Travel and Holiday Tips in Thailand:Thai people have a deep reverence for the Royal Family, and a visitor should take care in showing respect for the King, Queen and the Royal Children. You should stand still when the royal anthem is being played for example, in the cinema before every movie starts or at public places such as railways stations. Visitors should dress appropriately when visiting religious shrines. Topless, shorts, or hot pants are unacceptable and you will not be permitted to enter the compound. You may wear your shoes when walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept. Each Buddha image, large or small, ruined or not, is regarded as a sacred object. Never climb onto one to take a photograph or do anything which may indicate a lack of respect. Buddhist monk are forbidden to touch or be touched by a woman, or to even accept anything from the hands of one. |
Thai's do not normally shake hands when they greet each other. Instead they press their palms together in a prayer-like gesture called a “Wai”.
Thai's regard the head as the highest part of the body, literally and figuratively. Therefore avoid touching people on the head and try not to point your feet at people or an object. It is considered very rude.
Shoes should be removed when entering a private Thai home.
Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon, but holding hands has become pretty normal nowadays in Bangkok.
Bangkok - City of Angels
Bangkok is Thailand's capital city. It is the travel hub for the whole Southeast Asian region .
At the end of 2000, the new Sky Train has gone into service and new roads have been built. Bangkok's bad reputation for long traffic jams and pollution are no longer justifiable. In comparison to other Cities, Bangkok is a very safe city and has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
When you are in the City of Angles you will find out that walking , instead of taking a taxi or bs is often the quickest option. For the more adventurous visitor there is also the option of the “water taxi” which will take you through the back life of Bangkok in its canals. Many of the city's attractions are near the various stops along the river.
Some of Asia's most spectacular temples are located in Bangkok. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keo, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are located in the same compund. The extravagant rooflines and spires are richly ornamented and will leave you in awe.
The National Museum is within walking distance of the Grand Palace, once a palace consisting of several old beautiful Thai style buildings. It houses a vast collection of artifacts found in all parts of the country ranging from neolithic times, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya to the Bangkok period.
Wat Pho is the world famous temple located on Thai Wang Road next to the Grand Palace. It is Bangkok's oldest and largest temple. The gigantic gold plated reclining Buddha with inlaid mother-of-pearl soles is highly revered among Buddhists. Also regarded as the first centre of public education, or sometimes called "Thailand's first university", the temple houses mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues which educated people on varied subjects; for example, literature, warfare, archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation, medicine, and Thai traditional massage.
The Vinmanmek Royal Mansion is located on Ratchawithi Road. This is the world's largest building made entirely of golden teak. Removed from Ko Sichang in Chonburi province, it was rebuilt in the Dusit Palace in 1900 by the command of King Rama V. Many rooms currently maintain the atmosphere of the past. Most of the building in the same compound are now used as museums. Abhisek Dusit Hall, exhibits H.M. Queen Sirikit's collection of handicraft masterpieces created by rural people. The other displays of various items and art objects including H.M. King Bhumibol's photography, paraphernalia of rank and portraits, ancient cloth, clocks, and royal carriages.
Bangkok's Chinatown is an old business centre covering a large area around Yaowarat and Charoen Krung Roads. There are many small streets and alleys full of shops and vendors selling all types of shops and vendors selling all types of goods. It has been the main centre for trading by the Chinese since they were moved from their old site some 200 years ago. Nearby Phahurat or Indian market is one of the city's renowned cloth centres.
Jim Thompson's House is a remarkable Thai-style house was the work of Mr. Jim Thompson, an American who came to Thailand at the end of the Second World War and revived the Thai silk industry. His house, now a museum, is at the end of Soi Kasemsan 2 opposite the National Stadium on Rama I Road. On permanent display are Mr. Thompson's collection of Asian artifacts and many other fabulous antiques.
The Chatuchak Weekend Market is a large open public ground on Phahonyothin Road where people buy and sell a thousand local products including food, clothing, household products, handicrafts, pets, and pit plants. The market is a paradise for browsers and bargain-hunters alike. It operates on Saturdays and Sundays. From Wednesday to Fridays, the ground becomes a wholesale for various kinds of plants.
Bangkok also has a wide range of Restaurants with food from all over the world. The areas of Silom, Banglampoo and Sukhumvit offer all kinds of Thai and International restaurants. Chinatown for Chinese food and Pahurat for Indian.
Shopping is excellent in Bangkok. When visiting the innumerable markets, bargaining is expected and part of the experience. Bangkok's plush shopping area is in Siam Square where designer labels and many international names and brands are on sale in air-conditioned shops. There are also numerous huge shopping malls in Bangkok which offer excellent city views and fixed prices.
Chiang Mai - Rose of the North
Named the “Rose of the North” for its abundance of flowers that thrive in the cooler mountain climate. Chiang Mai is blessed with stunning natural beauty and unique indigenous cultural identity.
About 700 kilometres from Bangkok, Chiang Mai is situated on the Mae Ping River basin some 310 metres above sea level. Surrounded by high mountain ranges, it covers an area of approximately 20,107 square kilometres. The terrain is mainly jungles and mountains, parts of which are within national parks which are still fertile and verdant with plentiful flora and fauna. There are many sites and locations where tourists prefer to visit to study the lifestyle of the tribal people who live on high hills.
One of Chiang Mai's greatest attractions is Do Suthep Temple. This temple is Chiang Mai's most important and visible landmark, and overlooks the city from its forested mountain backdrop. It is 15 kilometres from town, 3,520 feet above sea level, and dates from 1383. The temple is approached on foot by climbing a steep staircase comprising 290 steps. The less energetic may ascend by funicular rail cars. The temple's golden pagoda contains holy Buddha relics, and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world throughout the year.
Doi Inthanon National Park covers Thailand's highest mountain (2,565m). The lovely Wachirathan, Siriphum and mae Pan waterfalls share the mountain with Meo and Karen hill tribe settlements. Thailand's most photographed waterfall, Mae Klang Waterfall, lies at the foot of Doi Inthanon Mountain.
Chiang Mai celebrates many annual festivals. The Flower Festival held each February is a 3-day event which occurs when Chiang Mai's temperate and tropical flowers are in full bloom and at their colourful best. Festivities include colourful floral floats parades music and dancing and beauty pageants. Songkran Festival (April 13) celebrates the traditional Thai New Year. It is celebrated by Thai's ‘sprinkling' blessings onto each other with water. Loi Krathong Festival is celebrated every full moon night of November to thank the Goddess of the river for the use of the waterways by the people. People float away banana-leaf or wax paper boats bearing a lighted candle incense flower and a small coin to honour the water spirits and wash away the previous year's misfortunes.
Chiang Mai is, quite simply, Thailand's major centre for quality handicrafts. The visitor need merely visit the nearest city emporium or night market to purchase handicrafts. A major advantage of shopping in Chiang Mai is that the visitor may watch artisans working within the city and in several outlying villages, particularly along the Bo Sang-San Kamphaaeng Road where, in genuine cottage industries, parasols, silk and cotton weaving, jewelry, woodcarving, silverware, celadon, and lacquerware are manufactured.
Krabi
One of most attractive destinations in Southern Thailand is located 814 kms. from Bangkok. Krabi occupies an area of 4,708 square kilometres. To the west, it borders on the Andaman Sea where countless natural attractions abound, including white sandy beaches, fascinating coral reefs, numerous large and small islands, verdant forests with caves and waterfalls.
Krabi's beaches are some of the best to be found anywhere and lie within easy access from the main town of Krabi.
Susan Hoi or Fossil Shell Beach is 17 kms. from town along the route to the Nopparat Thara Beach. A tremendous number of shells embedded near the seashore piled up a large amount of shells some 40 million years ago.
Mu Ko Phi Phi an archipelago of six islands located at an equal distance of 40 kms. from both Krabi and Phuket. It consists of Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Le as the major islands. The superb scenery of the islands includes high hills with jutting cliffs surrounded by marvelous beaches and emerald sea, hiding underneath a bank of coral reefs and colourful marine life which are unrivaled in this whole wide area. Ko Phi Phi Le offers various attractions: Tham Viking a large cave with swallow's nests as well as ancient colour paintings of Vikings' boats, thus giving the cave its exotic name, Ao Pi Le and Ao Lo Sa Ma are suitable for scuba diving, and Ao Maya has a white sandy beach. Accommodation is available on Ko Phi Phi Don where a village is situated.
Khao Kanab Nam is regarded as the symbol of Krabi. The 100m hill features a staircase leading to caves hosting stalactites and stalagmites, and as the legend would have it, the site of past civilizations where human skeletal remains have been recovered there.
Mae Hong Son
Nestled in a deep valley hemmed in by high mountain ranges, Mae Hong Son has long been isolated from the outside world. Virtually covered with mist throughout the year, the name refers to the fact that its terrain is highly suitable for the training of elephants. Former governors of Chiang Mai used to organise the rounding up of wild elephants which were then trained before being sent to the capital for work. Today, Mae Hong Son is one of the "dream destinations" for visitors who are attracted by its cultural and natural wonders.
The Tham Lot Forest Park is situated in a forest in Pang Mapha district some 77 kilometres from town. Here nature has created an exotic subterranean wonder of darkness and mystery. A brook runs from the cave mouth through to the other side of the mountain. It is a route where visitors may travel by raft or by foot to explore the 1 kilometre-long cave along which can be found beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Also discovered are 2,000 year old remains of utensils and coffins. Another site where stalactite and stalagmites can be found is the Mae Lana Cave. The stream inside the cave is habitat to eyeless and colourless fish that live in a dark environment.
Rafting along the Mae Pai is an exciting and delightful recreation. Mae Pai itself is the longest river of Mae Hong Son originating from mountain ranges in Laos which flows through Pai district of the province and eventually joins the Salawin river in Myanmar, a total distance of 180 kilometres. With an average depth of some 7 metres, the river bed is mainly pebbled. There are several sectors eminently suitable for rafting past rapids and natural scenery including beautiful waterfalls. Mae Ngao River is a good water route for shooting the rapids. Adventure travel tourists can enjoy the unspoiled scenery along the river banks.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui is one of Thailand's most popular holiday destinations. It is Thailand's third largest island and is still a place of relatively untouched beauty. In the hot and relatively dry south of Thailand, Koh Samui is also known as the Coconut Island. The island has a lot of activities to offer such as diving, snorkeling, jeep safari's, golf, midget golf, elephant trekking etc.
Chaweng beach is famous for its entertainment and shoping facilities, entirely concentrated on the long street that runs parallel with the beach. Lamai beach is smaller but friendlier. Bohput and Big Buddha beach are relatively quiet where you can find lovely restaurants and bars on the beach. Beautiful white sand beaches, clean, clear warm water. Lush tropical gardens and gentle ocean breezes await you at this ideal holiday island.
Phuket
Phuket island is one of the most popular travel destinations in Southeast Asia. It has more than 20 scenic white beaches, crystal clear blue waters, color reefs rich with sea life as well as dozens of lush neighboring islands, jungles, culture, history and much more.
Situated 867km from the capital, Bangkok. It is the only island in Thailand with provincial status. Known as the Pearl of the Andaman, the surrounding waters contain much varied marine life and the town is notable for its Sino-Portugese architecture.
Next to Phuket town and Phuket Island are Patong Beach, Kata beach, Karon Beach, Kamala Beach, Surin Beach, Bang Tao Beach, nai Thon, Nakalay/Kalim and Chalong. These areas are worth the visit.
In December 2004, Phuket was hit by the tsunami but visitors will be surprised as just how much progree has been made since the Tsunami. Hotels, restaurants, bars and other buildings in Phuket have already been restored or rebuilt especiall in the main beach areas.
