Plan your routes and know which are the must-see sites to visit
Destination Thailand
Thailand (68,977,400 inhabitants) is a country in Southeast Asia. … It is bordered to the southwest and northwest by Burma, to the south by Malaysia, to the southeast by Cambodia and to the northeast by Laos. Thailand is very appreciated by travelers from all over the world for its delicious cuisine, its very varied landscapes (seas, mountains, rice fields, plains, jungles…), its culture, its modern infrastructures and its welcoming population. It is part of the Indochinese peninsula, up to the isthmus of Kra, which marks the transition with the Malay peninsula. The country stretches about 805 km from east to west and 1,770 km from north to south. Its capital is Bangkok (in Thai Krung Thep, “City of Angels”). The official language is Thai and the currency is Baht Siam was never colonized by the Western powers which in the 19th and 20th centuries were established in all the surrounding countries. It therefore did not have to suffer the wars of independence like most of its neighbors. It is a country of rare beauty that does not leave anyone indifferent. It’s hard not to fall in love with one of its many facets. It’s the land of smiles, Thai massage, muay thai, but also “mai pen rai”, a magic phrase that means “it doesn’t matter” or “it doesn’t matter”, to appease all the tensions, the little problems of life. It is not surprising that after a first trip a large number of visitors become addicted to the country
Politics
It has been a constitutional monarchy since 1932 in which the king is officially the head of state, head of the Armed Forces, supporter of the Buddhist religion and defender of all faiths. On a political level, Thailand has known 19 coups d’etat attempted or succeeded by the army since 1932, the last of which took place on May 22, 2014. Since 1946, several generations of Thais have known only one sovereign. , Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), whose reign lasted 70 years, until his death on October 13, 2016. His son Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) succeeded him on December 1, 2016. He is the 10th ruler of the Chakri dynasty who reigns since 1782
Population diversity
About 75% of the population is ethnic Thai, 14% is Chinese, and 3% is Malay, with the rest made up of minority groups: Mon, Khmer and various hill tribes. The main religion is Buddhism, practiced by about 95% of Thais
Economy
Thailand experienced rapid economic growth between 1985 and 1995. It is one of the newly industrialized countries, counting among the Asian Tigers. Its economy is based in particular on tourism, with well-known tourist destinations such as the Chiang Mai region, Ayutthaya Park, the seaside resort of Pattaya, the capital Bangkok, the southern provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and many islands in the Gulf of Thailand and in the Andaman Sea, such as Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi
What to see while traveling in Thailand
Islands in Thailand: choose from the 5 most popular
There are many islands in Thailand and when planning your trip to the land of smiles it can be difficult to choose. There is no better island in Thailand, it will depend on your tastes, your budget and whether you are party people, families, lovers of luxury or low prices
1. Thai party island: Koh Pha Ngan
If you like partying on beaches, crowds, techno music and drinking your cocktails out of buckets, Koh Pha Ngan Island is the island for you. It is the place of the famous full moon party or full moon party in Thailand. During the high season, the island can accommodate 20,000 visitors who come to dance and drink on the beach. But if you’re not traveling during the right moon phase, fear not – the island also hosts half moon and black moon parties during the weeks in between. After the party, which often ends for the bravest, in the morning, Koh Pha Ngan offers many places to convalesce like Bottle Beach, a quiet beach to sleep in the shade under a palm tree. To avoid a hangover, try eating a Khao Tom, rice soup, before going to bed or if you feel bad the next day, treat yourself to a Thai massage
2. Thai island for families: Koh Samui
The island of Koh Samui, which was once a backpacker’s paradise, has grown a bit and offers a wide range of accommodation for all types of budgets. As one of southern Thailand’s most popular vacation destinations, it has everything you need for a family-friendly vacation. The island is full of places that cater to families, offering fun classes and kids’ clubs. The Four Seasons Resort is known for its many free activities for children, such as coconut painting, cooking classes and traditional Thai games scheduled daily. Once in Koh Samui, you will not miss activities: go to the beach, visit the Big Buddha or go on an adventure on an island. And if you have fussy kids who aren’t particularly fond of local cuisine, which is rare anyway, you’ll have no problem finding basic Western dishes
3. Island of Thailand for luxury lovers: Phuket
Phuket Island has no shortage of luxurious offerings, like the exclusive Amanpuri Resort. A favorite of royalty, rock stars and celebrities. Her list of celebrity visitors includes Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in happier times, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Kate Moss, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mick Jagger and Bill Gates. With 30 private villas overlooking Pansea Beach and architecture reminiscent of Bangkok’s Royal Palace, nothing beats its luxury. Once settled in Phuket, anything is possible – stroll through the temples of the island, dine in a restaurant of a renowned chef, shop in designer boutiques, or take a helicopter ride to get high. The island is also famous for medical tourism, mainly plastic and dental surgery
4. Island in Thailand for the budget: Koh Chang
With a beautiful coastline, palm trees and inland jungle-covered mountains, it’s the perfect place for nature lovers who want to get off the beaten track. Koh Chang has plenty of accommodation options that won’t hurt your wallet, including boutique hostels and cheaper beach bungalows. There is a beach to suit every mood on the island. If you want to party, head to the nightlife of Lonely Beach or White Sand Beach. Try Bang Bao for diving excursions and excellent seafood and for a quieter atmosphere opt for Long Prao Beach, which attracts an older crowd
5. The island for all tastes: Koh Lanta
Koh Lant is not only the island where the contestants of the famous reality TV show suffer, it is a versatile place that allows you to choose when you cannot decide. Koh Lanta is made up of 52 small islands, with Koh Lanta Yai being the most visited. Boasting wild nature reserves and deserted, pristine beaches, the group of islands is also a protected area, so it’s the perfect place for snorkeling or scuba diving. All tastes and budgets are catered for on Koh Lanta, you’ll find 250 baht accommodation or luxury hotels and the atmosphere is much more laid back than on most other islands. To find a hotel at the best price click here
