Thailand is a collage of animated scenes that comprise bustling modern cities crowded with motorbikes and tuk-tuks, Buddhist temples tended by orange-robed monks, hill tribes selling handicrafts, lush landscapes dotted with traditional farming villages, ancient ruins and stunning coastlines peppered with gorgeous beaches and blue lagoons. Such a captivating portrait explains why Thailand is Southeast Asia’s most popular travel destination. This overview of the best places to visit in Thailand shows where to find the cultural, historic and natural attractions.
The islands off the coast of Thailand are famous throughout the world for their beautiful beaches. To the east of Bangkok there are Ko Samet and Ko Chang, in the Gulf Ko Samui lie Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao, and in the Andaman Phuket and Ko Phi Phi. Phuket is the country’s largest and most developed island.
Thailand’s capital city and is a buzzing cosmopolis of high rise buildings, magnificent palaces, ancient temples, glittering nightclubs, bustling markets and streets lined with vendors hawking souvenirs and tantalizing foods.
Surrounded by the mountains of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a large and culturally important city where historical and modern Thai architecture and traditions coexist.
Kanchanaburi is best known for the Bridge over the River Kwai that is linked with the historic Death Railway to Burma in which thousands of Asian laborers and POWS died during its construction under Japanese occupation during WWII.
Ayuthaya is located in the Chao Phraya River valley and ot sits on an island surrounded by three rivers connecting it to the Gulf of Siam. Once declared the most magnificent city on earth, Ayuthaya was an impressive site and the ruins of Ayuthaya are now a major attraction for those visiting Thailand.
Ambassador of Thailand Suchart Liengsaengthong’s message:
Official World Tourism Day 2016 celebrations will be held in Bangkok, Thailand. Located at the heart of mainland Southeast Asia, with coasts on the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea, Thailand has a reputation as the “Land of Smiles”. The country boasts thick jungle, crystal clear blue waters and an ancient culture stretching back to its time as the Kingdom of Siam.
Tourism in Thailand has been increasing rapidly in recent years. In 2015, the country became the most visited in Southeast Asia, hosting almost 30 million international tourists. This helped Thailand earn US$ 38.4 million in tourism receipts, showing that tourism is playing an ever greater role in the country’s development and path to further prosperity. Bangkok, the capital is a browsing city known for its beautiful temples, floating markets and impressive skyline.
Melange Report