Introduction to Thailand
An Overview of Things to See In Thailand
Among the many places in Asia, there are some great and some not so great places to visit. Thailand will always be included on the top ten places to experience. When we speak of Thailand, we dream about exotic temples, smiling Thai traditional dancers gracefully waving their long nailed fingers, the Thai Royal family with their entourage, lovely beaches, the rich Thailand culture and a lot more. You can say that Thailand has more to offer than meets the eye. Generally when you plan on visiting Thailand, it would be safer to go there when the weather is cool and dry. This is between November to February.
If in case you plan on visiting during December, just book those days that coincide with December 5th because this is a time when you can get to peek and celebrate with the locals during the King of Thailand’s birthday; His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. This is one of the grandest occasions that specially mark Thailand’s calendar. Thais look unto the King as their benevolent father. This high regard is what makes Thais celebrate His Majesty’s birthday with extraordinary pomp and grandeur. You get to see colorful performances for free. You can learn more about Thailand’s culture in a day once you participate in the activities lined up for this special date.
In the midst of the beautiful islands that make up Thailand, Bangkok has always been number one for quite a lot of reasons. It is not only Thailand’s capital city, but it is also a large tourist crowd drawer. First of all, Bangkok is known for being a place of fun and excitement. Bangkok can make you feel more adventurous as a tourist. The vibrant culture of Thailand is abundantly showcased in Bangkok. For locals, Bangkok is known as Krung Thep but the truth is its real name is longer than that and is quite a mouthful when you attempt to pronounce it.
Second to Bangkok, Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s most beautiful cities. Compared to Bangkok, Chiang Mai is cleaner and the air is cooler. Chiang Mai boasts of long holidays, hiking, Hill Tribe villages, elephant rides and wonderful places to see. If you are longing to take home handmade paper umbrellas or the famous Thai silk, Chiang Mai is the center of its production. If you would like to take home extraordinary products that are priced just right, then this is the place to be. Chiang Mai is also famous for having a mile long night market with all of the good stuff that you can take home as a souvenir or gift for either friends or relatives. Even the Hill Tribe women sell their wares in the night market. These can be jewelry, belts, hats, or a wide variety of other goods. Do not forget to drop by Sai Nam Phung Butterfly farm and Orchid Nursery which is famous for its white orchids. Going out of your way to visit this place is worth your dollar.
Visiting the lovely island of Koh Samui in Thailand should also be included on your itinerary. You can get there via boat, land and air. Once you are on this second most famous Thai island, roaming around the island by foot, bike and cars would be a breeze. Seeing mummified monks and such things like the grandpa and grandma genital like rock formations can make a visit to Koh Samui something to look forward to. Diving and swimming on this lovely island and beaches has got to be the nicest way to cool down on a humid day. Angthong National Marine Park near Koh Samui is a sight to behold with its waterfalls and hidden coves; as well as a walk on its white sandy beaches. You can also see the scariest and most poisonous species of snakes in Asia in this island.
Ever wonder why people mention Phuket when Thailand is mentioned? Phuket’s rich and abundant natural resources, warm climate and warm friendly people are what make this place famous. Even the James Bond movie “The Man with the Golden Gun” was filmed here. If you are dying to taste what Thailand has to offer gastronomically speaking, a visit to the Thai restaurants would be the answer. Just be prepared for the spicy concoction that Thai cuisine is famous for. Just have a basket of bread or rice on hand to munch on when your tongue catches on fire. It would definitely be a shock to your senses once the extra spicy factor shoots up to the roof of your tongue. Drinking some milk or a small amount of olive oil will help you cope up with the burning sensation.
Part of what makes Thailand special is the long list of sacred temples to visit in Thailand. It is better to narrow down your list since if you decided to visit them all it would take you forever. The pointed stipples of Thai temples are made out of colored glass and pottery interlaced with gold trimmings. If you want to see Buddhist monks it would be better to visit the temple early in the morning when they are up and about walking around dressed in their robes.
The splendidly designed Temple of Emerald Buddha in Bangkok is revered and given the highest importance by locals. The Buddha is carved intricately from a single block of jade hence the name “Emerald” Buddha. Near this temple is situated the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the largest and oldest among the Wat Temples. There are about seven of these temples that are said to be the must see among the thousands of famous temples in Thailand. Wat Chaeng or the Temple of the Dawn reflects the first light of the morning. Wat Traimit or Temple of the Golden Buddha which is made out of solid gold. Wat Chalong is accorded the title of being the most beautiful Buddhist temple that commands the respect of the local Buddhist community. Wat Phra That Lampang Luang is unparalleled when it comes to being a temple that has not been repaired and has maintained its original sandy covered grounds unlike the other Thai temples. These sights, sounds and flavors of Thailand beckon you to visit this part of Asia.
JJSmith