Golden Temples, Island Beaches and Street Food
Thailand is a kingdom in Southeast Asia, famed for its gilded temples, tropical islands, lively street food and a warm, smiling hospitality often summed up as the land of smiles. From the capital, Bangkok, the country reaches north to the mountains and ancient kingdoms around Chiang Mai, and south to the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, where beaches and limestone islands line the coast. The result is a country that suits first-time travellers, honeymooners, families and culture seekers equally, with an excellent range of stays from heritage guesthouses to beachfront resorts.
History is easy to explore. Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, the former capitals, were both inscribed by UNESCO in 1991 and offer ruined temples and towering stone Buddhas set among lawns and lakes. Chiang Mai, in the north, is the centre of Lanna culture, with its walled old town, hundreds of temples and craft villages, while the festival of Loy Krathong, when floating lanterns and lights fill the rivers, is among the most beautiful sights of the year. Travellers who love Asia often pair this journey with Bangkok as a gateway and Singapore as a stopover.
Phuket, Krabi and the Andaman Coast
Thailand's coastline is its signature. On the Andaman side, Phuket is the largest island and a long-established beach destination, with bays such as Kata, Karon and Kamala, and a historic old town of Sino-Portuguese shophouses. Krabi, further east, is known for limestone cliffs, the beaches of Railay and Ao Nang, and boat trips to island clusters such as the Phi Phi Islands. In the Gulf, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao offer a different, palm-fringed atmosphere, with diving and relaxed beach clubs.
Thai cuisine is a draw in itself, a balance of sweet, sour, salty and spicy. Tom yum soup, green curry, pad thai, som tam salad and mango with sticky rice are signature dishes, and cooking classes in Bangkok and Chiang Mai are among the most popular activities. Songkran, the Thai new year, arrives in mid-April with water festivals nationwide. For a hotel group, Thailand's variety of price points and settings is a major strength, and neighbouring the Philippines and Japan pair well on a longer Asian itinerary.
Read the full Thailand guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitThailand.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.