Thailand is popularly known as the "land of smiles," while the coutnry's tourist board lures visitors with the slogan "Amazing Thailand." Visitors to this Southeast Asian country are struck by the friendliness of its people and by the great variety of its attractions: its islands and beaches, mountains and jungles, exotic culture and temples, and celebrated cuisine. Thailand is a very easy country to explore, with a transportation network that's the envy of its neighbors, and even the most remote villages of the north and east are accessible by local bus. The range of its hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and night spots is unrivaled in Asia, and Bangkok is among the most exhilarating of Asia's capitals.
Sightseeing in Thailand
■ Bangkok: Bangkok is a vibrant and exciting city, chaotic and bewildering at first, with temples and gold-leaf Buddhas, a Grand Palace and National Museum, river boats, subway and a Skytrain, human and vehicular traffic everywhere. There is superb food, shops galore and sensory experiences that will assault and delight you in equal measure.
■ Chiang Mai: Northern Thailand's regional capital is dubbed the "Rose of the North" because of its natural beauty and the profusion of flowers that deapes its ancient walls and lines its moat and river bridges.
■ Hua Hin: Visited by royalty for over a century and with a good beach and a wide range of amenities, Hua Hin is increasingly popular with visitors from around the world.
■ Ko Samui: People are drawn to Thailand's third-largest island for its outstanding, palm-fringed beaches. Massages on the beach and visits to spas can be complemented by a more active excursion to the Ang Thong National Museum Park or a wide choice of water sports.
■ Phuket: Thailand's premier resort, Phuket has enough diversity to accommodate most tastes. Patong is hedonistic, Phuket town is historical; beaches in the west are long and sandy and those in the northwest are quiet.
Activities in Thailand
■ Scuba diving: Scuba diving is enormously popular in the warm, reef-filled waters of southern Thailand. It is almost impossible to find a beach resort without a diving scool or rental shop, and the huge number of offshore islands offer hours of exploration.
■ Spa: Soas do soom to be located in posh hotels but these are enough affordable places for everyone who wants to have a try. Massages are a Thai specialty, offering the possibility of realigning your life energy.
■ Shopping: Hill-tribe crafts are avaliable in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and in Bangkok, and there are some very pretty woven should bags, clothes and quality jackets.
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