Thailand is an amazing exotic country,attracting Europeans with a fairy-tale atmosphere, imbued with the mystery of ancient temples and the magical beauty of nature. The flow of tourists to the "land of a thousand smiles" is growing every year, a trip to Thailand for millions of tourists is, above all, an unforgettable experience, a sea of emotions, a charge of vivacity and good mood. Local residents are happy to have guests, so independent travel around Thailand has long been a common thing for many tourists. Excellent service in hotels, democratic shopping, a highly developed sex industry attract a wide variety of people to travel around Thailand. Reckless youth can relax here very inexpensively, and here, for travelers who respect comfort, five-star service is provided.
Geographical location and climate
Thailand is located between India and China,in the very center of Southeast Asia, on the peninsulas of Malacca and Indochina. The east of the country is covered by the Gulf of Thailand of the South China Sea, and from the west it is washed by the Andaman Sea. The territory of Thailand resembles the shape of the head of an elephant looking towards Myanmar (formerly Burma). The ears of the elephant are located in the direction of Laos and Cambodia, and the trunk is located between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand to the border with Malaysia. The state occupies an area of 510,000 square meters, the population is about 60 million people. According to the ethnic composition of the population, as well as geographically and climatically, the country is divided into six regions: the Mountainous North, the Northeastern Great Plateau, the Central Plain, the coastal Eastern Plain, the plains and mountains of the Western and Southern Peninsulas. The climate for traveling in Thailand is favorable, tropical. The average annual temperature is from +28 ° to +30 °, in the cool period it does not fall below +25 °.
Customs, transport, money
According to the current legislation, the countryIt is prohibited to import drugs, obscene literature and photographs, firearms, some types of fish, animals, plants, vegetables and fruits. You can import duty-free video and photographic equipment in the amount of one unit, plus 5 films, tobacco products no more than 200 pieces, no more than 1 liter of alcohol. It is prohibited to export any images of Buddha from the country, for art objects and antiques an export license is required, which is issued by the Department of Fine Arts. It is better to travel around Thailand by public transport. The country has an excellent intercity bus service. Passenger trains do not move too fast, which gives foreigners the opportunity to see all the beauty of this fabulous country. Car traffic is chaotic and unsafe, so it is better to rent a car with a driver to travel around the country.
Beach vacation and diving
For those who prefer a sunny holiday, the seaand water sports, Thailand offers the pearl of Siam - its best resorts Samui, Pattaya and Phuket, exotic islands Koh Chang, Samet and Phi Phi. Snow-white beaches, azure sea surface soothe, sunbathing covers the bodies of sunbathers with a magnificent golden tan. Transparent sea water, abundance of living creatures, amazing coral reefs create excellent conditions for diving. On the gentle waves you can go windsurfing, sailing, there are plenty of water attractions. The island of Cha Am, where until recently the imperial family, the Thai elite and aristocracy vacationed, has become unusually popular with lovers of family vacations. This paradise allows you to escape from problems and vanity and merge in harmony with nature.
Entertainment
As soon as the sun sets below the horizon,Thailand comes alive: lively music is heard everywhere, cheerful laughter is heard, young people are walking and having fun. Thailand is a great place for clubbing. Even small cafes are filled with visitors who enjoy the national cuisine, which is quite exotic. Magnificent shows, striking in their relaxedness, will not leave anyone indifferent. The country constantly hosts bright, colorful festivals in which everyone can take part.
sights
In Thailand, formerly Siam, the dominantthe cult of Buddha, which is clearly demonstrated by the huge (400!) number of temples, his ubiquitous images and countless army of monks. While in Thailand, tourists invariably begin their sightseeing with temples. Among the places of worship, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha stands out, located in the north of the royal residence Mahamontien. It is an object of national pride for local residents; Thais visit this temple with reverence, expressing their respect for Buddha and his teachings. In the Temple of the Golden Buddha, the statue of the deity is cast from 5.5 tons of pure gold. In one of the most ancient temples in Thailand, the Temple of the Sleeping Buddha, the figure of the deity is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. It is completely covered in gold and symbolizes the state of Buddha in anticipation of the transition from the mortal world to absolute immortality. The king in the state of Thailand is also considered a sacred person, so the Grand Royal Palace built in the 18th century is a work of art. The walls around the royal residence are over two kilometers long, and the entire complex covers an area of 218,400 square meters. King Chulalongkorn's favorite residence, the famous Heavenly Palace, is still the largest teak building in the world. Thailand's national parks are amazing; the Orchid Farm and Butterfly Garden are famous throughout the world. The Flower Garden, located 32 kilometers south of Bangkok, covers over 25 hectares and is an inexhaustible sea of roses and orchids.
Shopping in Thailand
A type of tourism – shopping – is popular with manyattracts with its low prices and wide range of products. At the markets here you can buy Thai silk, jewelry made of gold and precious stones, crocodile and stingray skin products at the lowest prices. Europeans buy unique souvenirs and folk crafts as a keepsake. The stores regularly have promotions and sales, they work until late, and the stores of the Seven-Eleven chain are generally open around the clock, even on holidays. All this makes traveling around Thailand even more attractive.
Thai massage
When talking about Thailand, one cannot help but mentionthe famous Thai massage, the origins of which go back to the time of Buddha. The massage is usually done by Thai women, who are very petite by nature. However, their strength can be simply amazing, because Thai massage is not gentle and erotic stroking, as is commonly mistakenly believed. It is a complex of certain manual effects on your body. This massage promotes an even distribution of energy throughout the body, after which you feel amazingly rested and refreshed. Another type of massage is very popular with tourists - foot massage. Masseuses act on all sensitive points, of which there are many on a person's feet. After such an action, you will be able to dance non-stop in a club all night long! In a word, if you are lucky enough to be in Thailand, do not deny yourself the pleasure and please yourself with an excellent Thai massage!
Security measures
When in Thailand, it is important to remember thatsome simple safety rules. Raw water in Thailand is harmful to health, it must be boiled before drinking. Sunscreens should be used with a high protection factor. Even in gloomy weather, you can get badly sunburned under the hot Asian sun. The country has left-hand traffic; when crossing the road, you need to look first to the right, then to the left. When renting a car, you must have insurance for everything under No. 1. Motorcycles are not insured at all, and in case of force majeure, long and expensive proceedings are guaranteed. In night-time Thailand, it is better not to turn into dark alleys; there are plenty of lovers of easy money in the country. If you follow these rules, you will not have negative emotions. On the contrary, your memory will retain the warmest impressions of your trip to this country for a long time. We recommend reading: