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Thailand holidays

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Trust me, it’s paradise. This is where the hungry come to feed. For mine is a generation that circles the globe and searches for something we haven’t tried before. So never refuse an invitation, never resist the unfamiliar, never fail to be polite and never outstay the welcome.

Leonardo di Caprio, as Richard in The Beach

Thailand holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Thailand holiday, personal to you.

Thailand’s major theology – Theravada Buddhism – is central to the country’s identity. However, the bulk of interesting archaeological and cultural sites is found in the northern region, where roots to the beginnings of Thai civilisation are longest. Many Thailand holidaymakers will head for Chiang Mai, a great place to learn about Thai culture, where there’s a number of centuries-old chedis and glorious golden temples scattered across the walled city.

The heart of Thailand, though, is found in the central and eastern portion, where the land is most fertile and paddy fields, orchards and plantations stretch across the landscape. The sprawling capital, Bangkok, is also found here, and while it’s largely just a concrete jungle with a vibrant nightlife, you shouldn’t miss making a visit to the Grand Palace and its grounds. Outside the city, a number of resorts have sprung up along the nearby east coast, home to some of Asia’s best beaches.

Yet it’s the beaches along the southern tail that are famed. Here are the evergreen limestone islands of Ko Tao and Kho Phi Phi Don, where palms droop over the hot sands, superb diving off Tao and Pha-ngan islands and the popular island of Phuket. Don’t miss out on going inland too though, to discover the mountains, rivers and forests – you might even spot elephants on a canoe safari.

Contact a Thailand expert to prepare a personal itinerary and a no-obligation quote.

Thailand tailor-made holiday highlights

Bangkok
Hot, humid and energetic, the capital that will hit you from all sides the moment you arrive – from the mayhem of the backpacker hostels and stalls on the Khao San Road to the alluring smells of tasty Thai snacks. Wat Po houses the huge golden Reclining Buddha, the opulent Grand Palace is home to the popular royal family. Nightlife ranges from the seedy go-go bars of Patpong to cosmopolitan clubs in Sukhumvit. Skirt around the bumper-to-bumper traffic by jumping in a colourful tuk-tuk or catch the sky train to navigate this 24-hour city.

Koh Phi Phi
Divine islands off the west coast used as the setting for the film, The Beach. Swim in the clear waters in a magical setting below limestone peaks.

Koh Pha-Ngan
Haad Rin Beach hosts the legendary Full Moon party. Neon-painted revellers dancing in Thai fisherman pants, with buckets of vodka and Redbull and mesmerising fire poi stunts from lithe locals.

Koh Lanta
More off the beaten track than other islands but worth the trip for its white sand beaches, rugged hills, mangroves and coral gardens full of aquatic life.

Chiang Mai
Quieter than Bangkok, this historic walled city in the north has over 300 beautiful wats and a huge night market selling fake Rolex, silks and delicious food.

Pai
Close to the Myanmar border this town is set amongst green countryside on the banks of the River Pai. Friendly inhabitants from a range of ethnic groups including the Shan (ethnically Burmese), colourful hill tribes such as the Lisu (originally from Yunnan, China) and Karen (Tibetan/Mongolian descent), and resident Japanese hippies who live in a commune called Moon Village. Excellent base for trekking and cycling.

People & place

Thailand facts

Capital: Bangkok
Language: Thai.
People: Thai (80%), Chinese, Malay, Khmer.
Religion: Buddhist (95%).
Size (sq km): 513,115.
Population: 62,193,000.
Population density/sq km: 121.2.

Etiquette

Instead of shaking hands, Thais sometimes place their palms together and raise their fingertips level with the chest or face, a form of greeting called the wai. The exact position of the hands depends on the status, relationship, and many other factors of the person they are greeting. Visitors don't need to wai waitresses, doormen or other people who wai you as part of their job. Buddhist culture is an intrinsic part of many Thais' life, while the Thai Royal Family is regarded with an almost religious reverence. Visitors should respect this. Shoes should be removed before entering someone's home or a temple.

Shopping

Thai silks and cottons, batiks, silver, pottery with celadon green glaze, dolls, masks, bamboo artefacts, precious and semi-precious stones.

Food & drink

Highly spiced and fragrant dishes, including tom yam (coconut-milk soup with ginger, lemon grass, prawns or chicken), gang pet (hot 'red' curry with shrimp paste, coconut-milk, garlic, chillies and coriander) and kaeng dhiaw ('green' curry with baby aubergines, beef or chicken). Curries are served with rice. The popular desert and breakfast dish of mangoes with sticky rice is worth trying. As is the whisky, either Mekhong, or SamSong.

International Airports

Bangkok (BKK) is 22 km from city. Chiang Mai (CNX) is 15 km from town. Phuket (HKT) is 35 km from town.

Internal travel

Excellent road, rail and air networks. Buses, taxis, and car-hire available.

Red tape

Visas

Not required.

Vaccinations

BCG, Cholera, Diphtheria, Hep. A, JE, Malaria, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever2 (See page 649).

Driving requirements

International Driving Permit, valid for three months, after which a Thai licence is required.

Reps in UK/US

UK: 29-30 Queen's Gate, London SW7 5JB, tel (020) 7589 2944, fax (020) 7823 7492, email thaiduto@btinternet.com. US: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 401, NW, Washington, DC 20007, tel (202) 944 3600, fax (202) 944 3611, email thai.wsn@thaiembdc.org.

UK/US reps in Thailand

K: 1031 Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, tel (2) 305 8333, fax (2) 255 8619, email visa.bangkok@fco.gov.uk. US: 120 Wireless Road, Pathumwan District, Bangkok 10330, tel (2) 205 4000, fax (2) 205 4131, email acsbkk@state.gov.

Currency

Baht (Bt).

Finance

Credit cards and traveller's cheques widely accepted.

Business hours

0900-1700 Mon-Friday.

Safety & life expectancy

Safety information

Safe, apart from border with Myanmar.

Life expectancy

Life expectancy: M 69.39, F 73.88.

Useful websites for travel

www.thaicomuk.dial.pipex.com, www.thaismile.co.uk, www.britishembassy.gov.uk/thailand, www.thaiembdc.org, www.tourismthailand.org, www.usa.or.th, www.bangkok.thailandtoday.com.

Local media

Bangkok Post, The Nation, and Thailand Times are printed in English.

Tourist boards

UK: 3rd Floor, Brook House, 98-99 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6EE, tel (09063) 640 666, fax (020) 7925 2512, email info@thaismile.co.uk. US: 61 Broadway, Suite 2810, New York, NY 10006, tel (212) 432 0433, fax (212)269 2588, email info@tatny.com.

Below is a selection of some ideas for holidays to Thailand. This is simply a taste of what we can offer. If you're interested in a specific Thailand itinerary then please call one of our consultants on 0845 643 6561.

Hill tribes of northern Thailand

The northern reaches of Thailand are home to some of the country’s most fascinating hill tribes, who live amidst stunning scenery and impressive rivers. Take this tour to discover the historic centres of Sukhothai, Lampang and Chiang Mai, Thailand’...

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