Travelling Thailand: 5 Top Destinations by: Robert Thatcher

With several sights to see and surprises to offer, Thailand could be one of the best locations you should not miss to visit. Culture, beaches, people, and heritage sites are some of the things you can expect when you travel to Thailand.

Bangkok – Traveling Thailand wound not be complete without visiting Bangkok. As the nation’s capital with an estimated population of over 10 million (including the neighboring provinces), this city is by far the largest in the country. The city is divided into 50 districts or khet but for tourists and those who are new in the place, 6 divisions would be more useful. These are Ratchadaphisek in the northeast section of the city, Sukhamvit in the southeast, Silom in the south, Thonburi in the west, Rattanakosin in the central north, and Phahanyothin in the north. The whole Bangkok district would give you a diverse taste of culture, history, religion, modernity, and fast-phase life. You can actually witness how all these blend together to comprise the whole Bangkok package. Buddhist temples, historical museums, towering buildings, contemporary restaurants and hotels, shopping centers, canals and rivers, and food make Bangkok a one of a kind city in Southeast Asia.

Phuket – Down south, Phuket features magnificent beaches, tropical sunsets, white sands, blue seas, and breathtaking sceneries. No wonder it is the most popular vacation destination in Asia beating every beaches of the neighboring countries. It has several beaches like Kata Beach, Karon Beach, Patong Beach, Kamala Beach, and Surin Beach. The island showcases several water sports and activities including parasailing, jet-skiing, and scuba diving. By day, Phuket is alive with beachgoers and shoppers and by night, lights, sounds, and party people dominate the whole island.

Chiang Mai – The second largest city in Thailand with an estimated population of more than 200,000. This city located in the northern part of the country offers greener and quieter city. Chiang Mai’s tourism is becoming more and more popular and permanently settling at this city is very common. When you travel Thailand and visit Chiang Mai, you surely would want to see museums such as Hilltribe Research Institute Museum and the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Center. With religion and history enriching the city, you can see several Buddhist temples such as Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Chiang Mun, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Oo-Mong, Wat Phra Jao Mengrai, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, and Wat Chedi Luang. The oldest temple dates back in the 11th century. Chiang Mai features attractions such as Chiang Mai Flower Festival in February, Bo Sang Umbrella & Sankampang Handicrafts Festival in January, The 2nd Orchid Fair also in January, and the Loi Krathong Festival usually falls in November.

Pattaya – Located 150 km. north of Bangkok, Pattaya is one of the most popular tourist destinations, which offers great beaches, beer and go-go bars, and a wide array of sport activities. Visit Pattaya when you travel Thailand is a must. Although it is the most overdeveloped part of the country in terms of tourism, prices in Pattaya still remains with reach. In fact, prices of foods, accommodation, and transportations are very affordable.

Krabi – In a small province of Krabi lies a small town with the same name. Paying a visit Krabi town when you travel Thailand is worth the time. Located south of Bangkok near Phuket and Phi Phi island, the town features great beaches along with high end hotels and not so expensive hotel that cater tourists of different classes.

Thailand Holidays by Delia Locust

In the last few years, more and more people have been heading for the Far East in order to enjoy a memorable holiday taking in the unique sights and sounds of the region. The difference between the culture of Europe and America and countries in the Far East such as China, Thailand, and Malaysia is profound, and the experience of visiting these destinations really can be life changing in many ways.

One of the most popular destinations in the region is Thailand, and people travel from all over thee world in order to enjoy the many different experiences on offer.

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand, and it is one of the most impressive cities in the world. It is a place that combines the traditions of the country with a modern twist, and blends ancient monuments with shopping malls and plenty of other attractions. Most visitors to Thailand will spend at least a few days exploring Bangkok as part of their time in the country, and this provides an excellent introduction to the pleasures of the country. Make sure you visit the Grand Palace with its breath taking sculptures and the various different temples that are located within the same complex.

Aside from the gilded temples and shopping malls, Bangkok is also well known for its nightlife. Patpong Road is the centre of the action in the city, and aside from the night market that operates throughout the week there are countless bars to explore during your stay.

Once the pace of life in Bangkok becomes too much for you and you are ready to relax on the beach, Thailand has a number of options available to you. Pattaya is on the Gulf of Thailand around two hours south of the city. It has a reputation for great nightlife, but the beaches are pleasant although a little crowded at the weekend. The town has plenty of attractions, but is not always seen as the best destination for families, as the nightlife can be a bit racy.

For a more refined and laid back holiday in Thailand, why not consider visiting Cha Am or Hua Hin on the other coast of the country. These quieter destinations offer plenty of space to relax and unwind, and are great for families. There are several spa retreat type hotels in the area, and these are ideal for anyone keen on relaxing and enjoying their time.

The islands of Thailand such as Koh Samui, Krabi, and Phuket have long attracted travellers from all over the world with their beauty. Phuket is probably the most developed destination in the country, and offers an extensive range of hotels to suit all budgets. The main town has some exciting nightclubs and a good range of shops and the white sand beaches are amongst the most attractive in the country.

Aside from beaches and cities, Thailand also offers a range of inland destinations including Chiang Mai that give visitors the chance to see the more traditional Thai way of life including the famous hill tribes, and also a number of elephant sanctuaries.

Thailand Destination, Heaven on Earth! by Thanakit K

Thailand lays in the Southeast of Asia. Its natural geography subdivides it into four portions consisting of mountains and forests in the north, rice fields in the central plains, arid farmland in the northeast, and the tropical beaches and islands of the southern peninsula. It is divided into seventy-six provinces which are further divided into districts, sub-districts and villages which are ruled by the king as Thailand is a monarchy. It is ruled by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej; who is the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty. He has reigned for over half a century, making him the longest reigning Thai monarch.

There are approximately sixty-two million citizens of Thailand, with approximately seven million living in the capital city, Bangkok. The national language is Thai and often hard to understand to outsiders. English is a popular second language commercially and spoken in many shops, hotels, and restaurants with Thai/English street signs being seen nationwide. Other European languages are often spoken as well, which makes it easy to communicate with the locals. The local culture is influenced by the surrounding countries which have helped make up the traditions of Thai and provide ethnic diversity.

There are many internationally recognized placed in Thailand, such as the bridge over the River Kwai, built by Allied prisoners during WWII. There is also Buddha Mountain, a cliff face inlaid with gold into a carving of Buddha, which is the largest image of Buddha in the world. The islands are the location of novels as well as filming locations for movies. There is also the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge which stretches into Laos. Thailand is surrounded by Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

Well recognized but not as well known by name are the dozens of pristine beaches, islands and other sparkling, exotic locales. Phuket is said to have one of the best places to watch sunsets at Phromthep Cape and is Thailand's largest island. Pattaya is one of the most famous beach destinations in Thailand with a rich diversity and active night life. Phi Phi was the location of the movie "The Beach" and is included in a group of islands that make up the province of Krabi.

While visiting the beautiful locations in Thailand you will undoubtedly be welcomed by the people who are gracious hosts, as well as excellent dining which takes advantage of the ability to raise produce year round on much of Thailand. Fresh ingredients are always available in most areas and the local cuisine benefits from such abundance. Shopping is also wonderful in many of the cities, with a busy night life as well. As much of the country is coastline with beautiful tropical beaches there is no end of swimming, boating, snorkeling and even scuba diving that can be done to enjoy the waterscapes. Hiking, backpacking, and exploring can be done throughout the many wildlife preserves throughout the forest regions as well as around the many archeological ruins. There is no lack of things to do in Thailand as there can be with many tourist locations.

Travel tour Phuket by Maria John

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. It stands as one of the most loved travel destinations of the world. The beautiful white sandy beaches of Phuket look more striking by the surrounded Palm and Coconut trees. With many tour packages offered, visitors have a range of options for cheap hotels and discount hotels in Phuket. You can choose from these budget accommodations to get the best of your stay at Phuket. This landscape of the charming island is the reason behind it being one of the most visited places in the world. Other than the beaches, Phuket has got fascinating historical places like the ancient Buddhist temples and Chinese shrines. Wat Chalong and Wat Phra Nang Sang temples are the most visited temples in Phuket. Golf lovers just love Phuket for its superb golf courses like Phuket Country Club, Banyan Tree Club in Bangtao Beach, Blue Canyon Country Club, and Loch Pam Golf Club that are laid with lush green mountains and scenic vistas. Travel tours to island of Phuket would offer you many adventurous activities. Some of these activities include Elephant safari into the tropical forests of Thailand and a many water sports. You can savor upon the flavorsome seafood offered in the restaurants along the beaches. Nightlife of Phuket bustles with energy. To enjoy all these fun offered at Phuket, visitors can choose from a range of travel packages that suit every pocket. Get a complete Thai experience at Phuket through the discount packages that offer budget accommodations like cheap hotels and discount hotels. You are also made aware of the cheaper bars and eating joints that help you accord with your budget. Patong Beach in Phuket is a favorite spot for shopping. It offers best shopping stops from small shops to big malls like Junkceylon mall and Central Carnival Mallin Phuket. Phuket is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the South’ and ‘Pearl of the Andaman'. Holiday makers from all over the world come here to get the best of the sparkling blue waters of the Andaman Sea. This island of Phuket is located at a 850 kilometers distance from the capital city, Bangkok. Beach lovers would cherish this place. Every beach of this island is unique in its own way. Some beaches are noted for their strikingly calm caves. Others are known for the excellent facilities that they provide. Some of the most admired beaches of Phuket are Patong, Kamala, Surin, Nai Yang, Karon and Kata beaches. Ocean lovers can look for water sport activities like boating, fishing, deep sea fishing, jet skiing, sailing, sea canoeing, water skiing, para-sailing, and swimming. Many budget accommodation options are available for the travelers who want to get cheap hotels and discount hotels to stay at. (http://www.phukethoteldirectory.com )

Phuket hotels Phuket Hotel Directory offers Cheap Hotels Phuket Thailand, Luxury Rooms, Phuket Resort, Phuket Beaches, Phuket Vacations, SPA, Packages in Phuket, Patong Phuket, Accommodation for Budget Travel to Thailand.

Phuket in Thailand by Supanee Srijaivang

On ancient charts, Phuket is referred to as Jang Si Lang, appearing on later maps, not too appealingly perhaps, as Junk Ceylon . Some maintain the current name derives from the Malay word 'Bukit' meaning hill, which seems the most likely, particularly since the transliteration from Thai was spelled Bhuket for many years. Others say it has origins in the Tamil word, 'Manikram' or Crystal Mountain, although any phonetical association here is unclear. Until it became recognised internationally, Phuket (correctly pronounced Poo-Ged) was mistakenly and mischievously included on the lists of the world's "naughtiest-sounding" destinations.

Located just under 900 kilometres Southwest of Bangkok, it is similar in area to Singapore, measuring 54 kilometers north to south, and 21 kilometers east to west at its most distant points. About 70 percent of the land area is mountainous, with the highest elevation at 529 meters. The terrain is richly varied, with rocky headlands, numerous beaches of differing sizes and character, limestone cliffs, jungle-clad hills, small estuaries, lagoons, and tropical vegetation of all kinds. It is surrounded by over thirty smaller islands of similar topography, many of them prime tourist attractions in their own right. The permanent population is estimated at roughly a quarter of a million, and Phuket is the only island in Thailand to have full provincial status. The Sarasin Bridge connecting it to the mainland was constructed in the mid-1970's, and a second one parallel to it, the 660-metre Thao Thep Krasatri Bridge, opened more recently. Phuket airport saw its first aircraft land in 1976.

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Unlike tucked-away Samui off the opposing Southeast coast of Thailand, Phuket's strategic position as a trading post on coastal sea routes gives it a recorded history going back a millennium or more. This has nurtured an interesting blend of cultures and influences, including Burmese, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Portuguese and Dutch, mixed with the indigenous 'Chao Ley' or sea gypsies, dark-skinned peoples thought to have originated in India's Nicobar Islands. Although predominantly Buddhist, Muslims make up more than one third of the population. As a result, Phuket is a pleasantly strange mix of ancestry and ambience, a kaleidoscope of stunning tropical seascapes and forested hills, and a fascinating combination of tin mining, rubber, and tourism.

One event in its history might have dramatically changed the island's future. In the late 1700's the British seriously considered establishing Phuket as a strategic base for their imperialistic presence in the Far East. As it happened, they finally opted for the island of Penang further south, a decision they doubtless regretted when large deposits of tin were discovered on Phuket, an asset which led to a huge presence of immigrant Chinese. These industrious people dominated the tin industry, and their subsequent generations still form much of the island's population today.

If Phuket's history provides the traveller with a rich choice of pleasurable discoveries in edifices and customs, its size and varying altitudes endows it with a variety of meteorological variations. Weather conditions can thus change unexpectedly, often refreshingly, as you travel from one part of the island to another, particularly during the monsoon. Nearly a third of the flora consists of rubber plantations, which were first introduced in 1903, but the remainder of the vegetation is richly varied, and home to interesting wildlife, which in the past included tigers, rhino and wild elephants; reported by travellers as little as a century ago.

Tourism awareness remained at almost zero until the mid 1980's when the combined presence of the newly opened Amari Coral Beach Resort and Club Med gave Phuket sudden and significant international exposure. Delighted holidaymakers from Japan, Australia and Europe spread the word, and the emerging regional "Tiger" economies saw newly-affluent Asians begin to experience Phuket's delights. The so-called 'rainy season' from May to October proved to be no obstacle to enjoyment, and by 1987 - "Visit Thailand Year" Phuket was on everybody's lips. More top class hotels followed, and the airport was expanded to take wide-bodied jets. Direct scheduled and chartered flights began to arrive from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, and Europe, and tourism soon became the main source of income, eclipsing the coconuts, cashews, pineapples, fishing, prawn farming and pearl cultivation which had been the island's economical mainstays in the past. Most land-based tin mines have closed down due to the fall in global prices. Marine mining still continues on a small scale.

If Phuket is many people's dream of paradise, increasing numbers of foreigners are turning dreams into reality by settling here permanently, either for business or retirement, and enjoying the unbeatable blend of exotic tropical ingredients, excellent infrastructure, good educational facilities, and the reasonable cost of living. Phuket indeed, has always enjoyed high standards; by 1910, it already had paved roads and motorcars, long before other provinces in the Kingdom.

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Fun in Phuket: Luxury Thailand Summer Trips

Summer is low season in Thailand, but this means that it's a great time to visit the country if you're looking for special offers on hotels, including free nights and free upgrades (both on a hotel room and for a meal plan) and also no crowds.

Phuket, which has also been named "The Pearl of Thailand", is regularly voted as one of the world's top holiday destinations. Lying just off the southwest coast, and surrounded by the warm, blue, tropical waters of the Andaman Sea, Phuket is Thailand's largest island. It is home to around 200,000 people as well as a transient tourist population.

Though tourism is now a major industry on the island, it was originally tin that brought the area to the attention of the world, and the capital Phuket Town, is still a major port, exporting tin ore, rubber, timber and seafood to the rest of the world.

The rapid growth in tourism has led to the quick development of beach resorts, but tranquil spots are not hard to find, especially when there's always a boat waiting to take you to Phuket's offshore islets, where visitors often find themselves completely alone.

In contrast to the many white sandy beaches, such as Mai Khao, Nai Yang and Pansea, the bustling night markets are well worthy of a visit; just make sure you get your haggling skills up to scratch so that you can bag yourself a bargain!

Thailand has a monsoon season which runs from May to October; when the climate is still hot there are frequent torrential downpours. Whilst the idea of rain may put some people off, others actually enjoy the tropical torrents which are unleashed from the skies. There's nothing quite like sitting under a veranda, as the heavy raindrops drum down on the roof, and enjoying the wonderful sounds and refreshing smells that the rainy season brings. And unlike rain in the UK, tropical storms don't last for long; it's never long before the sun comes out and the ground quickly dries off again.

With Phuket holidays, there are several great luxury resorts and hotels to stay in, for example Bayan Tree Phuket, a deluxe resort with a tranquil setting which is ideal for honeymooners, or those looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday. Cape Panwa, an excellent first class hotel, has good facilities and a peaceful location, and the Amanpuri resort offers azure waters and palm shaded gardens. The fabulous resorts of Pattaya (just 1.5 hours drive from Bangkok) and Hua Hin on the Gulf of Siam are also recommended destinations if you'd like to see a different part of the country.

So remember, summer is a great time to visit Thailand, and especially Phuket. If you're after a great value holiday, with fewer tourists to compete with, if you want to dive, play golf, visit a spa, or just relax on one of the many beautiful beaches, you won't regret a trip to "The pearl of Thailand".

Pattaya - The Wonderful Thailand Spot By Siripong T

Pattaya city is one of the most wonderful place in Thailand for tourists. It locates in Chonburi province which is in the eastern part of Thailand. With beautiful beaches and scenario, Thai girls and nightlife, activities and sports, millions of travelers travel to Pattaya each year to come and see what the real fantastic city is.

Getting to Pattaya is very easy. It is just 147 kilometers away from Bangkok and 160 kilometers away from Bangkok International Airport (Old Airport). It takes approximately 90 minutes by car. If you would like to drive by yourself, you can take Route 3 (Bangna-Trat) and go along until you find the junction telling you to turn right to Pattaya beach, or you can take Motor-Way which is more convenient. You can also take a flight operated by Bangkok Airways to/from Koh Samui at Sattaheep Airport.

About the weather, the Winter season starts in November and runs through February. The temperature is between 20-30 degree Celsius and 50% humidity. Summer season starts in February through May. The temperature is between 30-40 degree Celsius and 75% humidity. The rainy season starts in June and runs through October. The temperature is between 25-30 degree Celsius and 90% humidity.

Pattaya comprises 4 areas - North Pattaya, Central Pattaya, South Pattaya, and Jomtien beach. There are few tourists in North Pattaya if you compare with others. Travelers love to be there when they want to relax, swim in the sea or take a water sports or activities. In Central Pattaya along to South Pattaya, there are a lot of business and services including bars, restaurants, department stores, souvenir shops, and entertainment complexes.

Jomtien beach is located in the southern part of Pattaya. It is 4 kilometers away from Pattaya city. Many tourists love to go swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and other water activities there. Also, tourists can travel to nearby islands such as Lan island, Krok island and Phai islands by speed boat.

Besides having fun with water sports and activities, Pattaya has much more wonderful attractions which you can't miss such as Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum, Pattaya Water Park, Pattaya Crocodile Farm, Elephant Village, Sriracha Tiger Farm, and Nongnuch Garden.

I have details of some interesting places here:

Cabaret Show - Amazing and fabulous ladyboy show with fantastic costumes.

- Tiffany Show - three shows daily; 7pm, 8.30pm and 10pm and an additional show at 5.30pm on holidays.

- Alcazar Show - three shows daily; 6.30pm, 8pm, and 9.30pm and an additional show at 11pm on Saturdays.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum - located at Royal Garden Plaza Pattaya. There are more than 300 collections of unbelievable things from all over the world by an American Robert Ripley.

Mini Siam - located on Sukhumvit Rd. km 143th. It collects all amazing places over Thailand and the world in small size such as Dawn Temple, Rama 9 Bridge, Eiffel Tower and more.

Go-Kart - a small car racing field for people who love speed and excitement. It locates in Pattaya city. Some providers are Siam Carting Circuit and Pattaya Cart Speedway.

You can read more about Pattaya at my web blog; http://travel-pattaya-thailand.blogspot.com