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ABOUT THAILAND
Few countries in Asia attract as many visitors as this Jewel of the East
– and it’s not hard to see why!
With its alluring combination of
turquoise seas and palm-fringed island beaches in the South, jungle-cloaked
mountains and tranquil river villages in the north and everything from golden
Buddhist temples to booming Bangkok nightclubs in between, Thailand offers a
rich and enticing travel experience for everyone.
Thailand is famous for it’s many
handicrafts and there are markets dotted all over Bangkok for their sale and purchase.
You’ll find authentic oriental silk cushions, hanging paper lanterns and
perfectly carved wooden bowls, amongst many less traditional (usually faux
designer!) souvenirs.
Whether you’re searching for spiritual enlightenment and a
heady cultural experience or are simply looking for a sun tan, delicious food
and a great time – this land of sunshine and the ‘Kingdom of Smiles’ is sure to
capture your heart with its famously warm welcome: “Sawatdee!”
Become immersed in local culture by taking part
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For many years Thailand has been a mecca
for Travellers, with an estimated 10 million tourists now arriving each
year. It’s central position in South East Asia affords easy
access to neighbouring Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia, making
Thailand the ideal gateway for exploration of all things Eastern.
Thailand has remained a strong favourite amongst
travellers, not least
because of the ease of travel (buses and trains are affordable and
comfortable), delicious cuisine and changing landscape. The trekking,
rafting and scenery of the northern and central regions will suit
adventure lovers, where as the islands and beaches of the southern
peninsular are perfect for the more laid back holiday. Whatever
experience you are looking for, you’ll find it here.
Around 95% of Thai’s are Buddhists and
signs of this are distinguishable everywhere, especially at the
intricately adorned temples and palaces where saffron robed monks gather
to collect alms and food. Meditation schools and retreats are also
commonplace, affording you the opportunity to develop a true
appreciation of Thai culture, should you wish.
Throughout Thailand you’ll also find
cooking schools for you to learn how to prepare authentic Thai dishes
and courses to teach you the traditional techniques of Thai massage, a
pummeling work out to rejuvenate your mind and body.
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Teaching:
Embrace Thai culture while assisting others
to perfect their English in a small community to the north of Bangkok. You can help teach English and other subjects.
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ABOUT
BANGKOK: |
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Bangkok is not for the faint hearted! This is
South East Asia’s largest, most frenetic, over polluted, traffic congested
capital city. But don’t let that put you off! If you have enough time to
visit Bangkok leisurely this will all become part of the charm, not to
mention the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage
to ease the stresses of the city.
By day and night,
Bangkok is fast paced - this is a city for indulgence and fun, with action
at all hours. Rise early to get a rare glimpse of Bangkok during it’s
quietest hours. Even at this time of day you’ll see street cleaners hard at
work clearing up the nights’ excesses, revelers flocking home to their
guesthouses and smartly dressed commuters already starting to descend on the
city for the beginning of another day.
One of the best ways to appreciate the beauty
of this country is to live and breathe it;
- Visit the traditional floating markets on the
outskirts of Bangkok, where you’ll see traders selling their wares from
wooden boats, weighed down by kilos of bananas and other exotic fruits
as garlands of jasmine hang off the boats stern.
- Walk through China Town early in the morning and be
fascinated as you watch stall owners carry boxes of merchandise that
tower over them, weighing two or three times their body weight.
- Snack on some fresh pineapple or watermelon carefully
sliced by a roadside vendor as you soak in the sights and smells of the
city before the midday heat encourages you inside to air conditioned
safety.
- Watch tuk tuk’s laden with people screech past,
weaving in and out of traffic to deliver their passengers through the
bustling streets.
- Enjoy some freshly cooked Pad Thai from a street
vendor. This is a mixture of noodles and bean sprouts stir fried with an
egg and served with a generous portion of chilli sauce, or for the
brave, a heaping of additional dried chilli.
- Observe tourists gather around a fried insect seller,
each daring the other to try one of the assortment of bugs on display.
Real Thai’s would never eat such a thing - instead they watch on, amused
by the tourist trap.
- Take in sunset from a river cruise and marvel at
Bangkok’s diverse skyline, from modern gleaming skyscrapers to the
pointed gold roof’s of glittering temples, each with their own place in
Bangkok’s history and future.
Bangkok is a fascinating
city, both historically and culturally and no visit would be complete
without a visit to the Grand Palace, a decadent spectacle which used to be
residence to the King of Thailand and now has a temple for the Emerald
Buddha.
The grand palace is one of the most
striking pieces of art in Thailand, with gargoyles, dragons and warriors
incredibly re-constructed in glittering mosaics. The esteemed King and Queen are held in reverence by the people of
Thailand, their images grace intricate gold statues created to adorn the
roadside of Bangkok’s main thoroughfares. |
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THINGS TO DO IN THAILAND: |
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The Islands and Beaches of the southern
peninsular are a must see for a relaxing start or end to your travels. On
the eastern coast the island of Ko Tao is one of the most popular
spots for Scuba Diving, where accommodation is usually offered for free in
return for taking a dive package.
Nearby Koh Pha-ngan hosts the
infamous full moon and half moon parties, where as beaches on the western
islands have a more laid back feel and are more picturesque, backed by huge
protruding cliffs. This part of Thailand is where the Phi Phi islands
are located, once made famous as the location of filming for the cult
movie ‘The Beach’.
Chang Mai is also firmly rooted on the travellers' map. In this part
of Northern Thailand you’ll have all the convenience of the city but with
excellent access to lush jungle filled hills. To reach Chang Mai you can
take an hours flight from Bangkok or travel on an overnight sleeper for 12
hours, awaking just before sunrise as the train click-clacks into the city.
From Chang Mai, you can organise treks and overnight camping amongst tribal
communities to truly get a flavour of rural Thai living.
Back in Chang Mai
itself make sure you visit the incredible night markets, bursting with
activity and the aromas of chilli, garlic and ginger as food is expertly
steamed or fried at your convenience. The local river is the source of much of the excellent
freshly caught fish and also provides a picturesque location for dining in
any one of the beautifully lit riverside restaurants.
The infamous Khoasan Road is for many the
life and soul of Bangkok, throbbing with activity at all times of the day
and night. Lined with guest houses, market stalls, cafés and restaurants,
this backpackers mecca attracts travellers from all corners of the globe,
including a fair share of local Thai’s keen to join in the action. Along the
Khoasan road you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll find a place to stay
at any time of the day or night, and will almost certainly bump into someone
you know from previous travels or even back home.
You can also book tours, make travel arrangements, extend
visa’s & contact home easily – so it’s no wonder it’s become such a popular
haunt for travellers.
Thailand is famous for it’s many
handicrafts and there are markets dotted all over Bangkok for their sale and purchase.
You’ll find authentic oriental silk cushions, hanging paper lanterns and
perfectly carved wooden bowls, amongst many less traditional (usually faux
designer!) souvenirs.
Prices are most
definitely negotiable at such markets – this is all part of the purchasing
experience and regarded as a fun part of social discourse as both parties
haggle to get the best price. At some of the larger markets you can find
many original pieces for a great price in this way (remember to think how
you’ll carry it around or take it home as traveling through customs with a 4
foot wooden elephant may not be such a fun experience!).
There are also
many skilled tailor’s in Bangkok, eager to let you create your own pieces or
choose from their catalogues of designer dresses and suits. Leave them a
deposit and they’ll tailor make your garment as a perfect replica and fit
for your size in just one or two days.
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