Thailand, or the ‘land of smiles‘, is one of the most exotic places to visit for tourists on the face of the planet. Thailand will definitely be in the list of ‘10 places to visit before I die’ for many. Why is Thailand so popular and one of the most visited countries in the world? There is more than one reason for that.

Not for nothing do they call Thailand the ‘land of smiles‘. There is a good reason why the country has by christened by that name. Thai’s are one of those who are known for their hospitality and well mannered behavior. These people are very good at heart and make sure that all the people who visit their country have the best time of their life. This is a very good reason to visit Thailand but there are more in the list of ‘why you should visit Thailand’.

The rich culture and history that Thailand flaunts is another factor that makes it traveled by number of people every year. There are numerous temples beholding some unique history within them. The Grand Palace and the temple of Emerald Buddha in Bangkok are worth a visit. From there, weather you travel North to the Chiang Mai or South towards Phuket, you will come across temples with distinct history that teaches various aspects of Thai culture. Ayutthaya ruins is another major tourist spot and is UNESCO’s world heritage spot. However there are more than temples and ruins in Thailand to visit.

Mountainous rainforest of the north thrills many. If you are interested in trekking Jungles and looking for some real adventure, you can get it in Chiang Mai. You will also have the privilege to visit small but beautiful Thai villages with people who may go out of their way to make your Thailand experience a one to remember. If you are looking for some serenity, you better head towards South. Southern Thailand offers you some of the most pristine beaches you will ever come across in the East. Koh Phi Phi is one of the most popular beaches in Thailand. This is the same beach that has been portrayed in the Di Caprio starring movie, The Beach.

Shopping is another reason why people would visit Thailand. Bangkok is becoming shoppers stop for many around the world. There are gigantic shopping malls all around the city with some great prices that they offer for their products. Siam, Paragon and Central World are the names of the biggest shopping malls in Bangkok, if you want to do some branded shopping. Having been done with the malls, do not forget to miss out the weekend Chatuchak market, which is the biggest open market in the world with more than 15,000 stalls and hundreds of thousands of people visiting the market.

All these factors attract visitors from all around the world and there is no wonder that Thailand is such a ‘must visit’ place. Everyone should visit Thailand at least once in their lifetime.

Many people every year travel to Thailand without knowing what is in store for them. Well, all these people are about to have an experience of a lifetime. Thailand is one of the most beautiful tourist places in the world, and certainly one of the best in Asia. This Eastern country serves millions of travelers all round the year and the number keeps on increasing every year.

Certainly there has to be some reason why people chose to visit Thailand year after year. Thai’s are the best inhabitants of a country you will ever see. These people make sure that everyone who visits Thailand takes with him a memory for a lifetime.

Some of the important cities of Thailand are Bangkok (capital of Thailand) and Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is covered with high mountains and rain forest and is a good tourist spot for adventurous people. Southern Thailand has some of the most beautiful beaches that you will ever see. It has attracted many Hollywood projects like The Man with the Golden Gun, The Bridge over River Kwai and most recently Alex Garland’s The Beach.

Bangkok or the ‘rice bowl of Thailand’ is the capital city of the country and is one of the most advanced and modern cities of the East. All the latest amenities and luxuries will be available to you if you wish to have a sophisticated travel. Huge malls and open markets intrigues more and more people every year. The prices for various electronic products are much less here as compared to other countries. Shopping is one of the main reason people come to Thailand.

The weather in Thailand is hot and humid. As a joke, people in Thailand say that they have three seasons in Thailand; hot, hotter and hottest. The temperature varies from 25 to35 degree Celsius.

Thai food is one of the most exotic cuisines you will ever have. Many people travel to Thailand to have some authentic Thai made Thai food. There are many restaurants all over the world that serves Thai food, but one cannot compare those with the ones you get in Thailand; pretty obvious isn’t it? Thai menu’s are big and very diverse offering variety of dishes. Also Northern Thailand will have different special food when compared to south Thailand dishes. Pad Thai is one of the most famous and popular foods in the country.

Staying in Thailand is not much of an expense. Apart from your air travel tickets, while being in Thailand, things are pretty cheap everywhere. Good hotels will cost you not more than $30, and if you eat from some cheap local Thai restaurant (where the food is sometimes better than the big ones) you can have your meal for $2. If you are on a budget, then staying in Thailand won’t even cost you as much as your air travel fare. There are sophisticated and high class hotels too if you want to spend a lot.

So overall, Thailand offers something for everyone. People from all over can come and have the time of their lives.

Thailand undoubtedly is one of the most exotic locations for travelers seeking tranquility and peace of mind. Every year thousands of people visit Thailand and the number keeps increasing. Muang Thai (as Thailand is locally known) presents it’s visitors with experience they cannot forget. People love this place and look for a chance to revisit Thailand. What is it that people are so fond of in Thailand? May be the diversity this country has. Every aspect of Thailand, may it be geographical or cultural, is beautiful.

No matter which direction you chose to travel in Thailand, you will fell in love with the place. Northern part of Thailand is full of mountains and high terrains that are covered with fog and mist making it all the more adventurous. Contrastingly different is the central and the northeastern Thailand where the mountains disappear and you come across plain landscape. Eastern plains of Thailand are covered with forest and land that is good for agriculture. Southern Thailand on the other hand flaunts some of the most exotic beaches and islands you may ever come across. Apart from all these Thailand has metropolitan areas; Bangkok the country’s capital being the most advanced and formidable one.

Thailand boasts its culture diversity to the same as extent as its geographical diversity. Unlike all the neighborhood countries, Thailand has never been colonized and has a history and culture that is not doped. The people of Thailand are mostly followers of Buddha and practice rituals that are unknown to many who visit the country and that adds to the country’s appeal. Chinese influence in the north and Islamic dominance in the south adds to the diversity the country is already so rich of.

Another major aspect of Thailand travel is its night life. Night life with cabarets and luxurious pubs and bars also attract people. The restaurants and the cuisines they provide complete the list of things you will enjoy in a spectacular package this country offers.

Apart being from so simple and natural, Thailand is one of the most advanced countries in the world. Infrastructure, Transport, banking, and telecommunications are as modern and advanced as in the countries of Europe and America. This helps in visiting and spending your vacations in the remotest of villages in Thailand with ease and convenience. This aspect of Thailand draws lot of travelers. People for business visits, for leisure visits or training courses, all are entertained and satisfied by the diversity that Thailand provides.

As beautiful and tranquil as Thailand, are the people of Thailand. Rarely are occasions where you will find a Thai not smiling. People with lot of character and temperament inhibit Thailand and that adds to the country’s beauty. Despite the mess and disarray the modern life has created, Thailand remains one of those places where people are placid and calm. Perhaps it is in the air of Thailand that all people who come here are pacified and go in a state of tranquility.

No matter whatever is the reason you visit Thailand for, it is almost guaranteed that you will think of visiting Thailand once more.

Yukorn Chanmanee - http://www.thailandinfomation.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yukorn_Chanmanee

]]> http://www.bestinthailand.com/thailand/thailand-a-travelers-paradise/feed/ http://www.bestinthailand.com/thailand/adventurous-thailand/ http://www.bestinthailand.com/thailand/adventurous-thailand/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:06:01 +0000 ndesigns http://www.bestinthailand.com/?p=788

Most of the resorts in the coast offer adventure games like paragliding, bungee jumping and jet skiing. So, free falling from great heights and cutting through the water at great speeds in easily achievable. For people who enjoy exploring life underwater, places like Phuket and Phi Phi Islands offer diving, snorkeling and also submarine drives.

Many people confine themselves to the south of Thailand and make a mistake of not travelling north. The Northern Thailand is full of adventure with high mountains and terrains with challenging forest areas and waterfalls. Trekking is a very big business in this part of the country and the peak season for trekking is between November and February. During this period the air is clear and the weather is also apt. There are many services in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son and Pai that offer trekking tours. The trekking often lasts between three to five days and you will need a good pair of trekking shoes and a back pack to encounter the heat.

The trekking tour is lead by a guide who will take you through small ethnic villages of Lisu, Karen, Meo, Akha and Paduang. All these tribes are very different from each other with different language, dress and culture. These people have migrated to this part of Thailand and also to Vietnam from China within the last century. The trek tour will also include rafting and elephant riding too.

If rafting while trekking is not good enough adventure for you then there are many services that offers the white water variety. In the rainy season starts from June to January and the water level raises with intense rainfalls and it adds to the fun. Pai is the place where you can find the best of such services.

If you are a biker then Thailand offers the best off road motorcycle riding in the world. The roads passing through the mountain regions with awesome and flabbergasting scenery are simply excellent. There are many developed motels and restaurants in the route and you will never be in need of anything while riding as it makes you forget almost everything. You can chose to go on a tour or hire your own bike/ Chiang Mai offers the best services when it comes to renting bikes. It is good to have a guide with you while travelling off roads; someone who knows the place very well.

Also nowadays mountain biking is getting really popular and there are many operators who run tours. Thailand is a must go place for people who love to live their life at its fullest. You can have almost everything in Thailand. From serenity to adventure; you can get almost everything and the best part is, all these comes real cheap

Phra That Phu Phek is on a mountain in Tambon Na Hua Bo. To get there,

 take the Sakon Nakhon-Udon Thani road for 22 kilometres and take

 a road on the left for 14 kilometres, then ascend 491 steps. The laterite pagoda is

on a square base. Seemingly unfinished because it has no roof or pagoda top,

 it was built in the 16th-17th Buddhist century.

Moreover, this Khmer Ruins is special as it houses solar calendar,

cube-shape rock, in its stupa. The ancient people used it for indicating position

of the sun to indicate date for religious rites and agricultural seasons

Nong Han

Nong Han is a large freshwater lake with an area of 123 square kilometres.

It is where many waterways converge and is also a major agricultural and fishery centre

of the province. Nong Han’s shorefront has been developed into a public park. In addition,

 there is Sa Phang Thong, an ancient pool believed to have been constructed

at the same time as Phra That Choeng Chum

Huai Huat National Park 

Huai Huat National Park has many interesting spots. The park can be accessed

via either taking the Sakon Nakhon-Kalasin road for 5 kilometres and then Highway

No. 2339 on the left for 35 kilometres, or taking the Sakon Nakhon-Na Kae

road for 14 kilometres and then a road on the right for 18 kilometres.

The park is noted for the visual beauty of the reservoir, the waterfall

and the rock plateau covered with flowers at the end of the rainy season.

There are also prehistoric cave drawings

Phu Pha Lek 

Phu Pha Lek is a mountain in the Phu Phan range. Some parts of

the area are rock plateaus that are covered with flowers toward the

end of the rainy season. Tourist spots here are the observation point on the high cliff,

 Kaeng Kula waterfall, Kao Chan waterfall that has water only in the rainy season,

 and prehistoric drawings at Phak Nam cave that are over 3,000 years old

It is situated at Ban Tak Daet, Tambon Hua Thon. The architectural structure suggests

that it is a traditional small ‘Sim’ – local dialect for Ubosot - of the Northeast with

 a low boundary wall. Its gable and ‘Rang Phueng’ – decoration underneath

the lower tie beam – are elaborately carved. The Sim houses murals illustrating Buddhist stories.

 It is assumed that it dates back to around the Ayutthaya or early Rattanakosin period.

Outside the Sim is situated an Isan-style Buddha image which was moved from Wat Tai Wilai Tham

 (same district). Sim Wat Traiphum Khanachan was renovated by the Fine Arts Department in 1998

 and awarded for outstanding architecture by the Association of Siamese Architects under

Royal Patronage in the year 1998. To get there: From Mueang district, take Highway

 No. 214 to Highway No. 215 until reaching Suwannaphum district,

then turn left and continue for 5 km

Wat Burapha Phiram 

It is located in Roi Et city. The third-class royal temple was formerly known

as Wat Hua Ro and was later renamed as Wat Buraphaphiram.

There is the tallest standing Buddha image in Thailand known as Phra Phuttha Rattanamongkhon Mahamuni or

 Luangpho Yai, which was built with reinforced concrete in the blessing attitude.

 The Buddha image is 59.2 metres tall and if the base is included,

 it would be 67.85 metres tall. There is a museum at the base.

 Luangpho Yai is highly-revered by the people of Roi Et

Thung Kula Rong Hai 

This land used to be an expansive, dry, harsh place in the middle of the region.

It covers 5 provinces which are Roi Et, Surin, Buri Ram, Yasothon, and Maha Sarakham.

 One-third of the area is in Roi Et. There is a legend that says the Kula

people were traders in ancient times who were also great fighters with excellent stamina.

 However, they cried when they got to Thung Kula Rong Hai because it was such

 a desolate place without water and big trees. Nowadays the area is fertile due

 to the efforts of the government to develop it and is suitable for agriculture.

The development centre is 6 kilometres from the district office, a bit past Ku Phra Ko Na.

It is located at Ban Yang Ku, Tambon Ma-ue. Prang Ku is a complex of buildings with

a plan that resembles the Khmer nursing home known as ‘Arogayasala’. It comprises

the main prang, a library, wall and entrance pavilions, and a pond outside of the wall.

The ruins are in good condition, especially the roof structure of the main prang which

still maintains its three tiers and the lotus base of the pinnacle. Other ruins of

the temple have been restored and are located in a shady environment.
 
Apart from this, to the southeast inside of the front wall,

 there are many more archaeological finds being kept such as a sandstone lintel depicting

 a personage sitting on an elephant’s or bull’s back in a niche above the Kala face. 

 The abbot of Wat Si Rattanaram where Prang Ku is located said the lintel belonged

to the front porch of the main prang. There are also 2 fragments of colonnette;

one with a hermit at the base, a large Siva Lingam with its receptacle – Yoni - and

a fragment of the pinnacle’s lotus base, which was adapted to be

 the base of a stucco image of Phra Sangkatchai.  Prang Ku was built during the 12th – 13th Century A.D.

To get there: From the city, take Highway No. 23 (Roi Et – Yasothon)

 for 10 km. until reaching Thawat Buri district, then turn left for 6 km.

 to Prang Ku. Or take Highway No. 2044 (Roi Et – Phon Thong) for 8 km.,

then turn right for just about 1 km. to Prang Ku.

Ku Phra Ko Na 

It is situated at Ban Ku, Mu 2, Tambon Sa Khu. Ku Phra Kona comprises

three east-facing brick prangs lying in the north – south direction,

 standing on a single sandstone base. They are surrounded by a boundary wall,

with entrance pavilions or Gopuras in four directions; all were made from sandstone.

The central prang was renovated in 1874 by plastering and making

the roof into tiers. Each tier has niches of Buddha images in four directions.

The front of the central prang was a ‘wihan’ of the Buddha’s footprint,

 decorated with the original six-headed Naga. The other two prangs were also renovated,

but they remain in their usual styles; unlike the central prang which has been considerably changed.

 The northern prang was covered with a ‘sala’ building providing shelter for a gable depicting the Ramayana.

Meanwhile, the lintel carving that represents the reclining Vishnu remains in situ above the front entrance.

 The lintel of the western false door was laid on the floor;

it depicts the God Vishnu on his mount Garuda. The southern prang still has lintels above

 the false doors. The one in the north depicts a deity kneeling inside

a stylised arch above the Kala face. In front, there is also

a fallen lintel depicting the God Siva on his bull. There are also some causeway boundary stones lying over there.

 It is assumed that Ku Phra Kona formerly had a Naga bridge

 and causeway lined with boundary stones on both sides from

 the front entrance pavilion (Gopura) to the lake (Baray),

which was located about 300 metres away. All sculptural features suggest

 that Ku Phra Kona probably dates from the Baphoun period, or the 11th Century.

To get there: It is 60 km. from Mueang district along Highway No. 215,

passing Mueang Suang and Suwannaphum districts. Then, take Highway

 No. 214 for 12 km. Ku Phra Kona will be on the left-hand side.

 There is a rubber plantation at the entrance and a lot of monkeys residing in the temple

Situated in Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park, the 423 metres high mountain borders

three provinces namely Amnat Charoen, Mukdahan, and Yasothon.

The park’s headquarter is located in Amphoe Don Tan of Mukdahan.

 On the mountain top, there are 11 stone pools, which is a few metres wide.

It is quite strange that all of them are occupied by different species of colourful lotus,

which is found normally in swamp. Locals insist that nobody plant the lotus,

 but all come naturally. So, they name these pools “Phu Sa Dok Bua”

or literally the mountain of lotus pool. Nearby is a huge cave which

 can accommodate hundred of people. It once served as stronghold of Communist Party of Thailand.

Visitor who plan for trekking trip can ask Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park

 for more information at 0-4261-9077 , The Department

 of National Park 0-2562-0760 or www.dnp.go.th or Mukdaharn Forestry Office at 0-4261-1757.

Rapids in Maekhong River

Chanuman is a peaceful district about 80 kilometres from

the provincial town where the land run along side the Maekhong River

for a distance of 38 kilometres, affording a wonderful view of the natural scenery

 of both side of the river. Rapids emerge during the dry season (February-May).

Wat Pho Sila 

The temple is situated at Ban Pueai Hua Dong, Tambon Pueai.

The temple houses interesting antique, big white sandstone Sema leaves

from Dvaravati period which can be dated back to 1,000 years ago.  

Built during 7th-8th Century in Khmer style, the sandstone Sema has sharp end,

 board leave and narrow base carved in lotus shape.  Above the carved lotus is pattern of stupa,

 water pot and bell.  Core of the stone leaves are carved

with three-ended leave carrying 3 half flowers in three rings lying next to others.

Its crest is carved like a flag decorated with lotus’s petal-pattern ornament.

 Base of the stone leaves is influenced by lotus’s petal pattern from altar

 of Buddha image or Dhamma Wheel from Dvaravati found in Central Thailand.

 Half flowers carved in three connecting rings carry the same pattern found

in half flowers found in the arc, of which angels are sitting with hands pressing

together towards the mid of lintel which was found at eastern gate of Norhtern stupa,

 Khao Noi Si Chomphu Khmer Ruins, Amphoe Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo Province

The Wiang Kosai National Park is about 70 kilometres from

 the provincial town in Wang Chin district. It can be reached by taking Highway No. 11

 (Phrae-Lampang). Then take a left turn toward Wang Chin district

 and continue for a further 13 kilometres to reach the turn to the park headquarters.

A further 1.5 kilometres onwards are two waterfalls, the Mae Koeng Luang,

 one kilometer from the headquarters, and the Mae Koeng Noi,

2 kilometres on foot further on. Streams from the falls flow into the Yom River.
 
Remark : Mae Keng Luang Waterfall close on 1 July - 31 October

Mae Yom National Park

The Mae Yom National Park is in Song district 48 kilometres from town.

The terrain is mountainous with deciduous and rich teak forests,

 probably the densest in the country. Along the Yom River in front of

the camping area of the park are the Kaeng Sua Ten rapids,

a two-kilometre-long stretch of rock formations and best visited during November-February when

 the weather is cool and the scenery at its loveliest. Visitors may camp along the river banks.

Remark : Kang Seu Ten close on 1 May - 31 October

Tham Pha Nang Khoi

Another interesting cave is Tham Pha Nang Khoi which is about 40 kilometres north of

 town on Highway No. 101 at Km. 59 within Rong Kwang district. A 50 metre-long

rail leads to the cave mouth. Along the winding tunnels are strangely-shaped stalactites and stalagmites.

At the end of the cave is a stalagmite shaped like a woman holding

 a small child. In front of the Nang Koi (waiting woman) stone is a heart-shaped stalactite.

 They are the source of the legend of the love of a woman who waited

for her lover until she turned into stone.o:p

Hat Ao Yang is a small beach some 2 kilometres before the park.

Cool and shady, it offers accommodation facilities for visitors.

Hat Khung Wiman, Hat Khung Kraben, Hat Laem Sadet and Hat Chao Lao

These are all peaceful beaches in Tha Mai district and clustered in

an area about 30 kilometres from town. At Km. 310 of Highway No.

3 is a right turn into Highway No. 3399 which leads to the area.

Or one can proceed from Tha Mai district on the route passing through Wang Tanot dam.

 There are accommodation facilities for tourists, particularly

at Hat Chao Lao where there are several hotels and bungalows to choose from.

About one kilometre off shore from Hat Chao Lao are ranges of shallow water

coral reefs covering an area of 14 square kilometres. Glass-bottomed boats are available.

 Over at Ao Khung Kraben are nature trails to study mangrove areas

Tham Khao Wong 

Tham Khao Wong at Ban Khao Wongkot, Kaeng Hang Maeo district,

is part of the Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park.

 About 40 kilometres before reaching Chanthaburi town on Highway No.3 at Km. 286

(Ban Kong Din) is a left turn to the park, 11 kilometres further on.

Or take a turn at Km. 288 (Talat Na Yai Arm) instead.

 From the cave proceed on foot to see the caves themselves. Advice could

be obtained from park officials.

Khao Wong is a group of limestone hills standing in circular cluster with cliffs

and caves containing stalagmites and stalactites. There are passages connecting

some of the chambers. The walking trails outside offer views of varied plantlife.

 For those intending to explore the caves, torches are advisable as there are

no natural lights inside. The best time to go cave-exploring is between February and April,

after which they tend to be flooded.