The Kingdom of Thailand or simply, Thailand is situated in the middle of the Southeast Asian Indochinese Peninsula. And it has seventy-six provinces all of which hold massive cultural and historical significance. Tourism is an essential element that contributes to the economy of this country. In the year 2016, 32.59 million tourists came to Thailand, and the tourist industry of Thailand, according to the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT), earned 2.52 trillion baht. The high time during which Thailand is crowded with tourists is from December to February. The climate of Thailand contributes massively to the huge number of visitors coming here. Thailand has always proved to be a country worth visiting with its beautiful culture, modernity, and history. The historic temples, sensational hotels, white sandy beaches, and delicious delicacies make Thailand tropical heaven for people around the world.
Thailand’s Attractions and Best Tours
History of Thailand
Rich Thailand-ese Culture
The rich Thai culture has taken its roots from Chinese, Burmese, and Asian influences and has those aspects too that are wholly Thailand’s. Western civilizations also left their mark in Thai culture. And Buddhism and Animism have also contributed enormously in giving shape to the culture of Thailand that we know today. Thai civic culture describes Thailand as the region of Central Thais, having one religion known as Theravada Buddhism, under the Chakri dynasty. The influences of Mahayana Buddhism and Indian Brahmanic religion can still be seen in contemporary Thai folklore.
Traditional Thai Clothing and Crafts
Traditional Thai clothing is known as chut Thai and translates to a Thai outfit. The chut thai that is designed for women is a combination of a Chong kraben or a Pha nung, a Sabai, and a blouse. The chut thai that is designed for men consists of pants or a Chong kraben, a Raj pattern shirt, a Sabai, and knee-length white socks, a white Manchu styled jacket, and a khian hua. On special events, there is a formal Thai national dress that people wear. Thai people tend to have big dining traditions where the whole family eats together.
Thai Arts & Architecture
The visual arts in Thai culture were traditionally Buddhist only. The contemporary art form seen in Thailand is usually a mixture of modern techniques with traditional Thai elements. Also, the influence of Hindu culture can be seen in the literature produced in Thailand. Furthermore, the architecture and temple art in Thailand give shape to a distinct mixture of aspects taken from old Siamese architecture.
Thai Music & Dance
Thai music includes pop music such as string, and folk and classical traditions such as Piphat and Mor Lam. And Thai dance is of three types known as Likay, Khon, and Lakhon. There is also a form of shadow play called Nang drama and can be seen in the south. Traditional Thai art and craft include musical instruments, paintings, silk, pottery, puppets, silver wear, soap carvings, model warships, Khon masks, ceramics, and more.
Planning Thailand Travel
If you are planning a trip to Thailand, be sure that you have planned well because otherwise, you may have to face some major problems. Don’t forget to keep in mind the following points:
- Connectivity can be a major problem while traveling not only in Thailand but anywhere in the world. So, buying a 4G SIM card or a pocket Wi-Fi device is essential to maintain stable contact with your loved ones while you are away from them.
- Before traveling, do a little research or read a Thailand travel guide book so that you can have a little know-how in dealing with different situations while you are traveling in Thailand.
- Depending on the season you choose to travel to Thailand can determine the rest of your trip so, you need to choose wisely.
- If you are going to famous tourist attraction sites, you should book your tickets beforehand to avoid any inconvenience when you reach there.
- Take the help of a local tour guide to explore all the beautiful corners of Thailand that otherwise you could never.
- You should know the do’s and don’ts in Thailand so that you can refrain from accidentally hurting the sentiments of people and avoid seemingly minor errors that can actually land you in trouble.
- Learn some basic Thai phrases and words so that you can understand and deal with a number of situations on your own.
- Before coming to Thailand, check if you need a visa or not.
- Purchasing travel insurance is also an important step before traveling.
Thailand Travel Budgeting
If you are planning on spending a week in Thailand, then it should cost you about $500, which is about $71 per day.
Accommodation
However, if you are planning on spending lavishly by booking your stays inexpensive resorts and western hotels, eating out at popular tourist sites, drinking, flying from one place to another, and touring a lot, then it can cost you about $100 to $200 per day. If you book an Airbnb, it can cost you about $20 per night. If you are planning on a cheap trip to Thailand, then you should come here in September.
Meal
The average rate for a meal in Thailand in a restaurant can range from $3 to $4. If you want to travel around Thailand, you can use boats, ferries, or longtails. While traveling in Bangkok, the popular transportation can be tuk-tuks or taxis.
Transportation
The public transport includes skytrains, buses, metro, and Chao Phraya Express boats. The total cost of a week’s worth of transport in Thailand for a person can be about $20. With all the travel budgeting and transportation, it can be estimated that Thailand is actually a very budget-friendly travel destination.
Thailand Travel Guide
How to get to Bangkok from the Airport
If you want to get to Bangkok from the airport, then Airport Rail Link can be the ideal option as it is the cheapest and fastest way out of the airport and into central Bangkok. When you arrive at the airport, you can follow the signs pointing towards the train station that is situated on the floor of the basement. Get on the train and it will take you directly to the Makkasan station in almost fifteen minutes. This journey from the airport to Bangkok can cost almost $2 or 45 baht per person. If you want to take a taxi instead of the train, it is suggested that you don’t take a taxi that someone offers you from inside the airport and instead, ask the taxi desk clerk to assign you to the next available taxi driver, however; taxi ride can cost more as compared to the train ride.
Where to Visit in Thailand
These are the popular travel destinations in Thailand:
- the Grand Palace, Wat Pho Temple with its huge reclining Buddha
- Phra Kaew in Bangkok that is the capital of Thailand famous for vibrant street life and beautiful shrines
- Patong Beach in Phuket that is a mountainous island in the Andaman Sea
- Ancient Buddha temples, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chaedi Luang
- The Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai, exotic beaches, nightlife attraction sites
- Big Buddha statue at Wat Phra Yai Temple in Ko Samui that is the second-largest island in Thailand
- Krabi with its Phi Phi islands
- Hatyai with its Kim Yong Market offers incredibly cheap items for all the shopping lovers out there.
Best Things to Do in Bangkok
If you are in the sensational city of Bangkok, there is a long list of things that you can do. Here are some of the major things that you can do in Bangkok:
- Shopping at the Siam Paragon
- Visiting the Wat Pho Temple to see the Reclining Buddha that is fifteen meters tall and forty-six meters long
- Touring the Bangkok National Museum
- Taking a stroll through the Grand Palace and learning more about its magnificent history
- Walking in the Lumpini Park
- Riding the Sky train to look at the vibrant city below
- Visiting the Erawan Shrine that is dedicated to the Brahman school of thought
- Going to Chinatown for mouthwatering delicacies
- Visiting the Chatuchak Market for some shopping
- Enjoying Dusit Zoo and watching beautiful wildlife thriving here
- Watching the Bangkok Puppet Show
- Going on a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River to relax,
- And touring the Jim Thompson House to learn more about Thai Silk Company.
For more detailed information about things to do in Bangkok, Thailand, click here.
Top Things to Do in Phuket
While you stay in Phuket, you can
- Visit the Phuket Big Buddha that is forty-five meters tall and one of the major landmarks in Thailand
- Tour Wat Chalong to see the Grand Pagoda
- Watch the Ladyboys at the Simon Cabaret Show
- Walk up the Monkey Hill
- Stroll along the Nai Harn Beach
- Tour the Phuket Trickeye Museum
- Take a trip to Kata Noi Beach
- Shop at Phuket Town Weekend Market
- Tour the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and support ethical elephant tourism
- Walk up the Karon View Point to take in the scenic beauty of the place
- Visit the Phuket FantaSea Show and be mesmerized
- Enjoy the Tiger Kingdom and learn more about this majestic animal
- Go to the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery to taste some of the finest rum produced in Thailand
- Stroll through sensational Phuket Old Town
More information on the best things to do in Phuket can be found here.
Things to Do in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai offers its visitors a lot of things to do. Here you can
- Go shopping at Warorot Market
- Tour Doi Suthep
- Go on a boat trip to the Mae Ping River
- Visit the Cat Café to spend some quality time with beautiful cats
- Walk through the San Kamphaeng Road to buy beautiful handicrafts
- Enjoy San Kamphaeng Hot Springs to relax, silverware, silk items, and other such souvenirs
- Tour the Doi Inthanon National Park that is on the highest mountain of Thailand
- Eat the delicious local delicacy called Khao Soi
- Stroll through the Wat Phra Singh that is a Buddhist temple and monastery
- Visit the Long Neck Karen Tribe of Mae Rim village
Head here for more details.
Thailand Foods
Thailand’s mouthwatering cuisine is loved by people from all over the world. Rice is the staple dish in Thai cuisine and is served along with various other dishes. All of the traditional Thai foods below are incredibly flavorful and delicious. You can find these dishes in local restaurants as well as on food stalls that can be found everywhere in the country.
Traditional Thai Foods
Some of the famous traditional Thai foods include:
- Guay Teow that is a noodle soup made out of either pork, beef, or chicken mixed with rice or egg noodles.
- Kai Med Ma Muang is a dish of chicken combined with cashew nuts, soy sauce, mushrooms, onions, honey, and pepper.
- Tom Kha Gai is a coconut and chicken soup made from coconut milk that gives it a creamy texture.
- Som Tam is a spicy green papaya salad that includes green papaya, carrots, dried shrimp, tomatoes, garlic, and chili sauce.
- Tom Yum Goong is a spicy shrimp soup made from chili, kaffier lime leaves, lemongrass, galangal, shallots, fish sauce, fresh lime juice, prawns, and mushroom.
Thai Street Foods
Some of the best examples of street food can be found on the streets of Thailand. When you are going from one place to another, you might want to relax and satisfy your hunger at the nearest street food stall. Here are some of the best Thai street foods:
- Pad See Eiw is a dish of meatballs and spaghetti and tastes incredible.
- Kai Jeow is a traditional Thai omelet that is rice with fish sauce and chilies.
- Kluay Tod is a dessert with bananas and coconut deep fried, and sesame seed layers and is worth a try.
Must-buy Items in Thailand
Check some of the must-buy items in Thailand below:
- Fruit soaps
- Thai silk
- Spa and aroma products
- Tasty fruit snacks
- Crispy seaweed that is also known as the snack king of Thailand.
- Handmade bag from Naraya that is a local brand offering high-quality pouches and bags
- Thai tribal handicrafts, wooden carvings, ceramics, and pottery
- Thai sauces and spices
- Handmade Thai jewelry
All of these must-buy items can be found at local stores or shopping markets at reasonable prices so that you can get something for everyone.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave comments below. Thanks!
Written by Dy & Jay
