Holidays in Thailand - where to go and what to see

Thailand is one of the most attractive places in Asia, tourists from Russia, China, India and other countries come to rest in this hospitable corner again and again, because in Tae there is just a perfect combination of original culture, grandiose temple structures and all kinds of images of Buddha, magnificent palaces, ancient museums and an unforgettable beach holiday on the paradise islands. Exotic in the form of a floating market or a crocodile farm, rafting on the River Kwai and visiting local tribes will be the highlight of the trip. Well, and, of course, everyone who has been here at least once notes the benevolent attitude of the local residents. And tourists who are just planning to discover this incredible country will need the following information.

Thailand landmarks

Thailand is an amazing country, at least in how fancifully the religiosity of local residents is combined here, as evidenced by a huge number of Buddhist temples, and that feature of the country for which travelers from all over the world come is sex tourism.

Without exaggeration, the most famous and lively Pattaya Walking Street runs along the Gulf of Thailand, the entrance and exit to it are limited by two arches. The place is included in the must-visit list, especially for guests of the city who came here for the "strawberry", because Walking Street is the main concentration of Thai nightlife. Erotic shows for every taste, numerous bars with naked go-go girls and sports bars, and of course, "night butterflies" for every taste. The only thing that adventure seekers should remember is that Tai is not only the record holder for the number of temples, but also for the number of transvestites and transsexuals.

The temple and park complex of Wat Yan is a favorite place for meditation of the royal family and numerous Buddhist pilgrims, located in the suburbs of Pattaya.

Wat Yan is the largest temple complex in the country, here you can see not only the temples of different styles of Thailand, but also the Chinese palace of the emperor, and Indian temples, and ancient wooden household items, and bronze sculptures of real and mythical characters.

On the territory of the park, you can visit the most popular attraction - the Golden Buddha Mountain, the image of the Buddha is applied here directly on the rock using laser beams. The 130-meter image was made in 1996 in honor of the King of Thailand.

The Temple of Truth is another corner of Pattaya, where tourists from all over the country flock every day, because this structure very clearly demonstrates the modern religious art that currently exists in the country.

The construction of a 105-meter wooden temple began in the 80s of the last century on the initiative of a Thai millionaire, and the completion of the construction is scheduled for 2025. This is one of the most striking examples of Khmer architecture that can be seen in the Cambodian temple complex of Angkor Watt, all the characters of Buddhist and Hindu mythology are hand-carved from wood.

Wat Ron Khun (White Temple) is one of the most beautiful Thai structures that was built near the city of Chiang Rai in the north of the country. This snow-white Buddhist temple was created as an example of the purity of the Buddha, its grandeur amazes even experienced tourists, because Wat Ron Khun, even on a cloudy day, shines like the castle of the Snow Queen. And all thanks to the material from which the temple is made, the walls and sculptures here are made of alabaster and are decorated with mirror mosaics.

The Royal Palace is the spiritual center of the country, at the head of which is the main sanctuary, the statue of the Emerald (jade) Buddha. Each exhibit, each landmark of the palace is a real historical monument of a certain era. The temple part has been preserved in almost its original form thanks to reconstruction, especially for the site on the side of the river, here on a flat plain there is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which has been considered a holy place since the 18th century.

The Royal Palace is not a residence, 4 buildings are closed to the public and are used only for receptions.

The 300-meter Bayok Sky Tower, built in the center of Bangkok, is the tallest structure in the country. The 84-storey building houses a multi-storey car park, a hotel, restaurants and observation decks, one of which is rotating. The platforms on the 77th and 84th floors offer an extraordinary panorama of the city and its environs.

The Tiffany Show in Pattaya is the most popular drag queen cabaret since the mid 70s. Tiffany has nothing to do with those erotic shows on Walking Street that shock the audience so much. Cabaret is a special kind of art, where well-groomed artists present a colorful program in a wonderfully equipped room. It is sometimes difficult to believe that these fragile figurines with doll faces were once men.

Beautiful places in Thailand

The Similan Islands, according to most tourists, are the most picturesque in all of Asia. This marvelous place is famous for its white sandy beaches, clear turquoise water and evergreen tropical plants, in addition, Similans are ideal for snorkeling and exploring the local fauna.

Maya Bay is another paradise of our planet, located on the island of Phi Phi Lei and is considered the most beautiful place in the archipelago. The bay offers an extraordinary view of the snow-white coastal strip, which contrasts with the crystal clear water and giant cliffs overgrown with greenery. The cove gained fame after the movie The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, became famous.

Another place that became popular with tourists after the release of the film is Tapu Island, now James Bond Island. A high narrow rock sticking out of the water was captured in one of the parts of the "Bondiana", however, here you can find many other rocks and cave formations that create a special look of the island.

Arriving in Pattaya, it is simply impossible not to visit the hill that leads to the most important local attraction - the Big Buddha statue. A gilded staircase leads to the 140-meter top of the hill, and the Golden Buddha himself sits in the lotus position and his gaze is fixed on the city. In addition to curious images and statues, the hill is famous for the magnificent panorama of the bay from it.

Ayutthaya is a small town north of Bangkok that was once the capital of Siam and is now a popular tourist destination in Thailand. The main attractions are the ruins of the city, which can be seen throughout the territory, only about 50 places recommended for visiting. Temples, monasteries, monastic cloisters, statues - not even a day is enough to see all the monuments of history.

Particular attention is paid to the local shrine - the head of the Buddha, which was buried during the destruction of the city, but the mighty roots of the trees raised it to the surface.

Thai cuisine

Thais believe that the basis of any dish lies in using the right ingredients - fresh and healthy, while the cuisine of this country is considered quite exotic, based on a combination of sweet, sour and spicy flavors.

Residents of Thailand are omnivores, they have no religious prejudices or other rules regarding the consumption of pork, beef and other types of meat, they love traditional pizza, but they do not disdain fried insects suitable for cooking. By the way, locusts, scorpions and other "delicacies" are often prepared right in front of you, in street shops.

Meat, seafood, exotic fruits and vegetables are part of the daily diet. But most Asian dishes are based on rice and rice noodles, of all kinds, colors and flavors.

Rice is considered an excellent addition to any spicy dish, especially since spices, including Thai curry, are not spared by the chefs in this country, so when ordering in a cafe or restaurant, be sure to discuss this moment with the waiter.

The traditional Thai dish is Tom Yam, a very popular sweet and sour soup. There are several options for cooking with chicken, fish or seafood. Tom Yam with shrimps and mushrooms is especially fond of.

It's hard to find a dish in Thailand that doesn't have spices. Even the green papaya salad is very spicy.

Features of Thailand

• The topic of the royal family and the royal house is a taboo for any Thai. In the morning and in the evening, the inhabitants of the country rise to the sound of the anthem to honor their ruler.
• The most common form of transport here is a motorbike (scooter), a myriad of them roam through the narrow streets and spew clouds of gray smoke. Renting a motorbike is cheap and convenient, given that there are practically no sidewalks here.
• The main public transport is a taxi called a tuk-tuk.
• There are vending machines with clean water on every corner, and street laundries are also popular - they come in several types, including "self-service", and the laundry is often dried directly in the sun.
• In Thailand, food is everywhere. In numerous makashnitsa (motorcycle with a sidecar) you can buy absolutely everything: banana and egg pancakes, unusual fruits, fried shrimp and meat. They cook them right on the street, on gas burners.
• Rumors about the unsanitary conditions in Thailand are not exaggerated, squeamish people are not allowed to enter this country. If you can't ignore gutters, trash heaps, and associated smells, then Asia is definitely not for you.
• The main religion of Thailand is Buddhism, but the locals are very tolerant of everyone, including Christians.
• Many local residents live in premises that can hardly be called home, they look like barracks hastily built from scrap materials. At the same time, the Thais themselves look quite quite, in general, an atmosphere of friendliness reigns everywhere, it is not for nothing that Thailand is called the country of smiles.
• Sex tourism is developed mainly in Pattaya, in this city there is the main concentration of lady-fights, sometimes you can distinguish them from true ladies only by their voice.

Holidays in Thailand

In Thailand, there are about two dozen holidays, some are celebrated everywhere, and some only in certain cities, for example, the festival in Pattaya.

Since the country is a tourist, it is customary to celebrate Catholic Christmas in resort areas, but far from the main crowd of guests, these holidays are not particularly distinguished.

Thanks to their long-standing ties with China, Thais widely celebrate the Chinese New Year (usually in late January-early February). The events take place for two weeks, processions, fairs and performances with the participation of dragons and tigers unfold on the streets of cities.

The most revered holiday is Songkran - Thai New Year (April 13-15), locals begin to celebrate it on a grand scale already from the 11th, a modern tradition is to arrange water battles from special pistols. On the eve of the festivities, tanks with water are placed on the streets, which can be bought for a nominal fee.

Other important holidays:

• Queen's birthday (August 12) - on this day, Thais decorate the streets with portraits of the queen, ribbons and flowers, fairs and concerts are held. On this day, all women are presented with lovely gifts, souvenirs and jasmine flowers (a symbol of royal power), so August 12 can be called a kind of March 8.
• The king's birthday (December 5) is celebrated no less pompously, on this day Ram IX is glorified everywhere, in small villages and in big cities his portraits are hung. After the end of the national holiday, the country is literally illuminated with numerous fireworks and salutes.
• Makhcha-Bucha is the most significant Buddhist holiday, which takes place in late February and early March. On this day, religious rites are held in all the temples of the country, the main action takes place in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha under the leadership of the king.

The best hotels in Thailand

Tower Club At Lebua Hotel 5 * occupies several floors (from 52 to 60) of the famous Bangkok Stay Tower skyscraper. In addition to the high level of service, modern, tastefully furnished rooms, guests have the opportunity to admire the magnificent panorama of the city and the river. The highlight of the hotel can be called the restaurants with different cuisine on the roof of the skyscraper.

Furama Jomtien Beach, 4 *, is a comfortable, 37-storey hotel in the center of Jomtien Beach in Pattaya. Each of the rooms has a balcony with a wonderful view of the bay. In general, the architecture and decoration of the hotel can be called classic, made in the colonial style. Due to the remoteness from the center, guests are provided with a quiet rest; the road to the main entertainment and shopping centers will take about 15 minutes.

Pullman Phuket Arcadia 5 *, which is located on a cape with an incredibly beautiful view of the Andaman Sea and the surrounding tropical thickets, occupies a worthy place in the rating of the best hotels in Phuket. The hotel is located 100 meters from Nighton Beach, it is distinguished by a modern design of rooms, a large territory and a developed infrastructure for recreation and sports.

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Thailand 5 * is the best luxury hotel on Koh Samui. On three sides the hotel is surrounded by impassable tropical jungle, which creates a unique atmosphere of unity with nature. The local beach is clean, with white sand and an abundance of bars, cafes and spas. The hotel complex occupies a large area with several separate luxury villas with a private pool.

Resorts of Thailand

Beach resorts in Thailand, indeed, a huge variety, they differ in the quality of service and the cost of recreation.

Pattaya, probably the most popular city in the country, is located along the Gulf of Thailand 160 km from Bangkok. As for a beach holiday, it is difficult to call this place the best, the Pattaya coast is not very clean, and some areas are completely unsuitable for tourists due to debris and mud.

But curious vacationers who like to lead a nightlife will find a lot of entertainment here - erotic shows, bars, and the city is considered the most suitable for sex tourism in all of Asia. Couples will also find something to do, for example, visit the sights, of which there are many, ride the rides or go to one of the islands.

Phuket Island is much more suitable for a beach holiday for sophisticated tourists. Phuket is located in the southern part of Thailand, washed by the Andaman Sea and is its main pearl and the largest of the kingdom's islands. The flow of tourists in this part does not stop throughout the year thanks to the beautiful beaches, tropical nature and the opportunity to explore the rich underwater world. Those interested can sail to a secluded island in the vicinity, or go to the mainland for sightseeing.

A vacation in Phuket will cost a little more than in Pattaya, but it is worth it, because this is a real tropical paradise.

The tropical island of Koh Samui is in no way inferior to Phuket in scenic beauty and well-groomed, suitable for travelers who value solitude and a romantic atmosphere. Nevertheless, the infrastructure is well developed here - many hotels of different price categories, entertainment for children and adults, bars, restaurants and sports grounds.