TRAVEL

Why Not Thailand?

By Craig Davies

My wife’s parents have never left Australia but they have travelled around more of this beautiful country of ours than most. We often have conversations where I say; “Why not go overseas? Why not Thailand?” They love the food. They don’t have to use chop sticks (which is a big plus as we have given up trying to teach them) and they like the people, well, they like the staff in our local Thai restaurant so we are on the right track.
Why not Thailand indeed.

I have been blessed as over the years, I have been able to travel the world for my business. I published a magazine on Asia and consequently spent seven years in and out of just about every country in the region. I therefore feel I can speak with a degree of confidence about the destination.

Most people who have not travelled overseas have a fear of Asia, it’s big and fast and for the most part the people don’t speak English. These are all the reasons my wife’s parents have not travelled. I’m going to give you the same speech that I give them although hopefully with a better result!

Asia is exotic, warm, fast, big and yes, it does smell, however these are just the things that are different to what you are used to and comfortable with. A host of things await you in the exotic East if you are just prepared to try.

Featuring a lush tropical geography, Thailand is an incredible land of contrasts. Temples and ruins of ancient cities are a legacy of the country’s 700-year history, while idyllic islands and beaches lure millions of tourists
making Thailand a truly world-class travel destination.

Situated in a fertile monsoon belt midway between India and China, Thailand shares its borders with Myanmar (formerly Burma), Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. Its east coast is on the gulf of Thailand and the west coast is on the Andaman Sea.

The country is divided into four main regions; the central plains of the Chao Phraya River, the region of the northeast plateau, the fertile valley and mountains of northern Thailand and the richly forested southern peninsula. Each region has its own topographical identity and there are subtle differences between the people and dialects.

It’s worth putting up with the traffic jams, pollution and humid weather to experience Bangkok; I do believe it to be one of Asia’s most exciting cities.

Known in Thai as Krung Thep, the ‘City of Angels’, Bangkok is the spiritual, symbolic and geographical heart of Thailand, and home to some nine million people.

Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second largest city and an ideal base from which to explore the mountains and villages. The region is famed for its many fine temples and its handicrafts are commonly regarded as the most exquisite in Thailand. Ban Chiang, found in the north-eastern province of Udon Thani, is fascinating for the archaeological site that was discovered by accident in 1966. Artefacts on display are thought to date back to around 3600 BC.

Khorat, or Nakhorn Rachasima, was part of the ancient Khmer Empire and today is a rapidly expanding business centre. Along the east coast, on the Gulf of Thailand, lies Pattaya, which offers many excellent beaches and is popular with families.

On the sunrise coast of the Gulf of Thailand are Cha-am and Hua Hin. The former has experienced a dramatic surge in popularity since the mid-80s and catering mainly for Thais, its quiet village atmosphere has become a lot livelier. Nearby Hua Hin was Thailand’s first beach resort and was a popular retreat for minor Thai royalty in the 1920s.

Further south along the east coast is the beautiful Island of Ko Samui covered with coconut plantations and encircled by palm-fringed beaches. The twin Phi Phi Islands in Krabi are famed for their spectacular landscapes, while the country’s largest and most southern island, Phuket, lies in the Andaman Sea off the south-western coast.

There is something for everybody in Thailand, from history and rich culture to food and idyllic beaches. There is a huge selection of first-class hotels and resorts or you can choose to go cheap and cheerful and stay in a guesthouse or rent a holiday home.
The main thing is not to be afraid as there really is a big world out there and it is not going to come to you. Do yourself a favour and go see it for yourself.

PS One of the best ways to start a holiday and to get the feel of a country is to learn a little of the language. Your host country will love you for it as well.

A few Thai phrases