Comprised of fabulous architecture, beautiful beaches and islands, inexpensive shopping, fantastic food, exotic hill-tribe villages and ancient ruins, Thailand has a perfect balance between comfort and excitement. From the busy capital of Bangkok to the hill country gateway of Chiang Mai, Thailand is a place that can excite the mind, tantalize the senses and take care of most everyday needs.

People & Culture

80% of the population of Thailand consists of ethnic Thais, roughly 10% of the population is Chinese, with Malays adding an additional 4% to the blend. Lao, Mon, Khmers, Indians, and Burmese make up a smaller percentage, while numerous ethnic hill tribes, inhabiting the mountainous border areas in the north of the country. The Royal Family is highly revered in Thailand, and images such as statues, photographs, pictures etc. should be shown due respect.

Places To Visit

Bangkok: With its many temples, palaces, museums and markets, Thailand's capital requires a minimum of three days to appreciate the very least of its sites, though a week would give serious travelers a little more time to soak up more of Bangkok's wonders.

Chiang Mai: The city is located in the hilly Golden Triangle, the region where much of the world's opium is grown. Chiang Mai is an ancient city, and the moat around the original town is still intact. There are several old and interesting wats, among them Wat Suan Dawk (with an adjoining handicraft shop), Wat Chiang Man and Wat Phra Singh. The National Museum and the Tribal Research Center at Chiang Mai University also merit a visit. Several hill tribes live in the area, and trekkers can visit tribal villages.

Fang: This town is really just a transit point for those taking the boat ride down the Kok River to Chiang. This excursion is only for the adventurous, as the passengers frequently end up soaked and the boats are sometimes unreliable. Still, the five-hour trip passes some interesting villages and can be an exhilarating ride.

Hat Yai: Hat Yai is a bustling commercial area with several beaches frequented mostly by Thais. The town also has a slew of massage parlors, but they're basically the same as the massage parlors in Bangkok.

Khao Yai National Park: This huge park offers great hiking, elephant rides and many waterfalls. At night, there are viewing trips for deer, monkeys and (rarely seen) tigers and bears.

Phuket: Thailand's largest island is the jewel of the Andaman Sea. Phuket is well known as the site of Patong Beach, a popular tropical beach resort. It's justifiably popular: Patong is less congested than Pattaya and has a wider variety of other attractions nearby.