Thailand

Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been under colonial rule. The secret lies in the strong government of the state and the desire of the main European colonizers to leave a buffer between the Asian territories of France and England. A unified state was formed here in 1238. It was called the Kingdom of Sukhothai, and then power was inherited by the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, formed in 1350. In 1939, the country was renamed Thailand, formerly Siam. The country has often had coups d'état. Today, a constitutional monarchy has been established here.

It is worth finding and choosing a tour online to Thailand to plunge into bright adventures in this country. There are beautiful tropical beaches, incendiary parties, unique local color, rich cultural heritage, amazing nature and traditional cuisine, beloved all over the world. 

Some official data

Capital: Bangkok.

Official language: Thai.

Currency: baht.

Religion: Buddhism.

Reasons to buy a tour, a trip to Thailand: search and selection of tours online

The beginning of tourism development in the country can be considered the 1960s, when American soldiers came here to rest during the Vietnam War. Then, mass construction of hotels and other tourist infrastructure began in Thailand, and the first agencies opened. Today, this sector brings a fairly large share of income to the country's budget.

Some of the reasons why it is worth buying a tour to Thailand:

• Sights of the capital . Bangkok's architecture is striking in its beauty and scale. There are approximately 400 religious buildings here. Among the largest and most interesting are the ancient Wat Pho, where there is a huge statue of the reclining Buddha, and Wat Bencha Mabophit, built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The capital also has examples of modern architecture - the MahaNakhon skyscraper with an unusual "pixel" facade and the Baiyoke Sky tower, from whose observation decks a fascinating panorama opens up. The city has many interesting museums and magnificent palaces, and Khao Yai, a popular national park, is located not far from the capital.
• Excellent beach holiday. Everyone will find a place to their liking: the coast with noisy parties, various bars, shops, restaurants, remote shores from the cities and almost wild beaches. And the special romance of the islands will give you unforgettable feelings.
• Amazing underwater world . Diving in Thailand is a popular activity. In the surrounding waters and on the reefs you can meet whale and leopard sharks, stingrays, moray eels and bright tropical fish, sea urchins and other representatives of the marine fauna.
• Thai cuisine , which was formed under the influence of China, India and Europe, taking into account local realities. The basis of the dishes is a combination of sweet, sour, bitter, spicy and salty tastes. All treats are unique, since there are no strict rules for cooking, only common features. Chefs combine products and spices at their discretion, so in each dish, in addition to national flavor, the individuality of the author is also manifested. The basis for cooking is rice and rice noodles. Pork, chicken, seafood, eggs are added to them. Three-time harvesting contributes to the presence of different vegetables, fruits and greens in the dishes.
• Fascinating nature . The landscapes delight the eye with picturesque lakes, mountains covered with emerald forests, silvery waterfalls, dense jungles and mysterious caves. The country has many nature reserves where you can safely explore the local flora and fauna. In the mountainous regions, you can not only enjoy the magical landscapes, but also relax in thermal springs.

The country is equipped with everything for a comfortable trip. You can spend your entire vacation exploring the various beaches, or go on a weekend tour of Thailand and spend a few days walking through national parks, exploring ancient architecture and getting to know the local culture .

✔️ Types of entertainment by region

The country is located on two peninsulas - Indochina and Malay. It also includes many islands.

• The beaches are located in the southern part of Thailand. Krabi province is famous for its most beautiful coastline. There are surfing spots.
• Phuket Island is an ideal place for diving , boat trips and fishing. Of the islands, Phangan with its untouched nature, Phi Phi, one of the most beautiful, Koh Chang with mountainous landscapes and tranquility, and the almost wild Lanta are also worth attention. 
• The Mae Hong Son area is rich in natural parks , beautiful waterfalls and caves. In the mountains there are springs with thermal water and therapeutic mud.
• Bangkok is home to most of the world's major architectural attractions . We also recommend visiting the old town in Phuket, the Wat Prathat Doi Suthep temple in Chiang Mai, and the mahogany Temple of Truth in Pattaya, which was built in 1981 without any nails.

✔️ Climate and seasons

The country has a fairly even climate, characterized as tropical. Pleasant weather contributes to the year-round tourist season. In summer in Thailand +30-34 °C, and in winter - +25-29 °C.

✔️ Currency

The national currency of the country is the baht . It is not profitable to change currency in hotels, it is better to do it in a bank or exchange office. Banknotes from 20 baht and dollars that look shabby are not accepted in exchange offices. With such banknotes you need to go to the main offices of large banks. 

In many shops and restaurants you can pay with Visa, Diners Club and American Express cards. But it is worth considering that there are often cases of fraud with credit cards, and if possible, use only cash.

✔️ Major holidays

Thais love to celebrate brightly and on a grand scale, adhering to traditions and rituals. Due to the multinationality of the country, holidays of different nations are mixed here. You can get to cheerful events all year round, as there are constant festivals dedicated to religious dates, as well as flowers, fruits, animals and much more.

Holidays worth visiting:

• The European New Year (January 1) is celebrated similarly to Western countries: Christmas trees are decorated, buildings and streets are decorated with colorful illuminations, and fairs are held. At home, everyone prepares to welcome guests, gives gifts, and prepares treats. And on New Year's Eve, locals and tourists go out to have fun, attend parties, and participate in exciting shows.
• Flower Festival (first Friday of February), held in the city of Chiang Mai. The main event of the event is a parade, where masters present their sculptures of flowers. These can be geometric structures, mythical creatures, deities, kings, etc. Also on this day, the Queen of Flowers is chosen, so Thai girls prepare for the holiday especially carefully.
• Chinese New Year (January-February, depending on the lunar calendar). Residents decorate their houses with red lanterns, and during the holiday itself you will see locals dressed in colorful national clothes, walking along the streets in a colorful procession. Dancing dragons and lions are constant attributes, as well as the launch of firecrackers and fireworks. 
• Kite Festival (March). Participants from all over the world come here to show off their "pets". There is a presentation of kites of foreign guests, as well as a traditional competition. In it, men control Chula kites, and women - Pakpao. When the huge structures rise into the sky, an exciting and fun action begins: men and women are divided into two camps, and the task of each side is to drag more kites of the opponent to their camp. For this, special lassos are used on Pakpao and hooks on Chula.
• Thai New Year (April 13-15). This is a celebration of kindness and real children's fun. In the streets, everyone pours water on each other and sprinkles them with colored talc. This symbolizes the end of the hot season, cleansing from all the bad things and brings prosperity in the coming year.
• Loy Krathong (November). This festival takes place at night. Those wishing to build beautiful boats, decorate them with flowers and candles, and then set them afloat, making wishes to the goddess of water. If the candle does not go out until the boat disappears from sight, the request will be fulfilled. The sky is also illuminated by sky lanterns of different shapes and sizes. All this creates a unique atmosphere and makes Loy Krathong one of the most romantic holidays in Thailand.

✔️ Medicine

Depending on which country you are traveling from, insurance may or may not be a mandatory entry requirement. However, it is still worth taking care of financial protection in case of an unforeseen health situation to have peace of mind while traveling.

✔️ Useful tips

By carefully studying the local customs, traditions and rules of conduct in the country you are visiting, you can greatly improve your trip.

• You shouldn't buy street food on the beaches - you might get stale food. When swimming in a place near coral reefs, wear special slippers.
• The king is highly respected here, so you can't insult him in any way. Since he is depicted on the money, you can't tear the bills, step on them, or put them in your back pocket.
• Leaving a tip is not obligatory, and in remote towns you may not even be understood if you leave money. 
• In the capital, it is better to travel by taxi, especially if you are traveling with a group. It will be much more convenient and even cheaper. Before the trip, it is worth clarifying the cost of services so that the driver does not overcharge.
• The situation with public toilets in Thailand is not very rosy. However, if you are caught by surprise by a natural need, do not hesitate to ask the Thais for help. They will be happy to help. In this case, do not forget to thank the person.
• You will only be allowed into the temple in clothes that cover your entire body. You must also remove your shoes when entering.
• Don't shout at the locals, as they may refuse to communicate at all. So raising your voice won't help solve the problem.
• Smoking is prohibited on some beaches. Electronic cigarettes have also been completely banned in the country. Using these devices and smoking in unauthorized places can result in a large fine or imprisonment.
• Foreign citizens must carry their passport with them at all times, so take at least a copy with you.