Thailand
Friendly and food-obsessed, hedonistic and historic, cultured, and
curious, Thailand tempts visitors with a smile as golden as the country's
glittering temples and tropical beaches. Outside the cluttered cities and towns
lies Thailand's rural heartland, a mix of rice paddies, tropical forests, and
villages where life is dominated by the rhythms of the agricultural clock.
Culture & History
An enchanting archipelago brimming with cultural history, Thailand is
steeped in rich tradition and spirituality that is heavily influenced by ethnic
groups from India, Cambodia, China, and Southeast Asia. Important to national
identity, Theravada Buddhism is the national religion and includes Hindu
spirituality such as worshiping ancestors and animism.
The
celestial world is a close confidant in this Buddhist nation, and religious
devotion is colorful and ubiquitous. Gleaming temples and golden Buddhas frame
both the rural and the urban landscape. Ancient banyan trees are ceremoniously
wrapped in sacred cloth to honor the resident spirits, fortune-bringing shrines
decorate humble homes as well as monumental malls, while garland-festooned
dashboards ward off traffic accidents. Visitors can join the conversation
through meditation retreats in Chiang Mai, religious festivals in northeastern
Thailand, underground cave shrines in Kanchanaburi and Phetchaburi, and hilltop
temples in northern Thailand.
Thailand has unique cultural norms and etiquette that tourists may be
unaware of. For example, pointing with your feet or touching a person's head
are taboos in Thailand, as the feet are considered the dirtiest body part while
the head is most sacred. It is also important to remove your shoes when
visiting a temple or entering someone's home.
Flavors
Adored around the world, Thai cuisine expresses
fundamental aspects of Thai culture: it is generous, warm, refreshing, and
relaxed. Thai dishes rely on fresh, local ingredients – pungent lemongrass,
searing chilies, and plump seafood. A varied national menu is built around the
four fundamental flavors: spicy, sweet, salty, and sour. Indeed, most Thai
dishes are not considered satisfying unless they combine all five.
When eating out, or making a meal at
home, a group of Thai diners would eat a variety of meat and/or fish dishes,
plus vegetables, a noodle dish, and possibly soup. Everything is shared, except
the soup each person might order, or each person gets a personal bowl to get a
serving of the soup. Dessert may consist simply of fresh fruit, such as
pineapple or any of the thousands of tropical fruits that are common in the
country (guava, durian, mangosteen, papayas, bananas, tamarind, or mangoes,
amongst many). Or it could be something more elaborate, like colorful rice
cakes, rice dumplings coated in coconut, grass jelly, or a bean dessert.
Urban Experience
Thailand’s beach parties are legendary – dizzying neon lights,
throbbing music, swaying palm trees, delicious food and drink, and soft sands
that act as the dance floor. You can watch the sun go down and come up the next
morning, with party-goers from different parts of the world.
Besides the beaches, parties, and stunning scenery, shopping in
Thailand is a major pull factor for tourists. Everything from clothing to
souvenirs is available at throwaway prices, and you can stock up on some
eclectic items that are only available in Thailand. Street shopping by day is a
given, but Thailand’s night markets are chock-a-block with clothes, shoes,
handicrafts, accessories, beachwear, knick-knacks, and food and drink.
Travel fans and culture lovers often find themselves awed by the
country’s rich art, music, and literature, which goes hand in hand with its
temples and religious sites. Stage shows are a prominent part of Thailand’s
nightlife, and these flamboyant performances are thoroughly enjoyed by all
ages. Actors, dancers, and singers in colorful ensembles take the stage and put
on a spectacular show that takes the audience through Thai history and
tradition by way of talented performances, special effects, and interesting
acts.
Outdoors & Adventure
Thailand's coast is one giant playground, with
plenty going on wherever the sand meets the sea. You can snorkel the gentle waters
off Koh Lipe, diving with whale sharks around Koh Tao, scaling the sea cliffs
of Krabi, kiteboarding in Hua Hin, party on Koh Phi-Phi, and recuperate at a
health resort on Koh Samui.
Thailand’s most spectacular beaches are
the ones at Railay in Krabi province. The impressive limestone rocks,
stretching out hundreds of meters from beyond the surface of the water, are
popular among rock climbers the world over. Ton Sai Beach is especially popular
among adventurous backpackers that are interested in learning rock climbing or
those who are looking for a slightly more challenging stay.
From April until November, the beaches on western Phuket are deserted.
For the average tourist it’s low season, but not for surfers! Kalim Beach,
Kamala Beach, Kata Beach, Nai Harn Beach, and Surin Beach are the surfing
hotspots, with Surin Beach being the only one suitable for more experienced
surfers. Rent a surfboard on the beach or take private lessons!
Pai has surprisingly much to offer to adventurous
people. There’s a huge number of waterfalls to visit that you can have all to yourself, but also
impressive caves, Lod Cave being the most famous. And what about all the different hot springs? There’s also a big canyon where you can walk around for hours. Rent a motorbike and
go on an adventure!