of life. Experience it and love it.
Thailand is a safe place
The Toilets
I mention the toilets only because I know that it is one of the things that really bothers some Western travelers. The traveler will find that the toilets in Thailand are probably the cleanest that they have ever encountered anywhere. You literally could eat off the floor in many of them as they are that clean. Some are even carpeted.
They are regularily maintained. There is no dirt or grime or cigarette ends. There is no graffiti. Some toilets are worth a special visit on their own.
They are regularily maintained. There is no dirt or grime or cigarette ends. There is no graffiti. Some toilets are worth a special visit on their own.
Toilets Are Mainly Modern
Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/elmastudio/3645980001/ Thailand Holiday
The Affordability
A holiday in Thailand is affordable. You really do have to be in a position to pick your flights for those will probably be the biggest part of your cost. When you get to Thailand though it is you who controls the expense. Budget travel depends on the ability to choose. A reasonable, expensive or cheap hotel. Food and where you eat it. Whether you travel by taxi or Sang Thaew. Whether you intend to travel around the country or stay in one or two locations.
Best advice is to book the cheapest return flight possible and your first nights accommodation... then shop around when you arrive. You will definitely find a better deal once you are on the spot.
There are excellent budget holiday opportunities even in such exotic resorts as Pattaya.
Best advice is to book the cheapest return flight possible and your first nights accommodation... then shop around when you arrive. You will definitely find a better deal once you are on the spot.
There are excellent budget holiday opportunities even in such exotic resorts as Pattaya.
The Late Nights
One of the most miserable aspects of most of the West is that all the shops are closed by six in the evening. Not so in Thailand. They have hours to go. You can shop happily till eleven at night in many cases.
Most restaurants are open late (unlike Singapore where the majority seem to close at ten) and many won't close until the last person leaves or even remain open all night.
Most restaurants are open late (unlike Singapore where the majority seem to close at ten) and many won't close until the last person leaves or even remain open all night.
Pattaya's Big Buddha at night
The Fun
Thailand can give you whatever it is that you want out of a holiday. Every day can be different and every night too.
Thailand has much to offer the single man or woman traveler. It is the perfect destination for couples and will udoubtedly satisfy every whim of a visiting family. Thailand is not a backwater, it is a modern forward looking country with excellent roads, facilities and amenities. Move just a little off the beaten track however and you will see and experience a different world.
Thailand has much to offer the single man or woman traveler. It is the perfect destination for couples and will udoubtedly satisfy every whim of a visiting family. Thailand is not a backwater, it is a modern forward looking country with excellent roads, facilities and amenities. Move just a little off the beaten track however and you will see and experience a different world.
Fun
The Exotic
Thailand is exotic: Although much of what you find and see in Thailand will be familiar to the visitor it is the combination of differences which makes the complete package holiday exotic. Enjoy!
The Nightlife
Cities Like Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket can offer a nightlife like nowhere else in the world. It is naughty but it is nice. It is fun and it is safe.
The days are great but the nights are too and providing that you keep an open mind and don't take life too seriously then the nights will give you a holiday you will never forget. You an eat out, visit one of the fancy cinemas, go bowling or dancing. You could watch a Kathoey show or just go bar hopping. Nights in Thailand are fun.
The days are great but the nights are too and providing that you keep an open mind and don't take life too seriously then the nights will give you a holiday you will never forget. You an eat out, visit one of the fancy cinemas, go bowling or dancing. You could watch a Kathoey show or just go bar hopping. Nights in Thailand are fun.
Pattaya - I Love This Town
There really should be no hesitation. Thailand can give you everything you ever wanted out of a holiday. Relax. Let Go. Enjoy.
Sunset
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