By Mika Iha
Thailand, officially known as the Kingdom of Thailand, is the most visited country in the Southeast Asian region. Located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia, it has a foreign tourist arrival of 15.1 million last year, and it is anticipating a total number of 18.3 million tourists this year, making Tourism as one of the prime movers of the country’s economy.
Thailand is very attractive to foreign tourists mainly because of its strategic location, tourist friendly tourism law, smiling and hospitable people, sumptuous food, rich culture, and amazing sceneries.
The country is located strategically in the middle of SEA region. It is bordered to the north by Myanmar/Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the west by the Andaman Sea and the southern extremity of Burma. Its maritime boundaries include Vietnam in the Gulf of Thailand to the southeast, and Indonesia and India in the Andaman Sea to the southwest. From Thailand, one can easily travel in the neighboring countries by land taking the bus or train, while to other neighboring SEA countries by budget airlines.
Thailand has hosted the Miss Universe pageant twice, during the 1992 and 2005 edition which was both held in the capital city of Bangkok.
Amazing Thailand, as it is marketed around the world, offers its tourists an amazingly different kind of experience. Here are some of the famous spots in Thailand one should not miss when visiting the country:
The Grand Palace : Known as Prha Boromma Maha Ratcha Wang in Thai, this is the most popular tourist destination in Thailand. Constructed in May 1782, the palace was the official residence of the King, his court and his royal government from 1782 to 1925. The Grand Palace is made up of numerous buildings, halls, pavilions set around open lawns, gardens and courtyards. Its asymmetry and eclectic styles are due to its organic development, with additions and rebuilding being made by successive reigning kings over 200 years of history. It is divided into several quarters: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; the Outer Court, with many public buildings; the Middle Court, including the Phra Maha Montien Buildings, the Phra Maha Prasat Buildings and the Chakri Maha Prasat Buildings; the Inner Court and the Siwalai Gardens quarter. The Grand Palace is currently partially open to the public as a museum, however it remains a working palace as several royal offices are still situated inside. Most famous within the compound of the Grand Palace is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha which was built in 1783. This temple was constructed in accordance with ancient tradition dating back to Wat Mahathat, a royal chapel within the grounds of the royal palace where the famed Emerald Buddha is kept within the grounds of the temple.
Baiyoke Sky Hotel : Located in the heart of Bangkok, this is Thailand’s tallest building, and is considered as the tallest hotel in SEA, and the fourth-tallest all-hotel structure in the world. This 85 story hotel offers a public observatory on the 77th floor, a bar and restaurant on the 83rd floor that serves buffet meals at considerable price. On the 84th floor is the 360-degree revolving roof deck that offers tourist a 360 degree amazing view of the city.
Patpong : Many of my friends say that one can’t brag that he has traveled to Thailand if he has never visited Patpong. This place is internationally known as Bangkok’s red light district; the heart of Bangkok’s sex industry. Amidst numerous red-light districts in the country, this is one of the most famous districts. The place becomes busy as soon as the sun sets. Night market opens at around 6pm, becoming the façade of the several ago-go bars in the area, disco houses, and bars. The place close at around 2-3pm, while there are still bars that operate beyond that. Close to Patpong is the famous Silom Soi 2 which is considered the heart of Bangkok’s Gay scene. Most famous disco house in this street is DJ Station where gays all over the world crowd up to party and hook-up.
Chatuchak Weekend Market : Considered as the largest market in Thailand, this place is flocked by around 200,000 visitors each day with most stalls mostly open only on Saturdays and Sundays. Also known as the JJ Market, it’s western section is actually open daily, so as the JJ Mall which is located in the west corner. The market offers a wide variety of products including household items, clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods, and live animals. For tourists, there are a number of onsite companies who send purchases abroad.
Ayutthaya Historical Park : Located in Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand, this historical park has 18 park sites where the ruins of the old city can be seen. Most famous in the park are the Wat Chaiwatthanaram (A royal temple where the king and his successors performed religious ceremonies. Princes and princess were cremated here, including King Boromakot's son Chaofa Thammathibet), and Wat Mahathat (most striking of all of the temples in the park, with large crumbling stupas surrounded by low laterite walls and rows of headless Buddhas. At the entrance is the famous Buddha covered with the roots of the tree). The park was declared a UNESCO World heritage site in 1991. According to "Tourism Asia," thirty-three monarchs including King Rama IV governed from Ayutthaya.
Pattaya : Two hours bus ride from Bangkok is the busy city of Pattaya which offers a “hot” beach experience and “wild” nightlife. This is called the city that never sleeps because of the continuous activities 24 hours a day. In daytime, the city is flocked with beach goers; while in the evening becomes a night market and a party place. Not to mention several red-light districts in the city.
Phuket : Breathtaking scenery, stunning tropical sunsets and spectacular blue sea awaits every tourist in Asia's most popular beach destination, Phuket. This fun city is the second largest tourist hub in the country, located in southern part of Thailand, about one and a half hours by plane from Bangkok. Among the must see in Phuket is the James Bond Island (where the “The Man with the Golden Gun" James Bond movie was shot in 1974), Khrabi Island (where Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie, The Beach, was shot), and Patong Beach (the largest beach resort, known for its nightlife).
Doi Suthep and Doi Pui : Located in Chiangmai, in the northern part of Thailand, these two places are among the highest peak of Thailand where you can have a breathtaking panoramic view of nature. Flowing from these heights are some of the most highly enjoyable and accessible waterfalls in the Kingdom's northern reaches. Mae Sa Falls, Huay Kaew Falls and Monthathan Falls are among the most popular sights of the park and are easily reached from the main road. The forest is also home to a variety of wildlife, including many small mammals and birds as well as the rare Crocodile Salamander, which is only found in four places in Thailand.
Can you feature Timeless Foods of Thailand.
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