Where East meets West, Thailand is a country full of energy and tradition. From the modern capital of Bangkok to the ancient capitals of Ayuthaya and Sukothai, Thailand has been a master of its own destiny. On Monday, watch an IMAX movie on the biggest screen in the world. On Wednesday, take a bamboo raft on the Mekong and be met by elephants for a ride through the jungle. On Friday, enjoy some of the world’s finest beaches, diving and snorkeling. This is a country so diverse in both its culture and its scenery that you have to see it to believe it. So come! Be amazed by Thailand!
Highlights
In Bangkok you can catch a VIP screening of the latest movies then eat 25 cent Phad Thai on Khao San Road, the backpacker’s paradise. Take a longboat ride through the back alleys of Bangkok only to land at the world famous Oriental Hotel for a sun downer. Spend your days visiting peaceful, splendid temples and the Royal Palace, and be entertained by traditional Thai kickboxing at night. Bangkok truly is a city of paradoxes, where East meets West, haves meet have-nots and travelers are offered a front row seat to it all. Leave Bangkok for a tour of the ancient capitals Ayuthaya and Sukothai. If you time it right, you may be able to see a festival dating back hundreds of years. Take an elephant ride through the jungle and marvel at the elephant show where mahouts put their training to the test and elephants show why they are the ultimate beasts of burden. Relax with a traditional Thai massage. Enjoy some of the best food in the world, or better yet, learn to cook it yourself at a traditional Thai cooking school. Visit hill tribes in Chiang Mai and see the unique and varied cultures that have survived decades. Need we even mention the beaches? Canoe through hongs, scuba dive off white sand beaches and enjoy fresh seafood.
Best Time to Visit
The high season in Thailand is from November to February when the weather is cooler and dry. This is important on beach holidays, but it is possible to visit other areas in Thailand during the rainy season, from June to October. Though the weather can be unpredictable, it is usually possible to sit out a downpour and continue on exploring after. The hot season, from March to May, takes itself seriously and can make travel exhausting.