Thailand Travel:
This popular country is located in southeast Asia in the north of Malaysia, bordered by Laos and Cambodia on the east. In the recent years, Thailand
tourism has become a very activity in the world, securing a position among the
top 25 most popular tourism places of the world and among the top 5 in Asia. There are several reasons for the increasing popularity of Thailand tourism, the most important one is the friendly and peace loving nature of the Thai
people. Thailand tourism offers a wealth of exotic and culturally distinctive destinations spread throughout its 76 provinces. The Majestic city of Bangkok is the capital of Thailand.
Thailand Tourism Overview
Getting There
Transportation And Car Rental
Climate / Weather
Visa
Golf
Shopping
Top Hotels
Nightlife
Local Tourist Office
Currency
Recommendation and Safety
THAILAND TOURISM AND TRAVEL OVERVIEW:
Thailand tourism is an irresistible combination of breathtaking natural beauty, inspiring temples, renowned hospitality, robust cuisine and ruins of fabulous ancient kingdoms. It offers everything from crowded markets and bazaars to ancient temples, to busy nightlife all set against some of the best scenery in the region. Thailand tourism is mainly divided into four regions - The Central Plain, The Peninsular South, The Mountainous North and The High Northeast Plateau. Thailand is a popular travel destination, and tourist facilities and services are available throughout the country. You will find great food, a tropical climate, national parks, fascinating culture and, great beaches, its diverse attractions make it popular with tourists and travelers of all types and ages. Thailand tourism has been heavily promoted by the Tourism Authority Thailand (TAT).
GETTING TO THAILAND:
Since Bangkok is Thailand's main tourist attraction, most tourists arrive at Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport which has connecting flights to almost all the major cities around the world.
TRANSPORTATION AND CAR RENTAL:
Thailand has many buses and taxi services that are fast, comfortable and very easily available. Thailand also has a efficient rail system along with domestic flights, connecting to all the major cities of the country, therefore getting around the country is very easy and the tourists have several options including domestic flights, buses, taxis and rail system. The roads are modern and there are several Air-conditioned buses offering maximum comfort at a low price.
Car Rental:
Many companies like Avis, Hertz, National and Budget operate rental car operations in Thailand.
In Thailand you drive on the left hand side of the road. Speed limits signs are posted in English.
It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with driving conditions and local laws before renting a car in this popular tourism destination.
Most rental car companies apply the following rules, but do check with your company for full requirements.
- Minimum driver age is 21 years.
- Driver must hold a valid driving license or International Driving Permit
- Customer must have an international credit card.
- A copy of customers' ID Card or Passport is required.
CLIMATE - WHEN TO GO:
Thailand enjoys a tropical climate with 3 distinct seasons summer from March through May, rainy season with plenty of sunshine from June to September and winters from October through February. Since Thailand can get very hot in the summer season, the best time for Thailand tourism is December to February.
TOURIST VISA:
It is required to have a return ticket and passport ready before visiting Thailand. The validity of passport should be at least 6 months beyond intended length. When this article was written in 2007 the citizens of USA, Canada, Australia, and Britain were exempted from visa for up to 30 days of stay. Citizens of Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia are granted a 15 day visa on arrival. Citizens of other countries need a visa in advance.
Visit these official sites for more tourism information:
Thailand Tourism office- USA
61 Broadway, Suite 2810, New York, NY 10006, USA
Website: www.tourismthailand.org
Thailand Tourism office-UK
3rd Floor, Brook House, 98-99 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6EE, UK
Website: www.thaismile.co.uk
Embassy websites:
www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk
www.thaiembdc.org
GOLF:
Thailand tourism offers great golf clubs to its tourists .Popular 18-hole golf clubs are the Pok-Ta-Pok along the coast of Caribbean and Hilton Park Golf Club near the El Rey ruins. The 9-hole golf course located at the Hotel Melia is relatively cheaper.
Golf has been a popular Thailand attraction for centuries where world's top designers have come and left their marks and so have several world class players. There are Golf Courses within easy reach of all the major cities. For Golf lovers, the best time to visit is the winter season, from November to March. Even rainy season is not a bad time since the rain comes down mostly in the afternoon that too only for a few minutes and most of the Golf courses have a good drainage system. However, it is highly recommended to get your booking done in advance, especially over the weekends and peak travel season.
SHOPPING IN THAILAND:
Shopping has always been a the major Thailand tourism attraction where a wealth of shopping opportunities await the visitors. Thailand is popular for its traditional handicrafts, textiles, gems, finished jewellery, antiques, ceramics, Nielloware, silk, silverware, pottery and much more, all at a bargain prices. Thailand is truly a shoppers paradise ranging from modern malls to street vendors. The biggest market of all, and the most fascinating, is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, held on Saturday and Sunday at Chatuchak Park in Bangkok, not far from the Central Plaza Hotel. Chiang Mai is another popular shopping place where some of the factories have demonstrations of how these goods (silk, paper, silver etc.) are made. The Night Bazaar, is a good place to sample the full range of local products such as cotton, lacquer ware, silver, hill tribe clothing, Burmese tapestries, painted umbrellas, and woodcarvings. Other than the big malls that have a fixed price, bargaining is very popular at most of the other tourism places in order to get the best prices.
TOP HOTELS:
Thailand tourism offers a vide range of luxury hotels and resorts, some of the popular ones are - The Peninsula, Lebua at state tower, The Metropolitan, and Intercontinental in Bangkok; Amanpuri, Aleena resort and spa, and JW Marriott in Phuket; Four Seasons Chiang Mai in Chiang Mai.
You will also find several budget accommodations and inns in Thailand.
NIGHTLIFE:
Nightlife is another popular attraction of Thailand tourism, the evening entertainment is both plentiful and inexpensive. The bars, discos and pubs are open till late at night and some of the clubs play live music all night. The important nightlife locations in Thailand include the cinemas that offer excellent value for money, ticket prices are much cheaper than in many other parts of the world and most of the countrys cinemas are top of the range. The other locations include the beaches that are the most sought after nightlife locations. Here one would find bars, pubs and go-go bars that are very popular. Thailand's nightlife has something for all its visitors and offers a wide variety of night entertainment, it is truly a nightlife paradise.
Thailand tourism has some problems too, prostitution in Thailand is a big in-famous industry and the Thai red-light branch turns billions of dollars every year.
LOCAL TOURIST OFFICE :
Thailand Tourism Office:
1600 New Phetburi Road, Makkasan, Rajatevee, Bangkok 10310.
+66 (0)2 250 5500 (Bangkok) or www.tourismthailand.org
CURRENCY:
1 USD = 32.125 Thai Baht
For latest exchange rates go to -
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?amt=1&from=USD&to=THB
RECOMMENDATION & SAFETY:
Solo women travelers should avoid beaches at night. Thailand is overall safe country to visit from both the health and personal safety aspects. Consult with your doctor with any immunizations he may recommend. Tourists should also exercise caution in remote areas along the border with Myanmar. Visit travel.state.gov for latest safety guidelines.
