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Thailand Travel Guide

"Sawasdee" means "Hello" in Thai, and you'll find this greeting to be very genuine throughout the country. Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles. Everywhere you go, the Thais will greet you with a "wai", the traditional gesture by placing the hands together as in a prayer and bowing the head slightly.

Thailand is a country more or less the size of France, measuring some 1000 miles (1600 kilometres) from north to south. The elephant being the national symbol, it is a surprising coincidence that the map of Thailand closely resembles an elephant's head, with its trunk forming the Malayan peninsula. The country can be roughly divided into five parts as follows:

The central region, with the bustling metropolitan capital of Bangkok and the ancient capitals of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.
The southeast, called the Eastern Seaboard, including the world-famous (and infamous) resort of Pattaya and the island of Ko Chang.
The south, which comprises the Malayan peninsula. This area includes the tourist islands of Phuket and Samui and the city of Hat Yai, close to the Malaysian border.
The northeast, known as Issan, which is mainly agricultural and the poorest region of the country.
The north, including Thailand's second largest city, Chiang Mai, and the "Golden Triangle".

Bangkok

This bustling metropolis of around eight million is called Krung Thep in Thai, which means City of Angels. To the present traveller it will probably be more adequate to call it the City of Chaos. Bangkok is a crowded city with a serious traffic problem. The construction of extra (elevated) roads, a skytrain system and an underground have aleviated the situation somewhat though. Bangkok is a city of contrasts. From modern business districts with impressive skyscrapers to traditional residential areas along the "khlongs" (canals), this city offers everything.
For the shoppers among us, the Sukhumvit road is a main traffic artery lined with both huge department stores and small shops. Handicraft, textile, electronics and much more can be found at bargain prices here, and how much an item will cost in the end depends on your bargaining skills. Bargaining is expected and a way of life, and you should aim to end up at about two thirds of the original asking price. Another popular shopping area is the Chatuchak market and the Night Bazaar along Rama IV road.

Sightseeing spots are concentrated along the shores of the Chao Praya river. A must for every Bangkok visitor is the Royal Palace and the National Museum, and also the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

The city's red light district is Patpong, which by the way is also a pleasant area to visit if you're not looking for the obvious, as there is a large night market as well.

Accommodation comes in all sorts and for every budget, ranging from guesthouses with rooms for a couple of dollars per night to super-de-luxe five star hotels. Bangkok is a city where you can afford luxury for very reasonable prices; you can get a room in a four star hotel for around 30 US dollars. Transportation is by taxis (cheap), the skytrain or underground (cheaper) or buses (cheapest). The skytrain is by far the fastest way to get around.

Pattaya

What was only a small fishing village in the 1960's started to become popular as a resort during the Vietnam War, when American soldiers came to Pattaya for rest and recreation. Nowadays Pattaya is the main moneymaker in the Thai tourism industry, visited by some 5 million people per year. The place is widely known as "Sin City" because of its prominent sex industry - prostitution has been one of the main reasons for its rapid growth. While it has long been mainly a destination for single men, more and more families are now visiting Pattaya and adjacent Jomtien as well.

The development boom has taken its toll. The beaches and the water are not very clean and new construction is seen everywhere. This doesn't mean however that Pattaya should be avoided at all costs. There are some islands off the coast well worth a visit (Ko Larn and Ko Phai being the largest) and there are many entertainment venues for the whole family, including elephant camps, crocodile farms and a huge waterpark.

Accommodation and restaurants are plentiful, and getting around is easy and cheap by means of baht-buses (Songtaew), which are converted pick-ups that follow a specific route. These can also be used as private taxis. Renting a motorcycle or jeep is another option to be more independent.

Pattaya can be reached from Bangkok by motorway. There are airconditioned bus services from the international airport, the Northern and the Eastern Bus Terminal. There is one (slow) train service per day, and Bangkok Airways connects U-Taphao Airport, 30 kms south of Pattaya, with Samui and Phuket.

Ko Chang

This island, the second largest in Thailand after Phuket, is located in Trat province close to the Cambodian border. Ko Chang (Elephant Island) is seen as the next major tourist destination and the coastline is slowly being developed with tourist infrastructure. The island forms part of a natural reserve, so this development should be slow and controlled.

The island can be reached by ferry from Laem Ngop. Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Trat airport, and offers a connecting shuttle service.

Phuket & the Andaman Coast

The island of Phuket is a major tourist destination and offers the complete range of amenities. The best beaches can be found in this area, both on Phuket and other islands such as Phi Phi. The tsunami of December 2004 has wreaked havoc in the area but most is back to normal by now.

Phuket has an international airport which receives scheduled services from other Asian points, as well as charter flights from Europe. From Bangkok there are many scheduled flights throughout the day and fares are low because of the fierce competition between Thai Airways, Nok Air, Air Asia and One-Two-Go.

Other popular areas along the Andaman Coast include Kao Lak, Krabi and Phi Phi island.

Samui

Just like Phuket, Samui island is a tourist destination with all amenities, although smaller. It has an airport which is owned and operated by Bangkok Airways, offering both domestic and international flights. The island can also be reached by ferry from various points in the peninsula.

Chiang Mai

The second largest city of Thailand is the centre of the Thai handicraft industry. Here you can find all kinds of beautiful items (wood, textile, silk, metal). The night market is a very popular shopping pastime.

Chiang Mai is also the base for sightseeing trips in the area. Around the city there are handicraft factories and elephant camps. Wat Doi Suthep, on a mountain top overlooking the city, is one of the country's most important temples. Mae Hong Son, to the west of Chiang Mai near the Burmese border, is a town located amidst stunning natural scenery with jungle and waterfalls. Chiang Rai, to the northeast, is the centre of the Golden Triangle, the infamous area along the Thai/Burmese/Laos border (formed by the Mekong River) known for the trade in opium.

Other famous sightseeing locations in Thailand include the ancient cities of Ayutthaya and Sukothai and the town of Kanchanaburi, known for the bridge over the river Kwai and the WWII cemetery. Surin, in the Issan, is known for the annual elephant roundup.

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