Thailand travel tips
Thailand: interesting facts
Thailand is a popular holiday destination for tourists from all over the world. Dream beaches, mountains and jungles along with the world famous cuisine have, in the course of the last few decades, turned Thailand into a tiger state.
Thailand takes up a large part of the surface area of South-East Asia and extends from the Himalayas to the Malaysian peninsular, enclosing the Gulf of Siam, a marginal sea of the South China Sea. The shape of the country takes on the appearance of an elephant’s head.
In the mountainous northern region, where the highest point of the country is to be found (Doi Inthanon, 2565 m, 8415 ft), is the border to Myanmar, formerly Burma. Other borders (clockwise) are Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.
In the north-eastern Khorat highlands is an area that in the summer is dusty and dry and in the rainy season completely flooded and thereby unsuited for cultivation. Soe irrigation projects, dams and reservoirs have been developed to render some parts more fertile. The population in this area is poorer compared to the rich south. The dialect of the population is related to the Laotian and the Mekong forms a natural border to Laos.
The largest and most important river in Thailand is the Chao Phraya (mother of the water). It flows through the whole central fertile region and after about 370 km (230 miles) flows into the Gulf of Thailand near Bangkok. The eastern region is used for agriculture and is situated on the Gulf of Thailand. The central lowlands and the east (Eastern Seaboard) form the economic heart of the country.
Thailand's main tourist destinations
The most interesting tourist destinations in the winter are to be found in the southern regions on the Malay peninsular between the Indian ocean and the Pacific. The isthmus of Kra connects the Malaysian peninsular with Asia and is only 63 km (39 miles) wide at its narrowest point. The largest part is on Thai territory, to the west and north it borders on Myanmar. Here there are plenty of mountains, tropical rainforests and dream beaches. The population in this part of the country is predominantly Muslim; Malay is spoken.
The capital city, Bangkok, and its important international airport Suvarnabhumi International Airport as a rule is the first destination for holidaymakers. The city is rich in culture and places of interest. There are more than 400 Temples, the Wat Phra Kaeo with the "Smaragd-Buddha" being the best known. The theatres, museums and cheap shopping every year attract millions of visitors from around the world. Other well known cities in Thailand are Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Udon Thani, Chonburi, Hat Yai.
Thailand's beaches and weather:
Thailand has more than 100 islands with tropical dream beaches. The annual average water temperature is between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius (80 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Popular islands are:
- Ko Chang with its tropical rainforest, mountains and beautiful fishing villages.
- Ko Kut with mountainous jungle and coves for snorkelling and diving.
- Ko Samui with 25 km of snow white sand beaches and a microclimate guaranteeing good weather even in the monsoon season.
- Ko Phuket with its paradise beaches, luxury hotels and water sports facilities is popular with package holidaymakers.