Thailand, nestled in the heartland of Southeast Asia, is among the few countries where the ancient coexists with the modern in peaceful harmony. It’s a country that caters to vastly diverse sets of tourists, leaving each one with equally unforgettable memories. For the avid shopper, there are the bright shopping malls of Bangkok, for the intrepid trekker there are the mountain ranges of Mae Hong Son and for the lazy sun-soakers there are the pristine beaches of Phuket and Samui.
The Cities
The Thai capital, the starting point for a large number of tourists in Thailand, offers several fascinating destinations for wide-eyed tourists. Among any ‘must visit’ list for tourists in Bangkok, will be ‘The Grand Palace’. The palace was home to the many Kings of Siam and for many years, it also doubled as the nerve centre of Thai administration. In the complex of buildings you will find the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew. Considered to be among the most sacred temples of Thailand, it houses the central and most revered object of Thai culture- the Emerald Buddha.
Another city of great cultural significance is Chiang Mai, capital of the Chiang Mai province. The city is lined by many ancient and awe-inspiring Buddhist temples. A temple on top of Doi Suthep, a hill on the north-western part of the city, offers tourists a breathtaking view over the city on a clear day.
Tourists looking for remains of old Thailand will be delighted to visit Chiang Rai, where the ‘Golden triangle’, the triangle made by the borders of Burma, Laos and Thailand, is found. Yet unspoiled by the glut of tourists visiting Thailand, a quiet boat ride on the Mae Khong River might let you discover something new and extraordinary, each time.
The Islands
Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, one of the most frequented places by tourists, may have lost some of its exotic charm by the steady influx of tourists; but to the willing traveler, the destination still offers many delightful sights. Its vast span of white beaches boasts many premier, international beach resorts. And to no ones surprise, the beaches also offer its tourists several sun and surf activities. Other than the beaches, a tourist will find several visual delights such as the one-of-a-kind landscapes of Phang Nga Bay.
Koh Samui is another island with popularity comparable with Phuket. It was only in the late 1970’s that the first tourists arrived on Koh Samui. But even today, Koh Samui has retained its charm and offers its tourists white pearlescent beaches, coral reefs, exotic lagoons, picturesque water falls and a lot more.
The destinations may be many, but what a tourist in Thailand will take home is a piece of eternity, a memory of amazing, amazing Thailand.