Thailand is an adventure in contrast, a world of wonder within your reach! It is a natural treasure trove of scenery and wildlife. It simply takes your breath away. Floating markets and shimmering temples, from the rugged sea coast to the rainforest. With its magnificent hotels and restaurants, it’s culturally rich. This Thailand Travel Guide is a crash course in everything in Thailand. From Attractions to Culture, we’ll have you comfortable and knowledgeable before your big trip to the Land Of Smiles.
If your mood says adventure, take an elephant ride, visit the Mae Sa Waterfalls, or an orchid nursery. Cruise on the Chao Phraya River, a touch of the exotic, a dash of the mysterious. The options are endless! Our travel experts will help you plan the perfect vacation to meet your specific needs and budget. You can stay for a week or stay for a month, in the city, or on the beach.
Thailand has appeal to everyone looking for an ideal destination. City-oriented people will find Bangkok or Chiang Mai the perfect places for learning the history, culture, and religion. Visit Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, the Grand Palace, the truly grand seat of the court of old Siam, and the adjoining temple of Wat Phra Keo, housing the 31-inch Emerald Buddha and the Reclining Buddha.
Tour night markets-a swirling kaleidoscope of merchants, entertainments, and food carts. At the other extreme, visit Phuket…and just relax on one of the many beaches…or savor the quiet, peaceful serenity of the beach resorts where there are cooler temperatures. Or take the Eastern & Oriental Express Train through Thailand to see the secrets of the countryside-the panoramic mountain views, tropical rainforests, and beautiful coastlines…
We can help you plan the vacation to fit your independent spirit. Create a memory that will last a lifetime. Wedding, anniversary party, convention, or family reunion? Take everyone to paradise! There is breathtaking scenery and world-class shopping. Feast on Thai delicacies, and enjoy a quiet moonlit stroll, the lapping of waves, fragrant blooms, beautiful birds, and the lush green foliage of the rain forest.
Then boogie the night away! Charming shops and boutiques, lush vegetation, white sandy beaches, unique charm, rickshaw rides, beautiful sights, and exciting adventures. Elegant resort hotels, orchids, butterflies, romance…
Thailand is filled with friendliness and tranquility. Appreciate the charm of this tropical paradise! Wait no longer! Book now! Your keys are waiting! Along with many fabulous hotels and bungalows, we also represent the top tour operators for all activities and cruises. We can recommend a sample of activities to make your experience an unforgettable journey.
Visit our Booking page and find out how wonderful it can be to vacation in Thailand. We can also plan your pre-vacation or extend your vacation a little longer. Visit all the Oriental capitals or other Asian highlights.
Thailand Travel Guide: The City of Angels
Bangkok is the political, economic, and cultural hub in Thailand that dominates Southeast Asia.
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and has somewhere well over 10.5 million inhabitants. Bangkok is a modern, growing city with outstanding public transportation including an elevated monorail and a new subway system, a terrific and extensive bus, and boat routes. The Suvarnabhumi Airport was designed to be a hub for Southeast Asia and ranks among the world’s largest.
There is a lot to see and do in Bangkok, including everything from sightseeing to shopping. Chatuchak is a famous weekend market. There are lots of things like clothing, crafts, bags, shoes, pets, and more.
December through February is the best time of year to visit Bangkok, followed by August. Other times of year are riskier, as the hot, humid weather is unpleasant for visitors in the rainy season. Bangkok is a tropical wonder, full of an amazing variety of fruits, and some of the world’s best flowers and tropical plants.
All this tropical richness is evident in the world-famous Thai Cuisine found throughout Bangkok. Street vendors sell all kinds of prepared foods and tropical fruits, and world-class restaurants are abundant. This is a culture of food, and Thai food is world-renowned. You must try some Pad Thai in a local noodle shop, or some fresh Som Tam from a street vendor.
So wander around our site and you’ll find many of Bangkok’s treasures mentioned. If you’re coming to visit here, you’ll definitely want to spend plenty of time in one of the great cities of the world – Bangkok, Thailand!
How To Do The Wai Greeting: Thailand Travel Guide
Thai people are in general very friendly and helpful people. The Thai people greet each other with a so-called Wai. The Wai is performed by putting the palms together and raising them in front of one’s face. Depending on the age and if the other person for example is a monk the placement varies. Guidelines can be set as.
• You greet a person younger than you – No Wai is performed, only vocal greeting.
• You greet a person of the same age as you – The Wai is performed at the same height as your chin.
• You greet a person who is older than you – The Wai is performed slightly higher, about nose position.
• You greet a monk – The Wai is performed in a high position, in from of your forehead.
The Thai Smiles
The Thai people are a smiling kind of people. They smile when they are happy but can also smile when they are angry or frustrated. I personally don’t think it’s such a big deal with this smiling and nor do the Thai themselves. It all comes down to that it is not ok to lose one’s face and be angry.
Therefore it is NOT advised to make someone lose their face, not least among other people. This can be seen almost as an assault.
I have read manuals on different kinds of smiles and even seen smiles with different names.
I skip that since it would be just the same as if you would name the smiles you do, I bet you as well sometimes smiles even when you are not happy.
Thailand Travel Guide: Thailand Travel Tips
You might have heard about things that you should not do in Thailand, or maybe you have not.
First off, with common sense, you will probably never encounter anything that will offend the Thai people. However, there are some things that you might think is good to know.
• The king of Thailand is holy and almost like a demigod that you should never speak badly about or even question anything in a way that might be thought of as negative. According to Thai law, it is forbidden to do anything of the above-mentioned things and this is a law that is applied with very harsh sentences.
• If you drop a coin or other money, never stop it with your feet since the picture of the king is printed and cast in all money.
• Do not point with your feet to anyone or even anything, doing this is considered very rude.
• To touch people’s heads is not recommended since this is your highest part of the body and might be seen as an insult. Rubbing the head of a child might be ok but only if you know the people well.
• In temples you should always wear pants covering your knees, especially if you are a woman. Also, use a long sleeve shirt. These rules are not very applicable nowadays in all temples, due to all tourists the rules been less applied but to show proper respect this is anyway recommended and in some places, you will not be able to enter if you do not fulfill these demands.
• Always take off your shoes when entering a temple and do not touch the holy sculptures inside or outside. Taking off shoes is also something that is common when entering stores. If you see shoes outside of if there is a mat in the entrance it is meant that you should take your shoes off before entering.
• If you in any situation need to complain about anything, do this in a polite way. Losing your temper or raising your voice is considered very impolite and it might end up in people just ignoring you and you will not be able to solve the situation at all. This does in any way not mean that you should not confront any problems but do it right.
Thailand Travel Guide: Top Attractions
Thailand’s unique culture and history are one main reason that attracts people all around the world. The wonderful Buddhist temples all along the country make it a famous tourist place for Buddhists at the same time Thailand has lots of natural resources that are most famous.
The most popular top attractions in Thailand are:
– Tarutao Marine National park: This Park is a result of Thailand’s concern about wildlife. Here you can find various types of Plant and animal species. This park is home to many birds, snakes, and other animals. You can enjoy your time in this park and also come to know about nature.
– Bangkok’s inland canals: Bangkok is one of the best top attractions in Thailand. In spite of recent developments, it has retained its popular canals. These canals are used for various water activities and floating houses are also constructed in these canals. These canals offer the best shopping complexes for shopping. This city has the Grand Palace, which is a complex filled with royal buildings, which represent the rich culture of Thailand. The national museum of Bangkok preserves many artifacts from old monuments.
– You can find more than 400 Buddhist temples in Thailand, among them the Temple of Wat Arun is most unique because of its architectural design. This temple is a top attraction because of the part of this temple as images that tell the story of God Buddha’s life.
– The Statue of Buddha in Ko Samui city of Thailand is world-famous. The statue is unique because of its design. It is 29feet tall and it is the topmost attraction in Thailand because of its bright-colored paintings.
– The Vimameck Mansion, which has been turned into a museum is prominent for its architecture as this is the biggest teakwood mansion in the world.
Some of the Islands which are the top attractions in Thailand are:
– Phuket Island: This is the largest Island in Thailand, and possesses unique cuisine and nightlife. This island provides a wonderful accommodation facility for visitors. Around this island, you can visit Phang Nga Bay is famous for its spectacular limestone Scenery. The sea caves, mangroves, and hundreds of small islands make this place the topmost attractive place in Thailand.
– Coral Islands: This Island contains wonderful different colored coral reefs, which are found along the island. This is the top attraction place in Thailand known for water games such as sailing, water-skiing, snorkeling, and scuba-diving.
Thailand Travel Guide: Bangkok Nightlife
Bangkok nightlife – is simply sensational! There is a multitude of things to do and see when it comes to nightlife in Bangkok. There are theaters and cafes and yes the infamous entertainment areas of Patong, Soi Cowboy, and Nana Plaza.
Siam Square is located off Rama 1 Rd. offers you a choice of all the major cinemas – all with English Soundtrack. In the same area, you’ll find the Hard Rock Cafe with live music entertainment. There are Pubs and Clubs in abundance but most tourists are attracted to Patpong Rd. located just off Silom Rd.
Soi Patpong – This quiet side street (which adjoins Silom and Suriwong Roads) during the day transforms itself into a bustling night market and bazaar when the sun goes down. It is amongst this market that you’ll find plenty of the infamous go-go bars that have made this place world-renowned for its exciting nightlife.
Soi Nana 4 of Sukhumvit hosts Nana Plaza which is another area full of Go-Go Bars and Beer Bars. This District along with Soi 1 and 7 is full of Tourists and Expats alike.
Further, Down Sukhumvit road at Soi 23 you’ll find Soi Cowboy. This is a repeat of Patpong and Nana Plaza. There is a multitude of other entertainment venues to choose from and these can best be sought out in The Bangkok Post or Bangkok Dining and Entertainment Guides.
Bangkok – Dining Out
The Thais have two loves: their devotion to their Royal Family and the love of their ambrosial cooking. With the world’s ever-increasing interest in “Thai Cuisine”, most visitors are easily converted to the Thai style of cooking, its exotic spices, and saffron curries.
You can’t help walking down the street without being assailed by the enticing aromas beckoning you into their sidewalk kitchens. On almost any road or small Soi there is always at least one restaurant or a vendor’s stall selling anything from a simple bowl of noodles to local delicacies.
Thai cooking varies with its location: the north, east, west, and southern provinces each have their own regional specialties. It is the southern Thai cooking that is renowned for its golden curry, spicy noodles, and abundance of fresh seafood.
When dining out in Thailand you’ll discover that unlike the Western way of serving systematic courses, the Thai manner is to present all dishes together and communally share what was ordered by all at the table.
A classic, well-balanced meal consists of fragrant rice, soup, a fried dish, a curry, a Thai salad, steamed vegetables, a fruit plate, and dessert, too.
Experience the exotic taste of Thailand, their love of life, and the adventure of dining out in this remarkable Kingdom.
There are so many restaurants and entertainment venues to choose from in Bangkok that it’s nearly impossible to list them all so we’ve sectionalized them to specific areas. If you’re looking to find a suitable dining out venue then please select your area first and then the appropriate listing.
Shop Until You Drop – MBK Bangkok
My favorite Thailand shopping experience is always a trip to MBK Bangkok.
The center is a huge shopping mall with 7 floors of shopping or entertainment; the majority of businesses in MBK are independent retailers and the shops cover 140,000 square meters.
The MBK center also takes in the Pathumwan Princess hotel which in itself is a fantastic complex, with a great health spa and fitness center, superb restaurants, and no less than 460 bedrooms.
I have stayed there many times and the location is excellent to visit any of the major attractions in Bangkok.
MBK Bangkok is arranged in a way that it is easy to find similar products in the same area. The top of the complex also has some great restaurants and a multiplex cinema.
You can still get a great bargain in MBK and test your bartering skills to get the best value for money clothes, DVDs electrical goods, PCs, furniture, and of course mobile phones.
The big bonus in MBK is that you can go shopping in air-conditioned comfort, rather than the uncomfortable humidity that makes your Thailand shopping experience a little tiring during the hot season.
Floor Plan for MBK
1st Floor – Fashion and Supermarket
2nd Floor – Leather and Clothes
3rd Floor – Gold, Jewellery, Clothes, and Cell Phones
4th Floor – Supermarket, Cell Phones, and Money Park
5th Floor – International Food Hall, Macintosh, Indoor Furniture
6th Floor – Food Centre and Souvenir Shops
7th Floor – Movies, Karaoke
Thailand Travel Guide: How to get there:
The Bangkok Skytrain service (BTS) is the easiest way to get there. Generally, we take the BTS to Siam Square and enjoy a coffee in one of the many relaxing (air-conditioned) coffee shops that have sprung up in recent years, and then it’s a 5-minute walk to MBK Bangkok.
Victory Monument BTS station has a direct walkway into MBK (that’s where I took the photo from) and it’s almost impossible to get lost trying to find the complex!
Just one thing to note; if you are looking for clothes with genuine designer labels this is not complex for you, I would be interested to know what you think of MBK.
Travel Guide To Thailand: Bangkok Attractions
When touring Bangkok, it’s never a question of what to see but finding enough time to take in all the sights. Of all the exotic attractions, fabulous performances, and photographic opportunities available. City adventurers will want to visit the following destinations to experience a slice of life in Bangkok.
The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) built in 1782 by King Rama I, is certainly the most spectacular attraction in Bangkok. This inner city of gilded temples, spiraling towers, and sparkling finials stands protected behind an enormous white fortress. Wat Phra Kaew is the personal chapel of H.M. the King. It is also the revered seat of the guardian image of Thailand, the Emerald Buddha.
The Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun) can be seen from the banks of the mighty Chao Phraya river and can be reached by boat from Tha Tien Pier. This riverside landmark is fashioned after the Cambodian-styled pagodas of Angkor Wat. The vertical sides are patterned in floral mosaics from porcelain platters. Catch the most beautiful view of the temple from the east side of the river at sunset.
Wat Ratchanatdaram and the Metal Castle (Loha Prasat) is located on Mahachai Road, this intricate 3-story structure, built-in 1846, is topped by 37 spires. Inside the structure are ancient Buddha images dating back to the Ayuthaya era. The Loha Prasat in Bangkok is the only one of its kind in the world. The first was built in India for use by Buddhist monks during Lord Buddha’s time over 2,500 years ago.
Suan Pakkad Palace is a private museum home that exhibits the rare art collection of the late Prince Chumpot. Located at 352 Sri Ayuthaya Road, the traditional Thai-style home is immaculately maintained and offers a fine collection of Thai minerals and seashells beside the outstanding furnishings. Set in a tranquil landscape, the home is open to the public every day from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Admission fee is 80 baht.
Erawan Shrine – Your trip to Bangkok is incomplete without paying a visit to the Erawan Shrine located on Ratchadamri Road. The shrine is devoted to the Hindu God Brahma who is greatly revered by people. The shrine has gained a reputation as a granter of wishes. Visitors can buy a candle, garlands, and incense sticks and make their own wishes.
The Ancient City is a living outdoor museum highlighting Thailand’s history, architecture, and culture. It is located 33 km southeast of Bangkok. Under the patronage of a philanthropic Bangkokian, historians, architects, scholars, and craftsmen have expended 60 million man-hours to create this monumental scale of Thailand. The museum contains a massive-sized imitation of famous buildings, monuments, and temples found in all parts of Thailand. The compound is open daily from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
The National Museum is the largest museum in S.E. Asia; its located near the Grand Palace. The museum displays period costumes, ceramics, bronzes, and monastery artifacts. The royal funeral chariot is kept here as an exhibit and was last used in 1986 for the royal funeral rites for the late Queen of Rama VII. The museum gift shop has books on national treasures, a museum guidebook, and postcards.
The National Museum is also active in planning overnight trips to historical sights at least twice a month, and the public is invited. The museum is closed on Monday, Tuesdays, and annual holidays and is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9:00-16:00. Guided tours in English, French, German, Japanese, and Portuguese are provided to visitors on certain days of the week.
Vimanmek Royal Mansion located on Ratchawithi road is the largest teakwood mansion in the world, and it is certainly one of the most striking buildings in Bangkok. Built by the command of King Rama V, it consists of several exhibition rooms, some of which retain the atmosphere of the olden times. The doors open daily from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Jim Thompson’s House was once the private residence of Mr. Jim Thompson, an American architect who stayed in Bangkok after World War II and restarted the Thai Silk industry. The museum house is located at the end of Soi Kasemsan 2, across from the National Stadium on Rama I road. On display are Mr. Thompson’s collection of Asian artifacts and exquisite antiques. It is open every day from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Floating Market is one of Bangkok’s most unusual attractions. A visit to this amphibious slice of Thai life can be combined with a tour to the world’s largest Chedi in Nakhon Pathom, and the Rose Garden, which is on the same route. There are many floating markets in Bangkok but the most bustling and colorful are Damnoen Saduak, Chak Phra in Talingchan, Klong Bangkok Ku Wieng on Bangkok Noi Canal, and the market near Wat Sai.
The Rose Garden is another popular tourist attraction located on Phetkasem Road about 32 km west of Bangkok. Overlooking the Tha Chin River, the sculptured gardens boast a sizeable lake with boats, canals, replica villages, and a choice of restaurants. The Rose Garden has a modern resort and excellent golf course, plus a cultural village where shows like Thai folk dance, Thai boxing, and elephant show take place daily at 2:45 p.m.
Safari World is Bangkok’s most famous open-air zoo, with walk-through aviaries and a drive-through wild animal park. An air-conditioned coach is available from Safari World to take you through the park and it is included in the price.
The Snake Farm is another major tourist attraction located in the section of the Thai Red Cross Institute on Rama IV Road. One can see the milking procedure of poisonous cobras, kraits, and vipers. The extraction of venom from the snakes is also featured here at 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekdays, and at 11:00 a.m. on holidays.
The Chatuchak Weekend Market located on the way to the airport, opposite the Northern Bus Terminal, is the largest outdoor shopping market in Bangkok. This is the place where you can buy just about anything you want. Everything from snake oil medicine shows to stamp collectors are set up here.
Chinatown is a thriving marketplace that behaves more like a rambunctious, fire-breathing, gold-plated dragon and it has done so for the past 200 years. The commercial heart pulses around the intersection of Yaowaraj and Rajawong Roads. Yaowaraj Road is the artery that flows west from the intersection. Along this street are more than a dozen gold shops.
Where gold is traded, other pricy items are sure to be sold nearby. Especially noticeable are the Chinese herb shops. For those whose ailments are not as serious as deer antler or ginseng deficiency, there are sidewalk medicine men giving spirited pitches over a snake oil cocktail cart that easily draws the biggest crowds.
The Samut Prakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo is the largest of its kind in the world. Over 50,000 crocodiles and other animals like camels, lions, leopards, monkeys, birds, kangaroos, and spotted deer are kept here in captivity. Crocodile shows are performed every hour between 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. when man puts himself at the mercy of this bone-crushing beast.
Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo are one of many places to see the revered Thai elephant 31 km west of Bangkok. The place is house many different wild animals and thousands of crocodiles. A cast of elephants reenacts their capture in the wilds by the northeastern tribesmen. Later, mock battles and a war parade are staged. Showtime is at 12:45 and 14:30, with an extra performance at 10:30 a.m on weekends and public holidays. This farm is open daily from 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Thailand Travel Guide: Bangkok Medical Facilities
Bangkok’s Hospital services and facilities include highly qualified specialists along with trained nurses and supporting personnel using the latest state-of-the-art technology to ensure that they are right at the forefront of the medical Industry.
The big hospitals are all connected with SOS International for emergency medical evacuation flights home. Additionally, many hotels are linked by a 24-hour service to the hospitals. Ambulances are available if needed, but the response times to emergency calls are typically very slow and difficult in Traffic especially during the day, and in no way comparable with the medical emergency network in the western world.
Therefore, in an extreme emergency, it may be wise to consider transporting the patient to the hospital yourself instead of waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
The language barrier between the medical staff at the hospitals and the visiting tourists is always present, however, in the face of the economic weight of the local tourist industry, special care has been taken to ensure some competence in the English language by both doctors and nurses.
Thailand Travel Guide: Traveling In Thailand Conclusion
Traveling to Thailand will be one of the most amazing experiences of your lifetime! Furthermore, learning a few things about Thai culture and customs is actually quite respectful for a traveler to do before visiting a new country but it’s also great in helping one receive more fulfillment and understanding while traveling around a new nation.
Hopefully, this Thailand Travel Guide has helped a little in understanding Thailand and also shown you that it’s definitely worth the trip and not as overwhelming as it looks.
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