Welcome to Thailand, the land of smiles,Thailand officially the Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia with coasts on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. It borders Myanmar (Burma) to the north-west, Laos to the north-east, Cambodia to the south-east and Malaysia to the south.With great food, a tropical climate, fascinating culture and great beaches, Thailand is a magnet for travellers the world over.
Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia, and for a reason. You can find almost anything here: thick jungle as green as can be, crystal blue beaches that feel more like a warm bath than a swim in the ocean and food that can curl your nose hairs while tap dancing across your taste buds. Exotic, yet safe; cheap, yet equipped with every modern amenity you need, there is something for every interest and every price bracket, from beach front backpacker bungalows to some of the best luxury hotels in the world. And despite the heavy flow of tourism, Thailand retains its quintessential Thainess, with a culture and history all its own and a carefree people famed for their smiles and their fun-seeking sanuk lifestyle. Many travelers come to Thailand and extend their stay well beyond their original plans and others never find a reason to leave. Whatever your cup of tea is, they know how to make it in Thailand.
Most visitors enter the country through Bangkok. From there you can head either north to the mountains or south to the beaches. Great daytrips from Bangkok are easily accessible to historical and interesting towns like Ayutthaya(a former capital) and Kanchanaburi, known for the River Kwai Bridge. A little further from the capital are the busy holiday cities of Pattaya to the east, and Hua Hin to the southwest. Popular islands further south include Koh Samui and Phuket as well as the beautiful beaches of Krabi and Trang.Chiang Maiin the north is popular for trekking and Thai handicrafts.
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The country's capital is Bangkok. A frenetic, sprawling city full of humanity and history, massive markets and mega malls, ancient temples and modern nightlife… and traffic. Thanks to the efficient Skytrain and river taxis, much of Bangkok's chronic traffic jams can be avoided. Bangkok is worth at least a brief visit, even if you are not a city person. The magnificent Grand Palace is a must-see.
The best time to visit Thailand is during the cool season, from November through February, also considered the high season as it is the most popular time to travel due to the pleasant weather. The average temperature is around 25C with low humidity (55%). It can be surprisingly chilly in the north, with temperatures dropping to 7C at night.
Summer is generally dry from March to May with average temperatures around 27C, although it is not uncommon for it to reach 34C or 40C for extended periods, especially during April.
The rainy season begins from June through October, with temperatures ranging from 24C to 34C. The amount of rainfall varies with topography, but is usually broken up with a moment or a day of sunshine. The northeast receives the least rain, while the south tends to receive heavier rainfall.
If the heat or rain doesn't bother you, the summertime offers major discounts on accommodation and the wild water festival of Songkran in Apri.Songkran undoubtedly the most fun holiday - is the celebration of the Thai New Year, sometime in April (officially April 13th to 15th, but the date varies in some locations). What started off as polite ritual to wash away the sins of the prior year has evolved into the world's largest water fight,which lasts for three full days.
Water pistols and Super Soakers are advised and are on sale everywhere. The best places to participate are Chiang Mai, the Khao San Road area in Bangkok and holiday resorts like Pattaya, Ko Samui and Phuket. Be advised that you will get very wet, this is not a spectator sport. In recent years, the water-throwing has been getting more and more unpleasant as people have started splashing iced water onto each other. It is advisable to wear dark clothing, as light colors may become transparent when wet.
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History
The earliest identifiably Thai kingdom was founded in Sukhothai in 1238, reaching its zenith under King Ramkhamhaeng in the 14th century before falling under the control of the kingdom of Ayutthaya, which ruled most of present-day Thailand and much of today's Laos and Cambodia as well, eventually also absorbing the northern kingdom of Lanna. Ayutthaya was sacked in 1767 by the Burmese, but King Taksin regrouped and founded a new capital at Thonburi. His successor, General Chakri, moved across the river to Bangkok and became King Rama I, the founding father of the Chakri dynasty that rules (constitutionally) to this day.
Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only South-East Asian country never to have been colonised by a foreign power, and fiercely proud of the fact. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. During World War II, while Japan conquered the rest of Southeast Asia, only Thailand was not conquered by the Japanese due to smart political moves. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. After a string of military dictatorships and quickly toppled civilian Prime Ministers, Thailand finally stabilized into a fair approximation of a democracy and the economy boomed through tourism and industry.
Above it all presided King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), the world's longest-reigning monarch and a deeply loved and respected figure of near-mythic proportions.
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Climate
Thailand is largely tropical, so it's hot and humid all year around with temperatures in the 28-35°C range (82-95°F), a degree of relief provided only in the mountains in the far north of Thailand. The careful observer will, however, note three seasons
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