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Introducing Thailand
Thailand is often referred to as a golden land, not because there is precious metal buried underground but because the country gives off a certain lustre, be it the fertile rice fields of the central plains, white sandy beaches or the warm hospitality of its citizenry.
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Thailand's cool season runs from November until the end of February. With its low humidity, relatively low temperatures and clear skies, the cool season is the best time to visit, though regular days of high 20s and low 30s might leave you wondering just who came up with the term ‘cool’. It is also the peak tourist season, so expect lots of new friends at the more popular spots like the islands and major towns.
First introductions are made in Bangkok, a modern behemoth of screaming traffic, gleaming shopping centres and international sensibilities interwoven with devout Buddhism. Chiang Mai, the country's bohemian centre, is where the unique and precise elements of Thai culture become a classroom, for cooking courses and language lessons; while climbing into the mountain ranges around Mae Hong Son you'll find stupa-studded peaks and villages of post-Stone Age cultures. Sliding down the coastal tail are the evergreen limestone islands of Ko Tao and Kho Phi Phi Don, filled with tall palms angling over pearlescent sand. Thailand's beaches are stunning, hedonistic and mythic among residents of northern latitudes.
People come here as miners: first perhaps for the uniquely Western concept of R&R. And while they toast themselves to a bronze hue on the sandy beaches, they find in the daily rhythm of Thailand a tranquillity that isn't confined to vacation time. The northeast is a region better suited for homestays and teaching gigs than quick souvenir snapshots: here, you can dive deep into the Thai psyche, emerging with a tolerance for searingly spicy food and a mastery of this strange tonal language. Welcome to a life-altering experience disguised as a holiday.
Visa updates: Note that in 2008, Thailand's visa regulations were altered, affecting the length of stay for those arriving in Thailand by land. For details see our Visas section, and for further updates, check the Thorn Tree travel forum
.Make it happen
- check out our complete range of Thailand guidebooks
- book Lonely Planet reviewed and recommended hotels in Thailand
Ready to go? Our recommended tours make it easy:
- discover the Northern hilltribes and villages
- explore Thailand and Laos cycle
- visit the River Kwai and Kanchanaburi
- get in early and save on travel gear backpacks, sleeping bags and more
Visiting Bangkok? Check out:
- the food, wine and nightlife tour to get under the skin of the city
- Recommended transfers and transport
Travel Alert: Travellers should be aware that the political situation in Thailand is potentially volatile. Go to Safe Travel for current government warnings, or check out what travellers are saying on the Thorn Tree forum.
Last updated: 29 Nov 2009
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Thailand
Our Top Picks For Thailand
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1 Ko Tao
Be a small fish in a big tank while diving with mighty whale sharks from this coral-fringed island, stay a while, or choose another beach paradise
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2 Sangkhlaburi
Border outpost amid a misty lake and rugged karst mountains far from the tourist trail; the bus ride here from Kanchanaburi is one of Thailand's best scenic journeys
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3 Cooking classes in Chiang Mai
Learn about Thai culinary herbs and spices, tour a local market and prepare a feast - choose from loads of classes in Chiang Mai, which is also a top ecotourism spot
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4 Khao Sok National Park
You wouldn't be surprised if a T-Rex emerged from the jungle in this amazing tangle of limestone karsts and rainforest. Home to snakes, monkeys and tigers, and the incredible Rafflesia kerrii flower, this special corner of Surat Thani Province in Thailand's south is only a ten hour bus ride form Bangkok.
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5 Mae Hong Son Province
Remote crossroads with ethnic minorities, jungle trekking and the hippie retreat of Pai
Fast Facts about Thailand
- Pick-up joint: the world’s second-largest pick-up truck market after the US
- Border countries: Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma)
- Population: 65,493,296
- Guinness World Records: longest condom chain, most couples married underwater and most Mini Coopers in a convoy (444 cars parked to spell out ‘Long Live the King’)
- Karaoke culture: every major band or singer releases video CDs (VCD) specially formatted for karaoke-style singalongs
- Religion: 95% Buddhist
- Literacy: 92.6%, though reading anything other than the newspaper or comic books is regarded as an eccentric hobby
- Currency: what's the Thai baht worth today?
- Prime Minister: Abhisit Vejjajiva
- Number of 7-Elevens currently: 3912
- Highest point: Doi Inthanon 2565m
- Head of state: King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Related Groups
Our favourite Thailand Blogs (beta)
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Friday Flashback – Visa Run to Burma & Koh Phayam
Blog: GoBackpacking - 1 Jannar 2010
After visiting the popular islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, I was anxious to go a little off the beaten track. The recommendation I got from an expat was called Koh Phayam – a little island near the Thai-Burmese border. Lonely Planet didn’t say much, which was the perfect sign I thought. Of course I [...]Join Go Backpacking on Facebook for updates, plus exclusive travel photos and videos.
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At Least We Weren’t Spammed
Blog: No Hurry Curry - 1 Jannar 2010
12/20/09: Bangkok, Thailand Today happened so fast that here’s what I would like to believe occurred: After visiting Wat Pho and the world’s longest indoor reclining Buddha, we luckily bumped into a nice Thai man while we were lost in the city. Not only did he help us find our way, but he also flagged down a [...]
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Thai-tle
Blog: No Hurry Curry - 31 Diċembru 2009
12/19/09: Bangkok, Thailand How many modes of transportation does it take to get from the Bangkok bus station to your hostel? Local bus to Khao San Road, because that’s the only place we could get anyone to explain to us how to get to. Heck, we couldn’t even figure out which bus station we were dropped off [...]
